April 2026
Strengthening Community Health Through Local Business Leadership
Pharmacy 777 in Kent Road Pascoe Vale, is an example of how local businesses can deliver both commercial success and meaningful community impact. With a clear focus on community health and disease prevention, Pharmacist and owner Sara Murdock has positioned her pharmacy as more than a place to fill prescriptions, it is a trusted local health hub with private space for specialist advice.
Sara’s leadership and professional excellence have been recognised at the highest levels of the profession. In 2025, she was named Victorian Pharmacist of the Year by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, National Outstanding Community Pharmacist by Patients Australia, International Pharmacist of the Year by the Pharmacy Innovation Assembly, and Global Woman of the Year in Healthcare at the Stevie Awards.
Sara is an active supporter of local events and initiatives, including involvement in the Show and Shine Car Show, where her team engaged the community through free health checks and conversations about prevention in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.
By combining professional excellence with genuine local engagement, Sara Murdock demonstrates the vital role independent pharmacies play in strengthening local economies, improving health outcomes and building resilient communities.
Grants and funding
Sustainability and circular economy – grants, incentives, support and information
Looking to save money? Keen to become more environmentally sustainable and transition to a circular economy? Your business may be interested in the range of government support available.
Merri-bek City Council
- Households and businesses looking to install a new solar system or upgrade lighting, heating, ventilation, or a hot water system are encouraged to register with Solar Savers, a Council-backed initiative, to access vetted quality suppliers and competitive pricing for a range of products and upgrades. Read more.
Victorian Government
- Sustainability Victoria’s Circular Economy Recycling Modernisation Fund – Round 6 is currently open. Read more.
- Explore energy rebates available when switching to efficient electrical alternatives through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. Read more.
- Receive discounts on commercial and industrial solar system installations. Read more.
Federal Government
- Households, businesses and community organisations can receive a discount of around 30% on the upfront cost of installing a range of small-scale battery systems (5 kWh to 100 kWh). Read more.
- Office-based businesses can access a free decarbonisation program which gives businesses a pathway to net zero so they can reduce their carbon emissions. Read more.
- Learn how your business can become more resilient to climate change, both in the short and long term. Refer to CitySwitch resources, including the Climate Resilience for Business guide.
INDUSTRY
Creative Projects Fund 2026
Supports projects led by professional artists, creative practitioners, groups/collectives and creative micro to small organisations. This round will support activity commencing 1 October 2026.
Funding can be used to:
- develop new creative content, products or experience
- present / launch work to reach new markets
- invest in innovative ideas
- support collaborations and partnerships.
Applications close 3pm Thursday 16 April 2026.
SKILLS AND MENTORING
Digital Jobs Program
Provides eligible manufacturing and construction businesses with access to free training to upskill their workforce with digital skills to grow and maintain their competitive advantage. Training is available in artificial intelligence (AI); building information modelling (BIM); computer aided design; cybersecurity; data analytics; digital marketing; and digital tools for small business management.
Business Victoria Grants, Advice and Mentoring
Did you know the State Government’s Business Victoria website lists their currently available grants.
Business Mentoring Bus
If you missed out on a session with the Small Business Bus, you can access a similar free 45 minute business advice session.
Business Skills Workshops
2026 Darebin x Merri-bek Business Skills Workshop Series
Grow your business and connect with others across Merri-bek and Darebin through our 2026 Business Skills Workshop Series. The workshops offer practical, expert-led insights to help you strengthen your business skills. See below for upcoming workshops:
Show me the money
Unlock your finance numbers in this practical workshop. Learn to track income and expenses, manage cashflow with easy templates, and forecast with confidence. Walk away with skills to make smarter decisions, reduce stress, and future-proof your business.
Date: Wednesday 22 April 2026
Time: 10.00am - 11.30am
Location: Kulin-bulok room at
Merri-bek City Council, 90 Bell Street, Coburg.
Protect Your Business: Avoid Legal Pitfalls
Interactive workshop designed to help small business owners and sole traders reduce their risk exposure and operate with more clarity and confidence. It will focus on practical legal know-how, with real case studies drawn from local businesses.
