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Latrobe City Business Chamber formed to bring together local valley businesses and industry groups

Latrobe City Council is supporting the creation of a single business association to strengthen the voice of the business community.

By news@gippsland - 5th November 2021 - Back to News

The Latrobe City Business Chamber will bring together local businesses and industry groups to create more opportunities for collaboration, advocacy and innovation throughout the region. At business roundtable meetings held last year in response to the ongoing COVID crisis, business representatives recognised the need for 'one voice' for Latrobe City businesses.

From upper left to right, Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson, Deputy Mayor, Cr Darren Howe, and from lower left to the right, Peter Ceeney, Latrobe City Business Tourism Association, John Guy OAM, Advance Morwell, and Luke Henderson, Traralgon Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Establishing the governance structure

The new entity will work with larger organisations, including the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI), Latrobe City Council, the Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA) and Regional Development Victoria (RDV) to connect businesses, offer targeted support and help showcase what Latrobe City and the wider Gippsland region has to offer.

Council is working with representatives from each of the groups to establish the governance structure of the new Chamber and identify the top priorities. All business groups in Latrobe City Council are encouraged to join the chamber to ensure equal representation across all towns and localities.

To hear about this new organisation and to join the Latrobe City Business Chamber, come along to AGM of the Latrobe City Tourism Association being held at the Morwell Bowling Club on Tuesday 9 November at 5.00pm. Bookings are free, but essential via Eventbrite.

Bringing together the business community

Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson said, "The new group will bring together our business community to work together as one voice to achieve the best outcomes for our growing regional city. While the new association would be representing all of the businesses in Latrobe City, it would not stop the individual trader groups from operating, but would rather act as the parent organisation to complement the efforts of individual groups on projects that would benefit all."

Providing a united voice

Deputy Mayor, Cr Darren Howe said, "The Latrobe City Chamber of Commerce will provide a united voice for all businesses both large and small to the three levels of government as well as other business organisations. This will be vital as we start rebuilding business confidence as we emerge from two years plagued with COVID."

Peter Ceeney, Latrobe City Business Tourism Association said, "One strong business voice from one business chamber is exactly what Latrobe City needs to help promote its place as a major city in regional Victoria."

Stronger, brighter direction

Sue Abbott, Committee for Moe said, "The committee for Moe is excited to join forces and unite our towns in order to be a stronger voice and provide a greater liveable region and place where people want to be. We understand its early days and we may have some hurdles to rise over, but times change, as we have seen so very clearly in the past couple of years. It's now time for renewal and moving forward in a stronger, brighter direction."

Working constructively

John Guy OAM, Advance Morwell said, "Advance Morwell has actively participated in the working party to establish a Latrobe City Business Chamber and supports in principle the formation of a new regional business organisation. "We will continue to work constructively to ensure it provides balanced representation across the municipality with a clearly defined role."

"This will enable the Latrobe City Business Chamber to work effectively with existing organisations on broader issues, while allowing local groups such as Advance Morwell to support and represent their Business and Community members."

Great to have an alliance

Luke Henderson, Traralgon Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, "The Traralgon Chamber of Commerce and Industry is pleased to be a supporter of the newly established Latrobe City Business Chamber. Whilst the TCCI will continue to focus on matters, events and opportunities for Traralgon."

"It will be great to have an alliance when influencing all levels of government for greater small business support, training, attraction and development. The TCCI would like to thank the community groups of Morwell, Moe and the Latrobe City Council for the collaborative approach throughout the process of establishing the LCBC."

For bookings, visit the 2020 / 2021 LCBTA Annual General Meeting.

Pictures from One Gippsland website,Latrobe City website,Traralgon Chamber of Commerce Facebook page, and Advance Morwell website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com