Business Boost initiative

Business Boost

In June 2024, City of Moreton Bay announced a $922 million 2024-25 budget. The budget included $1 million in funding for small businesses and the local rural and agribusiness sectors. This funding is on top of the generous contributions available under Council’s business support initiatives.

With this, Council has developed its City of Moreton Bay Business Boost initiative. The initiative, which includes 5 major projects, is designed to drive economic growth in City of Moreton Bay. It will focus on agritourism capability, ecotourism certification, food/coffee service, retail leasing, and small business tax governance. The initiative will engage around 500 businesses through targeted workshops, specialised training by industry experts, and mentoring aimed at fostering growth, boosting capability, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

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

Master Your Food Business Program

The Master Your Food Business Program aims to empower food business owners. It equips them with the right plans, guidance, and knowledge to navigate current industry challenges.

They will receive insights into the best practices and strategies for your food business. This helps increase profitability, enhance sustainability, scale with staff, and address key issues. Food business owners will gain tools and learn skills, helping food businesses to survive and thrive!

Owners of licensed food venues, coffee shops, and cafes will have a program tailored to their business needs. 

Find more information on Master Your Food Business Program.

Shopfront Renewal Program

The Shopfront Renewal Program offers Commercial property owners and Real Estate agents the opportunity to enhance the appeal of vacant shopfront’s by applying free temporary themed decals to shopfront windows.

Eye-catching decals improve the visual appeal of the property while also highlighting the space’s business potential. This makes the space more attractive to retail lessees.

To view the available designs and submit an application visit the Shopfront Renewal Program.

UniSC Tax Clinic Business Program

The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) Tax Clinic provides free tax advice to eligible individuals and small businesses. This support is provided by UniSC accounting students under the supervision of a registered tax agent.

Thanks to funding from the Australian Government's National Tax Clinic Program, this valuable service will be available from 2025 to 2027.

Register for the UniSC Tax Clinic

City of Moreton Bay’s Business Boost initiative is supporting the UniSC Tax Clinic through sponsorship to make this service even better! Through this partnership, the UniSC Tax Clinic can expand to provide workshops to small businesses and host Tax Clinic talks at Moreton Bay business events throughout 2025, 2026 and 2027.

Tax Clinic workshops will provide compliance and tax filing support for micro-business owners and home-based start-ups. They’ll also provide general guidance for those who are facing financial constraints or have trouble accessing tax services.

Free tax workshops for 2025

Tax essentials for startups

  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Thursday 19 June 2025 | UniSC Moreton Bay, Petrie campus
  • Registration from 9:30 AM

Smart tax strategies for small business success

  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Monday 18 August 2025 | UniSC Moreton Bay, Petrie campus
  • Registration from 9:30 AM

To participate in these workshops, register now.

With the support of the Business Boost initiative, UniSC will also conduct research into how improved tax management practices impact the performance of small businesses.

Beyond the Farm Gate Program

Moreton Bay provides a unique opportunity to link agricultural heritage, local farmers, fresh produce, and farming communities with a growing tourism sector interested in farming and food production.

The Beyond the Farm Gate Program aims to help agricultural businesses blend farming, tourism, and hospitality to create immersive visitor experiences. Through tailored workshops, seminars, and online courses, the program will equip business owners with the tools, strategies, knowledge, and insights needed to grow a thriving agritourism product.

Our partner, Regionality Pty Ltd, will deliver the program. Regionality are specialists in agriculture, tourism, food, and regional development.

Learn more about the Beyond the Farm Gate Program.

Eco-Certification and Accreditation Support Program

City of Moreton Bay is committed to establishing the city as a leader in sustainable tourism and encourage local businesses to adopt sustainable practices.

The Business Boost Eco-Certification and Accreditation Support Program will support local businesses to meet eco-certification and accreditation, which can:

  • boost a business's market appeal by publicly demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices
  • highlight the role a business plays in advancing environmental excellence within their community
  • implement sustainability practices within a business that aligns with global standards
  • support local businesses to work together to build a resilient, sustainable economy.

This program provides tourism businesses based within the Moreton Bay local government area access to free or discounted certification from trusted providers. For detailed information about the providers, certifications on offer, and how to apply, refer to Eco-Certification and Accreditation Support Program.

More information

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

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