Southport
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Families across the Gold Coast have felt the grip of the cost-of-living crisis more than ever. With every expense soaring in price far beyond what families can afford, many are falling into debt just to survive. The December Quarter Consumer Price Index paints a stark picture, revealing Queenslanders are enduring the steepest increases in essential costs compared to the rest of Australia.

It is great to be back, SCOC!

0ur expertise lies in providing essential recruitment support, crucial for the seamless functioning of any organisation. Utilising state-of-the-art testing and assessment tools, we ensure efficient recruitment processes tailored to your needs, from senior placements to temporary assignments.

The 'Back to Work' program provides financial and non-financial support to Queensland employers and jobseekers facing disadvantage. Employers have access to two support payments:

We are thrilled to welcome aboard our dynamic new board members, bringing a wealth of expertise and fresh perspectives to drive the Southport business community forward. With diverse backgrounds and a shared commitment to fostering growth and innovation, our newly appointed members are poised to lead us into an exciting chapter of collaboration and success.

GCBizHub offers a variety of meeting rooms for you to choose from. Our meeting rooms are versatile, multi-purpose work settings that are perfect for teamwork, private meetings and creative collaboration.

In the shadow of escalating concerns around youth crime within our community, the upcoming Youth Justice Reform Select Committee public hearing in Southport cannot come soon enough. As members of the Southport Chamber of Commerce, deeply invested in the prosperity and safety of our community, this hearing represents an opportunity to have our voices heard.

It is my pleasure to welcome in the new Chamber Committee led by President, Trevor Bruger. I wish you all the very best.

Great news! We are hosting a webinar in February 2024 for those businesses who missed our in-person 2023 Growing Queensland Business Roadshow.

Free, practical information to support your business recovery

The Australian and Queensland Governments have announced further assistance for Queenslanders impacted by the SEQ storms on Christmas night.

Severe thunderstorms have impacted communities in South-East Queensland including the Gold Coast.

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

For over 110 years, the Southport Chamber of Commerce have believed in the potential of Southport as a strong central business district. This belief has not waivered.

All current members are hereby notified that the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Southport Chamber of Commerce Inc will be held on Tuesday 12 December 2023 at 7:00am.

After-tax income for every Australian household has fallen by 5.1 percent this last financial year - making it the worst plunge among developed nations. Australian incomes are going backwards with surging mortgage rates and elevated inflation causing pay levels to drop. Australia's household debt to income ratio of 197.6 percent is also the highest in the world, after Switzerland.

It was a pleasure to join the Mayor for his Sustainable Business Forum for Gold Coast Business Week at Southport Sharks.

We need your insight to better understand business conditions in Queensland.

A new multimillion-dollar centre for science and medical excellence has the green light to move forward on the Gold Coast.

Local developer Niecon recently received development approval for its landmark Gold Coast Life Sciences Centre.

There are pivotal moments in one's career that encapsulate the purpose and passion of public service, and the progression of Common Ground on the Gold Coast is undoubtedly one of them for me.

Published Friday, 08 September, 2023 at 10:20 AM

Gold Coast Women in Business Awards 2023

It was great to catch up with so many members at Carafe Wine – a fantastic venue we are lucky to have here in Southport.

Latest results of the March Quarter Pulse Survey indicates that Queensland business confidence in the performance of the national and state economies remains weak.

Upon reviewing the recent budget, I can't help but express my disappointment. It's a missed opportunity, to say the least. What we needed were bold and substantial commitments, not superficial promises that fall short.

On the back of the recent Colliers report stating the CBD has enormous potential for growth, I am delighted to inform you of our fully funded plans to transform Woodroffe Park into a new CBD Civic Square destination.

Share your views and help us build more inclusive support for small businesses.

The Queensland Government, through the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training (DYJESBT) and the Department of Environment and Science (DES), has engaged Ernst & Young (trading as EY Sweeney) to conduct a survey of small businesses owned by migrants about their experiences of running a business in Queensland.

Co- working is a flexible, cost-effective solution to finding office space – without the commitment or rigidity of long-term office leases. It helps combat the isolation of working from home, and surrounds you with a network of professionals who are also working remotely or freelancing for themselves.

A study is being undertaken of the Southport CBD to inform a Southport Walking Network Plan. The study aims to identify ways to encourage and promote walking and other active travel options for locals and visitors.

