Tweed Shire Council has reported in their Corporate Performance Report at the 19 August council meeting that they had a total spend of $191m on goods and services last year.
‘In the Corporate Performance Report item I asked for a breakdown of the goods and services that Council procures each year and how much of that is being spent locally,’ Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry told The Echo.
‘We have a big push to support local businesses, particularly in this time, and I feel Council has a strong role in leadership in this. Council really needs to be making sure we are fostering and supporting local businesses as much as possible, both for economic and environmental sustainability.’
The breakdown noted that more than $50m went directly to Tweed Shire businesses, a further $20m went to Northern Rivers businesses and $14m went to the neighbouring Gold Coast Shire.
‘This shows what an impact Council’s works have in the region and shows we are really putting the communities rates back into the community to build our local economy wherever we can,’ Mayor Cherry told The Echo.
‘Now, more than ever, we need everyone to support our local businesses.’
So over 100 million dollars went elsewhere. And this is supposed to cheer locals up?
How come $14 million went to the GC community. The Qld Govt allowed me a medical border entry along with proof of double vaccinations to have a knee replacement at GC Private then after entry cloded the hospital against Tweed residents. Why do they get $14 million.
Genuine social impact measures should include more details than this. Local businesses, female owned buineses, LGBIT businesses, green rated, social impact rated in their business behaviours as well as spend and targets for local Aboriginal business should be key indicators. Details on reporting supply chains and contracts and even ensuring all contractors have key social impact targets as a base line is what is required for genuine regional and local change. A council should be leading in this to encourage persuade and affect change for social equality for every dollar spent.