This Christmas, we're encouraging residents to shop local! 

We have engaged Mamma Knows West to support our shop local campaign by sharing their local shopping adventures.  They visited eight stores across Hobsons Bay and will also be linking through to a full gift directory on the Experience Hobsons Bay website.

Council will also be pushing residents to the gift directory via a series of social media posts across Hobsons Bay City Council socials.

Be sure to consider our local shops when planning your Christmas list this year!  

Read the Mamma Knows West article. 
Visit the Experience Hobsons Bay gift directory.

We have enjoyed meeting so many new businesses over the past year and look forward to resuming our monthly networking events in February.  Based on your feedback, we are also putting together a great schedule of workshops for 2024.  Watch this space!

In the meantime, here are a few websites offering free resources for small businesses. 

Business Victoria | workshops, short courses, webinars and mentoring 

VTIC / Typsy | Free online training for tourism, hospitality and event operators

ATO | Small business webinars presented by experienced tax officers 

After extensive consultation with businesses, trader associations and the community, the updated framework for how outdoor trading will operate was approved by Council at its meeting on 14 November 2023.  

The highlights of the framework include:  
  • endorsing the parklet program, which allows businesses to use car parks for outdoor trading  
  • endorsing the fixed infrastructure guidelines, which allow businesses to install low-risk fixed infrastructure in the footpath (such as screens)
  • as part of the endorsed framework parklets and barriers will remain in place until 31 August 2024 whilst the permanent parklet permit guidelines and process is finalised

A proposal for the Pier Street feature site and precinct will be further developed by Council, including consideration of extending footpath trading areas.


Summer in Hobsons Bay is shaping up to be jam packed with live entertainment across our trading precincts.  Be sure to stay up to date with What's On in your area and plan accordingly. 

Upcoming programs include:

Have a great idea but need help funding the research and development?  CSIRO's Kick-Start program helps start-ups and small businesses to overcome barriers to pursue R&D activities by providing funding support and an end-to-end facilitation service. 

Businesses can access up to two vouchers between $10,000 and $50,000 to support them to pursue research and development activities.


The Made in Victoria - Manufacturing Growth Program Round 2 will assist small and medium manufacturers to expand their capacity and capability, improve productivity and competitiveness, create new jobs and support transitions towards net zero emissions.  

Eligible grants will support the purchase and commissioning of capital equipment and associated product expenditure related to manufacturing processes.  

Grants of between $50,000 and $200,000 are available with applications closing 19 December 2023.


Christmas and the end of year is a particularly difficult time of year for many in our community.


Each year, our local not-for-profit organisations help hundreds of individuals and families in need in the Hobsons Bay community, and this year more people are needing a helping hand than ever before.  

We would really love to bring the community together and work with local businesses who are looking to lend a helping hand, whether that be through being a donation point and encouraging your customers to purchase a little extra to donate in store or contributing donations as a business.

If you’re interested in helping out as a business, please email commdev@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au. Donations will be collected until December 8. 


Private landowners in industrial areas are invited to express their interest in the Green Industries program.  The program can support Hobsons Bay businesses to increase canopy cover where there is capacity to plant trees and understory plants on their property.  

To learn more about the Green Industries program and to submit an expression of interest, please visit:  Green Industries program. Applications close 28 February 2024.


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.