11 September 2025

In this edition of Business Link - enter the Business Awards, local success, food truck rules, sharing ideas with Council, networking, events and grants.

Could your business be a 2025 award winner?

Has your business been doing great things? The Mount Alexander Business Awards 2025  are your chance to reflect on your achievements, share your story, and be recognised.

Entering is quick, free and open to all local businesses. You can apply in up to two categories - and once you’ve entered, you’re automatically in the running for the People’s Choice Award, opening soon for community voting.

Awards night will be a relaxed, inspiring evening in November with food, music and networking. Finalists receive local media coverage, promotion through Council channels, and cash prizes, including $3,000 for Business of the Year.

Not sure where to start? Watch our short video on preparing a great entry.
If entering isn’t for you, nominate a local business you admire instead.

Nominations close 21 September 2025.

Thinking of starting a food truck in the shire?

Here’s your quick-start checklist to meet the rules, maintain food safety standards, and look after your customers:

• Submit your registration application to Council via FoodTrader
  All mobile/temporary food businesses in Victoria must be registered  through FoodTrader. Once registered, you may trade with your vehicle anywhere in Victoria provided other relevant permissions are in place. Most registrations are annual and must be renewed each year.

• Meet all food safety and inspection requirements
  Council’s Public & Environmental Health team will assess your application and contact you to arrange an inspection to check that it complies with the Food Act 1984 and Food Standards Code before your business can operate. Check with the Public & Environmental Health team before you build/buy a food truck to check that the vehicle will be appropriate for your needs.

• Get the right permit or approval for where you want to trade
  
  On public land (streets, parks or other Council spaces): you will need an Itinerant Trading Permit. Fees are $72.30 per day or $569.60 per year (2025-26), and you’ll need to allow time for approval before you start trading. Permits are granted by Council’s Local Laws team and conditions apply - call 5471 1700 or email info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
  
  On private land (such as someone’s home or a private carparking area): check first with Council’s Planning team to see if a food truck is allowed at that location. Rules can vary depending on zoning and other conditions. Call 5471 1700 or email info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au with the property address to confirm.

• Lodge a Statement of Trade (SOT) via FoodTrader at least 1 day before trading
  This is a requirement that notifies the local council of when and where you’ll be operating. Environmental Health Officers can inspect your business at any time it is trading.

• Get location and parking approvals
  If you plan to operate on roadsides, footpaths or at events, make sure you have the appropriate permissions and have considered pedestrian safety and access. Be mindful of how your location may affect nearby businesses. You must comply with parking regulations.

Concerned About a Food Truck Outside Your Business?

If you believe a food truck is impacting your business - for example, by trading directly outside your shopfront or operating without the correct approvals - you can:

• Contact Council’s Local Laws Unit on 5471 1700 or info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
• Provide the location, date, time and a short description of your concern (e.g. safety, noise, disruption to trade)

Council will investigate whether the operator has a valid permit and is complying with local laws.

Mount Alexander Shire start-ups on show

Last week StartUp Central Victoria celebrated the conclusion of its fifth annual Pre-Accelerator Program with a showcase at the Capital Theatre in Bendigo.
The Pre-Accelerator Program is a 10-week endeavour involving masterclasses, mentoring and networking that enables entrepreneurs to progress their start-up ideas.

Mount Alexander was well represented, with six out of the 19 start-ups presenting coming from our shire:

• Science Data Nexus
• Bloom Mate
• Green Goats Victoria
• Recipe for Respect
• Evie & Bandit Treats
• NeuroConnect

Have your say on the Council draft Financial Plan 2025-2035

Council is inviting you to comment on the draft Financial Plan 2025-2035. This plan explains how Council will manage its finances to deliver the services, projects, and community improvements committed to in the Council Plan 2025-2029, the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025-2029, and the midterm review of the 2021-2031 Community Vision.

The 10-year plan details the funding needed to keep things running smoothly, like maintaining roads and buildings, supporting community programs, and planning for future growth.

Have we got it right? Give us your thoughts by Sunday 28 September 2025.

Calling for your input, ideas and comments

Council has a number of consultations open at the moment, calling for community input.

Proposed administrative update to planning scheme
This planning scheme review is a health check of the current planning scheme for our local government area, assessing its effectiveness and relevance against strategies, policy, and direction adopted over the previous period.
Submissions close Thursday 25 September 2025.

Industrial Strategy and Industrial Design Guidelines
These guidelines will set Council’s vision for industrial use and development over the next 20 years. The strategy makes recommendations to ensure there is appropriate, sufficient industrial land to serve the development needs of the shire into the future, and to ensure that this development makes a positive contribution to the amenity and environment of the shire.
Consultation closes Friday 3 October 2025.

Rural Land Use Strategy
This strategy will identify potential areas for rural activities, rural conservation and rural living as well as provide guidelines for development on these lands.
Survey closes Sunday 12 October 2025.

Sub-contractors and suppliers invited to register for the Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment project

Sub-contractors and suppliers in Bendigo and central Victoria are invited to register their interest to be part of the Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment project. 

This proactive approach is an opportunity to ensure as many local contractors, goods and services can be part of the City of Greater Bendigo’s largest ever infrastructure project funded with commitments from the Victorian Government, via Regional Development Victoria, the City and philanthropic donations.
‘Local’ is considered any businesses operating in the state of Victoria, but the City is advocating strongly for businesses in Greater Bendigo and neighbouring councils, as well as those working in regional Victoria to be prioritised.

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Mount Alexander Shire Council
email: business@mountalexander.vic.gov.au  web: www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au

Mount Alexander Shire Council acknowledges that the traditional custodians of this
land, the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung peoples, proudly survive. We acknowledge their continued practice of custom and their close cultural, spiritual, physical, social, historical and economic relationship with the land and waters that make up
their country, which includes Mount Alexander Shire.