Department of Transport and Main Roads cultivating social value through procurement

The Queensland Procurement Policy (QPP 2026) aims to deliver practical economic, environmental and social impact through procurement.

By strategically using procurement to achieve social value, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) partnered with Aboriginal-owned social enterprise Tuff Yards.

This initiative has not only resulted in spend with a social enterprise and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business, but has also created inclusive employment, contributing to the broader objectives of the policy.

Benefits

Tuff Yards is a certified social enterprise and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business, specialising in:

  • commercial landscaping
  • construction
  • maintenance services.

Through its commitment to social procurement, TMR engaged Tuff Yards to become part of its supply chain.

This approach enables TMR to maintain Queensland's infrastructure while also directly supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and economic self-determination.

Stephan Ballangary, Managing Director of Tuff Yards, highlighted the significant benefits of working directly with government agencies such as TMR.

'Direct procurement with TMR enables me to create a positive impact within the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community,' Mr Ballangary said.

He also praised the Queensland Government’s commitment to social procurement in construction contracts, which encourage subcontracting opportunities for social benefit suppliers such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and social enterprises.

'The inclusion of these targets has been instrumental in driving the growth of my business. It has also allowed me to establish strong and lasting relationships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 construction companies,' he explained.

Thanks to an increase in government contracts, Mr Ballangary has been able to transition his casual staff into permanent roles, providing greater job security and stability for his team.

The increase in government contracts has also enabled Tuff Yards to partner with other social enterprises and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses within their supply chain.

Outcomes

This success of this partnership highlights the positive ripple effects of government procurement that supports local businesses and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Tuff Yards provided TMR with a professional service at a competitive price, with the added value of creating jobs for disadvantaged or jobseekers.

By procuring from a business like Tuff Yards, TMR is contributing to several key QPP 2026 objectives, including:

  • Social enterprises: Supporting businesses that trade to intentionally address social problems.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses: Contributing to the QPP 2026 target to source at least 3% of procurement by value with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
  • Small and medium enterprises (SMEs): contribute to the small and medium enterprise (SME) procurement target to source at least 30% of procurement by value from Queensland SMEs
  • Local Queensland suppliers: Ensuring taxpayer dollars remain within the local economy to support regional growth.

More information

To find out how your next procurement activity can support people from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds, or about procurement from social enterprises, email socialprocurement@hpw.qld.gov.au.

To find out how your next procurement activity can support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, email enterprise@dwatsip.qld.gov.au.

You can also find social enterprises and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses recognised by the Queensland Government through the following directories:

Last updated:
3 June 2026