Qld plan to increase local suppliers and workers on major projects

Queensland has unveiled plans to drive more opportunity for local companies, create more jobs and help communities share in booming investment in major infrastructure and resources projects.

In State Parliament today, Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade Andrew Fraser and Minister for Tourism, Small Business and Manufacturing Jan Jarratt announced plans to extend the Local Industry Participation Policy from large government projects to major private sector projects.

Currently, the policy caters for the inclusion of local businesses and suppliers in large government projects.

The changes will see those same provisions applied to major private sector projects; ensuring local businesses and suppliers get their slice of the resources boom.

"We have billions of dollars of opportunities from projects taking place on our doorstep. We're committed to doing everything we can to secure participation by local suppliers in these projects without compromising competitiveness," Mr Fraser said.

"The changes will require major project proponents, such as mining companies, to develop Local Industry Participation Plans and Workforce Development Strategies as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process.

"It'll mean that companies will have to identify opportunities within their projects that could be filled by local suppliers.

"It's a foot in the door during the planning process - not playing catch-up while competing with overseas or interstate companies.

"We need to ensure that local businesses and local workers get in on the action at the start of the boom, not when it's too late."

Mr Fraser said Local Industry Participation Plans would be required as part of the Coordinator- General's EIS process, setting out proponents' goals and strategies to maximise participation of local suppliers.

An independent up-front assessment will be undertaken by the State Government-funded Industry Capability Network (ICN) in partnership with project proponents.

This will identify which products and services could potentially be sourced locally - and inform Local Industry Participation Plans.

"We've adopted this as standard for all major public sector-funded projects under the Local Industry Policy, and these changes will see the same approach for major private sector investments," Ms Jarratt said.

"Proponents will have to report on the outcomes of their plans as a condition for the Coordinator- General's project approvals."

Ms Jarratt emphasised the potential benefits for small and medium-sized manufacturers and service providers.

"This is about giving our companies full, fair and reasonable access to tender processes, and giving them the time and the information they need to meet proponents' needs in full.

"Since the introduction of LIP in 1999, over $5.7 billion worth of work has been secured by local suppliers from government- funded projects."

The Government will undertake a Regulatory Assessment Statement involving further consultation in the coming weeks.
 
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
29/11/2011
Qld plan to increase local suppliers and workers on major projects

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Publish Date: 29 Nov 11