DECEMBER: Mayor’s message to the business community
With Christmas around the corner, now is the time to reflect on the year that was and the road ahead for the Greater Springfield business community. 2020 saw tough trading conditions in our region, and the year’s challenges brought the resilience and generosity of our local job creators to the fore.
2020 Marquee Business Awards
It was fantastic to see the business community out in numbers on the 27th and 28th
of November, to celebrate your contribution to the region in 2020. Neil, Leila and the team at the Chamber did an amazing job of bringing us all together across two nights to accommodate evolving COVID restrictions.
Congratulations to the finalists in the council-supported Outstanding Small Business of the Year Award, APAR Hair Studio and Grosskopf Consultant, and to the winner Coffee Club Orion Springfield. Franchisee Neha Arora did so much to support our community in the recovery from the Halloween storm, between delivering essential food items, training staff in functions across the business, and providing 1,700 coffees, teas and soft-drinks to those in need.
Supporting the storm recovery
We are only days away from Christmas, and it is a difficult time for families who have had their lives turned upside down by the unprecedented hailstorm. Impacted families and businesses are now relying on ongoing support from their community, including the groceries, fresh food and drinks, hot meals, and other services provided, while insurance and tradespeople work to repair the damage. I have written to the Insurance Council of Australia and the Queensland Building and Construction Commissioner to thank them for industry assistance and highlight our community’s urgent needs during the ongoing and long road to recovery.
Your support for the impacted families has been invaluable during these challenging times. Thank you once again for demonstrating that we’re a compassionate and caring community.
Council is committed to supporting and advocating on behalf of the community. If your business was affected by the storm – particularly for home-based businesses – please reach out to our Local Business and Investment team on business@ipswich.qld.gov.au. Council’s Ipswich Hail Event page remains active and we welcome your feedback on any additional information required for the recovery.
The Waste and Circular Economy Transformation Directive
In 2018-19, eight privately owned and operated landfills located in Ipswich received approximately 4.23 million tonnes (42%) of all waste generated by Queenslanders, and our community received little to no benefit. In fact, many have suffered as a result of the proximity of waste operations to residential areas.
On 3 December, Ipswich City Council unanimously adopted the ground-breaking ‘Waste and Circular Economy Transformation Directive’ which, after two decades of un-coordinated action, provides a clear mandate to the organisation. The adoption of the policy directive will now ensure that Council prioritises and addresses the myriad of complex issues relating to the operation of waste, resource recovery and recycling in the city.
The Directive is underpinned by 10 guiding principles and a corresponding program of work that will inform our strategic and operational activities over the coming years.
The Waste and Circular Economy Transformation Directive intends to send five clear signals:
- To the community: your new Council have heard you loud and clear and we are taking action
- To waste operators: the game has changed and we’re raising the bar and we invite you on this journey
- To State and Commonwealth Governments: Ipswich is ready for a robust and mature dialogue on waste and the policy and regulatory reform and investment required
- To waste producers: we all need to rethink our responsibility and the role we play in resource recovery, recycling and creating a circular economy
- To our organisation, Ipswich City Council: there is now a clear mandate on waste;
We look forward to working with the community, industry and State Government in the years ahead to secure a brighter future for Ipswich on waste and the circular economy. Find out more about Council’s leadership on waste here.
Small Business Support in 2021
Council is committed to supporting local enterprise, and we welcome your feedback on making it easier to do business in Springfield. On 20 November, our Economic and Industry Development Committee passed a motion to streamline processes and reduce red tape for food trucks operating across the region. Our growing community expects a diverse food and beverage sector, and we are continuing to support both mobile and bricks and mortar establishments to provide local jobs. Further information on our latest initiative for small businesses can be found here.
You can look forward to more events and training programs in 2021, as Queensland’s first Small Business Friendly Council builds on our partnership with the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. If you have any questions or suggestions on Council support, please reach out to our Local Business and Investment Team at business@ipswich.qld.gov.au.
For now, Merry Christmas and happy holidays!