Business Matters Fraser Coast Magazine Issue 6

3rd July Chamber Breakfast

Guest Speaker Glen Winney, President, Fraser Coast Property Industry Association

Resolve disputes with a Settlement Agreement

By Chloe Boike, Workplace Relations Advisor

A Settlement Agreement is a legal document which is used to formalise an agreement between an employer and an employee who are involved in a dispute. Parties are within their right to seek legal advice before signing a Settlement Agreement to ensure it is fair and legal.

Benefits of a Settlement Agreement

A benefit of a Settlement Agreement is that it is often less stressful, quicker, and cheaper compared to resolving a dispute through court proceedings. Each party are provided the opportunity and freedom to express their view on the dispute and negotiate the terms in order for both parties to leave satisfied. This is compared to a court proceeding where the dispute will likely end in a win-lose scenario, leaving one party dissatisfied.

When a Settlement Agreement is done right, the document can release an employer and an employee from future dealings with each other without there being ‘bad blood’ between the parties. It may allow ex-employees to easily secure employment in the near future as the dispute is resolved amicably.

It is possible that when a Settlement Agreement is both negotiated and prepared well, it can protect an employer from unfair dismissal claims. This is because the purpose of the Settlement Agreement is for both parties to decide upon terms that both parties can reach agreement on. When an employee is able to express what concerns them with their employer and can be involved in reaching what is viewed as a fair settlement, the employee is far less likely to pursue further claims against the employer in the future. Terms in the Settlement Agreement would be included to prevent the employee from taking further legal action such as an unfair dismissal claim.

If the employee were to pursue legal action against the employer, where terms in the Settlement Agreement prevent this from occurring, those actions would likely not proceed with the relevant body. It would also be a breach of the agreement terms and the employer would be entitled to begin legal proceedings to recover damages sustained as a result of the breach.

When to use a Settlement Agreement

There are multiple situations where a Settlement Agreement might be the best way to resolve a dispute or a potential dispute. These may include:

• Employment ending due to redundancy

• Employment ending due through dismissal and

• An ex-employee disputing the reason for their employment ending after their employment has ended.

Whatever the reason is, when an employee is presented with a Settlement Agreement, it is important that they clearly understand the terms of the agreement and the effect those terms will have upon them once the agreement is signed.

If an employee is to be paid out as part of the Settlement Agreement, it is important to specify the exact amount the employee will receive from the employer (for example, state the exact monetary value rather than the number of weeks’ pay).

Recommended Provisions

The following are some recommended provisions for a Settlement Agreement:

• Payment: The employee will be paid a lump sum equalling to a certain amount to be received within a period. Upon receiving the payment, the employee will discontinue matters relating to the dispute.

• Release: Upon payment being received, the employee will give up their right to sue the employer or make a claim against them at the Fair Work Commission. This will not affect the employee’s right to make a claim for matters unrelated to the Settlement Agreement.

• Confidentiality: The employee will agree to maintain confidentiality of the employer’s private information to any third party. This provision cannot restrict the sharing or use of general information. Details of the settlement are also required to be kept confidential by the employee.

• Non-Derogation: This is where the parties agree to not bring each other into disrepute or denigrate each other.

A Settlement Agreement may also include a Statement of Service provision. A Statement of Service is a document provided to the departing employee which contains details about their employment with the company. This may be an extra benefit negotiated between the parties to part amicably. A letter of reference may also be negotiated to assist the employee with future employment.

Maryborough Mural Project Update

“With a sense of achievement and anticipation, we would like to advise the community that for personal reasons the co-founders of the Maryborough Mural Project are transferring its responsibility to the Maryborough City Progress Association”, advised Elizabeth Lowrie, one of the co-founders of the project. “The transfer will take place on 29 April 2024.”

“We have always seen the project as “community owned” because its very existence and success are due to significant and in-kind support it has received from the people of Maryborough and particularly its many businesses”, said Deborah Hannam. “We think it is only fitting that the project be handed to an association that will have the best interests of the project and the community at heart and who can breathe “new life” into the project.

