CHRONICLE COLUMN | A TIME TO REFLECT | 5 DECEMBER 2024
What a Year!
In 2024, we, like many of our members have continued to adapt to the direct impact on local business because of national economic conditions, compliance and regulation costs, crisis in tax policy leadership, and local housing supply.
These headwinds have been tough, at times frightening, but together we remain committed to facing these challenges – with gusto, being solution focused and driving change. This year, like previous years’, our evidence-based policy, has driven our advocacy, built on the premise that we must future proof the region by understanding the past, acting in the present, and planning for the future.
Our advocacy addressed our member concerns and provided solutions to matters like the application of capital city policy in our region, the cost of doing business crisis, and the infrastructure delivery freeze. Critical work to enable the wider community to become more aware of the effect of government policy on local businesses, the lifeblood of the capital of the Darling Downs and Southwest.
Connections, friendships, and learnings, continued with our program of 50 events and activities attracting 5977, attendees. Forged thanks to our over 600 valued members, making the Toowoomba Chamber is one of the largest regional Chamber of Commerce organisations in Australia and Queensland’s largest.
And we continue to be proud partners of the Darling Downs Regional Alliance which represents over 1000 businesses, where a community of likeminded associations together benefit from the cultivation of this collective collaboration.
A shout out to the wonderful volunteer advisory groups: Food and Agri Network, Central Business District Revitalisation Advisory Group, and Toowoomba Young Chamber who remain vital cogs in all our work and specifically what is happening at the business coal face.
Of course, as a member organisation, with no direct government funding, we are only as good as our membership base and as strong as our partners. We literally could not do what we do without your generosity, engagement, and support. Thank you for making it possible.
What a year!
Todd Rohl, Toowoomba Chamber