The Buy Local policy has been overhauled to maximise opportunities for regional businesses and create more work for people in the country from the WA Government’s $27 billion spend on goods, services and works.
To achieve this, local businesses in regions where work is being delivered will be invited to bid for contracts. The policy’s revised regional price preference gives these businesses stronger weightings when bidding for contracts than businesses from other parts of the state.
Regional businesses will also have training to apply for contracts and given 'look-ahead' lists of upcoming tenders and projects. This will allow local contractors more time to prepare and develop their bids. This is in addition to general improvements in the way the Government works with businesses to maximise contracting opportunities.
Reducing fees and improving government contracting procedures have also helped small and medium-sized businesses brace against the impacts of the pandemic. Following the introduction of restrictions, measures were introduced to assist industries such as hospitality, retail, tourism and residential construction.
In the short-term, immediate financial support is available to small businesses and not-for-profits facing financial difficulty, with rent relief for tenants of government facilities, commercial rent relief grants for landlords, and fee waivers for businesses and licence holders until 31 March 2021.
For more information see the Revamped Buy Local policy to prioritise jobs in regional WA media statement.
