Renew Cassowary Coast is a program designed and supported by Renew Australia, delivered in partnership with Queensland Small Business Commission.

The key goal of Renew Cassowary Coast is to enliven and activate the beautiful streets within our CBDs across our region. Working with property owners, our aim is to fill empty shopfronts with energetic and artistic entrepreneur's looking to launch their business initiative, with minimal outlay.

• Vacant shopfront spaces are identified that the program would benefit, by bringing attention and foot traffic to the area.
• Up to 4 properties will be selected and the initial roll-out of this program will be delivered with a focus specifically on the Innisfail CBD.
• Once properties are secured, an Expression of Interest' will be distributed across the region, seeking applications from entrepreneurs and creatives who will be able to trial their business initiative, project, or ideas in a commercial setting.
• The property is provided on a rent-free basis via a 30-day rolling license, and offered to a business that compliments, not competes, with existing businesses in the area. The 'For Lease' or 'For Sale' sign remains in the shopfront window, offering increased exposure for the property owner - ideally resulting in a permanent and long-term tenant.

Renew Cassowary Coast provides a place to trail an idea in a bricks and mortar location at a minimal cost

Who qualifies for this program?

Anyone that makes or creates their own IP or wares, is an NFP, Social enterprise or Local Community Group can participate in this program.

How do we select participants?

We are looking for a BIG community impact; an entrepreneur that has an exciting business idea, that is prepared to:

• develop relationships with neighbouring businesses
• create a warm and inviting space that attracts foot traffic
• work with the Program Coordinator to promote and attract visitation to your shop
• work with the Property Owner to manage and deliver a high level of cleaning and presentation standards
• work with the Program Coordinator to develop an official 'shop launch' event
• delivers a high level of customer service

The nitty gritty...

• You will be able to operate your shop, in a 'visible' shopfront location allowing exposure for products and services
• Your product or service needs must compliment the current street offering (not compete)
• There is no lock in minimum lease period. You will be required to sign an agreement, committing you to a 30-day Rolling Licence. This will allow you or the property owner the ability to exist the agreement (property) with 30 days' notice.
• Renew Australia provides you with Public Liability and Broken Glass Insurance for the property for $25 per week, paid on a weekly basis (to avoid large bills)
• You are responsible for utilities and all costs associated with connecting these services to the property

The ideal outcome is that your business blooms! You are happy with the space you are in, and your business is in a position to move forward with a commercial lease.

We want a win/win...

• Happy Business Owner
• Happy Property Owner
• Happy local traders
• Happy Community

Renew Cassowary Coast is designed with the ultimate goal of matching your property with a long-term tenant.

We are on the search (initially) for properties that are located within the main streets of the Innisfail CBD. The shopfronts are to be...

• Visible - a street facing frontage
• Useable and suitable size for a small business- safe and ready to move into
• Well presented - without damage and appealing

WHAT'S IN IT FOR OWNERS AND LOCAL TRADERS?

• Activating an empty retail space will enable property agents to show a vibrant and clean space to potential new tenants
• Vacancies affect the property market and neighbouring businesses visitation. Owners are much more likely to lease or sell their space if the surrounding shops are not empty.
• Participants agree to a 'complement not compete' policy, ensuring their business initiative will only add to the current offerings, and attract new demographics to the CBD.

WHAT IS THE SHORT TERM LICENCE?

The Renew Australia's default agreement is not a lease, but a licence.

This permits access to the property on a rolling 30-day basis. Property owners can give 30-days' notice at any time, which enables them to provide their property without sacrificing the potential commercial returns.

This is one of the key reasons that properties are made available rent-free, and why this opportunity is best suited to creative small businesses wishing to experiment or test the viability of operating in a commercial space, not those who need the security of a lease.

As the initiative is based on temporary use, it is inevitable that projects will be given notice to vacate at some point. In the interim, participants have the opportunity to incubate their own initiatives, simultaneously creating interest and activity in the area. There may be possibilities for fixed term licences in the future, but participants are advised to plan on the basis of a rolling 30-day period of use.