FOUR years on from the introduction of the Buy Ipswich policy, many businesses are booming throughout the region.
Buy Ipswich ensures that local businesses receive a more favourable consideration in Council’s procurement of goods and services.
Council firstly seeks quotes from local businesses for contracts under $50,000, providing a 20 per cent preferential weighting to contracts under $200,000 and providing a 15 per cent preferential weighting to contracts greater than $200,000.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding made the commitment to strengthen Council’s ability to support local business and industry development, and says the revised procurement policy has done just that.
“Back in 2020, Council had no minor works panel and was spending about 38.6 per cent of its total procurement expenditure with local suppliers,” Cr Harding said.
“Since Buy Ipswich was introduced, that local spend has lifted to an average of 40.55 per cent. In 2023,
Council spent $78.3 million locally, which was 42.5 per cent of our overall spend.
“From 2021 to 2023, $222.6 million has flowed through local businesses and traders, with that support rippling through our local economy.”
“We employed a Booval business to demolish 118 houses as part of the flood Buy-Back, a Silkstone company to install fencing at River Heart Parklands and a Dinmore company to provide construction work at Colleges Crossing, to name a few.”
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce president Neil Coupland said the Buy Ipswich program had improved Council’s procurement outcomes.
“Ipswich City Council plays a critical role in supporting the local community and Buy Ipswich has boosted its support of local business,” Mr Coupland said.
“Buying from local businesses means Council will often get a better deal much more quickly, and supporting local companies means they are also supporting more quality, local jobs.”
Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce CEO Kit Philp said the Buy Ipswich program had benefited Ipswich businesses.
“When our local council buys from local businesses, they’re purchasing quality goods and services that they need, while generating income that largely stays in the community,” Ms Philp said.
“The Chamber looks forward to working with Council on ways to increase the proportion of goods and services sourced from local businesses”.
On this four-year milestone of Buy Ipswich, Council continues to look for new initiatives to enable business growth in Ipswich.
“We have created a New Business Ipswich database and would like to connect with businesses that have started up in Ipswich over the past two years,” Cr Harding said.
