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| Welcome | |
While we await the outcome of the Local Government election it is a good time to reflect on the achievements of Council for the term. Despite the pandemic we continued to deliver important projects and strengthened our place as Sydney’s Connected Community. |
| City Analytics |
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The latest data from the Australian Bureau
of Statistics shows that for the 2022-23 financial year, the total number of new
business entries increased by 8.92% since 2020, reaching a total of 2,712 new
small business entries in 2023. The latest data is another reminder of the
importance of our small businesses to local communities and the economy. |
| Business Support | |
National Energy Bill Relief for small businesses The Commonwealth Government has announced that small businesses will receive up to $325 to help with the cost of their electricity bills in the financial year 2024–25. Most small businesses will receive their bill relief payment automatically from their electricity provider in quarterly instalments of $81.25 on their electricity bill from 31 July 2024, 31 October 2024, 31 January 2025 and 30 April 2025. Smart savings and strategies to remain profitable Many small businesses are finding it difficult to maintain profit margins amid rising costs and weakening customer demand. The NSW Small Business Commissioner has put together this handy guide on how to review pricing, shop around and perform a health check on your finances. Procurement opportunities with Georges River Council VendorPanel is an e-tendering procurement platform that simplifies procurement processes, reduces risk, maximises value and leverages procurement to make a positive impact in the local economy and community. Suppliers can register free of charge to gain access to our current Requests for Tender, Quotations and Expressions of Interest. To learn more, watch our Local Supplier Awareness Webinar held in conjunction with Local Government Procurement (LGP). Good Things Foundation, Be Connected Capacity Building Grant Grants of $52,000 are on offer for community organisations to support and develop new digital mentors in the community. Applications close Friday 27 September. Disability Employment Centre of Excellence Grant The Australian Government is inviting organisations to establish the Disability Employment Centre of Excellence. The purpose of the Centre of Excellence is to provide resources, tools and training to help providers deliver quality employment services and support to both participants with disabilities and employers. Places available for Office & Reception Skills Course in Hurstville St George Careers Development Centre's free Office & Reception Skills Course provides skills for administration roles and offers entry to higher-level TAFE courses. Students will be awarded a Certificate III in Business. Fee-free for anyone aged 15+ not enrolled at school and eligible for NSW Government's Smart & Skilled program. More time to apply for Community Grants & Micro Grants Local businesses, residents, and community organisations now have more time to apply for a share of $153,000 worth of funding in the Georges River Council Community Grants and Micro Grants 2024-2025 Round 1. Applications are now extended to Friday 20 September 2024. The Grants Help Hub includes all upcoming initiatives to register for, as well as useful training and resources for preparing your grant application. |
| Business Chamber South | |
Over the past several months St George Business Chamber have been working behind the scenes on rebranding to better reflect their offering to the community. As such, after much consideration, St George Business Chamber has completed a rebrand to be Business Chamber South which is supported by both Georges River Council and Bayside Council. In addition to their rebrand, Business Chamber South is expanding their reach from St George to include Bayside. This means more opportunities for networking, collaboration across diverse industries, and enhanced support tailored to your business growth and the growth of this Chamber in Sydney South. We understand change can sometimes raise questions, but please know that this transition will not affect your current membership or Business Chamber South’s ongoing commitment to local businesses. Thank you for being part of our community. Together, as Business Chamber South, we look forward to achieving even greater successes within an expanding and more diverse business community. Find out more about becoming a member. Upcoming Events TAFE Awards Presentation Luncheon | Thursday 14 November | Business Chamber South invites you to an Awards Presentation Luncheon to recognise deserving St George TAFE students and support the TAFE School of Hospitality. |
| About Town | |
NSW Small Business Month NSW Small Business Month is returning in October 2024 with an exciting new program. The expos will give small business owners and their staff the opportunity to network with government agencies and large organisations, connect with other small businesses, gain knowledge and learn new skills. Business Connect: Navigating Council with Confidence Date: Wednesday 23 October 2024 | Venue: Hurstville Civic Centre | Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm | Cost: Free Business Connect gives businesses a chance to engage directly with Georges River Council staff. It streamlines the navigation of Council approvals and processes. Additionally, businesses can explore valuable resources and opportunities tailored to their specific needs. Council staff from different teams will be available for informal conversations to help navigate topics including:
We will start with a short presentation about who we are and what we do. Then, business operators will have the opportunity to engage with Council teams in a casual setting. Complete the online form to register your interest. Regulatory policy-making review: Consultation feedback released The NSW Small Business Commissioner has published a summary of consultation feedback they gathered from small business stakeholders as part of their review of small business experiences with regulatory policy-making. As part of this review, the NSW Small Business Commissioner sought feedback from small businesses and other stakeholders about their experiences with regulation in NSW. Changes to casual employment in Australia Recent legislative amendments have introduced significant changes to casual employment in Australia. The changes include the way casual work is defined, the pathway to permanent employment, and the responsibilities of both employees and employers. More information about changes to casual employment laws and casual conversion is available on the FairWork website. Spark Sydney South: AI and Robotics - The Future of Business Date: Wednesday 23 October | Venue: Hurstville Library | Time: 5.30pm-7.30pm | Cost: Free Get ready to dive into the exciting world of AI and robotics! In partnership with Spark Festival and Business Chamber South this workshop explores the potential of AI and robotics for business. From automating repetitive tasks to making smart decisions faster, AI and robotics are powering up businesses like never before. We’ll unpack how AI and robotics are reducing operational costs, boosting productivity, and helping businesses maintain a competitive edge. In this workshop you’ll learn:
Whether you’re looking to streamline your operations, enhance your customer service, or gain a competitive edge, this event will increase your business’ capability to create new opportunities in a tech-driven world. Don’t miss out – the future of business is here! Meet our Expert – Adrian Tyson Adrian Tyson is the founder of Neuranext, an AI enthusiast dedicated to transforming education in Australia. With a solid background in business and teaching, Adrian created Neuranext to tackle the lack of AI education in schools. Adrian’s programs have been delivered in top venues including the Microsoft Store, ANSTO and the Powerhouse Museum. Adrian represents some of the leading AI-powered robotics companies in Australia, such as Unitree, AgileX, Inspire Robotics, and Elephant Robotics. Through his partnership with Code Camp, Adrian co-created an AI education program that’s been rolled out nationwide and even expanded to Switzerland. |
| Upcoming Events | |
Effective Social Media for Customer Attraction | Wednesday 25 September | This webinar will guide you through the process of creating a tailored social media plan that aligns with your organisation’s objectives. Determine Your Optimal Pricing Strategy | Friday 27 September | This webinar will explore various pricing strategies and best practices that can help you determine the optimal price for your products and services. NSW Visitor Economy Forum | Thursday 3 October | This event will provide the latest data, trend forecasts and insights that will shape the year ahead and inform opportunities to grow the NSW visitor economy together. Preparing Funding Proposals for Strategic Partnerships | Friday 18 October | Whether you’re looking to secure venture capital or a small business loan, this workshop will help you prepare for the funding process and increase your chances of success in securing funding. Automation Tools to Streamline your Business Process | Friday 25 October | This session will provide insights into how automation can save time, reduce errors and free up resources for more strategic activities. |
| Contact Us |
Tell us what else you would like to see in BUSINESS UNITE via email business@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au Georges River Council Corner MacMahon and Dora Streets Hurstville NSW 2220 Phone: (02) 9330 6400 |
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