Bundaberg Regional Council has renewed its commitment to supporting the region’s small businesses by signing a new Small Business Friendly Commitment.
Drafted in conjunction with the Small Business Commission, the commitment has seen Council pledge to work with small business, industry, community and government to be more small business friendly.
Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn said the renewed commitment continued Council’s activities to support small business since it became a member of the program in 2023.
“Since Council became a member, the program has transitioned from a Charter to a Small Business Friendly Commitment that introduces a Small Business Action Plan,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“The annual action plan will outline ways Council can support small business through opportunities for skills development and networking, helping operators to build resilience and capabilities and actively engaging in championing small businesses.
“Small businesses are integral to our region’s vibrant economy and Council is committed to working with the small business community to foster an economic environment in which they thrive.”
Council will work with local small businesses and Chambers of Commerce to generate a Small Business Action Plan in the latter half of 2025.
Small Business Friendly Program
The Small Business Friendly Program was launched by the Queensland Government in 2020 to encourage councils, government agencies and large enterprise to support small businesses in the community.
Bundaberg Regional Council joins 51 of 77 Queensland Councils as current members of the program, committed to working collaboratively with small businesses, stakeholders and other members.
Queensland Small Business Commissioner Dominique Lamb said the new program built on the work done to date.
“It’s great to see Council continuing its journey as a small business friendly council and taking active steps to support their success,” she said.
“The new program includes five new principles and 15 deliverables.
“We are excited to work alongside Council and the chambers to support their local economy.”
More information about Council’s Small Business Friendly Commitment can be found on the project page.
It’s a great time to start a business with 4 years of fantastic levels of Population & GDP growth in our region. People are obviously spending big already & we just got homeloan interest rate cuts that should lead to more spending.
Fill all those vacant shops. Bundaberg is really recovering. All of Hinkler is doing great.