🤝 Business Coaching Program | 💼 Jobs & Skills Showcase | 🎄 Christmas Together 2024 | 👩🏫 Business Workshops | 💰 Grants | 📢 Government Announcements | 💙 Support Programs
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December 2024
Welcome to the final edition of the Cardinia Business Newsletter for 2024! 🌟
We have a variety of programs and events to help your business grow and flourish. Our new Business Coaching Program is designed to assist businesses in a wide range of areas. Next year's Jobs and Skills Showcase is selling out quickly, so if you're interested, please don't delay in submitting your request to attend. The Council has launched Christmas Together 2024, which supports those in need in our community over this festive season. There is also information for mobile coffee, drink, and ice-cream business owners, as well as details on the Pakenham Roads and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road upgrades.
In this newsletter, you'll find information on workshops, including a free session for business owners seeking government grants and winning tenders. We also cover new grants for businesses and tips on preparing for the bushfire season. With the festive season now here, we've included information on annual leave, hiring Christmas staff, and how to have a safe and happy work party.
Additionally, we have insights on 'dupes', ways to improve your business, and more business support initiatives.
Thank you for being an integral part of our vibrant business community. Have a happy and safe festive season!
If you have any inquiries, feel free to contact us via email at business@cardinia.vic.gov.au.
Local news
Business Coaching Program
We’re excited to introduce our team of expert business coaches, joining us as part of our brand new Business Coaching Program!
This pilot program sees local businesses matched with one of our seven industry expert business coaches to receive free one on one, tailored coaching to meet their individual business needs.
Our business coaches come from a diverse range of industries and bring a wealth of local knowledge and experience in their fields.
Join us at the 2025 Cardinia Jobs and Skills Showcase!
Is your business ready to connect with local talent and showcase career opportunities? Expressions of Interest are now open to participate in the 2025 Cardinia Jobs and Skills Showcase! This event is essential for any business aiming to fill vacancies and contribute to our vibrant community’s growth.
Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, 26 March 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
- Location: Cardinia Cultural Centre, 40 Lakeside Blvd., Pakenham
- Cost: $30.00 per business/exhibitor
Over 30% of the event has already been allocated, so express your interest now to ensure you don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity. Let’s make the 2025 Cardinia Jobs and Skills Showcase the best yet!
Click below to submit your expression of interest.
Supporting those in need this Christmas
Join us in spreading joy this Christmas! Cardinia Shire Council is backing Christmas Together 2024, a partnership with The Salvation Army, Bless Collective, ADRA, and the Cardinia Foundation to aid those in need during the holidays. Donate non-perishable food and gifts for kids aged 0-16 at Council's Civic Centre by December 6. Let's make a difference together!
Deck the Halls with Local Joy: Add Your Christmas Event to What’s On Cardinia!
Spread the holiday cheer by adding your Christmas event to the What’s On Cardinia Events page! This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your festive celebrations and attract more visitors to your business. Don’t miss out on being part of the community’s holiday festivities!
Do you operate a drink and ice-cream truck?
Council is seeking expressions of interest from mobile coffee, drink and ice-cream business owners, who are interested in trading inside Officer's new regional park.
There are 2 exclusive site-specific roadside trading permits available for one coffee or drink truck and one ice-cream truck to operate inside the regional park from 18 December 2024 to 30 April 2025.
Update on Pakenham Roads Upgrade and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road Upgrade
In November, Major Road Projects Victoria opened the upgraded freeway interchange on Healesville-Koo Rup Road and completed asphalt layers on McGregor Road Upgrade north of the freeway and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road Upgrade south of it.
During December, final asphalt layers will be placed for new lanes on Princes Freeway and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road near the interchange. Work continues on Racecourse Road Upgrade before major works in January 2025. Access to Pakenham via Cardinia Road and Princes Highway remains open despite changing detour routes. Nightly road closures include Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road, Racecourse Road, and Bald Hill Road with additional night closures and a weekend closure of Princes Freeway.
For updates, visit Pakenham Road Upgrade page or contact Major Road Projects Victoria or subscribe at roadprojects.vic.gov.au/subscribe or text PKHM to 0499 073 073 for updates.
