WARWICK business owner Tammy Wegener felt so strongly about sending a “buy local” message to the Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC), she decided to put it in her shop window.

Yesterday, people passing by Warwick Work’n’Safety on Fitzroy St were met with the message, “Thanks to the Southern Downs Council for buying local, NOT. I made a funny”.

Ms Wegener said the statement had garnered lots of attention from locals, with many walking into the shop to comment.

She said she was frustrated with the fact council could purchase much of their work wear at businesses in town but did not.

“When they want something they can’t get elsewhere they will come in but other than that, no,” she said.

“I don’t even live locally and I spend more money in town than they do.”

She said the issue had been upsetting her for a while but she eventually “just got absolutely sick of it,” which led to her decision to write the message on the window.

“If they give back to the town, the town would then not feel so bad about giving back to them in the way of rates,” she said.

A council spokeswoman said in the past they had purchased some of their compulsory uniforms from local suppliers but did not currently do so.

“The current supplier is registered with the buy local program of the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and was selected due to a holistic service for supply, embroidery and delivery at a competitive price,” she said.

“That contract is up later this year and council will be going to tender again and inviting local suppliers.”

She encouraged local suppliers to take advantage of the opportunity to tender a competitive bid.

She said some employee clothing was already bought locally.

“Council employees purchase their own boots from their supplier of choice, which is often a local supplier and council reimburses this,” she said.