The County Court of Victoria is the State’s busiest trial court that hears most criminal trials and a very significant workload of civil cases. The Court is located in an integrated complex at the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct, which was procured as the first major PPP social infrastructure project in Victoria. With the term of the original PPP approaching expiry, the County Court PPP Contract Renewal Project sought to (1) investigate options and develop a business case to address the Court’s ongoing accommodation and service needs beyond May 2022 and (2) secure the Court’s ongoing accommodation and service needs for the long term, including the associated transaction and contract negotiations.

IAG led the development of a business case and the development of a new contemporary PPP contract and performance specifications consistent with the Partnerships Victoria Standard Deed that also defined facility upgrade requirements for this 20-year-old asset. IAG also developed a detailed negotiation strategy and a bespoke request for proposal process consistent with Victoria’s procurement policies, which were approved by the Treasurer.

IAG also managed the Transition Project which involved ensuring a smooth transition for the Court Services Victoria (CSV) team to take ownership of the County Court Facility and to directly manage the three incumbent service providers. This role involved developing the Transition Plan and Program, and developing and negotiating the facility management and maintenance, IT and Court Services and Security contracts and performance standards. IAG’s role also included advising on new policies and procedures to replace those put in place by the outgoing facility management team and facility owner and overseeing the change management process for the CSV team.