14 May 2026

In this edition of Business Link - budget news for business, infrastructure works, upcoming Harcourt insurance hub, training, conferences and more.

Federal budget tax relief, cash‑flow and support measures announced

Tuesday night's budget saw the announcement of measures for small to medium businesses (SMEs) commencing in the upcoming financial year:

• Permanent $20,000 instant asset write‑off for small businesses with turnover under $10 million
• Permanent two‑year tax loss carry‑back from 2026–27 for companies with turnover up to $1 billion
• $8 million additional funding for mental health and financial wellbeing programs (NewAccess for Small Business Owners and Small Business Debt Helpline)
• Cutting regulatory burden

Future tax years will bring flexibility to PAYG instalments, payroll tax administration reforms, changes to taxation of trusts, expanded venture capital incentives and reforms to R&D tax incentives.

Frederick Street and Mechanics Lane redevelopment project - planned power interruption this Sunday 17 May

Powercor has notified Council of an upcoming planned power interruption in Castlemaine.
As part of the Frederick Street and Mechanics Lane streetscape redevelopment, underground power works are nearing completion. To allow the changeover to the new underground network, Powercor has planned a power outage:

📅Sunday 17 May
🕑Between 9.00am and 4.00pm
📍Some properties within the area bounded by Templeton, Barker, Mostyn Sts and the western side of Hargraves Street

If you have questions about how this outage may affect your business, or need clarification on your specific property, we encourage you to contact Powercor directly. 
Customers can also register for MyEnergy via the Powercor website, which allows users to manage notification preferences and view upcoming planned outages associated with their property. 

Thank you for your understanding as this important infrastructure upgrade is completed.

Construction notification works - Hargraves & Lyttleton Street drainage works

Council has engaged a contractor to renew damaged drainage culverts located on the western side of the Hargraves Street and Lyttleton Street intersection in Castlemaine. As part of these works, Lyttleton Street will be closed to traffic on the western side of the intersection, restricting entry to and from Hargraves Street. Pedestrian access will be maintained.

Construction is scheduled to commence with preliminary set-out on Friday 22 May. Site drainage works will begin Monday 25 May, and are expected to take approximately two weeks.

Any concerns or questions can be directed to Amrit Pun Magar at a.punmagar@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or on 03 5471 1896.

Victorian Tourism Awards - nominations close soon

Nominations are closing soon for the Victorian Tourism Awards, the state’s premier program recognising excellence, innovation and sustainability across the visitor economy.
Participation offers valuable benchmarking, industry recognition and the chance to progress to the national awards.

📅Nominations for business categories close 27 May, individual categories close 8 July.

Victorian Tourism Industry Council's upcoming webinar introduces businesses to the awards, covering the awards’ structure, benefits, and links to VTIC’s broader support programs. Ideal for operators considering entering for the first time.

📅Friday 15 May 
🕑 10.00am - 11.00am
💻Online

Waste Levy exemption for bushfire-affected businesses extended

The Victorian Government has confirmed an extension of the waste levy waiver and Gate Fee Rebate Program until 30 June 2026, continuing support for communities impacted by the January 2026 bushfires fires.

Harcourt Insurance Hub coming up

Fire-affected business owners and residents are invited to an Insurance Hub hosted by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA). 
Insurers are travelling to Harcourt, providing a dedicated opportunity for locals to meet face-to-face with representatives from multiple insurers to discuss existing claims or lodge new ones.
Representatives from the ICA will also be available to answer questions about the claims process, outline dispute resolution pathways, and provide practical insurance information to support impacted policyholders. 

📅 Thursday 28 May 2026
🕑10.00am - 4.00pm
📍 Harcourt Leisure Centre, Recreation Reserve, Binghams Rd, Harcourt, VIC 3453

Business in Practice Series - Free Workshops

The upcoming Business in Practice: Winning Government Grants and Tenders workshops will bring together experts from Business Victoria, the Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS) and Council’s own procurement team to help business owners build pitching skills and better understand how to win government grants and contracts.

Mount Alexander Shire Mayor Toby Heydon said the workshops are a valuable opportunity for local businesses.
“Council spends around $20 million each year on goods and services and we give positive weighting to local suppliers,” Cr Heydon said.
“These workshops will help local businesses understand how government buying works and how to present themselves confidently and competitively. The skills covered are useful well beyond government contracts – whether you’re pitching to a client, applying for funding or planning for growth.”

• Session One: Developing Your Pitch 
• Session Two: Winning Government Grants and Tenders 
• Session Three: Doing Business with Council 

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

Nature on Farms Symposium

Explore ways to build climate resilience on farms through integration with natural ecosystems. Join farmers, researchers, agriculture professionals, conservation practitioners, land managers and community members over two days packed full of presentations and farm visits.

Nine expert presenters from around Australia share the latest practical knowledge about how natural assets like dams, wildlife and native vegetation can support productive, healthy and climate-resilient farms. 

💲Check event details
📅11 - 13 June 
📍 La Trobe University Bendigo Campus, Circular Theatre, Flora Hill VIC 

Destination Central Victoria conference speakers announced:
Hearts & Minds - Technology with Human Touch

Tourism, hospitality and accommodation operators are invited to join Destination Central Victoria (DCV) for their annual conference. The half-day program explores how collaboration, AI and exceptional service can improve customer experience and drive business growth.

This year's keynote speakers are Caroline Kennedy (AI-powered leadership strategist, TEDx speaker and award-winning author) and Despina Karatzias (Founder, Institute of Excellence). In addition to the speakers, you'll get practical insights from Tourism Australia and Visit Victoria and an opportunity to network with your industry peers.

💲$0 - $99 - Check event details 
📅 Tuesday 26 May 
🕑 1.00pm – 5.00pm followed by networking
📍 Cleveland Estate, 55 Shannons Road, Lancefield, Vic 3435

Battery workforce skills and training grants program

This federally-backed program is designed to strengthen Australia’s clean‑tech manufacturing and battery industries, and support the development of a skilled, safety-focused, and future-ready workforce.

The $1.6 million program offers two funding streams:

• Training Grants for upskilling staff 
• Training Materials Development Grants to support organisations developing training resources for emerging battery technologies

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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.