Helping you Deal with Crime - a GCCCC Service

Protect your business

The Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce and Queensland Police have joined forces.

Learn how to better protect yourself, your business and how to assist police in bringing these criminals before the courts. We must send a clear message to criminals and those observing our city that we will not tolerate this criminal behavior.

Join us in helping ourselves by taking up the free courses offered by police in hardening targets, better surveillance and identification techniques and what to do if you become a victim.

Most of all don't become a hero and collateral damage in a crime. Some of these criminals are drug fuelled or desperate, you must remain calm and reasonably cooperative observing as much as you can.

To find out more, contact the Chamber secretary Rehana on 0417 790 050

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Public Transport

The GCCCC currently has 3 members on the Rapid Transport Business Advisory Group.

The Combined Chamber continues to lobby for further funding to:

• Extend the Light Rail to link with the Heavy Rail at Helensvale
• Create East West links to reduce traffic congestion and offer swift connection to the Light rail through dedicated corridors
• Implement covered and secure Park and Ride Stations, that also serve as Transit Centers along the Western corridor
• Extend the Light Rail to Burleigh Heads
• Link the system to the Coolangatta Airport by extension of either the Light or Heavy rail
• Seek effective land use bordering the Light and Heavy Rail routes as well as the Park and Ride Stations to encourage growth in commerce and employment opportunities

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Tourism

As a key element of the city’s economic base the GCCCC supports the semi autonomous role Gold Coast Tourism (GCT) plays in its management and promotion of tourism for the city. All 11 Chambers as well as the GCCCC are members of GCT regularly contributing their expertise and support in growing this critical export.

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Construction

In partnership with the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), the Property Council and other relevant stakeholders the GCCCC continues to seek stimulation for this vital and currently depressed industry. Effective in reducing Council infrastructure charges within this partnership, charges that have exacerbated a significant decline in this sector, the GCCCC with its partners continues to lobby for further stimulus to kick start this industry encouraging the return of major investors and growth.

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Policing

The negative public perception resulting from the recent crime spike and concerns over public safety has brought the already established liaison between police and the GCCCC even closer. The GCCCC in consultative partnership with police and Crime Stoppers is encouraging and organising business to participate in education programs offered by police as a free community service. In taking ownership of our responsibilities, we meet regularly with senior police to discuss programs and strategy in effectively addressing criminal activity.

The Chamber promotes private sector new technology that will assist in hardening targets, reducing crime or increase the ability of police to bring these criminals before the courts. Our campaign in lobbying the State Government to substantially increase police manpower and build logistical assets on the Gold Coast is ongoing.

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Education

Federal Government changes to the student visa conditions have reduced our competitive edge in this vital export industry. Canada and the US offer shorter application times, no up front charges and the ability to apply for permanent residency while studying and living within the country. Coupled with the burden of a high Australian dollar, these changed conditions have seen a decline in overseas students especially those outside our universities.

The GCCCC in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, the Australian Chamber of Commerce various universities and education facilities is seeking rescission of these newly imposed conditions to regain our competitive edge and encourage those foreign students educated here to stay and add to our professional pool.

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Marine Industry

The Gold Coast’s natural assets include the extensive Broadwater with access to the Pacific Ocean and sheltered waterways extending to Brisbane in the North. Home to recreational marine activities and boat manufacturing the GCCCC supports these activities in seeking further development and maintenance of the Broadwater. These developments include the establishment of a Cruise Ship Terminal, the establishment of a Harbour Authority, extensive dredging to secure safe navigation as well as encouraging sailing and racing events and to develop new destinations and experiences to attract further tourist participation.

The GCCCC continues to be active in re-establishing the Tipplers Resort on South Stradbroke Island that was purchased by the City Council in 2009 and remains opposed to Council’s development plans for the site. The GCCCC supports the plan put forward by the Marine Action Group in establishing a not-for-profit body to handle the refurbish of the Tipplers Tavern, develop and enhance the precinct and manage of the former resort.

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Growth

The GCCCC supports growth of the city advocating effective land use and the release of further land to encourage affordable housing projects thereby removing barriers, creating employment and encouraging more families to move to our region.

Interfacing with Government: The GCCCC continues to hold dialogue with government at all 3 levels over a range of issues to encourage and support an environment in which business can thrive. In that dialogue the chamber partnerships with various organisations or individuals that have a common interest in seeking an acceptable and beneficial outcome for both the business and general community.

Currently the Chamber is involved with a number of current projects previously described but also includes a partnership with Council in encouraging business expansion to the Gold Coast by visiting other States, Territories and Countries offering both financial and logistical incentives. Through its connection with government, the GCCCC provides a conduit to address important issues that impact on business.

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Business Networking

The GCCCC is embarking on a business networking program where it will issue identity cards to member businesses through its 11 member Chambers that will be connected to the GCCCC website. This system will offer discounts or services to the broad membership base.

Advertising and sponsorships will be available on the website as soon as the program is established. This program will not only create greater participation in the Chamber but will encourage more businesses to join the movement within their own precincts. Further links offering employment and surveys in establishing policy and consensus are a continuing part of the GCCCC development through its expanding website.

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Interfacing with Government

The GCCCC continues to hold dialogue with government at all 3 levels over a range of issues to encourage and support an environment in which business can thrive. In that dialogue the chamber partnerships with various organisations or individuals that have a common interest in seeking an acceptable and beneficial outcome for both the business and general community.

Currently the Chamber is involved with a number of current projects previously described but also includes a partnership with Council in encouraging business expansion to the Gold Coast by visiting other States, Territories and Countries offering both financial and logistical incentives. Through its connection with government, the GCCCC provides a conduit to address important issues that impact on business.

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Overseas Delegations

The GCCCC is often involved in the welcoming of overseas delegations through its connection with Council. This presents an opportunity for businesses interested in establishing an import or export market and access to senior representatives representing various companies. Through the GCCCC and Council, given notice of intent, establishing these contacts can be arranged.

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Funding

The GCCCC enjoys a strong and effective working relationship with Regional Development Australia (RDA) where the Chamber has recently assisted a consortium involved with the proposed development of a major city project to access funding. In seeking funding for its own development and resourcing further opportunities for Gold Coast businesses the growing relationship with RDA is proving invaluable in achieving growth, economic stability and employment.

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Nature Based Tourism

The Gold Coast Hinterland presents an enviable opportunity to broaden the city’s tourism base in this expanding market demographic. Development of this market has been vehemently opposed by what the GCCCC considers radical green philosophies attributed to minority groups who have the ear of the government. The GCCCC believes in conservation and environmental protection, however, that must be tempered and balanced with due consideration of economic and social impact.

The GCCCC continues to lobby for sustainable development of the Springbrook Plateau to support the local community, broaden the city’s tourism base, create employment and educate the public in the importance of maintaining the natural environment. Private sector development and the natural environment need not be mutually exclusive. As a critical component of a Nature Based Tourism destination it is in the interest of a private sector enterprise to protect and respect the natural environment.

Observation of private sector developments within the natural environment demonstrates better management practices than the government provides in its own areas of control. Further the cost of that maintenance and management under private sector control does not impact on the taxpayer.

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Commonwealth Games Bid

The GCCCC together with the community supports the bid to bring the Commonwealth Games to the Gold Coast. This is achieved by conducting functions through its 11 Chamber members to create awareness and further support in welcoming the various voting delegates to our city where practical and demonstrating what our city has to offer.

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