Mossman businesses find their voice



Tuesday 6 March 2012

Mossman businesses find their voice

The Mossman Chamber of Commerce has re-formed in an effort to give a voice to local businesses.

The Chamber ceased operating in September last year after being unable to fulfil positions on its board, but interest was tweaked once again after a "crisis meeting" was held in December.

At that meeting a number of local businesses shared their concerns over many issues, among those what they described as "excessive government red tape, fees and charges, and a lack of government support" for local small businesses.

Other issues to be discussed included upcoming elections, street signage, losing skilled labour to the mines, the proposed Mossman Botanical Gardens, and the state of the local economy.

Kraig Byrne, who owns the Demi View Motel in Mossman, and Michael Bolt from Bolt Burchill Tranter Lawyers spoke at length and decided the need for a Chamber presences in Mossman was too great to ignore.

"We started to realise that we didn't really have a voice and there was lots of things going on locally.

"We were both disappointed that the Chamber, more or less, stopped operating."

Mr Byrne will return to the role of president in a new chapter of the Mossman Chamber of Commerce after holding the position for four years from 2007.

"To me the Chamber of Commerce is a way to develop business and it's also a good way for local business people to get together and stimulate the local economy."

He said that reducing the burden on small business will be a focal point for the new Chamber.

"I've gone to meetings with Council in regards to the commercial waste levies that have been implemented on businesses.

"Obviously now with State Government elections on it's time to ask some questions and see what we can get out of some new policies that they might implement."

Mr Byrne said early signs are good with positive feedback received from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland and a number of local businesses pledging support including the new Mossman Gorge Centre and the Mossman Sugar Mill.

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He said political parties need to stop talking about the importance of small businesses to the nation and provide some tangible economic relief.

"It's probably too easy for any politician, whether they are in power or not, to say that small business is the backbone of the country, because it's a loosely used statement.

"If in the case the Government is going to make those statements they need to start doing some things to help small business, and I don't think that that's what any politician has done lately, whether that's Labor or Liberal.

"Maybe they should drop our taxes and maybe they should drop the price of permits and drop some of our outgoings."

Membership to the Mossman Chamber of Commerce is $79 per year and members will be required to attend just two meetings during that period.

"One thing people forget is that we're linked to the Queensland Chamber of Commerce and the Australian Chamber of Commerce so we've got all these people we can draw information from," Mr Byrne said.

"The Chamber will only take big steps ahead if we get lots of people coming to meetings and everybody gets active."

If you'd like more information please contact Kraig Byrne at info@demiview.com.au.