Logan City officially becomes a Small Business Friendly Council
Published Wednesday, 22 September, 2021 at 11:40 AM
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
The Honourable Di Farmer
Small businesses in Logan are set to benefit from a new Small Business Friendly Council (SBFC) commitment made by Logan City Council today.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer welcomed Logan to the growing list of councils that have signed up to the charter.
“Small businesses are the heart and hubs of our local communities and are crucial to our $14.2 billion COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan,” Minister Farmer said.
“They are our families, our friends, our neighbours and they keep our communities strong.
“It’s fantastic that so many councils have committed to the small business friendly charter, with many others lining up to join them.
“By signing the Small Business Friendly Council charter, councils commit to support small businesses in their respective area and help to reduce red tape.”
City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said Logan City Council is committed to supporting local small business through its new Economic Development Strategy 2022-2027.
The Strategy includes the formation of the Mayor’s Local Job and Skills Taskforce, which will engage with local businesses to create employment opportunities.
“In addition to helping them build a resilient and sustainable workforce, Council will work closely with existing businesses across all sectors to grow the local economy and attract new customers and investment,” Cr Power said.
Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Maree Adshead, who today co-signed the SBFC Charter with Minister Farmer and Logan City Council’s Mayor Power, said the council had committed to engage, promote, and support the small businesses within their region.
“The signing of the SBFC charter signing has been witnessed by the three local Chambers of Commerce, which is an example of what SBFCs are all about – councils working closely with local businesses which ultimately benefits the whole community,” Ms Adshead said.
“I look forward to continuing to work with all concerned to bring real benefits to the local small business community in the Logan region.”
The Commissioner said small businesses operating in other council areas are already benefiting from their council signing the charter.
“For example, in Ipswich businesses that want to set up food trucks have gone from facing a 4–6-week process across multiple areas of council to a single form with a 24-hour turnaround, saving small businesses time and effort,” Ms Adshead said.
“This is making it easier to do small business. Other councils are following this example with their own similar processes.”
The SBFC charter has been developed by the Palaszczuk Government in conjunction with councils and aims to recognise and encourage the support of local councils to actively support small businesses to recover and build resilience following disaster and economic challenges.
There are currently 16 SBFCs across Queensland. When a council signs the SBFC charter they are pledging a commitment to:
- 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.
Find out more about the Small Business Friendly Councils (SBFC) initiative at www.business.qld.gov.au/qsbc or by phoning 1300 312 344.
Images of the signing available here
ENDS
Media contact: Kate Talbot, 0439 803 211