It’s been a busy few weeks connecting with and celebrating our local business community!

We loved being part of Small Business Week, from meeting businesses at the Expo to welcoming a full house at our Western Business Leaders Brunch & Learn. We’ve also been busy assessing applications received since launching our Business Grants Program and are excited by the ideas and projects coming through.

In this edition, you’ll find upcoming business and tourism events, our latest local business stories, and plenty of programs, resources and opportunities to help your business connect and grow.

Economic Development Team ~ City of Charles Sturt

Small Business Week - Western Business Leaders -
How Resilient Leaders Build Resilient Businesses

A full house for our Small Business Week Brunch & Learn!

We welcomed a capacity crowd of local business owners and leaders to West Palms Studio for our Western Business Leaders Brunch & Learn: How Resilient Leaders Build Resilient Businesses.

Facilitated by Lisa Infante from Courage to Change Collective, the practical session explored how greater clarity, better decision-making and focusing our energy where it matters can help build more resilient leaders and businesses.

Thank you to Lisa, West Palms Studio, Pony and Cole, and everyone who joined us and made the event a sell-out.

We were proud to deliver the event as part of Small Business Week 2026 and see such a strong turnout from our Western Business Leaders community.

Check out some of the event highlights from the event!

Growth Ramp Cohort Success

A big congratulations to local business owners Martin Santy of Connecting Palms and Gianni Cirelli of Cirelli Coffee Roastery & Cafe, who have completed the Adelaide University Growth Ramp Program with support from the City of Charles Sturt's Business Support Program High-Growth Stream!

The Growth Ramp Program gives business owners the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and focus on the bigger picture - building their leadership skills, strengthening their strategy and developing a clear pathway for future growth.

We love seeing our local businesses make the most of opportunities to learn, grow and invest in their future. Congratulations Martin and Gianni on this fantastic achievement!

Learn more about our High-Growth Business Stream of the Business Support Program below. 

Grant Applications are Open

Got an idea that could benefit your community? Whether you're a business, artist, community group or event organiser, our grants can help turn your vision into reality.

Supporting everything from community events and creative projects to environmental initiatives and business growth, we're investing in local ideas that make our neighbourhoods more connected, vibrant and welcoming.

Explore our range of grants and funding opportunities targeted to our business, arts and events communities:

• Business Support Program:
  - Small Business
  - Green Business
  - High Growth Businesses 
• Shop Local Program
• Arts & Culture Grants
• Entrepreneur Scholarships:
  South Australian Business Chamber Entrepreneur Scholarships
  - Early-Stage Entrepreneurs Program
• Event and Sponsorship Grants

Applicants are encouraged to contact our team to discuss your ideas and the type of support you are seeking.

Learn more about the grants available and apply now. 

City of Charles Sturt Business Directory

Get your business listed for free! Are you a City of Charles Sturt business? Make it easier for customers, visitors and other local businesses to find you by registering for our free online Business Directory.

The directory showcases local businesses across the city and helps promote shopping local, collaboration and connection within our business community. It’s quick to register, easy to update, and completely free.

If you are a home-based business, we have added a new field (private address) which doesn't display your home address but ensures your eligibility.

Register your business below.

H5 Bird Flu: Information for local businesses

With H5 bird flu detected in South Australia, local businesses are encouraged to stay informed about the latest advice and any potential impacts, particularly those working with poultry, birds, food production or related industries.

Find out more about H5 bird flu, current advice and available resources from the City of Charles Sturt.

Read the latest information below. 

Defend, Detect, Recover: Cybersecurity made Simple for Small Business Workshop

Presented by Adelaide Business Hub, City of Charles Sturt and The Australian Government Digital Solutions program.

Cybersecurity doesn't have to be complicated, expensive, or reserved for large enterprises. In this practical and jargon-free workshop, you'll learn how small businesses can protect themselves from today's most common cyber threats, identify warning signs before they become major incidents, and recover quickly if the worst happens.

Through real-world examples, simple strategies, and actionable advice, you'll discover how to reduce risk, protect your customers and data, and build confidence in your business's ability to withstand cyber-attacks. Whether you're a business owner, manager, or employee, you'll leave with a clear understanding of the essential steps every small business should take to stay secure.

When: Thursday 24 September 2026, 10:30am-1pm
Where: CC1, Civic Centre, 72 Woodville Road, Woodville South, 5011
Facilitator: Bret Moffett, Systematech IT Consulting

Adelaide Beaches Tourism Industry Networking Event

Connect with tourism, hospitality and local business operators from across Western Adelaide at our next quarterly Adelaide Beaches Tourism Networking Event, hosted by the Western Adelaide Tourism Alliance.

Join us at Ocean Bar & Kitchen, Henley Beach to hear the latest tourism insights, explore opportunities for Western Adelaide’s visitor economy and connect with others across the industry.

Event speakers:

• The Hon Emily Bourke MLC – Minister for Climate, Environment and Water; Minister for Tourism
• Daisy Miller – CEO, Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA)
• Sally Smith – Project Manager – Tourism for Good, South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC)

Whether you work directly in tourism and hospitality or your business benefits from attracting visitors to our beaches, precincts and destinations, we’d love you to join us.

Door prizes: Local businesses interested in donating a prize and showcasing their product or service can contact Emma at egrivell@charlessturt.sa.gov.au. 

