Supporting your Business

Redland City Council’s Economic Development and Investment team understand the challenges your business may be facing, due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and recent weather events.

The past year has seen our local business community embrace the opportunities to innovate, survive, and some to even thrive in these challenging times. We are here to provide support and answer any of your business or economic development questions.  Please contact the team on (07) 3829 8999 or email economicdevelopment@redland.qld.gov.au.

State of the Redland Economy: A Snapshot

The Redlands’ Coast economy is showing positive signs of recovery since COVID-19. In the financial year ending 2021, the city generated $6.6 billion in Gross Regional Product (GRP), outperforming the rest of Queensland with a growth of 5.8 percent, compared with 2.3 percent. This was in marked contrast to the negative GRP growth experienced in 2020 of -1.4 per cent, indicative of the adverse impact of COVID-19 that reduced economic activity due to shutdowns amidst rising public health concerns.

Click on the following link to read The State of the Redlands Economy Snapshot. 

Find out more information on Redland City’s economic profile.

Growing Queensland Business Roadshow

The Queensland Government offers an exciting and revamped 2022 Growing Queensland Business Roadshow program. The program gives you the opportunity to:

• connect with representatives from our Council and state government; and
• get practical tips and information about government tendering, 'greening' your business, and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Whether you're a government buyer or supplier, or you're looking to supply to government, this year's program allows you to choose your own journey and attendance approach to the sessions. You can choose to:

• 'drop into' sessions and hear from speakers covering a range of topics;
• have government officers answer your questions at engagement stations;
• hear from local suppliers about their journey to become a government supplier; and
• learn about growing your business through international trade.

Find out more information about what's new to the program.

Taste of Queensland Showcase Program 2022

Queensland Government Trade and Investment Queensland presents the Taste of Queensland, an annual Food & Agribusiness initiative to showcase Queensland food & ag-products, to targeted international buyers.

This year’s program will welcome up to 65 international buyers from Japan, South Korea, China, and Singapore (among others) to sample and meet with Queensland food and beverage companies.

The program involves three showcase events in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast, featuring over 85 exhibitors. Buyers will have the opportunity to sample a vast array of premium Queensland products, as well as having one-on-one business matching with Queensland exporters.

Learn more about the Taste of Queensland Showcase Program. 

Share your Business with the World:

Export Opportunities to India

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, in partnership with Trade and Investment Queensland, invites you to 'Share your business with the world: Export opportunities to India', to be held on October 13 2022 at the Treasury Brisbane.

The event will provide you with an overview of benefits of Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-CECA) to existing and potential Queensland goods and services exporters.

Get an update on the recent negotiations with India from Ms Frances Lisson, Australia’s Chief Negotiator for the Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.

Key outcomes:

1. The importance of trade with India for Queensland sectors;
2. Certificate of Origin requirements, Rules of Origin and tariff reduction requirements for goods exporters;
3. Key differences between how we conduct business in Australia and India; and
4. Best practice when conducting business with stakeholders in India.

The China Digital Economy Academy 

The China Digital Economy Academy, supported by The National Foundation for Australia-China Relations (an Australian Commonwealth Government initiative), has developed a series of programs to promote and strengthen understanding and engagement between Australia and China, by helping Australian brands and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) already engaged in China or have China on their roadmap, to further benefit from China’s digital eCommerce opportunities. 

The program was developed in partnership with Austrade and channel partners, Department for Trade and Investment (SA), Department of State Growth (TAS), Invest and Trade Western Australia, Global Victoria, Investment NSW and Trade and Investment Queensland - Asialink Business. The program aims to:

• accelerate understanding of the eCommerce and digital landscape in China; and
• build Australian SME capability to succeed in the Chinese eCommerce market.

It is essential for brands and SMEs to attend all seven modules to be eligible for business matching opportunities, introductions to eCommerce enablers and consultations with in-country experts from your local state government agency and Austrade. You will also receive a Credly digital certification.

Lean more about the program.

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 540+ grants and opportunities nationwide.

Learn more about grant opportunities.

