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The first Warrnambool Business Survey since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic is now open.
First held in 2011, the survey looks at local business activity, employment market conditions, business confidence and plans for the future.
Take the 2022 Warrnambool Business Survey
The Warrnambool Business Survey is a partnership between the Warrnambool City Council, Deakin University and Beyond Bank.
Warrnambool Mayor Cr Vicki Jellie said that the survey provides an important evidence base of how our local economy is performing across different sectors.
“Most of the businesses I have spoken with informally over the past few months have suggested that most things are getting back to how they were pre-COVID, with a shortage of staff being the main issue,” she said.
“The good thing about a survey and why I would encourage as many local businesses as possible to complete it, is that it takes these sentiments and maps them in a way that can be better analysed on a larger scale, providing a wider economic snapshot of the city.
“This helps our Economic Development team tailor the business support initiatives they offer while providing useful data for potential investors in the city.”
Deakin University Warrnambool Campus Director Alistair McCosh said that Deakin was pleased to continue the 11-year partnership with Council in analysing the survey results.
“Researchers from our Business Analytics team here at the Warrnambool campus are always happy to assist the Warrnambool City Council with interpreting the results from the Business Survey,” he said.
“Being able to provide a perspective of business sentiment not only locally, but also where and how we sit in a comparative sense, nationally and internationally is also an important part of the analysis.”
Beyond Bank Australia General Manager Customer Experience Nick May said that a strong business sector meant a strong community.
“There is no better gauge of how a local community is faring than local business,” he said.
"Businesses, both small and large can provide an important snapshot, a barometer into the economy, its opportunities and its challenges too, especially as we move on from the pandemic.
“That’s why Beyond Bank, one of Australia’s largest customer-owned banks and a proud member of the Warrnambool community, is delighted to support the annual Business Survey."
The survey is open until September 2.
The survey takes approximately five to ten minutes to complete and responses are anonymous.