The Boonah District Chamber of Commerce will once again be producing a Businesses Directory this year.

Each listing will cost $100

5000 Directories will be printed and distributed via local businesses and the Boonah Visitor Information Centre.

The directory listing will be under appropriate business headings, and will include business name, address, phone and either website or face-book details.

Sponsorship deadline is 16^th November 2022

To register for the Boonah Business Directory, select payment method and complete the form:

Pay Online Via Credit Card

Wildlife for which the Scenic Rim is renowned will feature in a 44-metre long mural that will become one of the largest public artworks in the region, adding colour and vibrancy to the Boonah town centre.

Following community consultation, and on the recommendation of the Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group, Council at its Ordinary Meeting this week approved artist Ash Taylor’s concept for what will become a local landmark in Walter Street.

Inspired by the Scenic Rim’s Biodiversity Strategy (2015-2025), the mural features two of Queensland’s threatened species, the Spotted-Tailed Quoll and the Glossy Black Cockatoo, along with the bird’s sole source of food, the She-oak.

Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group Chair Cr Michael Enright said that feedback, provided through the Let’s Talk Scenic Rim online community engagement platform and public comment at the Boonah Library, showed strong support for Ash Taylor’s concept.

“This was one of three finalists – including Yannick Blattner’s concept featuring Rainbow Lorikeets frolicking in Eucalyptus foliage, and Colleen Lavender’s tribute to the horses which built our nation – selected from the 15 submissions received by Council and presented to the community for two weeks of public comment, which closed on 3 June 2022,” he said.

“These three finalists were considered by the Arts Reference Group, which assessed the outcomes of the community feedback, and the concepts based on their artistic merit, success in meeting the project brief, project management and viability and technical skill, with the result that Ash Taylor’s was the recommended design.”

In her proposal, Ash Taylor said her concept for the Boonah mural considered contemporary design principles to engage and intrigue the audience and share facets of the Scenic Rim’s identity.

The use of the common names of the species depicted in the artwork aims to encourage the residents and visitors to the region to discover more about the plants and wildlife featured in the mural.

“The design highlights the Glossy Black Cockatoo and its source of food, the She-oak, found throughout the region, and also brings attention to Spotted-Tailed Quolls as the incredible achievement of the community and Council combined confirmed their local existence after they were declared extinct,” Ms Taylor said.

The $25,000 mural project will be funded from the Scenic Rim Story Marker Project budget as part of the revitalisation of Boonah, with the artwork providing a landmark for the local community and a wayfinder for visitors to the Scenic Rim.

With a total length of 44 metres, the wall facing Walter Street represents a blank canvas that will be transformed as one of the largest public artworks in the Scenic Rim.

“On behalf of Council, and the nine community representatives who comprise the Arts Reference Group, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback which has contributed to the choice of this spectacular public artwork,” Cr Enright said.

The wondrous talent of the skilled pianist, Roman Rudnytsky will be playing at the Boonah Cultural Centre on Friday 26^th August at 7.30pm.

Scenic Rim Regional Council are keen for you to enjoy this event and want to offer this opportunity at a discounted rate of $5.00 (normally

Adults $34; Concessions $29)

Book on line at liveatthecentre.com.au and on the first screen on the spot that says using promo CODE type in Volunteer or call (07) 5540 5050 during office hours, or call in at the Scenic Rim centres.

What we do, what we buy, and how we use and dispose of things makes us all responsible for the environment. As long as climate change continues to affect our lives, there will be environmental regulation for businesses.

Many government and support programs are available to help you understand what these regulations mean for your business, as well as how your business can cope with climate change.

ecoBiz Queensland
ecoBiz is a free eco-efficiency program for Queensland businesses that can help cut costs associated with your energy, water and waste usage while also reducing your environmental impact. Access on-site coaching sessions to help save money and resources by putting sustainability initiatives into practice.

What is ecobiz?
ecoBiz is a free program for small to medium businesses, funded by the Queensland Government. With the help of an ecoBiz expert, you will be able to develop an action plan to help your businesses save money and increase efficiencies. With over 1000 businesses registered from all over Queensland, 90% of businesses recorded an increase in productivity and savings.

Who is ecoBiz for? 
Designed for a variety of businesses, instutitions and organisations, our ecoBiz coaches across all of Queensland are skilled in working across different industries and sectors to help maximise their savings.
Businesses of all sizes can benefit.