“The Maryborough City Progress Association is excited to acquire the Maryborough Mural Project and we look forward to seeing this project continue to grow and attract new visitors to the region,” says Maryborough City Progress Association (MCPAI) President, Peter Boulton. Secretary, Jenelle Harrington adds “We would love to hear from passionate members of the community who would like to get involved with MCPAI in growing and nurturing this project into the future.”

The Maryborough Mural Project Trail consisting of 39 murals and installations in the Maryborough CBD was established in 2014 and is a draw card for many visitors to Maryborough. It has great reviews on Tripadvisor and other tourist websites and has won three silvers and a bronze in the Australian Street Art Awards.

For more information maryboroughmuralproject.org

High interest rates squeezing farm finances

Compared with two years ago, interest rates are 2.4 times higher for Southern Queensland’s primary producers. For every $1 million borrowed, that’s about $3,000 a month extra in interest payments, or $36,000 a year hit to your botom line.

How is your farm business managing the higher interest costs?

Fair Work Commission Wage Increase Decision

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down its decision for the Annual Wage Review 2023-24 (AWR).

The AWR decision of the FWC’s panel provides both the National Minimum Wage, which applies to award free positions, and Modern Award rates will increase.

The Annual Wage increase is:

• Modern Awards:

◊ 3.75% increase to all modern award wage rates; and

• National Minimum Wage:

◊ 3.75% increase.

The increases commence from the first full pay period after 1 July 2024.

There will also be a review of industries to address what the Fair Work Commission has identified as industries with gender undervaluation.

Explore your financial optons with the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) Southern Qiueensland.

Get free and confidential planning support to help you stay in control of your farm business finances.

For more information visit the RFCS Southern Queensland website www.rfcssq.or.au/options

Once we have more information, we will let you know.

What does this mean for Chamber members.

Employers with employees covered by a Modern Award will need to increase employee pay rates accordingly from the first full pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2024.

Employers who have an Enterprise Agreement in place will need to ensure the base rates of pay in their Agreement do not fall below the base rates of pay in the equivalent Modern Award as a result of the increase.

FY25 Budget | Analysis for Queensland Businesses

The 2024–25 Queensland Budget delivered a strong cost of living focus, with a record $11.218 billion in concessions to households. Significant investment has also been made in infrastructure through the Big Build with over $107.262 billion worth of infrastructure investment over the next four years to meet the needs of a growing population.

The State Budget provided for some measures to support businesses, and these are welcomed. However, for Queensland businesses, this year’s State Budget was a missed opportunity to provide genuine and direct relief to Queensland businesses who are struggling with day-today operating challenges, and it did not lay the foundations for long-term business confidence.

The State Budget provided some measures for businesses - energy rebates of $650, a temporary freeze on government fees and charges and registration discounts on some vehicles – and these measures are all welcomed.

Summary

Businesses wanted to see a business-friendly State Budget. We advocated for funding to support a broad range of initiatives to foster an environment that gives every business, in every industry, across every part of the state, the confidence they need to invest in the future and thrive.

This State Budget falls short. We will continue to proactively advocate on behalf of the Queensland business community to relieve the current day-to-day pressures of doing business, while driving long-term systemic reform.

There is enormous opportunity ahead in our state, particularly as we look towards 2032 and beyond. It is our objective to ensure that every Queensland business has the right business environment to be able to thrive.

Article is sourced from Business Chamber Queensland you can view the full article online here

State Budget offers little confidence for Queensland business

By: Emma Clarke, Workplace Relations Advisor, Business Chamber Qld.

The State Budget does not deliver genuine, direct relief to the state’s business community and fails to lay the foundations for long-term business confidence.

The state’s peak business body is warning short-term cost of living measures do little to give businesses future economic confidence or measures to address declining productivity and profitability.

Business Chamber Queensland CEO Heidi Cooper says short-term measures like energy rebates and registration discounts are welcomed but don’t meet expectations for long-term, systematic relief from business cost and economic pressures.

“Business confidence is weak, conditions are tough, productivity and profitability are declining and this budget doesn’t address those challenges,” Ms Cooper said.

