By STEFANO DE PIERI
IT is always good to have a vigorous debate around issues affecting this community, even when it may hurt or seem unfair.
In the end, the truth always comes out. I am one of those newly-elected councillors who advocates more local participation in tenders, especially when there’s a project which attracts strong community interest, unlike, say, a run of the mill project like a road construction, or excavations, which have no significant emotional content.
When the matter attracts emotional responses, it is paramount to proceed with high regards for the local competitors, but that does not mean that they are going to win, especially if their quote is way above the rest or they do not rate highly on one or more of the other criterion.
To be clear, approximately 75 per cent of tenders are won by local firms. In some instances, out of town firms end up subcontracting locals as that may be the most efficient way of delivering the project.
It is worth noting that all tenders are exposed to the separate assessment of several individuals, who are exposing the tenders to five different lenses without knowledge of the name of the applicant. Sometimes the winner may be higher than others, because of a good track record of delivery, demonstrable skills, etc.
This is not to say that we should rest on our laurels: the other 25 per cent can be very significant, as indeed it may in reality contain some very big projects (never fully trust statistics!).
Greater effort in trying to capture as much as possible would require more training for future applicants so they fully comprehend how to prepare a tender. Council offers that service, but there are experienced locals who can be engaged to assist.
I am personally against these decisions being made “in camera”, as there’s nothing to hide. Council does inform bidders privately, but if the community is keen to understand how it works, let’s be open about it, except when matters may involve certain financial consideration whose public airing could result in, say, legal action.
I wish the community took an interest as keen as in this in many areas of council: there’s a lot of good work done around here. Perhaps if Mildura Council can be criticised, it is that their idea of marketing is not terribly dynamic, a little old fashion and it assumes too much.
