CCIQ DATA: Above average employment levels in Bundaberg businesses pushing operational, labour costs

Wednesday 23 February, 2022 | By: Emma Clarke

Political and economic stability, labour market impacts and economic activity were among the most significant constraints to business growth in the Wide Bay and Burnett region in the December quarter, new data shows.

Results from Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) December quarter Pulse Report show Wide Bay Burnett businesses recorded higher than average profitability, employment levels, labour costs and capital expenditure but full below the state average on general business conditions and sales and revenue.

Local businesses also paid the highest operational costs in the state, 3.5 index points above the state average of 67.9, Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce President Yale Morgan said.

He said business feedback indicated COVID-19 impacts were more noticeable in regional Queensland in the December quarter, specifically due to rising insurance, fuel and other business input costs. 

“The challenge many businesses in the region face is high day-to-day, operational and labour costs but disproportionate sales and revenue,” Mr Morgan said.

“We know tight labour market impacts were especially prominent in Wide Bay and Burnett for the majority of the COVID economic crisis, but more so in the December quarter as COVID crept into workplaces and forced what limited staff there was into isolation.

“It meant if businesses wanted to attract the right people and skills to operate day-to-day, they needed to pay premium wages as an incentive.

“While there were higher than average employment levels in the region, there were also high labour costs which impact a businesses’ bottom line.”

Mr Morgan said Wide Bay Burnett businesses reported political and economic stability were among their most significant business constraints in the December quarter, as well as labour market impacts and economic activity. Direct and indirect wage cost impacts were also reported.

CCIQ Policy and Advocacy General Manager Amanda Rohan said businesses were calling on the State Government consistently throughout 2021 to provide clear reopening and economic recovery planning as uncertainty would ultimately end up costing Queensland businesses.  

“We called for access to Rapid Antigen Testing to be freely and widely available for business, a joint state and federal directly-targeted support package for businesses most impacted and clarity on what the state’s 90% vaccination milestone meant for business rules and mandates,” Ms Rohan said.   

“Businesses told us without those commitments, they would struggle to re-open, stay open and be viable long-term. 

“Now we’re seeing the impact with the majority of Queensland businesses increasingly concerned about their business viability.” 

 

CCIQ media contact

Emma Clarke

Media and Communication Advisor

[email protected] 

Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce contact

[email protected]

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Business Chamber Queensland respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians of the lands from across Queensland and the Torres Strait. We acknowledge the Jagera and Turrbal people as the Traditional Custodians of Meanjin (Brisbane), the lands where our office is located and the place we meet, work and learn. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.