As we look ahead to 2026, one message is clear—businesses across Lake Macquarie are facing rapid change.
Whether it’s workforce challenges, rising operating costs, digital transformation, compliance requirements or shifting customer expectations, every business is navigating something different.
That’s why Lake Macquarie Business is undertaking a comprehensive survey of members and local businesses: to make sure real needs, not assumptions, shape the support we provide.
Why This Survey Matters
Every Business Has Different Pressures
Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) drive much of the local economy, but their challenges aren’t the same. A café in Swansea, an engineering workshop in Cardiff, and a retail store in Toronto each experience different realities.
The survey allows us to understand those differences so we can deliver support that’s relevant—not generic.
It Helps Us Prioritise What Matters Most
Our board is committed to making data-driven decisions. By collecting reliable feedback, we can clearly identify:
-
What services are valued
-
Where businesses need more support
-
The most common barriers to growth
-
Opportunities for training, networking or advocacy
This ensures our resources and funding are invested where they will have the most significant impact.
Local Businesses Deserve a Strong Voice
Chambers play a key role in advocating for local businesses. Whether the issue is infrastructure, workforce shortages, regulation, tourism or local development, your feedback shapes our ability to speak confidently on behalf of the business community.
The more businesses that participate, the stronger and more influential that voice becomes.
It Builds a More Connected Business Community
Surveys do more than collect data—they help us understand each other. They reveal common themes, shared challenges and opportunities for collaboration. This allows Lake Macquarie Business to design events, partnerships and programs that help businesses genuinely connect, learn and grow.
It Ensures We Deliver Value for Your Membership
For members, this is an opportunity to guide what the chamber does for you in 2026.
For non-members, it’s a chance to shape future support—because our chamber represents the whole business community, not just those already engaged.
We want every business, large or small, to feel confident that Lake Macquarie Business is focused on what truly matters.
What the Survey Will Help Us Improve in 2026
Your input will help us:
-
Build more practical training programs
-
Strengthen our advocacy to the government
-
Expand networking opportunities
-
Improve communication and resources
-
Identify opportunities for collaboration across Lake Macquarie
-
Support new and emerging industries
-
Respond to economic and community changes across the region
By understanding the issues early, we can develop stronger plans and secure grants, partnerships and programs that match real needs.
How Your Feedback Makes a Difference
In recent years, feedback from businesses has directly influenced:
-
Workshop topics
-
Support for start-ups
-
Advocacy on planning and permits
-
Connections with government, education and industry
-
Access to grant opportunities
-
Local networking events across the lake
This next round of consultation is the most important yet, as it will help shape how we support business growth, resilience and innovation in 2026.
We’re Listening — and Your Voice Matters
Lake Macquarie has a vibrant and diverse business community, and we want every organisation—large, small, home-based, established or emerging—to have a say.
The survey is quick, confidential and focused on identifying what you really need from your chamber in the coming year.
Your insights will guide our services, influence our advocacy, and help us build a stronger, more connected and more resilient business community for 2026.