Plus Great Vic Bike Ride trading opportunities, industrial land and free training.
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1 October 2026
In this edition of Business Link: New small business grant funding and farm loans, Castlemaine industrial land release, Great Victorian Bike Ride trading opportunities plus upcoming business training.
News
Wellbeing Economy Business Fund - one week left to apply
There's still time to apply for a grant of up to $5,000 through Council's new Wellbeing Economy Business Fund, but applications close at midnight on Friday 9 October.
The Fund backs practical, business-led projects that create shared benefits across our towns, whether that's collaboration, accessibility, inclusion or trialling a new idea others can learn from.
It's open to local businesses, trader and farmer groups, business associations, First Nations enterprises and business support organisations. The strongest projects spread their benefit beyond a single business and leave something lasting behind.
To discuss your project idea, contact the Business Team on (03) 5471 1745 or business@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
Help shape business training and events in our shire
We want to make sure future training days are genuinely useful, starting with our next one in February '27.
What would you like to learn? What challenges would you like help with? Who would you like to hear from? And what type of session would be most valuable for you?
Whether you’re looking for practical advice, new ideas, expert insights or time to work through your own business challenges, tell us what would make the training worth your time.
The survey takes less than 3 minutes to complete.
Great Victorian Bike Ride: an opportunity to showcase your business
This November, thousands of riders and support crew participating in the Great Victorian Bike Ride will roll into our shire, creating a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to connect with visitors and showcase what makes our region special.
Businesses are invited to share any special offers, unique experiences, extended trading hours, events, or rider-friendly initiatives they may be planning during the event. While discounts are welcome, they are certainly not expected. Your offer could be as simple as:
- Opening earlier or staying open later than usual
- Creating a special menu item or rider meal deal
- Offering bike-friendly services
- Providing local product tastings or experiences
- Creating a welcome offer for visiting riders and their support crews
- Special return offer to entice riders to come back (eg accommodation deal for low season perfect for riding)
Offers will be collated into a clickable regional visitor guide and provided to participants before and during the ride.
Offers to bike riders need to be submitted by Friday 9 October 4pm to be included.
Ride in our shire: Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 November
Major industrial land sale in Castlemaine
The former Vossloh site at 81 Barker Street offers Industrial 1 zoned opportunities along the Midland Highway corridor. For businesses planning their next phase of growth, the site provides room to scale operations without leaving the shire.
- Vacant industrial lots ranging from 865 to 7,829 square metres, suitable for custom builds.
- Existing facilities ranging from 678 to 2,064 square metres of established shedding and brick infrastructure.
Castlemaine Property Group is managing the sale; prices from $485,000 with leasing options also available.
Farm, run a business or live on rural land? We want your input
Council’s Draft Rural Land Use Strategy presents the long-term vision for rural lands within Mount Alexander Shire. It identifies the potential areas where rural land uses such as farming and other agricultural activities, conservation and rural living can take place. It also provides guidelines for managing and developing these lands.
Sign up to follow this project and to receive email updates.
Free mental health coaching for small business owners
Running a small business comes with distinct rewards, but managing cash flow, compliance, and rising costs can take a toll.
Business owners and sole traders can access free, confidential support through BeyondBlue's NewAccess for Small Business. Developed to help manage stress, worry, and fatigue, the program connects you with trained mental health coaches who understand the realities of operating an enterprise.
Employment opportunity:
Community Recovery Coordinator - Harcourt
The Community Recovery Coordinator will be Harcourt & District Community Recovery Association's principal employee, helping turn community priorities and ideas into practical, funded and measurable outcomes.
The role combines community development and recovery leadership with practical project coordination and organisational support.
Applications close: Monday 5 October
National Safe Work Month for small business
Running a small business means juggling a lot of priorities, but keeping people safe at work should always be one of them. October is National Safe Work Month, an opportunity to pause, reflect on your workplace risks, and take simple steps to ensure safe and healthy work.
We encourage everyone to get involved and take a moment to think about what safe work means to you. Even small actions can make a difference.
Funding
Harcourt Progress Association: Business Recovery Grants
Businesses affected by the Ravenswood South bushfire on 9 January 2026 can now apply for a Phase 4 Business Recovery Grant through the Harcourt Progress Association. The program provides a $1,500 grant to support local businesses that experienced significant stock losses as a result of the fire.
