Jessica Micallef
Macedon Ranges council is calling on it’s residents to show their support for small businesses across the shire as the region re-enters stage three restrictions.
The Go Local First Campaign, an initiative of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, is helping to highlight the important role small buisnesses play in the country’s economic recovery from the pandemic.
The campaign encourages Australians to choose local small businesses purchasing essential items.
Macedon Ranges council’s planning and environment director, Angela Hughes, said small businesses accounted for just over one-third of Australia’s gross domestic product.
She said an economic recovery would not be possible without small businesses trading and hiring people.
“Throughout this pandemic, small businesses have done it tough,” she said.
“Now is the time to be supporting Macedon Ranges’ local grocers, butchers, restaurants, cafes, accounting and legal firms, gardeners, tradespeople and goods producers like wineries and farmers.
“Our local small businesses need our loyal communities to back them now by going local first when they need to buy a product or service.
Ms Hughes said shopping locally meant local jobs and local economies “thriving”.
“When you shop locally, your money stays in the community,” she said.
“Small businesses are the heartbeat of local communities, when they thrive, communities thrive and the national economy prospers.”
The Go Local First campaign will be rolled out over the next six months through outdoor, print and digital advertising.
