Finding and training new talent is one of the biggest challenges facing trade and construction businesses today — but a new Queensland government initiative is making it significantly easier to take that first step. Hire Your First Apprentice and Claim Up to $16,000 If you've never hired an apprentice before, the TradieStart Apprentice Incentive program could be the opportunity you've been waiting for. The Queensland government is offering eligible small businesses up to $16,

Mudgeeraba is making its mark as an outdoor recreation destination, and the latest development in local mountain biking infrastructure is great news for the business community. Mudgeeraba's outdoor recreation scene is getting a boost, with new green-grade mountain bike trails launched at the area, opening the door to fresh opportunities for local businesses. The addition of beginner-friendly trails is designed to attract a broader range of riders and visitors to the region. A

Keeping a close eye on economic conditions is essential for any business owner, and the latest move by the Reserve Bank of Australia is one that deserves attention. Here's what the recent rate decision means for businesses in our community. Interest Rate at 4.6%: What Rising Costs Mean for Local Businesses The Reserve Bank of Australia has lifted the official cash rate to 4.6% — its highest point in 15 years — following the fourth rate increase this year. According to realest

If you're a Queensland manufacturer looking to modernise your operations, a significant government-backed opportunity has just opened up that's well worth your attention. Queensland manufacturers have a significant opportunity on the horizon, with the Queensland Manufacturing AI Uplift Trial Program offering fully delivered artificial intelligence projects worth up to $250,000 each to eligible participants. Rather than a cash grant, successful applicants receive AI services d

The Gold Coast's tourism sector is delivering impressive results, and the latest figures confirm just how significant the visitor economy is for businesses across our region — including right here in Mudgeeraba. Fresh data released by Tourism Research Australia has delivered a major boost for the Gold Coast, with 14.7 million visitors contributing $8.5 billion to the local economy in the 2025–26 period — though some reports cite the figure as $8.6 billion. You can read the fu

Staying across local issues is an important part of running a business on the Gold Coast. Here are two developments currently in the spotlight that could have a direct impact on businesses and ratepayers in our region. Daylight Saving Push Returns Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has renewed his push for daylight saving in southeast Queensland, proposing a new time zone boundary drawn north of Noosa — a move that could have real practical implications for businesses operating across

Economic conditions fluctuate, and right now, consumer confidence across Australia is showing signs of softening — a reality that many Gold Coast business owners are already feeling on the ground. While it's easy to feel the pressure, periods like these also present an opportunity to strengthen your business from the inside out. Consumer Confidence Dips: How to Keep Your Business Resilient Periods of softer consumer confidence are a prompt to focus on what you can control. Fo

Gold Coast's Identity Overhaul: Opportunity or Risk for Local Business? The Gold Coast is changing — and not just in small ways. A major identity shift is underway that could have real consequences for local business owners across the region, including right here in Mudgeeraba. The Gold Coast is undergoing a significant identity shift, moving away from its long-established "Glitter Strip" image toward a brand centred on wellbeing and creative industries. City officials have l

Infrastructure investment shapes the long-term success of local businesses, and the Gold Coast is currently at the centre of one of Australia's most significant transport planning periods. With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, the Gold Coast Transport Delivery Plan is actively defining how our region will move, grow, and compete in the decades ahead. The Gold Coast is in the midst of a significant transport transformation, with infrastructure pla

Finding and funding skilled workers is one of the most common challenges facing small businesses on the Gold Coast — but a new financial incentive could make taking on your first apprentice more accessible than ever. Apprenticeship Incentives: $10,000 to Hire Your First Apprentice Small businesses that have never taken on an apprentice may be eligible for a significant financial incentive. A $10,000 base payment is available to businesses recruiting their first apprentice in

Staying ahead in today's digital landscape can be a significant investment, but there's good news for small businesses on the Gold Coast looking to level up their digital capabilities. A valuable funding opportunity is currently open and worth acting on. The Digital Ready $10,000 grant program supports small businesses looking to invest in digital capability, tools, or transformation — and it could provide meaningful assistance for your next step forward. One standout feature

Queensland's economy is making headlines nationally, and the news couldn't be better for local business owners across the Gold Coast region. Queensland has been named Australia's top-performing state economy, climbing to first place on the back of strong housing investment, business investment, and impressive population and job growth figures. For Mudgeeraba and Gold Coast businesses, this is an encouraging signal. A strong Queensland economy typically means greater consumer

Local government dynamics on the Gold Coast are shifting, and it's worth paying attention to what's happening at council level as we look ahead to 2028. Key rivals have ruled out challenging Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate at the 2028 election, with Tate pursuing a fifth term as the mayoral field becomes clearer — a development worth watching as council priorities continue to evolve. Experts caution, however, that public reaction may be missing the deeper structural issues at play.

The Gold Coast's nature-based tourism sector has received a significant boost, with local and regional businesses set to benefit from a major injection of government funding. Gold Coast Nature-Based Tourism Grants: 14 Recipients Share $500,000 Great news for tourism businesses on the Gold Coast: 14 successful recipients have been announced for Round 2 of the Nature-Based Tourism Small Grants Program, with an initial $500,000 shared among the recipients. The program, delivered

With the cost of hiring and training new staff a constant challenge for small business owners, it's worth knowing when government support is available to help ease that burden. One such opportunity is currently open to Queensland businesses in the construction sector. Support for Small Businesses Hiring Apprentices Queensland small businesses looking to grow their workforce have a significant incentive on the table right now. The TradieStart Apprentice Incentive program offer

Gold Coast Film Sector's $400M Economy Under Threat from Funding Cuts The Gold Coast has long been home to a thriving film and screen production industry, contributing an estimated $400 million to the local economy — but that success story may now be at risk. Industry leaders are sounding the alarm over a 40 per cent state funding cut that they warn puts the sector's future in serious doubt. For local businesses in the Mudgeeraba and broader Gold Coast area, the film sector r

Queensland manufacturers have a significant funding opportunity on their radar right now, with the state government opening Round 2 of a major grant program aimed at boosting industrial growth and innovation across the state. Up to $1.5M Available: Queensland Manufacturing Grants Round 2 Now Open Round 2 of the Crisafulli Government's Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grant Program (TQMGP) is now open, with $79.1 million available to support eligible Queensland manufactur

Infrastructure investment shapes the future of local business, and a recent federal announcement has put the Gold Coast firmly in the spotlight. Here's what you need to know about a transport development that could have lasting implications for businesses across our region. Federal Government Backs Gold Coast Rail Upgrade Big news for our region's transport future: the Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Gold Coast rail upgrade, a project aimed at slashing

Queensland has officially claimed the top spot as Australia's best performing economy — and it's great news for businesses right here on the Gold Coast. The Sunshine State's rise to number one has been driven by a construction and business investment boom, pushing WA down to third place. South Australia was also noted as the biggest quarterly mover. For Gold Coast and Mudgeeraba businesses, this is an encouraging signal. A strong Queensland economy typically means greater con

The Gold Coast City Council is once again investing in the success of local women in business, and this is an opportunity worth sharing with your network. Women-led businesses on the Gold Coast have a timely opportunity to access funding support, with the 2026 Lord Mayor's Women in Business Grant now open for applications. Eligible applicants can apply for grants of up to $5,000 in non-matched funding to support business growth through training, essential equipment, and profe