A review of Council actions and initiatives over the past year has confirmed its ongoing support for small business in the region.
There are more than 13,800 registered small businesses in Cairns, which accounts for about 97% of all businesses in the Cairns LGA.
In a demonstration of support for small business, Council signed the Queensland Government's Small Business Friendly Council (SBFC) Charter in March 2021.
As part of the charter, Council committed to initiatives that would support a prosperous small business sector, including improvement in communications, cutting red tape, and raising their profile.
A report of Council activities from 1 October 2021 to 31 December 2022, has revealed significant outcomes have been delivered under the SBFC charter, including:
- Adoption of the Economic Development Strategy 2022-2026, which includes initiatives relating to small business and Indigenous business support,
- Cairns 2022 Meet the Buyer Event, which connects small business 'suppliers' with 'buyers' or procurement teams from larger organisations,
- Council hosted the 2022 Queensland Government Growing Queensland Business Roadshow for local businesses
- Renew Cairns and its support for local small business in reactivating vacant spaces in the Cairns CBD.
