Servo first on agenda for renamed ‘Business Yandina’

Alan Best, Cindy Smith, John O’Leary and Bill Gissane discuss the future of Business Yandina. 

After decades being known as the Yandina Chamber of Commerce the organisation now has a new name. “Business Yandina” was presented to members at the general meeting on 9th February as the new identity for this venerable outfit.

“We have a big history and an even bigger future,” President John O’Leary said.

“The committee felt it was time to move towards a more modern description of who we are and what we represent,” he added.

The name change is part of a shake-up in how Business Yandina (BY) represents its members to the broader community. The meeting voted on the strategic plan to service the three key business sectors in the 4561 postcode – Retail, Industrial and Tourism and Services.

Committee members spoke to the plans for each vital area and how BY will expand its reach locally and further afield. A primary attribute is the decision to ally with the locally produced platform Bizitize.

“Bizitize is the ideal method for local businesses to relate to one another as well as reaching customers through the online business directory,” Mr O’Leary said.

“It also has the benefit of being developed right here at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Innovation Centre and is already widely accepted by similar organisations.”

The other big decision taken at the meeting concerned BY’s position on the development application for a service station on the corner of Farrell and Stevens Streets.

“Business Yandina believes in the future of the district and is keen to attract and support new businesses,” Mr O’Leary said. 

“We are also dedicated to maintaining the character and sense of what makes Yandina such an attractive proposition for new entrants. In this case, the meeting believed the application lacked the connection to the historic nature of the precinct as well as adding to current parking problems.”

The meeting was keen to offer alternatives for the development of the site more in keeping with the important historic nature of the CBD. 

The next general meeting of BY will concentrate on supporting and growing the burgeoning industries of postcode 4561 and has an ambitious plan to see more jobs coming to our historic and beautiful part of the hinterland.