Guide to reduce capital works impacts on small businesses goes live

Capital works projects around Queensland can create a headache for small businesses. A guide to ensure these impacts are minimised has been released today.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said the development of Works with Small Business is another layer of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to ensuring small businesses are supported in Queensland.

“Capital works projects bring a lot of benefits to small businesses, but we understand that sometimes construction can have adverse impacts,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Government agencies need to be more ‘small business aware’ when planning and undertaking capital works projects – and that’s what this guide will do.

“We will work with our small business community to ensure any impact from government construction is minimised and there is clear communication with any affected business.

“Guidelines to minimise construction impact have been developed in consultation with government agencies as well as the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council

“In particular, we have worked closely with the Department of Transport and Main Roads, which will pilot the materials over the next six months.

“We want to work together to ensure our 438,000 small businesses can continue to grow and make it easier to do business here in Queensland.”

Queensland Small Business Champion Maree Adshead welcomed the release of the best practice guidelines to support more small business friendly capital works projects.

“Small businesses can be the biggest beneficiaries of the investments that government makes through improved access, better facilities and more connected infrastructure,” Ms Adshead said.

“It is therefore critical that all levels of government find ways to work with small business during construction to limit the impact of disruptions such as restricted access, construction noise and reduced visibility.”

Works with Small Business – Good practice guidance for working with small businesses to minimise business disruption and support jobs when undertaking capital works projects outlines four key focus areas.

These include considering impacts before the commencement of a project, a thorough engagement process with the community, having a disruption mitigation plan and an evaluation process.

View a copy of the guidelines at: www.desbt.qld.gov.au/small-business

ENDS

Media Contact:          Dou Ribu                     0447 372 517

Photo of Minister and QSBC: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fvzes3xqr5cb3jq/AAD4S_cwFNNFz_A4MqRVNuBNa?dl=0