Mayor Jenny Whitney said these workshops held in Bowen and Proserpine were good
opportunities for Council to meet with local suppliers and interested businesses who want to do
business with Council.

“During the workshops Council’s new purchasing framework and 2014-15 procurement plan were outlined,” she said.

“A representative from Local Buy also presented information about their public tender process,
which Council uses.

“Discussion at the information sessions included major projects Council will be completing in the
2014-15 financial year and Council’s potential supply requirements for these projects.

“Council also outlined other opportunities for local businesses to supply to other major projects in the region including the Carmichael Rail project and other Queensland Government projects.

“These projects were a great way of highlighting to local businesses how an innovative approach
to supply and procurement will enable growth in their business opportunities and the local
economy.

“These workshops also explained Council’s commitment to local suppliers and Council’s objective to encourage local business to develop innovative and appropriate ways to meet Council’s requirements.

“Through local procurement Council aims to, without developing a dependency upon Council;
encourage business to adapt to practices that enable local business to compete in a global
economy.

“This will ultimately help grow local business, employment and the Whitsunday economy,” she
said.

The procurement workshops followed well-attended workshops on Council’s plant and fleet
management.

In addition to the above workshops, Council will be working more closely on an ongoing basis with local business representatives such as the Chambers of Commerce in regard to improving how Council purchases from local business.

Ends

For media enquiries, contact:
Kate Lennox, Communications Manager
Phone: 07 4945 0614, 0427 458 369 or Email: kate.lennox@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au