Water Entities Tap into Local Buy Contracts

Queensland water entities have been tapping into Local Buy contracts since 2010, and this makes perfect sense, given their primary functions are akin to those of most Queensland councils.  This includes the provision of drinking water, the treatment of sewage and other waste water and the maintenance of vital water infrastructure.

While Unitywater and Queensland Urban Utilities are Queensland statutory bodies, having been established under an Act of Parliament, their shareholders are Queensland councils.  Unitywater’s shareholders are Noosa Council and the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay Regional Councils.  Queensland Urban Utilities’ shareholders are the Brisbane and Ipswich City Councils and the Lockyer Valley, Somerset, and Scenic Rim Regional Councils.  Their roles are primarily in the provision of drinking water, recycled water and sewerage and other waste water services to the population in the areas that they serve.  Outside of south east Queensland, these services are provided by Queensland councils.  

Queensland government water entities that maintain vital water infrastructure and provide bulk treated water to some Queensland councils also use the Local Buy contracts.

It is no surprise then, that water entity spend represented 28% of total State Government spend through the Local Buy contracts in 2017-2018.

The most commonly used contract was Engineering and Environmental Services (BUS 262-0317).  This contract includes more than 100 engineering contractors approved in the water and sewerage category and 90 contractors that are pre-qualified to provide consultancy services in relation to water resources.  Local Buy’s Asset Management and Trucks contracts are also popular with the water entities.

Local Buy values its relationship with Queensland’s water entities and works closely with their procurement teams to provide access to the Local Buy contracts and category-related advice.  We catch up regularly to talk with each other and share information that allows the water entities to source the goods and service that they need without going to market themselves, saving time and conserving valuable procurement resources.