As the year draws to a close, our wonderful city is awash with twinkling lights in readiness for the festive season. While some businesses take a well-earned break, other businesses will be gearing up for their busiest time of the year.  Support local traders and take advantage of the array of offerings. It’s the perfect time to shop in your strip for that perfect gift, enjoy the eclectic dining offerings in the local neighbourhood and enjoy the festive events, music and movies being staged throughout our city.

As you wander around our town, you'll notice our local shops have given their windows a festive makeover. Between 1 and 15 December the public will have an opportunity to vote for their favourite window in the Shops on Show social media campaign, not only will the best windows win prizes, but the voting public will also have a chance to win from a $7000 prize pool!

This year has been an exciting year for us, having delivered a range of popular and new business programs. Next year is shaping up to be just as exciting with plenty of projects in the pipeline - keep an eye out for our February edition for the 2020 business program. Until then, we wish our business community a safe and enjoyable festive season.

If you would like any further information, or have any questions about doing business in Hobsons Bay, please contact Council's Economic Development team on 03 9932 1654 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.

Do you want to learn how your business can participate in Victorian State Government projects?

The Victorian Government is hosting an event to help suppliers understand Local Jobs First Policy and the Social Procurement Framework. This is an important first step to participate in public sector projects.

Come along to DJPR's free Local Jobs First Supplier Forum and hear presentations from DJPR, the Local Jobs First Commissioner and the Industry Capability Network. In addition, get an insight into upcoming government projects and hear from a Tier 1 Contractor about a successful project utilising local businesses.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
• Local Jobs First Policy
• Local Jobs First Commissioner
• Industry Capability Network
• Social Procurement Framework
• Uniform and PPE Monitor
• Major Project Pipeline
• Case Studies North East Link Project and the New Footscray Hospital

Date: Thursday 12 December
Time: 8am to 10am
Location: Sunshine Convention Centre, 460 Ballarat Road, Sunshine North, VIC 3020
Cost: Free
RSVP: Thursday 5 December 2019

Be sure to register soon as places are limited.  For more information and to register click here.

An opportunity for Melbourne's west to take the first steps into business improvement through data analytics

NORTH Link has partnered with Brimbank City Council and surrounding Councils – Hobsons Bay City Council, Maribyrnong City Council, Melton City Council, Moonee Valley City Council and Wyndham City Council to bring you a North and West Melbourne Data Analytics Hub information session.

Our main streets are sprinkled with Christmas cheer and so are our local shop windows. Businesses who have registered for the Shops on Show Christmas window competition are now being voted for by the public via a Facebook poll being shared on Council's Facebook and Instagram pages. The three most "liked" Christmas windows will win fantastic prizes. Shoppers who vote online for their favourite festive season shop window will also go into a draw to share in over $7000 in prizes.

Promotion of the participating businesses and the shopping precincts are a great way to reach customers and a great opportunity for local prize sponsors to do the same.

So hop onto our social networking platforms between Sunday 1 December 9am to Monday 15 December 5pm to cast your vote and support local businesses. Winners will be announced on Wednesday 18 December in the Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Star Weekly and on Council’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

For all details and full list of prizes click here.

Expressions of Interest are now open for 10 small businesses to be part of an intensive three month growth program. If your business is located in Hobsons Bay and you want to grow your business and take it to the NEXT LEVEL, apply today.

This program is fully funded by Small Business Victoria and Hobsons Bay City Council. What we are looking for:

- a small business
- based in Hobsons Bay
- financially viable
- have capacity to grow
- have a commitment to innovation
- show management strengths
- minimum 12 months trading history

For more information and to apply click here. EOI’s close 5pm, Wednesday 11 December 2019.

Council is seeking expressions of interest from local cafes and event spaces interested in hosting the successful Discover Your Own Backyard (DYOB) Coffee Connect program next year.

DYOB Coffee Connect is a networking morning, where on the first Wednesday of each month, local businesses are invited to meet in a different location for a morning of networking and knowledge sharing.

These mornings present a great opportunity for business owners to showcase their cafe or event space and allows business professionals the opportunity to experience (and perhaps discover) some of the many fabulous cafes and hospitality venues in Hobsons Bay.

Let us know if you would like to be considered a DYOB Coffee Connect host by sending us an email at business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au by 9 December.

Are you delivering business workshops in 2020?

If you are considering running a business workshop or already have a program scheduled, you could potentially access Council’s networks to give your event more exposure and boost your attendance numbers.

Business service providers featured in the Hobsons Bay Business Calendar will benefit from:

• inclusion in the Hobsons Bay Business e-Works monthly e-newsletter, which is sent to more than 5000 subscribers
• a featured post on Council’s Hobsons Bay Works - Business Networking Group
• promotion on the Hobsons Bay City Council Facebook page
• inclusion on the Hobsons Bay Business website
• inclusion in the Hobsons Bay printed Business Calendar
• promotion at Hobsons Bay business workshops throughout the year

If you would like your workshop or seminar included in the business calendar, please click here to download the criteria fill out the registration form. For consideration as part of Council's printed 2020 business calendar, please ensure your expression of interest is submitted before 5pm, Friday 13 December 2019.

The draft Melbourne Industrial and Commercial Land Use Plan has been developed. The Victorian Government invites you to read the draft plan and provide feedback by making a submission and /or completing a survey by 5pm Tuesday, 31 December 2019.  Read the draft plan and provide feedback by using this link.

