Plans to boost business

The results of the Business Retention and Expansion Program (BREP) survey were revealed during a community meeting on November 14.

This survey was conducted by Gloucester Business Chamber in August and was funded by the NSW Department of Industry.

The joint project, supported by MidCoast Council, Destination Gloucester, Advance Gloucester and Gloucester Tourism, has identified issues, concerns and opportunities for Gloucester businesses and has lead to a number of initiatives due to be put on place in the new year.

Sandra Twomey from the Gloucester Business Chamber said there will be a meeting early next month with the general manager of MidCoast Council, Glenn Handford and a representative from Mid Coast Water to discuss the Development Application (DA) process, the Mid Coast Water charges and how these are inhibiting development.

Training courses and exportation presentations will also be held for local businesses.

Members from the chamber and Advance Gloucester will be going to Sydney early in December, armed with the Chamber Business Prospectus, to talk to businesses about the possibility of relocating to Gloucester.

Ms Twomey said they hope the Business Development Co-ordinator position for Gloucester will be filled soon.

Funding for the position was announced in June when the Prospectus launched, but has been delayed due to the council amalgamation.