Local business marking time

‘Steady as you go’ probably best sums up the outcome of the latest business survey run by USQ Fraser Coast.

The latest Fraser Coast Business Barometer survey is the third in a series run by the University over the past 18 months. It shows not much has changed for the outlook within the regional business community, with a small increase in the intentions to retain or hire more staff, and a slightly more pessimistic view of the overall profitability of the average business.

Owners believe, as before, that a considerable amount of time will need to be spent on sustaining their businesses.
USQ Fraser Coast Faculty of Business and Law coordinator and survey manager Graham Young said the survey results conveyed a sense of community spirit.

'Local business owners and managers are working to support each other through buying locally where possible,' Mr Young said. 'Fraser Island is seen as our most valuable resource, followed by the environment, lifestyle and tourism.'

The survey indicated that tourism operators had experienced a tough six months, with revenues down compared to the same time last year.

'Anecdotally we knew our tourist firms are ‘doing it tough’ and the survey confirms it,' Mr Young said. 'Nevertheless close to 80 percent of business owners remain confident that their businesses will still be operating in three years’ time, up 2 percent on the previous survey.

'One clear message from the survey was about the carbon tax, with 79 percent of the respondents stating that they neither supported the tax nor believed it would benefit the region.'