also for a centre for fun , safe activity and increase the leisure and retail spend from a regional target market . The outcomes below , including the higher spend , with a lower transaction rate suggests that these spending habits are more reflective of leisure based spending encouraged by the campaign – rather than bulky goods spending which can skew the visitor spend data .
The campaign achieved its objective of growing spend and prioritising leisure spend in a new , previously untargeted market for tourism in Dubbo .
DUBBO REGION PURCHASING BEHAVIOUR FROM CONSUMERS AND BUSINESS TO BUSINESS The opportunity to leverage large scale infrastructure projects , strengthen local supply chains and leverage growth in the Dubbo Region was identified as a key opportunity through the Taskforce .
Business engagement and primary research revealed that small local businesses found it difficult to navigate the procurement process of Council and Council ’ s commitment to buying local was not well communicated . This coupled with the community desire to see assurance from big business and government that they support the community where they operate fuelled the development of purchasing based workshops , connecting business and Council as a major project manager and contract employer in the region .
A commitment was made by Council to lead by example in local purchasing practices . Council quickly developed local business to business supply chain purchasing practices and the implementation of an updated Local Procurement Policy . Workshops were held to inform businesses and a sustained media campaign was maintained to ensure clear communication of Council ’ s commitment to purchasing locally and supporting local contractors and suppliers .
Council worked across Divisions to facilitate and deliver four Local Procurement Workshops designed to secure local purchasing practises within the business to business supply chains of the Dubbo Region . A total of 131 businesses were represented by 170 people in attendance across the four workshops .
Year-on-Year Changes – All Spend – Dubbo Region Expenditure Types Oct - Nov 2019 Oct - Nov 2020 Change Total Local Spend $ 179.5M $ 204M 13.65 % Resident Local Spend $ 129M $ 142.7M 10.62 % Visitor Local Spend $ 50.4M $ 61.5M 22.02 %
Average Value per Transaction ($) – Dubbo Region Expenditure Types Oct - Nov 2019 Oct - Nov 2020 Change Total Local Spend $ 73 $ 72 7.75 % Resident Local Spend $ 70 $ 70.50 0.71 % Visitor Local Spend $ 82 $ 76.50 6.71 % Source : Spendmapp
The sessions delivered procurement information in an easy , business-friendly style . Results showed a significant uptake in local engagement and signups of Council ’ s e-Procurement system ‘ Vendorpanel ’. Feedback received via attendee satisfaction surveys indicates that local businesses are now more aware of upcoming procurement opportunities , they are confident in completing the tender process and better understand how to leverage Council ’ s Local Purchasing Policy in their business .
GROWING OUR OWN SKILLED WORKFORCE In the peak COVID 19 impact period , the Dubbo Region had an unemployment rate of 1.4 %. This is not to suggest there wasn ’ t a level of under employment , where people had more than one casual job to make up their household income and whilst they didn ’ t lose all their jobs , they had hours cut or lost one of their sources of income . Dubbo Region as of December 2020 had an unemployment rate of 2.1 % ( Dubbo City 1.9 %; Wellington 3.4 %).
With such low unemployment , focus was placed on recovery of industries through retaining local youth and engaging business in key large-scale infrastructure projects .
A collaborative pre-employment support and training program was developed with industry and RTOs , to encourage young people to stay in the region and enter key local sectors such as civil construction and hospitality . Delivered prior to final exams , business owners from 14 different businesses delivered presentations to students on current and future opportunities . Students were able to ask candid questions and get insight into how to secure a job and what to expect on a job site or in an office . Feedback from
VOL 14 NO 2 2021 30 www . edaustralia . com . au