Tradies in the Dubbo region should find it easier to get work fixing local public school buildings after the NSW government announced another measure to keep people employed during the drought.
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Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said a new e-Tendering initiative would enable local tradies to procure school maintenance jobs in the region.
The initiative means local tradies will have precedence when it comes to procurement for maintenance jobs at local public schools, with a new online system allowing businesses to engage directly with the state government on projects in the Dubbo region.
Mr Saunders said the online procurement process would ensure businesses in the Dubbo electorate were better supported throughout the drought.
"This new approach to tendering for school maintenance projects will provide approximately 25,000 opportunities to quote for work across the state, with an estimated total value of $50 million," he said.
"As a government, it is crucial we continue to prioritise the employment of local businesses where we can."
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the initiative was an example of the government was continuing to stimulating local economies during an unprecedented drought.
"We need to give local businesses in areas like the Dubbo electorate every opportunity to keep money local and the economy ticking over," Mr Barilaro said.
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said more than $620 million was being spent to clear the school maintenance backlog in all public schools by the middle of next year.
She said the total maintenance investment would be more than $1.3 billion over five years.
"This government is making good on our promise to clear the school maintenance backlog, with almost half the work already completed," Ms Mitchell claimed.
"Through this new system, local tradies will be given more opportunities for the uptake of local jobs, and schools will be able to work alongside trusted businesses."
The new platform will be fully operational in early 2020.