The Surf Coast Shire Council has launched the 2024 Business Insights Survey, open to businesses of all sizes and sectors.

This survey aims to gather crucial information about local business operations, including priorities, challenges, and sustainability practices. The feedback collected will be invaluable in helping the Council's Economic Development team tailor its business support programs to better meet the needs of our diverse business community.

Participating in the survey gives you the chance to have your voice heard, and you could also win a $1,000 video production prize.

The survey covers a broad range of topics, ensuring that businesses across different industries can share their unique perspectives and experiences. Whether you run a small, independent shop or a larger enterprise, your input is vital in shaping the future of business in the Surf Coast region.

If you’d like more information or prefer a hard copy of the survey, please contact the Economic Development Team at 5261 0600 or email business@surfcoast.vic.gov.au.

Take the Survey Now

Upcoming Council Election Period and What It Means for You

As the Surf Coast community approaches the upcoming Council election period, it's important for residents and local businesses to understand how this period will affect the operations of the Surf Coast Shire Council.

What is the Election Period?

The election period, also known as the "caretaker period," is the time leading up to the Council elections, which will begin on 19 September 2024 and continue through to 26 October 2024. During this time, specific rules and restrictions are in place to ensure the Council's actions are impartial and do not influence the election's outcome.

Impact on Council Activities

During the election period, the Council and its various units, including the Economic Development team, will experience significant restrictions on their usual activities. This includes limitations on making major policy decisions, entering into significant contracts or agreements, and initiating new projects. The aim is to maintain a fair and unbiased environment leading up to the election.

What This Means for You

For businesses and residents, this means there may be delays or temporary halts in certain services or communications from the Council. The Economic Development team, which regularly supports local businesses through initiatives and advice, will also be limited in its activities, but will maintain it's core services.

While ongoing projects will continue under strict guidelines, new initiatives and announcements will be paused until after the election. As the scheduled release of this Newsletter falls in caretaker period, our next newsletter will arrive in your inbox in mid-November, after the Election has concluded.

Stay Informed

For more details on how the election period may affect you, please visit the Surf Coast Shire Council’s Election Period Information Page.

Celebrate Excellence in Local Business: Enter the Torquay Business Awards

Commerce Torquay is excited to announce the 2024 Torquay Business Awards!

These awards are designed to recognise the outstanding contributions of local businesses to the Torquay community. Whether a small start-up or an established company, this event offers businesses a chance to shine.

Why Enter?

The Torquay Business Awards provide a platform for businesses to showcase their achievements and enhance their profiles.

Winning or even being nominated can attract new customers and strengthen brand credibility. With categories spanning various sectors, every business has an opportunity to participate.

How to Get Involved

Nominations are now open, and Commerce Torquay encourages all local businesses to get involved. It’s easy to enter, and participating could provide the boost your business needs. Entries can be submitted through the Nomination Link.

About Commerce Torquay

Established for 30 years, Commerce Torquay is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting local businesses. They offer networking opportunities, provide valuable resources, and advocate for their members' interests. Their mission is to foster a thriving business environment that benefits the entire community.

Join in Celebrating Local Success

Businesses are encouraged to nominate themselves or deserving peers today.

For more details, visit the Torquay Business Awards page.

Geelong Small Business Festival - Torquay Hub Events

Now in its 14th year, the Geelong Small Business Festival has supported hundreds of local businesses and nearly 30,000 business owners and community members. 

The festival is a collaboration between the City of Greater Geelong and the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, aimed at connecting, inspiring, and growing the region's small businesses.

The GSBF Torquay Hub this year is hosted by the Workers Hut located at 17 Baines Crescent, Torquay. All events at the Torquay Hub will be held on Thursday 22nd August and include:

Supporting Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace

Join Strawberry Seed Consulting for a morning filled with insightful discussions, practical tips, and interactive activities on how to support mental wellbeing in the workplace.

Whether you're an employer looking to improve mental health policies or an employee seeking ways to manage stress, this event is for you!

Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a difference in your workplace

⏰Time: 9.30am - 11.00am

Book your ticket here: https://events.humanitix.com/conflict-resolution-essentials

How to Create a Brand with Heart

Learn from Brand New Day Studio to create soulful strategies to help your brand rise and shine.