“We know there are cost of living pressures in the community and those same cost pressures are being felt by businesses. We didn’t see substantial investments to help businesses manage day-to-day pressures, or plan for longterm investment.

“Many businesses are struggling to survive, let alone thrive and this budget is a missed opportunity for the State Government to offer businesses significant relief or confidence for the future of their operations.”

At the top of the priority list, businesses needed budget investments to create a business-friendly state, from operating cost relief to reducing regulatory burden and relieving workforce constraints.

“Queensland businesses are telling us they are desperate

for genuine relief – relief from record high costs, an ongoing tight labour market, a restrictive employment landscape and a tough regulatory environment, all compounding to put pressure on productivity and confidence,” Ms Cooper said.

Ms Cooper said a freeze on government fees and charges was welcome but there was still work to do to provide any substantial regulatory relief to business.

“We know the financial and time cost for businesses to comply with inefficient government regulation has doubled in the past two years so its important regulatory costs have been acknowledged. But it’s a temporary measure and a commitment not to increase these regulatory costs for the next year doesn’t reduce the impact businesses are already under and will continue to experience,” Ms Cooper said.

“We also welcome a significant investment in infrastructure right across the state. In particular, transport infrastructure will enable commerce to occur more efficiently with better connectivity.

“We’re a big state so transport infrastructure is critical – it is a business enabler.

“But when we’re considering procurement strategies for the Big Build we need to ensure businesses are front and centre of these opportunities, to ensure businesses of all sizes and in all regions can be a part of this increased infrastructure spend.

“We want to see a thriving economy that gives the state’s business owners the confidence to grow and invest.

“This budget does not give Queensland businesses the confidence they need.”

Join us for the Chamber Breakfast on July 3rd with Guest Speaker Glen Winney, President of FCPIA.

Join Glen Winney, President of the Fraser Coast Property Industry Association, for an insightful discussion on Hervey Bay’s future.

Key Discussion Points:

Unprecedented Growth: How the property market has surged in volume and value post-COVID.

Population Boom: Understanding the population increase and its implications.

Infrastructure Challenges: The disconnect between pre-COVID planning and current needs.

Youth Attraction: Strategies to reverse the aging population trend and attract young talent back to Hervey Bay.

Future Vision: Planning for sustainable growth over the next 20 to 50 years.

Member Price $25.00

Non-Member Price $50.00

Wednesday 3rd July| 6.15 am – 8.00 am The Club House Hervey Bay

Registrations are to be completed online before 5 pm, Monday 1st July

PLEASE NOTE: NO DOOR SALES

You can book your tickets now. Limited seats are available and ticketing will close when full.

Free microcredential: Fraser Coast Workforce Planning for Business Course

UniSC Fraser Coast campus will be delivering the Workforce Planning for Business Course from Thursday 15 August 2024.

This free, seven-week course is designed for Queensland business owners, managers, directors, as well as People and Culture/Human Resources specialists and business support professionals seeking to

build effective workforce plans for their organisation or department.

Learn on-campus, online or self-paced. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and shape the future of your workforce.

Cistern Chapel Surprising Success

By Nancy Bates, vice-president of Mary Inc.

Almost 200,000 visitors have come from as far as Siberia to Mexico, Venezuela to Vietnam and Ukraine to Iceland as images of Maryborough’s Cistern Chapel have flashed around the world in mainstream and social media since May 2022.

The community-led transformation of the dowdy public toilets on the side of the picturesque City Hall had one specific aim: to draw people off the Bruce Highway, show them the dozens of quirky attractions in the city and highlight the wider appeal of the Fraser Coast.

Thousands of international visitors, smiling at the immersive experience of murals, music, chandeliers and the opulent “gold throne”, have surpassed expectations, hailing the toilets as like nothing they have seen in the world. Valentina Lizana from Chile put her hand over her heart, closed her eyes, took a deep breath and announced: “Oh my God. The toilets are just amazing. Amazing.”

That is adding an extra dimension to Hervey Bay’s tourism package. Apart from the international tourists, we are attracting thousands of domestic visitors a month.

