Doing Business in the Western Downs Strong and sustained economic growth, access to world-class services and infrastructure, and vibrant and liveable communities make the Western Downs an attractive place to live, and the perfect place to grow a business. When starting a new business it is essential to have good support which is why the Western Downs offers a range of small business support specifically targeted at helping local people to start or grow businesses. Specialist small business support can help local businesses to meet local demand, and to extend their reach beyond the region’s physical boundaries, utilising technology and infrastructure to engage with people Australiawide and world-wide. With a range of business advice and support services specifically designed to help small businesses grow sustainably, there has never been a better or more exciting time to invest in bringing your business dreams to life in the Western Downs.
Location The Western Downs is located a 2-hour drive west of Brisbane. The region is connected by three major highways, the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, the Inland Rail and major freight transport routes to Gladstone and Brisbane.
Industry The Western Downs is often referred to as Queensland’s “Energy Capital” because the region is home to traditional energy providers as well as renewables including wind and solar. In addition, agriculture and manufacturing industries are fundamental to the region’s economy.
Support for Businesses Strong economic growth and a population that continues to grow result in countless opportunities for new businesses and business expansion. This region offers a number of unique business support programs including Business Navigator Western Downs, Emerging Exporters, Youth Business Program, business support workshops, and coworking spaces including Hub Cowork.
Other Support Services There is also support from economic development groups, industry groups, active Chambers of Commerce and Western Downs Regional Council.
Experience Western Downs
The Western Downs is open for business with an economy that’s as strong as it is diverse. If you’re thinking of starting a new business, expanding a current business or learning more about better business, now is the time to find out what the Western Downs Region can do for you and your bottom line.
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE There are many active Chambers of Commerce in the Western Downs who can assist small to medium businesses. Chinchilla Community, Commerce & Industry www.chinchilla.com.au Dalby Chamber of Commerce & Industry www.dalbychamber.com.au Jandowae Business & Community Group Jandowae.bcg@gmail.com Miles & District Chamber of Commerce www.planttheseedmiles.com.au Tara Futures Group www.taradistrict.com.au Wandoan Community, Commerce & Industry www.wandoansurfclub.com.au
Business Navigator Western Downs
Emerging Exporters Program
Having strong and sustainable businesses that create employment for local people and opportunities for local communities is a key priority for the Western Downs. After chatting with the Western Downs business community back in 2017, Shell QGC introduced a business support services to help Western Downs communities achieve these priority goals.
Shell’s QGC Business is proud of its Emerging Exporters Program which supports the development of food and agricultural businesses to grow and explore global export markets. The program is giving local businesses the support and tools to not only develop their domestic market but enter global export markets.
In 2018, Shell’s QGC Business partnered with Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) to deliver the Business Navigator Western Downs program. Business Navigator Western Downs is a business growth and innovation advisory service providing coaching, advice, and hands on assistance to support new and small business owners to accelerate their growth. The team provides advice and support around issues such as strategic planning, product development, growth coaching, digital enabling, grant identification, financial management and media/ marketing services. One of the success stories to come from the Business Navigator Wester Downs program is that of aspiring business owners, Brian and Judy Harms. Avid gardeners and lovers of beautiful things, Brian and Judy dreamed of turning their rural property and beautifully crafted garden spaces into a function venue. With the support of Business Navigator Western Downs, Brian and Judy turned their dream into reality, and opened Jubri’s Hideaway to the public in July 2020. Jubri’s Hideaway, just outside of Dalby, is an informal, boutique venue with a county chic style and is perfect for intimate weddings and small gatherings. Judy said that the move into the wedding business was a major career change, but the transition had been smooth thanks to the help from the Business Navigator Western Downs team.
The program is delivered by TSBE Food Leaders Australia, the Food and Agribusiness arm of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE).
Grants and Government Assistance Did you know that your business could be eligible for a business grant or other support? To find out more, visit Western Downs Regional Council’s website and feel free to discuss grant opportunities with Council’s Economic Development Team.
Case Studies Fraser Valuers Fraser Valuers based in Chinchilla, is an independent local firm specialising in rural valuations across Western Queensland since 1987. Fraser Valuers provide a tailored service for customers from pre-purchase due diligence, to financial lending valuations and ongoing support for rural property management. Fraser Valuers has extensive experience in rural, commercial, industrial and residential valuations, utilising the most up-to-date data and technology available, including digital mapping software to ensure accurate valuations for their clients. Fraser Valuers business owner, Rob Fraser, said he is proud to be a participant in Shell’s QGC Business Emerging Exporters Program.
“The advice and assistance we’ve received has been wonderful - from determining our target market, to pricing, to the website and introductions to other business owners”, Judy said.
“We are excited to be part of this program to assist our business develop a greater understanding of how we connect with sustainable investment opportunities for agriculture across the region,” Mr Fraser said.
“A big thank you to Business Navigator Western Downs. Without their help we would still be struggling to work out how to get our business idea up and running. The professional advice and assistance just keeps coming.”
