TWO local auctioneers are fuming after Bundaberg Regional Council gave an out-of-town company the rights to an upcoming plant dispersal auction.

Bill Young of Ray White Auction Centre and Matt Beer of Bundaberg Auctions Australia Wide said they were left bitterly disappointed after finding out that they, and every other local auctioneer, were overlooked to take control of a huge council auction on March 12.

The job, which the auctioneers said would gross in excess of $200,000 in sales, has instead gone to Brisbane-based auction business Nasco Auctioneers.

Mr Young said he was never made aware of the auction that is set to feature big-ticket items such as four all-terrain vehicles (ATV), large mowers, trucks and boats.

"To put it in perspective, the commission from this auction could have kept one of my staff members fully paid for 12 months," he said.

"I'm extremely disappointed. Especially when I have to sell all of their junk but when something big like this comes along, they turn to someone from out of town."

The principal auctioneer said he had been in the Bundaberg auction game for 22 years and believed the council should have chosen a Bundaberg auction business to keep money and jobs local.

"If we do a sale, it gets three weeks of local print advertising so locals know about it. This auction is on in 11days time and from what I believe, there has been hardly any advertising. That means a lot of local people like farmers etc are missing out. They are not making it easy," he said.

A spokesperson for Bundaberg Regional Council said local business Bundaberg Auctions Australia Wide made a submission but Nasco Auctioneers won the rights to the job because of the cost savings.

"Bundaberg Auctions recommended the normal onsite auction with costs tied to a commission payment plus advertising costs," the spokesperson said.

"Alternatively, Nasco recommended that an advertising component be the only cost borne by council. Bidders would be charged a buyer's premium which would be retained by the auctioneer leaving council the full amount realised from the sale of each auction item.

"This proposal represents substantial savings to council."

The spokesperson said cost savings aside, Nasco Auctioneers offered simulcast facilities which potentially engaged a far wider audience than a conventional auction.

"The online engagement allows prospective buyers from across Australia to log into the auction and participate in the bidding," the spokesperson said.

Matt Beer of Bundaberg Auctions Australia Wide said he was frustrated with the council's decision.

"I promote Bundaberg wherever I go, yet I can't get a start in my own town," he said.

"I pay rates, I support local sporting clubs, I have held a number of charity auctions and try to give back as much as possible yet I can't get a job with the council."

Mr Beer and Mr Young said if any other local auctioneer won the rights to the auction, it wouldn't be an issue.

"I am hugely disappointed. Bitterly disappointed. All you read about is that council are always looking to support local people and local jobs, then something like this happens," Mr Beer said.

The auction will be held at the council's East Bundaberg depot on March 12 with inspections from 7.30am and the auction to commence at 10am.

The catalogued items can be viewed online at www.nascoauctioneers.com.au where requirements for online bidding can also be found.