Name change outrage

Chambers label colleagues’ new title ‘pathetic’

A WAR of words has broken out between the Gold Coast’s chambers of commerce, with one branding a controversial name change as “pathetic”.

The Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce this week changed its name to the Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce.

It felt the change was needed “to deliver what the chamber should be doing, in terms of advocacy for the city and collaborating with our members and organisations”.

But the decision, backed by 84 per cent of its members, does not sit well with the city’s other chamber bosses.

“It’s pathetic to be honest,” Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce president Gary Mays said.

“I was involved in everything when the central chamber was first formed and they had a strict understanding that they would stay as the central chamber – and they have reneged on this.

“Their word back then meant nothing.”

Other chamber bosses said the name change would not benefit the chamber and undermine the work of other associations.

“We have made our views very clear,” Greater Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce president Hilary Jacobs said.

“We do not feel that this is going to be for the benefit of the chamber of commerce. We are keen to work with them and we hope that whatever they do will end up with a better result.”

The central chamber name change was first proposed in December.

It failed to gain the necessary 75 per cent level of support when first voted on early last month, securing 72 per cent.

The name change was also opposed by the Southport Chamber of Commerce.

It said the name change could mislead people into thinking the central chamber represented the whole Gold Coast and that their chambers had merged or folded.

But central chamber boss Martin Hall said the decision was “the best way forward”.

“Our position hasn’t changed – this is the best way to deliver what the chamber should be doing, in terms of advocacy for the city and collaborating with our members and organisations,” he said.

“This is a real opportunity for the chamber movement to join together and I hope they do not pick up their ball and go home.

“This would be to the detriment of Coast businesses and it is disappointing they have gone in the direction they have.”