During a recent meeting of the Wollongong City Council, a decision was made to grant a ten-year lease for the Stanwell Park Children’s Centre to Big Fat Smile, a not-for-profit organization managing 34 childcare facilities across New South Wales. The lease is valued at AUD 467,204 for the first five years, with a review scheduled for the latter half of the agreement. This decision sparked significant debate among council members and local parents.
The meeting witnessed a disruption when a member of the public was ejected by security after interrupting a speech by Cr Ann Martin. Following a final warning from Lord Mayor Tania Brown, the individual was removed after a second interruption. The tension was palpable, as several parents expressed their dissatisfaction with the council’s recommendation and the tendering process that had led to the selection of Big Fat Smile.
A number of councillors, including Dan Hayes, Thomas Quinn, Jess Whittaker, and Tiana Myers, declared conflicts of interest and stepped out of the chamber during the debate. Cr David Brown emphasized the legal obligations imposed on the council regarding tender processes, stating, “The Office of Local Government tendering guidelines for NSW local governments say a council should either accept the tender that appears mostly advantageous in the circumstances or decline to accept the tenders.”
He further explained that any preferential treatment to existing lessees would violate the guidelines set by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
In response to the concerns raised, Cr Ryan Morris proposed a motion for a one-week review of the decision, which included a request for further questions to be posed to the top three tender applicants. Unfortunately, his motion did not garner any support and thus did not advance.
Cr Martin condemned some of the correspondence received regarding the tendering process as “deeply offensive,” particularly in relation to Cr Linda Campbell, who had a historical connection to the establishment of the first childcare centre that later evolved into Big Fat Smile. She highlighted the inappropriateness of lobbying councillors during the tender process.
In a question posed to council officers, Cr Richard Martin brought up allegations that one of the tenderers had attempted to lobby councillors. Officials clarified that such activity is prohibited in the tender documentation and that any tenderers who engage in lobbying would be disqualified.
Despite the controversy, Cr Tania Brown expressed confidence in the staff’s recommendation. “I know it’s difficult, but I think we’ve seen from the documents before us that the preferred tender has indicated they will be ready to step up on January 3, 2024, and provide a full service for that community,” she stated. Cr Brown assured attendees that council staff would ensure all requirements were met.
Ultimately, the council voted to accept the tender from Big Fat Smile, with a result of 6-2. Cr Morris and Cr Deidre Stuart voted against the decision, reflecting the division within the council regarding the lease and its implications for the local community.
The outcome of this meeting signifies a pivotal moment for the Stanwell Park Children’s Centre and its future under Big Fat Smile’s management. The community will be watching closely as the organization prepares to take over operations in the coming weeks.
