LOOKING after “our own” is something more regional towns such as Leeton set out to do.
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With this in mind, Leeton Shire Council has updated its Local Preference Policy, which is currently on public exhibition for the community to comment on.
Council made the decision to review its policy after looking at several others from neighbouring shires, deeming it necessary to increase the local preference levels included.
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Some of the changes include:
- Purchases up to $5000: Local content to be given a 15 per cent discount (up from a 10 per cent discount).
- Purchases from $5000 to $15,000: Local content to be given a 10 per cent discount (up from a 5 per cent discount).
- Purchases from $15,000 to $149,999.99: Local content to be given a 5 per cent discount (up from a 3 per cent discount). It was considered appropriate to increase the original third category ($15,000 to $99,999) up to $149,999.99 as this is just under the tendering limit.
- Purchases above $150,000 (the current tendering limit): Local content to be given a 3 per cent discount (new category).
Mayor Paul Maytom said the idea was to promote the local economy, while still ensuring the best “overall value for money” in council’s procurement of goods and services.
“Council’s Local Preference Policy aims to use its procurement actions to encourage and support local suppliers/contractors and support local economic activity, where it is efficient to do so, while at the same time achieving our ‘overall value for money’ objectives,” he said.
Residents have been urged to have their say on their policy.
The draft document is on public exhibition until August 24 with submissions from the public able to be received until 5pm on September 7.
Residents can make comment online via council’s website and the “have your say” portal or in writing to the general manager.
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