Daily the volunteer “Flusher Ushers” (numbering almost 100) hear people from around Australia saying they had driven past, around and through Maryborough without any idea it held so many charms for visitors. Many are

from other states; increasing numbers are day trippers from the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and northern areas.

Almost all leave with a smile on their faces; the majority are curious about what else the Fraser Coast has to offer and many say they will be back. That is good news for the accommodation sector in Hervey Bay as Maryborough pretty much has few beds to spare in quality motels.

A sizeable segment of day visitors to the Cistern Chapel comes from Hervey Bay. Some are Bay residents who also remark “been past, through, around many times and never knew all this was here”. Others are Bay tourists popping up to see what the fuss is about in the historic port city.

Their reaction is invariably enthusiastic. It has been rewarding and mutually beneficial to see Bay tourism operators increasingly encouraging tourists to include a day trip to Maryborough in their Hervey Bay experience. Tour operators on K’Gari (Fraser Island) often advise tourists to call in to Maryborough on their way back south to visit the Cistern Chapel.

That adds a fillip to the island trip but more importantly makes tourists aware that there is much more to see on the Fraser Coast than can be savoured by squashing a trip to the island or whale watching into one or two nights in the Bay. Most leave with regrets they did not book in longer or with vows to return and explore more.

Mary Inc. is a community-based organisation primarily focused on revitalising Maryborough’s heart as a charming place to explore, relax and enjoy inner city living. One of our aims is to create synergies with stronger relationships with Hervey Bay tourism operators and residents.

Day trips to Maryborough from around south-east Queensland are becoming increasingly popular. They offer an avenue to increase bed nights in Hervey Bay by expanding the tourist package of seaside activities to include the heritage river city.

To find our more click here

“Amazing,” said Max Masanke from Germany, using the most common word heard from visitors in the Cistern Chapel. He and his French girlfriend Marion Pons, in Australia on a working holiday, said they had never come across anything like Maryborough’s public toilets anywhere during their travels around the world.

Queensland Small Business Commissioner Update

I hope everyone had a great Queensland Small Business Month! We had an exhilarating start to May, travelling to Charters Towers, Townsville, Ayr, and Home Hill—connecting with businesses from a variety of sectors including motor traders, cleaning, retail, manufacturing, education, and hospitality.

Our travels did not stop there. Throughout the month we also visited Mackay, The Whitsundays, Bowen, Brisbane, Redlands, Beaudesert, Bribie Island, Pine Rivers, Mareeba, Herberton, Ravenshoe, Atherton and Cairns. Everywhere we went, we were welcomed warmly and enjoyed many frank and fearless conversations about the challenges being faced and the support that is needed.

Some of the common challenges included the rising costs of electricity and insurance. To help address these concerns, we’ve joined the Insurance Council of Australia’s Business Advisory Committee, and we are also working closely with the Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland to ensure that small business concerns are heard.

At the Queensland Small Business Commissioner (QSBC), we believe feedback is the breakfast of champions, and we are often humbled when a small business owner takes the time to show us what they have built, their pride and joy, but also to share how vulnerable they feel when times are tough!

Thanks to this candid feedback we have successfully advocated for the reversal of some unfair fees charged by big businesses. We have also connected many small businesses with the Small Business Financial Counsellors and Wellness Coaches, to get specialised support alongside our dispute resolution service.

Last week, we were thrilled to see so many chambers of commerce and councils at our 4th Annual Small Business Friendly Conference in Cairns. It was heartening to see such an engaged group of individuals, all working hard to improve outcomes for small businesses, and fantastic to see everyone sharing their journeys, ideas, and achievements for being more small business friendly. It was an inspiring way to round out Queensland Small Business Month!

Photo caption: Dominique Lamb chatting with Elle, Maker and Owner of Elle’s Balcony Garden at the 2024 Meet the Makers Markets.

A first for small business network

This month we launched our Understanding the life cycle and mindset of Queensland small businesses report. We engaged Central Queensland University to undertake a comprehensive review of existing business research and conduct new research with Queensland small businesses, to better understand the life cycle and mindset of small businesses. This research was the first of its kind!

