About 40 Kangaroo Island business people met in the function area of the Kangaroo Island Airport last week for the annual Regional Voice event co-hosted by Business SA and Business Kangaroo Island.
The annual Regional Voice report shows that business issues on Kangaroo Island are similar to elsewhere in SA regions, but with a few key differences. All SA regions ranked electricity costs as their most important business issue. This issue ran second on Kangaroo Island to the concern about infrastructure – primarily ports and roads – as an issue that worries business owners.
The survey, conducted in 2018, also shows that Kangaroo Island has greater confidence in its local government than other regions but that attracting skilled workers and training availability for staff on-island is a significant concern.
“Respondents strongly reported that investment in economic infrastructure, such as roads and ports, should be the focus of additional government support, with 55 per cent of respondents selecting this as a first preference. Respondents particularly noted the benefit a deep-sea wharf facility would have for the growth of Kangaroo Island’s bluegum timber industry,” the report said.
Business Kangaroo Island chair Sharon Kauppila said this year’s Regional Voice event was the first joint networking event with the KI Industry and Brand Alliance. The two organisations will amalgamate on July 1 to become the KI Business and Brand Alliance.
Attendees heard from the Commissioner for Small Business John Chapman about legislative updates affecting business and from EML consultant Jody Bischoff about workplace insurance. Several members then presented a “60-second pitch” for their own businesses and a presentation from Damon Hagerstrom of Beam Internet was well-received.
“These events are a great way for Kangaroo Island businesses to meet each other and keep up to date on important information concerning small business. It’s also an important way to reinforce our messag
es to Business SA, which can advocate on our behalf,” Ms Kauppila said.
The full Regional Voice report is available at www.business-sa.com.
