The new land estate release was eagerly welcomed. National broadband network connection to each home, allowance for large mailboxes at the entrance beside the car park big enough for courier trucks to easily manoeuvrer in, walking tracks to the planned licensed Wi-Fi coffee shop, child care centre and clerical support office with dedicated meeting rooms. A residential business estate designed for the growing number of micro businesses which operate from homes. In response to the trend of businesses operating from home and a goal of raising the population by 10% within 2 years Council offered encouragements for a residential business estate to be developed. It acknowledged that cheaper housing costs were bringing people to the region but limited job opportunities in part due to online shopping was also increasing social and health costs as the number of unemployed grew. New entrepreneurial activity needed to be fostered, home based micro businesses was identified as a source.
“People have got to realise the more they shop online with out of town businesses more local businesses close, less jobs will be available and the community starts to die”. That was a response I got about last week’s column along with the question, “how do we stop it?” You can’t stop online shopping (nor should you) and instead of local businesses battling on trying to ignore it online commerce needs to be embraced as a part of their selling strategy. For some businesses this won’t be easy and may close or have to significantly change. More micro businesses with unique offers will be part of this change. As people find it difficult to get jobs more will consider starting their own business. Maybe buying a franchise or turning a hobby into a business. To remain viable existing businesses may trim down to a core service, not stocking product that can be easily sourced on the net (or paying the lease on a showroom). Residential business estates create an environment conducive to the establishment and growth of micro businesses. A high density Urban Development Area has been discussed for within the Rockhampton campus of the CQUniversity. If this was complimented by a low density residential business estate, Rockhampton region would have an attractive carrot to entice more people to the region and more entrepreneurialism.