At its December meeting, Council had resolved to investigate the use of consultants, as planning staff have been busy with a backlog of Development Applications.

The report in the Business Paper, outlines that the General Manager sought only one expression of interest, namely from Parsons Brinckeroff Australia Pty Limited (PB), who have been involved with the development of Goulburn Mulwaree and Upper Lachlan LEPs, as well as a number of other LEPs.

The consultants believe that the LEP could be completed by the end of July, with council staff working in conjunction with the consultants.

The only staff saving identified is the mapping required for the LEP. Some 90 maps are required and while Council has the resources to complete the mapping in-house as it would mean diverting staff from the development of the asset management plan to the LEP process.

Parsons Brinckerhoff have provided a work plan and a quote of $100,032. This would be an additional cost to Council, with the only saving to Council being the creation of the maps with an estimated internal cost of $22,000.

While consideration of such additional expenditure would normally be part of the quarterly budget review, Council is advised that there are sufficient savings in the salaries budget to cover the expenditure. The savings arise from the inability to fill a number of vacancies in the first 6 months of the year.

The report says that "it is within Council's purview to engage consultants if it believes the expenditure is justified in achieving the goal of completing the LEP in the life of this Council and that there are not other higher priorities for the expenditure of $100k."