Chamber Activity in Brief

The Year 2021

The Year 2021 to date has seen new businesses open up in Kilcoy, existing businesses rebrand and getting ready for bigger things, local businesses being recognised with Nationally placed awards within their industry and of course the completion of the CBD roadworks. The Chamber remained quiet throughout 2020 except for the advocacy of the business disruptions regarding the roadworks and sharing vital information regarding business support for those encountering difficulties due to the coronavirus regulations.

The Goals set for 2020 were disrupted by the coronavirus but work continued especially with the FM 101.5 Radio Signal. Effort is being put in the ensure the signal reach for Kilcoy. Watch this space!

The Somerset Regional Council used its resources to provide a fantastic Business Breakfast for Somerset Region Businesses. The attendance clearly showed that a Chamber would benefit the whole of the Region. A strong Business voice is needed. Work in this space is quietly moving along. For more about the Business Breakfast, check the link HERE

The Small Business Ombudsman developed the Small Business Friendly Councils initiative, with a Charter that our Council signed up to in April. It is the interests of anyone in business or interested in starting a business in the Region to understand the premise of the Charter. The Charter Exists so as to HELP businesses through the myriad of things like red tap, licences and development applications. It is a resource and tool to assist small business. For more information follow the link HERE

Female Leaders in Business of Kilcoy have a few times to chat and socialise. A very low key, friendly atmosphere for any female business owner to enjoy similar like minded companionship and friendship. It is an open invitation event. Follow the Chamber Facebook page for Event updates.

It is very much, the right time to pick up and get the Chamber membership active again. With strong membership, the Chamber can provide important work in the promotion, representation and advocacy of the needs of local businesses with all the relevant stakeholders.

Our business community deserves a strong voice. Join us for our meetings. Membership is up for review and will be discussed at the July Meeting. A 2019 contact form can be downloaded HERE for the purpose of reviewing.

Hope to see you at the Stanley Hotel, Mary Street on Thursday 22nd July from 5pm for a reintroduction of the Chamber benefits, values and contributions to business community needs. Join us to hear from a special guest Mr Paul Garcia, a marvelous storyteller and a champion of regional business through CCIQ.

The Year 2020 in Summary

Well, the Year started off with the disappointing announcement from ANZ that our Branch of 80 years strong was closing. The community came together to protest the closure. Our local business BroadcastBiz took on the challenge of interviewing local businesses, community members and politicians in an attempt to force ANZ to the table to discuss the closure. With this video and contacts through the community, A Current Affair took up our cause and broadcast the story nationally. Our President shared the sentiment of the community concern with Queensland Rural Radio and other media. For all the links to the effort of our community, ANZ Message HERE ACA HERE QLD Rual Interview HERE

The closure of the bank impacted our community groups, residents and local businesses. A community meeting to discuss the closure and possible solutions to support those impacted by the closure was chaired by the Chamber. Bendigo Bank was a special guest with the Manager and the Toogoolawah Agency owners speaking to the services that Bendigo could offer and how we might as a community progress those discussions.

Our goals for 2020 were highlighted as follows:

Chamber goals:

To secure Community FM 101.5 Moreton Bays Own Radio into Kilcoy and District. Mr Craig Hewlett and his team will come again to present the case for Kilcoy benefiting from enjoying a radio signal.
To secure a Somerset Region focus of Chamber membership through advocacy and promotions. To encourage Somerset business interaction and membership.
Meeting format, times and venues to ensure we create a friendly and safe environment for robust business discussion.

The onset of the coronavirus, the drought and the local roadworks took a attention away from the role the Chamber could play in support of local business during the very difficult impacts of these noted issues. The desire to broaden the Chamber landscape for the whole of the Somerset Region took a step back from face to face meetings but work in the background by the Chamber President continued in support of local business needs.While no regular meetings were held, the Chamber continued to support local businesses through liaison over the Kilcoy Roadworks, representing business interests on Regional committees and sharing ideas and future aspirations via social media and web site activities. The Chamber held a small Christmas meeting in December 2020 Hosted by The Dam Shed with special guest CCIQ Paul Garcia and his lovely wife.For a snapshot of the Year 2020 and the way forward check out the Google Business Page HERE

For all the regular updates via social media check the link HERE

The Annual Report has been produced by the Chamber President for the purpose of Information and is available to download HERE

The 2019 Year in Summary

The Chamber has gained wonderful exposure for the Region’s businesses in the form of Committee participation on the Trade and investment QLD, CCIQ Regional Business Policy Panel and Regional Development Authority Ipswich West Moreton. The Chamber also has a seat on the Councils Tourism advisory committee and the Economic Development Committee.

The President participated in the 2019 QLD Govt Small Business Panel highlighting the Somerset Region, its business activities, difficulties and successes. Noting that transport infrastructure, lack of skills training facilities and accomodation are barriers to economic growth and development.

Kilcoy and Somerset has had wonderful exposure to the tourism market the past year through Chamber efforts via media attention from Domain.com.au , Gatton Media, ABC TV (to be aired 14th September 7 pm), Explore the Sunshine Coast and our always supportive local news outlets. Somerset benefits from this and all the media exposure in support of the dollars spent by our Council Tourism Team.

The Chamber is also exploring positive ways of promoting local businesses through various means like Why leave Town Gift Cards, Regional Business Classifieds, Veterans Gift Cards, supported web sites for online presence Google Business, Brisbane Times etc.

The resources page has been developed to include matters of interest for small business.

The Chamber receives inquiries related to recruitment end employment. An employer seeking good staff, or someone seeking employment, the Ipswich & West Moreton Jobs Database now connects with local employers and accesses exclusive job opportunities. Follow the links to see how this new initiative can help you. IPSWICHWEST-MORETON-JOBS-FLYERS-NOBLEED-UPDATED

Single Touch Payroll is upon small and micro business. No entity is exempt. It took effect from July 1st, 2019

The membership continues to grow with new members from Woodford, Esk and Fernvale. Our President will make the effort to visit each locality in Somerset Region to advocate for a strong business voice. Read more in the August Minutes in Brief and the latest Newsletter.

The Chamber will continue its focus on developing the Constitution for greater inclusion of the Region and the local businesses.