From the General Manager's desk | March 2026
Published on 16 March 2026
Article by Glen Duff, General Manager
Throughout 2026, Local Buy is strengthening its strategic support for Queensland’s local government sector. Our initiatives align with council priorities and operational requirements, including our response to the latest Local Government Regulation procurement reforms where we supported a seamless, sector-wide transition that leverages new thinking and a focus on council opportunities to drive stronger procurement outcomes.
This leadership continues to foster innovation, deliver sector-wide value aligned with local needs, promote best practices, and drive excellence across Queensland.
Local Buy also deepens its commitment to our pre-qualified supplier network. The Local Buy brand is the local government’s own aggregator solution, and our pre-qualified status is highly regarded. We’ve empowered suppliers to maximise this status and forge meaningful connections across an expanding network of buyers. We encourage our suppliers to make use of resources, as doing so will enhance your visibility, reputation, access to new opportunities, and successes.
Brett Fraser, Group CEO, and I continue our ongoing dialogue with council leadership – including Mayors, CEOs, Management and Procurement. If you have not heard from us already, feel free to reach out direct. Key feedback highlights a strong appetite and commitment to maximise the use of our existing solutions, alongside a clear expectation for Local Buy to do even more – reinforcing our sector’s commitment to delivering for itself.
By doing so, the sector will harness the full value of both Local Buy Arrangements and our other sector initiatives to optimise your strategic procurement outcomes, remove inefficiencies, and deliver stronger community outcomes. Common-sense in action!
In response, Local Buy will expand our sector investment even further, ensuring councils and suppliers are equipped for continued success. These include:
✅ Queensland-focused Arrangements
Maintain a strong commitment to key categories relevant to local government and other sectors, ensuring our award-winning Arrangements continue to set the industry benchmark. For further information on how we can enhance your category strategy, please contact us.
✅ Expand Procurement Technology
Enhanced features to be introduced on the Unimarket platform (powered by VendorPanel), including Contracts Essentials. This award-winning procurement technology is available free of charge to all Queensland councils, representing a substantial investment by Local Buy.
✅ Increase supplier value
Expand our pre-qualified supplier base throughout Queensland, streamlining the process for local businesses to engage with councils. Suppliers tender once to achieve Local Government Regulation compliance through pre-qualification, driving efficiency and greater opportunity.
✅ Investment in capability
Offer strategic leadership to the sector and deliver professional development and capability initiatives, training, forums, and category support. We work hand-in-glove with councils and other buyers to improve outcomes and deliver on procurement objectives.
✅ Invest in sector impact
Reinvest all profits into advocacy, industry projects, capability, grants, and other initiatives that benefit Queensland councils, communities, and local procurement outcomes.
✅ Strengthen partnerships
Collaborate effectively with government and peak bodies to identify opportunities for strategic alignment, delivering mutually advantageous solutions across both levels of government.
There continues to be strong interest in the below past articles from recent newsletters. These popular articles provide practical tips on panel procurement benefits and how to maximise your Local Buy supplier opportunity. If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend reviewing them for further strategic insights.
Local Government regulation changes
Recent changes to the Local Government Regulation affecting procurement have been released, with our recent webinar covering recommended next steps in maximising the opportunities these changes present. Read Understanding the amendments to the Local Government Regulation for more information.
Panel-based procurement leading innovation and value
Across local and state governments, whole-of-government aggregator panel arrangements are in focus, with a big shift towards smarter policy writing to drive an increase in default and strategic panel use – and more strategic outcomes. Read Panel-based procurement: leading innovation and value in government for more information.
Maximise your Local Buy pre-qualified supplier status
Being appointed to Local Buy not only enters your business into a preferred supplier market for hundreds of large buying organisations, but it also enables you to fully leverage your Pre-Qualified Status by using our new Local Buy Pre-Qualified Supplier logo and messaging to promote your business. Read Ensure you have a strong Local Buy Supplier profile and engagement plan for more information, or contact us at enquiry@localbuy.net.au.
Save the date: 25-Year anniversary conference
Join us on 5 August 2026 in Brisbane for a one-day conference and evening celebration marking 25 years of procurement excellence. If you are a part of our local government family or have helped build our legacy, please save the date. More details to come.
What sets us apart at Local Buy
At Local Buy, we’re more than a procurement solution – we’re a trusted partner for Queensland councils. Our arrangements are purpose-built for the sector, fully compliant with legislation, and backed by a commitment to reinvest 100% of profits back into the communities we serve. From funding innovative projects to supporting suppliers and delivering cost savings, we go beyond compliance to create real value.
✅ Trusted, pre-qualified and compliant
Local Buy, as part of the LGAQ, is the only organisation authorised under the Local Government Regulation 2012 (LGR) to create Local Government Association (LGA) arrangements. Every arrangement we provide is pre-qualified and compliant to the LGR. While this protects council’s obligations and reduces risk, our solutions have won procurement industry awards for innovation and impact – setting us apart as a best-in-class solution provider.
✅ Designed for Queensland
Our arrangements are tailored to meet the needs of Queensland. Every solution is practical, relevant, and aligned with the challenges and opportunities faced by governments in our state.
✅ Delivering real value back to the sector
Profits generated by Local Buy are reinvested back into supporting councils and communities across Queensland. This includes:
- Funding procurement technology that saves each council up to $60k annually
- Supporting all QLD councils with 100% of profits returned to the LGAQ
- Investing in industry development projects worth over $5.8m
- Delivering grants to all QPLA libraries total over $650k
- Hosting training and forums for buyer professional development
- Helping supplier’s lower costs of doing business and grow their businesses
- Partnering with peak-body and government to deliver innovative procurement solutions
We are proud to deliver the level of commitment, reinvestment, and support to the sector as only Local Buy can do. When you choose Local Buy, you’re choosing a partner that genuinely prioritises your council and the Queensland communities you serve.
In the March newsletter:
Final thoughts
As we move through 2026, we continue to face global events that challenge our supply chains and risk impacting our ability to deliver on local priorities. Local Buy and our Queensland partners have consistently demonstrated greater resilience and adaptability in overcoming these obstacles together. I encourage you to contact our team to explore how we can support your needs and ensure ongoing success for your council and communities.
Our unwavering commitment to the sector is central to who we are, with 100% of any surplus reinvested to deliver more compliant solutions to the local government sector.
If you have any questions, ideas, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out at enquiry@localbuy.net.au.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we move forward together.
All the best,
Glen Duff
General Manager
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