28 August 2025

In this edition of Business Link - Business Awards nominations, $650k BIG Project grant for affordable housing, new Community Health & Learning Hub opens, Rail Trail community consultation, disability co-ops, share your working from home experience.

Business Awards now open - share your story or nominate a local favourite

The 2025 Mount Alexander Business Awards are now up and running, and we’re inviting local businesses and community members to get involved. These awards recognise the businesses helping our shire thrive.

If you run a local business, this is your chance to reflect on your journey and share what drives your work.
Entries are simple, and you don’t need perfect words or polished branding - just an honest look at your impact and purpose.
Anyone who lives or works in the shire can also nominate a business they admire. All nominated businesses will be invited to complete an entry form to be eligible.

To help businesses prepare their entry, Kerry Anderson from Startup Central Victoria is offering a free one-hour online information session that will offer practical guidance on presenting your business clearly and confidently.
Details for the online session will be published in the coming days. Head to https://www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Business-and-Growth/Business-Awards-2025 

Online information session: Tuesday 9 September, 7.00pm
Business Awards nominations close: Sunday 21 September

You can reach out to Daniel Bone, Economic Development Coordinator, with any queries at d.bone@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or phone 03 5471 1700.

Help spread the word about the Business Awards - display a poster

Want to encourage customers to nominate your business - or others they love?

Posters are available to download or collect from the Castlemaine Civic Centre and Visitor Information Centre. The QR code makes nominations quick and easy on the spot.

This is a great way to boost local pride and participation - and will help build momentum ahead of the People’s Choice category later in the campaign.

$650,000 BIG Project grant to fund affordable housing in Maldon

Last week Council welcomed a very generous $650,000 from Community Bank Maldon & District for affordable housing in Maldon.
The BIG Project grant, along with a $400,000 contribution from Council, will deliver two modular homes for workers in Maldon.
This exciting announcement has received wide media coverage, including a WIN News Bendigo's story.

Castlemaine welcomes world-class health and learning hub

Bendigo TAFE and Dhelkaya Health were excited to officially launch the new Community Health and Learning Hub in Castlemaine on Thursday 21 August. The facility is now open and ready to provide world-class healthcare training to regional Victorians with a focus on in-demand skills in allied health, nursing and aged care.

Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney officially opened the new hub made possible by a $4 million investment by the Victorian state government.

Up to 60 students at a time can train at the hub, gaining hands-on skills using specialist equipment designed to simulate real-world healthcare settings.

Castlemaine - Maryborough Rail Trail: Community Consultation Coming Soon

Progress is underway on the proposed 61-kilometre Castlemaine–Maryborough Rail Trail, with the pre-construction phase of the project recently commencing. With this comes a new opportunity for the community to get involved.

Community and stakeholder consultation will begin in late October, with engagement activities running throughout November. View the draft design and give feedback via a survey and attend in-person events where locals can view plans, ask questions, and share their thoughts. Businesses, landowners and residents near the proposed trail can also access additional engagement opportunities.

Contact the Castlemaine–Maryborough Rail Trail Inc project team with questions or feedback at railtrailfeedback@cmrailtrail.org.au.

Disability Co-ops with the Co-operative Communities Project

The Co-op Federation is partnering with the Australian Federation Of Disability Organisations (AFDO) on a new project to help people with disability turn business ideas into co-ops.
Over the next year small groups will come together to co-design and launch co-operative businesses in areas like art, food, gardening and design. Each group will have a mentor alongside them to share knowledge and encouragement.

If you have a disability and a business idea (or know someone who does) this is a chance to test it out with real support and community around you. If you are in the Co-op Federation network and would like to mentor, you will be offering your skills, advice and co-op know-how while helping shape a model of inclusion that could spread across Australia.
Even if this is not for you personally, think about people you know who might be keen to take part.

Expressions of interest close Sunday 31 August 2025.

Share your experiences with working from home

The Victorian Government wants employees and businesses to share their experiences with working from home. Your feedback will help shape laws that are fair, practical, and reflect what’s already working in real workplaces.

The consultation will cover:

• the types and sizes of businesses affected
• how remote work is defined
• who would be eligible to work remotely

Share your views through an online survey or submission from 12 August to 28 September 2025.
Businesses that may be affected can register for open online forums to share feedback, closing 31 August.
Following consultation, the Victorian Government aims to introduce and pass legislation in 2026.

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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.