Corowa-based consulting business Projectura has been awarded the Excellence in Micro Business Award at the Business NSW Awards held in Sydney last week.
The Excellence in Micro Business Award recognises a business with less than five employees that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.
Projectura is a community planning consultancy led by Director Karina Dooley. Karina founded Projectura in 2014 out of a desire to work on complex projects that build strong communities and valued people; ultimately to create the type of communities she would like to live in.
Projectura works with clients to develop strategies and plans that shape communities. The business focuses on projects that improve public places, reduce social inequalities, and give everyone a voice in planning for communities.
During 2022, Projectura has completed many projects, including a Strategic Priority Statement and Crisis Management Plan for the North East Wine Zone Industry Group; a Newcomer Attraction and Retention Strategy for Red Cross Australia, Early and Middle Years Plan for Hepburn Shire Council, and Community Strategic Plans for eight local government organisations: Bega Valley Shire Council, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Orange City Council, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Snowy Monaro Regional Council, Snowy Valleys Council, Upper Lachlan Shire Council, and Yass Valley Council.
Karina moved to Corowa with her parents and sister and completed part of her primary schooling at Corowa Public School, and all her secondary schooling at Corowa High School. Karina’s children, Eli and Tom, both go to school in Corowa and are involved in many sporting groups in the community.
Karina said it was an “honour” to be announced State Winner of the Excellence in Micro Business Award at the Business NSW Awards last week.
“Very proud of our team who work hard everyday to achieve the Projectura vision,” she said.
“It’s great to have the support of Business NSW - Murray-Riverina, and all the regional finalists on the night.
“Over the past two years we’ve broadened our service offering and entered new industries - education, natural resources, state and federal government. We’ve introduced strategies to retain staff such as increased annual leave and transitioned from a bricks and mortar office in Sanger Street to being a fully remote business. As a result, we’re much more resilient and focused.
“Corowa is a great place to run a business. It’s centrally located, with many inspiring people and businesses locally.
“Congratulations to winners Boys To The Bush (Outstanding Community Organisation) and Meet PAT (Excellence in Export).
“We have so many amazing businesses in the Murray Riverina region!”
Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter said NSW businesses have gone above and beyond with respect to innovation, diversity and inclusion, sustainability and leadership.
“It’s great to see so many businesses displaying such impressive forward-thinking to tackle the needs of NSW communities,” Mr Hunter said.
“It has certainly been a challenging few years for NSW with floods, bushfires, a mouse plague and of course the COVID pandemic.
“Small to medium business is the heart and soul of our nation, the heartbeat of our economy and the glue that binds our society.
“More than ever COVID taught us that agility, passion and determination, resilience and innovation kept NSW going.”