Bureaucracy Strangling New Business
Arnold Development Consultants agree completely with the sentiments expressed by the colmunist below and urge Council to act immediately to assist Gold Coast business and in turn the community.
Drawn-out approvals strangling new business
A WALK around some of the city’s once-bustling commercial and retail precincts delivers a stark reminder of the economic malaise in which the Gold Coast still finds itself.
To find 10 shops side-by-side which are all occupied is rare.
Every day we hear stories of businesses folding, of locals losing jobs, of families succumbing to financial difficulties.
In order to get this city back to where it should be, The Gold Coast-Logan branch of the Urban Development Institute of Australia has lobbied Gold Coast City Council for stimulus initiatives that provide real short-term benefits – particularly the creation of jobs.
As the peak development industry body, the UDIA has focused on making housing cheaper to deliver on the Gold Coast which, in turn improves housing affordability and generates jobs in construction.
One in seven workers on the Gold Coast are employed directly in construction, and many more are employed indirectly through servicing our industry.
SOME months ago, the UDIA proposed an initiative to benefit small businesses that are starting up.
Take the scenario fo a real estate agent who vacates their premises – if a cafe operator, for instance, is interested in the vacant shopfront, they should be able to complete a fit-out, hire staff and then start serving out piping hot lattes.
Currently, the cafe operator must lodge a lengthy application, pay fees, pay infrastructure charges, and wait for an approval – all of which hinders the creation of new business and, most importantly, jobs for locals.
I’ve heard instances where massage therapists and hairdressers have inquired about setting up in Southport only to learn that the privilege came with infrastructure charges in excess of $50,000.
People often roll their eyes when the issue of infrastructure charges are mentioned. Many think its just a gripe from the development community.
But the issue affects jobs across the board, especially in small business.
The Gold Coast is the small business capital of Australia.
At last tally, there were approximately 44,000 small businesses in the city, which in turn, employ tens of thousands of workers.
If a business is going to create jobs, it should be supported t every opportunity.
Let’s not drive away the enttrepreneurial spirit – running a successful small business shouldn’t be restricted to the dreams of a few.
Council is still investigating the idea, but immediate action is needed now.
Source:
Gold Coast Sun – Central
Page 10
By: Steve Harrison Gues Columnist
Gold Coast-Logan UDIA president.
Wednesday, 19th October 2011