To be eligible, businesses must operate within the bushfire-affected area, be the owner's primary source of income, hold a current ABN, and have incurred at least $10,000 in stock losses. Hobby farms, loss of income claims, loss of tools of trade, and previous Phase 3 recipients are not eligible.
Applications are assessed as they are received and close on Monday 2 November.
How to apply:
Download the application form from the Harcourt Progress Association website or collect a copy from the Harcourt Post Office. Completed statutory declarations must be witnessed and submitted by email or post.
$125,000 Innovate with nbn: Grants now open
Running a business in regional or remote Australia comes with unique hurdles, yet distance often breeds incredible creativity. Now in its seventh year, the Innovate with nbn Grants Program, delivered in partnership with the Regional Australia Institute, is offering $125,000 to champion regional digital pioneers. Seven category winners will each receive $15,000:
- AgTech and Environment
- Arts, Culture & Tourism
- Education
- First Nations Business
- Health and Wellbeing
- Innovation for Productivity
- Women in Regional Business
One exceptional standout will also take home the $20,000 Champion Award. To be eligible, businesses must be connected to the nbn® network.
Applications close on 12 October.
AgriStarter Loans: supporting first farm purchases and succession planning
Primary producers, next generation farmers, and agricultural families are invited to a free online information session exploring Australian Government low interest finance options.
Delivered by the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC), the AgriStarter Loan provides concessional finance (currently at a variable rate of 5.71%) to assist eligible applicants in entering agriculture or managing generational handover. The funding can be used to purchase land, acquire livestock, upgrade equipment, or fund succession arrangements within an existing family farm enterprise.
During the webinar RIC lending specialists will walk through key eligibility criteria, loan serviceability, and security requirements, while offering practical guidance on preparing an application.
Event details:
Date: Wednesday 28 October
Time: 12 noon to 1 pm
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
Cost: Free
Training
Bendigo Business Unboxed festival program announced
Bendigo Business Unboxed, running from 12 to 23 October, offers business operators a valuable opportunity to hear from local business experts and industry leaders.
Organised by Be.Bendigo, the two-week program includes a keynote presentation from economic futurist Evan Lucas on housing and workforce attraction, along with targeted workshops covering Fair Work compliance, practical artificial intelligence tools, trade and sector-specific operations plus much more.
This year's program will feature two full-day Business Unpacked events on Thursday 15 October and Wednesday 21 October.
Event details:
Date: 12 to 23 October
Location: Various venues across Bendigo
Cost: A mix of free and ticketed sessions
Upskill your team at Castlemaine Community House
Access practical, affordable staff development and operational training through the latest program at Castlemaine Community House. Several short courses directly address everyday enterprise needs, helping owners and staff build capabilities close to home:
- Bookkeeping for Community and Business: Practical administration and financial management skills for small commercial enterprises
- Coffee Like a Pro: Barista training covering the operation and maintenance of commercial espresso machines
- Retail and Hospitality Skills: Core workplace foundations to prepare new team members for customer-facing service in shops and cafes
- Computers for Work, Study and Life: Practical guidance on navigating Microsoft 365, Word, Excel, and workplace digital tools
Join the She Means Business program
The 'She Means Business' program is helping small businesses attract, support and retain more women in underrepresented sectors. Participating businesses receive tailored advice, training, mentoring and practical tools to improve workplace practices, build skills and strengthen gender equity outcomes.
Target industries include:
- Energy and trades
- Information and communications technology (ICT)
- Financial services
Places are strictly limited, with the next cohort commencing in October 2026.
Free ATO masterclasses to strengthen your business
Build confidence in managing your business with the Australian Taxation Office's free online small business masterclasses. Delivered by experienced ATO staff, these practical sessions provide guidance on everyday business responsibilities, help explain reporting requirements, and work through real-world scenarios.
Topics include business registration, invoicing, record keeping, reporting obligations, cash flow management, GST, tax deductions, employer super obligations, hiring staff, and tax time essentials.
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Mount Alexander Shire Council
Email: business@mountalexander.vic.gov.au Website: 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.