infrastructure · Cumberland Council
$554,229 Telstra infrastructure contract approved for Lidcombe upgrade
Telstra will relocate and upgrade infrastructure around Joseph Street and Bridge Street after Cumberland Council approved the $554,229.44 package without a competitive tender.
Telstra Corporation Limited will carry out $554,229.44 worth of telecommunications relocation and upgrade works for Cumberland Council’s Joseph Street Precinct Upgrade in Lidcombe, excluding GST.
The package covers infrastructure around Joseph Street and Bridge Street that is owned and controlled by Telstra. The works are required to relocate and upgrade that infrastructure as part of the precinct project.
Council exempted the contract from the competitive tendering requirements of section 55 of the Local Government Act 1993. It found there was no effective competitive market because the work could only be undertaken by a contractor authorised and nominated by Telstra.
Telstra advised that its ownership, operational control and exclusive rights over the affected infrastructure meant the work had to be carried out by a contractor it authorised. That procurement route prevented other telecommunications and civil contractors from competing for the package.
The contract was awarded to Telstra in accordance with section 55(3)(i) of the Local Government Act 1993. The resolution authorises the general manager to finalise and execute the contractual documents and approve associated project variations within the approved project budget.
No construction start date or completion date was specified in the resolution.
The Telstra contract was one of three infrastructure and park-upgrade packages approved by Cumberland Council on 29 July 2026. Civilscape Pty Ltd received a $1,499,800.70 contract for the Duck River Parklands Parklets Upgrade, while EZY-PAVE Pty Ltd received a $1,197,946.40 contract for the Joyce Street Park upgrade in Pendle Hill. Both amounts exclude GST.
For Lidcombe, the approval gives the Joseph Street Precinct Upgrade an authorised contractor for its telecommunications works and sets the contract value at $554,229.44.
Reference minutes
Cumberland Council, Council meeting held 29 July 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Cumberland Council awarded Telstra Corporation Limited a contract worth $554,229.44 excluding GST.
- The work is required for the Joseph Street Precinct Upgrade in Lidcombe.
- The affected telecommunications infrastructure is located around Joseph Street and Bridge Street.
- Council exempted the contract from competitive tendering under section 55 of the Local Government Act 1993.
- Council said there was no effective competitive market because Telstra controls the infrastructure and must authorise the contractor.
- The general manager can finalise the contract and related variations within the approved project budget.
Why it matters
- The Joseph Street Precinct Upgrade now has an approved telecommunications contractor and a contract value of $554,229.44, but the infrastructure’s ownership and control prevented an open tender for the work.