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November 2024
Welcome to this bumper edition of the Cardinia Business Newsletter!🌟
We’re thrilled to bring you the latest updates and opportunities to help your business thrive.
Expressions of interest are open for exhibitors for the 2025 Jobs and Skills Showcase and business sponsors for the 2024 Pakenham Carols by Candlelight. Don't miss out on these two great opportunities to connect with the community.
Do you have a Christmas event coming up? Add it to the What’s On Cardinia event calendar to reach a wider audience and engage with the community.
Are you planning to use the footpath for your business activities? Learn how to apply for permits to ensure smooth and compliant operations. Also, stay informed about major road projects.
Don’t miss our free workshops, including a session on Canva to help you create stunning graphics for your marketing needs. Register early to secure your spot!
Explore the latest business grants available to help you innovate and expand. Our support services are here to assist you every step of the way. Stay updated with the latest employment news and important government announcements that could help your business.
Thank you for being an integral part of our vibrant business community.
Feel free to contact us if you have any inquiries. You can reach us via email at business@cardinia.vic.gov.au.
Local news
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
Register your interest! Places are very limited 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.
Deck the Halls with Local Joy
Join Us for the 2024 Pakenham Carols by Candlelight!
We are excited to announce that the 2024 Pakenham Carols by Candlelight will be held on Saturday, 7 December 2024, at Toomuc Recreation Reserve. We would like to invite your business to join us as a sponsor, offering a unique opportunity to increase visibility, engage with the community, and support a good cause.This event promises an evening of fun, entertainment, and community connection.
Please email our Event Officer for more information
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!
Is your Footpath Occupancy Permit up to date?
The Council's Compliance Services are auditing footpath occupancy permits and educating businesses about the application process. Business owners should ensure their permits are up to date to comply with Cardinia Shire Council’s regulations, which require permits for items like A-frame signs, outdoor dining furniture, and displays on footpaths. Applications can be submitted online. Please click the link for more information.
Updates on the Pakenham Roads and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road upgrades
Major Road Projects Victoria will achieve significant milestones soon. Closures are planned on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road, Racecourse Road, McGregor Road, and the Princes Freeway. Closure dates include November 7th night and November 8-11 weekend for traffic light intersections opening near the Princes Freeway interchange. Weeknight and weekend closures on the Princes Freeway between Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road and McGregor Road will occur from November 11 to early December for major works completion by year-end.
Boost your Business Workshops
More information on face-to-face events in Cardinia Shire can be found on the Cardinia Business website.
Designing with Canva Workshop (Part One) *
Tuesday 12 November 2024
Cardinia Cultural Centre
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cost - FREE
Get started with the fundamentals of using Canva so you can use it with confidence and ease in your business. Learn how you can use Canva to craft captivating marketing content and brand touchpoints for a cohesive visual brand.
*This workshop is being delivered in collaboration with Melbourne Innovation Centre, as part of the Digital Solutions Program.
Business Plan Accelerator Workshop
19th & 20th November
Toomah Community 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.
Winning Government Grants and Tenders
Wednesday 5 March 2025
Cardinia Cultural Centre
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost - FREE
This Business Victoria workshop is for business owners who want to secure government grants and win competitive tenders.
Connect with the Digital Solutions program to help grow your business.
The Digital Solutions program helps small businesses harness opportunities and grow in the digital economy. Small businesses can access free workshops, webinar presentations and self-directed tutorials. Small businesses can also access 4 hours of one-on-one digital advice from an experienced business advisor for a small fee. Find out more
Grants
Grants and programs finder
If you’re doing business in Australia, this free guided search will help you find grants, funding and support programs across government.
Answer some questions about your business to find grants and programs you may be eligible for.
Employment news
One website for all your workplace law news
Small Business Peak is a hub for small business owners, providing resources through clear communication, simplified processes, and user-friendly tools. It helps businesses grasp industrial relations changes and workplace laws without decoding legal jargon. The program simplifies IR changes and streamlines compliance for small businesses.
Victoria’s women in manufacturing strategy
The Victorian Government initiated Making it Equal: Victoria’s Women in Manufacturing Strategy to promote gender equality in male-dominated industries by encouraging more women and girls to pursue manufacturing careers and fostering inclusive workplaces.
Race discrimination in the workplace
The updated Migration Amendment Act of 2024 introduces new rules to prevent the exploitation of migrant workers. These rules deter employers and individuals in the labour supply chain from exploiting people based on their migration status, promoting fair competition for ethical businesses.
Business support initiatives
Helping Locals Shape Tourism Sector's Future
The Victorian Government's Tourism Infrastructure Facilitation team provides expert advice and assistance to support tourism projects from concept to reality, aiming to boost Victoria's visitor economy. They offer services including scoping new ideas, navigating regulatory approvals, and brokering project partnerships.
Make Your Voice Heard: Manufacturing Blueprint Survey
Join SEMMA in developing a blueprint for Australian manufacturing. Your insights are vital in shaping their vision. Take 5 minutes to share your input and drive meaningful change.
Rural Financial Counselling Service
The Rural Financial Counselling Service provides free and independent financial counselling to eligible farmers, fishers, foresters and small related enterprises who are experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.
How secure is your business against online threats?
The Cyber Wardens program aims to assist small businesses nationwide in defending against online threats. The Cyber Wardens Health Check is a free tool that evaluates your business's cyber security, offering a personalised score for enhancement areas.
Carbon Farming Outreach Program
This program provides independent information and training to Victorian farmers, helping them make informed decisions about carbon farming.
Government announcements
Understand how AI can help and how to use it responsibly.
Australia’s AI Month showcases and celebrates Australia's AI capabilities, talent and potential
Prepare for upcoming sales
Check out the Business.gov 8 tips to help your small business make the most of the online sales.
Small Business, Big Dreams fact sheet. Create a fact sheet for small businesses featuring free government programs and resources for growth, intellectual property protection, and funding.
Introducing the Small Business Big Dreams fact sheet | IP Australia
New checklist to help calculate food-related GST. By regularly reviewing your product GST classifications, you can ensure accurate decisions.
Small business skills and training boost. Check if you can claim a 20% bonus deduction on certain eligible training expenditures for your employees.
Small business skills and training boost | Australian Taxation Office
Questions? Feedback? We would love to hear from you! Send an email to business@cardinia.vic.gov.au, or visit the Cardinia Business website.
