December 2016 Edition

Published on 01 December 2016
 
December 2016
 
Welcome to the latest edition of Hobsons Bay Business e-Works

It is almost the end of the year (can you believe) and what an action packed last quarter it has been for Hobsons Bay with the inaugural Art & Industry Festival taking place over 10 days in November. See below some highlights from the festival.
 
Our new Councillors are settling in and have had their first formal Council meeting for the year. The new Council has commenced planning for the new Council Plan and 2017-18 budget. We welcome your contribution to this process and encourage you to get involved through attending one of the community information sessions, details below.
 
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the businesses that have supported Council and participated in programs and activities over 2016 and we look forward to meeting and engaging with many more businesses over the coming year.
 
In the meantime, if you have any questions about doing business in Hobsons Bay or how Council can assist in helping your business grow, please contact us on 03 9932 1285 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au .
Art & Industry Festival Highlights
The first ever Art and Industry which took place over ten days in November was a great success on many levels. It included the two major events opening and closing the festival, Industrial Fashion and SPARK family night, along with exhibitions, performances, street art, installations, open days at Qenos and Toyota, industrial walking tours and Westside Cool which launched in the backyard of Quazi Design.  The Western Lights display showcasing the industrial areas of Hobsons Bay in lights (Modscape in Brooklyn pictured left) drew lots of positive comment.
 
A highlight for local business was the Speed Networking session held at the Substation on the 23rd of November held in partnership with the Victorian Chamber of Comerce and Industry with a backdrop of Toyota's commissioned photographs. It was an action packed session where many new contacts were made. Keep an eye out for more networking activities as part of the 2017 business development and activities calendar.   And thanks to all of the businesses who sponsored, partnered and participated in Art and Industry! It's been great to start reading about it in some of your own newsletters too!
                                     
 
Are your energy bills too high?
If you are concerned about how much you are paying for energy, there may be some simple ways that you can save.
A Council sustainability officer is available to meet with you to discuss your energy bills and identify ways in which you could save.
Council can assist by:
-  reviewing your energy bills to identify possible savings
-  upgrading your lights to efficient LED lights we can connect you with a lighting supplier and provide a subsidy to help with cost
- helping you access electricity usage data and analysing it to find savings
-  offering an alternative finance solution, known as Environmental Upgrade Agreements, to fund your energy saving projects
-  arranging an energy and water assessment of your site to help identify cost effective opportunities
 
 For more information contact Council's Senior Sustainability Officer on 9932 1000.
Melbourne's West Future Employment Research Report Launched
A new report into Melbourne’s booming western suburbs has recommended a greater link between training and employment to meet a shortage in specialist jobs.
The Melbourne’s West – Future Workforce Report has recommended a new economic development strategy be prepared, to set a long-term plan for jobs growth.
In response, Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan has announced $80,000 to fund the strategy, which will underpin job creation in emerging industries.
 
The recently formed West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance (WOMEDA) will drive the new strategy, investigating ways to boost existing industries, such as transport, logistics and construction, and attracting new digital and e-commerce investment.
The Future Workforce report states local employers need more workers with higher numeracy, literacy and customer service, as well as greater science, technology, engineering and mathematic skills.
 
The report was prepared by Western Melbourne RDA with the Victorian and Federal governments and Lead West, in response to the level of population growth and need for more employment in Melbourne’s west.
Chaired by former Premier Steve Bracks, WOMEDA is supported by the Western Melbourne Regional Development Australia (RDA), Victoria University and western suburbs councils.
 
To view the State Government's media release click here.                 
 
 
Summer is coming - is your business prepared for a natural disaster?
In Australia, natural disasters such as floods, fire and earthquakes can strike without warning, so it’s important to make sure your business is resilient in times of crisis.
 
Why bother planning for emergencies?
A solid emergency management plan can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses; put strategies in place to adapt to any scenario; make sure that if the worst happens, you have the tools and support in place to help you get back to business.
 
Free resources to help you plan
The good thing is, you don’t have to plan for emergencies on your own! There’s plenty of advice and support available to help you. For more information and access to free resources to assist click here .
Upcoming Training Workshops
After a successful 2016 business workshops program, the Economic Development team is looking at ways to provide fresh and exciting business development, networking and collaborative opportunities for businesses and industry in 2017. We would like to hear from you! Whether it’s training you are needing, ideas for business networking events, or an event that you attended that worked well then let us know! E-mail us on business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au .
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