Southport
News

WE NEED TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT HOUSING - In January I reported that close to 26,397 applications are still on the social housing wait list, including 16,270 considered of ‘critical need’. This waitlist also includes more than 2,700 families from the Gold Coast.

Your board had its first meeting of the year and we have a strong team of 10 continuing board members all with varying experience in business in and around Southport. We have set goals for this year including continuing to grow our member base, holding a range of events for the enjoyment and education of our members, providing our members with support and information as small business navigates its way through the impacts of this pandemic

SOUTHPORT UPDATE REPORT

CBD Update - With the safety of our CBD now a consistent focus, and the Priority Development Area review underway, attention is now on my ‘Stage 3’ priority. This is the CBD commitment from the three tiers of government. Key recommendations will be presented to Council in the second half of this year regarding the local government commitment.

Stop "Southport Bashing" Homelessness is a universal issue and city-wide challenge. Local Police, Council and community support organisations have made a huge impact these past few months in cleaning up our Southport CBD. Vacant Shopfronts can be found the length and breadth of our city. Retail has changed and Council needs to stop being so quick to approve new retail development.

The CCIQ Pulse Survey of business conditions for the December 2020 quarter is now open. We need your feedback about what's impacting your business today, and what will influence your decision-making over the next three months.

Our AGM was held on Wednesday 2 December at 5 pm at Southport Yacht Club. A big thank you to all the Board of Management who continued to work with the Chamber during this difficult year. There were 12 of us this year and from this AGM the Board is limited to 10. Liam Campbell and Ramon Otten are not re-nominating due to other commitments and we wish them well.

Online training for small business. If your business has been impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you can access free online training tailored to small business. The online training is currently being delivered by 15 providers, in partnership with the Queensland Government, to support you and your employees recover from COVID-19 and enable future growth.

We welcome and thank SEWROO our newest Southport Chamber of Commerce GOLD Member

SEWROO are Providers of quality Australian made Laundry Products including Australia’s finest Ironing Board Cover, Peg Bags, Dolly Bags and the popular Miracle Brush.

Study Gold Coast has launched a brand new platform designed to connect Gold Coast students and graduates to employment opportunities: Gold Coast Student Jobs. This online portal provides a platform for students and graduates to connect with businesses and industry for employment opportunities, work experience placements and internships. T

Our AGM is being held on Wednesday 2 December at 5 pm at Southport Yacht Club. Come along and have your say. There are positions available on the Board and nominations will be taken from the floor from eligible members, meaning you have been a member for at least 9 months prior to the AGM.

One of our Gold Members – ETC – has a great opportunity for local businesses to help with your recruitment needs leading up to Christmas. ETC can help screen, interview and reference check staff, at NO COST to you.

SOUTHPORT UPDATE REPORT

It has been a privilege to be at your service – here is a wrap up of what we have done in the CBD so far. After working closely with the Police and Department of Housing we have made great strides getting to the root of social issues in key hot spots across our CBD. Council now leads the charge on homelessness and public housing matters.

Most Business Members should have received their Membership Certificates by email. Please proudly display them at your premises and encourage other businesses to join the Southport Chamber.

Join other members and guests for our Special Melbourne Cup 2020 Business Breakfast at the Southport Golf Club - 3 Nov 2020 6:30 AM - 8:30 AM. Show your colours and dress up and for a bit of extra fun.

SOUTHPORT UPDATE REPORT

We are now at Stage 3 for the Southport CBD. First stage was ‘Clean and Safe CBD’. Over the past five months our disciplined effort has led to sustainable results in reducing homelessness and anti-social behaviour. I am grateful to the police and the Department of Housing for partnering with us on this. I am pleased with what we have achieved to date and you have my word to maintain focus on this fundamental matter for our CBD.

CCIQ advocacy update- Is small business a big deal to the major parties? As we’ve mentioned, before the 2020 election campaign we wrote to all candidates asking how they’ll commit to our election priorities.

