Business NSW: Northern Rivers Business Awards finalists named

After a two-year stay on holding its own business awards, the Lismore area has bounced back to dominate the list of ventures vying for top honours statewide. See who made the cut.

Lismore City Council Mayor Steve Krieg is positive about the future of Lismore as the town claws back from the 2022 floods.

Finalists for the Northern Rivers Business Awards have been announced in 22 categories from across North Coast chambers of commerce.

Covering the entire gamut of ventures – from microbusinesses working from home to large corporations – the Business NSW 2023 finalist list includes many operations from flood-battered Lismore.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg congratulated all the finalists.

“Not only have they re-established their businesses after the worst natural disaster in Australia’s recorded history, but they have done it in truly innovative ways,” he said.

The awards showcase some of the best businesses in the region.

Goolmangar Store has been recognised in the Excellence in Retail & Personal Services category. Pictured is Kirstin Paterson from the little shop with big personality.

Winners will be revealed at Ballina RSL Club on Saturday, September 16 and they will progress to the state Regional Business Awards to be held in Sydney in November.

Business NSW regional director Northern Rivers Jane Laverty said the awards allowed Lismore businesses and those in other flood-smashed areas to be recognised. It comes after a two-year stay on the regional city holding its own yearly business awards

Jane Laverty, NSW Business Chamber Northern Rivers Regional Manager

Though Lismore has become a state focal point of the damage point caused by the 2022 flooding, many areas in the region were hit hard, including Tweed and Ballina.

“It is no secret how challenging the last few years have been for business and in the Northern Rivers we had the added challenge of navigating a catastrophic disaster to follow a global pandemic,” Ms Laverty said.

Breakfast with the butchers at the 40th annual Casino Beef Week. The event has been named a finalist in the Outstanding Visitor Experience awards. Picture Cath Piltz

“This makes it extra rewarding that the Northern Rivers has had the highest number of finalists at a regional level across the state (in the Regional Business Awards) and when you look at our finalist list for 2023 it a group of representative businesses we can all be proud of.”

“We have 145 finalists across 21 categories with 106 businesses being represented – it is going to be a big night of connecting and celebrating at Gala Awards Dinner to be held on Saturday, September 16 at the Ballina RSL Club, with dynamic MC Angela Catterns.”

Ms Laverty said businesses in the region were more confident about the business environment in the near future, despite evident challenges.

Iconic dairy co-op Norco has received a nod in the awards. Picture: Richard Gosling

“It’s really great to see, and we saw that on the last one (business confidence report), so each time we are seeing a positive outlook across the board,” she said.

Lismore City Council’s business audit from June showed a 10 per cent increase in inner CBD occupancy since January.

“It’s clear that these businesses have confidence in the future of Lismore, and I encourage the community to come into the CBD and support them. Now, more so than ever, it’s important to shop local,” Mr Krieg said.