Business Launchpad

If you want to open or run a business in Queensland, the Business Launchpad is your first port of call. This free online tool can help you find licences, permits, and regulatory information from all levels of government in your local area, specifically for your industry. 

More than 20,000 people have been helped in the residential construction and food and beverage industries, and now Business Launchpad is expanding to all sectors across the entire State. 

This means anyone starting or running a business in Queensland will be able to search for all the licences and permits they need in one place. 

Get your Business Ready for Storm Season

The Bureau of Meteorology has declared a third La Nina event, increasing the likelihood of above-average rainfall during Spring and Summer. 

The start of the storm season is a timely reminder to ensure your small business is protected and prepared for when storms strike. There are many resources available online to help get your small business storm ready. 

Get ready small business resources help small business operators to prepare for likely effects of a severe storm, respond to risks as they arise and what to do to recover after the storm has passed. Helpful checklists are also available to help businesses pack emergency kits and create business evacuation plans.

Jobs Queensland Supporting Future Skills, Future Work and Future Queensland 

Finding and keeping skilled employees are hot topics at the moment.

The Queensland Workforce Summit and the subsequent release of the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032, and the Australian Government’s recent Jobs and Skills Summit, have certainly brought these workforce issues into the spotlight.

Jobs Queensland understands the challenges facing small business and regions across Queensland, and the critical nature of keeping our state one step ahead of a changing economy and labour market.

Business owners can now access Anticipating Future Skills a data tool for workforce planning. It provides detailed employment projections to help small business identify job growth and understand Queensland’s future labour market.

There are also a range of free Workforce Planning Connect tools and resources you can access to help support your workforce planning goals to plan your future as a business owner, take steps to become an employer, or invest in growing your existing workforce.

For more information about how Jobs Queensland can support you and your workforce planning journey, visit www.jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au. 

Protect your Business Against Scams

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month 2022 and a great reminder for small business to stay secure online. Unfortunately, many Queensland businesses fall victim to scams and fraud each year. 

You may have heard recent media reports about Queensland real estate agents and home buyers losing deposits to payment redirection scams and small businesses unwittingly handing over their social media account details via a convincing email link.

Business email compromise scams can be impossible to identify and can include invoice scams, company or employee impersonation using what appear to be legitimate email accounts.

Your best defence against scams is to stay up-to-date with the latest Scamwatch advice and take proactive measures to protect your business against scams. Ensure you:

• create strong passwords and set up two-factor authentication on your accounts;
• check websites are secure - look for 'https://' and a closed padlock in the address bar;
• independently confirm invoice and payment details using publicly available contact information; and
• share scams knowledge with your employees and network.

If you think you've been scammed, contact your banking institution as soon as possible and report the scam to Scamwatch.

Don't Ignore Information Security - Act Now

This free webinar will guide you through what information security is, why it is relevant to your business, and why you should not ignore it. 

Each year, tens of thousands of Australian businesses find themselves the victim of a cyber-crime. No sector of the economy is immune. Register now to secure your place and learn more about the simple steps that you can take to secure your information. 

This is the first of three webinars bought to you by the Queensland Government.

Date:    Tuesday, 18 October 2022
Time:   10.30am – 11.30 am
Venue: Webinar
Cost:    Free

Register here. 

AusIndustry

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.

Contact Nikki Gallagher to understand how the AusIndustry national outreach network can help your business.

Phone:  07 3227 4725

Mobile: 0473 826 061

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 programme 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 emailing Liliana.Montague@ep.industry.gov.au.

Small Business Financial Counselling Service

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's financial position;
• analyse the benefits and drawbacks of different options to manage financial issues;
• develop budgets and cash flow forecasts;
• assist you with creditor negotiations;
• access dispute resolution services; and
• understand your rights and accessing broader professional advice and support, and 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.

Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce Upcoming Events

The Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce (RCCC) is the leading engagement, advocacy and support organisation for the business community on Redlands Coast. Their mission is to champion the business and investment community and create a bright future for Redlands Coast.

Find out more about upcoming events, including mental health awareness and the 2022 Business Excellence Awards.