Survive, revive and thrive – Council’s Economic Taskforce to help fast-track our recovery
The Economic Recovery Taskforce formed by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is working to fast-track the recovery of Brisbane businesses as coronavirus restrictions ease.
Cr Schrinner said the Taskforce, chaired by Finance, Administration and Small Business Cr Adam Allan, included a collection of Brisbane’s most knowledgeable and respected business experts to help inform the economic recovery plan for our city.
The Taskforce will launch a Business in Brisbane – Economic Recovery Survey which will be sent directly to 15,000 Brisbane businesses and available online on the Council website.
“We cannot nurse our wounded economy back to health without open businesses. The knock-on effects from business closures have been devastating and we need them to provide much-needed jobs, keep money circulating locally and support our neighbourhoods and communities,” Cr Schrinner said.
“The responses we receive will help the Taskforce understand the impact of the coronavirus on local businesses and inform how we can best support business right now and through the challenges ahead.
“Brisbane’s economic situation is dynamic and is changing rapidly, and the nimbleness of the Economic Recovery Taskforce is what we need now to identify opportunities for recovery to secure Brisbane’s long-term prosperity.
“As we navigate the challenges of the coronavirus crisis, we are planning on how our local economy will revive and then thrive.
“Our brave business community mobilised after the 2011 floods to ensure we evolved once again into a thriving economic powerhouse; and we will do it again,” Cr Schrinner said.
Economic Recovery Taskforce members include:
- Chair Cr Adam Allan
- Deputy Mayor Cr Krista Adams
- Chair of Council Cr Andrew Wines
- Senior Brisbane City Council department heads
The Taskforce has also engaged a number of industry organisations for its External Consultative Group:
- National Retailers Association CEO Dominique Lamb
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) CEO Stephen Tait
- Urban Development Institute of Australia CEO Kirsty Chessher-Brown
- Property Council of Australia (QLD) Executive Director Chris Mountford
- Restaurant and Catering Australia Queensland Director Chris Edwards
- Australian Industry Group Queensland Head Rebecca Andrews
“This group, which will be expanded over time to include more organisations, is providing intelligence and act as a sounding board for the Taskforce. Input from other industry bodies, community groups and businesses will also be sourced separately, as required.”
Cr Allan said the Taskforce is meeting weekly and is working on gathering insights from businesses on how to move the city’s economy to transition from recovery mode.
“Economic recovery is a joint effort and we are now going to businesses, from a wide range of industries, including hospitality, retail, manufacturing and building and construction sectors, about what they want and need to rebuild,” Cr Allan said.
“This is about bringing back normal economic activity as soon as possible and we are opening submissions for a two-week period, with feedback to help inform initiatives and policy that the Taskforce is working on.
“The next course of action for the Taskforce will see Council work with other peak consulting bodies to forensically go through all of our operations to identify what red tape we can cut to help make life easier for small business,” Cr Allan said.
Council has announced a raft of coronavirus-response business initiatives, including a $7.9 million business recovery package and the option to defer rates for up to nine months, as well business fee reductions and waivers, a dedicated 24/7 small business hotline and small business liaison officers.
To participate in Economic Recovery Taskforce survey follow the link https://feedback.brisbane.qld.gov.au/jfe/form/SV_7QhP0zWW2FNYGDX
For more information about business support visit www.brisbane.qld.gov or call the business hotline on 133 BNE.