A recent survey of 38 Meander Valley businesses offers a grounded but encouraging picture of local economic sentiment. While pressures from rising costs remain widespread, most businesses say they’re feeling cautiously optimistic about the next 12 months.
Nearly 80 per cent of respondents described themselves as either somewhat or very confident in the local economy. Only one business expressed a lack of confidence, and six said they were neutral.
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Expectations for the year ahead were mostly steady: 21 businesses expect their performance to be about the same as last year, while 13 predict things will improve. Just one expected things to worsen, and three were unsure.
The jobs outlook was more restrained. Seven businesses confirmed they plan to hire new full-time-equivalent (FTE) employees this year, and another seven said they might. These responses were evenly split between businesses that were sole traders, medium sized (6–15 employees), and large (15+ employees) businesses.
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Cost of living was a clear concern. Twenty-seven businesses — just over 70 per cent — said that rising costs were affecting their operations. Only four said it wasn’t a factor, with the remainder unsure.
Despite the challenges, support for buying and sourcing locally remains strong. Almost 90 per cent of respondents said they “often” or “always” support other local businesses when they can. A number of businesses also mentioned contributions to local schools, childcare centres, events and festivals.
Word of mouth remains the most common way local businesses reach their customers, followed by social media and business websites. Print advertising, signage, markets and tourism networks also featured prominently.
The overall picture suggests confidence in the Meander Valley economy, but with caution around growth. While most businesses expect to hold steady or improve, relatively few plan to expand their staffing. Profitability appears to be the focus, rather than growth for its own sake — a trend that may have broader implications for local employment in the year ahead.
