Geelong Chamber of Commerce identifies its top priorities

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce has been reviewing priorities for new projects, business issues and new initiatives. In the near future the Chamber will be meeting with all local MPs ahead of the upcoming elections to pursue these items.

“The Chamber constantly reviews and refreshes its priorities to keep them relevant but this is particularly timely with the elections later this year. The Chamber has a lead role in the Geelong region representing business and assisting them to prosper” said Grant Sutherland, President, Geelong Chamber of Commerce.

The projects have been identified drawing on the significant work undertaken by other Geelong region peak bodies, such as G21 and the Committee for Geelong. The City of Greater Geelong’s funding priorities document was also a reference point. “Whilst the Chamber is independent and develops its own directions, it also recognises that it is in the best interests of the region for an integrated and supportive approach to be presented. This results in a strategic and more powerful message and Government responds positively to this” states Grant Sutherland.

The key projects that the Chamber of Commerce will be pursuing with other stakeholders are:

• Avalon Airport
• Convention and Exhibition Centre
• Geelong Marine Industry Project

These projects are great opportunities for the Geelong region and particularly important as they will result in job creation and continued growth across a number of industries. The Chamber has supported Avalon Airport with its new initiatives, including the Aviation Academy and additional infrastructure requirements such as the airside runway apron. The Geelong Marine Industry project is seen as one that will assist with employment creation as the regional economy transitions and establishes a new industry in Geelong. Support will also be provided by the Chamber to the other regional projects as appropriate. Accessibility to Melbourne is seen by the Chamber as having a sense of urgency.

The Chamber was very pleased with the recent State Government announcement by Minister Allan, Minister for Regional Development on the first phase of the Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct. This is a significant step forward and aligned to COGG’s strategy to open up the area to major industrial land development and job creation.

The Chamber is also pursuing a number of other initiatives and issues. “The Chamber believes there is a need for a business park or precinct for the professional sector in Geelong and the Chamber will facilitate and lead the feasibility study of this. This could produce a more cohesive and interconnected professional services sector that can drive and support Geelong’s business growth” Grant Sutherland states.

One of the Chamber’s core activities is to advocate on business issues and one of the priorities here is the fire services levy. The Chamber believes that the region’s business community bear an unreasonable burden with this levy and seek corrective action. Harmonisation of business laws is another issue being pursued which will benefit small business and reduce unnecessary red tape.

On the matter of policy development around sustainability and climate change the Chamber has established a set of principles that it asks be considered in any policy development and implementation. These principles include:

• legislation be fair and transparent in its application
• business not be disadvantaged unnecessarily
• the administrative burden of any measures introduced be kept to a minimum and the funds raised be directly applied to improving environmental sustainability
• these are global issues and can best be successfully addressed with action that has widespread global support

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce encourages its members, organisations and individuals generally to consider the environmental implications of their actions and to seek to minimise negative impacts. The Chamber is being proactive and in April will launch its Survive and Thrive in 2010 program. The theme of this program is sustainability and assisting businesses in the region to reduce its environmental footprint in a way that will also improve its efficiency and financial results.

The Chamber is also looking to hold forums for its members with the COGG CEO and Mayor so as to provide an opportunity to receive a briefing but also ask questions on business issues.