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18 December 2025
In this edition of Business Link - Applications for Local Impact Business Grants now open, join the Victorian Farmers Federation President for breakfast and secure your spot at the February 'Fundamentals for Creative Entrepreneurs' business workshops and panels.
Local Impact Business Grants Now Open
Council's new grant program supports local businesses, business groups, farmer networks and community organisations working with business.
These grants fund small, practical projects that create lasting improvements for local businesses and help build a stronger, fairer and more sustainable economy across Mount Alexander Shire.
💲Up to $5,000 per project
🗓️Applications close 18 January 2026
🛠️Deliver your project between February and June 2026
Season’s Greetings from Merryn Tinkler, Manager of Economy & Culture
As we close the chapter on 2025 and look ahead to a new year, it’s the perfect moment to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and community spirit that make Mount Alexander Shire truly exceptional.
This year has been defined by progress and purpose! We’ve fully embraced the Wellbeing Economy framework outlined in our Economic Development Strategy - putting people, planet, and prosperity at the heart of everything we do.
In February, we partnered with Workforce Australia to deliver a dynamic Careers Fair, where 50 businesses connected with over 200 locals, opening doors to new career opportunities. June saw our Small and Micro Business Day bring together over 400 local aspiring entrepreneurs - from farmers and sole traders to artists and innovators - sharing ideas and building networks.
The Business Awards were a highlight, shining a spotlight on excellence and leadership across our business community. Congratulations to Like Butter, who took home the top honour! Every nominee reflected the pillars of the wellbeing economy we’re championing: sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.
Speaking of sustainability, our region continued to lead the way. Local renewable energy initiatives built on the success of the Newstead Solar Farm, while businesses embraced forward-thinking practices to strengthen our economy and our environment.
Of course, 2025 wasn’t without challenges, from cost-of-living pressures to the need for ongoing recovery, but once again, our community rose to the occasion with resilience and determination.
To all our local businesses, community leaders, and partners: thank you for your creativity, commitment, and hard work. You are the heartbeat of Mount Alexander Shire, making it a vibrant and welcoming place to live, work, and visit.
From the Economy and Culture team at Council, we wish you a joyful and safe festive season and a Happy New Year. Here’s to 2026 - a year of opportunity, gentleness and camaraderie!
Merryn
Picture credit:
Communities harness the people power of co-ops to stave off privatisation - ABC News: Darryl Torpy
Breakfast with the President of Victorian Farmers Federation
Local farmers are invited to a breakfast at Coliban Park with Victorian Farmers Federation President Brett Hosking, alongside fourth‑generation farmers Duncan and Jess Barber. Supported by the Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West, the event offers a chance to connect with others in the region.
Coliban Park is a 13,000‑acre property south of Bendigo, home to around 30,000 sheep and managed by the Barber family for more than a century.
The morning will provide a relaxed setting to meet, share experiences, and strengthen local connections.
🗓️Monday 22 December, 8.30am
📍Coliban Park 411 Coliban Park Road, Metcalfe, VIC 3448
To attend, please call or text Duncan on 0438 436 611.
Maldon 60 Years: First Notable Town
In 2026, Maldon will celebrate 60 years since being recognised by the National Trust as Australia’s First Notable Town. This milestone highlights the town's distinctive heritage streetscapes, gold mining landscapes and strong community spirit.
Maldon Heritage Network is encouraging local businesses and community groups to consider hosting or supporting activities to mark this anniversary. Events could range from walks and talks to displays, tours or creative celebrations with a historical theme. The heritage network is creating a 60th anniversary logo that will link all the activities and be made available to participants.
Activities may take part at any time of the year, but a focus is likely to be the National Trust's Heritage Festival which runs from 18 April to 18 May 2026.
To discuss your ideas with a committee member of Maldon Inc, contact Leanne Sheargold leannesheargold@gmail.com or Lesley Einersen lesleyjeinersen@gmail.com
Local Christmas trading hours - hospitality and retail businesses
Over the Christmas period the Castlemaine and Maldon Visitor Information Centres (VIC) receive many enquiries about trading hours and closure dates for local traders.
Click below to fill out the form to supply the VIC with up-to-date information about when you will be open for business over the holiday season.
Council Christmas closure dates
Castlemaine Civic Centre will be closed from 3.00pm on Wednesday 24 December until 8.30am on Monday 5 January.
