The procurement plan was an action identified in Unitywater’s Innovate II Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and includes First Nations businesses that provide a broad range of products and services across operational and support areas, such as civil construction and earthmoving, safety and industrial equipment, security services and traffic control.
Unitywater Executive Manager Customer Delivery and RAP Executive Sponsor Rhett Duncan, said the utility’s vision for reconciliation was to honour and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples through genuine partnerships, by integrating First Nations knowledge into the way the organisation works and empowering communities to shape their own futures alongside Unitywater.
“We have partnered with First Nations businesses across our region for many years, and our First Nations Procurement Plan builds on that history by creating clear, lasting opportunities for growth,” Mr Duncan said.
“Working with First Nations businesses contributes to economic participation and long-term partnerships that create social and economic value within the communities we serve.
“For every dollar we pay First Nations businesses for the products and services, between $3.66 and $4.41 of value is created, benefiting communities, families and their employees.”
Mr Duncan said the plan supported Unitywater’s reconciliation activities and the utility was progressing development of its first Stretch RAP.
“We still have a way to go on our reconciliation journey but are proud to be the first Queensland water utility to be invited to develop a Stretch RAP – our fourth RAP,” he said.
“We are working with and seeking endorsement from Traditional Custodian groups in our service region – the Jinibara, Kabi Kabi and Turrbal Peoples – and their active participation is a key part of our approach in developing this important and meaningful initiative.”
Read more about Unitywater’s current RAP and initiatives.
Image: Unitywater CEO Anna Jackson, Experience and Inclusion Advisor Bec Williams and Executive Manager Customer Delivery and RAP Executive Sponsor Rhett Duncan with Unitywater’s Innovate II Action Plan.
