EOFY President’s Report

President – Jason Woodward

It’s been an incredibly busy and productive quarter for the Maitland Business Chamber as we continue to refine our strategic direction, strengthen our advocacy efforts and work to create opportunities that support business growth, investment and prosperity across our region.

One of the highlights was attending the Business NSW Annual Conference alongside fellow chambers from across New South Wales. The conference provided valuable insight into the economic, political and policy landscape shaping our state. A particular highlight was hearing directly from Treasurer Daniel Mookhey during Budget week. While there remains much discussion around business costs and tax reform, one of the more compelling insights was to hear that future economic growth will be driven by private enterprise rather than government. There was also acknowledgement that Australia’s tax system is in need of modernisation, particularly as more businesses operate in technology, innovation and knowledge-based industries rather than traditional capital-intensive models.

We also heard the latest Business NSW Business Conditions Survey results, which painted an interesting picture. Business confidence remains at very low levels, with many operators understandably cautious after several challenging years.  However, the economic indicators themselves are not always reflecting the same level of pessimism. This serves as an important reminder that while challenges remain, there are still significant opportunities ahead. As business leaders, we must continue to focus on resilience, innovation and identifying the opportunities that exist within our region rather than allowing negative sentiment to dictate our outlook.

Advocacy remains front and centre for the Chamber. Discussions alongside Business NSW and Business Hunter at both state and regional levels continue around procurement reform, regional infrastructure investment and improving opportunities for SMEs to successfully compete for government contracts. The clear message from industry leaders was that regional communities must continue to be the “squeaky wheel” when it comes to infrastructure and investment. Consistent advocacy, relationship building and constructive engagement remain critical to ensuring our region receives the attention and investment it deserves.

Closer to home, we were pleased to participate in a Commonwealth Bank Business Banking roundtable alongside local business owners and community leaders. A common theme emerged throughout the discussion: businesses are seeking stronger connections, better communication and greater collaboration between organisations, industry groups and government. It reinforced the importance of the Chamber’s role as a connector and advocate for the Maitland business community.

We were also proud to co-host our Chamber Connect Day with Business Hunter, bringing together chambers from across the Hunter region to share ideas, discuss challenges and explore opportunities for stronger collective advocacy. We heard from Maitland City Council General Manager Jeff Smith, State Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison and Federal Member Meryl Swanson, all of whom reinforced the importance of building strong relationships and engaging in respectful, strategic advocacy. The message was clear: meaningful outcomes are achieved through collaboration, consistency and working together towards shared goals.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to kick off Courage in Action: Mentorship in Motion, with our inaugural cohort of mentors and mentees commencing on 14 July. This foundation group will help shape the future of the program, and we look forward to sharing their stories and celebrating their journey in the months ahead.

Planning is also gaining momentum for the 2026 Maitland Business Summit, and we’re delighted to welcome Turnbull Hill Lawyers as our first major sponsor. This year’s Summit will celebrate the unique strengths of our local business community, encouraging businesses to showcase what sets them apart and the value they bring to our region.

We also look forward to our upcoming Maitland City Council Update with General Manager Jeff Smith, where members will gain valuable insight into Council’s strategic priorities, including the East Maitland Catalyst Area Structure Plan and other key initiatives shaping Maitland’s future growth.

Once again, thank you to our members, partners and stakeholders for your continued support. Together, we will keep advocating, connecting and creating opportunities that strengthen our business community and drive our region forward.

Jason Woodward

President

Maitland Business Chamber