APVMA to finalise permanent Armidale home by the end of February

The Leader understands three sites are being looked at, including the corner of Beardy and Taylor streets, and the corner of Markham and Rusden street, opposite the TAFE.

However, the agency is holding its cards close to its chest.

“The APVMA is currently negotiating the contract arrangements for the lease of a permanent premises in Armidale and we hope to finalise these negotiations by the end of February,” an APVMA spokesperson said.

“While negotiations continue, we will not be releasing details of the site location or the names of companies and individuals involved in the tender process.”

The organisation did reveal that 10 respondents had bid for the contract, outlining 17 options, which included both refurbishing an existing building and constructing a new one.

From there, the agency narrowed it down to four respondents across three locations.

“A detailed evaluation process concluded on 5 January 2018 and lease negotiations are well advanced,” the spokesperson said.

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The government has already spent more than half a million dollars in the search for a new home, which must be at least 2000 square metres of office space and able house up to 200 employees.

“The APVMA has already entered into contracts with a range of architectural, project management and design companies supporting the build of the APVMA permanent premises in Armidale,” the spokesperson said.