Port Macquarie-Hastings Council adopted a Local Preference Policy, incorporating a five per cent notional price offset, at its October 17 meeting. The decision was unanimous.

It follows a 12-month trial of the policy.

The notional offset, as a five percentage discount, capped to an upper limit of $25,000, applies to the pricing submitted by local suppliers to be used in the tender evaluation process.

It offers a price advantage to local suppliers during the tender evaluation. 

A definition of a local supplier is contained within the policy.

Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce president Michael Mowle said the policy was good for local businesses.

“It’s another means of local business being able to interface and do business with council,” he said.

“We need local business to be given some sort of assistance or opening to get jobs with council.”

Mayor Peta Pinson said the Local Preference Policy was really important for a number of reasons.

She said when we look after our own, we drive our own economy and we keep our local people engaged through employment and that has a ripple effect in our community.

“We live in a wonderful place and to have local firms be part of our success, I think is really important,” Cr Pinson said.

The mayor said the policy sent a clear message to the local business community that the council was there to support them.

“I think we could do some work to communicate that to them, and given that communication, we may see an increase of tenders by local companies,” she said.

Cr Geoff Hawkins said he believed the policy needed more promotion.

He said the policy showed the council supported the local business community in a balanced way.

The policy aims to support the council’s commitment to achieving the best value for money result to the council and the community, while maximising opportunities for local business to compete for council business.

Cr Sharon Griffiths said if business did well, the local economy did well.

An amendment, which was put forward by Cr Peter Alley, to extend the trial for a further 12 months lapsed as it did not receive a seconder.

“I’m just not persuaded we have enough information yet,” he said in support of the amendment.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann said the policy had been a long time coming for her and for others sitting around the table.

The council has requested the general manager provide an annual report each August on the Local Preference Policy outcomes.