New Procurement Pilot Set to Strengthen Airport Operations

Whitsunday Regional Council is taking a strategic step to improve how specialised services are delivered at Whitsunday Coast Airport, endorsing a new procurement pilot aimed at boosting efficiency, transparency and value for money.

Adopted at a recent Ordinary Meeting in Bowen, the Strategic Procurement Pilot will operate within Council’s Aviation department and follows recommendations from the Audit and Risk Committee to strengthen procurement practices in complex, high-demand environments.

Mayor Ry Collins said the initiative reflects the unique challenges of airport operations.

“Airport operations are a highly specialised and time-critical environment where the ability to engage qualified suppliers quickly can be important to maintaining safe and reliable services,” Mayor Collins said.

“This pilot is about strengthening the way we approach procurement so we can be more strategic, efficient and ensure we continue delivering strong value for money for our community.

“It also responds directly to recommendations from our Audit and Risk Committee to continue improving Council’s procurement processes and ensuring we have the right frameworks in place for specialised operational environments.”

The pilot will explore procurement methods that better align with the realities of aviation, where technical expertise and limited supplier availability can complicate traditional processes.

Mayor Collins said the goal is simple: “At the end of the day, this is about making sure our airport continues to operate safely, efficiently and reliably for the people and businesses who rely on it every day.”

Outcomes from the pilot will be monitored and reported back to Council.

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