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Solar for small to medium business

The cost of installing solar photovoltaics has come down significantly in recent years and many Queensland businesses are already enjoying the benefits of solar power, including:

• reduced electricity costs (and increased bottom line)
• hedging against future electricity price rises
• reduced environmental footprint
• possible marketing advantages
• possible tax advantages.

If your business’s monthly electricity bill is around $2,000–$5,000, you could save in excess of $7,000 per year in electricity costs by installing a solar system. Use our calculator to find out more.

Find out more

Scenic Rim tourism businesses are encouraged to consider applying for the new Tourism Experience Development Fund offered by the Qld State Government.  Here are the details:

About the fund

Queensland’s overall economic success depends on the success of the state’s visitor economy.

In June 2022, the independent Tourism Industry Reference Panel presented government with its final action plan – Towards 2032: Reshaping Queensland’s visitor economy to welcome the world (PDF, 18.1MB).

The action plan outlines a strong vision for the Queensland visitor economy, supporting growth and jobs, as well as contributing to local communities and environmental outcomes; including that by 2032, Queensland will be Australia’s destination of choice for domestic and global visitors, as a leading international destination.

In the Queensland Government’s interim response to the action plan (PDF, 313.8KB), the government committed to progressing actions in areas of clear opportunity within and linked to the Panel’s recommendations, such as partnering with industry to deliver new and enhanced compelling tourism products and experiences.

The $15 million fund is a key initiative under the interim response to the action plan, and aims to:

• rebuild visitor confidence in Queensland’s tourism industry
• drive demand for Queensland destinations
• meet the changing preferences of consumers through enhanced tourism products.

Objectives

The key objectives of the fund are to:

• deliver new and enhanced tourism products and experiences that may include contemporary refresh of existing products and experiences, diversifying the tourism offering in a region and/or improving the customer experience
• increase overnight visitor numbers and expenditure
• deliver regional economic, community impact and sustainability benefits.

To be considered for funding, projects should include high growth attributes such as:

• ecotourism – to showcase Queensland’s natural assets
• accessible and inclusive tourism
• First Nations experiences
• adventure tourism.

Grant details

Funding for the $15 million Tourism Experience Development Fund will be offered over one round.

The minimum grant available is $50,000 (excluding GST) and the maximum grant available is $200,000 (excluding GST).

Applicants are required to contribute at least 75 per cent of the total project cost, i.e. for a project valued at $200,000 (excluding GST), the maximum grant funding available would be $50,000 (excluding GST). Similarly for a project valued at $800,000 (excluding GST) the maximum grant funding available would be $200,000 (excluding GST).

Projects can be of a much greater value however all additional costs will need to be covered by the applicant.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for funding an organisation must:

• have an established operating base in Queensland with a tourism-related focus
• have an Australian Business Number (ABN), an Australian Company Number (ACN) or exemption from these
• be registered for GST.

In addition, an organisation must be one of the following:

• a private sector business – for example, a for-profit
• a not-for-profit organisation – for example, a community organisation
• a local government authority.

Projects will be supported that meet the aims and objectives of the fund. The types of projects that may be considered under the fund include:

• new and/or enhanced tourism experiences that diversify tourism offerings and/or showcase Queensland’s natural assets, e.g. adventure offerings
• expansion or upgrades of existing products that broaden visitor appeal and/or address shortcomings in existing tourism experiences
• development of interactive displays within existing tourism products
• introduction of innovation and new technologies that improve and/or create visitor experiences
• upgrades and enhancements to improve accessibility
• incorporation of First Nations perspectives within existing or new visitor experiences
• built assets that support the product or experience
• improved transportation that activates products or experiences, e.g. boat for a tour, vehicles or e-bikes
• experiences that overcome seasonality challenges, such as evening visitor experiences in the Outback.

Apply for funding

The Tourism Experience Development Fund industry guidelines (PDF, 591.9KB) contain more information regarding eligibility criteria, the application and assessment process, and other key information.

Applications will open at 9 am on Friday 15 July 2022 and must be submitted through SmartyGrants.

Key dates

These dates are indicative only and subject to change as required.

Activity	Date
Fund launch	28 June 2022
Applications open	15 July 2022
Applications close	26 August 2022
Outcome of applications advised	30 September 2022
Project completion date	30 June 2024

More information

Email [email protected] for more information.