Award win shows Rockhampton leads the way with small business support
Published on 30 May 2025
It’s official – Rockhampton Regional Council has the best small business program run by a Local Government in Queensland, named Small Business Friendly Program Member of the Year by the Queensland Small Business Commissioner.
The annual award recognises overall excellence in creating vibrant, small business-friendly communities. Member Local Government Areas are assessed in relation to red tape reduction, procurement, data analytics and placemaking.
The Rockhampton Region took home the prestigious title at the Small Business Friendly Conference against finalists Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Ipswich City Council.
Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said the awards reaffirm Council’s ongoing efforts to create a vibrant Region to live, grow and invest.
“This award is an enormous honour for Council and our small business community and recognises the shared work we have done as a Region to attract, develop and retain small businesses,” Mayor Williams said.
“From Council’s procurement of small business services and products to the combination of engagements, workshops, grants and mentoring programs delivered by Advance Rockhampton, Rockhampton Regional Council is leading the way with innovative and effective support measures for small business.
“We’ve seen a 9% increase in the number of small businesses in the Region since signing up to the Small Business Friendly Program, which shows the valuable business environment we have created here.
“I’d also like to recognise the assistance we receive from the Small Business Friendly Program and its members in motivating Advance Rockhampton to develop human-centred and place-based ideas, communicate with businesses and achieve economic targets.”
Advance Rockhampton Economic Development Manager Wade Clark said Council’s economic development arm delivered six targeted engagements during Small Business Month of May, with 30 tailored engagements being undertaken across the calendar year.
“The Member of the Year award is the perfect way to wrap up Advance Rockhampton’s Small Business Month program, but we recognise that supporting small business needs to be a year-round effort,” Mr Clark said.
“In the back end of 2025, we’ll be delivering more targeted workshops for small business, engaging with businesses in the agriculture and manufacturing industries, supporting the Mount Morgan Buy Local campaign and focusing a renewed effort on small business development across the Rockhampton Region.
“Advance Rockhampton takes great pride in the work we do, and we are always ready to provide assistance to businesses right across our community.”
For more information on the Small Business Friendly Program, visit https://qsbc.qld.gov.au/sbf-program/
For more information on Advance Rockhampton, visit https://www.advancerockhampton.com.au/Home