Campaign urges council to back local businesses

THE Locals4Locals event held on the lawns of the iconic Empire Theatre last Friday saw local producers, food vans and pop-ups from the Toowoomba region, showcased their produce, their offerings and services to the public.

It was an afternoon of delicious food, live music, and beverages which recognised the incredible local offerings in our region, while positioning them in front of an engaged community during Toowoomba’s peak-tourism period.

Supporting its members and the wider local business community is paramount to the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and it takes a strong position on advocating for the support of local suppliers.

As part of the Locals4Locals we demonstrated this commitment, with the launch of our “Give Locals A Fairer Go” campaign.

What is the campaign?

This campaign by the Toowoomba Chamber is about petitioning the Toowoomba Regional Council to put local suppliers first by increasing the current local supplier weighting from 10 per cent to 25 per cent.

For a region that prides itself on the quality and the breadth of businesses across the Darling Downs, we strongly believe the local supplier weighting should be substantially higher and is calling on the community’s support to advocate for this change with the council.

Our members say the process of tendering for local work is inconsistent, complex, costly, and difficult.

By putting local suppliers first, the council has at its disposal the policy lever to stimulate local economic development, enable businesses to flourish and retain jobs in the city.

Just like it states in its corporate plan.

We know, any increase in the number of locally based businesses and workforces who are awarded contracts, means the money is more likely to be reinvested here, into other businesses, creating even more jobs.

The Toowoomba chamber is asking the Toowoomba Regional Council to put Toowoomba first by procuring locally, buying locally, spending locally, and investing in local businesses.

We are asking residents, businesspeople and visitors to the region to sign our petition to demonstrate their support to see this change that Gives Locals A Fairer Go.

Check out the campaign on our digital platforms, use the QR code and sign the petition or contact the Toowoomba Chamber by email at admin@toowoombachamber.com.au for further information.

Local businesses need a fairer go, don’t you think?

For a region that prides itself on the quality and the breadth of businesses across the Darling Downs, we strongly believe the local supplier weighting should be substantially higher.