Welcome to the second edition of the City Economic Update! Each quarter, these updates will provide important data and relevant information for local businesses.

In this edition:

• City Economy Business Breakfast
• Pivotel still calls the Coast home
• ASPIRE - A circular economy solution
• Integrated Human Resourcing
• Upcoming business programs
• City of Gold Coast stories and updates
• Upcoming events
• Business grant opportunities

City Economy Business Breakfast

On 11 May 2022, City Economy hosted a business breakfast as part of Queensland Small Business Month. The City's Economic Outlook Report was presented and businesses heard from Bull & Bear Economics director, Marcus Brown.

Key messages from the event included recovery, growth and opportunities.

The report shows a clear v-shaped recovery for the Gold Coast. Value added by industry is an indicator of business productivity, showing how productive each industry sector is at increasing the value of its inputs (as demonstrated in the graph). Full details of the report can be found here.

The Gold Coast Business Portal was officially launched at the event. Details and its benefits can be found here.

Pivotel still calls the Coast home

Pivotel CEO, Peter Bolger on growth, success and why he still calls the Gold Coast home. Pivotel is an Australian owned and operated telecommunications company based on the Gold Coast. Pivotel specialises in rural, remote and critical communication services.

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In addition to winning the city’s overall Business of the Year Award in 2021, Pivotel has won the prestigious Mayor’s Innovation GC Award at the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards three times (2018, 2020 and 2021) – how fantastic! How has the business evolved since its very first win in 2018?

"Many of the new initiatives we presented in 2018, such as our ecoSphere® solution, have developed to now become staple products with the opportunity pipeline for complex public and private networks now driving increased demand for additional staff to deliver the projects."

"We have been successful in winning state and federal co-funding for many regional base stations and we have shifted the discussion in political circles around co-funded rural community networks being a discussion primarily about the big 3 mobile operators building closed networks only accessible to their individual subscribers, to open networks that should be accessible to all mobile users."

"While these discussions are continuing, we are now adding new service capabilities including Fixed Wireless Access services capable of delivering data speeds in the hundreds of Mbps to rural communities and expanding our international presence to include offices in Europe, adding to the new offices we opened in NZ and the US in 2018."

Has Pivotel had to pivot its services in response to COVID-19?

"No. The services we provide are predominantly essential services. We saw demand remain at high levels right throughout the COVID-19 lockdowns. In some areas we saw significant growth. One example was our support for nearly 1,000 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) workers that were required to visit homes as part of the Australian Census in 2021. This was a project delivered via a Pivotel dealer that has been a close partner of the ABS for many years."

What’s next for Pivotel?

"Right now, we are looking very closely at the role we want to play in the delivery of public and private 5G networks. We are participating in reviews led by the ACMA and ACCC into spectrum arrangements to support the expected massive ramp up in 5G services in the coming years and we are working hard to ensure there will be an open and competitive marketplace for the delivery of these services."

What are some business “hot tips” or the secrets behind Pivotel’s ongoing success here on the Gold Coast (and abroad)?

"A big learning for us over recent years is the need to take greater responsibility in shaping the market in which we operate. We need to influence the policies and regulations that impact competition and access to critical capabilities such as spectrum, and as a relatively small telco in a sea of some very large telcos we need to put our views out there knowing that we will often be criticised by well-resourced companies that oppose them."

"Being a more active, honest participant in the debates and discussions that shape our industry does help raise awareness of and respect for the company, but we also back our words with actions and this means our views are taken more seriously despite our relatively small size." 

"While we operate in the telco market, the same approach to influencing and shaping the market is just as applicable to many other Gold Coast based businesses. While you may not always get what you want, you will at least know about developments that may impact your business before many of your competitors and you can have an early mover advantage."

Why is Pivotel based here on the Gold Coast?

"Basing the business on the Gold Coast was a personal choice of mine and climate and lifestyle was part of the reason. Having an airport with flights to most of the capital cities meant we could be just as connected nationally as Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne and the Brisbane International airport was a nearby gateway to the world, so we didn’t lose much in a business sense, but we gained a lot in lifestyle."

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For more information on Pivotel, visit https://www.pivotel.com.au/

ASPIRE - A circular economy solution

Circular economy can help businesses save costs, streamline processes, minimise demand on resources, lower carbon emissions, and reduce landfill and pollution.

