Gold Coast Chambers amalgamate to form one powerful business voice
 
Three of the Gold Coast’s most influential business groups have agreed to amalgamate into a single powerful voice to represent almost half of the city’s industry

Members of the Surfers Paradise/Broadbeach, Central Gold Coast and Nerang Chambers of Commerce voted unanimously this week to merge into a single body that will represent 46 per cent of the city’s businesses

The idea was first floated by Surfers Paradise/Broadbeach Chamber Senior Vice President Laura Younger in September as a move to provide businesses in key areas a stronger voice with which to champion industry concerns to all levels of government

Surfers Paradise/Broadbeach Chamber President Lucy Cole, Central Gold Coast Chamber President Jason Deacon and Nerang Chamber President Jodi Brown all gave immediate support to the idea and have helped facilitate the lightning fast merger

Central Gold Coast Chamber President Jason Deacon said the amalgamation comes at a crucial period for Gold Coast businesses and was welcomed as a positive step for businesses by members and industry peers

“The move will strengthen the organisation and allow for a larger membership base, which in turn will result in more member services including networking functions, conferences and educational programs,” Mr Deacon said

“Amalgamation of these three important business networks also provides greater opportunities for a strong and united Chamber leadership that is required in these challenging economic times."

One of the main aims of the newly amalgamated Chamber will be to seek fresh initiatives and policies to allow the Gold Coast to continue to provide growth opportunities for both business and for those who reside in the area

“The continuing global economic uncertainty on top of the flow-on effect of the summer of disasters is impacting our regional economy, and business leaders must work together to ensure the Gold Coast not only survives any downturn, but is also well positioned for strong growth into the future,” Mr Deacon says

“A strong effective Chamber of Commerce representing almost half of local business will ensure that the interests of business operators feature strongly in future planning and policy initiatives of the governments of the day

“Something that will also be crucial in the lead up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games is the ability to ensure that the Coast’s collective voice is heard when determining priorities of associated infrastructure, something we’ll be keeping a close eye on.”

The expanded Chamber will represent the business precincts of Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, Miami, Burleigh, Varsity, Robina and Nerang

It is expected that a new Board of Management and name will be announced by February 2012 once all the necessary formalities have been approved.