Western Business Leaders Newsletter

Hello, 

Welcome to the new financial year!

We're kicking off the year with a calendar full of exciting workshops, events, and mentoring opportunities designed to help you grow, connect and succeed.

Join us at our official Grants Launch next week to learn about the refreshed funding streams, hear success stories, and discover new partnerships designed to support your goals.  

More great news...
The City of Charles Sturt has secured an extension and additional funding through the Connecting Women in Business Program. This will support the expansion of our Women in the West ‘Elevate’ series, offering women business owners access to practical learning, community support, and new opportunities for growth.

Keep up to date with the latest major projects happening in our City. 

Many thanks and happy reading, 
Selma, Kym, and Emma
Economic Development team

Connecting Women in Business 'Elevate Series'
Women in the West

Exciting news! 
The City of Charles Sturt have been awarded an extension and additional funding through the Connecting Women in Business Program, part of the broader Women in Business Program from the Office for Small and Family Business.

Launched in June 2022, the Western Business Leaders Women in the West event series aims to enhance the visibility, confidence, and capabilities of women in business within their region. Through quarterly networking events, we provide a platform for connecting with subject matter experts, sharing knowledge and experiences, expanding networks, and fostering collaboration.

This funding will facilitate the expansion of the Women in the West initiative through the introduction of the ‘Elevate Workshop Series,’ providing women business owners with access to a supportive community, educational resources on key business topics, and opportunities for growth and development.

The Women in Business Program is an initiative of the Government of South Australia’s Office for Small and Family Business and the South Australian Small Business Strategy 2023 - 2030.

NDIS Networking Event

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for our latest NDIS networking event at the Healthy Living Precinct!

It was fantastic to see so many businesses join us at the Healthy Living Precinct to hear about market changes and new requirements within the NDIS landscape, connect with like-minded businesses, and understand how council can facilitate partnerships and future collaborations.

Special thanks to our speakers:

• Sharon Floyd, Engels Floyd Quality Consulting, for her industry update 
• Kris O'Shaughnessy, TechTurn, for his informative presentation.

Were you photographed at our event? Check out the full event gallery here. 

City of Charles Sturt Commercial Solar Bulk Buy
2025 solar and battery savings for businesses

Join us at the City of Charles Sturt Commercial Solar Bulk Buy event this August to see exactly how a solar and battery solution can work for your business.

Cut Energy Costs. Boost your Business ROI. 

The City of Charles Sturt, in collaboration with ShineHub, is launching a Commercial Solar Bulk Buy Program to help local businesses cut costs and unlock long-term savings with high-quality solar and battery systems.

Through this initiative, you can:

• Access solar and battery discounts for businesses of all sizes  
• Tap in to Government rebates and finance options, including $0 upfront Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)  
• Receive Free tailored energy assessments and Return on Investment estimates
• Boost your business sustainability credentials

Don't own the Building? Here's How You Can Still Join

• Start the Conversation: Talk to your landlord about the benefits
• Support is available: ShineHub can help your landlord understand the options, including ownership models, rebates, and financing.
• Get a tailored solution: ShineHub can find the right fit for your lease and business needs. 

This initiative is part of our City of Charles Sturt Community Renewables Program, designed to make clean energy more accessible to local businesses, no matter your size or setup.
Whether you own your building or lease your space, there’s a pathway to participate.

To find out more about the program, how it could work for you and to register your interest for our upcoming information event visit the link below.

The Santos Tour Down Under is coming to
Henley Beach 

Exciting news! The Santos Tour Down Under is coming to Henley Beach!

We're proud to be an official host council of the Tour for the first time, hosting the Ziptrak® Men’s Stage 3: Henley Beach to Nairne on Friday 23 January 2026.

The event will begin at Henley Square, showcasing our vibrant City and coastline to national and international audiences working with the South Australian Tourism Commission.

“Our City is known for its beautiful coastline and our support of sport and recreation for all. We can’t wait to share this world-class event with our community,” Mayor Angela Evans shared.

This major event will bring thousands of visitors, media, and cycling enthusiasts to Henley Beach, providing a significant boost for our cafes, retailers, and tourism operators. It’s also a chance to celebrate local pride and create lasting economic impact across the western suburbs.

We’re committed to working proactively with local businesses and suppliers in the lead-up to the event.

From hospitality and retail promotions to event services and activation partnerships, there will be many ways to get involved and benefit from increased foot traffic and exposure.

Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities and visit our website for more information, including the Stage

The City of Charles Sturt is one of Adelaide’s most vibrant, diverse, productive and fastest growing local government areas. Our City is a great place to invest, with a thriving hub of activity, education and employment opportunities in the heart of western Adelaide.

Our investment prospectus helps you create opportunities for your business.

Economic Development Insights

July 2025 Snapshot

Adelaide has just been ranked the third-best city in Australia to start a business in 2025, outranking Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra in a new national study. And the City of Charles Sturt is no exception...

Business Growth
Over the past year, we’ve seen a surge in business activity, with new business registrations growing from 12,145 (June 2024) to 12,957 (June 2025), a strong indicator of local economic confidence and entrepreneurial momentum.

Investment enquiries also remain steady, reflecting ongoing interest in the region.

Spend Snapshot (June 2024 vs June 2025)

• Visitor Local Spend ↑ 6.4% (+$98M) to $1.64 billion
  Driven by stronger tourism and day-trip activity.

• Total Local Spend ↑ 4.6% (+$141M) to $3.18 billion
  Boosted by economic confidence and local business growth.

• Online Spend ↑ 10.7% (+$205M) to $2.113 billion
  Reflecting the continued shift to digital purchasing and e-commerce.

Source: Spendmapp Monthly Insights

Find a space to develop, buy or lease

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.

