Councillor Connect - 29 May 2025 - Councillor Peggy Noble

One of the things I occasionally get asked is how local business operators and contractors go about getting work from Council...


Councillor Peggy Noble.

Authorised by Councillor Peggy Noble.

29 May 2025

One of the things I occasionally get asked is how local business operators and contractors go about getting work from Council.

As a new Councillor who’s still learning the ropes myself, I’ve decided to focus this column on a specific topic I’ve recently learnt more about, because I believe that giving you a clearer answer on this process is more helpful than making broad, generic statements.

I won’t sugar-coat it: getting work from Council isn’t always as straightforward as people might hope. One key reason is that we, both Councillors and Council staff, need to avoid even the perception of playing favourites. We must follow a consistent, transparent, and fair process when it comes to procurement including how we buy goods, services, and works needed to serve the community.

This approach not only ensures fairness but also protects us from being taken advantage of by those who might try to "game the system" if the rules are unclear.

We have procurement policies and procedures in place, adopted by the Councillors, that guide how our staff are expected to go about this work. These policies include considerations to support local outcomes, alongside a range of other important factors. You can read more about these policies here: Policies, procedures, delegations - Bega Valley Shire Council

As a Councillor, I’m not expected to (and frankly, couldn’t) be an expert in every aspect of Council operations, especially with all the competing priorities. That’s why we rely on our experienced staff, including a dedicated procurement team, to manage this process professionally and consistently.

If you’re a business owner or contractor interested in working with Council, your best starting point is to contact our procurement team at Council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au or 02 6499 2222. And if you’ve done that but still find yourself unsure or stuck, feel free to reach out to me and I’ll do my best to follow up or point you in the right direction.

I’ve also asked the CEO whether we can create a short explainer video to help demystify the process and make things more accessible. So — watch this space!

Please feel free to get in touch with me at PNoble@begavalley.nsw.gov.au

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