December 2023Hello and welcome to the December edition of the City of Whittlesea Economic Development Business E-News. This is our final newsletter for 2023. We hope that it finds you happy and looking forward to a wonderful Christmas season. Please reach out if you would like to discuss any of the below in more detail or if you have any feedback or suggestions of features you would like to see in future editions. From the Economic Development Department. General newsCongratulations to our local winnersWe are delighted to congratulate Costa Mushrooms and Enterprise Tooling for winning awards at the grand final of 2023 Northern Business Achievement Awards. Mernda based Costa Mushrooms was awarded the ‘Workplace Diversity’ award. Costa employs over 550 people and has a proven commitment to workplace diversity, innovation and sustainability. Thomastown based Enterprise Tooling have been manufacturing tools for over 40 years’ experience and were awarded the 'Outstanding Initiative in Manufacturing' Award. Why South Morang is a great place to work videoTo assist businesses located in South Morang to attract staff, the fourth video in our ‘Suburb Spotlight’ series showcases South Morang as a great place to work. By embedding the YouTube video link into your recruitment ads, website, and socials platforms, you can showcase why the best talent will be excited to work locally. Women in Business 2024 ‘Journey to Triumph’Ahead of International Women's Day, the Women in Business 2024 ‘Journey to Triumph’ event gives us the opportunity to celebrate women in business both locally and across the globe. Three remarkable local businesswomen will share their inspiring stories to triumph including Catherine Cervasio (Director of Aromababy, Tafy Seade (Director of Inner Active Pelvic Health and Physiotherapy) and Kimberley Smythe (Director of Hey Sista Plumbing). Happening on Thursday 7 March at the spectacular Five Vineyard in Mernda, tickets are $35 and include delicious finger food, drinks and the opportunity to mingle and share stories with other strong, determined and inspirational women. City of Whittlesea Neighborhood Design ManualThe new City of Whittlesea Neighborhood Design Manual (NDM) brings together the latest Council standards and guidelines for planning, design and construction of new developments. The guidelines set clear standards for future developments, address policy gaps and promote quality design. It covers urban design, engineering, landscape and Integrated Water Management matters, and aims to complement polices and strategies from the Victorian Government and the City of Whittlesea. New rules for fixed term contractsChanges have been made to the Australian Government’s ‘Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act 2022’. In particular, a number of changes relating to fixed-term contracts will come into effect on 6 December 2023. Changes include new rules about:
Export Rules FinderAs part of the Go Global Toolkit released by AusTrade, the Export Rules Finder has been developed to assist businesses wanting to export. The toolkit enables businesses to determine the exporting registrations, licences, permits and certificates relevant to their products, to enable a feasibility and capability study and to identify the elements to be considered when developing an export plan. Circular Economy and Sustainability newsWanting to shift to 100% renewable energy?The City of Whittlesea has joined forces with Yarra City Council in partnership with 30 other Victorian councils to assist businesses in purchasing renewable energy and cutting emissions. The newly formed Business Renewable Buying Group aimed at medium to large operators will facilitate business renewable buying group deals, to assist organisations in reducing their carbon footprint by transitioning to 100% renewable energy future. Want to learn how to shift your business to circularity?Consider enrolling in the Circular Essentials 2024 program led by Hume City Council, a business-oriented program to improve circularity through the development of a specifically tailored roadmap for your business/project. The program entails four weeks of online content, followed by two in-person workshops that will help you apply content from the program to create your very own circular business strategies. You will exit the program with a circular business strategy for your company or project. Tourism and Visitor Economy newsEnhance your menu by featuring local produceThe City of Whittlesea is home to over 1300 food and beverage businesses, contributing over $1.1 billion to the economy each year. This local specialty unlocks a powerful opportunity for hospitality operators to capitalise on this local area strength and enhance their customer experience. This collaboration not only builds greater awareness of the City of Whittlesea as an appealing destination for ‘foodies’, it gives new angles for promotion, allows for the development of seasonal menus and may provide a competitive point of difference in your menu and marketing when you reinforce the local origin of the foods you serve. To discuss this further, contact council’s Project Officer Tourism by phone 03 9217 2170 or email brian.wright@whittlesea.vic.gov.au. Healthcare and Social Assistance newsHealthcare expansion in Melbourne’s northern suburbsCouncil’s Economic Development Department