News Monitor Archive
Issue 136 - 22 April 2013
With its status as the Energy Capital of Queensland, the Western Downs region is well-paced to play a leading role in determining the mix of energy used in Australia well into the future. read more Western Downs in the mix to meet future energy needs
A new register of compensation agreements announced by the Queensland Government could help relieve landholders’ uncertainty about dealing with advances from the onshore gas industry. read more Register to help farmers in gas company dealings
A new initiative to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities benefit from opportunities created by the resource sector boom will be hosted in the Western Downs Region this month. read more Dalby Forum supports Indigenous economic opportunities
Issue 135 - 15 April 2013
Newly released labour force data shows the Western Downs replicating Queensland in improving employment trends. read more Employment trends improving in Queensland
Local governments, industry and the community are invited to have their say on the draft State Planning Policy (SPP), which forms part of the Newman Government’s planning and development reform agenda. read more Have your say on new draft planning policy
Small businesses can now access a free online education program to help them learn about their rights and obligations under Australian competition and consumer laws. read more Free online education program for small businesses
Issue 134 - 8 April 2013
Residents of the Western Downs are enjoying a relatively high level of social-economic advantage compared to the rest of Queensland, according to figures released by the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS). read more A sense of well-being in Western Downs
‘Unconscionable conduct’ can be a difficult concept to nail down – but is a crucial one for businesses to understand to protect themselves from becoming a victim and to avoid engaging in such conduct towards other businesses or consumers. read more Don’t let your business become a victim of unconscionable conduct
Aiming to assist more than 80 local women transition into employment and education pathways, 'Count Me In' project partners AMMA Skills Connect, Origin Energy and YWCA Queensland are calling on all organisation's operating in the region to get on-board. read more ‘Count Me In’ to build diversity and skills in Queensland’s resources heartland
Issue 133 - 2 April 2013
A state-wide campaign has now been launched by the Newman Government to encourage Queenslanders to support small business growth by shopping locally. read more ‘Buy Locally’ campaign to help local communities
A new initiative to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland’s South West benefit from opportunities created by the resource sector boom will be held in the Western Downs Region this month. read more Economic Development Forum heads April calendar of events
People operating a business from home can develop their skills and tap into a range of low-cost and no-cost business advisory services through a HomeBiz Connect expo. read more HomeBiz Connect: A one-stop shop for business support
Issue 132 - 25 March 2013
A region-wide business survey has been launched in the Western Downs to build on Western Downs Regional Council’s ongoing strategy to create a high performance investment environment in the region. read more Business survey launched to create high performance environment
All 104 kilometres of road reconstructed in the Darling Downs Region since the 2010/2011 flood events has stood up well, despite the destruction unleashed by Cyclone Oswald, according to the latest update from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR). read more Construction work continues on Warrego Highway
A Small business self assessment checklist, designed to help businesses become more aware of their rights and obligations when dealing with consumers, has been launched this month by the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) regulators. read more Are you doing the right thing by your customers?
Issue 131 - 18 March 2013
Many millions of dollars are being poured into the Western Downs as the region capitalises on its two major resources – energy and agriculture. read more Multi-million dollar investment in Western Downs Region
While there is no single magic bullet for finding a clean, cheap alternative to diesel as a source of fuel for the transport industry, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that natural gas is a pretty good option. read more New fuel system puts compressed natural gas on highway trucks
The Western Downs Region will take the lead in a ground-breaking new regional effort to enable regional workers to boost their agri-skills. read more Western Downs to lead ground-breaking workforce initiative
Issue 130 - 11 March 2013
A comprehensive report on economic and business conditions in the Western Downs has revealed that the region continues to bat above the average when it comes to key indicators such as gross regional product, population growth and value of construction. read more Western Downs Region batting above the average
A major Business Investment Tour in the Western Downs Region will pave the way for a wide range of businesses and investors to share in the riches of the Energy Capital of Queensland. read more Tour opens doors to Western Downs’ riches
For the first time businesses can find all the information they need about government-related licences, registrations and permits for all levels of government online in the one place. read more New service cuts red tape for small business
Issue 129 - 4 March 2013
The Western Downs Region is joining with the rest of the world to recognise the economic, political and social accomplishments of women through International Women's Day (IWD). read more Achievements in the spotlight on International Women’s Day
Extra financial help is now available for employees, small business persons and farmers in the Western Downs who experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the January floods. read more 2013 floods trigger income recovery subsidies
