Council leads the way to recovery with business support webinars

Western Downs Regional Council’s free business support program is delivering real results for local traders, with more than 35 businesses taking advantage of free online webinars as part of Council’s $50 million COVID-19 Recovery Package.  

The online sessions delivered throughout June provided business owners with the tools needed to strengthen their businesses and help expand their online presence through learning opportunities with expert advisors.  

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh said the sessions meant local businesses had the chance to gain knowledge in areas that could assist them recover from the effects of the health crisis.  

“A lot of businesses within the Western Downs have been directly impacted by coronavirus so it’s critical for us to ensure our region remains economically strong by helping businesses come back even stronger than before,” Cr McVeigh said.  

“The recent social distancing measures demonstrated the opportunities that online shopping and digital marketing offer to modern businesses and Council wanted to ensure our local businesses were equipped with the tools and information that they needed to offer these services.  

“Participating businesses also received a complimentary, five-hour one-on-one session with one of the advisors following the webinars, offering the opportunity to work with the expert to clarify any areas and gain additional advice relating to their specific business type. 

“Coming out of this health crisis, our region remains open for business and I remind everyone that the best way to show your support and help our local businesses is to buy local.” 

RDA’s ASBAS Digital Solutions Qld Program Manager, Sha Wharton said it was more important than ever to support local businesses as restrictions begin to lift across the state.   

“These webinars aimed to help local businesses develop their online presence, provide them with new skills but most importantly, help them grow as a business,” Ms Wharton said.  

“Businesses need to feel supported right now and offering these webinars and welcoming different businesses to connect not only helps them gain new skills but also creates a community of similar people who are all going through the same struggles and looking for a way towards building their business in an interactive environment. 

“We have received an overwhelming response from the participants advising they found the sessions extremely beneficial and will now be able to effectively digitally market their services, which is a credit to our advisors who are not only extremely experienced in the field, but also come from and have an understanding of that world.  

“Western Downs Regional Council have done a fantastic job in delivering their COVID-19 Recovery Package and how they have supported their region through this, we are grateful that we were able to be a part of that and offer our services to help.”  

Queensland Electrical Company’s Director, Peter Scotney said the webinars were extremely helpful and beneficial for what he is trying to achieve at his business.  

“I decided to take part in the webinars as a way of enhancing my skills in the area of digital marketing to ensure my business is maximising the expenditure that we put into our current digital and online services, as well as get the full benefit from utilising these platforms and I think attending these sessions has definitely helped with that,” Peter said.  

“Coming out of the health crisis, there is still a lot of uneasiness within the community and among local businesses and by offering these webinars, it has allowed these businesses the opportunity to learn and profit from essential businesses practices to help further–communicate that we are still open for business and able to fulfil their needs.” 

Applications for the webinar series have closed, however businesses are encouraged to visit Council’s website for more information on Council’s Recovery Package:  contact 1300 COUNCIL (1300 268 624) or visit www.wdrc.qld.gov.au /recovery.