Lake Keepit privatisation could hit Tamworth, Gunnedah businesses hard

The facility has a policy of purchasing everything it can locally, from food to vehicles, pumping hundreds of thousands into the local economy every year.

The state government has sounded out private operators to take control of eight of the 11 camps across NSW, including Lake Keepit.

On average, the Lake Keepit facility spends $170,000 to $190,000 a year on food and beverages, all sourced and supplied from local businesses.

Recently it spend $35,000 on new bicycles and bought $175,000 worth of mowing and farming machinery.

Over the last three years the centre spent $690,000 on capital works projects, all carried out by local builders,

It has 13 contracts in place with local businesses including plumbing, electrical needs, pest control and refrigeration.

The centre regularly trades with 38 other businesses and has a database of hundreds of local companies it can invoice directly.

The region’s business chambers say local contracts and spending could be at risk if the centre was privatise, as the new owner looks to make a profit.

Tamworth Business Chamber president Lia Mahony said she appreciated the facility’s very clear guideline to shop locally.

“I know a lot of businesses in Manilla have benefited from it,” Ms Mahony said.

“Gunnedah and Tamworth also rely strongly on the sport and recreation park for business as well. It would be a shame to see that income potential leave the region.”

Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce president Mike Broekman said shopping locally was “hugely important” to the survival of small towns.

“Any attack on local procurement is an attack on the overall structure of small communities like Gunnedah and even to the point of places like Tamworth,” said Mr Broekman. “The major concern in relation to privatisation is the end cost. Whenever something is privatised, it’s got to make a profit.”