Southport
News

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.

International students will be returning to study in Queensland from the beginning of next year. After an announcement from the State Government confirmed plans earlier this week.

You are hereby notified that the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Southport Chamber of Commerce Inc will be held on Thursday 18 November 2020 at 5:00pm.

Your Chamber continues to engage with all levels of government, fellow Chambers and CCIQ to ensure you are informed and every effort is made to advance the interests of small businesses around Southport. Business sentiment ranges from devastation in some sectors, to hesitancy in others due to the uncertainty of possible lockdowns, to embracing opportunities in what some see as the new normal.

As a City Heart Taskforce member, The Southport Chamber of Commerce was pleased to attend the City Heart Task Force Reimagine 2.0 Breakfast and Forum with the Honourable Ms Angie Bell MP and many other city leaders.

Queensland businesses on New South Wales border to benefit from multi-million-dollar funding injection

AS the oldest and longest standing chamber on the Gold Coast, the Southport Chamber of Commerce has been a voice for local businesses since founded on April 23, 1912, by inaugural president Edward Fass.

This past month has seen the Chamber working behind the scenes with CCIQ and Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce to try to find a solution to the devastating impact on Gold Coast businesses from the hard border closure.

Immerse yourself at Regent Lane this Spring at the City’s first CBD Sundown event on Friday, 24 September 6pm – 9pm. Entry is free.

If your businesses is one of the many that is feeling the impact of no staff, no customers or not being able to trade, then now is the time to start to plan how to mitigate the impacts. The Greater Southern GC Chamber has been lobbying for the QLD Government to recognise the very localised impacts being felt by almost every small business in the border area one way or another, and to get some very targeted support for those businesses.

The City of Gold Coast (CoGC) is investing $3 million into a ‘Play Money Rewards' program to support the city’s tourism, dining, retail, and arts and culture industries. The program will be facilitated by Destination Gold Coast (DGC).

The businesses represented by the Southport Chamber are grateful for the $600 million business and tourism support package announced by the Federal Treasurer which includes support for tourism businesses further to the existing State Government grants package.

Deteriorating business confidence on the Gold Coast is the lowest in the state, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland’s June quarter Pulse Survey shows.

Applications open mid-August for a $5000 grant to SMEs operating within the 11 LGAs affected by the latest lockdown.

A High Court today ruled casual workers are not entitled paid leave benefits in line with permanent employment contracts.

We are in a business events season. An intimate group of our members were privileged to attend a special presentation and tour of Griffith University’s Institute of Glycomics on 27 May 2021 following by networking. Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics is a flagship biomedical research institute based right here on the Gold Coast

The Council Pop-Up activation on the corner of Nerang and Scarborough streets has been well received by residents and business owners. For this first week of June, Council set up with Police to engage on issues. Our first priority was simply to reclaim that space. Second, to engage with CBD locals on what is important to them. People clearly appreciated the opportunity.

Our personal safety, and the safety of our community, is important to all of us. I have had contact from many locals recently concerned about escalating crime in our local area, and right across the Gold Coast for that matter. We need your help, as the business community of Southport, to convince the Palaszczuk Labor Government to listen to and act on our community’s concerns.

The next generation of superyachts of up to 130 metres will be one step closer to berthing at the Southport Yacht Club thanks to advanced simulation technology

onPlatinum Charity Golf Day in support of RACQ LifeFlight Rescue to be held on the 11th June 2021 The Club @ Parkwood Village Registration: 10:30am | Tee Off: 12:00pm with Presentations and food to follow.

Following on from recent advocacy from your Chamber the Council of the City of Gold Coast announced a significant proposal for the Courts Precinct in Southport which will be a key driver of the Southport CBD.

Please know the Mayor and I are working together to realise the transformation of the CBD. Mayor Tate last week pledged to fight for a Supreme Court – and Federal Court – for the city, given huge delays being reported in the justice system.

