SMALL Businesses were in the spotlight at the Queensland Small Business Friendly Program’s annual conference and inaugural awards ceremony involving 49 councils from throughout the State.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Lance McCallum officially opened the conference and presented the awards to the Member of the Year – City of Moreton Bay; Regional Member of the Year – Balonne Shire Council; and Innovator of the Year – Ipswich City Council.
“Small businesses are vital to Queensland’s economic wellbeing, contributing more than $117 billion each year and providing employment for over one million Queenslanders,” Mr McCallum said.
“The inaugural Small Business Friendly Awards are another important initiative to recognise the role that local councils play in supporting their local business communities.”
Ipswich City Council won the award for Innovator of the Year after embarking on an innovative placemaking program to foster a shared vision for Ipswich Central, the vibrant cultural hub and beating heart of the Ipswich community.
As part of the Ipswich Central Revitalisation project, a 12-month Street Patio trial was initiated across four locations in Ipswich Central for three months, with the primary aim to bolster small businesses and stimulate foot traffic.
“As Queensland’s first small business friendly council, Ipswich City Council continues to explore new and innovative solutions to support our more than 12,000 small businesses,” Mayor Teresa Harding said.
“Council has worked in partnership with our small businesses to introduce new initiatives that encourage residents and visitors to shop, stay and spend in Ipswich. This includes our Queensland-first street patio program.
“Small businesses are a big deal for our city, and we are delighted to see Council recognised as the Innovator of the Year for our ongoing efforts to support and advance local businesses in Ipswich.”
Queensland small business commissioner Dominique Lamb said: “Queensland small businesses are the heart and soul of our communities from our remote towns to our metropolitan cities.
“As a community we cannot survive without small businesses, and they can’t thrive without vibrant communities.”
