Business Boost initiative

Business Boost

In June 2024, City of Moreton Bay announced a $922 million 2024-25 budget. It included $1 million to support small businesses, farmers, and local rural industries. This is on top of the existing support under Council’s business support initiatives.

With this, Council developed its City of Moreton Bay Business Boost initiative. The initiative will boost our city’s economy with several major projects in these key areas:

  • Access to digital marketing and finance tools.
  • Agritourism capability.
  • Ecotourism certification.
  • Food/coffee service.
  • Retail leasing.
  • Small business tax governance.

The initiative will work with around 1,500 businesses. This will be through targeted workshops, specialised training by industry experts, and mentoring. The support can foster growth, increase capability, and ensure long-term sustainability.

Council’s Australian carbon credit units will help fund these programs. Council generates these units by capturing methane gas at our waste management facilities.

Current business support programs

Tech Essentials Program

The Tech Essentials Program aims to boost the online capability of small businesses. By improving technology adoption and digital skills, it helps strengthen their digital presence. The program offers 1,000 local small businesses a free 6-month subscription to:

  • Xero: an integrated accounting platform
  • Constant Contact: a complete digital marketing solution.

These tools:

  • streamline invoicing
  • improve cash flow
  • provide financial clarity
  • enable personalised targeted marketing to grow sales
  • strengthen customer relationships
  • enhance competitiveness.

By saving time on finance and marketing, businesses can focus on what matters most. Investing resources where they’re needed ensures long-term success and growth. 

One extra sale per participant can generate $6 million in new economic activity. This can create 10,000 extra shifts for workers.

In total, it could support up to $14 million in new revenue and cost savings for local businesses.

We're proud to help local businesses use digital solutions. This will build a stronger and more resilient future.

Learn more about the Business Boost Tech Essentials Program.

UniSC Tax Clinic Business Program

The Tax Clinic offers free tax help to small businesses and individuals. It is run by the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC). Accounting students provide this help under the supervision of a registered tax agent. This service will be available until 2027.

Register for the UniSC Tax Clinic

Our Business Boost initiative is sponsoring the clinic. Through this partnership, the clinic can expand to provide workshops to small businesses. They will also host Tax Clinic talks at Moreton Bay business events until 2027.

Free tax workshops 

Tax workshops, covering general information about tax essentials and smart tax strategies for small, home-based or micro-business owners, will be held at UniSC in mid-2026.

Workshop dates will be posted to this website closer to mid-2026. Stay informed with upcoming business events by subscribing to Moreton Business Connect.

Beyond the Farm Gate Program

Our tourism sector is growing. Visitors are showing more interest in farming and food production. The Beyond the Farm Gate Program supports our local agricultural businesses. It helps them combine farming, tourism, and hospitality. It also supports the creation of immersive visitor experiences.

The program offers custom workshops, seminars, and online courses. This program is by our partner, Regionality Pty Ltd. Business owners will receive the tools, strategies, and knowledge they need. These will help them grow a successful agritourism product.

Learn more about the Beyond the Farm Gate Program.

Past business support programs

Eco-Certification and Accreditation Support Program

City of Moreton Bay is committed to establishing the city as a leader in sustainable tourism. To support this, we're encouraging local businesses to adopt sustainable practices.

In 2025, our Eco-Certification and Accreditation Support Program helped 20 local businesses. We provided up to $5,000 in financial support. This was to undertake or renew their eco-certification and accreditation.

Applicants for this program closed on 30 May. Businesses can still take steps towards eco-certification and accreditation through other programs to:

  • boost their business's market appeal by publicly demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices
  • highlight the role their business plays in advancing environmental excellence within its community
  • put in place sustainability practices within their business to align with global standards
  • help their business work with local businesses to build a resilient, sustainable economy.

Discover more eco-certification and accreditation support programs.

Master Your Food Business Program

The Master Your Food Business Program empowered food business owners. This program provided tools, guidance, and knowledge to help navigate industry challenges.

The program had key learnings for food business owners. It covered best practices and strategies. The program was industry-led and designed to:

  • increase profitability
  • enhance sustainability
  • scale with staff
  • address key issues.

Participants gained the skills to enable their food business to survive and thrive.

Learn more about the Master Your Food Business Program and our case studies.

Shopfront Renewal Program

The Shopfront Renewal Program delivered vibrant transformations across local retail precincts in 2025.

The program:

  • injected new life into key commercial areas
  • delivered brighter streetscapes with refreshed facades and creative design elements
  • lifted the visual appeal of local shopping areas.

By drawing attention to vacant properties, the program promoted shops for lease. This encouraged new business interest.

More information

For more information, email economic@moretonbay.qld.gov.au.

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