September 2025
Discover Northern Merri-bek’s hidden business gems
The newest edition in Merri-bek’s Trail Maps has just launched: Northern Discoveries with a focus on vibrant local Merri-bek businesses north of Bell Street. The map is a guide to some of the most delicious, creative and diverse offerings, from artisan knife makers and Turkish street food to biodynamic bakeries and specialty Polish delis. The map spotlights the vibrant mix of local neighbourhood favourites in Glenroy, Hadfield, Coburg North, Pascoe Vale, Oak Park and Fawkner.
Pick up a copy or download at Love Merri-bek, Buy Local – Merri-bek City Council and uncover your new favourite local business.
Grants and funding
Industry growth program
This program is open to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with innovative commercialisation or growth projects that strengthen manufacturing capability. Potential funding: grants ranging from $50,000 to $5 million.
Social enterprise capability building grants
This program aims to help organisations become more efficient and effective in delivering social benefits to vulnerable Australians. Potential investment: Funding up to $120,000. Applications close 30 September 2025.
Discounts on costs of installing a small-scale solar battery
Small businesses can now get a discount on the upfront cost of installing a small-scale solar battery.
Victorian Production Fund – Games
Funding up to $500,000 to bring your innovative digital games to life across PC, consoles, mobile, and immersive platforms.
Creative Enterprises Program
This program provides four-year investment to strengthen leadership and capacity of Victorian non-profit creative organisations, across all art forms. Supports growth, diversity, and access statewide.
Available to First Peoples, industry service and creative organisations.
Applications close
Wednesday 3 September 2025.
Business Victoria grants and advice
Do you know the State Government’s Business Victoria website lists their currently available grants? Click the button below to to find out which grants are open.
If you missed the Small Business Bus, you can still access a similar 45-minute business advice session here: Business Advice | Business Victoria
Free practical marketing and promotion workshops
Boost your marketing skills with Merri-bek’s free Business Training and Development workshops. Learn 5 Secrets to Marketing for Real Results and Creating Content that Converts. Suitable for all experience levels.
When: 10am - 11.30am
Wednesday 10 September 2025
Where: Merri-bek City Council
90 Bell Street, Coburg
Events
Budgeting and forecasting for better decisions
Explore 3 key reasons why businesses engage in budgeting and forecasting, with practical insights for improving financial planning and decision-making.
Learn annual and periodic budgeting, project decision-making and securing finance.
When: 10am - 11am
Thursday 11 September 2025
Where: Online webinar
AI and sustainability
NORTH Link, in collaboration with the La Trobe Business School, brings a unique blend of industry engagement and academic insight to explore how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are shaping the future of sustainability
When: 7am - 9.30am
Tuesday 7 October 2025
Where: Digital Innovation Hub
Jenny Graves Building
La Trobe University, Bundoora
Free digital skills training for construction and manufacturing
An information session for businesses in the construction and advanced manufacturing sectors. Access free training to upskill leaders and workers with digital skills that are critical for innovation and technology adoption.
When: 11am - 11.45am
Wednesday 3 September 2025
Where: Online
Monthly Women in Business networking event
Our next Coffee Conversation will be at Ratio Cocoa in Brunswick.
Participants will each have 2 minutes to share:
- Who you are
- What you do
- What your business offers
- How it benefits fellow Merri-bek business owners
When: 10am - 11.30am, Tuesday 2 September 2025
Where: Ratio Cocoa, 186 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Merri-bek bold business gathering: Moving to planet positive business
Join local business owners for a practical conversation about using resources more responsibly, from recycling and reuse to ethical materials, local production, and circular models. If you’re curious about doing business in a smarter, more sustainable way, come along and join the conversation. Business leaders sharing their stories include:
- Mario Milici, Founder and Creative Director, UpShop Industries
- Gabrielle Pestinger, Owner, Wholefoods Unwrapped Collective
- Marshall Waters, Founder, Rewine
When: 5.15pm - 6.45pm
Thursday 9 October 2025
Where: Rewine
522 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Melbourne market tour
Explore the heart of fresh produce and florals at Melbourne Market in Epping. Join Northlink for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.
When: 6am - 9am
Tuesday 9 September 2025
Where: Melbourne Market
55 Produce Drive, Epping
More news
Biketober is back!
Get your business involved in this fun, free, workplace friendly cycling challenge – supported by Merri-bek City Council and running all October. It’s great for team building, friendly competition with other businesses, and boosting staff wellbeing as well as fantastic prizes to be won!
Our draft 10-year Financial Plan and draft 10-year Asset Plan are now open for community feedback
The draft 10-year Asset Plan will guide how we renew, expand or upgrade community assets, like parks, roads, buildings and more.
The draft 10-year Financial Plan outlines how we will responsibly fund the projects, programs and services our community needs for the next ten years.
Share your thoughts by 11:59pm Wednesday 10 September 2025.
Give feedback online by clicking the button below or in writing at our libraries and customer service centres.
Fresh minds and bold ideas at Flexikitch!
Flexikitch is proud to be participating in the Northern Industry Student Placement Program (NISPP). Their Brunswick headquarters is currently hosting 13 students across various departments for 2 days a week for a 12-week period. Each student contributes to an internal improvement project and is provided mentorship and project feedback by the project leads. For Flexikitch, being involved in the NISPP is an opportunity to support the growth of local talent whilst boosting innovation internally.
Congratulations to the Flexikitch team, we look forward to learning more about the internal improvements and student achievements soon!
Make every container count — for your business, and your community
Local businesses in Merri-bek can recycle smarter by partnering with KARI Foundation’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) Depot in Coburg North. Get the full 10c refund per container instantly and help create local jobs and support Aboriginal-led programs. KARI offers free bins and scheduled pickups from your workplace or events, making recycling easy and impactful.
Guides to protect Apple, Google and Microsoft devices
The Australian Cyber Security Centre, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia and Cyber Wardens have come together to create 3 cybersecurity guides to help small businesses secure their accounts and devices.
If your business uses Apple, Google or Microsoft, download these step-by-step guides for the latest information on cybersecurity.
The Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Mapping Tool
The Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Mapping Tool is a new initiative by the Australian Government to help businesses and planners identify the best locations for fast EV charging stations across Australia. It shows current and planned fast chargers (25kW+) and forecasts future demand (50kW+). Data layers include traffic flow, population demographics and mobile coverage.
Beware of scams!
The ATO has taken the opportunity of Scams Awareness Week to warn businesses to take care to prevent someone stealing your identity and committing fraud in your name. Don't be tricked by QR codes or links claiming to be about your tax; type URLs into web browsers rather than click a link; protect your TFN, ABN and myID/RAM login details and be wary of anyone claiming to be from the ATO.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Little Rocket CEO
Local business leader, John Burgess – CEO of Little Rocket and Director of First Nations Network, has been appointed to the Victorian Government's Small Business Ministerial Council. The re-establishment of the Council is welcome as it plays a vital role in advising the government on key issues including government policies, programs and services designed for Victorian small businesses.
Congratulations to Bon Meats on West Street, Hadfield, celebrating 18 years of serving the local community. Founder Charlie says he’s been “enjoying every bit of it.”
Has your business won an award? Let us know at business@merri-bek.vic.gov.au so we can help celebrate and share your success.
Quick links
Business Merri-bek acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways in the area known as Merri-bek, and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging, as well as to all First Peoples communities who significantly contribute to the life of the area.