Date: Friday 10 April 2026
Time: 2pm – 3.30pm
Location: Reservoir Library
Level 1, 23 Edwardes Street Reservoir.
May to June 2026:
- 1 May: Understanding Mental Health at Work
- 15 May: Building Digital Presence and Audience Growth
- 20 May: Pricing for Profit
- 12 June: Paying People Right: Building Better Payroll
- 18 June: Environmental Sustainability for
Business
Upcoming Council events for businesses
Merri-bek Women’s Business Network – April Coffee Conversations - Glenroy
Join us for a morning of connection at Twenty One Days Later Café. Network, share what you do, and connect with local businesses over coffee and cake. All welcome - bring a fellow woman in business.
Date: Tuesday 7 April March 2026
Time: 10am - 11.30am
Location: Twenty One Days Later Café - 10 Post Office Place, Glenroy
Other business events
Melbourne’s North Circular Economy Forum
Learn how businesses are reducing waste and emissions, improving resource efficiency, and turning waste into new revenue streams at Melbourne's North Circular Economy Forum hosted by the City of Whittlesea and delivered by NORTH Link.
Keen to attend? Contact alsmith@merri-bek.vic.gov.au to grab one of five FREE tickets Council is offering Merri-bek based businesses. Get in quick – first come, first served.
Webinar - Advanced strategies for taking your business online
A free, self-paced course from Business Victoria equips business owners with practical tools, from digital strategy and eCommerce to automation, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, and online marketing, so you can grow smarter and faster.
How to watch: Pre-Recorded, Watch anytime online
Price: Free
Other Stories
Brunswick Design District on show for Melbourne Design Week
Melbourne Design Week returns this May. As part of the program, Brunswick Design District’s Open Studios: Design Behind Closed Doors on 15 -16 May invites visitors inside 13 local studios to explore creative practices ranging from sculpture and fashion to lighting, textiles and technology.
Planned Changes to rubbish collections in 2027
Are you a business using council’s kerbside waste service?
From July 2027, we propose to change rubbish collections from weekly to fortnightly and provide businesses using council’s waste service with a larger standard rubbish bin. There will be no changes to your other bins.
For more information about how fortnightly rubbish collections might affect your business and to provide feedback visit Conversations Merri-bek.
Council will decide on the future of fortnightly rubbish collections in June this year. Tell us how we could support you to make the change. Feedback is welcome until Sunday 26 April 2026.
Conduct a financial health check
The end of the financial year is fast approaching, so now is the perfect time to make sure your business finances are in order. Check out tips for carrying out a financial health check on your business.
NewAccess for Small Business - Beyond Blue (NASBO) Program
This program offers small business owners six free mental health coaching sessions via telephone or video call, and two follow-up appointments, each tailored to their specific needs.
Thinking about closing your business?
There’s a lot to consider. This step‑by‑step guide will help you understand the process, including your legal and tax obligations, so you can close your business with confidence.
Monthly Economic Insights
Spending in local businesses rises faster than Melbourne Metropolitan average
Data available to Business Merri-bek from SpendMapp by Geografia reveals that in February 2026, spending in Merri-bek businesses increased at a faster rate compared to one year earlier than across Metropolitan Melbourne overall. The data shows:
Total spending in Merri-bek businesses rose 5.3% compared to one year earlier (to $201 M). In contrast, spending in businesses across Metropolitan (i.e. Greater) Melbourne rose 4.5%.
Broken down between spending by local residents and by businesses:
- Spending by local residents in Merri-bek businesses rose 6.3% to $91.7M. This contrasts with an equivalent 3.1% rise in Metropolitan Melbourne.
- However, spending by visitors to Merri-bek rose only 4.6% to $110M, compared to 5.7% growth for spending by visitors in Metropolitan Melbourne.
Spending in Merri-bek was highest on Groceries and Supermarkets ($44.3 M); followed by Dining & Entertainment ($35.8 M); Professional Services incl. healthcare ($28.2 M); and Specialised and Luxury Goods ($26.5M).
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.
