Council is seeking feedback from businesses and the community on a new framework for outdoor trading.

Council’s outdoor trading program was delivered as a quick response to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

The outdoor trading program (previously referred to as Hobsons Bay Business has Heart - HBBhH) included the installation of council owned and managed parklets, a feature site at Pier Street, and other furniture to select hospitality businesses.

The existing infrastructure has reached the end of its useful life and the new proposed framework enables businesses to move from temporary Council installed infrastructure, to more permanent infrastructure designed and installed by participating businesses.

We are seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from businesses who would like to install parklets and feedback on the long-term options for Pier Street and the installation of fixed infrastructure.

Feedback closes 31 August 2023.

Businesses who wish to retain their existing parklet while Council finalises the new framework must submit an EOI form by 31 August 2023 and pay applicable fees. All remaining parklets will be removed from 1 September 2023.



Come together for our Business Networking series to promote your business and share ideas, while meeting business professionals from a range of different industries.  

Next event: 
Tuesday 1 August 2023 | 10am to 11am

Melbourne Ballpark
Merton St, Altona Meadows 3028


Join us as award winning Social Media Strategist, Maree Sortino from The Social Secret, educates us in her 'Advanced Reels Program'. 

Come along with some images or footage on your phone and create your own Reel using the concepts discussed in the workshop including text and image animation and how to add an overlay. 

Tuesday 22 August 2023 | 10am to 12pm 

Hobsons Bay City Council
115 Civic Parade, Altona 3018


Want to get your business moving?  The Small Business Bus is visiting Williamstown and offering 45min sessions with a business mentor who can help you plan, start or grow your business.  

Monday 21 August 2023 | 10am to 4pm 

Visitor Information Centre
Nelson Place, Williamstown 3016


Would you like to be part of the 2023 Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards prize pool?

Council will be offering a short list of service providers for Business Award winners to select from.  Winners will receive an $800 voucher to their business of choice, paid for by Hobsons Bay City Council. 

If you would like your business to be considered for inclusion on the list businesses for the winners to choose from, please submit an expression of interest form.  

Please note that nominating yourself as a service provider does not make you ineligible to submit a business award nomination of your own.




Calling all local musicians, entertainers and artists – get involved today!

Thanks to a Pitch Your Project idea, over the next 12 months Council will be facilitating a program of roving entertainment across our business precincts.

If you want to throw your hat in the ring or have an idea to contribute (big or small), please fill out the EOI form via the link below. 


Can your business support a short-term work placement for a young person with a disability?

Stepping forward to Independence is a program offering young people with a permanent cognitive impairment or intellectual disability training to receive a Certificate I in Work Education and learn additional life, health & wellbeing skills.

The Laverton Community Education Centre are currently looking for short-term work placements in Hobsons Bay for program participants.

If you are a business interested in providing a work experience opportunity to a young person with a disability, please contact Bill Daly on 03 9369 2726 or email bill.daly@lcec.vic.edu.au


Are you an employer of young people or hope to be in the future? Would you like to help build the resilience of our local youth?

Hobsons Bay City Council is advocating to state and federal governments for more youth mental health services which are timely, local and affordable to address the high level of need in our area.

This campaign is asking for a local headspace as well as more prevention and early intervention services for young people, including support, programs and opportunities to help young people’s general mental health.

Businesses and residents can join the campaign for more youth mental health services via the website.



Are you hoping to employ young people in your business this summer?

In the lead up to summer and the opportunity for local summer jobs, Hobsons Bay Youth Services is running a careers and employment workshops series commencing August 2023.

  • Teens series 1 – August & September
  • Young adults (18yrs+) series – September & October
  • Teens series 2 – October & November

The workshops include resume building, interviewing skills, personal profile, confidence and expectations discussions.

You can help promote these opportunities by visiting the website and printing and displaying a copy of the flyer.



The Hudsons Road Streetscape Master Plan report is available for review.  An implementation plan will be prepared to integrate initiatives from the plan with upcoming projects. 


Expressions of Interest are now open for the Made in Victoria - Industry R&D Infrastructure Fund with submissions due Friday 18 August 2023.  

The fund will provide matched grant funding to invest in new or enhanced R&D infrastructure to support the growth of Victoria's R&D capability across key industry sectors.  


Austrade is now consulting on options to improve Export Market Development Grant outcomes in line with the Australian Government's decision to strategically refocus the program.  

Consultations will be open until 11 August 2023.  To provide feedback about future options and provide practical ideas for ensuring the program's sustainability, write a submission and respond to the questions via the link below. 


Click on the links to find out more: 
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.