City of Rockingham streamlines licensing process to cut red tape for small businesses

The City of Rockingham has partnered with the Small Business Development Corporation to help streamline several of its licensing and permit approval processes for small businesses.

Through its involvement in the Small Business Friendly Approvals program, the City reviewed its internal strategies and delivered several changes designed to make things quicker and easier for small businesses operating in the area.

This includes establishing an online concierge service to streamline business interactions with the City, and creating several step-by-step guides for a variety of business types to help get a business up and running.

Mayor Deb Hamblin said the City’s efforts to support small businesses through the program aligned strongly with its aspiration of delivering quality leadership and business expertise.

“With approximately 6000 businesses in the City of Rockingham, it is important that the City establishes a base which allows small businesses to navigate the challenges of starting, operating and expanding their operations as smoothly as possible,” she said.

“Through the Small Business Friendly Approvals program the City hopes these changes will reduce red tape, cut costs and save local businesses valuable time.

“The City was one of the first local governments in WA to work with the SBDC in this initiative, and we thank them for their support.”

It follows a multimillion dollar investment in small business by the Federal Government, announced in the Budget last week, which includes up to $650 in energy bill relief for eligible small businesses.

Small and medium businesses will receive an additional 20 per cent bonus tax deduction for spending that supports “electrification” and more efficient use of energy under the Small Business Energy Incentive.

The Government will also fund measures to help protect small businesses against cyber threats through a $23.4 million program to help them train in-house cyber wardens.

For more information on the City of Rockingham’s work with the Small Business Development Corporation, visit rockingham.wa.gov.au.