Surf Coast Shire Council release results of Business Insights Survey
Published on 15 January 2025
Surf Coast Shire Council has started rolling out new business support initiatives after 128 local business owners completed our Business Insights Survey 2024, sharing their priorities and challenges in a post-pandemic economy.
While more than 70 per cent of businesses indicated they were in a better or similar position to the previous 12 months, overall, the survey found business confidence has declined compared with pre-COVID levels.
According to the survey, the top three challenges for local business owners are:
- rising costs,
- staffing and housing affordability, and
- government and Council regulations.
As in previous years, the survey asked how businesses had performed and their sentiment for future performance. This year a major focus was to also find out about environmental sustainability initiatives businesses were already engaged in, as well as their goals and priorities for future improvement and development.
Eighty per cent of survey respondents indicated they wanted to improve their environmental sustainability, with Council to investigate trial opportunities for soft plastic and food organics and garden organics collection.
Many business responses also focused on a desire to improve their skills through training opportunities; particularly in areas of online marketing, an increasingly important focus for businesses to build a stronger customer base.
As a result, Council has launched a Build Better Business program of free workshops that will continue this year – one of the numerous initiatives launched by Surf Coast Shire Council in response to the survey.
Councillor Joel Grist encouraged interested local business owners to sign-up for the free sessions at surfcoast.vic.gov.au/BetterBusinessSkills
“Businesses are an integral part of the Surf Coast community, with over 4,000 employers and 12,500 workers,” he said.
“We heard that the Surf Coast is a desirable place for businesses because of its natural beauty, relaxed work-life balance, and supportive atmosphere,” Cr Grist said. “It’s important we retain these attributes.
“We want to see a thriving, connected business environment, and we want to support the economic growth of the community. The survey was a useful tool to see how Council can work towards this, so thanks to everyone who participated.”
Business Insights Survey responses have shaped other initiatives including a shop local campaign over the festive season; a partnership with Geelong Sustainability to plan a business energy efficiency workshop; and an online resource library to assist businesses with sustainability tips, mentoring, grants advice, and wellbeing and financial supports.
“Community members can play their part in supporting Surf Coast businesses by choosing to shop and use local wherever possible,” Cr Grist said.
On the regulatory front, Council will continue to improve and promote its existing Business Concierge service to deliver even better support. This comprehensive service takes the stress out of obtaining permits by guiding businesses through each stage of regulatory processes.
“Local businesses which utilise the concierge service will have a primary Council contact that helps identify required permits, facilitates engagement with various Council departments, and tracks applications,” Cr Grist said.
Council has a goal to improve access to affordable residential accommodation, as community members – including people who want to live close to their workplace – are being priced out of the market and struggling to find rentals.
Council will continue its housing advocacy efforts to other levels of government and continue exploring and progressing affordable housing projects that will benefit local businesses.
“There’s also some work to do on suggestions raised around increased commercial space and parking, and how our main streets look,” Cr Grist said.
“Some concerns from survey respondents have already been addressed, including tree pruning and street cleaning.”
View the full Business Insights Survey results via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/BusinessSurveys