Support your region and shop local this festive season

Thursday, 17 November 2016

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt is asking residents to shop local this holiday season to support businesses in the Wide Bay Burnett region.

The #bundybayandbush campaign will feature on social media and local television for the next four weeks to promote the benefits of shopping locally.

“Christmas is just around the corner and regardless of whether you finished your shopping back in July or will be a last minute shopper like me, I encourage everyone to buy locally,” he said.

Mr Pitt said buying and spending locally starts a cycle that benefits everyone in the Hinkler electorate.

“Supporting our local businesses and being a tourist in your own backyard will inject money and confidence into the local economy.

“This helps businesses create jobs and opportunities for current and future generations.

“There are also plenty of places to explore right here in Hinkler, get out there and see what’s on offer. Then go and tell as many people as possible, so they want to come and visit.”

There are an estimated 8541 small businesses within the Hinkler electorate and across Australia small businesses employ more than four million people.

“Small and medium businesses are the engine room of our nation – many are family run by mums and dads, aunts, uncles and siblings – contributing $340 billion to the economy, including to regional economies right across Australia,” Mr Pitt said.

Takalvans owner Dale Rethamel knows first-hand the importance of communities supporting local businesses.

“It’s immensely important that people shop local. If people spend locally, then those businesses can invest and expand, hire more staff, support sporting and community groups, and the wheels will keep spinning,” he said.

It’s a philosophy Mr Rethamel has held for many years and one that he is very passionate about.

“Where ever possible I shop local myself, and encourage my staff to shop local too. I don’t understand why people say they need to travel to shop: the variety we have right here in this region is mind-blowing.

“I think it would be hard to replicate the amount of choice we have here in this region anywhere else in Australia,” he said.

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