Vickie Hablitz, Chair of RDA Midwest Gascoyne with Alan Bradley, Executive Officer - ‘Checking for Leaks in Geraldton’

Late last year Regional Development Australia Midwest and Gascoyne, Executive Officer Mr Alan Bradley and Board Members, commissioned the services of PRACSYS consultants to develop a Local Supplier Survey: Plugging the Leaks, to determine where supply ‘leaks’ occur in the region.

The report summarises the results of the survey and how some of these ‘leaks’ could be ‘plugged’ locally to keep Geraldton’s economy vibrant.

A number of Geraldton companies were asked a series of supplier related questions with many interviewed face-to-face by RDAMWG Regional Coordinator, Barbara Thompson. Some of the one-on-one interviews drew some quite candid responses.

The mission of this survey is to help connect local businesses, so they can all work together to see where they can help ‘plug the supply leaks’ from Geraldton, identify opportunities to supply each other to retain more wealth and social capital in the local economy, and become more resilient in a changing environment.

Ms Thompson said many local operators are so busy working in their business that they don’t have time to work ‘on’ their business.

“This was quite apparent,” she said.

“A lot of operators were unaware there is often a local alternative to their supply need but they are too time poor to explore that avenue.

“This report also offers some practical tips on how businesses could network better between each other and help keep local money in the community,” said Mr Bradley.

Regional Development Australia Midwest Gascoyne Chair, Ms Vickie Hablitz, said “Working together and using each other’s services is one of the most important things we can do in the community.”

A copy of the report can be downloaded from the RDAMWG website at www.rdamwg.com.au