Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio has called for a review of Council’s procurement processes saying he wants to find ways of giving local companies a better chance to compete for projects.
“Toowoomba is very fortunate to be home to some of this nation’s strongest family-based businesses,” he said today.
“The contribution of these companies to the development of the local economy over a long period must not be overlooked.”
The review follows criticism by local construction company FK Gardner and Sons which says it has been locked out of tendering for major Council projects, including the $24.5 million Toowoomba City Library.
“The procurement process for the library has highlighted that Council’s intention to encourage and support development of our local economy needs to be reflected in the organisation’s processes,” Mayor Antonio said.
He said Toowoomba Council would work with local businesses to find ways to achieve a policy shift that still holds transparency and value-for-money as the highest priorities.
“We intend to undertake a review of our processes, seeking feedback from the business community about how we best ensure local business is at the table in tendering for Council work,” Mayor Antonio said.
“Not forgetting that as a Council, we have a responsibility to ensure that all civic projects are carried out in a way that ensures the best possible value-for-money outcome for the community.”
Mayor Antonio said the review would begin immediately.
The South Burnett Regional Council introduced a new Purchasing Policy which gave preference to local suppliers in December 2012 after changes to the Local Government Act gave Queensland councils the power to give more support to local businesses and jobs.
The changes allowed the Council to inject as much as $6 million extra each year into the South Burnett’s economy.
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