If you are seeking a new retail space, there are a number of tenancies available at the hustling & bustling Arndale Shopping Centre. 
Check them out here: Available tenancies

Grant Funding is Back for 2025!
Get Inspired & Get Involved!

Are you a local business, artist, arts organisation, musician, resident or live music venue in the City of Charles Sturt?
Great news, you can apply for grant funding to develop and deliver new ideas, initiatives or projects in our City.

We’re excited to share that our Grant Programs have not only been extended for the new financial year they've been revitalised with some fresh updates and new opportunities to support your goals. 

To help yo get started, we're hosting a special Grants Information evening and you're invited! 

What to expect on the night:

• What grants are available (and what's new!)
• How to apply and how your application is assessed
• Grant application tips and tricks
• Other support pathways and partners to achieve your business goals

You'll also hear from: 

• The City of Charles Sturt team about our refreshed funding streams
• Past grant recipients and Business Advisors sharing success stories and practical insights
• New partners who can help you achieve your goals

There will be plenty of time for networking and refreshments will be provided.

When: Tuesday 5 August 2025, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Where: Plant 4 Bowden, 5 Third Street, Bowden

Commercial Solar Bulk Buy Launch Event

Join us for an exclusive information session about ShineHub and the City of Charles Sturt’s new Commercial Solar & Battery Bulk Buy program. This initiative is designed to help local businesses reduce electricity bills, protect against rising energy costs and increase sustainability credentials, all with the backing of your local council.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how your business can unlock savings and efficiencies through renewable energy technologies.

When: Wednesday 6 August 2025, 5:30pm-6:30pm
Where: CC1 Civic Centre, 72 Woodville Road, Woodville, 5011

Bring your business electricity bill and ABN.

One-on-One Business Support Sessions

Are you a small business owner in the City of Charles Sturt looking for practical advice?

To help support local businesses, the Office for Small and Family Business Local Support Officer, Melanie Mazurek, will be available for individual business support appointments at our Civic Centre in Woodville.

During a one-on-one session, you can get assistance with:

• Navigating government support services
• Connecting with local resources and networks
• Identifying available grants and funding
• Accessing practical tools for your day-to-day operations

Sessions are free, but bookings are essential.

Who should attend?

These sessions are for small businesses owners in the City of Charles Sturt.

When: Tuesday 12 August 2025, various time slots available from 9am
Where: Civic Centre, 72 Woodville Road, Woodville, 5011

Congratulations to Romeo’s IGA — National Retailer of the Year!

We’re thrilled to celebrate Romeo’s IGA Royal Park, who took out National Large Store of the Year and the top honour of Overall IGA National Retailer of the Year at the 2025 IGA Awards held on the Gold Coast .

This is an incredible achievement and a testament to the passion, dedication, and hard work of the entire team. Congratulations to everyone involved, their commitment to excellence has put Royal Park on the national stage!

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.

City of Charles Sturt Business Support Program Success

We’re proud to celebrate another milestone in the Business Support Program, 75 business owners recently supported on their journey to growth and innovation!

Our businesses have tackled challenges head-on, making strides in accessibility, launching new websites, improving marketing strategies, advancing sustainability initiatives, and even extending the shelf life of their food products.

This brings our total impact to over 500 businesses supported throughout the life of the program. Thanks to tailored guidance from specialist advisors, businesses in our region are building stronger foundations for long-term success.

Congratulations to all participants, we’re excited to see where you go next!

Business Spotlight: Golden Lakes Restaurant
West Lakes Shore 

For nearly 30 years, Golden Lakes Restaurant has been a much-loved part of the West Lakes Shore community. Now led by second-generation owner Kenry Giang, who took over the family business in 2013, the restaurant is embracing a new chapter.

“We know how to produce the quality of food,” Kenry shared, “but we needed help with marketing and building our online presence.”

With support from the City of Charles Sturt Business Support Grant Program, Golden Lakes Restaurant is now working with Sonia Laucke from Quisk to enhance their digital marketing and visual merchandising. You may soon notice a few exciting improvements to the restaurant’s branding and customer experience, both online and in person.

We're proud to support local businesses like Golden Lakes Restaurant as they continue to grow and adapt.

Visit them at: Bartley Terrace, West Lakes Shore

Adelaide Fringe Fund Grants Now Open

Applications are now open for Adelaide Fringe 2026! Whether you’re a business, venue, artist, or producer, this is your chance to bring bold, boundary-pushing ideas to life.

The Fringe Fund, powered by the Government of South Australia and Arts Unlimited donors, is offering grants of up to $7,500 in two categories:

• Get Involved Grants — Open to Australian and international artists, collectives, community groups, producers, and venues.
• Australian First Nations Grants — For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives across all sectors.

Let your voice be heard. Fringe removes barriers so you can make an impact.

We are committed to supporting our local employers to connect with jobseekers and local workers.

If you have local jobs and opportunities that you would like promoted in an upcoming Western Business Leaders newsletter, please get in touch.

Join the team at Australian Green Clean 

Australian Green Clean is an award winning, family owned and operated cleaning and waste management company specialising in the commercial, education, venues and event sectors.
They are currently hiring for a range of roles including: 

• Royal Adelaide Show staff
• Event & Venue Cleaners
• Commercial Cleaners (Day & Evening Shifts)
• Periodical Cleaners/Machine Operators.

Apply now: australiangreenclean.com.au/careers

Join the team at Silver Fleece 

Silver Fleece, is a proudly Australian owned and operated knitwear manufacturer with over 70 years of history, is currently hiring machinists.

Supplying high-quality uniforms to schools, businesses, and sporting clubs across the country, they’re looking for team members who value craftsmanship and quality.

Interested? Apply now and be part of a great South Australian success story.

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.

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.