Print Icon
 
Header

Welcome...

Knowing your purpose is arguably the most important factor in the modern day, self-help era and the ‘search for happiness’ 😊. Likewise, in your business, knowing why you turn up day after day – and sometimes night after night – sustains you when challenges arise, and things just don’t go to plan. My purpose, and I’m pretty convinced my Economic Development colleagues share this, is to first understand what it takes to create wealth, jobs and opportunities and then to passionately advocate for all that is required to create those conditions and environment. The value of a job or wealth created from operating a business, can have a profound effect on an individual and families. Put another way, the negative impact of unemployment is substantial, and can destroy many dreams and aspirations. Working together, across council and community, we can all contribute to ensuring every resident can find their purpose through employment and wealth creation.

In this spirit of working together, I’d like to invite you to please take part in a recent survey we’ve launched. We are keen for you – the Noosa business community – to tell us more about your business and current challenges. We promise it’ll only take you two-minutes! I hope you find this second edition of our new e-newsletter informative, and if you’re interested in getting to know the Economic Development Team better, we have added some individual profiles to our website. 


All the best, 

Anthony Dow

Manager, Economic Development

Anthony Dow
   


Share the 'Noosa:  Good for Business' good news, 

subscribe and win! 


By being a subscriber to our Noosa: Good For Business e-newsletter, you’re automatically entered into the competition to win a $500 Office Works Voucher, drawn on November 1, 2019. If you’re finding this information handy, why not pass it on to others you think would benefit from having a quarterly update from the Economic Development team and ask them to subscribe too? Every subscription goes into the draw for a chance to win a $500 voucher from Officeworks. Click "Share this link' to copy the link and share. 

   

Make the most of FREE online tools.

Looking to set up or grow a business?  We've saved you some leg work and picked three online business tools to help you get going and growing.  

Best of all, they're FREE! 

Top Tips 1

Visit the Australian Governments step by step online business guide. 


Visit the Australian Government’s step by step online guide to setting up your business. As the old saying goes, “Businesses don’t plan to fail, sometimes they just fail to plan.”  


Top Tips 2

Download the First Business App from ASIC! 

This free software helps you work towards starting your own business. The app includes a business health check, a starting your business checklist and case studies that provide examples of how to avoid things going wrong.
Top Tips 3

Make the most of Business Apps


There's an app for all aspects of running a business these days. From marketing to accounting, you can streamline running your business and make life easier. And most of them are available on line for free, or for a small monthly subscription.  To help you navigate the endless sea of business apps, we've found this handy list of the top apps for small business. 

   
   

Q+A with Craig Masterton of Heads of Noosa...

1. Tell us about Heads of Noosa … when did you open and how is it going?

We opened earlier this year around the end of January, the local uptake has been great and that's keeping us extremely busy! Proudly so, we've just been voted "Best Craft Beer on the Sunshine Coast" by a 92.7 Mix FM survey, so we must be doing something right.


2. Where did the idea for your business come from? 

Almost 10 years ago when we were still in Brisbane, we started to see new & exciting beers come onto the scene by smaller, independent brewers. We were hooked! The drinkers now had choice and we thought we saw a space in the market where we could brew some beers that we liked drinking, so here we are.


3. Why is Noosa a good place to do business? 

There is a strong sense of community here that is supportive, and the natural beauty is astounding - who wouldn't want to do business here?

Craig

 4. How have you found the level of support available to local businesses, especially new businesses like yours? 
Community support is the best and most prevalent support a business could ask for, and it's been great. 

5. What makes the brewing industry exciting right now?
It's really exciting to see the whole independent market picking up their game regarding quality. The Sunshine Coast scene is really doing well as a whole.
   

Awards Finalists Announced... 


On behalf of Noosa Council's Economic Development Team, we extend a hearty congratulations to all businesses who have been named as finalists in the 2019  Sunshine Coast Business Awards.  An extra special shout out to our local Noosa businesses and events who have been announced as  Finalists - All winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner on November 9.  
Category: Accommodation 
  Anchor Motel Noosa
RACV Noosa Resort 
Rosecliffe Boutique Farm Cottages
   Category: Professional Services 
Reed & Co Estate Agents   
Wythes Real Estate
 Category: Retail Trades & Services Laguna Pest Contro
Category: Manufacturing 

Category:  Health & Wellness 
Category: Festivals and Events
Australian Body Art Festival
NOOSA Alive!
Noosa Food & Wine

Category: Education 
CQU University 
Spending Planners Institute 
Category: Tours & Transfers 
Chinese Connections
iExpedition

Category: Hospitality 
Noosa Beach House 
Ice Cream Curls 

Category:  Creative Industries 
In Noosa Magazine  
   

Peregian Digital Hub Turns 1...


The Peregian Digital Hub recently celebrated its first birthday. The Hub has become a centre point for the development of Noosa’s digital sector and has delivered an ambitious suite of programs, events and activities to support Noosa’s digital entrepreneurs.

See below an inspiring video highlight reel of the year that was – featuring the people and businesses who now call the Hub home.
   

NBN update 


Over 90% of Noosa Shire is now able to connect to the NBN via the different technologies - fixed, wireless and satellite. 


High speed broadband is important for supporting future economic growth.  For businesses, it helps grow productivity and business performance.  Fast internet can improve  business processes and help with customer relationship.  Learn more here about how some businesses maximise the opportunities that the NBN access network have created. 


