THE Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce is set on revitalising Cleveland, with its first placemaker meeting sparking new ideas to put the town back on the map for local residents.
Last week, the chamber hosted its inaugural placemaker meeting, focusing on Cleveland and establishing relationships with stakeholders for enhancing the Redlands Coast area.
Chamber president Suzie Tafolo praised the incredible talent within the local business community, emphasising that the initiative was all about uniting everyone as one region.
“We want to see everyone win, and everyone thrive and not miss opportunities that are right at our doorstep,” she said.
“I believe our group, alongside key stakeholders like the council and their outstanding officers, represents the best of the best in working together to support and strengthen our business community.”
Ms Tafolo said the chamber’s goal was to leave a legacy of empowered communities that take pride in their local spaces while rethinking economic opportunities.
“By fostering a culture of collaboration and engagement, we aim to create lasting improvements that benefit both current and future residents of the Redlands Coast,” she said.
“We aimed to ensure that everyone’s voices were heard, build a strong foundation for collaboration moving forward and to get everyone connecting and communicating together.”
The placemaker meeting was led by placemaker chair Ross Snell from the chamber, and key stakeholders included local business owners, community leaders, council representatives, and residents, selected for their involvement in community and their relevant expertise.
“Even though this was the first meeting, it’s extremely encouraging to see the number of initiatives already underway and the opportunities for cooperation between businesses in Cleveland,” Mr Snell said.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm and good will to see Cleveland back on the map for residents across the Redlands.”
The immediate next steps include compiling feedback from the meeting, developing a draft action plan, and scheduling follow-up meetings with stakeholders to refine strategies.
Additionally, the chamber plans to expand outreach efforts to engage more key leaders across the entire Redlands Coast.
