TRC exceeds 60% target as $157 million spent with local suppliers in current financial year
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Monthly spending of $23.68 million with local businesses in March this year has Toowoomba Regional Council on track to exceed the 60% target for supporting local suppliers this financial year.
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald today (April 16, 2024) praised the organisation’s efforts to keep supporting the Region’s businesses.
“Our Procurement policy has seen Council’s local spending for this financial year, up to the end of March 2024, reach $157.2 million or 63% of all of Council’s external expenditure,” Mayor McDonald said at the April Ordinary Meeting of Council.
“I am pleased to see Council is honouring its commitment to keep as much of our spending as possible within the Toowoomba Region.
“Council is mindful that our spending is one of the most practical ways we can support our business community and their workforce.
“Council’s current figures contrast sharply with our local spend of $56 million (24% of Council’s external expenditure) in 2012 for an entire year, so it’s clear we’re on the right path with the changes we’ve implemented.
“Council changed the weighting in tender procurement arrangements to give local businesses every opportunity to work with us.
“We’ve also worked hard to ensure that when contractors are engaged, they use workers from our Region and source materials from local suppliers in most instances.
“This is the process that has been successful for local suppliers on projects like the current flood recovery program.
“It will also be employed for the construction work on the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project later in the year.
“Prospective contractors are encouraged to register for a 2024 Industry Briefing outlining opportunities in major projects across the Darling Downs and South West Queensland (including the Cressbrook Dam project with Council’s Alliance partner Seymour Whyte) that is being held by the Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning at Toowoomba’s Burke and Wills Hotel on May 1. For more details, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2024-industry-briefing-tickets-855584415017
“In addition to our focus on local spending, Council’s 14-day payment terms for local suppliers (from the date of invoice) further highlight the priority we are placing on keeping jobs and dollars circulating in the Toowoomba economy.”