BALONNE SHIRE AWARDED REGIONAL MEMBER OF THE YEAR AT THE QUEENSLAND SMALL BUSINESS FRIENDLY AWARDS

Balonne Shire has scooped the coveted Regional Member of the Year Award at the 4th Annual Queensland Small Business Friendly Awards ceremony in Cairns for its proactive support of the Shire’s 900 small businesses.

These awards brought together 49 Councils, with Balonne Shire Council receiving the top regional award for its role in working collaboratively with the business community to identify the needs and opportunities for small business in the Shire.

This Award recognises Council’s programs and initiatives for small businesses, which include its business mentoring and improvement programs, workforce development, digital connectivity, Buy Balonne giftcards and procurement enhancements.

Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O’Toole was delighted that Council has received acknowledgement for its efforts to support the local business community.

“We are so thrilled to receive the Regional Member of the Year Award for 2024 at the Queensland Small Business Friendly Awards,” said Mayor O’Toole.

“As a Council, we aim to work collaboratively with our local business community to ensure that Balonne is a great place to do business.

“By supporting local business with initiatives like the business improvement and mentoring programs and workforce development we are helping to generate more employment and improve liveability in our Shire.

“In receiving this Award, we also really need to acknowledge the great work our local businesses do for our community.

“This award is further recognition of how our Shire is a great place to set-up and do business with the full support of your local Council.”  

ENDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Since joining the Small Business Friendly Program in October 2022, Balonne Shire Council has been pro-active in developing small business initiatives to support its 900 small businesses. 

Balonne Shire is located six hours west of Brisbane, covers an area of 31,052km² with a population of 4350. Key personnel for project delivery include Council’s Economic and Workforce Development Officers & management teams, Councillors, and stakeholders. Council has implemented and delivered place-based initiatives supporting small businesses by aligning with the Charter and has been well-received by Shire businesses. 

Council has played a key role in identifying the needs/gaps/opportunities for small business, project plans/grant submissions, project management, reporting, and legacy items to help address the needs of small business. 

Council’s small business programs and initiatives include:

Business Mentoring Programs – are a tailored mentoring service to businesses including workshops and project funding assisting around 57 businesses with 27 mentors and 1458 hours of advisory services. Since 2022, two rounds have been delivered with the current program ending June 2024. Mentoring services to small business include marketing, financial management, succession planning and online marketing/e-commerce. The current round utilises a Queensland developed algorithm-based software platform to assist in business diagnostics (assessment and monthly tracking), mentor/mentee engagement and a “Do it Yourself” mentoring component for businesses, business workshops and project funding to assist participating businesses to improve business efficiencies.

Business Improvement Scheme – involved Shire-wide beautification programs for internal and external visual improvements and energy efficiency. This involved around  $1.4million in grant funding, of which businesses could apply for up to $20,000 ex GST for one or both streams to reduce energy costs/visual appearance. The programs have been successful in improving operating efficiency, sales and business and community pride.

Workforce Development – commencing in late 2022, Council appointed a place-based Workforce Development Officer assisting employers and job seekers to address the Shire’s workforce needs, training/pathways, up-skilling, targeted co-horts and working with agencies on service delivery. The program has resulted in 57 jobs placed, 43 employers & 74 job seekers assisted and two Careers and Jobs Expo’s attracting over 500 attendees.

Digital Connectivity – this involved partnering with groups (NBN, Field Solutions Group, Telstra) to deliver digital infrastructure services of around $4million to small business and their community’s.

Buy Balonne – With the Chamber of Commerce, Council implemented and manages the Buy Balonne Gift Card program, encouraging residents to buy local. Council provides back-office support/reporting, marketing and onboarding/ongoing support for participants. Over the past three years, Council contributes to the program with staff cards and covering card costs.

Procurement – Council is committed to buying local, providing supply chain and value-added major projects introductions to local businesses, growing local business capability and capacity, onboarding procurement platforms, procuring locally, “filling gaps” with local capability and encouraging businesses to tender for Council and regional projects.

ecoBiz – With CCIQ, participating businesses have realised benefits from an accredited energy specialist providing recommendations (various cost solutions – e.g., education, solar) to assist businesses in reducing energy, utilising the report to reduce energy use and support funding submissions.

Extended Reality (XR) – With excess funds (from mentoring), the Committee chose to invest in XR technology to support local business. Council has implemented XR support services to small business with customer service, store layout/appeal and training. Council has acquired four sets of XR goggles, software licensing and augmented glasses with simulators to follow.