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By Louis Mayfield - Whyalla News
The state government has continued its focus on small business, launching an initiative aimed at simplifying interactions between small businesses and councils.
The Small Business Friendly Council Initiative was launched in Whyalla on Wednesday, with the aim of recognising councils working to support their small business communities.
Small Business Commissioner John Chapman said the intiative provided a framework to councils to work productively with small business.
“It’s about getting councils to think about small business in their decision-making process and pay small businesses on time,” he said.
“There’s a focus on procuring locally when councils can. They should be looking at the small businesses in their area so that money can go back into the economy.
“If a dispute arises its important that they have dispute resolution processes in place. That’s where our office can help.”
The Whyalla City Council will be one of the many councils around the region taking part in the initiative.
“When we were looking to launch the project it was a no brainer to host it in Whyalla. I’ve been a frequent flyer here in the past 15 months,” Mr Chapman said.
“I’ve been working with small businesses, working with the Arrium Administrators, working with the council to ensure that those businesses could survive through this difficult period.
“Because of my relationship with the council including Mayor Lyn Breuer and CEO Chris Cowley, it was an easy decision to make.
“Regional Australia is very important, not just Adelaide.”
CEO Chris Cowley said the council was ‘extremely pleased’ to be participating in the initiative.
“Whyalla’s small business community has been hit hard by the uncertainty surrounding the future of the steel industry and the job losses in the lead up to Arrium going into administration,” he said.
“The City of Whyalla is looking forward to working with the Office of the Small Business Commissioner and the small business community to help Whyalla recover and thrive.
“The City of Whyalla is here to support its local community. By participating in this initiative, we will be a facilitator, not a regulator.”
Picture: City of Whyalla CEO Chris Cowley, Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer and Small Business Commissioner John Chapman in Whyalla on Wednesday for the launch of the Small Business Friendly Council initiative.