Lisa Kennedy Collections
For more information visit the website at www.NavigatorWesternDowns.com.au
Youth Business Program
Hot on the heels of opening a beautiful shop in Murilla Street, Miles, Lisa Kennedy launched an online store so her rural and regional customers can shop any time and have unique decorator pieces delivered to their door. Lisa Kennedy Collections has built a reputation on the unique style and sharp eye of owner/curator, Lisa Kennedy.
This ten-part Western Downs Youth Business Program (Launch+ series) will step young people with business ideas through some of the key elements of business planning including building your own Business Model Canvas, branding, marketing, competitor analysis, nailing your value proposition, funding, pitching and more.
Lisa’s passion for good design and country style is evident, with her eclectic range including charming furniture, divine jewellery and stylish clothing. Lisa Kennedy Collections is now online at www.lisakennedycollections.com.au. Business Navigator Western Downs assisted Lisa Kennedy with creating her online presence and helped her to grow her small regional business.
This program is delivered by Western Downs Regional Council, in partnership with Future Anything.
“To grow and expand I knew I needed to get online, so I was delighted to be introduced to the Business Navigator Western Downs team.”
Visit Western Downs Regional Council’s ‘Doing Business’ webpage for further information.
“Just having someone to push me along who’s as invested in my business as I am is great. I’ve really appreciated the advice and assistance in creating the online store,” said Ms Kennedy.
Workshops Western Downs Regional Council partners with local Chambers of Commerce to deliver a range of free workshops to businesses focussing on Google My Business, online marketing and e-commerce, search engine optimisation and unique selling points. Spread across the Western Downs, the workshops are open to all businesses. Visit Western Downs Regional Council’s ‘Doing Business’ webpage for further information.
More for Your Business Western Downs Regional Council provides a wide range of services for business. Please contact Council for more information: Postal Address PO Box 551 Dalby, QLD 4405 E info@wdrc.qld.gov.au P 1300 COUNCIL W www.wdrc.qld.gov.au
REGIONAL PROFILE: Rich in natural resources, natural beauty and natural history, the Western Downs it the place to be. These natural strengths are supported by strong industry foundations across the agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and construction sectors. Together with significant and continuing investment in infrastructure and tourism, these have positioned the Western Downs as one of the highest performing local government areas in Queensland, and Australia.
Modern facilities such as aquatic and fitness centres, art galleries, museums, cinemas and civic centres bring a metropolitan feeling to rural communities. The region also offers residents accessibility to public and privately run medical and health care services including access to hospitals, medical centres, dental and other health care professionals. The roll-out of the National Broadband Network (NBN) and increasing mobile and internet coverage has positively impacted the global connectivity of businesses, lifting productivity and profitability.
Known as the Energy Capital of Queensland, the Western Downs is experiencing high economic growth, investment, consistently high employment and includes some 38,000km2 of land. The region boasts an impressive $4 billion worth of approved renewables, including $2.4 billion under construction.
Residents enjoy a lower cost of living due to affordable housing ($217K average house price), ease of access to schools, work and retail outlets, with the NBN providing the network connectivity required for families and businesses to flourish.
One of the greatest benefits of the location of the Western Downs is the connectivity and proximity to the supply chain and relevant markets.
It also offers a growing, diverse regional economy across agriculture, intensive agriculture, manufacturing, resources and renewable energy.
Another is a rural labour pool resulting in good workforce relations and retention rates and a diversity of industries with high workforce attraction.
INNOVATION Digital technologies create opportunity for growth and transformation. Technology is a continually evolving field and the Western Downs offers local businesses contemporary communication solutions via NBN access to stay connected and current.
The Gross Regional Product (GRP) of the Western Downs region has more than doubled over 15 years to reach over $5.5 billion. Home to a growing population of more than 34,500 residents, the Western Downs offers contemporary technology and opportunities in a friendly regional location.
The information and statistics included in this document are reliant on the accuracy of sources as listed and were accurate as at the time of printing. June 2021.
A SNAPSHOT
$ UNEMPLOYMENT RATE TRENDING LOWER THAN QLD AVERAGE
A SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED WORKFORCE
OUR REGION
GRP: 158% INCREASE OVER 15 YEARS
Energy Capital of Queensland: Resources & Renewables DEVELOPMENT & DEVELOPERS SUPPORTED AND WELCOMED WITH WDRC PLANNING SCHEME
Western Downs Regional Council Postal Address PO Box 551 Dalby, QLD 4405 E info@wdrc.qld.gov.au
P 1300 COUNCIL Interstate +617 4679 4000 F +61 7 4679 4099 W www.wdrc.qld.gov.au
COMPARATIVELY STRONG INDUSTRY SUPPLY CHAINS PER CAPITA OF POPULATION
NBN
$$$
INNOVATION: NBN ROLLOUT = DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY & SPEED FOR YOUR BUSINESS
AVERAGE DISPOSABLE INCOME $20K HIGHER THAN QLD AVERAGE