Supporting your business in 2023

Welcome to the first 2023 edition of the Business on Redlands Coast newsletter. Redland City Council’s Economic Development and Investment (ED&I) team understand the challenges your business may be facing due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and unexpected economic events. 

The ED&I team are here to continue to help local business embrace opportunities to innovate and thrive during these challenging times. Please contact the team on
(07) 3829 8999 or email economicdevelopment@redland.qld.gov.au with any business or economic development questions. 

Economic Development & Investment welcomes Wade Oestreich

The Economic Development and Investment Group welcomes Wade Oestreich, who came on board as Service Manager Strategic Partnerships in late 2022.

Wade was the Queensland Policy Manager with the Property Council of Australia (PCA) prior to joining Council. He worked closely with some of Queensland’s largest owners, developers, and property managers and developed a reputation for being able to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors. His most notable achievements include establishing a partnership between Townsville City Council and the Property Council to reinvigorate the Townsville’s city centre – a partnership that still endures today. In addition, he was the key author for PCA’s position paper on the housing crisis, entitled A Home for Every Queenslander – presented during the Queensland Government housing summit. 

Wade also worked in the Queensland public sector for almost 20 years, rising to the level of Deputy Director-General. While in government, Wade worked across a wide range of portfolios, including industry development, tourism, sport and recreation, environmental conservation and management, Indigenous partnerships and Native Title. He also served as the head of the Office of Racing, where he led landmark reforms of the racing industry following revelations of animal cruelty.

Wade also has an established track record of ‘thinking outside the box’ and finding new ways for government and industry to collaborate for mutual benefit. In one example, Wade established and led a program to partner with the tourism industry to provide privately funded ecotourism experiences in Queensland’s national parks – something that had not been done before.

In his private life, Wade lives in Cleveland with his partner Suzana and their dog Mike. He’s a classic car enthusiast and the proud owner of two of them! He also has a boat which he doesn’t get to use as often as he’d like.

Business Continuity Planning & Disaster Preparedness 

Is your business ready if a disaster strikes? Redland City Council, in partnership with the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce, Straddie Chamber of Commerce, and AusIndustry, is hosting two Business Continuity Planning and Disaster Preparedness information sessions on the mainland and North Stradbroke Island.

Mainland session

When:  23 January 2023

Time: 8.30am – 11.30am

Venue: Alexandra Hills Hotel, 332 Finucane Road, Alexandra Hills

Free entry but registration is a must. Register to attend 

Straddie session

When:  6 February 2023

Time: 3.00pm – 5.00pm

Venue: Point Lookout Bowls Club 75 Dickson Way Point Lookout

Free entry but registration is a must. Register to attend

Each information session will cover:

The importance of planning to mitigate risk: In a disaster or emergency it can be difficult to know what to do first, and it can be overwhelming and stressful. Planning helps provide a framework for business continuity. Disaster Preparedness Management will cover the four stages of management, types of disasters and emergencies, top tips, and planning and testing.

What is in a Business Continuity Plan (BCP)?: Business continuity planning involves developing a practical plan for how your business can prepare for, and continue to operate after, an accident or crisis.

Digital preparedness: The latest trends and opportunities for businesses to shift from a reactive to a proactive approach to help with business continuity planning.

For more information, contact the Economic Development team at Redland City Council on (07) 3829 8999 or email economicdevelopment@redland.qld.gov.au.

Success for all at the 8th Business Brews event 

A big thank you to all of the Redlands Coast manufacturers and guest speakers who joined us in November for the final Business Brews event of 2022!

We covered key topics such as procurement process preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Government business assistance programs, overcoming barriers, and finding success in the manufacturing sector.

We look forward to hosting you again at the ninth Business Brews, which is scheduled for late March 2023.

For more information, contact the Economic Development team on
(07) 3829 8999 or email economicdevelopment@redland.qld.gov.au.

Proposed Amendments – have your say 

Council is currently seeking feedback on proposed amendments to four local laws:
🍝 Footpath dining
🎉 Temporary entertainment events
🏕️ Accommodation parks
🏊 Swimming pools

Individual submissions are required for each local law and must be submitted within the consultation period and include your:
✔️ Full name
✔️ Address
✔️ Position on the proposed amendments
✔️ Reasons for that position

Feedback will be accepted until Sunday 5 February 2023. To view the proposed changes and have your say, visit 👉
https://yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au

Village Events & Activation Grant (VEAG) Program

The Village Events and Activation Grant (VEAG) is a place-based program that seeks to support the enhanced activation, promotion, and vibrancy of Redlands Coast villages. The grant will support not-for-profit community organisations and village traders to collaborate and deliver initiatives that encourage more people to live, work, play and invest in Redlands Coast, building community connection, and resilience.

