30 January 2025

In this newsletter – cool spaces during hot weather, start-up resources at the Castlemaine Career Fair, a local networking event, feedback on Christmas, farm debt mediation information, Business Clean Up Day and more.

Help provide a cool space during extreme heat

Mount Alexander Shire has had a hot, dry summer, and with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting four days above 35°C over the next week, many people will be looking for a cool place to escape the heat.

If your business can offer a cool and safe space during business hours for those without access to air conditioning, please spread the word through your social media channels.

You can also notify Council here, so we can help promote your business as a heat refuge for the community.

Castlemaine Career Fair: a must-attend event for start-ups! 

If you’re starting a business or looking to grow, here’s what’s on offer: 

• Small Business Bus (10:00am - 4:00pm): One-on-one business advice tailored to your needs
• Q&A Session (11:30am - 12:00pm): Starting Your First Business 
• Masterclass (12:30pm - 1:30pm): Starting a Business with the Small Business Mentoring Service. 
• Start-Up Zone (12:00pm - 2:00pm): Meet the Start-Up Central Vic team, explore WorkSpace for relocating your business out of home, and connect with other start-ups. 

The fair also features 50+ exhibitors, including training providers, employers, career advisors, and employment services. 

📍 Location: Castlemaine Town Hall precinct
📅 Date: Wednesday 19 February
💵 Cost: Free

Footpath renewal works in Castlemaine - scheduled for February

Footpath renewal works will take place along a section of Mostyn Street this February. Originally scheduled for December 2024, the works were postponed and are now set to begin in mid-February, with completion expected by the end of February.

The upgrades, carried out by Telstra and Council, will focus on the northern side of Mostyn Street between Hargraves and Frederick Streets.

To ensure safety, traffic and pedestrian management measures will be in place. To minimise disruption to businesses, works are scheduled during evenings and early mornings. Access to affected properties will remain open throughout the project.

If you have any questions, please contact Rana from Council's Engineering Team at p.rana@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or call 5471 1851.

Give your feedback on Christmas decorations

In 2024 Mount Alexander Shire Council provided $10,000 to a variety of local townships and community groups for gatherings or decorations, to celebrate Christmas.

As part of this initiative, Business Mount Alexander (BMA) supported a group of volunteers in Castlemaine to create and install decorations including wooden Christmas trees, a Santa photo board, lighting and bows hung in CBD trees and a series of festive bunting erected on shop fronts in Mostyn and Hargraves Street.

BMA is keen to hear your thoughts and get your input into the success and outcomes for this project. Click below to have your say.

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Victoria

Agriculture Victoria has this week issued a biosecurity alert with the recent detection of highly contagious tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in Victoria. The virus affects tomato, capsicum and chilli plants and is a National Priority Plant Pest which poses a serious biosecurity risk to the vegetable industry in Australia.

Symptoms of ToBRFV in fruits include:

• chlorotic (yellow) spotting and marbling of fruits
• deformation and uneven ripening
• brown rugose (wrinkled) patches.

Symptoms of ToBRFV in leaves include:

• Chlorosis (yellowing)
• Mosaic pattern and mottling on younger leaves
• Crumpling and deformation
• Blister-like appearance on the top surface of leaves.

Producers and home gardeners are encouraged to monitor their relevant crops and to contact Agriculture Victoria if they suspect the disease might be present.

• Report online via the Agriculture Victoria website
• Phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881

Farm debt mediation webinar coming up

Did you know that banks and others creditors are required by law to offer mediation to farmers before starting debt recovery proceedings on farm mortgages? 

The Victorian Small Business Commissioner is holding a free webinar next week, to provide an overview of the farm debt mediation process. You'll learn useful information like how to initiate the process, your rights and responsibilities, and resources for support.

📅 Date: Wednesday 5 February
⏰ Time: 12:30pm – 1:15pm
💵 Cost: Free

Clean Up Australia - Business Clean Up Day

Clean Up Australia Day is coming up on Sunday 2 March. Businesses can get involved by organising a Business Clean Up Day on Tuesday 25 February.

Engage your team on a fun, practical volunteering day while improving your local environment. You will be supplied kits and supporting materials for a small fee. Clean Up Australia relies on the support of businesses to help provide free materials for community groups and schools, so it's a great way to make a contribution to this environmental organisation.

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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.