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Coffs Coast Business News - May 2025
Each month, the City of Coffs Harbour's Economic Development & Tourism Team collates information for all businesses, large and small, across the Coffs Coast - helping you stay informed, keep connected, and feel supported.
We hope you find our monthly newsletter valuable. Please feel free to forward it to colleagues and your team. They can also subscribe to receive a copy directly. Previous editions of Coffs Coast Business News are available to view here.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Business events and training
- Free business workshop: Smart strategies to reduce Workers' Compensation premiums in NSW - Tuesday 6 May
- Business NSW: Costs of Doing Business - Tuesday 13 May
- LinkedIn Local Coffs Coast: May Catch-up - Friday 16 May
- Mid Coast Connect: Coffs Coast Career Connections - Thursday 5 June
Local news and opportunities
- In case you missed it around the region
- Top Tourism Town Awards - last chance to vote!
- Coffs Coast Visitor Guide
- Booking.com - Travel & Sustainability Report 2025
- RDAMNC 2024 Skills Audit
- BusinessNSW Business Conditions Survey
Grant funding and business support
- Coffs Harbour Grant Finder
- City of Coffs Harbour Event Funding Program
- ATO Masterclasses: Supporting small businesses
What's On Coffs Coast and major event calendar
LOCAL BUSINESS EVENTS
Smart strategies to reduce Workers' Compensation premiums in NSW
Allianz, Willis and IPAR would like to welcome you to a workshop to provide context as to how employers can influence within the NSW Workers’ Compensation scheme and share practical tips on how to minimise the financial implications of claims to, ultimately, pay less premium.
Tuesday 6 May, 9.15am - 11.30am,
Pacific Bay Resort
Costs of Doing Business
Join Business NSW and key industry experts to discuss some of the most pressing issues affecting your business right now, including insurance, employment law changes, and the future business landscape in NSW.
Tuesday 13 May, 9.00am - 12.30pm,
C.ex Coffs, Vernon Street
LinkedIn Local - May Catch-up
LinkedInLocal is all about getting to know the people behind the LinkedIn™ profiles and connecting at a human level. Our events are pitch-free and designed to foster connection among the community.
Friday 16 May, 10.00am - 12.00pm,
The Link, 631 Hogbin Drive, Toormina
Coffs Coast Career Connections
A strong local economy is underpinned by an appropriately qualified, and motivated, workforce. This workforce development initiative contributes to encouraging young people to build a career in the region by informing them about vocational opportunities and the pathways to employment. Some 1200 senior students from twenty high schools (Macksville to Dorrigo to Grafton) will attend.
Throughout the day exhibitors will showcase careers in their industry. These showcases:
- Include activities or displays that encourage interaction/engagement with students
- Demonstrate the range of occupations within the industry
- Provide information on learning pathways and support available
Thursday 5 June, 9.00am - 1.00pm,
Coffs Harbour Racing Club, 62 Howard Street, Coffs Harbour
LOCAL NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Check out this monthly snapshot of articles, marketing activities, and campaigns making news across our region and beyond. Here's what's happening:
- Surfing NSW: VW State Classic 2025 - One Month to Go
- Australian Children's Content Summit: Returns to Coffs Harbour for its third year
- Press Release: Coffs Harbour in the running for Top Tourism Town
ALL COFFS COAST BUSINESSES are invited to share these news stories in their business marketing. This is a great way to bring people from out of the area to your business - and the content is already created for you!
Top Tourism Town Awards
Coffs Harbour is a finalist in the Top Tourism Town Awards - and your vote could help us shine on the national stage!
🤔 Ever thought about voting twice on Election Day? Now's your chance - voting for Top Tourism Town Awards close Sunday 4 May.
Coffs Coast Visitor Guide
The new-look 2025 Coffs Coast Visitor Guide is out now! Pick up your hard copy at a range of tourist attractions, accommodation outlets, or the seven (7) visitor information hubs across the LGA.
For residents, it is a chance to refresh your knowledge and learn all about the businesses, attractions, and experiences our region has to offer. Perfect for when you have friends or family visiting, or if you're stopped in the street by a visitor asking for a local's recommendation.
Booking.com - Travel & Sustainability Report 2025
Key findings include:
- 53% of travelers are now conscious of tourism's impact on local communities as well as the environment.
- 69% of travelers now want to leave the places they visit better than when they arrived.
- 73% of travelers want their spending to go back to the local community.
- 77% of travelers seek authentic experiences that are representative of local culture.
- Sustainably remains important for 84% of travelers.
RDAMNC 2024 Skills Audit
A new study commissioned by Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC) and conducted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) highlights the growing labour and skills shortages in the region, posing a significant barrier to economic growth.
The 2024 Skills Audit identifies major challenges for the Mid North Coast, including labour shortages, limited vocational training, and inadequate infrastructure. With fewer working-age residents than the state average, businesses struggle to find skilled staff. Key sectors like healthcare, aged care, and construction are losing workers, while limited local training forces many to study elsewhere.
BusinessNSW Business Conditions Survey
Your insights help BusinessNSW advocate for the support your business needs in a changing economy. From post-election policies to global market pressures — your experience matters.
Complete the BusinessNSW Business Conditions Survey and join Sherman Chan, Chief Economist for BusinessNSW on June 18 for an exclusive webinar on the latest economic trends.
GRANT FUNDING & BUSINESS SUPPORT
COFFS HARBOUR GRANT FINDER
The City of Coffs Harbour provides a free service for locals to find grants and grant writing tips. Register to be notified of specific grants for your business or organisation.
City of Coffs Harbour Event Funding Program
The City is now accepting applications for events planned to run prior to 30 June 2026. Funding is available in two categories:
- Event Destination Marketing Funding
- Event Seed Funding
Applications close: 12pm Monday 26 May
ATO Masterclasses: Supporting small businesses
The ATO's Essentials to strengthen your small business provides free and professional courses to support small businesses improve their tax, super and business management knowledge.
During these free online sessions, you will have the opportunity to speak with experienced tax officers, ask questions, and gain insights tailored to your business needs.
- Record keeping – Thursday 22 May
- Claiming small business tax deductions – Monday 23 June
- Cash flow for small business success - Tuesday 22 July
- Goods and Services Tax (GST) - Wednesday 20 August
- Hiring & paying workers – Tuesday 23 September
WHAT'S ON @ COFFS COAST
Surfing NSW State Titles
27 May - 1 June
Touch Football Australia Championships
30 May - 1 June
Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival
6-8 June
Emerald Beach Fair
7 June
Please reach out to our team at City of Coffs Harbour if you have any questions.
Check out our 6 degrees business support website for business events and resources.
For tourism industry and visitor economy business support and information, go to our Coffs Coast tourism industry hub.
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