To optimise your NBN connection for your home or business, check out the video and handy hints here

   
   
   

Local business events to boost your skills and networks.  For more information, visit our Events page.

 

September 30

BA5 Networking Night - Noosaville Business Association


October 1

Sunset drinks with Noosa Chamber of Commerce


October 3

Artificially Creative - featuring a world class Artificial Intelligence line-up  at the Peregian Digital Hub.  For details on this and other 'digital tribe' events, visit the Hub's calendar


October 5 & 19 

Build an Amazing Website with WordPress - Free workshop at Noosa and Cooroy Libraries 

  

October 9 

Starting a Small Business & Introduction to Business Records - Australian Taxation Office


October 16

Illuminate with Leigh Kelson - Innovate Noosa 

 

October 17 

Beers & Banter at Heads of Noosa - Food and Agribusiness Network 


October 17

Small Business Safety Management Workshop - Workplace Health & Safety   


October 23 

Employer Essentials for Small Business - Australian Taxation Office 


October 25 

Agvention - showcasing innovation, invention and ideas for those interested in food production, agri innovation and the future of farming 


November 21

Business Mentors Noosa Networking and Pitch Event 


Impact Innovation deliver a number of recorded business webinars for Advance Queensland which you can view at any time at their You Tube Channel


Keep up to date with local and state wide events at the Business Queensland Events Calendar 

How well do you know Noosa...?


Did you know that Noosa is still a favourite for domestic visitors - making up 85% of total visitor nights. If you're considering a business in or related to the tourism sector, make sure you do your research to set up your business case.  There's lots of tourist information in economy.id - from numbers of days and international visitors, their duration of stay and how much they spend. 

   
   

Your update from Noosa's local Business Associations  


The businesses in Peregian Beach had a scary moment (we were all thinking of you), but you can’t keep a great community down and normal trading resumed quickly. Peregian Beach Business Association teamed up with the Peregian Family and Friends Group to fundraise for the Rural Fire Service. Congratulations to the community for raising over $26,000 to show their appreciation for working so hard to save their town. 


Is your business facing a new opportunity to grow and develop, or perhaps you need some direction, have operations queries or need a sounding board for a specific business challenge?  Business Mentors Noosa is a voluntary organisation that helps local businesses.  


Welcome to Melanie Anderson, Tourism Noosa's new CEO. 


For more, including info on how to stay across the fabulous initiatives of our associations, click on read more.    

   

Generation Innovation - Support our young entrepreneurs...

Generation Innovation is a world first program which connects budding entrepreneurs, aged 15 – 25yo, with the marketplace, uncovering the next generation of business gurus on the Coast. GI connects young people with mentoring, training and seed capital to make their business ideas possible. This year’s challenge has unearthed 11 teams with business concepts and are now looking for feedback. Take a moment to check out what these budding entrepreneurs’ business ideas and complete their survey for feedback. 

Keep an eye out for the following grants...


The Ignite Ideas Fund is now open and provides grants to support start-ups and small to medium Queensland businesses to commercialise innovative products, processes or service that have reached minimum viable product stage and have market potential. Expressions of Interest close October 14. 


Small Business Digital Grants opening soon - The next round of the Small Business Digital Grants opens on November 11. These grants provide up to $10,000 in matched funding to eligible businesses to enhance digital capabilities such as implementing specialised software, receiving online payments or creating a digital marketing strategy. 


Economic Development Grants Program is still taking applications. Check out the Guidelines to see if your project qualifies.


Noosa Funding Finder - don't forget you can discover more grants with Noosa Funding Finder.  Register to be kept informed of all grant opportunities via noosa.grantguru.com.au

   

Noosa Country Drive...

Noosa Country Drive  is an initiative of Tourism Noosa to increase awareness and visitation throughout the Noosa Hinterland. Noosa Country Drive is made up of passionate tourism industry professionals including tour companies, accommodation providers, retail operators, hospitality venues, natural attractions, agri businesses, artisans and many more. Tourism Noosa are seeking more hinterland businesses to join Noosa Country Drive – members can leverage Tourism Noosa’s marketing campaign and direct visitors directly to their business. Email Isa at Tourism Noosa for info.     

New Noosa Plan Changes... 


There have been several changes in response to community feedback to the New Noosa Plan.  Those impacting business include changes with  regard to the short stay accommodation.  Watch the Mayor's video explaining the changes.  


Other changes relate to the Centres and industrial Zones, explained on the Fact Sheets.  The Plan strives to be a catalyst to further diversity the economy through its flexible approach to industrial areas in Noosa.  Consultation on these changes is now open until November 11 and can be lodged at Your Say. 

Want to recycle more and reduce waste charges? 


Thanks to new initiatives by Noosa Council’s waste and sustainability team it’s easier than ever. Local businesses can now order either a 240L or 360L bin collected fortnightly or a bulk 1100L garden waste bin, collected each Friday. Separating waste is worth it not only for the environmental benefits but can offer great financial savings for your business. Read more on how your business can save over $400 per year with this initiative.  

   

We'd love your feedback on what you would like to see in future newsletters. Please email us with your ideas for future editions 

Innovation

The Regional Innovation Benchmark Report provides a glimpse into the ways local business take to innovation & the  value this generates.    

Thinking of going solar in your business?  ZEN has collated 10 business case studies  which have invested and benefited from solar.    

               

You are receiving this email because you are on the Economic Development database.  You can unsubscribe from this email or change your email notifications.