The Bundaberg Region has taken the first step towards making its Small Business Friendly status official with the signing of a charter.
The Small Business Friendly (SBF) program, led by the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, was established in Queensland to recognise and support local governments (councils) that actively support small businesses in their community and to help small business recover and build resilience when faced with economic challenges.
Mayor Jack Dempsey said it was fantastic to have taken this first step towards making Council’s commitment to being a Small Business Friendly Organisation official.
“We took the opportunity while Minister for Employment and Small Business Dianne Farmer and the now former Small Business Commissioner were in the region to get the process started with some initial signatures,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“The next stage in this process is to consult with the local Chambers of Commerce to get their input and commitment to the charter.
“We will continue working with the business community to develop the best outcomes for our region as a whole.”
He said the region’s three Chambers of Commerce and the new Small Business Commissioner Dominique Lamb had been invited to a Small Business Friendly charter signing event in January 2023.
As part of its commitment to the program, Council will be co-designing a survey with the Chambers of Commerce to give business owners the opportunity to highlight priorities and goals for the region moving forward.
“In the meantime we just encourage everyone to shop locally,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“Council is certainly leading by example, implementing a 30 per cent weighting for Local Buy in its contracts which is among the highest of any Councils throughout the state.”
About the Small Business Friendly program
The SBF program provides the framework, support and tools to help local governments, Queensland Government agencies and large enterprise to realise their role in supporting small business. By bringing people together around a common goal, the program aims to enhance the operating environment for small businesses and provide the opportunities they need to thrive.
The program is driven by a series of simple, yet powerful, commitments by SBF members to improve the way they transact, interact, and support small businesses across Queensland. It is designed to create tangible and practical improvements and outcomes that help SBF members deliver on their commitments and become more efficient and effective.
Find out more about the Small Business Friendly initiative here: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/support-assistance/qsbc/sbf-program/about
