Staff writers
Latrobe City Council is creating a single business association to strengthen the voice of the local business community.
The Latrobe City Business Chamber will bring together local businesses and industry groups to create more opportunities for collaboration, advocacy and innovation throughout the region.
The move is being backed by existing business groups including the Latrobe City Business Tourism Association, Advance Morwell, Committee for Moe and the Traralgon Chamber of Commerce.
Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson said the new group would bring the local business community together as one voice to achieve the “best outcomes for our growing regional city”.
“While the new association would be representing all of the businesses in Latrobe City, it would not stop the individual trader groups from operating, but would rather act as the parent organisation to complement the efforts of individual groups on projects that would benefit all,” Cr Gibson said.
The new entity will work with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Latrobe City Council, the Latrobe Valley Authority and Regional Development Victoria.
It will connect businesses, offer targeted support and help showcase Latrobe City and the wider region.
Latrobe City is working with representatives from each of the groups to establish a governance structure of the new chamber and identify the top priorities.
Advance Morwell chairperson John Guy said the group had participated in the working party and supported a new regional business organisation.
“We will continue to work constructively to ensure it provides balanced representation across the municipality with a clearly defined role,” Mr Guy said.
“This will enable the Latrobe City Business Chamber to work effectively with existing
organisations on broader issues, while allowing local groups such as Advance Morwell to support and represent their business and community members.”
Latrobe City Council is encouraged all local businesses in the municipality to join the chamber to ensure equal representation in all towns and localities.
Bookings are free by visiting Eventbrite – Latrobe City Business Tourism Association Inc Annual General Meeting.
