Latest News & Updates

February Starting a Business from our Region – Y(E)P IPSWICH

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Beginning or growing a business involves many moving parts! Where is help, and how can you access it?
This free online workshop can point you to resources, education and connections in our area.
If you live in Ipswich or the West Moreton region you may be surprised to learn just how much information and support is available for building your business.
Come join us to discover where to start, or who may be able to help you take your next step.
Register to receive online access details.

Council strategy to increase community engagement opportunities

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Scenic Rim Regional Council has adopted its first Community Engagement Strategy and updated its Community Engagement Policy to keep our community better informed and involved on issues important to them.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen says how we engage with current and potential residents, ratepayers, business owners, community groups, investors and other levels of government, is of vital importance.

“Community input is already part of decisions made in the Chamber; however, the Scenic Rim Regional Council Community Engagement Strategy 2021-2026 sets us on a path for improved engagement that will in turn support better decision-making and have a positive impact on the future of our region,” he said.

“The Strategy defines a consistent approach through its framework and is based on industry best-practice. What that means for the community is more opportunities to inform council decision-making, to work collaboratively with us, and clearer communication of outcomes.

In line with our Customer Charter, this Strategy has been developed on five guiding principles to ensure that community engagement in the Scenic Rim is open and transparent; inclusive and accessible; informed and timely; responsive; and respectful.

“We are committed to making meaningful changes to put our customers at the heart of everything we do,” the Mayor said.

“Spanning a five-year period from 2021-2026, the action plan has 15 specific initiatives centred around the need for open, two-way conversations with our community.

“One of those initiatives includes the development and launch of a digital engagement platform in early 2022. This online platform will become a one-stop shop for projects, ideas, reports and outcomes across a range of engagement activities.

Commitment to make meaningful changes to the way Council does business requires organisational transformation and employees are already aligning work practices to contribute to a more consistent and easily accessible way of engaging and communicating with the community,” the Mayor said.

The Strategy, Policy and Customer Charter are all available on Council’s website.

CHRISTMAS IN BOONAH – THREE DAYS OF ENTERTAINMENT

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Inland Rail Business Capability Webinar

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Inland Rail Skills Academy is holding a business capability development webinar on 30 November, 9:00am to 1:00pm, for regional subcontractors, suppliers and equipment providers seeking to work with our construction contractors. Attendees will learn practical tips on how to prepare tender submissions, manage contracts and how to register for upcoming supply opportunities.

 

Please find below a link that you can share with your networks who may be interested in learning more, or registering to attend the session.

 

Business capability development webinar – Inland Rail (artc.com.au)

 

Event overview

By attending this webinar, hosted by the Inland Rail Skills Academy, prospective subcontractors, suppliers and equipment providers to our construction contractors can learn practical and proven ways to promote their business, places to register for upcoming opportunities and key safety and commercial compliance requirements to be eligible to supply to major projects.

Attendees will also learn how to prepare tender submissions, and tips on managing contracts.

About the presenters

Guest speaker

David Watt, Head of Commercial, will be providing an overview of the Inland Rail Program which includes an update on the Procurement and Contracting strategy and delivery schedule for our construction projects.

Facilitator

Steven Vermey, Principal of Scarp Vantage Consulting, is a qualified civil engineer with more than 18 years’ experience developing tenders and evaluating and responding to tender submissions in government and private sectors across Australia.

Steven has a strong track record of working with businesses to get ready for tenders. He is passionate about helping businesses understand what best practice tender preparation looks like.

His expertise includes tendering fundamentals for small businesses, how to develop conforming tenders and market positioning tips for winning tenders.

Registration

This will be an online session only. Secure your spot by completing the form below and we will provide you with event login details. If you have any questions please email [email protected].

You can also sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the page to receive news and updates.

The Buy Local 2021 Christmas Campaign

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The Chamber would like to pass on this information from Jon Krause MP:

Together, Federal Member for Wright, the Honourable Scott Buchholz MP, and I are “putting our money where our mouths are” and are bringing back the “Buy Local Christmas” Campaign for 2021. This campaign will be run in the lead-up to Christmas in conjunction with various Chambers of Commerce across the Scenic Rim, to support local businesses, who have had to endure drought, fires, floods and COVID-19.

