Southport
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Recently I gave my Address in Reply speech in the QLD Parliament. The Address in Reply is the formal acknowledgement by the House to the Governor-General for the speech given at the opening of Parliament. It was only appropriate for me to thank those who supported me at the 2020 state election and outline my plans for this term of Parliament. This is an abridged version of that speech and the items covered.

I welcome new City of Gold Coast (Council) Chief Executive Officer David Edwards. Previously a senior bureaucrat in the Queensland Government, David brings to the role considerable experience in managing major projects – business know-how that will prove instrumental in helping to transform the Southport CBD back to its former yesteryear glory.

Southport Chamber of Commerce - A Proud Sponsor for the 2021 Gold Coast Expo - Do you need more local customers – this year we are opening the expo up to businesses as well as consumers.

Ask about our FREE EXPO STANDS so you can be more visible and sell your products and services. Grab an exhibitor pack to find out how. www.smallbusinessexpos.com.au

It is refreshing to experience meaningful service and be able to trust as a client that you will be taken care of in every situation. This is Document Solutions’ secret to success – and we’re celebrating 20 years of it!

Study Gold Coast are excited to announce that the 2021 Gold Coast Careers Festival is being held on Thursday to Saturday, 6-8 May 2021 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach. The Gold Coast Careers Festival will attract over 10,000 high school students, job seekers, parents and career changers.

The primary role of the Small Business Financial Counselling Program is to provide assistance to Small Businesses who are experiencing hardship associated with the impacts of COVID-19, and have no alternative source of impartial support. The Australian and Queensland Governments provide funding to deliver the program throughout Southern Queensland.

A delicious breakfast was enjoyed by our members at Catalinas on the beautiful Southport Broadwater on 9 February. Former Queensland Law Society President, and long term Southport Law practice owner, Bill Potts, gave an entertaining and informative speech about the need for a more complete Courts Complex in Southport, befitting of a city the size of the Gold Coast.

DIVISION 6 TOWN HALL MEETING You are welcome to my Town Hall meeting at the Southport Community Centre on the 10th March. You will receive an update on the behind-the-scenes work happening to transform our CBD.

The latest 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

Kickstart Graduate Program - Do you have employees who have finished their studies in the last couple of years? If so, you might be interested in Study Gold Coast’s fully funded training program for recent graduates; their Kickstart Graduate Program is designed specifically to provide graduates with practical workplace skills to build their effectiveness in their organisation.

McLaughlins Lawyers have provided legal services to Gold Coast businesses and people for over 63 years and are a proud Corporate Sponsor of the Southport Chamber of Commerce. For a limited time only – member businesses of the Southport Chamber, or staff of a member business, are entitled to the following special offer.

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.

We thank our Southport Chamber of Commerce Members and Sponsors for their kind donations to our 9th February Raffle at our Early morning business breakfast held at Catalina Cafe - Broadwater Parklands

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.

We thank our Southport Chamber of Commerce Members and Sponsors for their kind donations to our December Raffle at our Christmas Cheer drink and Business After Dark held at the Southport Yacht Club on the 3rd December.

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.