The findings will help aid government and industry in tailoring policy interventions and support services to better meet the needs of small businesses. For small businesses, the findings can help with strategic decision-making and provide insights into areas to monitor and develop.

Access the full report or snapshot here.

Getting Ready for Tax Time

EOFY is fast approaching. With many business obligations due, early preparation and planning are key to reducing stress and helping you get organised to work smarter in the new financial year.

Here are nine simple steps you can follow to prepare:

1. Check what tasks you need to complete.

2. Find out which tax deductions and concessions you can claim.

3. Make sure your tax agent is registered.

4. Keep up to date with tax changes.

5. Review your finances.

6. Be wary of tax refund scams.

7. Review your business and marketing plans.

8. Review your business structure.

9. Check your insurance.

For help with tax:

Do the ATO short course

In claiming small business tax deductions

Three Top Tips to Avoid Disputes

Helping people resolve disputes is our bread and butter at the QSBC. Whether it is a tenancy issue, business disagreement, or bond and make-good provisions—we are here to help. Our team can help the parties to ‘talk it out’ to improve understanding of the situation and find a shared solution.

Our top three tips for avoiding disputes:

• The way that you approach an issue has a significant impact on the outcome.

• Conflict is inevitable and is going to happen in business, but combat is optional.

• Communicating clearly and talking through issues as they arise is good business (don’t turn issues into disputes by avoiding them or fighting about it).

You can download our easy to read fact sheets which cover the most common dispute topics faced by small businesses. We are constantly adding to this list, but if you can’t find one that assists you, contact us for further help.

Holding Big Business to Account on Payment Times

Timely payments are crucial for small business cashflow, productivity and solvency. We recently contributed to a review of the Payment Times Reporting Scheme, which aims to improve the payment terms, times, and practices of large businesses towards their small business suppliers.

Some of our recommendations from the first round of consultation have been accepted by the Australian Government including: improving the reporting register to make it more accessible and transparent; increasing the uptake of e-invoicing; and putting more pressure on big businesses to improve their practices.

These changes will be implemented over the coming years, and we look forward to continuing to provide feedback on this scheme and other mechanisms to improve payment times for small businesses.

QTMP – Local Industry Briefing

The Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP) is gaining traction with an extensive range of work packages now available.

Work package details can be viewed at QTMP supplier opportunities (downergroup.com).

This Local Industry Briefing will be hosted by Downer and John Holland and discuss the tendering process, upcoming work packages available and how to get involved in the project.

Please see the information on the previous page to register for this event.

In addition, to this Local Industry Briefing, you may wish to consider the following events to support our local businesses:

Queensland Train Manufacturing Program

Torbanlea works notice: June 2024

Construction works for the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP) Torbanlea train manufacturing facility will continue throughout June.

Works will involve:

• Ongoing installation of site drainage, sediment controls and haul roads.

• Continuing bulk earthworks, ground improvement works and removal of excess fill materials from site.

• Ongoing works on the Bruce Highway site access, which is scheduled to open mid-2024.

• Completing works on the new site compound, including connecting the site to underground utilities.

• Commencing structural works, detailed excavation and pad footings.

• Installing internal hard stand and lay down areas.

• Delivering oversized equipment to site at night via Ritchie Road.

These works are weather permitting.

Work hours

Our standard work hours are Monday to Saturday between 6.30am to 6.30pm. Office staff and ecologists may be required to access the site on Sundays. Workers will enter site via Ritchie Road. There will be minimal noise impacts associated with these activities.

We are seeking approval to undertake construction works on Sundays under a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) amendment process. We are working through any potential impacts and are committed to managing impacts on the local community. Once ap-

Downer/SupplyNation supplier training for Indigenous Businesses on July 3: Downer Group - QTMP Procurement & Tendering Training Workshop #3 (Supported by Supply Nation’s Drive Program) - ONLINE | Humanitix

Optimise your SupplyTMR profile and EOI Responses webinar on July 25: Optimise your SupplyTMR Profile and EOI Responses Webinar Tickets, Thu 25/07/2024 at 11:00 am | Eventbrite

For further information on the QTMP, please contact Darryl Conroy:

Email: darryl.conroy@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au

Mobile :0472 837 211

proved, we will provide advanced notice prior to Sunday works commencing.

