Gladstone small businesses get a friendly boost from Miles Government

Gladstone Regional Council becomes Queensland’s 50th council to formally commit to backing local small business to thrive.

The Regional Council today signed the Miles Government’s Small Business Friendly Program Charter.
The Small Business Friendly Charter is a Queensland Small Business Commissioner initiative.

A Miles Government supported initiative will help Gladstone’s small businesses with a new friendly framework that aims to enhance the operating environment for small businesses and provide the opportunities they need to thrive.

Queensland Small Business Commissioner Dominique Lamb joined Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett to celebrate the milestone signing, and to introduce the program to local businesses.

Launched in 2020, the Small Business Friendly Program brings together the support of the Queensland Government and councils to help small businesses to thrive.

Being small business friendly means considering the impact of Council decisions on small operators including purchasing and payment practices, tenders, and Council policies.

Gladstone Regional Council joins a long list of Queensland councils who have already signed up to the Small Business Friendly Program.

Quotes attributable to Gladstone Regional Council (GRC) Mayor Matt Burnett:

“We know small businesses create local jobs, grow the local economy, and provide essential goods and services to our region. Just as importantly, small businesses help create liveable communities.”

“We have thousands of small businesses within our region ranging from retail and hospitality to manufacturing, tourism and transport, and Council aims to support their growth now and into the future.”

“By signing the Small Business Friendly Charter today, we are committed to continually working with our local small businesses in order to improve how we collectively do business.”

Quotes attributable to the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Dominique Lamb:

“Queensland small businesses are the heart and soul of our communities, from our remote towns to our metropolitan cities.”

“We welcome Gladstone Regional Council to the SBF family. By joining the SBF Program today, it demonstrates their commitment to working together to enhance the operating environment for small businesses.”

“We’re confident Gladstone Regional Council will learn a lot from the great work being done by other SBF Program members.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Gladstone, Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher:

“Gladstone is home to more than 3,800 small businesses who create good jobs for locals.

“From construction to ag, small businesses are the engine room of the local economy in the Gladstone region.

“It’s terrific to see Gladstone Regional Council become the 50th Queensland local government to join the Small Business Friendly Program, putting small businesses at the centre of local initiatives and decision-making.

“By being small business friendly, we’re backing local small businesses to thrive and invest in more jobs and services for Queenslanders.”

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

Visit Queensland Small Business Commissioner to learn more about the Queensland Small Business Commissioner’s Small Business Friendly Program.

Download this media release (PDF)