Latest News & Updates

Support to help your business go green

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.

Register Now

 

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 Small Business Hub Services

Face to face appointments

These continue at the Scenic Rim Small Business Hubs located at Boonah and other locations in the Scenic Rim.

21st July – 10am to 2pm – Boonah Library

We are also available online or we can visit you at your business.
Please contact Melissa Cronk via [email protected] to book an appointment.

Small Business Financial Counselling Service

A representative from the Small Business Financial Counselling Service will be attending the Scenic Rim Small Business Hubs at the following locations;

  • Thursday 14th July at Beaudesert Library 10:00am – 2:00pm
  • Thursday 21st July at Boonah Library 10:00am – 2:00pm.

The primary role of the Small Business Financial Counselling Service Program is to support Small Businesses who are experiencing hardship or at risk of hardship due to internal and external factors.

The service can support Small Businesses across Southern Queensland by:

  • Assessing current financial circumstances
  • Identifying appropriate business options and help develop an action plan
  • Assist in preparing financial reports including cashflow and statement of position
  • Helping with preparation for meetings with financial institutions
  • Assisting with preparation for, and management of, natural disasters and other business interruptions
  • Identifying the need for additional assistance and advice and refer to other professionals and service providers within government and private sectors

Funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments the Small Business Financial Counselling Service is free of charge, confidential, impartial and independent.

If you would like to make an appointment to discuss your Small Business Finances, please register your interest by emailing [email protected]

 

Mentoring for Growth

Mentoring for Growth (M4G) offers eligible businesses free access to volunteer business experts who provide insights, options and suggestions relating to challenges and opportunities you are experiencing in your business.

The M4G program assists Queensland businesses to grow and succeed in the current business environment.

The M4G program includes:

  • Mentoring for Growth sessions
  • Mentoring for Investment
  • Mentoring for Pitch
  • Mentoring for Export
  • Mentoring for Recovery

When you participate in the M4G program, the Queensland Government matches its mentors’ expertise and experience with the business challenge or opportunity you have identified.

Register here for a 45-minute mentoring session to discuss an identified business challenge or opportunity. There are multiple sessions available per day.

 

Events & Activities in Scenic Rim Region – please register to attend

The Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning are offering the following online events:

Tendering Top Ten Tips – 11 August 2022
From planning your response to submitting your tender, this workshop will give you the top ten tips to tendering.

Capability Statement – 18 August 2022
A capability statement is a tool that allows procurement teams to assess your expertise and achievements, as well as your potential to deliver goods and services.

Link to Capability Statement registration page –  https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/capability-statement-workshop-ipswich-tickets-225682782277

Tourism Experience Development Fund

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.

Organisers expecting a bumper crowd at Winter Harvest Festival 2022

The Winter Harvest Festival is back, bigger and better than ever, serving up a delicious day of family fun at the Aratula Community Sports Complex on Saturday 2 July.

The long-running festival will cap off a huge Scenic Rim Eat Local Week program for 2022, starring over 125 fun and flavoursome events from 25 June to 3 July.

Division 6 Councillor Duncan McInnes is thrilled to be welcoming revelers to the festival after a two-year hiatus.

“The Winter Harvest Festival will be the cherry on top of this year’s bumper Eat Local Week program, and we are raring to go,” he said.

“The whole Scenic Rim is looking stunning, the weather forecast is looking great, and we have the best-ever line-up of stall-holders and entertainment, ready to host a fantastic day out for the whole family.”

Gates open at 10.00am and visitors will be able to sample the delicious offerings and have a yarn with more than 40 local stallholders including:

