23 July 2019

Local economic focus at Narrabri Small Business Summit

Council representatives from across the North-West will meet with state and local government bodies at a specially convened summit in Narrabri tomorrow to explore ways to boost small businesses throughout the region.

An initiative of Local Government NSW (LGNSW), the Narrabri summit will give councils from across the region the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing local small business, both now and in the future.

LGNSW President Linda Scott said the summit was a chance to gather in the same place for a direct conversation involving the state government, local councils and the communities they represent.

“We want to facilitate a direct line between small business, local government in regional NSW and the agencies within the NSW Government that can offer direct, practical support to local economies,” Cr Scott said.

“This support is so important when it comes to keeping businesses in the region resilient through tough times, like the current drought.

“Unfortunately, there’s no sign of the drought easing any time soon, so councils are keen to do everything they can to support local business and ensure they not only survive but are also poised to thrive when conditions improve.”

Cr Scott said regional NSW councils put significant energy and resources into creating an environment in which communities and businesses could run with their ideas and drive further economic growth.

“This needs collaboration between state and local government to ensure efforts aren’t duplicated, for example, and for strategies to be aligned to broader regional economic plans,” she said.

Mayors, general managers and economic development officers are among those representing 10 councils from across New England and the North West at the Summit.

They include Narrabri, Walgett, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Warrumbungle, Gunnedah, Glen Innes Severn, Upper Hunter and Tamworth Regional.

Cr Scott said the summit would give local mayors, councillors and business people the opportunity to hear directly from NSW Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope, and Small Business Commissioner Robyn Hobbs OAM.

Keynote speakers will include locals Stuart Southwell (Principal of Narrabri Real Estate), and Ashley Watt from Why Leave Town.

The pair will present case studies on the challenges facing local business and potential solutions to those challenges.

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