Local Gold Coast businesses can now trade, exchange or sell unwanted waste and resources with the ASPIRE program, reducing waste disposal costs and the amount of waste going to landfill.

ASPIRE is a free digital tool that empowers businesses to begin their journey towards circularity.

The City of Gold Coast has invested in a licence for the local business community to have free access to this great circular economy, business-to-business platform. Any material can be traded, from plastics and timber pallets to construction waste and organic material.

Currently, 63 companies are registered on the Gold Coast, including Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard, Neumann Steel Pty Ltd, San Diego Tortilla Company and Jacaru Pty Ltd.

Using your waste as an input to another business provides several benefits. Visit the ASPIRE website to register today.

If you have any further queries, please e-mail: recycling@goldcoast.qld.gov.au or circular@aspiresme.com

Promotional offer: The first 10 businesses with 100-400 employees can participate for free by contacting ASPIRE at circular@aspiresme.com and quoting ‘Gold Coast offer’.

Integrated Human Resourcing

Integrated Human Resourcing founder, Renee Henville on running her own business and providing workforce solutions to the community.

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The Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards is celebrating its 27th year. During this time the Awards have grown to be recognised as the region's most comprehensive and prestigious business awards scheme, offering specific and meaningful benefits to the wider Gold Coast business community. One of the 2021 monthly award recipients has been Integrated Human Resourcing.

In recent times, Gold Coast businesses have found it challenging to acquire and retain talent and skills across many industries. To this end, we thought it apt to speak to the founder of Integrated Human Resourcing – Renee Henville. She speaks to City of Gold Coast’s Southern Business Engagement Officer; Chris Marsh.

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Chris Marsh: “Tell us about yourself.”

Renee Henville: “I’m a very proud born and bred Gold Coaster. Founding my own HR and Recruitment firm was something that I wanted to do. Since 2010, I have somewhat successfully juggled family commitments and running a business to grow Integrated Human Resourcing into what it is today; a team of 7 HR and Recruitment specialists, based in Burleigh Heads.”

Chris Marsh: “Tell us more about your business.”

Renee Henville: “Integrated Human Resourcing is an outsourced Human Resources and Recruitment firm providing trusted unbiased support empowering businesses to confidently manage their people. Our clients are extremely diverse which gives us the ability to ‘think outside the box’ and provide practical HR advice to sometimes complex situations. We’ve been involved in about every awkward situation you can imagine within the workplace. Additionally, we are also qualified work health and safety consultants and process payroll for some clients.”

Chris Marsh: “What do you attribute the success of your business to?”

Renee Henville: “A lot of hard work, long hours and giving things a go. I also surround myself with likeminded people; those with a positive can-do mindset, who are also successful in their field. To be able to seek advice and bounce ideas around with them is invaluable.”

Chris Marsh: “What has been the most challenging aspect of growing your business?”

Renee Henville: “When to put on another staff member. I think most small business owners would say, myself included the balance between working ‘on the business’ and ‘in the business’ can be difficult. To me, whilst I do have amazing support at home, there are the ‘mummy guilts’, that I should be doing more with my boys and it is a constant internal challenge I have. Sometimes the balance tips in favour of family, sometimes in favour of the business. It’s a give and take scenario.”

Chris Marsh: “Has Integrated Human Resourcing had to pivot its services in response to COVID-19?”

Renee Henville: “COVID-19 has been extremely challenging for us as it has been for many individuals and businesses. During the pandemic, we found that HR was really called upon and relied heavily upon by business owners. Our services remained the same, however we were required to keep up to date with the seemingly minute to minute changes. I am grateful for my amazing team, who pulled together, supported each other, worked hard and are now we are hopefully on the other side of it.”

Upcoming Business Programs

Growth Accelerator Program

Does your business have the potential for exciting growth? Are you a Gold Coast business operating for more than two (2) years? Are you the business owner looking for support to plan your next stage of growth?

If you have answered yes to these questions, find out more information on the program here or contact businessgc@goldcoast.qld.gov.au.

The next iteration of the Growth Accelerator Program takes place in the second half of 2022.

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Amanda Williams of Yellow Panda, recently completed the program.

"Since taking part in the Growth Accelerator Program, I have more than doubled my revenue and my business has grown from strength to strength. I found it particularly invaluable to have a structured business plan in place to set goals and be accountable."

