Small Business Friendly Council

Small businesses are at the heart of liveable communities, creating local jobs, growing the local economy and providing essential goods and services. 

Being a Small Business Friendly (SBF) Council ensures that small businesses are provided the opportunity to thrive and are supported by their Local Government through a consistent framework and approach across Queensland.

In August 2024, Council officially joined as a proud member of the Queensland Small Business Commissioner’s Small Business Friendly Program (SBF program). The then Queensland Small Business Commissioner Dominique Lamb joined Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett and Chief Executive Officer Leisa Dowling to celebrate the milestone signing, and to introduce the program to local businesses. View Media Release

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In continuing to take a planned approach to deliver the most value for both Council and small businesses, Council has since developed an accelerator action plan based on key focus areas identified by our small business community through survey feedback and face to face conversations. The plan outlines a clear path for delivering meaningful impact for our local small businesses as part of the program’s first phase.

The SBF Program was established to create practical improvements in the way Queensland councils interact with and support the small businesses in their area. Learn more about the program by visiting the Small Business Friendly website.  

For information and to stay updated, please reach out to our Economic Development Team. 

The Small Business Friendly Commitment  

Uplifting the capability of small businesses

  • Council collaborates with organisations such as the Gladstone Chamber of Commerce and Industry, industry groups, government agencies and investors to facilitate networking, knowledge sharing, partnerships, and professional development opportunities that strengthen business capability.

 

Fostering ecosystems that help small businesses thrive

  • Through the Economic Development Strategy, Council works to strengthen and diversify the regional economy, creating broader opportunities for small businesses across sectors such as tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, professional services, and emerging industries.

 

Promoting small businesses and vibrant economies

  • Councils Community Directory is a free database for small business, community groups and organisations to promote their services.   

  • Council actively promotes the Gladstone Region as an attractive destination for investment across key sectors including manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, logistics, renewable energy, and emerging industries. This investment creates opportunities for local businesses to expand, innovate, and participate in new supply chains. 

Enabling small business development and success

  • Through the Gladstone Region Economic Transition Roadmap, Council is helping businesses build capability and adapt to emerging opportunities in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and new industries.  

 

Working together for small business

  • Council actively advocates to state and federal governments for infrastructure, funding, policy support, and investment that create favourable conditions for local businesses to grow and compete. 

  • Council's Procurement Policy explicitly recognises the importance of supporting local businesses and the Gladstone economy. By helping local suppliers engage with Council procurement, the guide contributes to keeping expenditure within the region and supporting local jobs and economic activity. 

Small Business Resources

 

 

 

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