Branch update from Megan Kraft

In times like these it is important as branch, industry, and community that we band together and pitch in to help everyone get through. We are certainly trying to do this locally at the moment.

The branch is part of the council-led COVID Fraser Coast Economic Recovery Work Group that is meeting weekly. Given our industry supports almost 2,000 direct jobs locally and pays over $125 million in wages each year, it is critical we have a seat at the table.

The working group is a great forum for us to hear what initiatives council is undertaking, collaborate with other government, industry, and community organisations, and share feedback from our members about industry impacts. We will continue to attend these meetings and play our part in relaying impacts and making recommendations we believe will support the broader community, not just our patch.

With many of us now working from home this is a great part of the world to be doing it in! The branch committee has been in touch with our members and keep that line of communication open during the crisis and beyond. We are hearing that some members are having issues with construction supplies, with a lot coming from overseas via the south east. The lack of supply has slowed some projects, with air-conditioners, fridges, and freezers particularly hot commodities around town.

Council is in the process of transitioning its staff to remote working and all meetings are now being held over the phone or via video conference. We understand that they have brought some extra hands on deck to assist with operational works applications.

We were very lucky to get a branch event in before the lockdown. On March 5th we were pleased to host AVID Property Group’s Development Manager, Anthony Dermis and Genaea Keith from Economic Development Queensland. They presented on the delivery of small lot housing and how they think that could fit into the Fraser Coast market. This was a well-attended branch event and we appreciated the effort our speakers went to be there.