Council spends more than $10 million on local suppliers in last quarter

Redland City Council invested more than $10 million in the local economy over three months thanks to a focus on spending with local suppliers.

Mayor Karen Williams said Council’s commitment to spending locally had seen Council’s local spend increase by more than $400,000 in the last quarter of 2020, continuing positive trends in local procurement.

“In the face of a global pandemic we know local businesses are doing it tough and the best way Council can help is to spend locally to create local jobs,” Cr Williams said.

“When COVID hit last year we sharpened our focus on spending locally, including adopting a new corporate procurement policy and procedures, providing extra opportunities for Redlands Coast businesses,” she said.

“Each year we spend about $40 million on goods and services with local suppliers, delivering local jobs and supporting local families.

Cr Williams said Council was also encouraging companies to use local contractors.

“About 40% of Council’s annual spend is for capital works and assets, and during the October to December 2020 quarter our capital program expenditure has seen the greatest increase in spend on local suppliers, increasing just over 10% from this quarter last financial year.

“Over the next 12 months we would like to continue to see improved contractor spend in our local construction industry.

“We aim to achieve this by leveraging off our larger established regional suppliers and showing the benefits to them in using local subcontractors and employees, and offering educational apprenticeships for local residents.”