The latest Suncorp-CCIQ Pulse Survey of Business Conditions, a quarterly survey conducted to give a snapshot of business conditions in Queensland, found that while the momentum of recovery continued, the economy is stalled due to ongoing restrictions

Elected in 2012, Rob is the current State Member for Southport and the Chief Opposition Whip in the Queensland Parliament. Born in Southport, Rob grew up here, went to school in Southport and has raised his family here. As a father of four grown-up sons he understands only too well the challenges families face.

Susie and her family have lived, studied, built businesses and have been an integral part of the Southport community all their lives.  Her father, the legendary Peter Gallagher, captained the Kangaroos Rugby League team and was an esteemed member of the local community being (among other things) a driving force behind the Magic Millions Racing Carnival and serving as the Chairman until his death and the Vice-Chairman for 10 years prior to that at the Gold Coast Turf Club.

There’s been a lot of talk lately about small businesses and its importance to communities and the economy, but now with the election weeks away, all political parties need to show how they plan to back your success. We’ve developed our 2020 Election Priorities focusing on the vital support you need now, but also on what needs to be invested in to generate and sustain businesses into the future.

We are pleased to confirm that our member numbers now exceed 180 businesses across Southport and the Gold Coast. We had a well attended and Covid safe Spring Business After Dark at our Corporate Sponsor the Southport Yacht Club on Thursday 24 September.

Exciting news Our Southport Gold Coast Business Hub has expanded . . .. . . . and now includes GCBizHub Flexible Offices. Our selection of 7 new, fully serviced offices can accommodate 1 person, 2 people or up to 4 people in one of the larger offices. This expansion has meant that we currently have 14 offices in our letting portfolio. Rates, sizes and availability of the offices is all detailed online at https://bookings.goldcoastbusinesshub.com.au/offices

The CCIQ Suncorp Pulse Survey of Gold Coast business conditions for the September 2020 quarter is now open. We need your feedback about what's impacting your business today, and what will influence your decision-making over the next three months.

CCIQ Update - In the last sitting before the election, the Palaszczuk Government yesterday passed legislation making it a criminal offence for employers to knowingly underpay their staff. Directors and business owners can face jail time.

Today’s Mid-Year Economic Financial Review contains tangible support for small business said the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ). The COVID-19 Fiscal and Economic Review provides an update on Queensland’s economic and fiscal estimates over 2019-20 and 2020-21 that incorporate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to date. The report also outlines the Queensland Government’s economic strategy that builds on the Unite and Recover:

We are pleased to announce that our membership numbers now exceed 170 members and we have strong support from Gold Members and our Corporate Sponsors.

Don't forget to go to the member directory on our website and ensure your business profile is up to date and complete. Check out who your fellow members are and support them. You will see the Gold members and Corporate sponsors scrolling at the bottom of the website.

SOUTHPORT UPDATE REPORT

This week Council made an important decision regarding the City Plan and proposed amendments.

As many of you will know, the State Government is ultimately responsible for approving the adoption of our City Plan. Many of you will also be aware of the upcoming State election on 31 October.

Offer Extended - In a city first, the Southport Chamber of Commerce have launched a new initiative to help Gold Coast businesses on their road to recovery over the next 12 months.

The initiative will see annual membership fees waived for new and existing Gold Coast businesses who join the Southport Chamber before 30th September 2020

This initiative is open to all Gold Coast businesses, no matter what industry or size, with a focus on those trading within Southport and it’s surrounds.

Our “Road to Recovery” Business and Jobs Expo will help businesses recover as well as provide pathways for people who need to redirect into new training and employment opportunities.

It is exciting to see that the Gold Coast Business and Jobs Expo will connect 200 exhibitors to 2000 local business professionals.

Gold Coast – 15 October, Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium, 10am to 4pm.

For millions of Australians and businesses large and small, the Government’s JobKeeper 2.0 is bigger than the annual Federal Budget. The nation’s strong balance sheet is literally propping up livelihoods and keeping businesses open. So what now?

Small businesses across Moncrieff can now apply for a grant that will support them to make their energy use more efficient and to reduce their power bills through the Government’s Energy Efficient Communities program.