What to expect

Light and heavy vehicles will continue to enter and exit site via Ritchie Road, until works are completed on The Bruce Highway access. Light vehicles will use the Ritchie Road access for the duration of the project.

Oversized equipment will be delivered to the site outside of peak times to minimise traffic impacts. These deliveries will be scheduled between 1am and 5am.

During the work, you may experience construction noise, moderate levels of vibration and dust. We are committed to minimising these impacts where possible.

The train manufacturing facility site is monitored by security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Pop-up information sessions

The QTMP Project Information Centre is now open at 229 Adelaide Street, Maryborough. Opening hours are Monday through Friday from 10am – 2pm and the first Saturday of the month from 9am – 12pm.

As the Project Information Centre is now open – pop-up community information sessions will now be held fortnightly at various locations:

Sunday 30 June between 9am – 3pm at the Mary Poppins Festival, Portside Precinct, Maryborough.

Stay up to date and find out more online at www.tmr.qld.gov.au/trainmanufacturing

Drum roll please….Submissions for 2024 Fraser Coast’s Business and Tourism Awards now open!

Submissions open now open (June 18) for the 12th Fraser Coast Business and Tourism Awards – the annual gala event enabling enterprises across the region to showcase their excellence and achievements of the past 12 months.

The awards are in 23 categories pitting like businesses and tourism companies against their peers to be recognised as the most successful on the Fraser Coast. There are opportunities for all business types, large or small, including those just starting out, for young achievers, innovators and specialists in customer service delivery.

A panel of independent judges (three per category) spend several weeks assessing the more than 150 entries received each year, with winners announced at a gala dinner and presentation ceremony at the Brolga Theatre on Friday, November 8.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this prestigious event! The annual Fraser Coast Business and Tourism Awards are delivered by Fraser Coast Tourism & Events, in partnership with the region’s chamber of commerce in Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Tiaro.

KEY DATES:

Submissions Open: Tuesday June 18 at 12pm

Submissions Close: Friday August 9 at 12pm

Tickets On Sale: Tuesday October 8 at 12pm

Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony (Brolga Theatre & Convention Centre): Friday November 8 from 6pm

Apply by visiting: https://businessandtourismawards.com.au/

Desktop Computer Donations

Opens: 10 July 2023

Closes: 10 July 2024

Will close early if fully expended.

Individual Excellence and Development Grants - Sport and STEAM Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics

Opens: 10 July 2023

Closes: 30 June 2024

Will close early if fully expended.

Total Pool $5,000

Grant amounts $150 to $350

Regional Arts Development Fund

Opened: 11 October 2023

Closes: 12 August 2024

$50,000

Grant limits vary depending on funding category

Community Grants Program

RACQ Foundation Community Grants Program was established to help Queensland communities impacted by natural disasters. In keeping with this objective, we’ve created a new grant category for resilience-based projects. This new category will help Queensland communities build resilience for the future.

With this new category we continue to focus on supporting Communities and grass roots organisations. Eligible groups include sporting clubs, community groups, charities and councils. With up to $50,000 available to individual projects, RACQ Foundation encourages eligible organisations/councils to apply.

FY25 Round 1 – Open from Saturday, 24 February 2024 – Closes at 5pm on Friday, 4 October 2024. For more information click here

Female Founders Co-Investment Fund

Aimed at innovative female-founded businesses undertaking an early-stage capital raise with new investors.

The fund provides grants from $50,000 to $200,000 matched at a 1:3 ratio and best suited to female founders who understand the responsibilities and legal requirements of equity funding and is open until all funds have been allocated. Click here to find out more.

Grants for Small to Medium Manufacturers

Eligible Queensland-based small to medium manufacturers can apply for matched grant funding of between $5,000 and $25,000 to buy equipment or introduce processes that will reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Applications for the Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant Program close on 30 June 2024 or when funding is fully allocated.

