Record local spend

The 2021/22 financial year was a record for local spend for Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) and for the second year in a row more than $200 million was spent locally.

In commending the result which ensures money spent by Council, remains within the Region, TRC Finance and Business Strategy Committee Chair Cr Geoff McDonald said this was a reflection of the change in strategic direction two years ago.

“In the past two years we’ve set a record for local supplier spend within the Toowoomba Region,” he said.

“When you look back to 2012 when our local spend was $56,072,000 and you compare it to this year’s figure of $204,174,000 the difference is truly remarkable.

“While Council had steadily been working on increasing its local spend since 2012, it was the changes made two years ago which has led to this record spend.

“Council made permanent changes to its procurement policy, which resulted in an increase to the weighting for local suppliers, as well as extra weighting for local suppliers in regional areas (all areas inside the Toowoomba Region boundary that are outside of the Toowoomba City).

“Following those changes we saw our local spend climb from 57% in 2019/20 through to 64% and 63% the next two years which is a great result for our community.

“We’re committed to supporting our local community and will continue to look for further opportunities to spend locally over the coming year.”