To our Maribyrnong Business Community, 

Finally there's light at the end of the tunnel for our business community who are preparing for the State to reopen this Friday 29 October from 6pm. The excitement and buzz is real with retailers busily restocking their shelves and airing their stores ready for the first influx of customers to greet. 

The Department of Health and Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) will be running an online forum to assist businesses to understand the changes to the State's Roadmap and new CovidSafe settings.  You can register for a session below.

Council has secured an extra $500,000 in State Government funding to help create and support more outdoor dining venues, in addition to encouraging other businesses to expand their footprint outdoors.

We will be rolling out an Outdoor Activation Expressions of Interest program to offer businesses the opportunity to apply for funds. Expressions of Interest (EOI) will centre around the State Government’s directive that funds be available for re-activation and establishment of new, outdoor spaces.

In addition to this, the Government has opened applications for the Outdoor Economy Cash Vouchers, enabling businesses to apply for $2000 vouchers to help pay for the hire or purchase of outdoor furniture and equipment for their business. Vouchers are limited, so apply now.   

If you're unsure about how to navigate the vaccine requirements for your staff and clients, read below for information. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the Economic Development Department for advice or information via email at business@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

Best wishes and stay safe
City of Maribyrnong Team

Opportunity for outdoor expansion - Dining, entertainment, exercise and other businesses

Council has secured an extra $500,000 in State Government funding to help create and support more outdoor dining venues, in addition to encouraging other businesses to expand their footprint outdoors.

We are rolling out an Outdoor Activation Expressions of Interest program to offer businesses the opportunity to apply for funds. Expressions of Interest (EOI) will centre around the State Government’s directive that funds be available for re-activation and establishment of new, outdoor spaces:

  • provision, maintenance or upgrade of outdoor spaces, parklet facilities, bollards, planter boxes, street furniture, landscaping, signage, lighting etc
  • purchase or hire of equipment to support outdoor economic activity in public areas including marquees or other structures, screens and blinds, shelving and display racks, seating, PA Systems etc
  • street entertainment, cultrural displays and performances, etc, to enhance the ambience of outdoor areas
  • traffic management, including street closures
  • local marketing and communications to promote outdoor economic activity, and

Any business that wants to submit an idea for improving their outdoor space should complete the below expression of interest form by 11.59pm Sunday 21 November 2021. Applicants will will be advised of the outcome of the EOI process by the end of November.  

Learn More

Find an outdoor parklet to enjoy

The COVIDSafe Outdoor Activation Voucher Program will provide more than 7000 Victorian businesses, community organisations, not-for-profits and trader associations with $2000 grants when they spend at least that amount to support initiatives such as outdoor hospitality and entertainment.  Hairdressers, beauty services, retail shops, dance studios and gyms will also be eligible to apply for vouchers. 

Apply Now

You are invited to a forum with the Department of Health (DH) and the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) on Victoria’s Roadmap and new COVIDSafe settings.  There are various dates and times depending on your industry.
  • Hospitality - Restaurants & Cafes:  Thu 28 October 2:30pm
  • Hair & Beauty Services:  Fri 29 October 10am
  • Retail:  Thu 4 November 11:30am
  • Hospitality - Accommodation:  Fri 5 November 12pm
This session will include:
  • Updates on the Roadmap and restrictions settings
  • CHO Directions (including the vaccination requirement for workers)
  • Business requirements (including COVIDSafe Plans, QR codes and vaccine status check-in)
  • Business support services (including grants and health and wellbeing)
  • New signage and posters.
  • Penalties
  • An opportunity for discussion and questions
Register Now

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has determined that on Friday 29 October at 6:00pm, Victoria will move to Phase C of the Roadmap with 80% of the eligible population fully vaccinated. Metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria will operate under the same settings and all retail will be open. Masks will remain mandatory indoors but will no longer be required outdoors.

What vaccination requirements apply for retail customers at Phase C of the Roadmap?

Customers attending general retail (e.g. clothing store, department store etc.) and essential retail (e.g. supermarket) will not be required to provide information on being fully vaccinated, however all customers must still check-in when visiting businesses.

What vaccination requirements apply to workers in retail at Phase C of the Roadmap?
In order to operate at the DQ4 ratio (1 person per every 4 metres of floor space) all workers in general retail (e.g. clothing store, department store etc.) must be fully vaccinated before reopening on 29 October.

Learn More

Only 2 days left to registered to become a Preferred Business Supplier for the Business Elevate Program.

From November, Small businesses within Maribyrnong will be able to apply for $2,000 (+gst) vouchers to help elevate their business from a list of “preferred suppliers” in a range of categories.

We are firstly looking for established local businesses to become the “Preferred Business Suppliers” in the categories listed below. Your business will be expected  to provide services, offers or packages to small businesses that apply for a voucher, to the value of $2,000 (+gst) in one of the following areas:

1. Accounting / Bookkeeping
2. Business Coaching / Business Consulting
3. Copy Writing / Public Relations
4. Digital Marketing / SEO
5. Graphic Design / Visual Merchandising
6. Human Resources / Recruitment
7. Legal / Intellectual Property
8. Marketing Consulting / Advertising
9. Photography
10. Printing / Signage
11. Videography
12. Web Design / Mobile App Development

To be considered as a supplier in the program, your business must be located in the City of Maribyrnong, and also registered on the Maribyrnong Localised platform,

Applications close Friday 29 October 2021 at 5pm. 

More information on the program is available on the Council Website.