Gambling Community Benefit Fund Round 121

The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) is Queensland’s largest one-off community grants program and distributes approximately $60 million each year to not-forprofit community groups. The GCBF funding helps these groups to provide services, leisure activities and opportunities for Queensland communities.

The GCBF will have 3 funding rounds in 2024:

1. Round 120—$35,000 standard grant round—closes 29 February

2. Round 121—$100,000 30th Anniversary super round— closes 30 April

3. Round 122—$35,000 standard grant round—closes 30 November.

To check eligibility requirements and understand your organisation’s responsibilities throughout all stages of the grant funding process visit the website.Contact the GCBF team on phone 1800 633 619 if you need help.

A Bold Vision for Hervey Bay with Simon Kuestenmacher

Simon provided an energetic and thought-provoking discussion. He highlighted strategies for retaining young talent, attracting investment, and fostering a thriving community. As a community what can we do to achieve the changes discussed, it is essential that we work together. By joining forces and supporting each other, we can ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives.

While this event was open to the broader community, our organisation remains committed to advocating Simon Kuestenmacher’s message to the Fraser Coast

Regional Council, as well as to state and federal governments. FCPIA is your dedicated property voice for the Fraser Coast.

To view the slides presentation as a PDF click here

Charity of the Month

Hervey

Bay Disabilty Assistance Inc

Hervey Bay Disability Assistance Incorporated is a “not for profit charity” located in Urangan.

We have two locations:

Treasure Trove Op Shop at 88 Elizabeth Street and 82 Dayman Street.

This organisation has been operating for 30 plus years supporting the local community.

We receive no Government funding and operate solely with local volunteers.

We provide mobility scooters (1 per quarter) to approved Hervey Bay applicants.

We financially assist individual locals (with a disability) who have been chosen to represent our region in sporting or cultural events. This is an application process.

We also make monthly donations to the following organisations:

• Community Flights

• J & T Supporting Homeless

• Kids Comfort Zone

• Hervey Bay Riding for the Disabled

• Hervey Bay Special School

Up & Coming Events in 2024

Save the Dates

Business Hervey Bay Networking Drinks

Friday 21st June, 2024 at Aquavue Beachfront Bar & Eatery 5:30pm - 7:30pm

3rd July Breakfast

Wednesday 3rd July 2024 at Club House Hervey Bay 6:15am - 8:00am

Expresso Networking

Friday, 5th July 2024 at Pier Village Cafe 7am - 8am Book your ticket

Our Events Gallery - 27th May Breakfast

Thank you to our Business Sponsor Urangan State High School

Chamber Chat with Rebecca Greenshields

We sat down with Rebecca to ask her some questions to get to know her better?

How long have you been on the Chamber Committee?

About 9 months now

What do you like about being involved with the Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce?

Having discussions and creating meaningful change, with people who genuinely care about, and want to support, the business community. The Chamber events (breakfast, expresso networking and BHB drinks) are wonderful platforms for networking and ideas exchange.

What is your favourite thing about the Fraser Coast?

We are the marine mecca of South East Queensland and there is so much on offer on the water, year round. With the Humpback Whales and K’gari Fraser Island, we have two incredible bucket list experiences in our backyard. Also, throw in access to the SGBR, we are truly in an idyllic location!

What do you like doing in your spare time?

What spare time!? Ha ha! Time with family and friends (especially when it involves music or anything in the arts), walking our beautiful beaches and upcycling furniture.

What is your favourite motto?

Give it a go, but know when to say ‘no’ (I’m not sure this is an actual motto, but it is something I live by).

Where is your favourite place you have travelled?

Oooooh, that’s difficult as it depends on so many things. As an overall package though (people, food, wine, music, dance, language, scenery, safety and affordability) it would have to be Bariloche, Argentina.

If you were stranded on an island what three things would you have with you if you had a choice?

Water desalination jug/filter, knife and magnifying glass. If it wasn’t a case of survival though, I’d have my family, coffee and something to write with/on