recently held its third Epping Health Precinct forum, in partnership with NORTH Link. Keynote speakers Don Tidbury, CEO DPV Health and Professor Rachael McDonald, Director MedTech Victoria Hub provided insight into upcoming developments, collaborations and opportunities. This was one of the many key industry initiatives being implemented by the City of Whittlesea as part of its commitment to supporting a strong local economy of the future. If you would like to learn more about this forum, or be involved in future events or industry initiatives, contact the Economic Development team by phone 03 9217 2170, or email business@whittlesea.vic.gov.au. Education, training and employment newsGiven the Chance – employment with social impactThe Brotherhood of St Laurence ‘Given the Chance Employment program’ supports employers to recruit workers from a diverse pool of candidates who are work-ready, motivated and fully supported. Depending on the employers preference, this can be achieved through direct employment, labour hire, apprenticeships or traineeships. For more information contact Simon Gray on 0427 258 521 or email him on GTCrecruitment@bsl.org.au SheForce Recruitment and Labour Hire Social Enterprise.SheForce is a predominantly a female-led recruitment and labour hire organisation which specialises in providing solutions to the construction industry. SheForce recruits and place women and minorities into jobs, and apprenticeships, and traineeships. If your business is looking to recruit, reach out to SheForce to support local residents in building a successful and sustainable career. For more information contact 0426 811 715 or hello@sheforce.com.au. Apprenticeship Group Australia (AGA)AGA employs apprentices and trainees in a variety of vocations and places them with host employers which means that they take care of the recruitment, employment, salary, training and induction requirements. For time-poor employers, this means that your apprentices and trainees arrive at your business capable and ready to go. Placements can be as short or ongoing. For more information contact Grant Sarolea on 0411 546 234 or grant.sarolea@aga.com.au. Manufacturing newsAccess the latest Manufacturing data and opportunitiesDoes your business provide services or products within or to the manufacturing industry? Our new Manufacturing Industry brochure provides the latest data, locational map and opportunities that have been identified within the City of Whittlesea. If you would like to arrange a confidential chat about how Council can support your manufacturing business to grow, contact invest@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or call 9217 2278. Upcoming EventsFebruary March Grants, funding and supportRetail business owners in the City of Whittlesea are invited to submit an application for co-contribution funding through Council’s Shopfront Improvement Program to upgrade their shopfronts.
The City of Whittlesea Community Grants ProgramThe City of Whittlesea Community Grants Program was officially launched on 1 August 2023 with the introduction of year-round grants and approvals rounds conducted on a monthly and quarterly basis. Individuals and organisations can apply for grants to undertake activities that have a broad community benefit in line with the Whittlesea 2040 vision 'Made in Victoria' Manufacturing Growth Program round 2 closingVictorian manufacturers looking to implement new manufacturing technologies can apply for grants of between $50,000 to $250,000 which must be matched by a cash co-contribution. The program will assist small and medium manufacturers looking to expand their capacity and capability, improve productivity in supply chains, create new jobs, upskill and reskill workers or support Victoria’s transition towards net zero emissions. Applications close 5 pm Tuesday 19 December 2023. On Farm Connectivity ProgramThe On Farm Connectivity Program provides eligible Equipment Suppliers with up to $30,000 rebate for sales of digital farming technology to eligible Primary Producers to help improve their connectivity and productivity. CSIRO Kick-StartCSIRO Kick-Start is an initiative for innovative Australian start-ups and small businesses, providing funding support and access to CSIRO’s research expertise and capabilities to help grow and develop their business. Victoria's Tech Boost: CDH Scaleup Program UnveiledIn a bid to strengthen Victoria's tech sector, the Government launches the Cremorne Digital Hub (CDH) Scaleup Program. Set to commence in February 2024 with a $10 million investment, the initiative aims to support the growth of local tech businesses and position Victoria as a global tech hub. Apply for the Timber Supply Chain Resilience PackageBusinesses that currently process native hardwood sourced from Victorian state forests to manufacture products can receive support through the State Government Timber Supply Chain Resilience Package. Highly impacted manufacturers can receive support up to $145,000 and moderately impacted manufacturers up to $3,000. Applications close Tuesday 30 April 2024. Search for available Government grants, funding, and supportA large range of grants and programs are offered by the Federal and Victorian Government to assist Businesses. Use the grants and program finder tools below to search for current programs relevant to your business. |