Opportunity Knocks for Local Trades

Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor Katrina Humphries explained, “after toiling away on innumerable grant applications, Council is thrilled that the hard work has paid off and we have been approved for a raft of state and federal grant funding”.

“We now have over $23m in infrastructure projects to deliver over the next year or so and are very keen to see as much of that money as possible stay in our Shire by encouraging local contractors to put their hat in the ring to undertake the work.

“Many of these grant programs are designed to stimulate the local economy, however we are still bound by our Local Government Procurement Policy and so need contractors to register their interest and submit tenders or quotations accordingly.”

Some recent successful grant funded projects include: Moree Civic Precinct Redevelopment valued at $2.5m ($1.05m grant funded) Ron Harborne Sporting Precinct - construction of fifth oval, valued at $1.5m ($1.06m grant funded) Carrigan Road - sealing of road between Mungindi and Boomi valued at $15m 10 x Stronger Country Communities Fund round two community infrastructure projects valued at over $1.57m Drought Communities Programme - Moree Regional Military Museum valued at $90,000, Pallamallawa Sport and Recreation Grounds electricity upgrades valued at $155,000, bore installation at Ron Harborne Sporting Precinct   valued at $100,000, critical access causeway upgrades valued at $655,000 Moree Truck Wash $560,000 Moree Regional Airport upgrade $2m

In addition to grant funded projects, Moree Plains Shire Council also has a number of core service infrastructure projects underway which also provide opportunities for local contractors.

Council’s Water Projects Engineer Mr Graham Macpherson advised that Council’s recent endeavours to encourage more local tenderers for the Biniguy Potable Water Project were relatively unfruitful.

“We decided to break the sizeable $3.96m project into smaller sections in an attempt to encourage more local contractors to submit tenders, however there was minimal local interest”.

“We’d love to see that change for future projects.”  

Council is currently utilising two online platforms for procurement, Vendor Panel and Tenderlink. Contractors wishing to find out more information regarding registering on these platforms can contact Council’s Procurement Officer on 02 6757 3222.

As a Local Government Authority, Council’s procurement is governed by its Procurement Policy  and its Local Supplier Preference Policy  .