Welcome to the Hobsons Bay Business e-Works Update!

To deal with the fast changing environment local businesses are operating in, Council will be sending fortnightly business updates to ensure that your business has access to the most up-to-date information as possible.  

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 1300 179 944 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Hobsons Bay businesses are invited to join our weekly Tuesday Chats sessions for the opportunity to connect with their business community, share advice and seek support.

Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 11am to 12pm
To join: Refer to the Hobsons Bay Business Network Facebook group page, open to businesses that are physically located in Hobsons Bay. 

Shops on Show is back for 2020! Running from 15 - 22 December, residents and visitors to Hobsons Bay are encouraged to support and visit registered shops and vote for their favourite Christmas window. 

  • Voting opens Tuesday 15 December. Voters go in the draw to win local shopping vouchers worth $100 to $250.
  • Three winning businesses will be announced on Wednesday 23 December. Each will receive a quarter page advertisement in the Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay Star Weekly.
For more information and view participating businesses, visit Shops on Show

We are seeing input from businesses to improve the waste and recycling services for local businesses, in particular food businesses. Results from the survey will help Council understand food waste production and collection and reduce food waste going to landfill and negative environmental impacts including greenhouse gas emissions. 

Once you complete the short survey you will be automatically entered into a draw to win a $50 gift voucher for a local business.

Click here to fill out the survey before the deadline of 31 December 2020.

To encourage families to explore and support local Hobsons Bay businesses, we have created a Kids Local Passport.

The passport includes space for children to collect stickers from local participating businesses and is intended to drive traffic into your business.

How can your business participate?
  • Stock the free passports in your business & hand them out to families with young children
  • Offer stickers to children who come in with the passport
  • Display a decal in your window notifying families you are participating in the program
  • Register your business for free copies of the passports, stickers and decal
The State Government has eased restrictions further by announcing Victoria's plan for a COVIDSafe summer. From 6 December 2020 a number of changes came into effect, including:
  • Face masks must be carried at all times and must be worn in some transport and retail settings
  • Hospitality, retail, hairdressing, personal care and real estate density quotas have been increased
  • Accommodation bookings are now restricted to the private gathering limit.
For more information on the current COVIDSafe Summer restrictions, visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covidsafe-summer 
The Victorian Government has introduced a free QR code service to assist businesses in recording patron details. Capturing customer details is essential for ensuring your business is COVIDSafe and QR codes provide a simple, contactless and streamlined way to do this. Register your business for the free QR Code Service

Victorian Government’s Sole Trader Support Fund has been extended until 30 December to help more sole trader businesses in specific industries operating from a commercial premises with their transition to COVID Normal. Grants of $3,000 are available to help with overhead costs.
Full details on eligibility and how to apply are set out on the Sole Trader Support Fund web page.