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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (24 June) . . Page.. 1982 ..

MR HIRD (continuing):

Kids Fest, which is aimed at children under 10 and held in winter during the school holidays; Blues Booze and Barbecues, where people drink beer, eat barbecued food and listen to good music; the Older and Bolder Festival for older people; World Buskers; Heritage Week; Balloon Festival; Winter Carnival; Adventure Canterbury - and the list goes on, Mr Speaker. These events and festivals liven up the winter period, which is always a difficult time. The committee has given the brochures it received concerning these events and festivals to Canberra Tourism.

The second initiative I want to expand on is the introduction of programs to help local businesses. These programs include Business Grow; Business Taskforce Project; Company Rebuilders; Businesslink Canterbury; Business Investment Opportunities, and Business in the Community. I will talk a little on these, Mr Speaker. Business Grow is a council initiative which has been adopted throughout New Zealand. The Christchurch City Council realised that a number of businesses were experiencing difficulties and were unaware of what assistance was available to help them. Business Grow was established to help those businesses. Business Grow is sponsored by the council, the central government, Trust Bank Canterbury, Telecom and the Bank of New Zealand. Business Grow takes a positive approach by visiting people at their place of business. Five staff travel throughout the region to provide a free, confidential service. People are often referred to other services such as the Business Taskforce Project (Canterbury) or Company Rebuilders. My committee considers there are useful lessons for the Territory from the success of Business Grow in Christchurch. It is likely that many businesses in the Territory which are experiencing difficulties at the present time could improve their performance if similar assistance was made available to them.

Business Taskforce Project (Canterbury) is sponsored by the Trust Bank Canterbury Community Trust and is supported by the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce, Canterbury Development Corporation and the Canterbury Business Development Board. The project is aimed at small- to medium-sized businesses that need specialist help. The project began operations in March 1996 with 15 advisers. The advisers help improve systems, processes, procedures, planning, and management understanding, and solve problems. Company Rebuilders is also aimed at small- to medium-sized businesses. It is a network of retired business people who help businesses experiencing financial, system or operational problems. The concept originated in Christchurch but has grown throughout New Zealand. The aim of the service is to save jobs. It is a free and confidential service.

Businesslink Canterbury is another initiative of the council which has spread throughout New Zealand. Businesslink is operated by the Canterbury Development Corporation. It is a free and confidential database of local products and services. As part of the service, the Canterbury Development Corporation also sends relevant national and international tender details to businesses, conducts seminars, provides details of relevant inbound or outbound trade missions and assists in joint ventures or technology transfer. Business Investment Opportunities is a free and confidential service where local, national or international investors are matched with local businesses or new businesses requiring capital. Business in the Community is a business mentoring program. Experienced businesspeople provide a free and confidential service which includes guidance, business expertise and professional advice.

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