There has been a lot of conjecture recently about the Queensland bid for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. First, let me start by saying I am a supporter of the bid. It makes sense! The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will give all Queenslanders something to look forward to in an otherwise challenging climate amid this pandemic. Just as importantly, it provides a platform to supercharge our infrastructure programs, reaffirms our place on the International Stage, brings all us Aussie

Following on from recent advocacy from your Chamber the Council of the City of Gold Coast is announcing a significant proposal for the Courts Precinct in Southport which will be a key driver of the Southport CBD.

Study Gold Coast are proud to have partnered with Southport State High School and Southport Sharks to support disadvantaged students on the Gold Coast. This event will be fun, engaging and interactive and attendees will have an opportunity to win some amazing prizes.

All profits from your tickets will support disadvantaged students so they can access support, buy essentials and play sport.

The one stop shop for business networking, selling, buying products and services, business workshops - the biggest local business event for the Gold Coast and surrounding areas. This is the 7th business expo on the Gold Coast and we look forward to seeing you there:

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 hard to believe that it is nearly a year since the Gold Coast faced any direct Covid restrictions other than the impacts of domestic and international border closures. At the time of writing we have been on the periphery of the Greater Brisbane lockdown with some restrictions including mask wearing.

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.

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.

The 2020 Business Expo is back and you can book your attendance tickets now on-line * Meet local business owners for sales leads * Connect with Confidence - Covid 19 Safe * Attend 13 business + jobs workshops * Support local Gold Coast business - we need you

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.

To all new members including Business Members, Gold Members and Corporate Sponsors.

We thank you for joining the oldest Chamber on the Gold Coast and the Chamber for the official CBD of the Gold Coast.

SOUTHPORT UPDATE REPORT

I am pleased to inform you that Council unanimously voted in favour of my request for a proper, formalised approach to homelessness.

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 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.

Through the Queensland Small Business Skills Hub small business owners, startups and their staff now have a great opportunity to access over 500 highly relevant online courses, ranging from a few minutes to an hour, for FREE until December 2020.

To all members and businesses in Southport

For a limited time, the Southport Chamber are currently offering a year free membership. We encourage all businesses to sign up, and if you have already, encourage your neighbouring businesses and all businesses in your network to sign up for free membership of the Southport Chamber for a year.

SOUTHPORT REPORT

Last week Council adopted its 2020-21 roads to recovery budget – a budget that lays out the City’s economic plan to recover from the global pandemic.

Australian research into the use of convalescent plasma in clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 should be supported according to a leading immunologist from Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics.

Professor Michael Good AO, a member of the National COVID-19 Health and Research Advisory Committee and chair of the working group on convalescent plasma therapy.

The objective of this program is to support small businesses subject to closure or highly impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) shutdown restrictions announced by the Queensland Government, to adapt and sustain their operations, and build resilience.

After Round 1 of the program was allocated very quickly, a second round has been announced and will be accepting applications from 1 July 2020.

RDA Gold Coast has released the findings from its COVID-19 Business Impact and Information Survey.

This study was undertaken to gain real time insights on the impact of COVID-19 on Gold Coast businesses, how businesses are reacting to government support packages, their current situation, and future projections.

Four teams of expert scientists from Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics are targeting the virus SARS-CoV-2 to discover new vaccines and drugs to prevent or cure COVID-19.

The teams are led by the Institute’s group leaders Professor Mark von Itzstein AO, Professor Michael Good AO, Professor Michael Jennings, and Professor Johnson Mak, all world-renowned research scientists in their various fields of infectious diseases research.

• Small business revenues could collapse by up to $27 billion during the June quarter as a consequence of COVID-19 restrictions

• $13 billion of revenues were lost in of Queensland during the March quarter according to the ABS

• Time to act now and not wait for specific dates

Queensland businesses need to start operating fully and it needs to happen now said the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ).

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 businesses who join the Southport Chamber before July 30, 2020.

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

he Queensland Government have just launched free online training for small businesses and employees impacted by COVID-19 as part of their plan to unite and recover for Queensland jobs.

More than 400 free training courses will be available to Queenslanders through two portals.

The Queensland Small Business Skills Hub will have courses across four topic areas: