DCCI pushing for policies

Clear policies with an aim to continue business confidence are what the Devonport Chamber of Commerce is looking for in the lead-up to the State Election.

Chamber president Stacey Sheehan said it was critical business confidence levels remained high post-election.

“Businesses love certainty, it's important for both parties to have a clear policy that will support continued economic growth for the state and in particular small business,” Ms Sheehan said.

She said she would like to see parties invest in upgrades for the Devonport Regional Airport, in addition to the funds already committed to the two new Spirits.

“The airport development will be a game changer for the region and city in terms of bringing in business and tourism,” she said.

“The Spirit upgrades are also critical projects over the next few years.”

Ms Sheehan said Devonport’s port size limited the city’s competitive advantage.

“If we can have additional capacity in our air and sea ports we can compete strongly for investment dollars against other parts of the state,” she said.

“Simply because investment in our region is purely a numbers game it’s all about the raw data.”

Ms Sheehan said the chamber supports the push to accommodate more government offices in Devonport.

“Particularly because historically offices have gravitated towards Burnie,” she said.

Ms Sheehan said she hoped to see parties adopt a payroll tax rebate policy for new businesses opening in regional areas.

‘If we could package energy and payroll rebates together for businesses, they would likely relocate here, which would result in more manufacturing,” she said.

She said the DCCI will continue their push for the Don River Railway.

“We would like to see funding supporting the railway allowing it to extend to the main line and doing a historic ride from Devonport to Burnie,” she said.

Wind farms, although not directly related to Devonport, were still on the chamber's agenda.

“We support the push for more wind farm operations and then exporting the power to the mainland,” she said.

DCCI is holding a luncheon on February 10 with Labor’s Shane Broad and the Liberal’s Roger Jaensch at the Gateway in Devonport.

Source: https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/5195998/dcci-pushing-for-policies/