Local councils in Queensland have been charged with introducing a new rural property numbering system to provide a simple, straightforward means of identifying, locating and addressing properties in rural and rural-residential areas. read more New addressing system to locate rural properties
Issue 128 - 25 February 2013
Families in the Western Downs will have better access to medical specialists in Toowoomba and Brisbane through a $1.3 million online service funded by QGC Pty Limited. read more QGC to connect local families with online medical specialists
The Western Downs region will benefit from faster internet speeds under plans unveiled this month to double the wholesale broadband speeds delivered to rural and remote Australia. read more Faster internet on the way for Western Downs
Amendments to Queensland’s strategic cropping land map have been heralded by the State Government as commonsense changes that will provide ongoing protection for high quality agricultural land, and clarify where development can occur. read more New changes to Queensland’s strategic cropping land map
Issue 127 - 18 February 2013
Advance Western Downs (AWD) is leading the push for extra financial assistance for the region through a campaign to identify the full impact of the recent floods on local businesses and primary producers. read more Survey to push case for extra flood recovery help
A Small Business Advisory Service has been launched by Dalby Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) with the aim of helping local businesses to boom in 2013 and beyond. read more New advisory service to grow Dalby businesses
The Western Downs region will once again be under the spotlight at this year’s Infrastructure & Energy Summit in Toowoomba. read more Infrastructure & Energy Summit to open doors for business
Issue 126 - 11 February 2013
Pressure is mounting for the construction of the proposed Toowoomba Second Range Crossing to be the gateway to the booming Surat Basin and support development in the region. read more Push for road and rail infrastructure investment
Primary producers and small businesses hit by the latest Queensland floods can now access concessional loans at a record low interest rate of 1.7 per cent. read more Help on hand for flood affected farmers
Small businesses, franchisees and franchisors lodged more than 2,300 complaints and enquiries with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in the last half of 2012, a new report reveals. read more Key issues of concern to small business
Issue 125 - 4 February 2013
In the wake of last week’s devastating floods, Queensland small businesses and primary producers are being encouraged to check if they are eligible for government financial assistance to help get their business back on track. read more Financial help available for flood-affected businesses
Amendments to Queensland’s strategic cropping land map have been heralded by the State Government as commonsense changes that will provide ongoing protection for high quality agricultural land, and clarify where development can occur. read more New changes to Queensland’s strategic cropping land map
Small business owners around the nation are being encouraged to nominate for this year’s Australian Small Business Champions Awards. read more Are you a small business champion?
Issue 124 - 29 January 2013
While there is no single magic bullet for finding a clean, cheap alternative to diesel as a source of fuel for the transport industry, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that natural gas is a pretty good option. read more New fuel system puts compressed natural gas on highway trucks
The Western Downs region will once again be under the spotlight at this year’s Infrastructure & Energy Summit in Toowoomba. read more Infrastructure & Energy Summit to open doors for business
With 2013 now well underway, the Western Downs Region is gearing up for one of its major celebrations of the year – the biennial Chinchilla Melon Festival. read more Melon Festival top of the bill in February
Issue 123 - 21 January 2013
The Queensland coal sector is remaining upbeat despite the State Government last month forecasting a fall of $388 million in coal royalties in 2012-13. read more Queensland coal sector remains upbeat
An environment of optimism exists amongst Queensland businesses, with 43 per cent of respondents to a recent survey expecting their financial performance to improve in 2013. read more Queensland businesses optimistic about 2013
With the ongoing wave of resource sector activity in the region, a property computer map could be the key tool for landholders to negotiate a fair deal with a coal seam gas (CSG) company. read more Computer mapping key to CSG talks
Issue 122 - 14 January 2013
Following massive growth over the past two years, 2013 promises to further enhance the status of the Western Downs region as the ‘Energy Capital of Queensland’. read more Why the Western Downs is the Energy Capital of Queensland
As Australian companies prepare for the year ahead, business information analysts at IBISWorld have revealed the five industries expected to soar and the five expected to sink in 2013. read more Industries to fly and fall in 2013
Mentoring offers opportunities for personal development and can help you develop your business through improved planning, performance and productivity. read more Grow your business through mentoring
Issue 121 - 2 January 2013
The first of more than 530km of pipe has been laid underground 15 km south of Miles as part of the pipeline construction component of the Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) project. read more APLNG pipe goes underground
It’s that time of year again – time to reflect on what we did and didn’t achieve this year and make promises for the next year. Small businesses are no exception. read more Top 12 New Year’s resolutions for business
Almost two years on from Queensland’s devastating floods, small businesses everywhere are continuing with the battle to overcome poor cash flow conditions. read more Cash flow battle continues for small business
Issue 120 - 17 December 2012
