Penrith City Council is looking to engage a suitably experienced and qualified consultant firm to undertake stream health monitoring bi-annually in Spring and Autumn seasons at waterways within the LGA. 15 sample sites have been established for this monitoring.

Penrith City Council is seeking a quotation for a monitoring period a three year period, commencing in Autumn 2025 and concluding in Spring 2027,.

The sampling consists of:

· Undertaken an inception meeting with councils Waterways team.

· Undertake assessment of the aquatic macroinvertebrates present at each of the sample sites in accordance with the NSW AUSRIVAS Sampling and Processing Manual.

· Undertake assessment of the water quality at each of the sample sites. Parameters to be sampled include Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity, Temperature, pH, Oxidation Reduction Potential, Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorous, Chlorophyll a, Faecal Coliforms and the presence of oil and grease.

· In addition to these parameters, the consultant may suggest additional parameters to be sampled that are relevant and of use for analysis.

· Undertake assessment of the habitat, including riparian vegetation, at each of the sample sites in accordance with AUSRIVAS and NSW AUSRIVAS Sampling and Processing Manual.

· Document the above in a scientific-style report format for each sample period.

· The report must include results, discussion and conclusion sections.

· The report is to provide site-based recommendations as to actions to implement to improve waterway health at each sample site.

· Scope to include recommendations for additional water sites as well as a review of who else is monitoring the rivers and if there is any cross over in data collection/sample sites (WaterNSW, Sydney Water, DCCEW, stream watch volunteers, etc). There may be justification to drop Council sample sites where there is duplication of sampling. Final site sampling locations would need to be agreed to between the successful consultant and Penrith City Council.

· The report is to include a review of each sites historical data and compare this with current samples. The report will need to provide discussion as to the likely causes when significant variation from previous sample periods occurs.

· Reporting is to consider including a waterway health scorecard for sample sites.

· Provide a draft report for review by Penrith City Council to allow for comments.

· Provide a final report to Penrith City Council.

The applicant is to provide an itemised costing quote for each sample site as well as a total costing.