Small businesses in the Balonne region are set to benefit from a new Small Business Friendly Councils (SBFC) commitment made by Balonne Shire Council.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer welcomed Balonne to the growing network of councils that have signed the SBF charter.
"Small businesses are the backbone of our local communities and are crucial to our $14.5 billion COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan," Minister Farmer said.
"Small businesses employ our families, our friends, and our neighbours, and supply the goods and services we need to keep our communities strong.
"This is particularly important in regional areas when everyone has to pull together to overcome challenges such as fluctuating seasons and natural disasters – I would like to congratulate Balonne Shire Council for committing to fostering closer relationships with their small businesses.
"It's fantastic to see so many councils have already committed to the Small Business Friendly Councils Program, with many others lining up to join them.
"When a council joins the Small Business Friendly Councils family, they are pledging their commitment to support small businesses in their communities and help the local economy thrive."
Balonne Shire Council Mayor Samantha O'Toole said it's vital Council provides the support it can especially in light of the recent natural disaster events.
"Small business is the heart of regional communities. They are the people who live and work here. They create employment opportunities, provide essential goods and services, and play a critical role in the social fabric of the region," Mayor O'Toole said.
Queensland Small Business Commissioner Maree Adshead co-signed the SBFC charter with Minister Farmer, Balonne Shire Council Mayor Samantha O'Toole, and Balonne Shire Council CEO Matthew Magin said she hopes all parties can work collaboratively and help small businesses in the Balonne region recover from this year's natural disaster event.
"The SBFC Program has been designed to encourage councils to actively support small businesses to recover and build resilience following disaster and economic challenges," Ms Adshead said.
"Councils can access the SBFC network which is made up of councils of all different sizes, who are all at different stages of their small business journey.
"For smaller councils who don't have the resources of larger councils this is particularly helpful as it enables them to get the insights and key learnings from activities and solutions larger councils have implemented for their small business communities, especially when responding to natural disasters."
The SBFC Program has been developed by the Small Business Commissioner and aims to recognise and encourage councils to actively support small businesses.
There are currently 37 SBFC across Queensland who have signed the SBFC charter and pledging the following to their small business communities:
• communicate and engage
• raise small businesses profile and capability
• support resilience and recovery
• simplify administration and regulation (red tape reduction)
• ensure fair procurement and prompt payment terms
• promote place-based activities.