I know many businesses in our region are doing it tough. While I know many people buy local often, sometimes an extra incentive can help – so every dollar possible stays in our community.

The Buy Local Christmas 2021 campaign will give local shoppers a chance to win $1,000 cash.

To enter, people simply need to write their name and phone number on the back of a receipt from a local business from 8 November until Christmas and place them in a collection box around your community.

Any purchase from a local business will qualify – making it simple and easy so people are encouraged to spend locally and as often as possible in the lead up to Christmas.

 

Can you help?

Can you help by hosting a collection box at your business? That way, it makes it easier for people to enter the draw and encourage others to do so as well when they Buy Local Christmas 2021. We will provide the collection box and pick it up after Christmas.

 

If you can help, please contact my office via email at [email protected].gov.au or by phone to 5515 1100.

WORKSHOPS – Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning

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The Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, SEQ West Office is offering some workshops for businesses. These are online and free of charge. (Details below)

Tendering – Top Ten Tips workshop
From planning your response to submitting your tender, this online workshop will give you the top ten tips to tendering and help you address the non-price criteria in tender documents.

·         Date: Wednesday, 10 November 2021
·         Time: 11.00 am – 12.00 pm
·         Link to registration page –  https://tenderingtoptentips-158327223989.eventbrite.com.au

Capability statement workshop
Help your business stand out from the crowd and improve your chance of securing contracts by attending a Queensland Government hosted capability statement online workshop. These interactive workshops help businesses develop and prepare effective capability statements.

·         Date: Wednesday, 17 November 2021
·         Time: 11.00 am – 12.00 pm
·         Link to registration page – https://capabilitystatement-158328961185.eventbrite.com.au

Link to SEQ West Regional Office Department of State Development Eventbrite page – https://dsdilgpseqwest.eventbrite.com.au/

FREE CYBER SECURITY TRAINING

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Cyber Health is a free program that has been developed to combat cyber security threats to your business, and others like yours across Queensland. We get it, running or working in a small business can be tough. Often business owners don’t have time to understand the complexities of cyber security.

That’s why we’re here – to build awareness about the importance of cyber security and offer simple solutions to help secure your business. Robust cyber security underpins Australia’s economic prosperity and will allow businesses, like yours, to grow and innovate.

For more information head to https://cyberhealth.com.au/

Top Takeaways from Leading Business Books – Y(E)P IPSWICH

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Tue 7th Dec 2021, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Location: CSI – Club Services Ipswich
5 Lowry St, North Ipswich

No time to read?
Being an entrepreneur and running a business takes a lot of commitment and hours. A busy schedule often means that top-rated business book on your shelf, your Kindle or Audible account is still untouched.
Join Anne-Marie Walton as she shares her key takeaways in a condensed version of some of the world’s leading business books across topics including:
– Telling the story of your brand story
– Going beyond average
– Making people like you
– Everything marketing
– Starting up lean
Register now!

Plan Your Hustle Project -Y(E)P IPSWICH

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18 November 9:30am – 11:30am

Location: Fire Station 101
101 Limestone St, Ipswich QLD 4305, Australia

Join Anne-Marie Walton as she shares tips, tools, and real-life examples of using “hustle” as a strategic asset to boost your business outcomes.
Learn how to kick goals for your business on a project basis and:
· identify your strengths, project needs and stakeholders
· get your communications created, scheduled, and on the mark
· leverage resources
· put your learning into action
This interactive masterclass includes your own workbook and checklist to customise for your business. It has been developed from a keynote address Anne-Marie delivered at the Tropical Innovation Festival earlier this year.
Come along ready to plan for taking aim and hitting a target for your business!
At YEP Ipswich, Anne-Marie Walton is an Entrepreneurship Facilitator providing free business mentoring, training, and networking events to the Ipswich & West Moreton Region under an Australian Government initiative.
Register now!