Castlemaine and Maldon Visitor Information Centres will be open every day except Christmas Day
Click here to see the open dates and hours for our Waste Transfer Stations
Delayed start to Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy for farmers
The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) is charged to all property owners. Recently the Victorian government announced a delay in increases to the ESVF levy for farmers and investment property owners. The change comes with the budget update tabled in parliament recently.
Farmers will see a two-year rate freeze, while investment property owners get a one-year deferral of increases to the levy.
The cap for CFA / VICSES volunteers claiming an ESVF rebate for their farms will also increase from $5 million to $10 million on capital improved value, increasing the maximum rebate eligible volunteers can receive.
Read the full ABC News article here.
Reducing food waste in your business
End Food Waste Australia is the nation’s leading organisation for improving the Australian food system’s productivity, resilience and sustainability.
They have launched a Hospitality Hub with free resources to help hospitality businesses save money associated with food waste and at the same time support the environment. The equivalent of 4.6 million meals are thrown away by hospitality venues across Australia every day, with an estimate of only 2% repurposed, the rest ending up in landfill. For businesses, it’s not just a sustainability issue; it’s a major cost leak and an opportunity to improve profit and performance.
Managing annual leave over the Christmas period
Under the Fair Work Act 2009, an employer can, with written notice, direct employees to take annual leave for a period of shutdown over Christmas. If the employee hasn't accrued enough leave employers can:
- ask employees to take unpaid leave (they must consent), or
- pay their leave in advance
Start to prepare for changes in superannuation
From 1 July 2026 Australian employers need to pay superannuation contributions at the same time they pay their employees’ wages. This will become a core obligation for every employer, alongside:
- A strict seven-business-day deadline
- Limited deferrals
- Enhanced STP reporting
Business in Practice Series - Fundamentals for Creative Entrepreneurs
A half-day of free professional development for artists, makers and creatives in the first stages of getting their business set up. Speakers with deep creative industry experience will share training and advice in marketing, intellectual property, artificial intelligence and the essentials of starting out, and local champions will share on-the-ground case studies to get you inspired.
🗓️Wednesday 11 February 2026, 1.00pm - 8.00pm
📍Goods Shed, Castlemaine 21 Kennedy Street, Castlemaine VIC 3450
💲Free
Image: Top row L:R Morgan Williams, Louise Buckingham, bottom row L:R Bonny Cassidy, Shelley Krape, Fred Farquar
Disaster Resilience for Business
Business Victoria has created resources to help businesses to prepare for extreme weather events, including bushfire.
Plan and prepare for bushfires
The seasonal bushfire outlook for summer 2025-26 identifies a heightened risk of fire for central and north-central Victoria. Make preparations now to help manage the impacts of bushfire on your business.
Prepare for, and manage, floods and storms
Understanding your risk and knowing what to do before, during and after a flood or storm can lessen the impact on your business.
[Re]Launch Pre-Accelerator program at RMIT University
Do you have an emerging circular tech startup prototype? Would you like support to launch your startup?
RMIT University is running Victoria's first circular tech pre-accelerator program over 12 weeks. It aims to support emerging Victorian founders with a circular startup that has a tech component.
The program offers access to RMIT’s world-class technology and researchers, support and equity-free funding opportunities. Attendance at weekly sessions in Melbourne is required.
🗓️Applications close Sunday, 8 February 2026
💲Free
Tiny Towns Fund information session tomorrow
Regional Development Victoria's (RDV) Tiny Towns Fund supports local communities to deliver quality tourism and community facility projects, with between $5,000 and $50,000 available for each project.
The fund is open to applications from incorporated not-for-profit community organisations. Read more about the program here.
RDV is running an online information session Tomorrow that will include an overview of the fund, changes from the previous rounds and some hot tips on writing applications for this program.
📅Friday 19 December 11.00am - 11.30am
Key apprentice employer incentives introduced in 2026
The federal government Key Apprenticeship Program Employer Incentive payment is being introduced to acknowledge employers’ role in training skilled workers in the areas of clean energy and housing.
💲Up to $5,000
Wage support also exists for employers of apprentices with disability. Incentive rates for apprentices training in other priority areas are being adjusted down.
Good news stories
We love featuring good news stories from businesses across the shire.
If your business has any recent achievements or awards, email business@mountalexander.vic.gov.au so we can feature the good news in Business Link.
What's On
Stay up-to-date and sign up to the What's On newsletter here. Discover things to see and do, and all the best places to eat, drink and stay across the region via our tourism website.
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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.