In a media release sent out Wednesday, 26 February, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner unveiled plans to assist the faltering small business sector should the LNP administration be re-elected this March.
Under this administration, Brisbane would see the following investments in small business:
- Slash payment terms for small businesses supplying council to seven days to improve cash flow
- Scrap local event permit fees
- Expand 133BNE business hotline with investment of $6.6 million to include real-time web chat service between Contact Centre consultants and customers.
“It has been a tough time for Brisbane so a cut in payment terms from 30 days to seven will help get money into the pockets of local small businesses faster,” Cr Schrinner said.
“There are more than 124,000 small businesses in our city; they are the backbone of our economy. Our local procurement policy has led to more than $500 million being spent across 3000 businesses in South East Queensland over the past six months, with more than 2000 of those businesses from Brisbane.
“These savings are on top of the $2 million in small business fees and tax cuts and initiatives I announced last year. They drive our economy and we will continue to expand and improve services to business if we are re-elected for another term,” Cr Schrinner said.
The popular 133BNE business hotline will also be expanded to include a webchat feature, which gives small business operators another option when it comes to accessing council support. The service, established by the LNP administration, provides one-on-one access to consultants 24/7.
“We get thousands of calls every year to the business hotline, with small businesses seeking advice and guidance on a range of issues, including food business licences, starting a business and advertising sign applications,” Cr Schrinner said.
“If you are a small business, it’s not always possible to get on the phone to talk with a consultant when you have customers coming in ad hoc, so this is providing another option for customers to contact council, anytime, anywhere on any device,” Cr Schrinner said.
Cr Schrinner will also waive permit fees for events and festivals in suburban shopping areas to encourage more people to buy local. This would save residents and organisations as estimated $1.2 million over four years.
“Suburban shopping areas are competing against the bigger retailers and online shopping; this will encourage local chambers of commerce and community groups to stage festivals and events that draw foot traffic to these precincts,” Cr Schrinner said.
“We have already invested $9 million this financial year in a Village Precincts program across Brisbane which is beautifying and upgrading 14 shopping strips. We now want to draw even more people to these areas with drawcard events, but the cost of staging them can be prohibitive so we will waive any associated council fees for events under 10,000 people.
“Street festivals are a great way to get people out in the suburbs spending money on local products and services,” Cr Schrinner said.