What needs to happen to get region pumping

WITH in excess of 16,000 businesses, small business is a big deal in the Toowoomba region.

Toowoomba’s state election candidates must prioritise investment and policies that accelerate the growth, opportunities and longterm survival of local businesses.

After a call out to our business community, the chamber calls on state election candidates to meet Toowoomba small business needs.

We want Queensland and specifically Toowoomba to be the place to do business.

To do this, we need industrial relations and tax reform.

For example, if New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and

South Australia can remove transfer (stamp) duty on business transfers, why can’t Queensland?

We need opportunities for digital transformation.

In the last seven months many of us have transitioned to digital platforms, if for nothing more than survival.

It has shown us how critical digital readiness is for small business.

Being connected is a significant opportunity for small business.

To make this happen, now, we need increased funding for programs and grants to enable digital adoption by our business community.

We need a Toowoomba Infrastructure Pipeline.

Building legacy infrastructure to create local employment and build business cashflow is essential during these tough economic times.

Where are the funding commitments for projects like the Quarry Gardens, community and tourism development, water security and fast passenger rail?

And when these projects commence, we advocate that the local content of these projects to reach at least 50%.

We need to get our youth and vulnerable jobs.

This important work is an outcome of the Jobs Taskforce Roundtable.

We need programs that enable our employers to secure traineeships and apprenticeships, right here in Toowoomba.

That is why existing Queensland government programs like Back to

Work, need to be available and expanded, here and now.

At our North Toowoomba and South Toowoomba State election candidates’ debate on September 30, these needs of the Toowoomba business community were expressed.

My takeout from the discussion was a consensus and desire to deliver fast-tracked infrastructure projects, better water supply and an upskilled workforce with more jobs. Consensus was not reached on supporting job creation projects like New Acland Mine Stage 3, state taxes reform for business including payroll and transfer tax, or opening the borders.

That simply means, we have plenty to continuing to advocate for.