Boost your Business Workshops
Winning Government Grants and Tenders
Wednesday 5 March 2025
Cardinia Cultural Centre
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost - FREE
This workshop is for business owners seeking government grants and winning tenders. Topics include government procurement, supplier evaluation, key policies, grant application tips, marketing to the government, and finding resources."
Business Plan Accelerator Workshop
28 - 29 April 2025
Cardinia Cultural Centre
9.00 am – 3.30 pm
Cost - FREE
The Business Plan Accelerator Workshop is designed to accelerate the development of a business plan to support individual business objectives.
Start Your Business Journey with Free Courses
Considering starting your own business but lack skills or confidence? A business skills short course could be perfect for you! Fully funded courses include Certificate III/IV in Entrepreneurship, Micro Business Skill Set, and New Business Ventures.
Free for eligible participants and online. Don’t miss this chance to gain essential knowledge for your business success.
More information on events in Cardinia Shire can be found on the Cardinia Business website.
Grants
Looking for business grants and programs?
For Australian businesses, use this free search to find government grants, funding, and support. Answer questions to discover eligible programs.
Biomedical Translation Fund (BTF)
The BTF provides companies with venture capital through licensed private sector fund managers. It will help you to develop your biomedical discoveries into tangible products, services and outcomes.
Nominations open for the PM’s Prizes for Science
Does your business work with an inspiring Australian scientist, innovator, or science teacher? You can nominate them for the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science. Nominations close on 17 December 2024.
R&D Tax Incentive webinar
Interested in applying for the Research and Development Tax Incentive? Don’t miss out on the Guide to Registering for the R&D Tax Incentive webinar on Thursday, 5 December at 2pm AEDT.
Government announcements
Plan and prepare for fire this summer
In the event of a bushfire, it’s hard to think clearly. You may forget important things or waste valuable time deciding when and where to go.
Having a fire plan and preparing your small business now could save your life and your business.
It’s important that you and your employees familiarise yourselves with the fire danger ratings, what leaving early means, and what to do during total fire ban days. For more information on how to plan for bushfires, visit the online fire planner.
How to have a safe and happy work party
There will be parties for hosting, successes for toasting and sharing in good cheer! If you are celebrating the end of year with your employees, it's important you consider work health and safety.
Playing music in your business
You need a licence or permission to play music in your business or workplace. Find out how to follow the law and make sure music creators get paid.
Is your business too noisy?
Victoria has noise laws for small businesses. The Environment Protection Authority Victoria provides industry-specific guidelines on music, construction, and transport noise. Follow these guidelines to avoid noise complaints or fines during events or renovations.
Have you updated your IT policies and procedures?
IT and cyber security go hand in hand. Do you have an IT policies and procedures document? If it’s a little old and needs updating, you can download the Business Victoria template to get started.
Employment news
Tips to manage staff annual leave
Prepare for the holiday season by managing employee leave effectively. Use the Fair Work leave calculator and our HR manual to plan ahead for December and January, ensuring your employees can enjoy their entitled time off.
Hiring staff for the festive season
Find out what to do after making an offer of employment. Make sure you agree on the employment terms and conditions, then settle your new employee in with a thorough induction.
Build the confidence and skills of your most important asset: your people
The Skills for Education and Employment Program offers free language, literacy, numeracy, and digital skills training for your employees. Help your employees perform better in their current roles, build confidence, and prepare them for future growth opportunities within your business.
Strengthening Employment Outcomes For LGBTIQA+ Victorians
The Victorian Government's Project Purple helped 60 trans and gender-diverse Victorians find jobs with over $285,000. In collaboration with Fitted for Work, the initiative aims to assist 100 jobseekers with tailored career services.
Business support initiatives
Deterring 'dupes'
Imitation may be the highest form of flattery, but what do you do when it impacts your business? Check out IP Australia's tips to help protect your business.
5 simple ways to improve your business
You only need a couple minutes here and there to give your business a refresh. Check out these 5 simple tasks to improve your business.
8 ways to make the most of any networking event
The holiday season is approaching, bringing Christmas parties and networking opportunities. To excel at these events with clients, customers, and employees, follow these 8 networking tips.
Mental health services in languages other than English
Ensure all employees benefit from workplace wellbeing regardless of English proficiency. Explore support services in various languages on the Workplace Wellbeing page.
Questions? Feedback? We would love to hear from you! Send an email to business@cardinia.vic.gov.au, or visit the Cardinia Business website.
