Rockhampton Regional Council has released its Annual Goods and Services Spend Analysis, revealing that 80% of its expenditure in the past year has been spent locally.
The report, which was presented in this morning’s Council meeting, shows that of $145.4 million spent by Council in total, $116.4 million has been spent within the Rockhampton Region.
Rockhampton Region Mayor, Tony Williams said the results were something Council was incredibly proud of.
“As a Council, we’re required to spend money on a range of goods and services each year and these vary from smaller projects to very large scale,” Mayor Williams said.
“Throughout it all, we do our utmost to spend that money locally by purchasing local products and engaging local contractors.
“I am thrilled to see that such a large percentage of our expenditure has again gone directly to local businesses and our local economy.
“A fantastic example of this is in our Plant Hire, Trade Services and Roadmaking Materials section of the report– where 94% of the total spend for this area was local.
“Out of $19.7 million, $18.4 million went to locally supplied materials and local operators.”
Mayor Williams said it was the result of Council’s Local Preference Policy.
“Local spend and strengthening our economy is something we take very seriously and for that reason we have a policy in place that helps guide decisions in this space,” Mayor Williams said.
“There are times when products or services aren’t available locally, and in those times we have to outsource, but this strategy helps to ensure that the vast majority of money spent, is spent right here in our Region.
“In the times that we can’t spend directly in the Region, we will then try to spend with businesses in the Central Queensland area.
“As well as the 80% local spend, an additional $2.3 million was spend with businesses established within CQ – including Banana, Gladstone, Livingstone, Woorabinda and Central Highlands.”
Looking to supply goods or services to Council?
A local suppliers and contractors guide is available on Council’s website and provides a range of information to assist anyone who wishes to supply goods or service to Rockhampton Regional Council. Tender opportunities are also listed regularly. For more information is available here. Â
