South Australia’s largest regional business survey has found business owners were more concerned about a lack of skilled workers in 2020 than the impact of COVID-19.

Business SA’s biennial Regional Voice Survey found skills shortages were the top issue in a year that saw the State hit by the “double whammy” of the Summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business SA CEO, Martin Haese, said the Regional Voice Survey provided an important opportunity for regional business owners to have their voice heard.

“This year has delivered more challenges than ever before for our regions,” said Mr Haese.

“Despite the turbulence of 2020, which included the devastating Summer bushfires and then the wrath of COVID-19, regional businesses are still relatively confident about their future and have rebounded strongly from the State’s shutdown periods.

“So much so, according to the survey, skills availability was ranked the number one issue for individual businesses across the regions, beating out the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.

“Businesses told us they struggled to attract skilled staff to regional areas, even when offering competitive rates of pay. A lack of access to community infrastructure and necessary services were also raised as key barriers to finding people willing to move to the regions.

“Not surprisingly, two thirds of regional businesses supported a specific Government policy for population growth.”

The Survey found the main impact of COVID-19 was felt on regional supply chains with 58 per cent of businesses' supply chains impacted by border restrictions.

In relation to bushfire impacted regions, 36 per cent of businesses benefited from financial support however, many were frustrated with bureaucratic processes to access the support.

“Many businesses who weren't directly impacted by fires, still felt the impacts the fires had on the local economy,” said Mr Haese.

“Kangaroo Island businesses were the most impacted with 90 per cent of businesses responding they were either directly or indirectly impacted by the bushfire season.

“A key issue raised in the survey was the mental health impact of the bushfire tragedy, and businesses are looking for further help on that front.”

Reliable telecommunications remained a concern, with 40 per cent of businesses across all regions either dissatisfied or strongly dissatisfied with mobile coverage.

The third edition of the Regional Voice Survey, sponsored by EML, covered nine geographic areas, covering regions from Kangaroo Island to the South East, Far North and Eyre Peninsula.

View the full survey here.

To arrange an interview please contact Lisa Andrews on 0401 579 963.
21 December 2020