30 April 2026

In this edition of Business Link; new workshops to help you win government contracts, matched funding available through the CSIRO plus your last chance to share your small business insights with COSBOA. We also provide updates on local streetscape works and a unique session on installing solar on heritage business premises.

Accidental Counsellor Foundations Workshop

Ever had to step in the shoes of an accidental counsellor?

The Lifeline Loddon Mallee Accidental Counsellor Foundations Workshop will equip people working in small businesses with the necessary skills and tools to be able to step into the shoes of an accidental counsellor momentarily, respond appropriately, efficiently and effectively to people in crisis or distress when there may not be a professional immediately available.

This project is supported by the Mount Alexander Shire Council Local Impact Business Grants program.

💲 Free
📅 Tuesday 9 June 2026
🕑 Session 1: 9.00am – 12.30pm    Session 2: 1.30pm – 5.00pm
📍 Campbells Creek Community Centre, Elizabeth Street, Campbells Creek

Mount Alexander Food Futures

Local food businesses are invited to join free co‑design workshops and a short online survey for a pilot project creating a mini resource guide for supporting local business to become more sustainable and regenerative and identify practical collaboration options for businesses to trial.
The project is being run by Food Futures - a small team of local creatives working in participatory design, social ecology, art and farming.
Workshops will bring local businesses who are already experimenting with sustainable and regenerative practices together to share experiences, common challenges and their mitigations and identify practical collaboration options for experimentation. 
The workshops will be catered and have networking drinks afterwards. 

If you can’t attend but want the guide or future updates, please complete the brief survey.

This project is supported by the Mount Alexander Shire Council Local Impact Business Grants program.

📅 Respond to the survey by Thursday 7 May, 5pm

Workshops:

💲 Free
📅 Monday 11 May and Monday 25 May 2026
🕑 5.30pm - 7.00pm
📍 Shedshaker, 9 Walker Street, Castlemaine  VIC 3450

Frederick Street and Mechanics Lane streetscape redevelopment update

The Frederick Street and Mechanics Lane redevelopment is entering a busy construction phase. Several contractors will be working on site at the same time for the next few weeks. 
Enoch began construction work on site on 27 April, with excavation and traffic disruptions expected. Powercor and its contractor RR McClure are continuing underground power works. Council’s electrical contractor, Kowelec, will also be on site to help prepare homes and businesses for the power changeover.

Some properties may experience power outages on 3, 5 and 17 May. Affected properties will receive direct notice from Powercor.
Overhead powerlines and poles are planned to be removed by Powercor on 19 May, marking a major milestone.

Council thanks the community for its patience during this important stage. 

Have your say on labour market conditions in the region

Are you experiencing skill shortages in your business? Noticing changes in workforce needs? Workforce Australia is seeking your help to report on labour market conditions in the Bendigo Employment Region. They have created a survey to capture insights and experiences of local business and your input would be appreciated.

The survey is short with some multiple-choice questions balanced with the ability for respondents to provide detailed insights.

📅 Respond to the survey by Thursday 7 May 2026

Australian Tax Office (ATO) fuel response payment plan

The ATO’s fuel response payment plan gives eligible business owners a structured way to manage tax debt caused by rising fuel and supply‑chain costs. 
It offers no upfront payment, 36 equal monthly instalments, and potential general interest charge remission if lodgements stay up to date.
To qualify, you must hold an ABN, show increased operating costs linked to fuel prices, demonstrate reduced capacity to pay, and be up to date with lodgements within three months.

📅 Applications are open until 30 June 2026

Asia-Pacific small business survey

CPA Australia this month released findings from their 17th annual Asia-Pacific small business survey. The results offer valuable insights into the sector across 11 economies in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. 

2025 was a year of improving business conditions for most small businesses, with most markets reporting an increase in the share of small businesses that grew, compared with the previous year. However, in most markets actual growth fell short of expectations. 
Looking ahead, 2026 is expected to be a stronger year, with more small businesses across the region anticipating growth.

Business in Practice Series - Winning Government Grants and Tenders

Is your business looking to supply to government agencies?

We are bringing together Business Victoria, the Small Business Mentoring Service and Council's procurement team, for an afternoon of free workshops devoted to local business owners who want to secure government grants and win competitive tenders from big business and government. 

Discover how business owners can master government funding opportunities, quotes and tenders.

You will learn to:

• craft your pitch
• identify how government buys goods, services and infrastructure
• follow how government goes to market and assesses suppliers
• recognise the key policies that apply to government suppliers
• promote your business capabilities to government buyers
• strengthen your grant applications with expert tips

💲 Free
📅 Wednesday 10 June 2026
📍 Castlemaine Community House, 30 Templeton St, Castlemaine VIC 3450

Session One presented by Small Business Mentoring Service
🕑 1.00pm - 2.30pm
Developing your Pitch: Initial - 5 Minute Pitch, then Follow-up 5 Minute Pitch

Session Two presented by Business Victoria
🕑 3.00pm - 5.00pm
Winning Government Grants and Tenders

Session Three presented by Council's Procurement Coordinator Andrea O'Grady
🕑 5.00pm - 5.30pm
Learn about the Council procurement process and upcoming tender opportunities.

ATO small business masterclasses

The ATO is hosting a free masterclass series throughout May and June designed to help small business owners build confidence in managing their tax, super, record keeping and cash flow obligations - right in the lead-up to the end of financial year. Small business owners can also submit questions in advance when registering.

Sessions cover a range of practical topics:

• Essentials to strengthen your small business: How to set yourself up for success
• Starting a small business
• Record keeping
• Cash flow for small business success
• Claiming home‑based business tax deductions
• Claiming small business tax deductions
• Tax time essentials: How to successfully report, pay & lodge correctly

💲Free
📅Multiple dates through May and June

Solar on a heritage property? Yes you can! 

We're hosting a free event demystifying solar for heritage properties. If your business is housed in one, then don't assume solar panels are off-limits.

Council's environmental, planning and heritage staff will address common questions about the impact of heritage protections on solar panel installation and provide some further clarity and guidance for community and industry.

💲 Free
🕑 10.00am - 11.00am
📅 Sunday 17 May 2026
📍 Phee Broadway Theatre, 212 Barker St, Castlemaine VIC 3450

Does your business have a scientific or technical challenge you need help with?

CSIRO Kick‑Start helps Australian start‑ups and small to medium enterprises accelerate R&D by providing and direct access to CSIRO researchers. Eligible businesses can use the program to test feasibility, develop prototypes or solve technical challenges.

After submitting an expression of interest, applicants are paired with a research team to scope and deliver a project of up to 12 months in duration. It’s a practical pathway to advance innovation with expert support.

💲Matched funding of $10,000–$50,000
📅Apply anytime

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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.