The Port Macquarie-Hastings Business Confidence Survey gives businesses the opportunity to be part of the collective voice on trading conditions and to share their views with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.

The survey will provide a snapshot of the impacts of the 2019 bushfires and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Coffee at Alice's supervisor Allycia Kraska said the business climate was definitely unpredictable.

She said business could be busy some days but not other days.

However, Miss Kranska said community support for the new Lake Road coffee bar had been fantastic.

She said it was important to be proactive and the business was listening to its customers.

"We are very open to suggestions and try to use as many local suppliers as we can," Miss Kraska said.

She believes it is important for both the council and the community to support businesses.

The survey provides vital information, which helps the council determine how to support business and assists in advocating for support from other levels of government.

The business confidence survey is open until August 31, with the data gathered providing a measure of business confidence and the overall condition of the economy.

Council acting director Liesa Davies said the survey was a great opportunity for business owners to provide anonymous feedback about the challenges they faced when it came to staffing, capital investment and growing their business.

"Last year's survey revealed that local businesses had experienced declining trading conditions which was consistent with conditions nationally," Ms Davies said.

"It was pleasing to see businesses remained positive about future growth across our region, although we know since then, local business has challenges like never before.

"This year's survey is critical in helping us better understand current conditions including the impacts of COVID-19 now and into the future."

Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce president Michael Mowle encouraged all businesses to complete the survey to assist in developing a clearer picture of overall confidence and where business had been impacted the most.

He said the chamber had been seeing and hearing anecdotal evidence that many businesses in Port Macquarie were recovering well from the original period of COVID-19 restrictions.

"Good visitation over recent holiday periods has helped the tourism and hospitality sectors," Mr Mowle said.

"The housing industry has remained buoyant with both agents and builders reporting high levels of activity throughout this period."

Business owners can expect to be contacted by phone or email over the coming month and are being asked to put aside up to 10 minutes to complete the survey.

The survey can also be completed on the council's website.

Survey results will be analysed and communicated in October 2020.

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