Chamber has internet focus

OUTGOING CCIQ Noosa President Sarah Fisher will continue to work towards getting faster internet connection for small business in the region.
Ms Fisher, who has stood down after two years as president of the local chamber, said it would continue to be a focus for CCIQ Noosa.
“CCIQ Noosa will continue to work towards getting the Noosa Shire better internet connections here in Noosa,” she told the chamber AGM last week, including Member for Noosa Glen Elmes.
“And we promise to keep the business community abreast of the situation and bring to life any new developments.”
Ms Fisher was instrumental in arranging for the NBN Co to visit the chamber in July and address concerns from small business about the lack of progress of the broadband rollout.
“It is a matter of basic equity. Access to adequate broadband is a vital piece of enabling infrastructure, upon which the fortunes and growth of many local businesses depend,” Ms Fisher said at the time.
Unfortunately, NBN Co said Noosa and surrounding businesses were unlikely to be connected to the NBN before mid-2017.
Ms Fisher, who will now be concentrating on her role as director of Austwide Insurance Brokers, remains as a committee member of CCIQ Noosa.
In her farewell speech, she said 2015 had been a momentous year for the chamber and it would only get better. The release of the Four Initiatives program, including a feasibility study for a convention centre and plans to grow the local business economy by 10 per cent, had been the highlights.
“Some of these initiatives are going great guns and others are going to be a work in progress. CCIQ Noosa will continue to keep you updated on these projects,” she said.
“CCIQ Noosa has this year been invited to be on the focus group for the Noosa Economic Plan. I hope that CCIQ Noosa continues to grow this partnership with the Noosa Council.
“It’s very important that our organisation is able to communicate effectively with our business members and the Noosa Council. It’s the business community who benefits if we can all work together.
“This year has also seen CCIQ Noosa being instrumental in forming collaborative collections with various community groups and organisations.
“We have achieved a great momentum for Noosa and I’m hopeful that the new committee will be able to continue the good teamwork, for the interests of the business community.
“CCIQ Noosa will continue to provide value to our members and be an organisation and something that the business community will be proud of and will continue to support.”