Gas company BOC is proceeding with plans to develop Queensland’s first micro LNG plant near Miles destined to supply the trucking industry with a cleaner alternative fuel. read more BOC proceeding with Condamine Micro LNG plant
A “Six Point Action Plan” – targeted at strengthening the relationship between the resources and agricultures sector – has now been released by the Queensland Government. read more Overhaul of land access laws
With the busy Christmas trading period now underway for many businesses, and others planning temporary shutdowns for a well-earned break, business owners are being cautioned to place a high priority on security. read more Security the key to crime prevention this Christmas
Issue 119 - 10 December 2012
The move last week by Reserve Bank Australia (RBA) to again cut the official interest rate has been hailed as a potential boon for the small business sector. read more Rate cut paves way for Christmas trading boon
Dealing with that ATO online can save your business time and money. If you are still lodging your business activity statements by paper, you can improve your efficiency by switching to electronic lodgement. read more Build a better business – lodge BAS online
With expectations for selling prices now close to their lowest level in more than two decades, Australian businesses are indicating that discounting is the required antidote for sluggish spending heading into Christmas. read more Tips to boost your Christmas sales
Issue 118 - 3 December 2012
Resources and energy projects in the Western Downs Region – with a value of more than $16 billion – have been identified in a new Australia-wide listing of major projects worth a staggering $663 billion. read more More than $16b to be invested in the Western Downs
One in every four dollars of the state’s economy and one in every five jobs—that's the extent of the resources sector's contribution to Queensland's prosperity. read more Resources sector still driving Queensland's economy
In line with its commitment to create sustainable employment and economic development for local industry, Arrow Energy has revealed that currently more than 90% of suppliers for its multi-billion dollar Arrow LNG project are Australian or regional businesses. read more Arrow LNG project opens door for local businesses
Issue 117 - 26 November 2012
The spotlight has now been firmly placed on the $7 billion Wandoan Coal Project following the planned merger of Swiss mining giant Xstrata and commodity powerhouse Glencore. read more Merger puts spotlight on Wandoan Coal Project
More than $13 million will be poured into the construction of new homes in Chinchilla, Miles and Tara to help ease housing pressures arising from the development of the Queensland Curtis LNG Project (QCLNG). read more More homes on the way in the Western Downs
Members of the public can now have their say on another facet of the Australian Government’s $1.7 billion package of land sector measures under the Clean Energy Future Plan. read more Have your say on new carbon fund measures
Issue 116 - 19 November 2012
Now firing on all cylinders, the Western Downs Regional Housing Trust, through the Western Downs Housing Reference Group, has launched a massive campaign to secure housing for those in most critical need. read more Sweeping survey critical to supply of affordable housing
In announcing improved economics for The Range Project in the Western Downs, Stanmore Coal has revealed that the project is on track to start producing high quality export thermal coal in 2016. read more Major coal project gets bigger and better
An overwhelming preference to do business online has seen demand for the Queensland Government’s web-based business portal almost triple in the past year. read more Website clicks for small business
Issue 115 - 12 November 2012
The Solar Dawn Consortium has today confirmed that although it remains committed to Australia’s large-scale concentrated solar power industry (CSP), it is no longer pursuing development of its proposed 250MW solar thermal power facility near Chinchilla. read more Sun sets on Solar Dawn project
Increased business productivity has been identified as one of the keys to future economic success in the wake of Reserve Bank Australia’s decision last month to slice 25 basis points off the cash rate. read more Tips to increase your business productivity
Small business owners are being invited to provide feedback to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on what they need to better understand their legal obligations. read more Online survey to hear from small business
Issue 114 - 5 November 2012
The announcement last week of significant foreign investment in BG Group’s Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) project has been heralded as a ‘vote of confidence’ for Queensland’s coal seam gas industry and the Queensland economy. read more Foreign investment boost for LNG industry
Western Downs Regional Council representatives and members of the Western Downs Housing Trust last week joined more than 700 delegates at the 7th National Housing Conference in Brisbane to identify and develop innovative responses to the challenges currently facing the housing industry. read more Conference guides future approach to housing
With regional cities and towns relying heavily on the drive tourism market to support their local businesses, Western Downs residents are being called on to have their say on a new draft Queensland Drive Tourism Strategy. read more Have your say on regional tourism plan
Issue 113 - 29 October 2012
Optimism remains high that Queensland’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry will continue to surge ahead despite ongoing debate over its economic and environmental impacts. read more Full steam ahead on gas projects
There’s something for everyone in the Western Downs region during November, with a range of activities planned for landholders, business owners, their staff and those looking for work. read more Busy calendar events for November
Businesses through Australia are paying a high price for productivity sapping red tape, according to a recent survey by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). read more The high cost of red tape