Presidents Report May 2020

 

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.

 

These initiatives have resulted in both media attention and a concerted action from the Police and Council to clean up the streets and begin dealing with the homelessness and anti-social behaviours in Southport.

 

We will be working with retailers to inform them how best to deal with problematic homelessness issues in a positive and long term way rather than facilitating an attraction to living on the streets of the CBD.

 

The Chamber is also working with business leaders on a roadmap to recovery for the City Heart. We supported CCIQ in advocating for Small Business Adaptation Grants which was successful.

 

We stated our position that the State borders ought to be opened, as soon as reasonably possible and appropriately managed, to encourage and allow domestic tourism to bring business back to the Gold Coast.

 

And now for the good news – Free membership for 12 months!

 

We have changed our membership structure to move back to sponsorship levels of membership rather than business size.

 

We now offer standard membership for $150 per annum, Gold for $600 per annum, and Corporate for $1,500 per annum. Look out for coming information setting out the benefits of each level of membership.

The Board have also decided, as a way to support businesses in this difficult time, to offer a 12 month free extension of membership (or first 12 months free for new member) for a standard membership, or a $150 discount off the Gold and Corporate for 12 months.

We want all businesses to join the Chamber so that we can more effectively be a truly representative voice for business in Southport and so that we can hear what you need.

 

Ian Kennedy

President