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Tasmanian government advised on delivery of multi-agency government radio network
The Tasmanian state government has been advised by MinterEllison on the delivery of the Tasmanian Government Radio Network (TasGRN).
Jerome Doraisamy
Firm: MinterEllison (Tasmanian government).
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Deal: The TasGRN project will deliver one “State-wide digital, public-safety grade radio network that will initially be used by eight government organisations”, Minters said in a statement.
“The network, which is to be designed, built, tested and operated by Telstra with support from several key sub-contractors, will replace five separate radio networks currently used within Tasmania. The negotiation phase of the project was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning that all of the negotiations had to be undertaken via video conferencing.”
MinterEllison worked with the state and other advisers to develop the requirements for the project, prepare the agreement for the delivery and operation of the TasGRN, assist with the preparation of tender documentation, evaluation of the tenders, and negotiated with Telstra as the preferred tenderer.
Value: N/A.
Area: IT and communications.
Key players: The Minters team was led by partner Kylie Diwell.
Deal significance: “The TasGRN will help to ensure that Tasmania’s emergency services and other government organisations have modern, resilient and fit-for-purpose communications to support their operations,” said Ms Diwell.
“The demand for public entities to have access to reliable and robust communications facilities has been increasing in recent years. The growth in emergency events, including extreme weather events, requires a rapid response from government. Now more than ever public bodies need to communicate with speed and seamlessly between their organisations.
“It is testament to the hard work and persistence of everyone involved that we were able to achieve contract signing by the end of 2020, despite the State’s and Telstra’s teams being spread over two states and, for much of the period, working from home. This will enable design and construction works to commence early in 2021.
“We are pleased to have been able to assist the Tasmanian Government with such a critical project, and to bring the benefit of our experience working on similar arrangements in Victoria.”