Whether you're a new business owner, experienced entrepreneur, side hustler or marketing enthusiast, this event is designed to inspire, empower and equip you with the knowledge and understanding to differentiate yourself by elevating your unique mission, vision and personality.

⏰Time: 11.30am - 1.00pm

Book your ticket here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1257737?

Conflict Resolution Essentials

As conflict resolution expert, Eddie Kardas from Conflict Resolution Training & Consulting, will share his extensive knowledge on de-escalation techniques, managing difficult customer interactions, and ensuring workplace safety.

This engaging session is designed for small business owners, managers, and frontline staff seeking to improve their skills in handling challenging customer situations effectively.

⏰Time: 1.30pm - 3.00pm

Tickets currently SOLD OUT: https://events.humanitix.com/conflict-resolution-essentials

For more information about the Geelong Small Business Festival you can visit the GSBF Website

To register your interest in upcoming Better Business Skills Workshops hosted by the Surf Coast Business team you can email us:  business@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

Boost Your Businesses  Energy Efficiency

As energy costs continue to rise, small businesses face increasing pressure to manage their expenses while maintaining efficiency

Luckily, there's a fantastic opportunity to learn how to tackle these challenges head-on. Geelong Sustainability is hosting an Energy Efficiency Workshop for Small Businesses on September 12, 2024, at the Norlane Community Centre.

This practical workshop is designed to help local businesses reduce their energy consumption and save on costs.

You'll gain valuable insights from industry experts on how to implement cost-effective energy-saving strategies, from simple adjustments to more advanced solutions.

Whether you're a café owner, retailer, or service provider, this event is tailored to address the specific needs and challenges of small businesses like yours.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how to reduce energy bills with actionable tips.
• Understand the latest in energy-saving technology and practices.
• Network with other local business owners and sustainability experts.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to future-proof your business. Register now to secure your spot and start your journey towards greater energy efficiency!

For more details and to register, visit Geelong Sustainability.

Retirees Continue to Anchor the Local Economy

June banking data has shown that while consumers in the regions have spent slightly more than the same time last year, discretionary spending has continued its downward trend, with spending down from the month before.

There was a total of $122.5M spent across the entire local government area in June, which is a 7.5% decrease on the month before, where consumers spent a total of $131.7M.

Supermarkets were again the top category for resident spending, accounting for $15.8M during June, down from the $16.7M spent the month before, as households continue to tighten their belts in response to ongoing cost of living pressures.

The winter months traditionally see a drop in spending across the Local Government Area, as the full-time resident population decreases, particularly in the coastal region between Anglesea and Lorne. This region saw a decrease in overall spending from a total of $24.5M in May, to $21.9M in June, a drop of around 11%.

Retirees across the entire LGA remain the anchors of the local economy, representing a consistent 20% of all money spent in the region. With this important category of consumers keeping the local economy moving in the off-peak months, it highlights the need of businesses in the region to ensure that they tailor their services and offerings to this market, particularly at a time when visitation and the volume of business customers is significantly lower than its summertime peaks.

One sector that has seen a very significant reduction in spending are Breweries and Wineries. In June the spend was $140K, down 53.1% from the year before. It was also significantly lower than the previous month of May, which was $222K, already a 26.9% drop.

Factors contributing to this has been a particularly challenging trading environment, in addition to the normal drop in visitation to the region over the winter. In Torquay, the closure of Sou’West brewery, and challenges faced by local Distiller – Great Ocean Road Gin, have left their mark. However there have been some recent positive developments for the Sou’West site, with Great Ocean Road Brewing moving in, with the intention of making it their flagship site over the coming months.

For more detailed information on the local economy contact the Economic Development and Tourism unit on 5261 0600 or business@surfcoast.vic.gov.au.

What is the Business Concierge service?

The free Business Concierge service is designed to take the stress out of getting permits and to make the experience as smooth as possible at each stage of the process. You can submit a business proposal online or use use our Business Permit Self Assessment Tool  when you visit our website. 

Or just contact the Business Concierge directly on 5261 600 or business@surfcoast.vic.gov.au.

Also check out our FAQs about permits for businesses

The Surf Coast Business Collective Newsletter gives local business support information and is published by the Economic Development & Tourism Unit of the Surf Coast Shire Council.