SMALL BUSINESSES URGED TO DESIGN FUTURE

Small business owners in the Wagga Wagga electorate have been urged to have their say about the design of the State Government’s new business advisory service. 

The Independent Member for Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, said the survey was an important opportunity to define the operations of the new service, which is being remodelled following the withdrawal of funding for the highly successful Business Connect program. 

Dr McGirr, who fought for the retention of Business Connect, hoped the new service would provide independent, locally based advice and support to small businesses in Wagga and surrounds. 

“Business Connect was an excellent program that made a big difference in helping local businesses to meet opportunities and challenges, and I made it clear to the government that the program should have been fully funded so that its good work could have continued,” he said. 

“However, I am encouraged that the government will instead investigate creating a new program that I hope will largely model the former Business Connect service.” 

The government has launched a review of the small business advisory service and is asking small business to help design the successor to Business Connect. 

Feedback from businesses will be collected until 19 April. Stakeholders – including small businesses, peak bodies, business chambers and councils – can have their say at New small business advisory service | Have Your Say 

Dr McGirr said the new service should provide locally based independent experts to offer support to businesses. 

“I have strongly stated that Service NSW, despite providing great services, was not the appropriate organisation to deliver this type of program and am pleased that the government has come to the same conclusion,” he said. 

“It’s my belief that Business Connect had the right structures and expertise to fulfil this role and its replacement should operate along similar lines, with independent providers given added ability to provide even more advanced business support services than its predecessor was able to do. 

“But ultimately, this is a service for small businesses and at a time of worsening challenges for the sector, it’s important that those businesses tell the government what they need. 

“Although I am disappointed that the government failed to respond to sensible appeals to maintain the former Business Connect, I am heartened that the sector is being given the opportunity to develop new options and I urge anyone affected to have their say as soon as possible.”