2021-12-13 GC Agenda - Item 9 - Attachment 1 - Draft Economic Development Strategy 2021-2030

5.6.4. Encouraging Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Noosa economy is dominated by small business. One of the aims of this strategy is to
provide support to those looking to establish, trade successfully or grow, through
connections to business ecosystems, business hub support programs and Council and
government assistance services.
The Queensland “Big Plans for Small Business” Strategy 2021 -2023 reported that small
businesses are confused by the multiple government websites and communications
channels and find it difficult to locate and understand what assistance is available. To assist
in this Council is developing the business pages of our web site to be a one stop shop for
information on the economy, information on state and federal government assistance
programs (including grants), capacity and skill development opportunities and connections to
local business associations and sector groups.

The level of assistance provided to small business by all levels of government has never
been greater. Therefore Noosa Council is investing in the development of communication
tools such as enewsletters, social media channels and dedicated business alerts to assist
business to be more informed and to build awareness of these programs. Additionally,
Council is building a bank of local business case studies to showcase the truly incredibly
businesses located in our region. Council is also revisiting promotional material with the
intention of creating a suite of communication pieces in targeted sectors and sub-sectors, to
profile and promote Noosa as a business location of choice.

Business associations such as CCIQ Noosa and precinct representative groups, Business
Mentors Noosa, Zero Emissions Noosa and Sunshine Coast Angels continue to be an
integral link between Council and the businesses community. Council will continue to support
and work closely with these and other key representative groups.

Council will continue to provide business support through initiatives such as the Professional
Service Providers Panel established to provide access to free advice to Noosa businesses to
assist them to overcome challenges, grow, adapt and thrive. Assistance is provided across a
number of important topics from digital transformation, human resources, ecommerce and
innovation to communications, marketing, accounting and business planning and strategy.

Council is working with the Queensland Small Business Commissioner’s office to explore the
opportunities and benefits of adopting the Queensland Small Business Friendly Charter.