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By CAITLIN CROWLEY | EXCLUSIVE
WESTERN Downs Regional Council has been hailed as “welcoming” and an “enabler” by Toowoomba’s business community, as it lobbies Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) to slash red tape and adopt more business-friendly policies.
Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce issued a stark warning for the future of small businesses in the region if TRC’s Draft Corporate Plan wasn’t amended to acknowledge critical issues already strangling the local economy.
The Draft Corporate Plan 2024-2029 was released earlier this month and according to the Council it outlines TRC’s “vision, goals and key priorities” for the next five years.
Chamber CEO Todd Rohl told the Caller the fact there was no mention of the need to increase housing and implement the Small Business Friendly Council initiative, which Council joined in March this year, was a major cause for concern.
“So every elected official that is in there today is saying that housing and red tape are not critical issues or priority issues for them moving forward,” Rohl (pictured) said.
“If we don’t see changes to the plan as identified by the Toowoomba Chamber we are very, very concerned about what it means for small business in this region.
“We are very concerned for how the Toowoomba Regional Council will engage with small business, raise the profile of small business, aid business and business recovery – how they promote the businesses in the region and showcase the region.
“If they don’t support things like putting in place the Small Business Charter, then they’re stopping any accountability in performance which they’re required to do as a signatory.
“The other thing which is very critical is the housing issue and if you don’t deliver houses, if you don’t find a way to work collaboratively with government and the development and construction industry, then the loser here are Toowoomba residents, not just Toowoomba businesses.”
The Draft Corporate Plan is open for public consultation until this Friday, September 1.
Toowoomba Chamber’s submission included recommendations around community engagement, small business initiatives and housing.
Rohl said it was critical, not just for Chamber, but for all businesses and the wider community to respond.
“I’m not convinced that everyone is aware that this drives Council’s agenda for the next four years,” he said.
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Rohl said the Chamber had been raising concerns around housing availability with TRC since 2015 but that there had been an “ostrich effect”, with Council failing to properly acknowledge the issue.
“Toowoomba Regional Council needs to take responsibility for its local government area and stop pointing the finger everywhere else instead of looking and seeing what they can do to deliver homes and shelter – a basic human need – to the people of Toowoomba.”
Toowoomba Mayor Geoff McDonald said Council was appreciative of Toowoomba Chamber submitting its feedback on the plan.
“The Corporate Plan is just one of the strategic documents which guides future Council decision-making,” he told the Caller.
“Council is committed to ensuring the local business community is well catered for in key documents such as the 2024-2029 Corporate Plan.”
When asked how other regional councils’ support for small business compared to Toowoomba, Todd Rohl was quick to highlight TRC’s western neighbour.
“We always hear the words, “why are they (TRC) not an enabler like Western Downs?”
“Why are they not welcoming like Western Downs?”
Western Downs Mayor Paul McVeigh told the Caller Western Downs Regional Council “aggressively attracts business and investment opportunities” and that its business-friendly approach had delivered real outcomes for the region.
“Our award-winning planning scheme was amended in 2017 and significantly reduced red tape, we have implemented process enhancements such as credit card capabilities and short payment terms for suppliers, and we offer an annual procurement roadshow to showcase the variety of procurement opportunities available for the following financial year,” McVeigh said.
“Council offers a range of programs and initiatives to support our local business such as offering comprehensive workshops and events to support and enhance business opportunities and promote the importance of buying local.”
TRC recently met with Queensland’s Small Business Commissioner Dominique Lamb, who acknowledged TRC’s commitment to the Small Business Friendly (SBF) Council initiative.
“The Small Business Friendly Program provides the framework, support and tools required to help local governments, Queensland Government agencies and large enterprises realise their role in supporting small business,” Lamb said.
“The SBF program is not just a box-ticking exercise. It is designed to create tangible and practical outcomes that help participants deliver on their commitments to local businesses and provide more efficient and effective processes.”
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