With approximately 5000 small businesses in Subiaco, the City has been seeking ways to cut red tape for them, including a recent program with the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC).
The Small Business Friendly Approvals Program aims to streamline the process of obtaining business licences and permits from local governments and improve the overall experience for small businesses.
It’s part of a package of initiatives designed to support economic recovery following the pandemic and is funded by the State Government.
Small Business Commissioner David Eaton congratulated the City on the recent completion of a series of regulatory review workshops to kick off the program.
“The City of Subiaco is a high profile inner suburban area whose small business are a key attraction, providing a strong point of difference and character for the City,” he said.
“Through the approvals program, a working group selected from across the City of Subiaco worked closely with the SBDC on an intensive process to analyse and streamline the organisation’s approvals systems, with the goal of saving small business owners time and money and ultimately making it easier to start, operate and grow a business in Subiaco.
“I applaud the City for their commitment to the success of their local businesses and look forward to seeing the implementation of regulatory reform across the organisation.
“I am confident that the effort will be reflected in the success and growth of the City of Subiaco’s small business community.”
Mayor Penny Taylor said small businesses were the backbone of our local economy and community so it was vital the City supported them wherever possible.
“Small businesses make the City of Subiaco what it is,” she said. “The reduction in red tape and inefficient local government processes is where we can make a real difference in making doing business easier.
“It’s important that local government look at their processes to continuously improve and provide our community streamlined services that save time and money when dealing with Council.
“By reducing red tape and promptly implementing this important regulatory reform I hope to see a real difference in the way we welcome many new small businesses in the future and continue to support our existing businesses.”
The City will now undertake some addition work before rolling out changes in the coming months.
Fast facts:
- 97 per cent of all businesses in WA are classified as small
- the value of small business to WA economy is estimated to be $54.4bn or a quarter of the $257.4bn total private sector economic activity (based on 2019-20 ABS data).