Welcome to the Hobsons Bay Business e-Works update.

Thank you to all the businesses who participated in the Shops on Show competition this year and congratulations to the six winning businesses which can be viewed on the Shops on Show webpage.

As 2022 comes to a close, we would like to celebrate all the new businesses that have joined Hobsons Bay over the past year and the existing businesses who make Hobsons Bay such a wonderful place to live and work. We wish everyone in our business community a wonderful holiday period. We hope you take some time to celebrate with friends and family.  

The economic development team will be taking a break from Friday 23 December 2022 and returning Wednesday 4 January 2023.  If an urgent matter arises during this time, please contact our afterhours contact service on 1300 179 944.

We look forward to doing business with you in 2023! 

Economic development is critical to making our community a better place to live, work and do business.

Watch this short video on the impact economic development can have on you and your business.

Then complete our business survey to have your say on Council's business support, programming, and initiative priorities for the next 3-5 years!

The survey only takes 8-10 minutes, and you go in the draw to win a $100 business voucher.



As we move into the summer months, we ask all businesses with an extended trading area to ensure the area is free of debris and that spiderwebs are removed regularly to ensure our city is looking its best for the increased foot traffic.

We ask if you have planter boxes near your designated trading area that you help maintain the plants over this sunny summer period with a quick watering each day.

Businesses are expected to move all furniture inside at the end of trade each day to discourage loitering, unauthorised use of the area after hours, and the potential for disturbance to neighbours.

If any businesses require repairs to be made over the Council shut down period please call 1300 179 944.

Looking to do some professional development over the holidays?

Check out some of the books available to borrow digitally via Hobsons Bay Libraries Business Excellence Collection.

This month we recommend: The Human Side of Innovation: The Power of People in Love with People by Mauro Porcini
From 1 February 2023, problematic single-use plastics will be banned from sale or supply in Victoria.  With just over a month to go, is your business ready?

The ban applies to single-use plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, and drink stirrers made from conventional, degradable, and compostable plastics.

To help your business prepare, the National Retailers Association is holding weekly drop-in sessions online. It is free to attend and sessions run until late January 2023. To register to attend an info session visit the Eventbrite listing.

To learn more about the ban head to the Victorian Government website.
Looking to reduce your energy bills? Victorian businesses who own or rent premises can access a rebate up to $3500 that covers 50% of the cost of installing a rooftop solar system, plus the option of an interest free loan.  

Learn more about the Solar for Business Program at Business Victoria.  
Hobsons Bay City Council invites business professionals from across Hobsons Bay to come together for our Business Networking series (formerly known as Coffee Connect).  

These informal events are a great opportunity to promote your business and share ideas, while meeting business professionals from a range of different industries.  

With a range of early morning, mid-morning and evening offerings, there is an opportunity for all industries to connect.  

To view the 2023 schedule of events, visit the Hobsons Bay Business webpage.

The Partners in Wellbeing Helpline is a free, confidential service offering small business owners and their employees one-on-one access to trained wellbeing coaches, financial counsellors and business advisors. Call the Partners in Wellbeing Helpline on 1300 375 330 for assistance between 9am to 10pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends. A live chat function is also available on the website. 

For a list of other resources available visit the Mental Health in Business webpage.