The total amount of funding available for the VEAG Program in 2023 is $120,000, or $12,000 per centre – Cleveland, Capalaba, Victoria Point, Alexandra Hills, Birkdale, Redland Bay, Wellington Point, Mount Cotton, North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) – Dunwich or Point Lookout and, Southern Moreton Bay Islands – Russell Island, Macleay Island or Lamb Island.

Please visit the Village Events & Activation Grant (VEAG) program web page for more information including VEAG program guidelines and eligibility.

Showcase your Business here

Are you interested in showcasing your business and sharing your success story? The Business on Redlands Coast newsletter provides a fantastic platform to showcase your business to the broader community and share insights on how you identify solutions to overcome challenges and barriers in a globalised economy.

If you're interested in showcasing your business success, please email a picture of your business and team, with a 150-word story of your business journey to economicdevelopment@redland.qld.gov.au.

2021 Census Demographic Snapshot and Redland City Community Profile

How many people are living in the Redlands since 2016? Is the city’s population profile growing older? What suburbs are growing faster? Are you curious about the answer to these questions and how your community has changed since the last Census?

Download demographic snapshots of each mainland suburb and island communities.

If you want to learn more, the Redland City Council Community Profile provides demographic analysis for the city and smaller areas, with new information from the 2021 Census being progressively rolled out.

Clean Up Australia Day – Redlands Coast

Clean Up Australia Day is an annual event that has been running throughout Australia for more than 30 years. Every year, more than a million Australians step up to clean up, donating their time to improve the environment. Redland City Council is encouraging individuals, schools, businesses and community groups to organise and register a clean up or to get involved in an existing clean up.

When:

• Tuesday 28 February – Business Clean Up day (small fee for businesses)
• Friday 3 March – School Clean Up day
• Sunday 5 March – Community Clean Up day

The Clean Up Australia Day group provide registered groups with free clean up kits, including bags, gloves and sharps containers.

Redland City Council will support the event through the provision of either skip bins or kerbside wheelie bins. Events must be registered by Wednesday 15 February at the latest to allow Council to supply bins.

Workforce Australia Assistance Available

Workforce Australia is a place Australians can search and apply for jobs or find more information on their pathway to employment. Services include assistance with finding employment, starting a business, training opportunities, and other support functions. More information can be found on the Workforce Australia website. 

Workforce Australia also provides support for businesses to recruit staff, assisting with advertising and financial support.

Looking for a grant or support program?

This guided search will help you find grants, funding, and support programs from across government. Answer a few questions about your business to find grants and programs you may be eligible for. Currently, there are 560+ grants and opportunities nationwide.

Learn more about grant opportunities.

AusIndustry supports business growth

AusIndustry will partner with you in the next step of your business growth. AusIndustry support businesses to innovate, invest and commercialise. You may be eligible for funding and AusIndustry's national outreach network is ready to start working with you now.

The network helps to guide local businesses with the right advice, networks, opportunities and information about programs, grants, and services available from all levels of government. AusIndustry's Regional Managers will listen to your business needs and take a holistic approach to address your individual goals and challenges.

Your Greater Brisbane Regional Manager is:

Nikki Gallagher

Contact Nikki on (07) 3227 4725 or 0473 826 061 or email nikki.gallagher@industry.gov.au.

If your business has been affected by the 2022 floods, you may be eligible to access Strengthening Business a service under the AusIndustry Entrepreneurs' Programme.

The program connects you with experts to make your business stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future. You can reach out to your local Strengthening Business Facilitator Liliana Montague to discuss if you may be eligible for this service by sending an email to Liliana.Montague@ep.industry.gov.au.

Trade & Investment Queensland grows exports

Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) has the expertise, insights, and global connections to help you grow your exports and take your business further – faster.

Whether you are new to exporting or wanting to grow your overseas sales, TIQ can support your international expansion.

TIQ can help you decide which markets to target and identify the best opportunities, and then work with you on an entry strategy – including potential barriers and how to overcome them.

Your Redlands Coast Trade and Investment officer is:

Hayley Laraghy

Contact Hayley on 0436 943 619 or email hayley.laraghy@tiq.qld.gov.au.

Small Business Financial Counselling Service offers free planning and support

The Small Business Financial Counselling Service (SBFCS) Southern Queensland provides free, impartial and confidential planning and support services to businesses located in the southern Queensland service area.

Their local small business specialists can come to your business and help you:

• Improve your understanding of your business' financial position
• Analyse the benefits and drawbacks of different options to manage financial issues
• Develop budgets and cash flow forecasts
• Manage creditor negotiations
• Access dispute resolution services
• Understand your rights and obtain broader professional advice and support, access government and community grants, programs and assistance schemes

Their team of qualified small business specialists provide discreet support when challenges arise. By engaging with them early, such as when cash flow first starts to get tight, they can help you get the best results. However, they can also help you at later stages of your business journey. For further information, or for a confidential introductory chat, please contact your local Small Business Financial Counsellor.