GWS Small Business Summit - a summary of points

What an excellent event the Small Business Summit for Greater Western Sydney was. While neither Kevin Rudd nor Tony Abbott found time to attend the event, I think we can confidently say it was their loss.

Not to worry – perhaps we can pass them on a ‘to-do’ list?

There were certainly some common sense points made during discussions. If only we can get a little follow through! Here are some of the main points from the four panel discussions.

Infrastructure – roads, the second airport, the NBN 

·         It really is time for a decision to be made on the second airport. Until that major decision is made, how can government have a vision of what our region will look like in the future and plan other necessary infrastructure?

·         The answer to west-east traffic congestion and transport issues isn’t as simple as building more roads. We need to generate more jobs within the region and reduce the travel requirement.

·         Construction of the second airport would be an excellent step in this direction – it should create around 30,000 jobs in the region.

·         The NBN may seem like a separate issue but in fact it has the potential to provide part of the solution. Technology will change the way we live and work – and high speed broadband is necessary to facilitate those changes. The NBN could play a huge role in improving productivity and profitability, and reduce the burden on our roads by facilitating work from home arrangements, allowing more freelancers to tap into global markets, and increasing the possibilities for home based businesses. It’s important that business parks and residential areas are able to access it.

·         It’s time for government to give small business a “seat at the table” when major decisions are being made.

Overcoming Obstacles

·         Red tape/compliance paperwork is an obstacle for small business and there’s no question that the government needs to take steps to reduce it. At the same time, we need to “get on with it” and make use of technology to develop business systems to deal with these issues in the most expedient way.

·         Rising costs are an obstacle but clever use of technology can improve productivity and reduce costs – for example, demonstration videos online can reduce or eliminate the time spent time showing customers how to use a product.

·         We need to do more to connect ourselves as a region, and within the region. United, our voice is more likely to be heard. There is also the potential for businesses within the region to cluster together to form work hubs and to negotiate better deals to reduce costs.

Support for Small Business

·         There is a great deal of support available but often small business owners are tied up in the day to day requirements of running a business and unaware of it. As business owners we need to take time to educate ourselves and develop our businesses.

·         Available support measures include those offered by Small Biz Connect and the Business Enterprise Centres, mentoring programs, the $6500 instant asset write off, the Superannuation Clearing House and area demographic information and other assistance available from local councils.

A Feisty Finale

A fourth panel summed up thoughts from the preceding discussions and answered questions from the audience. Some of what you missed:

·         Where did you get your shirt? Julie Owens made the point that in small business we also need to support each other by buying Australian and buying local.

·         Audience member Frank Webb (Parramatta Chamber of Commerce) pointed out that delays in infrastructure development are often the result of changing governments and conflicting ideas and priorities on infrastructure. He asked when we would see the bipartisan approach and vision needed for clear plans and action. He drew a hearty round of applause when he made the point that “No” is not a policy.

·         Julie Owens responded that in order to rectify that situation the development of infrastructure needs to be taken out of the political cycle, and that Infrastructure Australia (set up in 2007) was part of the answer to this issue.

The discussions certainly gave the audience members a great insight into how a range of factors and decisions will impact the future of business in the region. We hope attending politicians from both sides gained a little insight too.