Talk To the South Australian Business Chamber At Two Regional Voice Events 

The Ongoing High Costs Of Electricity And Its Reliability And Supply, Company Tax, Labour Costs And Skills Availability Are The Issues Which Raise The Most Contention For Riverland Businesses, According To the South Australian Business Chamber’s Biennial Regional Voice Survey.

These Issues And More, Including Biosecurity, Cybercrime And Entrepreneurial Opportunities Will Be Raised When the South Australian Business Chamber Visits Loxton And Waikerie Next Week.

The New Regional Voice Events Will Differ From the South Australian Business Chamber Visits In Previous Years, With Our Regional Partners, The Loxton And Riverland West Chambers Of Commerce, Collaborating To Create An Evening With More Helpful Information For Local Businesses. 

Our first event, held at the Waikerie Hotel, will include an education session on cyber security and protecting your assets while doing business online, presented by CQR’s Greg Starkey; and an introduction to entrepreneur Ebony Forsyth, who heads local clothing business Rivah.

Small Business Commissioner John Chapman will speak about regional concerns, along with EML’s Alex Flint, who will talk about health and wellness at work, along with an update on the South Australian Business Chamber’s Regional Voice Survey, released late last year.

Our second event will be held at the newly-refurbished Loxton Research Centre, where Regional Manager Barb Cowey will give tours and provide an update on the fruit fly command centre’s workings and drought response units.

The South Australian Business Chamber Executive Director Industry and Government Engagement, Anthony Penney, said regional owners and decision-makers wanted to discuss the issues affecting their patch, learn more about biosecurity, hear from entrepreneurs and pick up tips to improve practices.

​“The Riverland has struggled through drought, water crises, high electricity costs and ageing infrastructure, as highlighted in our biennial Regional Voice Report,” Mr Penney said.

​“Skills shortages and attracting appropriately-skilled staff were major issues, and there were calls for the government to invest to retain or attract new businesses and industries.”

Mr Penney said close to 70 per cent of the region’s respondents faced challenges relating to skills shortages, with 40 per cent unable to attract employees even when offering competitive pay rates.

Businesses have also asked for tips to give them a competitive advantage across the state, with region-specific information shared in event workshops.

The South Australian Business Chamber’s Regional Voice Loxton and Riverland West events are free, including drinks and nibbles. The media is welcome to attend.

Regional Voice Riverland West will be held on Tuesday 9 April, 2019, at the Waikerie Hotel from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Details here

Regional Voice Loxton will be held on Wednesday 10 April, 2019, at the Loxton Research Centre, Bookpurnong Road, Loxton, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Details here

To arrange an interview please contact Verity Edwards on 0412 678 942.
1 April 2019