For the first time, the five Eurobodalla business chamber presidents met as a group with the shire’s councillors and senior council staff at an informal meeting, described as “very constructive” by mayor Liz Innes.
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“This was a fantastic opportunity for councillors to meet with the chamber presidents, and to have an informal yet very constructive conversation about the challenges and issues we share,” Cr Innes said of the meeting at The Whale Restaurant, in Narooma.
“We hope to do it again soon. The chambers show great leadership and the meeting left me feeling really confident about the future of Eurobodalla.”
The chambers were represented by Jude Manahan (Moruya), Niels Bendixen (Narooma), Peter Lonergan (Tilba), Richard Adams (Mogo) and Paul Biddlestone (Batemans Bay). Moruya Business Chamber’s Jude Manahan said it was the first time presidents had sat with the councillors as a group and discussed each chamber’s issues, opportunities and achievements.
“It was an extension of the regular meetings the shire chamber presidents have been having for the past years,” Ms Manahan said.
She said the meeting allowed the representatives to meet each other as individuals, as well as a representative and “put a face to a name so to speak, which always helps in communication.”
Ms Manahan said the meeting was a good starting point with ideas shared and suggestions registered.
“The meeting was itself and improvement; councillors got to hear direct from each chamber what was happening and what needed,” Ms Manahan said.
She said the meeting also provided an opportunity to introduce the achievements of and issues faces by each chamber, citing Moruya’s BYO Bag campaign and the ongoing fight to gain permission to access light poles for flag hanging.
The Narooma & District Chamber of Commerce and Tourism president Niels Bendixsen described the forum as open and honest.
Mr Bendixisen said the broader discussion, which encompassed the whole shire, centred on employment and growing businesses.
“Our shire is geographically widespread and it’s easy for each town to fall into silos of activity,” he said.
“Sharing and collaborating with council and with each other’s Chamber’s is vital if we want to move forward. This forum was an important step in making that happen.”