- Cook Government releases the Local Content in the Regions Report
- $1.2 billion in local supply contracts through State Government agencies awarded to regional businesses in 2022-23
- Report shows $174 million in additional contract value awarded in regional WA on previous financial year
The Cook Government's commitment to supporting local businesses across regional Western Australia has been highlighted, with $1.2 billion worth of local supply contracts awarded in 2022-23.
The Local Content in the Regions Report, released today, details outcomes driven by the Local Content program in supporting opportunities for competitive regional businesses to supply to the State Government.
The report identified 21 per cent of the value of supply contracts awarded in 2022-23 went to regionally-based businesses,up from the six-year average of 18 per cent.
This increase is worth an estimated $174 million in additional contract value awarded in regional WA, helping to strengthen and diversify local businesses and economies.
Local supply for more complex, State-wide contracts has also grown, with regional suppliers increasing their share by value to 17 per cent, well above the six-year average of 9 per cent.
There was also an increase in 2022-23 in local supply on contracts valued between $5million and $25million, demonstrating greater regional business capacity and capability, and an appetite for further growth.
The Local Content Adviser Network delivering the program has expanded to include a State-wide team covering major projects and strategic contracts, working alongside a Local Content adviser in each of the nine Regional Development Commissions.
New state-of-the-art workshop facilities at South Regional TAFE's Albany campus were built by Great Southern-based company Wauters Enterprises Pty Ltd.
The Department of Communities' Housing Construction and Refurbishment Builders Panel was established in 2022-2023, with 33 regional builders successful in being appointed to the panel to support the delivery of social housing over the next four years.
South West Fire, based in Collie, was awarded a contract for the manufacture and installation of up to 50 fire units over a five-year period for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
A copy of the report is available online at: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/local-content-the-regions-report.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"The Cook Government has worked tirelessly to ensure Local Content is embedded in Government procurement.
"Our Local Content program is dedicated to ensuring regional businesses have full, fair and reasonable opportunity to supply to State Government.
"The Local Content Adviser Network helps to connect local businesses to Government supply contracts, enable regional business to be competitive and maximise local business participation.
"In 2022-2023, the network identified 216 new potential regional suppliers to Government and undertook more than 3,300 engagements with businesses, peak industry groups and Government agencies, helping to drive improved local content outcomes."