"Within the first few months, I became more confident in our growth (despite riding out the uncertain times of the pandemic) to create additional full-time positions within my company. As a result, we've grown our team to keep up with the growing demand for our services and are well placed to grow into the future."

"As a proud Gold Coast local, it is humbling to be in a position to provide more employment opportunities for professionals, to live, work and play in one of the best cities in the world. The networking opportunities amongst the other participants have been beneficial and I have been able to connect with many other like-minded individuals."

"I highly recommend the program to any businessperson wanting to upscale their business. The results speak for themselves."

Digital Launch Pad Program

Navii Digital is giving away $3m in digital support tools for small businesses through government-backed Digital Launch Pad Program.

Navii is helping small to medium sized business from all different industries and growth levels become digitally savvy. A free Digital Engagement Health Check and 12 months of expert support and coaching is available to 500 businesses with a range of digital tools and courses to help them on their journey.

To find out more about the program please visit https://www.navii.com.au/program/digital-launchpad

Digital Supply Chains - Traditional to Digital (20 May 2022)

Hear from nationally recognised manufacturing industry experts on the importance of moving from traditional, linear supply chains to integrated digital supply chains, to optimise performance, productivity and profits.

Register for the webinar here.

3D Scanning and VR/AR experience courses

TAFE Coomera is offering FREE courses that target Industry 4.0 to businesses across the Gold Coast. Businesses can send team members to the course free of charge to ten (10) units to learn and experience the changing landscape in advanced manufacturing.

For further information, download the flyer here. To enrol now, please click here.

City of Gold Coast stories and updates

Southport Yacht Club Megayacht berth launch

The Gold Coast’s new Megayacht berth is officially open and welcoming some of the world’s largest superyachts.

The $9 million Megayacht berth, jointly funded by the Queensland Government, City of Gold Coast and the Southport Yacht Club, caters for vessels up to 130 metres and anchors the Gold Coast as an Asia-Pacific superyacht tourism hub.

As one of the biggest superyacht berthing facilities in the country, this facility enables visiting vessels to take advantage of the Gold Coast’s world-class maintenance and refit facilities.

On top of the City’s $2.4 million investment in this project, a further $20,000 was contributed towards high-tech computer safety and navigation simulations.

More information on the facility can be found here.

A wave of success, Coast yacht industry launches own academy

A new specialised training academy has been established at the epicentre of the booming superyacht industry on the Gold Coast to support record growth and demand for workers as local and international buyers continue to splash out on luxury marine craft.

For more on this story, please click here.

Upcoming events

SANCTUARY COVE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

19 May - 22 May 2022

Attracting over 50,000 visitors in 2021, the Show continues to live up to its reputation as the Southern Hemisphere’s premier marine event. With over 300 exhibitors and 600 boats on display, be treated to best-in-class superyachts, fishing boats, trailers, watercraft, marine tech and much more.

Register now 

THE 80 TWENTY HOTEL CONFERENCE

14 June 2022

The 80 TWENTY Hotel Conference will be at the Gold Coast for a whole day conference on the 14th of June 2022, at The Dorsett. The upcoming event provides attendees with the opportunity to gain valuable insights from accommodation experts and industry leaders.

Register now

GOLD COAST SPORTS STAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

8 July 2022

The Gold Coast Sports Stars Awards is a celebration of sporting achievement by our local athletes.

The Awards recognise the Gold Coast’s elite and prominent up-and-coming athletes, as well as recognising those that have significantly contributed to the Gold Coast Sporting Community in the calendar year.

Register now

MAYORAL MISSION TO UK AND BIRMINGHAM COMMONWEALTH GAMES

26 July - 8 August 2022

Mayor Tom Tate will lead a business trade mission to the United Kingdom – with a focus around the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Business and Tourism Program (BATP).

The City Economy team, together with the Office of the Mayor, will facilitate a two-week mission in London and Birmingham.

Register now

To check out other events within the City of Gold Coast, please click here.
Are you a local business? Register your event here.

Business grant opportunities

Local businesses can take advantage of the many grants that are available to them.

For more information on funding available follow the links below:

• Advanced Manufacturing Commercialisation Fund
• Queensland Destination Events Program
• The COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension
• Vessel Tracking Rebate Scheme QLD
• Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants – South East QLD Flooding (Small Business)
• Emissions Reduction Fund

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