Business Victor Harbor (BVH) functions as an independent chamber of commerce, working closely with local businesses, business groups, the City of Victor Harbor, neighbouring councils, industry associations, government bodies, and key industry organisations. Our mission is to lead initiatives that drive economic development, fostering a thriving, resilient, and dynamic business environment.

BVH's strategic direction focuses on unifying efforts to attract, grow, and retain businesses. We advocate for local operational interests and cultivate a collaborative environment to support business growth and sustainability.

As a business chamber, BVH is a powerful advocate for the business community. We diligently represent our members' interests, serving as their collective voice in dialogues with local, regional, and national government entities. Our advocacy and policy initiatives aim to create a favourable regional business climate, address regulatory challenges, and promote economic advancement.

At the core of BVH’s strategic vision is the recognition of Victor Harbor as the business heart of the greater Fleurieu region.

From an economic perspective, this Policy Statement supports, advocates, and represents the greater Fleurieu region, that covers the LGA areas of Victor Harbor, Alexandrina, Yankalilla, Kangaroo Island and the southern part of Onkaparinga.

The Fleurieu region proudly offers a unique 'paddock to plate' experience, encompassing wine, tourism, and exceptional liveability. Additionally, the region provides 'cradle to grave' services—from childcare to aged care—setting it apart from most other South Australian regions.

Thefollowingdata,asofDecember2022,illustratestheeconomicimpactsofbusinessesacrossthegreater Fleurieu region encompassing the LGAs of City of Victor Harbor, District Council of Yankalilla, Kangaroo Island, and Alexandrina Council:

·         Economic Output:$5.1Bⁱ

·         Employment:17,029 peopleⁱⁱ

·         Largest industry sector for economicinput:Agriculture,Forestry&Fishingat$873.7M

·         Largest industry employer: Health Care & Social Assistance with2,752jobs

·         Wages paid to employees:$1.1B-HealthCare&SocialAssistance industry pays the most in wages and salaries at $247M ⁱⁱⁱ

·         Exports:$1.2B-Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing industry contributes the most for regional exports at $490M^iv

·         Imports:$1.1B-Manufacturing industry spends the most on regional imports at $234M^v

·         Value Added: $2.5B Regional Imports - Rental, Hiring & Real Estate Services industry is the largest value-added contributor at $455.5M^vi

·         Gross Regional Product(GRP): $2.087B^vii

o   $1.280billion is contributed by Alexandrina LGA

o   $806.957million is contributed by Victor Harbor LGA

o   $290.109million is contributed by Yankalilla LGA

o   $361.639million is contributed by Kangaroo Island LGA

·         Population circa 2023/24

o   30,000 Alexandrina LGA

o   16,100 Victor Harbor LGA

o     5,800 Yankalilla LGA

o     4,900 KangarooI sland LGA

Challenges impacting business growth and confidence

Business growth and confidence across the region are being impacted by several challenges, including limited access to accommodation, housing affordability issues, rising living costs, employment shortages, a lack of suitably qualified staff, reduced discretionary spending, stagnant wages, and high household debt.

Operating costs are rising amidst flat to buoyant sales, squeezing business margins. Increased expenses in rent, utilities, Council rates, product and service supplies, fuel, wages, payroll tax, superannuation, industrial relations, WHS practices, regulatory requirements, and national wage rises are putting significant pressure on locally owned businesses.

South Australia faces exceedingly high energy costs, with non-contestable energy expenses making up to 47% of energy bills due to infrastructure supply and maintenance. These high costs severely impact local business communities and overall confidence.

Additionally, the government's ban on single-use plastic products is creating supply, sales, and transition challenges for many businesses in the region. BVH is actively championing collaborative efforts and projects to support the business community in adapting to plastic reductions and promoting environmental sustainability, including initiatives in the circular economy.

BVH’s 2024/2026 Policy Statement is prioritised under the following 5 key categories:

1.      Regulatory

2.      Environmental Sustainability

3.      Doing Business-Challenges

4.      Industrial Relations

5.     Regional ‘Driven & Grown’

“BVH mandates non-negotiable local community consultation for all future developments and calls on governments to prioritise planning and infrastructure frameworks, ensuring local representation and automatic inclusion of local businesses in development consultations”

“BVH urges Local and State Governments to conduct strategic and community benefit analyses of current infrastructure (including access to a robust local public transport system), ensuring active involvement and consultation of local community and business representatives in future infrastructure planning”

“BVH calls for a review of the WHS system to simplify compliance and increase flexibility for all South Australian industry sectors”

“BVH believes the Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Bill 2020 requires close monitoring and attention”

“We urge the Government to provide ongoing support for recycling and environmental sustainability, as these have significant impacts on current business models”

“BVH calls for a review of Waste Levy costs”

“BVH urges the SA Government to support regional business owners by taking action to reduce both contestable and non-contestable power costs and improve reliability”

“BVH believes that reducing the costs of doing business, including increasing the Payroll Tax threshold from $1.5m to $3m is essential in stimulating business confidence, create employment opportunities, encourage more sustainable reinvestment and growth in the region's local economy”

“BVH urgently seeks a review of the RTWSA scheme’s 2-year claim period and its impact on insurance claims against businesses”

“BVH believes training funding should be linked to career development, employment, and up-skilling; seeks SA Government consideration of Payroll Tax/RTWSA reductions for

businesses hiring trainees or apprentices; requests support for an 'Employer’s Guarantee' post-training; and advocates for establishing vocational education structures for regional, industry-specific training programs”

“BVH urges the State Government to lobby federally for a review of industrial relations, focusing on simplifying the complexities of awards and their impact on SA businesses. BVH believes that Local and State Governments should prioritise policies that drive local production and manufacturing of goods and services within the region”