Our projects
CQBRG currently supports two main projects in the recovery of local businesses from the Black Summer Bushfire Disaster 2019/2020.
The COBARGO REBUILD project (Main Street Rebuild)
Header image credit : Craig Noble
The CQBRG is a proud founding member of the Cobargo Community Development Corporation Limited (CCDC), the registered charity delivering the Cobargo Rebuild Project (main street rebuild) post the Black Summer Bushfire Disaster.
This major infrastructure project will see a complete rebuild and revitalisation of the heart of Cobargo village that was so devastatingly razed to the ground in the Black Summer Bushfire Disaster 2019/2020.
The CQBRG Committee was responsible for spearheading the initial Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Fund grant submission to the State and Federal Government for the rebuild project. The submission put forward a unique concept for a cohesive rebuild for the entire precinct, focused on not only re-starting the economy of Cobargo village, but also ensuring on-flow social benefits, growth and resilience of the community into the future. A firm focus was placed in the grant proposal on rebuilding the lost infrastructure and also delivering a revitalisation model which would provide lasting benefits for the town’s economic future and the broader district for generations to come.
The proposal was the culmination of over 12 months of tireless volunteer work, representing hundreds of volunteer hours, by the CQBRG Committee, various special sub-committees, partnering organisations, TAKT and DunnHillam architects, TBH project management and free-lance consultants offering pro-bono and reduced fee assistance in the bushfire recovery space.
The grant proposal was successful in 2021 and funding of approximately $20M was awarded to the Cobargo Community Development Corporation Limited (CCDC) to deliver the rebuild development for the benefit of the community.
For more information visit the CCDC Website HERE
Image credit : Dunn & Hillam Architects
The Cobargo Innovation Hub
The Cobargo Business Innovation Hub is another key bushfire recovery infrastructure project coordinated by the CQBRG Committee, funded jointly by Business Council Australia, BizRebuild and the Cobargo Co-operative Society Ltd.
The concept of the Hub was for it to be a “life-support” platform for local fire affected businesses who lost their work premises due to bushfire to get back on their feet and trading in a supportive and collaborative environment. Four Units in the hub were offered to fire affected businesses to return to trading in the village and two units were provided to community organisations providing services in the bushfire recovery space.
The aim of the Hub was always for it to be a bridging project fostering business connectivity and continuity in the interim of the Rebuild Project (Main Street Rebuild) , with a view that the fire affected tenants would then have the opportunity move back to main street premises once the main street reconstruction works are completed.
We extend our sincere thanks to Business Council of Australia and Cobargo Co-operative Society for their generosity and the contribution to the recovery of business activities in Cobargo.
Cobargo Innovation Hub 2022
TheH hub building construction was finalised in October 2022 and CQBRG are pleased to report the Official Opening on 10th December 2022 was a huge success! A wonderful group of hub tenants have now opened their doors for business, we welcome you to come down and take a look!
Official Launch - Cobargo Innovation Hub
Matt Dingle, FormFlow Managing Director, opening address, Cobargo Innovation Hub.
Jennifer Westacott, CEO Business Council Australia, keynote address for the official opening.
Kristy McBain, Federal Member Eden Monaro, Minister for Regional Development Local Government.
From Left to Right : Russell Fitzpatrick Bega Valley Shire Mayor, June Tarlinton Cobargo Co-operative Society Ltd Chairperson, Jennifer Westacott CEO BCA, Narelle Cooper Secretary Cobargo Quaama Business Recovery Group Inc, Kristy McBain Federal Member Eden Monaro and Matt Dingle Formflow Director.
The Cobargo Innovation Hub, open for business, 2022.
About the Hub design
The Hub building is a commercial fire resilient building from company “FormFlow” - showcasing a new flagship technology from the company featuring bent corrugated sheets that provides a seamless external finish. The building has an extremely high fire-resistant BAL rating of 40.
The Hub provides:
6 retail spaces, 4 for fire affected business owners and 2 for community group use.
Small communal kitchen for staff use.
A bright well-lit internal design featuring flexibility for retail and/or community use.
Attractive landscaped strip at front of the building.
A front deck area with weather protection.
Wheelchair accessibility to the building.
Parking area behind the complex for business operators and staff, and staff of other nearby businesses, including disabled parking.
Cobargo Innovation Hub floor plan
The Cobargo Co-operative Society Ltd acknowledged the significance of the Cobargo Innovation Hub Project and that it would be vital for the re-establishment of businesses post fires and an ongoing benefit to the community longer term. In light of this, the Co-Op Board generously agreed to gift the use of the land for this project.
Business Council Australia (BCA) worked with the Cobargo business community early in the bushfire relief and recovery process in 2020 to offer two types of cash vouchers to assist businesses directly impacted by the bushfire to get back on their feet.
CQBRG worked with BCA to distribute over 40 ‘Tools of Trade’ vouchers which offered businesses up to $2,000 to help with the loss of ‘tools of trade’ due to the bushfires. This helped to inject over $80,000 back into the local economy adn we are extremely grateful to BCA for their support of our community.
Our other projects …
Australian Business Volunteers 1:1 Business Mentoring Program 2021
Australian Business Volunteers (ABV), in partnership with National Australia Bank (NAB) and Insurance Australia Group (IAG) offered 1:1 Business Mentoring Sessions free of charge to CQBRG members and local business owners via an 8 week program in October 2020-Feb 2021. The project was coordinated by CQBRG volunteers and feedback collated from the program reflected how positive and valuable this opportunity was for fire affected businesses in Cobargo and Quaama.
Cobargo Community Notice Board
The Community Notice Board that was positioned in front of the public amenities in the centre of town was sadly destroyed by the Bushfire event. CQBRG coordinated the re-design and installation of a brand new, all weather, Community Notice Board infront of the Dr’s Surbergy to replace what was lost. A special thanks goes to Bega Woodies Association who undertook fabrication and installation of the new notice board, fabulous job!
Cobargo United Service Station - Business Directory Signage
With the influx of visitors to Cobargo and the region post bushfires, and the campaigns state wide encouraging people to visit the regions to support our affected business community, CQBRG focused its early efforts on ensuring business signage lost due to fire was re-instated.
The Business Directory Signage at the Cobargo United Service station was identified as an invaluable touch point for visitors travelling through the town and CQBRG coordinated the re-design and replacement of both the Tourism Directory sign and Local Trades and Services Business Directory sign.
Our special thanks goes to See Sure Design Narooma (who offered sign design pro-bono), and our funding partners The Minderoo Foundation together with Bega Woodies Association.
CQ Business Catch Ups
What are they? The CQ Business Catch Ups are social get togethers exclusively for local business owners. They are a chance for local business owners to come together, chat, share information and get to know more about one another and our unique offering as a collaborative business community.
Hosted by CQBRG these nights are free of charge and can feature guest speakers, practical workshops and more… they are also fully catered with nibbles and refreshements - so there’s plenty of reasons to come along!
Who’s it for? Business owners in the Cobargo and Quaama area and district.
Where is it on? Cobargo Innovation Hub, Unit 5&6, or various venues around town as per the individual event needs and facilitators requirements, but always central in the village!
For more information visit the CQ Business Catch Ups facebook page here.