GCCC brings it home

alister.thomson@news.com.au 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES HOST CITY 78 per cent of the $412 million procurement spend, had gone to local businesses.

Yesterday, the council relaunched its Open for Business Toolkit to 150 businesspeople at the Gold Coast Turf Club.

The toolkit outlines the buy local policy, which mandates preferential treatment for Gold Coast businesses seeking to tender or quote for Gold Coast City Council contracts.

Burleigh Heads construction services firm Aizer Group recently won a contract to provide plumbing services for council buildings. The $14 million contract, which Aizer shares with other companies, has helped it grow to 120 office staff and trades workers.

National sales manager Matthew White said the council contract was a key part of its goal to become a “one-stop shop” for construction services including electrical, carpentry and project management.

“Contracts like the council one help us build our portfolio and win other large contracts because a big part of tendering is relevant experience,” he said.

Major contracts Aizer has won recently include a roofing contract for Rocklea’s Brisbane Markets.

Mr White said while the council policy was advantageous, submissions had to be “top notch”.

Aizer has 250sq m on Leda Drive but Mr White said it was looking for larger premises to cater for its expansion.

Councillor Hermann Vorster, chair of the council’s Economic Development committee, said the goal was to lift local procurement to 80 per cent this financial year. He said there were 65,000 small businesses on the Gold Coast.

“We are equipping all kinds of businesses with the resources to drive them forward and give them a competitive advantage,’’ Cr Vorster said.

“I encourage new or growing businesses to consider the programs in the toolkit as we work together to achieve our economic potential.’’