Gathering to grow Indigenous business

Procurement leaders across government and industry have learned about Q-SEED’s progress driving Indigenous procurement in North Queensland, at a showcase to highlight new opportunities to boost local communities.

Led by the Department of Employment Small Business and Training (DESBT), more than 50 specialists heard from First Nations initiatives, and their supporters.

Presenters included Cassandra Cazzulino, Chief Executive Officer of Smart Precinct NQ, a partner of the Q-SEED project.

Cassandra explained how Q-SEED is collaboratively using procurement to create employment opportunities for the young people of Townsville, and outlined how buying from local Indigenous businesses grows economic, social, and cultural value.

“While there are 2.1 million businesses in Australia, and between 12,000 and 16,000 of those are Indigenous-owned businesses… incredibly, only 1000 of these are sitting in regional Queensland,” Cassandra said.

“We need to lift that number… and it was wonderful to join the conversation on the importance of procuring Indigenous business, and learn from the room on how we can all do more.”

Other guest speakers included Brad Maher, Indigenous Participation Advisor at Powerlink, Noel Gertz, Managing Director of On Common Country, and the Golalbi-Gan Consultancy – Keeping First Nations Children Connected.

The event, held in Townsville on Friday 18 October, was hosted by Jeanie McIntosh, Principal Indigenous Program Officer – Economic Participation at DESBT.

Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts (DTATSIPCA) and the State Development Department also participated.

 

  • Copperstring 2032, building around 1,100km electricity transmission lines from Townsville to Mt Isa.
  • For the 2032 Olympics, Townsville will co-host sailing with the Whitsundays and host football at North Queensland Stadium. Supporting upgrades to road infrastructure and investment in grassroots sport, have also been flagged.
  • Townsville University Hospital is undergoing a significant redevelopment and expansion.
  • The Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub will be a sustainable battery materials refinery, processing and advanced manufacturing facility. Supporting roads and water infrastructure will also be required.
  • James Cook University $1.9 billion masterplan.
  • Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative, constructing training facilities to host up to 14,000 Singapore Armed Forces.
  • $1.6 billion Townsville Port Expansion Project, including Outer Harbour Development and Channel Upgrade.
  • Others as per Construction Skills Queensland

This list is just a small snapshot of the significant incoming infrastructure investment to the Townsville region, with the opportunity for local supply of labour, materials, equipment, logistics, services, housing and community support. Through the QSEED program we know that Townsville is home to a broad range of innovative businesses (including First Nations businesses and social enterprises) a diverse workforce, and a trainee candidate pool with the desire to upskill and make a positive contribution.

So Townsville, now is the time to harness your own Procurement Impact Framework to achieve enhanced and legacy procurement outcomes for your community.  It’s not just your geographic position alone that gives you a strategic advantage…

 

Townsville’s Impact Procurement Framework will be housed on the Townsville City Council procurement website: https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/about-council/tenders

It is also available on the QSEED project at Smart Precinct North Queensland: https://spnq.org/qseed/

A formal evaluation of the QSEED program will be undertaken by Professor Olav Muuurlink of CQ University. The results will be released at the Q-SEED Impact Procurement Framework, Best Practice Toolkit Launch on Wednesday 27 May; 12-1pm

https://events.humanitix.com/q-seed-framework-toolkit-launch

 

 

 

Related Posts

Q-SEED connections delivering jobs

Q-SEED connections delivering jobs

Oct 30, 2024 | ,

A social enterprise creating jobs for disadvantaged young people is making an impact in Townsville, with support from a new community-boosting project aimed at capitalising on the region’s $14 billion investment and infrastructure pipeline.

read more