Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has a policy designed to achieve an environment that meets the sustainable needs of existing and new businesses. Council shares the community's commitment to economic development and keenly extends a helping hand to investors. A range of services are provided to cut through the red tape and guarantee 'investment made easy'. We do this in a number of ways and just some examples are:
- Council has a policy aimed at prioritizing planning approvals and decisions involving industry;
- Council has committed staff who will freely advise on existing and potential investment opportunities and development sites;
- Council is willing to lend its support for all worthwhile applications for financial assistance under the government assistance schemes for industry and commerce;
- Council is willing to make Council owned property available on competitive terms for sale or lease and has industrial land in Port Macquarie and Wauchope readily available.
As well as the obvious personal and general business opportunities that exist in the Hastings, there are a number of programs and grants that could offer valuable assistance in either relocation of an existing business or establishing a new one.
Council's Economic Development Officer is familiar with the many sources of government funding assistance and can offer advice on eligibility as well as assistance in preparing submissions to such bodies.
The Department of State and Regional Development (SARD) offers a considerable number of services to businesses including subsidies for costs incurred in the following areas:
- business planning
- plant and equipment removal costs
- skills training
- key personnel removal costs
- contribution towards infrastructure
- offsetting local government charges
- technology development
- export development costs
- identification of business opportunities
- contributions to Payroll Tax, Land Tax and Stamp Duty
The Department (SARD) has on office in Port Macquarie and can be contacted regarding these funding opportunities on 02 6583 5647.
