As we move into April, the South West enters Djeran, the season of adulthood. After the intensity of summer, this time of year brings a welcome shift, cooler nights, soft south-westerly breezes, and those first dewy mornings that signal change is underway. Represented by green, Djeran is a season of growth and maturity.
Since our last update, there has been no shortage of movement, both globally and locally. The escalation of conflict in the Middle East has already begun to flow through to fuel prices and broader cost pressures. Thank you to everyone who took the time to contribute to our recent Fuel Price and Availability Survey. Your input has been invaluable, with findings shared directly with government and key stakeholders. We will be running a follow-up survey after Easter to track any shifts in sentiment and continue advocating on your behalf.
The government has announced support measures to assist businesses impacted by fuel prices, includng interest free loans and the ability to enter repayments plans with the ATO for things such as BAS payments.
Change continues to define the operating environment for business. In many ways, it has become the new normal. The ability to adapt is no longer just an advantage, it is essential.
At the same time, there are strong tailwinds emerging, particularly in the space of artificial intelligence. AI is already shaping the way we work, from streamlining everyday tasks through to transforming how we plan, analyse and communicate. Some commentators have gone as far as comparing its impact to the arrival of electricity 100 years ago, and while that may sound bold, the pace of change suggests there is real substance behind it.
For businesses, this represents a genuine opportunity. The challenge, and the opportunity, lies in how it is adopted. AI is not something that sits on the sidelines. To be effective, it needs to be embedded into culture, leadership and day-to-day operations.
With this in mind, the Chamber is committed to continuing to deliver practical training and information sessions to help our members navigate this space with confidence. We recently welcomed Microsoft to Chamber House to explore how Copilot integrates into Microsoft 365, demonstrating how tools like Word, Excel and PowerPoint can be enhanced to save time and improve productivity.
Looking ahead, AI leadership will be a key theme at our South West Leaders Conference on 30 July in Bunbury. As businesses continue to evolve, understanding how to lead through technological change will be critical, and this event will bring together perspectives to support that journey.
Closer to home, there are also important regulatory changes on the horizon. From 1 July, employers will be required to pay superannuation on pay day. We recently partnered with RSM to deliver a webinar outlining what this means in practice and how businesses can prepare. If you were unable to attend, we encourage you to watch the recording below and ensure your systems and processes are ready.
Finally, as we look to the months ahead, there is plenty to be excited about in our region.
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AFL returns to Bunbury on Saturday 6 June, with North Melbourne taking on the Fremantle Dockers at Hands Oval. To help celebrate, the Chamber is proud to be launching a new CBD activation, Local Legends. This initiative will see the stories of our region’s footy greats brought to life through shopfront displays across the Bunbury CBD, each featuring a QR code linking to their story.
Later this month we will be kicking off with Syd Jackson, whose journey from South Bunbury to the WAFL and VFL with Carlton is one many will recognise. From there, we will continue to showcase players from clubs such as Carey Park, South Bunbury and Bunbury, celebrating the people and stories that have shaped our local sporting identity.
As always, thank you for your continued engagement and support.
Feel free to drop me a line directly if there is something you would like to share: ceo@bgcci.com.au
Sean McKeown
CEO
Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce & Industry
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