The Opportunities for Victorian Aboriginal people objective focuses on generating employment and economic prosperity by purchasing from Victorian Aboriginal businesses and purchasing from suppliers employing Victorian Aboriginal people.
Since 2018-19 there have been fluctuations in direct spend with certified Aboriginal businesses, reflecting the varying needs of Government. Between 2021–22 and 2022–23 increases in expenditure with certified Victorian Aboriginal businesses were primarily attributed to the following projects and services:
- rebuild of Puckapunyal Primary School after it was significantly damaged by a fire in December 2020
- construction of 5 Female Amenities at Road Services Depots
- upgrade and modernisation of Hopetoun P-12 College
- Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) facility infrastructure
- road construction projects (refer to case study on Award winning Aboriginal procurement)
- cultural consultations for planned projects, developments and initiatives to occur on Wurundjeri lands
- cultural heritage services
- development of the Munarra Centre (refer to case study The Victorian Government helping create regional excellence in education above)
Direct spend with verified Aboriginal Businesses between 2018–19 and 2022–23
Graph 1: Direct spend with verified Aboriginal Businesses between 2018–19 and 2022–23
In 2019–20 there was a COVID-19 related spike due to significant spend on personal protective equipment for whole-of-Victorian-Government.
Award winning Aboriginal procurement
B.A Road Services is an Aboriginal owned and operated business that provides services to the asphalt industry. It specialises in industrial and commercial asphalt paving work.
In the 2020–21 Victorian Government Social Procurement Framework Annual report, B.A Road Services featured as an Aboriginal business that had been supported by Kinaway Chamber of Commerce to win contracts with Major Road Projects Victoria. In the 2 years since then, B.A Roads has grown their capacity and capability.
B.A Roads have been supported by Industry, having collaborated closely with BDM Construction. In the last year, the 2 businesses have worked together to deliver projects valued at more than $6 million across Victoria, including major infrastructure and urban business works. This partnership saw significant growth for both businesses, including creating additional employment opportunities for Aboriginal Victorians. In recognition, this partnership was awarded the Best Corporate Partner collaboration award at the 2022 Kinaway Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
In December 2022, the Department of Transport and Planning entered into a direct 2-year contract with B.A Road Services for the Asphalt Patching of Various Arterial Roads and Freeways project. The works include undertaking major patching and preparation activities for sealing works across roads in the Melbourne Metro Western region.
The business has been operating for 4 years and has 4 Aboriginal employees (11% of the workforce). Brandon McRedmond, B.A Road Services Owner, has acknowledged his team of dedicated staff and their work to secure such a significant contract.
"Absolute credit to the team for executing at tender stage and getting this over the line - we have put so much hard work to get to this position to go for bigger jobs [with the Victorian Government]."
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