Thursday, June 26, 2025

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Council Renews Pledge To Power Local Business

Mackay Regional Council is proud to reaffirm its dedication to supporting local small businesses by re-signing the updated Small Business Friendly Commitment.

The commitment will be co-signed in partnership with the Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce.

This renewed pledge reflects council’s ongoing role in building a resilient and thriving small business community across the region.

Originally signing the charter in March 2021, council continues to champion small business through this strengthened collaboration.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the Small Business Friendly Program had recently been revised following a comprehensive review.

“The new commitment presents a simplified, more practical and measurable framework that sets clearer expectations for members,” Mayor Williamson said.

“This is about uplifting our small business community through real action – boosting digital literacy, cutting red tape, promoting opportunity and building networks that help our businesses thrive,” he said.

Currently, 51 of Queensland's 77 councils are active participants in the initiative.

Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Dominique Lamb, will join council and Chamber representatives on Wednesday, June 18, in Mackay to mark the official recommitment, taking place after the scheduled council meeting.

Ms Lamb said small businesses were an essential part of Mackay’s economic future.

“There are more than 495,000 small businesses in Queensland who employ more than one million people and contribute more than 117 billion dollars to the economy,” Ms Lamb said.

“But more than just being a key part of our regional economies, small businesses make communities,” she said.

“Small business owners are the people who roll up their sleeves and chip in to support our community, charities, sporting clubs and just generally lend a helping hand when needed,” she said.

Mayor Williamson said the pledge reinforced council’s commitment to supporting the region’s business community.

“Small businesses are the heart of our economy – there are more than 10,000 registered small businesses in our region,” he said.

“As a council, we are proud to have spent about $147 million so far this financial year with local businesses, which is 72 per cent of all council procurement.”

“This updated commitment ensures we continue to prioritise local businesses where possible, while also delivering practical support for those who drive local jobs, innovation and services.”

The Small Business Friendly Commitment commits council to working with small businesses, industry, community and government to be more small business friendly by:

Uplifting the capability of small businesses.
Working together for small business.
Fostering ecosystems that help small businesses thrive.
Promoting small businesses and vibrant economies.
Enabling small business development and success.

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