How innovative database will connect businesses to Inland Rail

An innovative online database has been created with the intention of promoting small businesses who have services to offer to major projects like the Inland Rail.

Major products like the Inland Rail and Acciona Wind Farm will have the benefit of a league of businesses to supply resources and employees to their projects, thanks to a new initiative from the Goondiwindi Regional Council.

Council has developed an online database that promotes local business capability to external investors and developers, namely those working on major upcoming projects.

Mayor Lawrence Springborg said the database would allow council to advocate for local businesses, and drive a push that will allow their products and services to be used in major projects.

“As we know, there are a number of large, nation-building projects coming to the Goondiwindi region in the near future – from Inland Rail to Acciona’s MacIntyre Wind Farm in the region’s east,” he said.

“Once the new capability database is established, Council can present it to top-tier contract holders and other key stakeholders in major national projects to help them find local suppliers and services and make it easier for them to buy local, where available.

“They can then get in touch with those businesses directly.

“It’s a way for Council to further advocate for local businesses right across the region, and a huge opportunity for small- and medium-sized businesses especially to connect with major out-of-region investors and developers.”

Cr Springborg said resources like PPE, windshield replacements, and landscaping services would be important to the project, so he encouraged businesses from a wide range of industries to apply.

“There’s a very long list of products and services that future projects such as Inland Rail may wish to procure – and we want to make sure they are equipped to do so locally,” he said.

“The Goondiwindi region in particular has everything that major projects are looking for – with an attractive business environment, strategic location and a strong culture of entrepreneurship among our local businesses. So this is about making sure local enterprises are prepared and able to benefit from these once-in-a-generation upcoming infrastructure projects.”

Businesses based within the Goondiwindi Regional Local Government Area (LGA), or whose primary customer base are within the Goondiwindi region, should add their details now to be included in the database: www.grc.qld.gov.au/business/resources/business-capability-database