I am thrilled to share the recent success of our last Young Leaders Program event, featuring David Crisafulli MP, Leader of the Opposition, as our special guest! The event left a lasting impact on our young leaders, who were inspired by David's insights on leadership and making a positive difference in our community.

Free seminar for Gold Coast businesses struggling with skill shortages

RDA Gold Coast, our Gold Coast Regional Jobs Committee, the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce and the Australian Department of Home Affairs have joined forces to organise a free seminar for Gold Coast businesses struggling to fill job vacancies:

We need your insight to understand where you see potential future growth opportunities in Queensland.

I am thrilled to share with you an amazing initiative that has been doing incredible work in our local community - Little Grubbs. I am so happy that we have this organisation in Southport that provides essential support to children and families impacted by neuro-developmental conditions, disabilities, special needs, and challenging behavioural issues.

The MBA Partnership charity golf day in support of the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation is the perfect opportunity to strengthen brand awareness amongst Gold Coast and Brisbane locals, whilst also aligning your business with an important cause!

More social housing, increased police presence, improved sales revenue and new developments for Southport.

We’ve been working with Queensland businesses for more than a decade to understand how regulatory burden, or red tape, impacts you.

The Workforce Planning Course is proudly supported by the Queensland Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, in partnership with Jobs Queensland.

Receive an entry into our Easter Special Draw – for every paid booking in our coworking space and meeting rooms you will receive an entry into our Easter Hamper Promotion.

ENTITIES REVIEW – EXPERIENCE GOLD COAST

The City of Gold Coast will be joining its five largest funded and controlled entities following a resolution made at the 24 February Special Council Meeting.

Many locals have expressed their concerns with me recently about escalating youth crime and anti-social behaviour in our community. I have also been listening to locals about how the cost of living continues to be an issue that is not being treated. I have been listening and am working to hold the government accountable for their lack of action.

The Central Gold Coast Volunteer Awards recognise volunteers who inspire others and enrich our community through their contributions. The awards seek to publicly thank and celebrate volunteers for their selfless service.

Residents and community members going about their daily lives have a right to feel safe. In response to community concern, Police have formulated an operation utilising current legislation to BAN REPEAT OFFENDERS FROM THE SOUTHPORT CBD.

The new paid Family and Domestic Violence leave entitlement commences today, 1 February 2023.

This means that all full time, part time and casual employees now, from today’s date, have an accrual of 10 days of paid leave per each 12-month period.

Gold Coast recent school leavers and other locals looking to upskill or change careers are being encouraged to enrol in one of the 37,000 Fee-Free TAFE places available across Queensland in 2023.

𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐩 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞

𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐩 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞

Ensure your bookkeeping is up to date for 2022 so you don’t have to spend time chasing your tail next year.

Throughout the course of 2022, you may have attended an event across Southport from the CBD Sundown series. These have been running on the last Friday of every month, and have included:

Every year I host a lunch for kids in need during the Christmas period.

CCIQ is calling on Southport Chamber businesses to complete a short survey on IR Reforms before COB Monday. This will allow CCIQ to better understand how businesses feel about the proposed IR changes. See below brief outline of IR changes and how this can affect businesses, or refer to our recent blog posts on our website that provides further information about this bill.

The Queensland Government provides specific support for the small business sector.

Please be reminded that the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Southport Chamber of Commerce Inc will be held today, Tuesday 22nd November 2020 at 5:00pm.

Seismic shifts to Australia’s workplace relations system announced by the federal government today will increase strikes, create more complexity, and lead to higher unemployment, amid an increasingly challenging international economic outlook.

Last week in Parliament I spoke on the Albanese Government’s Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 to highlight the disastrous consequences that this Bill will have on small and medium sized businesses across the country, especially on the Gold Coast.

Both Gold and Corporate Members of the Southport Chamber of Commerce are given the opportunity to donate a raffle prize for the events of the chamber. We are currently putting together our list of Prizes and donors and ask for kind donation.

Offer Extended - In a city first, the Southport Chamber of Commerce launched a new initiative in 2020 to help Gold Coast businesses.

The initiative will see annual membership fees waived for new and existing Gold Coast businesses who join the Southport Chamber before 31st December 2022

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.

