Lismore's role in delivering Australia's largest local government-led disaster recovery was front and centre on 27 March, as more than 30 procurement professionals gathered in Lismore for the Local Government Procurement (LGP) Networking Meeting.
Hosted by Lismore City Council and sponsored by Origin Energy, the event placed the city in the spotlight for its record-breaking flood recovery program, widely regarded as one of the most complex ever managed by a regional council in Australia.
With over 540 projects underway and hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure delivery, Lismore is now setting new benchmarks for how councils can lead large-scale, high-pressure recovery efforts.
Held at the Lismore Heights Bowling Club, the event featured a presentation by the Council's Flood Restoration Portfolio (FRP) team, highlighting how Lismore manages one of the most complex local government recovery programs in Australian history.
Lismore City General Manager Jon Gibbons said the event was an opportunity to demonstrate the professionalism and scale of work underway across our Local Government Area.
"In the 2023-24 financial year, Lismore City Council managed $239 million in procurement," he said.
"Of that, 36% was spent with local businesses in the Lismore LGA, and 12% with suppliers across the Northern Rivers region. Nearly 50% of the Council's procurement, around $113.7 million, stayed within the region."
Mr Gibbons also said that Council's approach makes procurement more manageable for everyone involved.
"Council has created processes to ensure local contractors have a better chance of getting involved," he said.
This approach has boosted local economic outcomes and made procurement more manageable and accessible for a wider range of local contractors.
"Instead of handing out lots of small jobs one by one or giving one massive job to a big company from out of town, Council groups specific projects into bundles that suit the skills and availability of local businesses.
"This makes it easier for local tradies, builders and suppliers to participate. So, more money stays in the region, and the work gets done faster and more efficiently. It employs local people and provides opportunities for school leavers."
The increased focus on local procurement comes as the Council delivers an unprecedented infrastructure program. With 540 individual projects underway across five major program areas—including roads, bridges, landslides, drainage and community facilities—it is widely considered the most significant local government-led disaster recovery in New South Wales.
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said the sheer scale of the recovery work ahead is evident, generating interest in the event.
"To be selected as host city and to present our approach to councils from across the state is a real recognition of the capability built here in Lismore," he said.
"Bringing procurement professionals to Lismore—many of them for the first time, means more people staying in local accommodation, dining in our cafés and seeing first-hand what this city has to offer.
"Events like this don't just support our businesses for a day or two. They help build confidence and position Lismore as a centre for regional leadership."
Lismore City Acting Manager of Procurement Mark Parry said the event was an opportunity to demonstrate the scale and quality of work delivered.
"We have a unique situation where we need to keep Council's business-as-usual function running smoothly in parallel with the Flood Recovery Portfolio's (FRP) significant procurement requirements," he said.
"To that end, our respective teams have developed practical, scalable systems that are coordinated and achieving results in a high-pressure environment."
It also demonstrated that regional councils like ours lead large-scale, complex programs with clear strategies and transparent procurement practices.
"Council's FRP Director of Commercial Services Charlotte Foy has also developed a full suite of procurement templates, tools and guidance materials as part of its internal reform. These resources are now being shared with other councils and recovery partners, helping to build sector-wide capability," Mr Parry said.
Lismore's recovery is unique in both its size and approach. Council built its Flood Restoration Portfolio team from the ground up, totalling 82 dedicated project and delivery staff.
It also implemented and extended the use of existing systems, most notably Vendor Panel, a procurement platform that allows the Council to manage contracts efficiently and transparently across small local jobs and significant bundled infrastructure works.
Staff across the delivery team have also undertaken specialist training in contract law, probity and public works delivery—building skills that will remain in the region long after the current program ends.
Other speakers included NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner Dr James Cockayne, Sharon Morris from World Commerce & Contracting and senior representatives from across government and industry. Topics included legislative compliance, supplier engagement, sustainability and risk management.
Council would like to thank Local Government Procurement for selecting Lismore as host, and the local business community for supporting the event.
