Council partners with Yarpa to increase Aboriginal procurement in LG
Published on 04 March 2025
Council has been chosen to partner with Yarpa to pilot the Deliver Better Outcomes Project in the Campbelltown LGA.
This project aims to increase the number of Aboriginal businesses providing goods and services to Local Government.
With over 7,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people residing in our LGA, the Deliver Better Outcomes project will be crucial in supporting Aboriginal businesses to access business opportunities locally.
Councils provide significant opportunities for businesses, and this project will connect Aboriginal businesses with diverse procurement opportunities, ensuring a great outcome for the Campbelltown community, while contributing to growing our local economy.
This project will guide equitable access to local economic opportunities that will support and foster sustainable growth opportunities for local Aboriginal businesses.
Our focus, throughout this program, will be to ensure support and development opportunities in the form of training and education that will help foster growth and opportunities for Aboriginal businesses right here in Campbelltown.
"We’re proud to have been chosen by Yarpa to be their partner in the delivery of such an important initiative. The Deliver Better Outcomes program aligns with our commitment to support our Aboriginal community through actions that open doors of opportunity and address the challenges and inequality they experience,” Mayor Cr Darcy Lound said.
“I strongly encourage any local Aboriginal business who might be interested in getting involved in the initiative, or would like to learn more, to join the program.” Cr Lound said.
“I look forward to the opportunity to connect with the businesses and discuss how we can better support them and improve the overall cultural competency of our LGA." Cr Lound said.
Yarpa is a partnership between the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) and the Australian Government. Established in 2018 under the Indigenous Business Sector Strategy to ensure First Nations people have access to their fair share of the state’s economy.
“We are excited to have partnered with Campbelltown City Council to deliver such a significant project. We chose this Council as our partner because it was evident through our research that the Campbelltown LGA not only had a pipeline of opportunities and a significant number of high-quality Aboriginal businesses, but also that the Council had a genuine willingness to work with us to effect change and deliver outcomes.” Shannon Mallison, Acting Director Yarpa Hub said.
“Yarpa’s sole purpose is to strengthen the First Nations business sector and contribute to economic prosperity through capability, connection and culture. We know that local government procurement presents a significant opportunity for Aboriginal businesses, and we also know that Aboriginal businesses want to participate in their local economies and want to contribute to projects that benefit their local communities.” Ms Mallison said.
“This project directly contributes to Yarpa’s purpose and to Campbelltown Council’s commitment to support their local Aboriginal community. I encourage all Aboriginal businesses in the Campbelltown LGA to jump on board and join our network, and I hope to see many of you at our upcoming networking event on 5 March at Campbelltown Arts Centre.” Ms Mallison said.
Background on the project
This project is part of the NSW Government’s Deliver Better Outcomes program which aims to Close the Gap through initiatives delivered in partnership with Aboriginal organisations.
It directly contributes to priority reform 3 – Transforming government organisations and priority reform 5 – Employment, business growth and economic prosperity.
Throughout the Aboriginal Business Round Tables, another initiative of the NSW Government under the NSW Roadmap for Aboriginal Business Growth, many Aboriginal businesses highlighted local government as an opportunity for long term growth and sustainability.
This project will help strengthen relationships and foster opportunities for collaboration and procurement. Beyond just facilitating connections, the network will also serve to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions Aboriginal Businesses make to the local economy
This project aims to strengthen the local Aboriginal Business ecosystem, ensuring it recognised as integral to the local community’s growth and success.