This event is brought to you by the City of Charles Sturt, with support from the Cities of West Torrens, Holdfast Bay and Port Adelaide Enfield.

When: Tuesday 22 September 2026, 5:30–7:30pm
Where: Ocean Bar & Kitchen, Henley Beach, 246 Esplanade, Henley Beach, 5022

Fully subsidised for tourism and hospitality businesses. Drinks and nibbles provided.

Polaris Business Fundamentals Group Session - City of Charles Sturt

This free session is proudly brought to you by the City of Charles Sturt and for businesses who are already in business and have an ABN. It will equip you with practical strategies and essential business fundamentals to support your growth.

Developed and presented by experienced business owners and business mentors from the Polaris Centre, this session offers practical tools, proven strategies, and a supportive environment tailored to business owners.

What you'll gain from this session:

• Understand what it means to be in business
• Learn how to price your products or services effectively
• Explore the importance of business planning for long-term growth
• Discover ways to improve and optimise profits
• Learn how marketing can accelerate your business growth
• Build confidence in selling and standing out from your competitors
• Gain strategies to help you thrive while enjoying the work you do

Places are limited! Book now to secure your spot.

When: Wednesday 14 October 2026, 4pm-8pm
Where: CC1, Civic Centre, 72 Woodville Road, Woodville South, 5011

New Businesses

We have many exciting new businesses opening in our City recently! We would love to welcome the following new businesses to the City of Charles Sturt. 

• 2nd Street Coffee, Bowden
• Something Special Concept Store, Bowden

If you know of any other new businesses opening, we would love to visit them and welcome them in our next edition. 

Business Support Program - Local Business Stories

Discover the people and businesses helping shape our local economy. Explore our latest business stories for insights, inspiration and a closer look at the diverse businesses growing and evolving across the City of Charles Sturt.

Bowden is Open for Business

Bowden's cafes, restaurants, retailers and local businesses are open and ready to welcome you while streetscape improvements continue. Whether you're grabbing a coffee, dining with friends or supporting local, it's a great time to visit the precinct.

Visitors can take advantage of 1 hour of free parking at the new UPark Bowden, with participating businesses offering up to an additional 2 hours of free parking via the UPark app. Ask your favourite Bowden business about parking validation when you visit.

We encourage you allow extra time for parking if visiting the businesses and make sure you still show them some love and support during this time!

Creating a thriving Western Adelaide is dependent on a resilient business community. Grants are a great way to fund your projects but they open, close and change regularly. Stay up to date by signing up to Grant Guru, our grant finding service so you don't miss out on future funding.

Power Her Up 

Power Her Up is a new business capability program supporting South Australian women business owners and entrepreneurs to build the skills, confidence and connections to grow their businesses and take new ideas further.

Delivered by Women in Creative Technologies (WiCT) and funded by the Office for Small and Family Business, Government of South Australia, the program includes practical workshops, founder meet-ups, networking with mentors and industry leaders, and an Innovation Design Sprint for selected participants.

Participants will explore how creative and emerging technologies can be applied to real business opportunities, while building capability across digital business systems, strategy, marketing, pitching and investment readiness.

The program will be delivered both in person and online, with participation open to women across metropolitan and regional South Australia.

Power Her Up is launching soon. Register your interest to be the first to hear about upcoming opportunities.

Women in Business Foundations Program

Looking to strengthen your business, build your confidence or turn a new idea into a business? The Women in Business Foundations Program, delivered by Adelaide Business Hub, provides practical, tailored support for South Australian women at different stages of their business journey.

Eligible women business owners can access up to six one-on-one mentoring sessions for a subsidised cost of $220, with experienced advisors providing support across areas including business planning, growth strategies, finance, HR, digital marketing, cyber security and AI.

For women who are still developing their business idea, Launch Your Own Business workshops are also available to help build strong foundations and take the first steps into business.

The program is an initiative of the Office for Small and Family Business. Applications are now open via the Adelaide Business Hub website.

Energy and Climate Change Assessment Grants

Running a business from home? Get a free energy assessment.

If you operate your business out of your home, the Energy and Climate Change Assessment Grant is for you. Through the grant, eligible home-based businesses can access a free home energy assessment, giving you a clear picture of where your energy is going and practical steps to cut your bills.

It's a simple, no-cost way to make your business more efficient and your home a little healthier. Applications are open now - don't miss out! Find out more and check your eligibility below.

Develop, buy or lease in the West

Commercial property including office, retail, industrial and development sites can be found by searching on the following sites:

Commercial Real Estate and Property For Sale and Lease in Australia
Commercial Real Estate & Commercial Property For Sale and For Lease

If you are seeking a space within Charles Sturt, get in touch with our team, as we would love to assist you.

You can search for current open tenders on the SA Tenders and Contracts website, which is commonly used for public tendering for major purchases of goods, services and works.

Gutter Cleaning at Council Buildings (In Collaboration with City of Charles Sturt and City of Port Adelaide Enfield), the Tender Code is CCS059187 and can be found using the following link: Display Tender COM059187

You can also register with SA Tenders and Contracts to receive notification of the latest upcoming public tenders and contract opportunities via the link below.

If you have business news, a story to share, would like to contribute information or have questions about anything featured in this newsletter, please get in touch.

If you know other businesses who would benefit from this information, please share this email with them and encourage them to be part of our Western Business Leaders. 

Don't forget to follow our dedicated Business Facebook page for all the latest stories as they happen.