Published on 18 September 2024
Mount Isa City Council is one of the first four Queensland councils that have been chosen to take part in the Regional Place Activation Program, thanks to Renew Australia and the Queensland Small Business Commissioner.
The program is tailored for towns across regional and remote Queensland with a population of less than 50,000.
It will involve collaborating with property owners to offer local small businesses rent-free access to vacant commercial spaces in main streets and town centres.
The goal is to foster the evolution of local small businesses, and to cultivate more vibrant and active precincts.
The other councils involved are Cassowary Coast Regional Council; Livingstone Shire Council; and Hinchinbrook Shire Council.
Speaking at Council's August Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, August 28, Councillor Dan Ballard said the program aims to reinvigorate CBDs, particularly in regional centres.
"If we’re able to use this as a means of trying to breathe some new life into our CBD – have occupancy in those vacant shop fronts – I think it will be a really worthwhile piece of work. I look forward to working with those team members to see what we can do to try and give our CBD a bit of a facelift," Cr Ballard said.