Welcome to the Hobsons Bay Business e-Works update.

Did you know single-use plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink-stirrers, expanded polystyrene food and drink containers, and cotton bud sticks will be banned from sale or supply in Victoria from 1 February 2023?

Now is a great time for businesses to start planning for the ban by running down current stock and sourcing reusable alternatives or single-use items made from materials such as paper, wood or bamboo.  

For more information visit vic.gov.au/single-use-plastics 
Council is committed to supporting local businesses and sharing upcoming tender opportunities.

Current tenders include:
  • 2022 Drainage Condition Audit
  • Altona Meadows Library Refurbishment
  • Dennis Reserve Project: Stage 3 - New Facility
For more information on viewing and applying for tenders visit Hobsons Bay Business. 

You may also be interested in attending the Winning Government Grants and Tenders workshop in September.  See further details below. 

Looking for a way to promote your business this Christmas?

The Hobsons Bay Gift and Event Guide is back in 2022 to encourage residents to shop, eat and drink local during the festive season.  

The guide offers businesses an opportunity to be showcased in a variety of different categories including:

  • Gift Guide – Businesses to submit a product to be included
  • Experience Gift Voucher Guide – Businesses to submit an experience for which gift vouchers can be purchased (e.g. a plane ride, an art class, a climbing session, or a spa treatment)
  • Festive Dining – Businesses to submit their restaurant or pub as a destination for festive gatherings or a festive recipe to be attributed to their venue
  • Events - Businesses, traders associations or community groups to submit festive events to be promoted

Businesses are invited to submit content for inclusion in the digital magazine by Friday 30 September 2022. 

For more information on how to participate visit the Hobsons Bay Christmas Gift and Event Guide webpage.

Don't forget to start thinking about putting together a festive window display for the Shops on Show Competition!  More information to come. 

Jobs Victoria is investing $6.68 million to support workers to be trained for hospitality jobs with small to medium size businesses.  

Workers will receive five days paid hospitality training with businesses urgently needing staff able to access the pool of workers for roles with at least 20 hours of work per week and for up to 26 weeks to assist in managing staff shortages. 

Hospitality businesses looking for staff and jobseekers looking to participate in the initiative can register their interest by visiting Jobs Victoria
Victorian casual and contract workers in certain jobs can now access 38 hours a year sick and carer's pay.  

Learn more and sign up now at vic.gov.au/sickpayguarantee

The Victorian Government is supporting 1,000 high growth potential businesses to access new markets and create jobs through Ready for Growth. 

Ready for Growth will provide businesses with tailored support from expert advisers to develop a plan to maximise their growth, find grants and programs across Victorian and Commonwealth governments, improve connections through networks and other program alumni. 

Expressions of interest are now open.

Learn more at Ready for Growth or contact the Business Victoria Hotline at 13 22 15. 

Council invites business professionals from across Hobsons Bay to come together for the Coffee Connect business networking series. 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 September 2022 from 7.30am to 8.30am

Black Sheep Cafe
25B Vernon Street, South Kingsville

To register and view future events visit Hobsons Bay Business.
Learn everything you need to know to position your business to stand out and win one of the many tender and contract opportunities regularly available to small businesses via local, state and federal government.  

Tuesday, 20 September 2022 | 10am - 12pm

Altona Civic Centre
115 Civic Parade, Altona

To register visit Business Victoria. 
Better Places is a new way that Council designs and delivers projects, thinking in terms of overall 'places' rather than individual 'pieces'.  

As part of the Better Places initiative, local Seabrook and Altona Meadows businesses and community members are invited to come along to a FREE 'Out and About' festival.  Live music, kids entertainment, activities and giveaways are on offer.  We look forward to seeing you there! 

Bruce Comben Reserve, Altona Meadows
Saturday, 17 September 2022 from 2pm to 7pm

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.