Welcome to the Hobsons Bay Business e-Works update.

Council is currently in the process of updating the Hobsons Bay Economic Development Strategy (EDS).  The new EDS will identify opportunities to better support local businesses and grow and diversify the Hobsons Bay economy.  

 
As a business professional in Hobsons Bay, your input into this strategy is important. Your feedback will help identify priorities for inclusion such as:  

  • workshops, networking and training events  
  • precinct activations and support 
  • investment priorities  
  • workforce and business attraction, retention and readiness 
  • business sustainability initiatives 
  • innovation  

Tell us what you think

Please complete a survey via the Hobsons Bay Business website today to help shape the new Economic Development Strategy! 


Alternatively, register to attend an online workshop for an opportunity to speak with an Economic Development Officer and have your say on:

  • current business challenges and opportunities
  • future economic development programs and priorities
Next workshop: Monday 12 December 2022 from 5pm to 6pm | Register on Eventbrite.
As we know, November to December are the biggest months for consumer spend and it is important to support our local businesses.

The 2022 Christmas Gift and Event Guide features over 65 Hobsons Bay businesses and encourages local visitation which benefits all businesses within the precinct. We encourage your business to share the guide with your community and support local this Christmas.

The guide also features a range of events happening over the holiday period. Check out the events scheduled near you and consider planning activations that coincide with these events.

To view the guide visit the Hobsons Bay Business website.

Be sure to also vote for your favourite 'Shops on Show' entry here.

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: A Complaint is a Gift | How to Learn from Critical Feedback and Recover Customer Loyalty
By: Janelle Barlow
Do you have questions about your business' Council waste and recycling service?  If you want to learn how to customise your Council bins to suit your business, book a time to talk to a Hobsons Bay City Council sustainability officer.  You can book a phone call or request an in-person visit in the booking notes. 

Book an appointment here.
To reduce plastic pollution, some plastic products including drinking straws, cutlery, plates, and drink stirrers will be banned by the Victorian Government from 1 February 2023.

To help your business prepare, the National Retailers Association is holding weekly drop-in sessions online. It is free to attend with sessions running until 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.

Upskilling yourself and your business doesn't need to involve a large time or monetary commitment. Free online and on-demand courses and webinars are available on the Business Victoria website.  

Watch a 21-minute webinar on updating your strategic plan or enrol in an 11-hour course on e-mail marketing.  Business Victoria has something for everyone.

To learn more about the courses and webinars available visit Business Victoria. 

Come celebrate the year that was with fellow business owners at the last Coffee Connect business networking event of the year. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a coffee, promote your business and share ideas while meeting business owners from a range of different industries.  

Tuesday 6 December 2022 from 10am to 11am

Little Roseberry Cafe 
42 Roseberry Street, Altona Meadows

To register and view future events visit Hobsons Bay Business.

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.