There will be a “direct and robust” conversation between St George Business Chamber and Georges River Council following a signing of a Memorandum of Agreement by both organisations this morning.
The agreement covers the key responsibilities and obligations of the council and the chamber to each other over the next five years.
Georges River Council administrator John Rayner said the agreement commits to council to supply the chamber with $30,000 a year for the next five years and provide a dedicated office space at the Hurstville Civic Centre.
“This is to assist the chamber in developing programs and events that support the business community in the Georges River local government area,” Mr Rayner said.
The chamber will host at least eight events in each financial year, one which will be jointly hosted with the council that updates local businesses about the council’s plans and policies for the local area.
St George Business Chamber president Allan Zreik said said the chamber is looking forward to working with the council.
“This more direction communications with the council can only be a good thing for business,” Mr Zreik said.
“We will meeting once a month to hear the concerns and issues of local business and take them direct to the council.”
Details of the timetable of events is being finalised and will include workshops and a minimum of four education events , some in partnership with federal of state government authorities such as the Australian Tax Office, NSW Business Chamber or Business Enterprise Centre of Southern Sydney.
Georges River Council general manager Gail Connolly said one of the events will see the council host a “State of the Union” report card on the local government area at the end of each financial year profiling the health of the local economy and development, economic and business activity over the past financial year.
This will also include highlights of the next financial year.
Other events will include involvement in Back to Business Week (February 26 to March 4), a state government initiative to celebration local small and medium businesses.
The chamber will also host a networking event, PubBIZ with the BEC of Southern Sydney, an entrepreneur’s breakfast and information sessions for businesses.
As well as providing funding and office space, the council will public chamber news on the council website and newsletter.
Ms Connolly said the agreement provided a solid and satisfying partnership between the chamber and the council.
“As part of the agreement the council will provide council staff including its economic development officer, Craig Edmondson to be available at the chamber’s office to advise businesses on a range of issues, from how to fill out a Development Application from to organising an inspection of food premises.
“We are cutting out the middle man and providing direct, accurate advice from the council to businesses,” she said.
The council will also be able to provide information on grants that are available to local businesses.
“It will be a much more direct and robust conversation with the council and business than we have had in the past,” she said.
Mr Rayner said the St George Business Chamber will lead to a great number of benefits for members of the local area.
“The Chamber will lead to further economic growth and help encourage a healthy and thriving business sector that provides the community with potential employment opportunities for the Georges River area,” he said.