The Government of South Australia (through the Office of Hydrogen Power SA – OHPSA) is collaborating with the private sector to deliver the Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub (PBHH) project as a multi-user precinct (with common-user infrastructure) leveraging the State's renewable energy opportunities and enabling export from a clean hydrogen industrial hub.

OHPSA is also delivering the $AUD593 million Hydrogen Jobs Plan (HJP) which will see the construction of hydrogen production, hydrogen power plant and hydrogen storage facilities built in the Whyalla region.

OHPSA is requesting proposals and quotations for the provision of Environmental Advisory services to support the delivery of the Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub (PBHH) and the Hydrogen Jobs Plan (HJP), for suppliers to be member of a pre-qualified panel of environmental and scientific advisors for OHPSA.

The Environmental Advisory Panel of Suppliers will be required to support and advise key OHPSA decisions and actions geared towards obtaining the environmental approvals required for the PBHH, HJP, and any potential broader OHPSA remit.

This will comprise the following key functions:

Provide high-level scientific and/or environmental advisory and assessment/evaluation services to OHPSA:

-Provision of expert advice relating to Environmental Assessments as required/requested on both projects, specialised in some areas relating to:

• Marine Science
• Giant Australian Cuttlefish
• Marine Ecotoxicology
• Shipping activities
• Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) self-assessment and referrals
• Upper Spencer Gulf terrestrial and marine environments, such as Native Vegetation and Ecology.

-Peer review of technical reports relating to the approvals process relating to the PBHH and HJP.

-Provide specialist advice in relation to the lodgment of State and Commonwealth approval processes for PBHH and HJP, including Secondary Approvals.

-Assistance in drafting complex documents and reports required to support the approvals processes as and if required by OHPSA.

-Attendance at meetings with OHPSA’s project partners and State and Commonwealth Regulators if required.

Requirements

-Extensive previous experience in leading environmental assessments and regulatory approvals pathways for large and/or high-profile government and/or private sector infrastructure projects, large infrastructure and/or energy project developments, or similar.

-Technical or scientific proficiency in environmental assessments and regulatory approvals pathways applicable for large and/or high-profile government and/or private sector infrastructure projects, large infrastructure and/or energy project developments, or similar.

-Specialised knowledge, deep experience and qualifications in, but not limited to the following areas:

• Marine Biology / Ecology / Science, with specific expertise in:
• the Giant Australian Cuttlefish and the cuttlefish coast sanctuary zone;
• Whale strike assessment; and /or
• Marine species protected under State and/or Commonwealth legislation.
• Upper Spencer Gulf terrestrial and marine environments, in relation to commercial and industrial activities and their potential risks/impacts to the environment
• Shipping activities, especially within the Spencer Gulf, and environmental considerations
• Marine ecotoxicology
• Water quality / chemistry
• Air Quality, Noise and Vibration Assessments
• Hydrology and Hydrogeology
• Native Vegetation, clearance and offset requirements.

-South Australian and Commonwealth government regulation and approvals expertise.

-Experience in drafting and assessing complex documents and reports to support environmental approvals processes and project planning.

-Previous experience in providing advice on environmental approvals for large and/or high profile infrastructure/energy projects.

-Capacity to provide the above services within OHPSA’s timeframes.

-Other related services as requested.

Additional Information:

The Request for Quote will seek the provision of services at an agreed schedule of rates, however, there will be no minimum purchase requirement to spend up to the contract value shown - this is provided as an upper limit, and no expectation of a minimum spend.

The contract will enable spending to be ramped down or curtailed at any point if budgetary constraints are required.

The proposed contract will be for 12 months with an option to extend for a further 12+12 months (being a maximum contract term of up to three years), OHPSA will pre-qualify the suppliers to be able to call upon them to review specific reports and provide specific environmental and scientific advice based on the supplier’s area of expertise, to provide scientific and environmental expertise and assurance across the delivery of the HJP project, the PBHH project and OHPSA’s broader remit of hydrogen-related functions.

Suppliers should respond to provide advice for A: Environmental Advice, B: Scientific Advice or both if applicable (refer to Weighted Criteria).