Each May is Queensland Small Business Month so it's time to celebrate all small businesses and the vital contribution they make to our state's economy and to our community.
To celebrate Queensland Small Business Month, Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a special event with guest speakers Dominique Lamb, Queensland Small Business Commissioner, The Hon. Amanda Camm MP, Member for Whitsunday, and Mayor Ry Collins, Whitsunday Regional Council.
These inspiring leaders came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in the region. Topics included insurance, energy costs, workforce shortages and infrastructure delays.
Queensland Small Business Commissioner Dominique Lamb highlighted the tough conditions many small businesses are facing.
She said insurance is a major concern, with many businesses unable to get cover, and energy costs and supply chain issues also being a concern in regional areas.
Ms Lamb said there were some bright spots, such as Instant Asset Write-Off but she emphasised that she has not seen a massive focus from the newly elected government around small businesses.
Whitsunday Mayor Ry Collins spoke about the council’s commitment to growing the regional economy, referencing the newly formed Economic Development Advisory Committee and the Whitsunday's 2030 Economic Development Strategy.
“We formed our Economic Development Advisory Committee some months ago, which brought all of our regions, industry bodies, our chambers and our peak employers all into the one room. Ultimately, this was to make sure that the best ideas to support our future economic development were coming forward,” he said.
State Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm discussed infrastructure commitments, including flood mitigation at Hamilton Plains and upgrades to Shute Harbour Road.
“It is in my best interest and our community's interest that those projects are commenced, started or finalised,” she asserted.
Attention also turned to the 2032 Olympics and how the Whitsundays could benefit not just in the tourism sector, but small businesses too.
Ms Camm said that people and athletes will visit the region prior to the games.
“In the lead up to the Olympics, people are going to come and experience their destination, whether that be for training, whether that's for development, whether that's for understanding what our water and winds are like at that point in time.”
Ms Lamb added that athletes and support teams often arrive up to five years before the Games, presenting huge opportunities for accommodation, training facilities, tourism, and local suppliers.
“Olympic teams, traditionally, will come to the place about five years before it actually starts,” she said.
“For the LA games at the moment, we already have our swimming team there. They've already found their location. They are going for meals, and they will continue to do that and spend more and more time there, until a year out.
“So remember, the opportunities are before it starts. Make sure you position yourselves for those.”
Mayor Collins added that council are going to try and make the 2032 Olympics in the Whitsundays a world class spectacle.
“We want to see the town really lift, and really maximise the opportunity from a financial point of view, or what we can make from these games,” said Mayor Collins.
“We want to see investment brought into the region.”
image - Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Allan Milostic, Queensland Small Business Commissioner Dominique Lamb, Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins, Member for Whitsunday The Hon. Amanda Camm MP. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie
Jade Yvonne, Kate Cross, and Stephen Head
Liz Villalva and Gerard Millican
Luke Forster and Kelly Hiles
Jen O'Connor, Doug O'Connor, and Simon Lowe
Guest speakers - Queensland Small Business Commissioner Dominique Lamb, Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins, Member for Whitsunday The Hon. Amanda Camm MP.
Photo credit: Daniel Heggie
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.
