16 April 2026
Welcome to the latest Business Link, featuring the launch of our Buy Local campaign, a community thank-you for fire recovery support, a fantastic mentoring opportunity for local founders through Startup Central Victoria, and brief insights into changing consumer habits.

New Buy Local rewards program launches

Business Mount Alexander (BMA) has launched the Buy Local – Spend Smarter campaign, an initiative designed to keep money circulating within our shire. The program aims to strengthen the local economy by making it easier for residents to identify and support the diverse range of retailers, makers, and service providers across the region.

Participating businesses will receive a suite of resources to assist with visibility, including Buy Local rewards cards, window decals, and posters. The initiative also provides structured promotional support through the BMA website, e-news, and social media, as well as inclusion in local newspaper coverage.

BMA is currently seeking 50 local businesses to participate in this initial phase. Local operators can register to be part of the pilot and access campaign materials via the BMA website.

This initiative is proudly supported by Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Local Business Impact Grant.

Got a business idea?

Startup Central Victoria is now taking expressions of interest for its FREE ten‑week Pre‑accelerator Program, designed to help founders test and develop new business ideas with professional mentoring and support.

Over a ten-week period participants have the opportunity to test out and develop their idea in a confidential and supportive environment with the support of professionals and mentors. Participants attend two Bendigo bootcamps plus weekly online masterclasses. Past founders report clearer direction, stronger ideas, and valuable one‑to‑one mentoring.

More than 100 teams from the Loddon Campaspe region have completed the program over the past five years.

Mount Alexander Shire Council is a proud supporter of Startup Central Victoria.

📅Program runs 24 May through to 31 July.
 

Community gratitude for local fire recovery support

A heartfelt thank you to the many businesses and organisations that stepped up to support our emergency responders and impacted residents following the January 6 bushfires.

The community has highlighted the businesses below to say a massive thank you for their help. From donating meals and supplies to hosting fundraisers, these generous contributions made a tremendous difference in the early days of recovery.

We know this list is just a snapshot of the incredible support shown across the Mount Alexander Shire. This is not a competition or a complete record, but simply a way for our community to express their deep appreciation to those known to have pitched in during a challenging time.

Help us recognise everyone
If you know of a local business that contributed and has been missed from this acknowledgement, please click here so we can add them to the list.

Understand the latest eCommerce trends for your business

If you are selling online or planning a digital store, the Australia Post eCommerce Report 2026 offers helpful insights into changing consumer habits. While Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, they are becoming more selective, often browsing across 16 different brands a year to find the best value. Key takeaways for small operators:

• Value over loyalty: More than 80% of shoppers now actively compare prices and search for the best deals before committing to a purchase.
• Frequent, smaller orders: Individual basket sizes have slightly decreased, but consumers are making more frequent online purchases throughout the year.
• Delivery flexibility: Many shoppers now expect a range of delivery options at checkout, with 32% willing to switch retailers to access more convenient collection points.
• The influence of AI: Technology is changing how people find products, with 3 in 10 Gen Z shoppers already using AI to research what they buy.

Regional Australia Institute research: Gen Z and Millennials lead urban exodus

Key insights from the Move to More National Survey shows that one in three city residents are considering moving to regional Australia.

Gen Z (49%) are the most relocation‑ready cohort. They’re motivated by lifestyle flexibility, affordability, and the chance to build a future without the financial pressure of major cities. Many are early‑career and see regional areas as offering a better balance between work, wellbeing and cost of living.

Millennials (41%) follow closely. This group is often navigating housing affordability, raising families, or seeking career stability. Regional Australia appeals because it offers more space, community connection, and the possibility of home ownership - factors increasingly out of reach in metropolitan centres.

Top drawcards for respondents were affordable housing, lower cost of living, nature access, community and more space. Barriers to making a move are healthcare access, distance from family, transport, technology access, and job concerns.

Tourism and hospitality operators: Save the date for Hearts & Minds 2026

Mount Alexander Shire tourism, hospitality, and accommodation providers are invited to attend the upcoming Hearts & Minds conference. Hosted by Destination Central Victoria, this event explores the intersection of technology and human service, focusing on how tools like AI can be used to improve business operations and visitor satisfaction.

The program offers practical takeaways on using digital innovation to drive profitability while maintaining the high level of service our region is known for. Attendees will also receive the latest industry tips from Tourism Australia and Visit Victoria. The afternoon concludes with a two-hour networking session, providing a valuable opportunity to connect with fellow local operators and regional partners.

💲$0 - $99 - Check event details 
🕑 1pm-7pm
📅Tuesday 26 May 2026
📍Cleveland Estate - 55 Shannons Road, Lancefield, Vic 3435

Free marketing workshop for small business owners

This Business Victoria workshop is for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to enhance their marketing and attract more customers.

Taking time away from daily operations to focus on strategy can be difficult, but this free two hour session in Bendigo is designed to help you build the essentials of an effective promotional plan. Discover how you can improve your marketing, boost customer engagement and reach your business goals.

During the session, you will learn to:

• understand the role of marketing in business success
• conduct market research to gain target audience insights
• identify opportunities to attract and engage your ideal customers
• maximise customer satisfaction, loyalty and advocacy
• use social media to extend your marketing reach.

💲 Free
🕑 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm
📅 Thursday 30 April 2026
📍 Galkangu Bendigo GovHub - 189-229 Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo

Warning: Burning treated fence posts poses fatal risk to livestock

Following the devastating fire event in January, many local farmers and small holders are now replacing damaged fences. Agriculture Victoria is urging extreme caution when disposing of fire-damaged materials, as certain debris can be fatal to stock.

A recent investigation found that burning treated timber posts - those commonly used in fencing and yards - concentrates arsenic from the timber preservative. This toxic ash is often palatable to livestock; in one tragic case, every animal that accessed a burn site containing treated timber died.

Safety tips for landholders:

• Do not burn treated timber: Copper chrome arsenate (CCA) in treated wood becomes significantly more toxic when burnt.
• Watch for toxic plants: Garden clippings from oleander, foxglove, and rhododendron are highly poisonous. These may be present in piles of garden waste cleared after the fires.
• Secure your burn sites: Ensure animals cannot access ash or debris from any burn sites where treated timber or garden waste was present.

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) is offering support for individuals and small businesses impacted by the 2026 bushfires. They are offering:

• extra time to lodge and pay
• payment plans
• remission of penalties and interest
• support to reconstruct lost tax records

If businesses are struggling to lodge or pay on time, they can contact the ATO Emergency Support Infoline on 1800 806 218 or speak with their tax or BAS agent.

The Business Victoria Facebook page is a useful resource for up to date information from the ATO and other agencies.

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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.