Sustainability was the topic at the inaugural Bundaberg business breakfast hosted by Bundaberg Regional Council yesterday.
The thriving local business community came together to network and learn from each other while hearing from two experts in eco business, Ecotourism Australia and ecoBiz.
The theme of sustainability was chosen after the recent signing of the Small Business Friendly Organisation Charter by Council, the Queensland Small Business Commissioner and local chambers of commerce.
The event, held at Bundaberg Multiplex, provided an opportunity for businesses to learn how to access the free coaching available through ecoBiz to reduce costs and gain efficiencies in their businesses.
It also gave participants an understanding of what incentive programs were available through Council for those looking to start their ECO or Sustainability Certification process.
Local business owner Debbie Meiers from Bargara Berries said she enjoyed the business breakfast, and it was a good opportunity to learn about sustainability.
“I was looking for information on how to make our business more sustainable,” Debbie said.
“It’s nice to see people excited about the journey, excited about keeping the world a better place.”
She said the information provided at the business breakfast would help her to make changes in the way she operates her business.
“I am always trying to bring ideas in to help customers know who we are and what we are doing, I want them to know we want to be there for a long time,” Debbie said.
“We do the best we can, we don’t use chemicals and sprays because we can, we only use them if we have to. This morning was also good for networking.”
Port Curtis Coral Coast Trust Ltd General Manager Daniel Reeves also said he enjoyed the networking between local businesses and the theme was well-suited for the initial breakfast.
Daniel said he attended to learn more about Council’s initiative for eco business and he found the interactive activities beneficial.
“I like the idea of the whiteboard, because it’s interactive and people get a little bit more involved, and I think people learn a little bit more by speaking and by doing, so I think it’s a really good formula,” he said.
“It’s good to see where people’s heads are at, and what they think sustainability is or what sustainability means for their business as it could be different to what I think sustainability is for my business.”
The aim of the Bundaberg business breakfast is to assist local businesses learn from, and network with each other, along with providing a forum for businesses to get updates on various trends and opportunities available in the region.
Each monthly breakfast event will have a specific theme and will be trialled for the remainder of 2023.
The monthly business breakfasts will:
- demonstrate Council’s support for local businesses
- provide a forum for Council to positively promote local business networking and learning
- demonstrate Council’s commitment to building Australis’s best regional community by engaging local businesses in Council industry programs and initiatives
Following the trial, set to end in December 2023, Council will assess the success of the initiative.
