MURWILLUMBAH and District Business Chamber president Toni Zuschke has walked away from the very first Australian Chambers Business Congress with an important message for Tweed businesses.

“Let's roll up our sleeves,” she said.

The congress, held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, brought together 1200 delegates, with leaders from across government sectors and national industries to foster thinking, debate and ideas for business owners.

“We were united in the facts that our chambers were all under-resourced, all under-supported and under-represented,” Ms Zuschke said.

“We sat there furiously nodding that Australian businesses deserve better.

“It is now, more than ever, that we require the support of our entire business community.

“It is time to get off the fence and say ‘I will join my local chamber'.”

However Ms Zuschke said she didn't agree with all that was discussed at the congress, particularly when the topics of urban consolidation and rail transport were discussed.

“I must say that I walked away rather depressed at the notion that the trend was not to decentralise to regional areas and provide much-needed job opportunities but in favour of mega cities crammed with people one on top of the other,” she said.

“The train debate lost momentum for me when we don't have a national rail link to begin with, and I pointed out to the speaker that our community, just 35km from the Gold Coast, lost its rail link a few years ago.

“The room realised that the ‘walk before you can run syndrome' was what we really needed to address.”

Ms Zuschke said the congress gave her much-needed insight, a thirst for innovation, and recommended all businesses join their local chamber.