  • 2m8’s BBQ
  • Ants Fruit Market
  • Areleah Chocolates
  • Arthur Clives Bakery & Café
  • Bee All Natural Honey
  • Canungra Creek Finger Limes
  • Carabeen Beef
  • Chef Dylan’s Gourmet Food Co
  • Chokola’J
  • Coco & Myrtle
  • Cuppa-licious Mobile Coffee
  • Dewars Honey
  • Fire n Dough
  • Flutterby Gourmet Creations
  • Ginger & Bean
  • Good Times Soda Co
  • Greenlee Farms
  • Heritage Poultry
  • Kalfresh Vegetables
  • Kent’s Produce
  • Lions Club of Boonah
  • Moffatts Fresh Produce
  • Moshki
  • O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard
  • Queensland Police Service Ipswich District Crime Prevention Unit
  • Rani’s Cuisine
  • Rathlogan Olive Grove
  • Scenic Rim Brewery
  • Scenic Rim eXpresso
  • Scenic Rim Farm Box
  • Scenic Rim Lavender
  • Summer Land Camels
  • Tamborine Mountain Distillery
  • The Butcher Co
  • The Overflow Estate 1895
  • The Pickling Project
  • Tracey’s Tucker Bag
  • Truffle Discovery Centre
  • Ungermann Brothers Ice Cream
  • Urban Utilities
  • Valley Pride Produce
  • Wilde Foods
  • Witches Falls Winery

The event attracted over 12,000 enthusiastic attendees the last time it was held in 2019, and with 2020 and 2021 having to be cancelled due to the COVID 19 pandemic, organisers expect to top that number this year, with people keen to get back to what they have missed.

“The Winter Harvest Festival truly has something for everyone,” Cr McInnes said.

“From tasting tables to food trucks, rustic bars overflowing with beer, wine and spirits, a fashion on the field competition, cooking demonstrations, live music, kids’ entertainment, and the always-competitive Bendigo Bank Kalbar & District Community Bank Tractor Pull event testing people-power against a 12-tonne tractor!”

“The Winter Harvest Festival brings the best of the Scenic Rim’s local producers, suppliers, retailers and chefs together for an excellent celebration of our region and I look forward to showcasing Aratula and the Scenic Rim to both locals and visitors next weekend.”

For more information and tickets visit www.eatlocalweek.com.au

Tamborine Mountain awarded Queensland’s Top Tourism Town

Congratulations to Tamborine Mountain businesses and residents for this fantastic award!

 

Tamborine Mountain was awarded top honours at the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s (QTIC) 2022 Top Tourism Town Awards, held last night in Brisbane.

The Awards recognise towns whose tourism operators, businesses and community groups work together to encourage tourism and offer outstanding experiences for visitors.

Public voters from across Australia and beyond selected Tamborine Mountain as a favourite destination for weddings, honeymoons, special events and extra-long-weekend adventures.

Judi Minnikin from Tamborine Mountain Chamber of Commerce said that Tamborine Mountain has everything visitors could want, and more.

“Having welcomed over 800 wedding bookings during the last 12 months, our tourism operators are continuously evolving to cater to the extended weekender, special events, wedding, and honeymoon markets,” she said.

“We worked in close partnership with Scenic Rim Regional Council and local tourism operators and businesses to showcase Tamborine Mountain’s exquisite wedding and reception venues, five-star dining options, outstanding wineries and breweries, unique shopping, incredible rainforest experiences and luxury accommodation offerings.

“We are thrilled to have Tamborine Mountain recognised as the ultimate Queensland Top Tourism Town.”

The Scenic Rim region was well represented at the awards, with Canungra, Boonah and Kalbar also included among 23 towns that made the shortlist.

Division 1 Councillor Derek Swanborough said this latest accolade is very well deserved.

“I congratulate all local tourism operators and businesses across Tamborine Mountain who have contributed to this award,” he said.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen also welcomes recognition for Tamborine Mountain.

“We are so proud to have this beautiful part of our region recognised not only for its stunning natural and man-made resources, but also for the collaborative effort of our world-class tourism operators and local businesses, the Tamborine Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Destination Scenic Rim and Scenic Rim Regional Council,” he said.

“To be recognised, yet again, as a favourite destination is a fantastic endorsement for our region that the whole region should be proud of.”

Tamborine Mountain will now compete in the National Top Tourism Town Awards to be held later this year.

Council backs the horses, supporting a spectacular Scenic Rim event

Council has backed this weekend’s Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular, providing $10,000 to support the increasingly popular event which brings thousands of visitors and wide-ranging economic benefits to the region. 

Now in its 10th year, the event to be held at Boonah Showgrounds on 11 and 12 June celebrates the history and heritage of the Clydesdale horse, which was used by pioneering Scottish and German families to transform the Scenic Rim’s bushland into a leading agricultural area.

