CCIQ Pulse Survey: Far North Queensland business confidence fragile as they remain locked out and locked down
Business confidence and COVID-19 economic crisis recovery in Far North Queensland is undermined from COVID restrictions and lockdowns, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland’s June quarter Pulse Survey shows.
Released today, data from a three-month period which started with a lockdown in South East Queensland and ended in a lockdown in the Far North shows while business confidence was higher among Far North Queensland businesses than those in other parts of the state, projections for the following quarter were fragile with declining indicators reflective of reduced consumer confidence in tourism markets.
From Cairns to Coolangatta, Cloncurry to Cunnamulla, CCIQ’s quarterly Pulse Survey is the state’s most established and comprehensive survey of business confidence.
Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O'Neill said Far North Queensland businesses were locked out from markets in south east Queensland and in other states where communities were in lockdown.
“We know snap lockdowns can have significant impacts on businesses and consumer confidence inside hotspot areas but they can also have flow-on impacts to regional markets dependent on tourism,” Ms O'Neill said.
“Businesses in these regions are telling us they've taken a significant hit in the immediate term with tourists told to stay at home but also in the long-term with uncertainty around snap lockdowns and border closures.
“Businesses outside the south east corner are impacted during lockdowns differently to those in major cities, with supply chains, logistics and staffing challenges mounting on top of the fact people are less willing to travel.
"They've had to adapt their businesses in response to what was happening outside the Far North region, and now they've had to either adapt again or close in our own lockdown."
Ms O'Neill said Far North Queensland businesses were desperate to be afforded certainty in lockdown and restriction decision making along with details of support packages on offer to ensure business and consumer confidence could be better supported right across the state.
“Businesses need to have access to resources to know the decisions they’re making both in the immediate term when recovery is in progress and for the long-term ability for them to get back to business are in the best interest for them, their staff and their business,” she said.
“Without this, they’re in a holding pattern many can no longer financially or emotionally justify.”
CCIQ media contact
Emma Clarke
Media and Communications Advisor
[email protected] | 0403 944 902