Throughout estimates and in every media and ministerial statement, the Premier continually refers to unprecedented and unexpected growth as the excuse for our current housing, health, and transport crisis. These are the three biggest issues I hear about from Southport locals, from homelessness to ambulance ramping, Southport is not immune to the poor management of our state, and the lack of appropriate social housing investment is exacerbating our homelessness problem.

Community consultation surrounding our Southport PDA development scheme review continues since discussed in the previous update. Just recently, our City Planning officers held a workshop inviting local business and industry stakeholders to have their say about current issues and the future of the PDA.

Small Business Wellness Coaches

Business can access support from small business wellness coaches to help you find the right service available and also refer you to a specialist service provider for support to reduce stress, improve wellbeing and provide flexible business support.

Supported by Australian Retirement Trust

Throughout estimates and in every media and ministerial statement, the Premier continually refers to unprecedented and unexpected growth as the excuse for our current housing, health, and transport crisis. These are the three biggest issues I hear about from Southport locals, from homelessness to ambulance ramping, Southport is not immune to the poor management of our state, and the lack of appropriate social housing investment is exacerbating our homelessness problem.

You are hereby notified that the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Southport Chamber of Commerce Inc will be held on Tuesday 22nd November 2020 at 5:00pm.

Don't miss out: CCIQ's September quarter Pulse Survey closes soon

Southport Chamber of Commerce Members Special Offer

For current members of the Southport Chamber of Commerce, we have the following Special Offer - Book any meeting room and receive a complimentary café style coffee for each attendee.

For more details and to book, see our easy to use online booking system

Valid to 30 November 2022

Despite widely varying opinions about the status of SARS-Cov-2 and the reticence around public health care, Australian businesses (and the economy) continue to be battered by Covid-induced absenteeism and disruption. Sick leave from fever and coughs is already five times last year’s levels, with the latest Flu Tracking data showing 2.25 per cent of people off work from sickness, compared with the five-year average of 1.5 per cent.

It is no secret that I have had concerns with the effectiveness of the Southport PDA (Priority Development Area) planning scheme. Its intent is to generate growth in the CBD by removing development barriers and increasing investment opportunities. It is debatable whether it is has delivered on this over the past decade. That is why I have requested a review of the scheme to see how we can make it fit for service for the future of our CBD.

Changes are on the horizon for Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2, the next stage of the STP journey.

About Sonic HealthPlus

Feddersen Consulting Group (FCG) is a family-owned business, led by Andrew Feddersen, Murray Feddersen and Linda Stanton, providing a range of compliance support services to clients seeking to achieve and/or maintain certification to applicable management system standards.

With four decades of experience delivering commercial and industrial projects across a range of sectors, our organisation employs over 300 skilled individuals working on building sites or in our offices on the Gold Coast, in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS

Throughout the CBD, many infrastructure and street works are being planned and undertaken. These works will play an important part in elevating our areas, building a sense of community through communal spaces we can all be proud of.

While the Gold Coast’s education sector is recovering faster than anticipated the number of international students hasn’t yet reached pre-COVID levels. We know that the Gold Coast is still a very popular global study destination, possibly even more so than it was prior to the pandemic given the relatively low rate of infection here coupled with a highly resourced and well-regarded health system.

Business performance improves in June quarter but Queensland and national economy outlook deteriorates

It has been a huge month for Southport with a number of events and activities taking place across the business community.

The Gold Coast Business Hub’s latest addition is GCBizHub Surfers Paradise, located just a block away from the beach at Elkhorn Centre West. There are 8 serviced offices available suitable for from 1 to 4 people per office.

Iconic Gold Coast shopping precinct, Australia Fair, has received development approval for an exciting revamp that will see the centre’s northern end redevelopment commence today, 27th July.

As local businesses will no doubt confirm, homelessness and housing stress are on the rise on the Gold Coast, as it is in many parts of Queensland.

As people are aware, the power to address homelessness as well as anti-social behaviour on our streets is with the State Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy, and the Police. Council has established its own homelessness action plan and public space liaison officer program to engage and connect to resources but that only works if those State government resources are forthcoming. The issue is the Gold Coast is not getting its fair share of emergency accommodation.

I begin this month’s Presidents Update with a big welcome to our new Gold Members, Small Business Expo, Rob Molhoek Member for Southport and Feddersen Consulting Group. I’m delighted that we have now exceeded the opportunity for Gold Membership, with all 12 spaces now occupied by local businesses.

