City of Karratha : Survey finds small business still confident

The Business Centre Pilbara conducted the survey in partnership with the City of Karratha to gauge the key issues impacting local small businesses.

Most businesses were positive about their trading over the past six months, and had a positive outlook about the upcoming year, with connection to the NBN highlighted as an important priority for the region.

City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long said the City was looking at ways to best support the small business sector as part of its commitment to economic development.

'The small business sector in the City continues to grow thanks to the hard work of our passionate owners and operators across a wide range of business types and industries,' Cr Long said.

'I am pleased to see that overall there is still confidence in the sector with many businesses planning to grow by employing more staff this year,' he said.

'This survey is just one of the ways in which we are listening to the needs of local businesses. Council has also established an economic development advisory group which will have two members from the small business community to continue to engage with the sector.'

The Business Centre Pilbara CEO Paul Jagger said he was pleased with the number of responses the survey received.

'It's so important that local business owners engage with these surveys as they help us better understand the challenges they face so we can get our service support right and fit-for-purpose,' Mr Jagger said.

'We will have another similar survey later in the years as we plan to measure where business is at twice a year.'

Council and the Economic Development Advisory Group will assess the results of the survey and determine ways which the City may be able to assist in improving confidence in the small business sector even further.