Council and Chamber support for business

A key partnership between the City and key industry representative, the Chamber of Commerce, has been endorsed providing a vital link in promoting Wagga Wagga as a regional target for growth and new investment.

Wagga Wagga City Council and the Wagga Business Chamber this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to seal a two-year agreement, which will bring several benefits to the city’s small business community.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga, Councillor Greg Conkey OAM, said the MOU has been developed to define the key objectives, funding administration and management of a partnership between Council and the Chamber.

“This MOU will encourage and support the Chamber in key areas of business development, education, advocacy, recognition and advice for businesses, all with Council’s support,” Cr Conkey said.

“Our city has a strong business community across many sectors and it’s important for the Council and the Chamber to work closely with them all to achieve greater outcomes which benefit the city’s future as a vibrant and growing regional centre.”

Chamber President Danielle Wait said one of the Chamber’s first aims under the agreement is to develop a four-year strategic plan to engage local business and identify opportunities for the city’s economic development.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Wagga Wagga City Council and I expect that we will achieve many positive outcomes together during the next two years,” Ms Wait said.

“Utilising both organisation’s resources can only strengthen our economic development opportunities at regional, state and national levels.”

The key objectives of the MoU are to:

• Promote, lobby and advocate for the Wagga Wagga business sector broadly at the regional, state and federal levels
• Jointly seek, promote and advocate for major funding (from all levels of government) and projects within the LGA
• Engage the local business sector in revitalising the commercial and industrial areas of the Wagga Wagga region through increased commercial activity
• Advocate for the creation of new businesses in the LGA, the relocation of existing businesses to the LGA and the attraction of government services to the LGA
• Build the economic development capacity of the Chamber through increased funding and membership