Since elected I have been championing for a significant event to be held in our CBD to showcase its potential. That is why I am so delighted to partner with Placemakers* Gold Coast in bringing the inaugural event, BIG CITY LIGHTS* festival to our patch.

Southport Chamber of Commerce is proud to support Vinnies CEO Sleepout and Vice President - Membership Lorraine Lovatt who will be sleeping out at her 7th Sleepout this year. There is only just over 2 weeks to go until this year’s CEO Sleepout on Thursday 23 June when Lorraine will again be sleeping on the concrete on a piece of cardboard at CBUS Super Stadium as part of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout® 2022.

Latest results indicated that the Gold Coast businesses are confident that the future of the state and national economies will remarkedly improve. However, it is important to note that the turnaround is off a low base and actual business performance is reported to remain low.

As a member of the Southport Chamber of Commerce you have the opportunity to donate a raffle prize for the event, we are currently putting together our list of Prizes and donors and ask for kind donation.

A new arts festival is coming to Southport CBD in July!

BIG CITY LIGHTS* is an ambitious new arts festival that celebrates light, design, installation and live performance.

We are seeking your feedback, on proposed construction of a rail trail following the Southport Branch of the old South Coast Rail corridor. The rail corridor extends between Parkwood and Southport and includes the heritage listed Ernest Junction tunnel.

We welcome and thank Small Business Expos our newest Southport Chamber of Commerce GOLD Member.

Small Business Expos hosts 5 small business expo events across South East Queensland this year and 8 in 2019. Since 2014 we have successfully rolled out 6 small business expos. Each expo focusing on 8 key goals ; collaboration, generate, skills transfer, charity, promotion, inform, celebration, platform.

Mayor Tom Tate will lead a business trade mission to the United Kingdom – with a focus around the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Business and Tourism Program (BATP

The delegation will comprise up to 40 businesses/stakeholders, and will run over two weeks from 26 July – 8 August 2022.

I’m pleased to start this month’s President update with the news that the Southport Chamber of Commerce now has over 300 members – a fantastic milestone that shows the strength of business within the Gold Coast CBD.

Last week, the Queensland Parliament passed the Small Business Commissioner Bill 2021, which permanently establishes a Queensland Small Business Commissioner and a supporting office for the Commissioner. The permanent Commissioner will provide tailored support and advice to Queensland small businesses and provide timely and affordable access to justice through the permanent commissioner’s dispute resolution function, which relates to retail tenancy disputes and enable mediation for commercial le

In line with the Council endorsed Music Action Plan, the introduction of a Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) in Southport will protect and encourage opportunities for Southport to be a hub for live music. A vibrant destination where locals can see world class artists.

The Gold Coast Business Hub has recently expanded for the 4th time in as many years. Now offering 2 locations Southport and Surfers Paradise. We are happy to offer the first 5 SCOC members who make a booking with us a 10% discount off their booking. Book directly with our Corporate Concierge, Lauren or Andrea, on 07 5528 5470 or office@gcbh.com.au

VMA Promotional Products is the brainchild of Katie Bond who saw a gap in the market for quality yet low cost promotional merchandise for businesses.

At First Asset Management, we pride ouselves on being proactive. Where other property managers act reactively to problems, we make it our priority to know exactly what's happening with your property and tenants. As specialist commercial asset managers, we do far more than simply collect rent -- in fact, we possess the knowledge and expertise to help you in ways the 'average' property manager can't.

Key Business Network is a professional business networking organisation, committed to helping small to medium businesses expand. In our professional network, members meet regularly in localised business networks to develop relationships, support each other and to share and record referral business.

Sonic HealthPlus is Australia’s leading provider of occupational healthcare and general medical services. Backed by Sonic Healthcare, Sonic HealthPlus is a truly national company with wholly owned clinics operating in metropolitan, regional and remote locations across the country.

Good morning,

The Southport Chamber of Commerce have put a call out to collect information on how local business have been directly impacted by the current weather events in SEQ.

It’s been a difficult start to the year for business owners, including our 280 Southport Chamber members, with modelling showing the constraints on Queensland businesses over January impacted the state’s economy an estimated $180 million per day in lost economic activity.

What wild weather we are having! I hope you and your family are staying safe (and dry) as South-east Queensland gets bombarded by all this rain. I thought I would touch base with you with some tips on staying safe, how to get help if you need it, and how to help out if you’re in a position to do so.

