Business owner toolkit

We're small business friendly

Moreton Bay is proudly home to more than 32,500 businesses. Council is committed to supporting business growth, resilience and innovation and are hands on in providing practical support that readily impacts your success.

Council's business owner toolkit is regularly updated and provides handy links to information, resources and training for your business to access. You can also download a digital Small Business Friendly booklet(PDF, 1MB) showcasing the below programs, resources and information and more.  

Doing business with Council

• Watch a Doing business with Council video to learn how to become a Council supplier. Our Local Preference Policy proactively supports local businesses in all Council procurement transactions.
• Council’s Supplier Portal holds information on how to register on Vendor Panel and Local Buy for updates on Council procurement opportunities.
• Our region’s major events are run by Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT). You can register here to become a stallholder.

Navigating Council permits and licensing 

• The Business Launchpad platform provides information from all three levels of government, so you know which permits and licenses you will require upfront. 
• Easy access to important Council regulatory information and permits.
• Information on organising an event within Moreton Bay is all in one place.
• The Moreton Bay Pop-Ups Program provides a road map for mobile food trucks and conducting business on public land.

Business planning and innovation programs

• Enrol in a free Business Planning course delivered by University of the Sunshine Coast Moreton Bay.
• Our Business Management Systems workshops help you access government procurement opportunities.
• Innovate Moreton Bay provides entrepreneurship and innovation programs and initiatives that may help you connect, grow and scale your business.
• Free and low cost federally funded Digital Solutions workshops by Business Station can teach you how to grow your digital footprint and marketing channels.
• Council’s free Funding Finder tool helps you find grants across Australia.
• Our Economic Development team regularly create and promote workshops to help increase the capacity and capability of our business community. You can stay up to date with upcoming workshops on our Events and Learning web page.
• EcoBiz is a free program to help reduce your water, energy and waste bills provided by CCIQ (currently funded until 2024).
• The ASPIRE online marketplace allows businesses to search alternative solutions and revenue streams for waste otherwise going to landfill.
• The Moreton Money local gift card program enables the community to support local businesses with a #buylocal gift card. You can register your interest to accept or sell the gift card now.
• We deliver a virtual work experience program called My Future in Moreton Bay for people who want to work and stay in the Moreton Bay region as we grow, so there is more talent on offer for your business.
• Workforce planning can be successful without being complicated. Find resources for planning your workforce(PDF, 2MB).

• If you are new to business, The Business Queensland website has a fantastic resource to help you get started in business.

Resources for designing your premises

• Get simple and cost-effective ideas to help your business look more inviting to customers with the shopfront improvement guidelines.
• Discover how to rebuild or retrofit your building to be flood smart with the flood smart buildings guidelines.
• Council officers are available for provide free development application pre-lodgement advice.
• Learn more about Council's application assessment process which covers building and plumbing work, and the material change of use of a premises.

Economic information and data

• Sign up for our Business Connect bi-monthly newsletter to hear what is happening across the region. 
• Sign up to Moreton Daily for all the region’s happenings.
• The Business Queensland Small Business Connect Newsletter is compiled by The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training and comes out monthly.
• Want to access data but don’t know where to start? Ask Morty is our new data concierge service which answers three critical business questions based on up-to-date Census data.
• Free access to online economic data tools to make informed business decisions is available at Economy.id, Social Atlas, and Community Profile.

Making connections

• Council supports the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN Moreton Bay) to work with our leading food, agriculture and horticulture businesses across the region.
• Connect with the region’s best manufacturers at an upcoming Advanced Manufacturing Networking event.
• Get tourism industry updates, opportunities and resources from Council’s tourism industry partner Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism (MBRIT).
• Our region has some fantastic Chambers of commerce and industry groups which work to support small businesses every day.

Building resilience against natural disasters

• Download a Business Disaster preparedness brochure or access disaster recovery resources.
• Council’s Disaster Dashboard is an essential source of information when disaster strikes.
• Download the Small Business Disaster Hub app to understand the steps you can take to navigate a range of disasters and business disruptions.
• The Queensland Small Business Commissioner provides lease mediation assistance and advocacy programs to enable and empower your business to succeed.
• The Small Business Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland provides free, impartial and confidential planning and support services to businesses.
• Cyber security information and protection is crucial to modern businesses and Business Queensland can help you understand your risks, obligations and options.
• The Federal Government funded Strengthening Business program creates a roadmap for you to recover from impacts of the 2022 flooding event.
• You are your businesses greatest asset, and the Business Queensland Wellness Coaches can help you with unique and personal business challenges, needs and opportunities in a free one-on-one, supportive environment.

National and local awards

• Consider applying for or attending the Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards for inspiration, recognition and new connections.
• There are also a number of national awards that local businesses can enter detailed in this 2023 Awards Guide(PDF, 26MB) compiled by Council.
• These industry case studies showcase the talent and capability in our region. Could you follow a similar format to showcase your business?

If you have any questions or want more information contact the Economic Development Team at economic@moretonbay.qld.gov.au or call (07) 3094 3647.