Polar Infrastructure has engaged with many small, medium and family businesses and we’ve identified several gaps that can be fixed by establishing a Local Content and Sustainability Suppliers Register.
Our research, consultations and commitment to making a difference underscore our view that this strategic move would promote innovation, job growth, and environmental stewardship, furthering Victoria’s and Australia’s position as leaders in sustainable development and procurement.
Victoria can continue to lead the country by establishing a LCSSR ‘Tick’ to prioritise:
- Local jobs and manufacturing.
- Sustainable Products.
- Circular Economy Products.
- Local content (all parts of the product) > 55%.
- Reduces climate risks and impacts (e.g. batteries).
This will address current limitations of the Construction Supplier Register:
- Not meeting climate change, environment and circular economy policies of Government.
- Design-and-construct contracts based on the lowest price, thwarting early inclusion of sustainable local products.
- Only lists pre-qualified suppliers of Construction services (consultants) and Construction works (builders).
- Circular economy and sustainability/local content legislative and delivery ecosystem has no teeth or coordination.1 SV, ICN and ecologiQ could play much larger roles.
- Doesn’t stop dominance of overseas products and construction materials with very high replacement/life cycle costs and embodied carbon (e.g. Exit Signs and paints).