The Port of Melbourne has released its 30-year Port Development Strategy 2050; a roadmap for the future development of the Port. More info can be found at: https://www.portofmelbourne.com/facilities-development/port-development-strategy/

 The closing date for comment is 6 December 2019.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is inviting feedback on proposed updates to the Planning Policy Framework and Clause 53.10 of the Victoria Planning Provisions.

The draft updates aim to improve the way the planning system addresses buffers for amenity, human health and safety impacts. The updates were informed by consultation and engagement with key government agencies, councils, industry and other stakeholders earlier this year.

They are seeking views to finalise the draft provisions. You can find out more and provide feedback by visiting Engage Victoria at Planning for amenity, health and safety buffers. Submissions close at 5pm on 16 December 2019.

This forms part of the work DELWP is doing to respond to: 

• action 4 of the government response to the Major Hazard Facilities Advisory Committee
• the government response to the Independent Inquiry into the Environment Protection Authority, and
• action 98 of Plan Melbourne 2017-2050

If you have any queries about this matter, please contact Planning Systems at planning.systems@delwp.vic.gov.au.

If your business sells gift cards or vouchers, you'll need to comply with new laws which came into effect on 1 November 2019, read more.

All local traders must comply with the Footpath Trading Code of Practice, to ensure there is clear, safe and unobstructed access for pedestrians of all abilities on Hobsons Bay's footpaths. Under the code, traders must obtain a permit to place advertising signs, display of goods, tables with chairs, heaters, screens, planter boxes and street furniture on footpaths. A copy of the code can be viewed here.

Corner Pier Street & Railway Street South, Altona - For Sale

Contact Fergus Evans on 0433 825 869

Newport Specialised Therapies - For Sale

Contact Phoebe on 9327 2566 or email info@newportspecialisedtherapies.com.au

3/199 Champion Road, Williamstown - For Lease

Contact Tino Parisi on 0425 755 655

11/38-40 Aylesbury Drive, Altona - For Lease

Contact Ned Kukic on 0404 227 058

Through its Economic Development team, Council takes a proactive approach to attracting and facilitating investment across the municipality. This includes assisting with site identification and selection. If you are looking for a commercial or industrial site in Hobsons Bay or want to submit a business or commercial premise for inclusion in e-Works, please email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.

Remember, if you’re hosting a community event, you can promote via ‘What’s On’ channel on Council’s website, find out how you can submit your own event.

Calling all businesses and people who love golf, are committed to the community they do business in, don’t mind a spot of networking, competitive fun and being outdoors!

Book now for the "Budget Rent a Car" Hobsons Bay Community Fund Golf Day to be hosted by Kooringal Golf Club, Wilga Avenue, Altona. Support and connect with your local community and with other local businesses. Register your team, become a sponsor or contribute prizes.

Date: Friday 20 March
Time: 11am to 6pm
Location: Hosted by Kooringal Golf Club, Wilga Avenue, Altona
Cost: Free
To register: Click here

For more information, please contact Craig on 0408 055 125 or go to http://www.hbcommunityfund.org.au/.

Office space is available for hire at Joan Kirner House in Williamstown and Spotswood Community House.

These venues can be hired on an ongoing or casual basis for meetings, conferences, children’s birthday parties, art and craft groups, health and wellbeing classes, education classes, support and social groups, playgroups and counselling/consultation appointments. Amenities include:

• indoor and outdoor spaces
• small offices to large theatre room
• kitchen facilities including coffee machine
• free Wifi
• audio/visual equipment
• parking
• disability access
• printing and copying facilities
• close to public transport and shops and cafes
• Cheap affordable rates

For all booking enquiries please call 9397 6168 or click here for further information. 

Victorian businesses will have access to new opportunities to develop and grow with the opening of applications for the fourth round of the popular Boost Your Business Voucher Program. Small and medium enterprises can apply for up to $50,000 through the voucher program. Eligible streams include Advanced Manufacturing; Defence Aerospace, Cyber and Security; Asia Gateway; Food Innovation; Victoria-Israel Innovation; and Social Enterprise Capability.

The program allows successful businesses to become more productive, improve market access, employ additional people, diversify and increase scale and profitability.

The first three rounds of vouchers provided almost $9 million for Victorian businesses, including $1.8 million allocated to support more than 70 businesses earlier this year.
Applications for the current round of the Boost Your Business Voucher Program close on 22 December. Businesses can find out more about the program by clicking here.

Looking to enter a new market in Asia or simply need to improve your position in an Asian market you already operate in, don't miss this opportunity to receive up to $50k in dollar-for-dollar support from Victorian Government!
 
Applications close on 22 December 2019 - click here to find out more and apply.

Find out how to take the guess work out of searching for grants and increase your chance of funding by exploring Hobsons Bay Grant Finder, a free one-stop-shop website for business and community grants. Simply use the search engine to find available grants, filtered by specifying location, industry and type of project. The built in set-and-forget feature means you will never need to miss a deadline and will be notified when new grants come online. Start searching now at hobsonsbay.grantguru.com.au.

The Victorian Government has implemented a state-wide ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags as of 1 November 2019. The ban applies to ALL retailers – including supermarkets, greengrocers, bakeries, pharmacies, clothes stores, restaurants, cafes, markets, food outlets etc.. read more.