Mayor Greg Christensen said Council’s support of the Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular represented an excellent return on investment for the region, with this year’s event expected to add more than $3.06 million to the local economy.

“This is an event that attracts competitors, participants and spectators from around Australia, as well as overseas, and attendance has grown exponentially since its establishment in 2013,” he said.

“More than 10,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular, celebrating our heritage and the magnificent horses which helped build our region.

“The Clydesdales cleared vast tracts of land and were vital to farmers in ploughing, planting and harvesting, playing a pivotal role in the establishment of the region’s agriculture sector.”

When the heavy horses were replaced by machinery, the Clydesdale breed declined in the 1960s but was revived in the Scenic Rim.

In 2012, an enthusiastic group of local breeders keen to preserve the Clydesdale’s 130-year history in the region approached the Boonah Show Society and formed a sub-committee to develop the Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular.

The two-day event showcases the heritage, history and culture of the Clydesdale breed with a range of heavy horse competitions and driving displays as well as rare trades demonstrations by harness makers, blacksmiths and wheelwrights.

It also features workshops, working dog and horse displays, rides, live entertainment, markets, and traditional Scottish food.

The Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular is supported through Council’s Regional Events Program Grants.

Division 5 Councillor, Cr Marshall Chalk said this event celebrates our region’s pride in its rich heritage and builds on the Scenic Rim’s reputation as a vibrant destination offering authentic visitor experiences.

“With an estimated economic benefit to the region of more than $3,064 million, the $10,000 grant represents an excellent return on investment for the Scenic Rim,” he said.

Mr Rick Stanfield, who chairs the Boonah Show Society’s Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular Sub-Committee, said Council’s support of the event was greatly appreciated.

“We are expecting a huge crowd and our ability to host our visitors will be greatly improved,” he said.

“The Clydesdale Spectacular has steadily grown over the past ten years and is a result of the great support shown by our community.”

The Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular runs from 8am to 5pm over the weekend of 11 and 12 June at Boonah Showgrounds, 8 Melbourne Street, Boonah.

Image: The Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular celebrates our pioneering past and the magnificent horses which helped build our region.

Boonah – Finalist in Qld Top Tourism Town Awards

Boonah has been chosen as a finalist in the Queensland Top Tourism Town awards in the Small Town category (population 1,500 to 5,000).

The winning town will be the one which gathers the most votes – SO PLEASE VOTE for BOONAH before MONDAY MAY 23 (next Monday).

Simply follow this link  https://www.qtic.com.au/top-tourism-award/top-town-voting/

You will be asked to vote in each of the three categories (Tamborine Mountain is a finalist in the Top Tourism Town, Boonah is a finalist in the Top Small Tourism Town and Canungra and Kalbar are finalists in the Top Tiny Tourism Town) and you will be asked to write 250
words on why you love the towns you voted for.

Please vote today!

YEP Ipswich: Networking for Business Growth

YEP Ipswich:  Qld Small Business Month is just around the corner and will be full of workshops and meet & greets for business owners. Are you ready to make the most of the content and the people you’ll meet there? 🤝📈

Join Anne-Marie Walton, Entrepreneurship Facilitator, on Thursday 21 April to discover comfortable ways to:
· open a conversation
· make worthwhile connections
· add value to others
· be strategic in building opportunities

You will leave knowing how to embrace networking:
· without hard selling
· that’s more impactful
· with less stress

https://events.humanitix.com/networking-for-business-growth

Scenic Rim Regional Council: Let’s Talk

LET’S TALK SCENIC RIM 📣

Join the Community Panel so you can join the conversations, share your ideas, and have your say on a range of topics, projects and programs of work. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of the Scenic Rim!

📍 Agribusiness and Agritourism Industry Development 10-Year Roadmap
📖 This draft 10-Year Roadmap provides a plan to build on the strengths of these sectors and capitalise on opportunities in the future to drive jobs, innovation and economic growth for the region.
⏰Consultation closes 24 April.

📍 Flying-Fox Management Strategy Review
📖 If you are impacted by a flying-fox roost, we want to hear from you! Please share your experiences with local flying-fox roosts and ideas for creating better cohabitation during a review of the existing Flying-Fox Management Strategy.
⏰ Consultation closes 15 May.

Find the projects and have your say here 👉 https://letstalk.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/