Ipswich City Council is seeking expressions of interest from community organisations to manage and operate the former Tallegalla School for heritage, historical, or cultural purposes. The lease term is a minimum of five years, extendable up to twenty years. The successful organisation will be responsible for day-to-day operations, maintenance, and community engagement. Rehabilitation and improvement works may be required at the operator's cost. A site visit is mandatory on Friday, 31 July, at 10:00 am. Tenderers must confirm attendance by Thursday, 30 July. Submissions will be assessed based on experience, management approach, community engagement, financial sustainability, compliance, and local content.
The closing date for submissions is Thursday, 06 August 2026, 01:00 am E. South America Standard Time.
The operator will be responsible for all utility charges and operating costs, including rates, fire levy, water, sewerage, waste collection, electricity, telecommunications, insurances, and licences. Council will negotiate rent based on the proposal's merits.
Expressions of interest will be assessed on experience and capacity, professional management approach, community development and engagement, sustainable financial management, compliance and risk management, and local content.
Respondents must demonstrate experience in managing community-based facilities, particularly heritage or culturally significant sites, and have the capacity for trusteeship or management, including property maintenance and community engagement.
Noncompliance with heritage conservation principles or heritage approvals may result in enforcement actions, including fines, rectification orders, or development restrictions.
A site visit is arranged for Friday, 31 July, from 10:00 am to 10:30 am. Tenderers wishing to attend must confirm their representatives by Thursday, 30 July, via email to robyn. johnson@ipswich. qld. gov. au.
The supplier query cutoff date is Thursday, 30 July 2026, 01:00 am E. South America Standard Time.
