Newsletter preview

'We Are Brimbank Awards'
Brimbank.Localised Virtual Meetup
Key Changes to the Export Market Development Grant
Victorian Tourism Industry Association - Support Hub
New Victorian EPA Laws
Current COVID Restrictions
Victorian Government Business Support
Brimbank Business Grants Program
Social Media Strategy - Webinar
Telephone and Online Scams

Celebrating the pride and potential of our city, nominations for the ‘We Are Brimbank Awards’ are now open!

These awards celebrate the exceptional contributions, hard work and determination of organisations and groups making a positive difference in Brimbank.

Nominate in these Award categories

We’re looking for groups, businesses, not-for-profits or any other organisations that should be recognised for their contribution to our proud community across the following categories. Click here to nominate online now.

Nominations close 5pm Friday 3 September 2021. Awards will be presented at a We Are Brimbank special event on Friday 29 October 2021.

For more information and to nominate, visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/waba or call 9249 4000.

Join us on Thursday 2 September 2021, 9.30-10.30am

During lockdown, meeting face to face is not possible. However it's never been more important to reach out and connect with people.

Brimbank.Localised Free Meetups are a great way to connect with other local businesses and introduce yourself; you can share what you do and what your business is all about - and all from the comfort of your home.

Hear directly from local expert, Anbu Mohan, on how to confidently track and measure the success of your business.
Network with other business owners and discover what services and products are in your backyard.
'Lightning Pitch' your business and expertise to others in only 20 seconds.

Bring your team, invite your colleagues and friends. Practice your lightning pitch. We look forward to seeing you there!

Register Now!

Wednesday 25 August,
10-10.45am

Are you eligible for the new Export Market Development Grants?

SMEs with a turnover of less than $20M can apply for grants of up to $770,000 over 8 years for eligible promotional activities.

The EMDG has been restructured to provide greater upfront funding certainty and allow businesses to plan export marketing and promotional activities. Come and learn about the changes made to the application process and the eligible expenses that can be claimed under the program.

Register Now!

FREE Training Webinars on the new Victorian Environment Protection Laws - Available until 5.00pm, 30 September

The Australian Environment Business Network (AEBN) and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria have partnered to provide FREE training webinars to all industry and businesses with operations in Victoria to assist them to understand their obligations in order to be compliant under the new Victorian environment protection legislation.

Register Now!

VTIC is supporting Victoria’s tourism, events and hospitality businesses to survive and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

An extensive range of business support resources have been collated to help businesses navigate the challenges faced by the pandemic.

For more information, visit the VTIC Industry Support Hub.

Stay at home unless:

shopping for necessary goods and services (one person per day, per household)
exercising for up to two hours alone or with one other person
caregiving or compassionate reasons
authorised work or education if you can’t do it from home
getting a COVID-19 test and receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.

A curfew is in place from 9pm - 5am.

A permit is required for authorised workers effective from 11.59pm, 17 August. Permits can be downloaded here.

Exercise and shopping is limited to 5km from your place of residence and face masks must be worn both indoor and outdoors.

Essential retail will remain open while non-essential retail can open for click and collect only.

Restaurants and Cafes: open for take-away only.

Hairdressing, beauty and gyms: closed.

Large scale construction sites, staffing must be reduced to 25% or five workers on site.

You must check-in everywhere you go.

For a full list of up-to-date restrictions, testing, and vaccination sites visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

To view translated information about COVID-19 click here.

Business Costs Assistance Program will provide automatic payments of $2,800 to successful recipients of the previous Business Assistance Program round 2.

Small Business COVID Hardship Fund will provide grants of up to $8,000 to small businesses that are not eligible for support under existing programs and have experienced a 70 per cent reduction in turnover.

Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund will provide grants of up to $20,000 to support licensed venues as their operations continue to be impacted by current restrictions.

Live Performance Support Program Round Two provides additional support event presenters and suppliers.

For further information on financial support available contact Business Victoria on 13 22 15.

COVID Disaster Payments are available to eligible workers who lose hours due to the lockdown, as will businesses that do not qualify for Victorian Government support programs because they are not registered for GST. The COVID-19 Disaster Payment payments will be administered through Services Australia.

Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme and Landlord Hardship Fund will provide support to landlords that provide rent relief for their tenants.

Tenants and landlords can contact the VSBC for further information on 13 87 22 or Victorian Small Business Commission.

Council has committed $200,000 to help local start-ups and small businesses to adapt to the impacts of COVID-19 and strengthening their viability.

There are two funding streams in this year's grant program.

Stream One: Start-up Microgrants (grant exhausted)

Stream Two: Small Business Grants (up to $10,000 per applicant, with a total pool of $170,000 available)

For small businesses that are at least 12 months old, that operate within Brimbank.
To support adaption to COVID-related challenges, and business growth to expand the local economy.

For further information on the Brimbank Business Grants Program click here.

Spending a lot of effort on social media but not seeing any results?

You are not alone. For social media to work, you need to be strategic. It’s important to use the right platforms, in the best way for your intended audience.

Learn how to:

sharpen your current strategy or develop one
get your social media rocking for your business
discover the mistakes businesses make with social media and how you can overcome them.

Register Now!

There has been an increase in scams targeting vulnerable community members online and by phone.

To educate and inform yourself on cyber safety and use of social media, come to Council's free sessions:

Cyber/online safety - 15 September 5.30 - 8.30pm
Social media - 3 November 2021, 10 - 12pm

For more information and to register click here or view the Federal Government's ScamWatch website links below:

https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/get-help/protect-yourself-from-scams https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/get-help/where-to-get-help https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/about-scamwatch/tools-resources/in-your-language

Learn new skills to build your business:

August
25th - Key Changes to the Export Market Development Grant Program - Register here
26th - Where to Start with SEO - Register here
31st - Goods and Services Tax (GST) Introduction - Register here

September
9th - Social Media Strategy - Register here
15th - eCommerce: How to set up an online store - Register here

Develop your business skills and strengthen your business - for further information click here

Small Business Victoria
A series of webinars to improve business success - for further information click here

ATO: Support for Small Business Webinar
A series of free interactive online webinars presented by experienced tax specialists, where you can ask questions to help you apply the information to your situation - register here

Make sure you’re adhering to the current COVID restrictions

All businesses must have an active, up-to-date COVIDSafe Plan.
Keep accurate records and ensure your staff and visitors register their details for contact tracing.
Every customer-facing business must use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service  to check in customers, workers and all other visitors.
Download and display signage to remind people of the need to check in, and other safety measures.
If you or your workers have even mild COVID symptoms, please get tested.
Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au for more information or call Business Victoria on 13 22 15. If you need an interpreter, call the coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398 and press 0.

Other COVID Links

Current Restrictions for Melbourne, click here
Book your free vaccine appointment, click here
Case location and outbreaks, click here
Where to get tested, click here
Circuit Breaker Support Package click here
Financial Support for Businesses, click here
Translated information about COVID-19, click here
Businesses need to operate in line with current restrictions, click here
Businesses need a COVID safe plan, click here
Six principles of COVIDSafe workplaces, click here
Victorian Government QR Code Service, click here
Translated information on how to use QR codes here
Free training is available for businesses on infection control, click here
Support and information on how to properly clean businesses, click here
$450 Testing Isolation Payment, click here
$1500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment (if worker needs to stay home) click here
Information for people with disability, click here
In-language updates can be found here
Health and Wellbeing, click here
Coronavirus.gov.au, click here
Business Victoria, click here
Department of Health and Human Services, click here

For further information about this newsletter please contact the Economic Development Unit on 9249 4000 or email ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au