The initiative encourages Territorians to make a conscious choice to shop, eat, hire and explore locally wherever possible. 

It is supported by the Territory Procurement Champion, who is engaging with local businesses to share local business stories and promote the buy local message. 

Madelyn Farrington and Ryan Butterworth, who started civil construction business Butterworth Industries as a sole trading operation in 2016 but now run a thriving registered company, believe that buying locally keeps money in the community. 

“I’m a massive advocate for supporting local business,” Madelyn says. “Too often we see companies coming in from interstate when local companies can do the work just as well – or even better. 

“Locals understand the difficulties of operating in the Territory – the weather, the logistics, the culture.” 

Butterworth Industries, a family-owned Aboriginal Business Enterprise, employs 20 Territorians. 

It has just won its first NT Government contract – to gravel sheet the Umbrawarra Gorge road – and has picked up other contracts from Outback Stores while working for Roper Gulf Regional Council. 

Katherine-born Madelyn hopes the company will win work repairing flood-damaged roads in the Big Rivers region. 

“Supporting local business has a positive effect on the whole community by helping to keep jobs and families in the Territory,” she says. 

Territory Procurement Champion Tom Harris is responsible for the arm’s length handling of complaints and engagement with business and government to drive more local procurement. 

He will: 

• engage with local industry and government to identify barriers to participation and promote supplier development 
• champion improvements by advising on procurement policies, practices, and capability -building initiatives 
• provide advice on systemic issues and emerging trends 
• investigate and help resolve government procurement-related complaints raised by businesses, suppliers, and government 

“Small and medium-sized businesses are the heart of the Territory economy,” Tom says. 

“In my role as the Territory Procurement Champion, I have met many businesses doing remarkable things in their communities. 

“Buying local and supporting local, needs to become embedded in our DNA. We need to maximise the impact of spending within our economy.” 

Small and medium businesses make up 99 per cent of Territory businesses. 

Many are family owned or locally operated and rely heavily on community support and local spending – whether it’s getting your morning coffee at your local café, engaging a tradie to make repairs to your home or delivering a community event. 

They are recognised as a critical part of the social and economic fabric of the Territory. 

The Territory Government is encouraging Territorians to support their favourite businesses and buy local. TQ