At a strategy and planning workshop, the chamber has identified issues for local business, strengthened its vision and projects are in the pipeline.

Uralla Business Chamber president Teresa French said the isolation of industries and producers in rural New England is a top priority.

“We’re trying to become a community for people like that,” she said.

“We want Uralla to be a destination and something people want to come back to, to show there’s potential for people living here and working here as well.”

The workshop was held on July 24, and was facilitated by NSW Business Chamber New England North West manager Joe Townsend, and Changing Change executive Dianne Gray.

Uralla Shire Council councillors also attended the event, and Ms French said she hopes to form a strong relationship with the powerhouse.

“We want to establish good communication with the Uralla Shire Council, if there isn’t, they might be doing something that’s seen to be at odds with what we want as a group,” she said.

“That’s only because we’re not talking to each other and we haven’t worked out what each other wants.

“If we’ve got a really close and open relationship with Council it will be a lot easier to be in alignment and move in the same direction.”

Employment issues, doubling up on process and being a stronger voice as a collective are some of the chamber’s goals.

And, with 12 members signed up so far, they’re taking strides.

The next meeting of the Uralla Business Chamber is in September.