A remarkable 227 business owners participated in Council’s first Business Retention and Expansion survey, sharing their experiences, challenges, and priorities.

Business Retention and Expansion programs provide a way for us to hear from business owners and understand their challenges so we can help them grow, create jobs and stay on the Central Coast. 

I’m pleased to announce that the  Business Retention and Expansion Insights Report  is now available to view on the Your Voice Our Coast website, breaking down who completed the survey and what they told us.   

 A range of industry sectors gave us feedback, with the Property and Business Services, Tourism and Hospitality, and Education sectors submitting the highest number of responses. 

Many respondents were small businesses with five or less employees, and indicated they were growing. Most had been at their current premises for 10 to 25 years, with some operating locally for more than 30 years.

More than 80% of respondents rated the quality of life the Central Coast offers as an advantage, while more than 50% reported they had good support from residents and other local businesses. 

Our business community also shared their challenges, with 55% of businesses citing access to skilled labour as a key issue. Working with local government, especially the permit process and availability of zoned land were also raised as concerns, while construction and leasing costs were perceived to be a disadvantage to doing business on the Central Coast.

We asked people about technology, and 11% indicated that AI would likely have an impact on their business in the future.

This information is incredibly helpful, and we appreciate the candidness of responses. 

The survey will be offered annually, allowing us to collect quality business information over time, and using this to better support local businesses. These insights will also be used to inform our new Economic Development program and develop a business concierge service.

We’ll also look developing more key partnerships, with education, business groups industry associations and other levels of government, to help identify gaps in, and deliver, the skills local businesses need for future success. 

Council currently offers a range of resources and support for small businesses, from referrals to help with business planning, through to links to local networking groups. We also provide access to business demographic data and market intelligence. 

If you’re looking to grow your business, or need practical advice, I encourage you to reach out to Council’s Economic Development Team or visit our website, search for ‘Business’ and explore what’s on offer.

You can also stay informed about initiatives and opportunities by subscribing to our  Economic Development Business e-newsletter.

Mayor Lawrie McKinna