Positive sign for business
A NEW State Government, a new mayor for the Coast and a new-found business optimism - something positive is in the air and it's drifting across Noosa as well.
The latest Sunshine Coast Business Confidence Survey predicts business performance will be stronger in the next six months with a 40% positive response for anticipated profit levels from businesses taking part.
The survey revealed 20% of businesses reported a "much weaker" performance in the last six months, with almost a quarter of respondents reporting static business performances.
Sunshine Coast TAFE director Ross Hepworth said rising overheads and utility costs remained the major constraint to business growth for the fourth straight survey over the past two years.
Mr Hepworth said each the latest survey also targeted the national resources boom and whether the local business community was seeing any benefit or not.
"There were 18% of businesses reporting an increase in benefits largely due to the resources boom, with 60% reporting no discernible benefits as yet," Mr Hepworth said.
Noosa Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Carl Beck on Wednesday was fairly upbeat about local business prospects, especially with the last .5% drop in interest rates that should flow through to the property.
"It would be good if the banks passed the interest rates cut on in full and it certainly should have happened sooner, because it's really what the economy needs," Mr Beck said.
But he believes Noosa is starting to have a glass half-full attitude after emerging from the toughest of times due to a high Aussie dollar, diabolical holiday weather and the GFC.
"I think we've had a good Easter, so that's all positive. I won't say the worst is past us, but I think we're going okay.
"As far as tourist destinations go, Noosa is looking pretty good you know. We're outperforming most of the other destinations.
He said the Coast has had to weather some recent economic lows, that have impacted on the property market, that no one could have predicted.
