Albury Council’s decision to invite tenders for both jobs in a lump sum has back-fired with no conforming submissions received for the job which would include the removal of asbestos from the stage area.

Budget allocations of $1.2 million for the heating and cooling system and a further $200,000 for the new stage were included in the 2017-18 budget.

Only two companies tendered for the works with the short timeframe and timing for works to be carried out were cited as reasons for the lack of interest.

The only window of opportunity to carry out the works was from January 1 to March 31 next year.

A further complicating factor was the discovery of two types of asbestos products during sub-floor inspections.

The council this week agreed to invite fresh tenders for the stage replacement between January and March next year and put the heating and cooling system upgrade on hold.

Cr Henk van de Ven said the two jobs were too complex for one company to carry out.

“This is a sensible motion,” he said.

“Yes, we do have to have the stage replaced and it can be done in that three-month timeframe and yes it makes sense to postpone the other one to the following financial year.

“But it may require a larger window to do that.”

The AEC attracts between 85,000 and 100,000 attendees and up to 20 professional theatre events per year plus about 30 community events including debutante balls, charity dinners, eisteddfod and school presentations.

In the past three years, the average occupancy rate of the AEC theatre and convention wings is 93 per cent.

A report prepared for council stated: “Despite strong interest during the tender advertisement period and encouraging representation at the compulsory site briefings, only two tenders were received.

“Both tenders were assessed as non-conforming, lacking essential information listed as required in the tender documents”.

Other reasons given for the lack of competition were many industry suppliers and construction companies shut in January.