Redland City Council’s new ‘buy local’ procurement policy comes into effect today (1 July 2013), giving primary status to suppliers with a Redland City business address.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the policy would not only put money back into the local economy but help to provide local jobs, reduce environmental impacts and promote a stronger sense of community.
“As a large organisation, Redland City Council needs a vast array of goods and services and we are committed to seeking out local options before going outside the city’s boundaries,” Cr Williams said.
You may also like these stories
“Value for money will remain the key priority, but this policy recognises that our purchases can help local businesses thrive and create a stronger and more prosperous community.”
Council is confident the procurement policy will boost the local economy, adding to the approximately $40 million it already spends with local suppliers annually.
In a week of good financial news for the Redlands community, the ‘buy local policy’ follows the adoption of Council’s 2013-14 budget on 27 June 2013, which provides a headline rate increase of only 1.43 percent.
This is the lowest headline rate increase of any comparable council in South East Queensland for the second year in a row.
Cr Williams said the $238 million budget for 2013-14 provided cost of living relief while delivering the high-quality services people expected from their Council.
“Council has worked hard to deliver a budget that is responsible, while recognising that people are really hurting with rising bills for other essential services.”
“The fact that we have been able to keep rate increases low, despite massive external price increases of state government bulk water and electricity, is fantastic news for the Redlands community.”
“Hopefully this rate relief will allow residents to join Council in our efforts to spend more money locally.”
“It just makes sense – be local and buy local.”
The revised procurement policy does not affect existing contracts and applies to new tenders after 1 July 2013 in accordance with section 228 of the Local Government Act.
For more information, view the Policies page on our website or contact Council on 3829 8999
