Councils in the Wide Bay Burnett region have used their joint purchasing power to secure a long-term contract for the monitoring, testing and reporting of water and gas at the 33 landfill sites in the region.
Cr Mick Curran, Chair of the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC) said the collaboration between the councils was a great example of how local governments are working together.
The successful tender has resulted in a significant reduction in costs to all local councils (10 - 25%), as well as ensuring best practice in environmental management.
Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey said the new arrangement is saving the Bundaberg Regional Council about $140,000 a year.
“Instead of each council having to cover the costs on an external provider on their own, we are now able to share these costs with other councils,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“Previously, Council engaged a supplier to regularly carry out water monitoring and testing at all of its seven landfills. We have since been able to join forces with our five neighbouring councils to maximize our bargaining power, resulting in reduced costs for local government and ratepayers.”
The successful supplier, GHD, is a leading engineering, architecture and environmental consulting company with regional offices in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay. The framework agreement will be in place for 3 years.
GHD’s Wide Bay Manager, Daniel Bennett said: “Our people live and work in this region and are proud to be part of this significant project. We are grateful for the opportunity to assist WBBROC meet their environmental obligations”.