A concerted effort to improve Shire of Murray support for local businesses, saw Council adopt several policy changes last quarter.
Changes to the Shire's Purchasing Policy adopted at the December Council meeting, have positioned the Shire as one of the most local business friendly local Governments in WA, in terms of local purchasing.
The policy specifies a local price preference of 10% on all purchases made by the Shire of Murray up to $100,000, with a $10,000 cap in the price preferential between $100,000 and $150,000.
The policy ensures local quotes are sought whenever the required goods and/or services are available within the district, thereby increasing the opportunities for local businesses to supply the Shire.
The Shire's previous policy specified a local price preference of 5% for all purchases up to $4,000, 2.5% for purchases up to $40,000 and 1% for purchases up to $100,000, an average level of local business support when compared to other WA local governments.
Amendments to the Shire's Regional Price Preference Policy adopted at the February Council Meeting, in addition to several adopted in December, have maximised opportunities for local businesses when tendering for the supply of goods and services or for construction projects.
The amendments have also better aligned the Shire of Murray's regional price preference for procurement by formal tender, with other Peel local governments.
The policy sets out to encourage local and Peel region businesses, whenever practicable, to tender for major project opportunities by applying a Shire of Murray Business preference of 10% for good and services and 5% for construction projects, while applying a Peel Region Business preference of 5% and 2.5% respectively.
Preferences apply for procurement over $75,000 and to a maximum price assessment reduction of $50,000.
Buy local and purchase local campaigns can have significant positive impact on a local economy and the financial capacity of the community.
With stronger local businesses, opportunities increase for employment, business development and growth, with favourable effects on the community and quality of life.
Council will review the effectiveness of the Local Purchasing Policy in December 2019.
To view the policies visit www.murray.wa.gov.au.
The Shire is also working with Peel Development Commission to employ the State's local content, local jobs initiative to maximise opportunity for local businesses to satisfy goods and service needs and for Peel's unemployed, underemployed and trainee and/or apprenticeship seekers to fill respective vacancies on the Peel Business Park project.
This effort will be stimulated through the stage one development, for which the Shire has offered a rates holiday and waived local government planning and building fees to the first five businesses to purchase and develop land in the Peel Business Park, to help incentivise investment.
The Shire is further working to maximise local supply and job opportunities in all available project avenues including the Bushfire Centre of Excellence, Murrayfield Airport and Keralup developments, Dwellingup Trails Centre construction and Trails Infrastructure development and the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation.
These efforts are supported by Council's adoption of differential rates in July 2018 to help existing businesses grow, encourage new start-ups and attract other businesses and service providers into Murray, to widen our economic base and create more local jobs.
Murray is on the move and the Shire is working diligently to ensure our businesses thrive and all residents enjoy a great quality of life.
