Southport
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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.

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:

President’s Report

The Chamber is the principal petitioner of a petition sponsored by Rob Molhoek to parliament to act on the homelessness issue in Southport.

The Southport Community Consultative Committee, chaired by the Chamber, has been meeting monthly and bringing homelessness to the urgent attention of the Police and Council.

Ian Kennedy our Chamber President recently had the opportunity to have a Q&A with Cr Brooke Patterson our newly elected Councillor for Division 6

You spoke to a lot of residents and businesses during your campaign and since. What were the major one or two issues raised by them?