Industry heavyweights eye social buying to transform Townsville
Local industry leaders will share their procurement insights, as part of a new community-boosting project to capitalise on Townsville’s $14 billion investment and infrastructure pipeline.
Q-SEED (Queensland Social procurement, Employment and Economic Development) project is a North Queensland initiative to increase youth job opportunities in Townsville through local procurement.
The Q-SEED launch on Thursday 11 July 2024 will feature an industry and enterprise workshop, for buyers and suppliers wanting to grow local and social impact – register to attend via Eventbrite now!
A panel of experienced leaders will kick off the conversation:
- Leah Saltner, Founder of Saltner Consulting, Bindal and Birriah Traditional Owner from North Queensland and South Sea Islander and specialist consultant in Indigenous Stakeholder Relationship and Project Management.
- Aaron Ohl, Team Leader at Hutchinson Builders Townsville, with $60 million in projects annually, from residential units, to school buildings, health and State Government works,
- Dominiqe Bird, Co-founder of Civik, a jobs-focused social enterprise providing infrastructure services and specialising in telecommunications, hydro excavation, and facilities maintenance,
- Sam Scandlyn, Manager of Procurement and Contracts at Port of Townsville Limited, championing social and sustainable procurement,
- Cara McCormack, Psychologist and Operations Director of Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs commissioning portfolio at North Queensland Primary Health Network, co-designing mental health services with community, the sector and people with lived and living experience.
Led by CQUniversity, procurement consultancy ArcBlue and economic activation partner Smart Precinct NQ, Q-SEED has already developed a locally-driven Regional Action Plan for growing procurement opportunities.
ArcBlue Director for QLD and NT, Elisabeth Lette said the panel participants would highlight exciting opportunities for the region.
“If just five per cent of non-local spend by Townsville businesses, government and industry is shifted back into the local economy with local suppliers, more than 1500 local jobs could be created,” Ms Lette said.
“The launch workshop is an exciting opportunity to hear from local leaders, about maximising local procurement spend, and what needs to shift to make the transformation.”
Q-SEED is funded by Advance Queensland and The John Villiers Trust, and will also see CQUniversity work with young people, youth-focused organisations and employers to co-create new opportunities for sustainable and inclusive jobs.
The Q-SEED launch workshop and panel is from 3pm – 5pm on Thursday, 11 July 2024, followed by a networking event from 5.30pm, open to all community members interested in supporting the project.
Both events are at Smart Precinct NQ and are free to attend, register via Eventbrite to attend.