Do you have newly graduated employees in your team? Or team members who are due to finish their studies in the next 6 months? If so, you might like to consider Study Gold Coast’s Kickstart Graduate Program.

The year of the Tiger is off to a cracking pace. Just in the last week council has:

• carved out our 2032 strategy

• reviewed, with Queensland Treasury, our budget and the City’s financial health (we are looking mighty fine by the way), and

• determined a plan of attack on the HOTA masterplan.

Gold Coast businesses made the most of the frontline of state border re-opening, recording an increase in sales and revenue and general businesses conditions in the December quarter, despite low confidence in future conditions.

In a city first, the Southport Chamber of Commerce have extended it's Gold Coast Business initiative for 2022 to help our Local Gold Coast businesses on their road to recovery over the next 12 months.

The initiative will see the annual Business membership fees again waived for new and existing businesses who join the Southport Chamber before December 31st 2022

Accessing this free Business membership offer is quick and easy. New members can sign up via the Chamber’s Apply Now  follow the online

Now is the time for Queensland consumers and businesses to be depending on their own communities and local supply chains for goods, services, stock and resources.

Constraints on Queensland businesses are costing the state’s economy an estimated $180 million a day in lost economic activity, new CCIQ modelling shows.

Gold Coast fintech, Send Payments, has raised a total of $5 million through an oversubscribed placement, with some exceptional additions to the share register to help accelerate growth into 2022. As part of the raise the company is looking to expand their embedded finance product offerings, as well as hiring additional staff and laying the foundations for its imminent overseas expansion.

Constraints on Queensland businesses are costing the state’s economy an estimated $180 million a day in lost economic activity, new modelling from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) shows.

As COVID-19 becomes more prevalent in our community, people who have COVID-19 will visit businesses and workplaces. Guidance for managing COVID-19 in workplaces is available.

The Southport business community are throwing their weight behind the City of Gold Coast’s proposed Southport Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) with results from a recent Southport Chamber of Commerce member survey showing that 100% of survey respondents support the proposed SEP.

Another whirlwind year is coming to a close, with Christmas and the end of 2021 rapidly approaching. If we thought 2020 was an interesting year with the beginning of the pandemic, 2021 certainly kept up the momentum of absurdity, with new strains of COVID, more lockdowns and ever-changing restrictions.

Applications are now open for Round 6 of the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), paving the way for new projects that regional communities deserve to be funded and delivered.

Dear Member,

The City of Gold Coast is currently undertaking community consultation for the proposed Southport Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP).

Times have been tough for many Gold Coast business and some industries are recovering faster than others. Adapting to change is key to successfully managing your business.

On the 18 November 2021, the Southport Chamber of Commerce held its annual AGM Chaired by Ian Kennedy. The Board would like to thank all members who attended the AGM in person, and those who sent proxies and apologies.

An excellent night on Thursday 18/11/2021 for the annual AGM of the Southport Chamber of Commerce, followed by our Christmas Celebratory drinks. We had 50 members attend our beautiful sunset evening event at the Southport Yacht Club overlooking the gorgeous yachts moored in the marina.

The Southport Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) is one step closer, with consultation opening to obtain feedback on a range of planning instruments to bring the program to life.

The Australia Fair Terry White store was the very first store opened by Terry and Rhonda White and is considered their flagship. A million dollar makeover has recently been completed, and the owners Terry and Rhonda held a series of VIP parties to launch transformation of the new look premises.

Pulse Survey results out now

Christmas business confidence missing traditional festive cheer

From 17 December when Queensland is forecast to reach the 80 per cent double vaccinated milestone, hospitality and entertainment venues including festivals will only be permitted to allow entry to patrons and staff who are fully vaccinated. Read the plan here.

This affects non-essential leisure businesses including hospitality venues (hotels, pubs, clubs, taverns, bars, restaurants and cafes) and entertainment venues (nightclubs, live music venues, stadiums, theatres, cinemas and festivals)

“It is incredible to realise that we have been dealing with the consequences of the Covid -19 pandemic for over 18 months now. Uncertainty of rules, lockdowns, and movement restrictions etc have been the cause of the greatest economic impact on all sizes of businesses on the Gold Coast over that time. While I am usually an optimist, every time I think I see light at the end of the tunnel the tunnel seems to keep going on and on.

It was great to see October mark the opening of the Gold Coast Youth Foyer right here in Southport.