New catering and event services opportunity on Cockatoo Island

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust is seeking expressions of interest from professional hospitality, catering and event services operators to manage and develop a catering and event services business on Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour.

The successful operator would be responsible for the existing Canteen cafe, providing food and beverage packages for Cockatoo Island’s holiday accommodation (camping, glamping, apartments and houses), visiting tour, school and educational groups and the catering for events on Cockatoo Island.

“This is the first time the Harbour Trust has offered this opportunity to manage and develop such an all-encompassing food and beverage operation on Cockatoo Island,” the Harbour Trust’s deputy executive director Nick Hollo said. “We are seeking an operator who will become an integral part of the island’s community.”

“We believe this is an exciting new venture reflecting Cockatoo Island’s evolution into an important tourist destination in Sydney. As Cockatoo Island develops and gets more visitors, an innovative catering and event services operator needs to fulfil visitor expectations by providing top-quality eating options.

“For example, The Island Bar has established itself as one of Sydney’s favourite bars in a relatively short period of time. People are travelling to Cockatoo Island to enjoy a unique small bar in a spectacular harbourside location.

“The Harbour Trust is seeking a first-class eating venue that will become an attraction in its own right as well as providing outstanding catering services on Cockatoo Island,” Hollo said.

A compulsory briefing will be held on Cockatoo Island on either May 24 or May 27 by appointment. Interested companies must register their intention to attend the compulsory site briefing no later than 5pm on 21 May 2013 by emailing: contracts@harbourtrust.gov.au and quoting T1584/2013.

Expressions of interest close on Friday 1 July at 5pm. Proposals must be submitted in writing to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust at Building 28, Best Avenue, Mosman, NSW, 2088.

For more information, go to http://www.harbourtrust.gov.au/about-us/opportunities/tenders/. Revenue from leasing and licensing contributes to conserving, protecting and improving public access to Sydney Harbour Federation Trust lands.

Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour is open to the public daily, offering major events, exhibitions, venue hire, accommodation, tours and business tenancy. It is one of the magnificent sites managed by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, a self funding agency created by the Australian Government to protect and improve public access to former defence and Commonwealth sites around Sydney Harbour. Other public spaces and parklands include Snapper Island in Sydney Harbour, Woolwich Dock and Parklands, the Platypus site in Neutral Bay, Headland Park in Mosman, North Head Sanctuary in Manly, Marine Biological Station in Watsons Bay and Macquarie Lightstation in Vaucluse. www.cockatooisland.gov.au