A Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Networking Meeting took place in Proserpine last week with over 40 local business representatives attending.
The morning kicked off with engaging speeches and was followed by a focus group brain-storming session where region-wide issues affecting businesses were discussed.
Hot topics included housing, for both current and prospective staff, infrastructure, and services upgrades to meet increasing demand.
The challenges of attracting skilled workers to the region and retaining school leavers to pursue tertiary education through the TAFE, were also brought up.
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP and Yvette Adams, a Business, Industry, and Regional Outreach Officer from the Australian Department of Home Affairs were the guest speakers at the event.
Ms Camm elaborated on the budget allocation for the region.
“Across our three local council areas, we have about $653 million in capital expenditure planned for the next year,” she said.
“That is the lowest amount of capital investment in the state, behind Outback Queensland.
“I don’t say this to depress people, but because it is a lack of recognition by the government of the priority that our region is when it comes to particular infrastructure.”
Ms Camm also addressed the housing issue and its impacts on labour and staffing.
“There is a $2 billion housing fund that the government has invested in, but not one house has been built yet out of that fund.
“So, we’ve made a commitment that at the next election in particular, that any funding from that $2 billion bucket needs to go towards new housing development, not existing housing, taking it off the private market, because its just competing with the market and we don’t need that right now.”
On the other hand, Yvette Adams from the Department of Home Affairs spoke on skilled foreign labour and demystifying visa requirements.
“Of course, it’s always employ Australians first, but if you can’t fill the vacancies locally with Australians, then one option is to look at overseas skilled workers,” she said.
“We’re looking at how we can attract and retain the most skilled people globally and bring them into Australia.”
The next revitalised Chamber of Commerce event will be a pop-up meeting on the topic of chamber membership, on Wednesday, August 16, 10am – 12pm.
Photo credit: Bronte Hodge
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
