December 2016 Edition

Published on 01 December 2016

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 .

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!

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.

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.

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 .

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 .

Sponsorship Opportunities

Council has a number of exciting business events coming up in 2017 which we are seeking sponsors for. These events provide a great opportunity to profile your business with significant promotion across a range of print and digital communication channels. Packages start from $2,500 through to $10,000. For more information and to express your interest contact Tennille Bradley-Ow Council’s Business and Industry Development Officer on 9932 1285 or via email tbradleyow@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au .

Tourism Strategy Consultation

Council is currently in the process of developing its’ new tourism and destination marketing strategy. Businesses and tourism providers interested in providing comment as part of the consultation process are invited to contact Andy Waugh Tourism and Retail Development Officer on 9932 1619 or email awaugh@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au .

Commercialisation Grants

Accelerating Commercialisation provides access to expert guidance and grants to help businesses commercialise their novel products, processes and services. Accelerating Commercialisation offers Commercialisation Guidance, Accelerating Commercialisation Grants, and Portfolio Services. For more information click here.

Automobile Industry Structural Adjustment Programme

The Automotive Industry Structural Adjustment Programme supports workers who have lost their job in the automotive manufacturing industry, including component suppliers. Delivered by AusIndustry the Programme supports employees, businesses and regions affected by the closure of Australia’s car manufacturing industry.

The programme can help eligible workers with, résumé preparation, job applications, interview skills, training to obtain tickets or licences, work experience, and
other assistance to help them find new employment.

Applications are open until 30 June 2018, for more information click here.

Do you have an idea that you would like Council to fund in its 2017-18 Budget? Or do you have a suggestion for where and what Council should focus on over the next four years?
Hobsons Bay City Council is hosting community information sessions where people are invited to put forward what Council's priorities for the Council Plan 2017-21 should be, or suggest an item to be funded in the 2017-18 budget by making a three minute presentation of your idea to your Councillors.
The sessions are:

Thursday 8 December from 6pm to 8pm at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, 115 Civic Parade, Altona
Monday 12 December from 6pm to 8pm at the Newport Community Hub, 13-17 Mason Street, Newport

Register at participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au, email communityengagement@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or call 9932 1000. Pre-registration is required to make a three-minute presentation.

You can also complete a survey for the Council Plan or submit your idea for funding at participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or request a paper form by calling 9932 1000. Consultation closes 21 December 2016.

With the year quickly coming to a close, the holiday season is just around the corner! Keep in mind that restricted trading still applies on Christmas Day, 25 December 2016. There will be no trader restrictions imposed on the substituted Christmas Day public holiday, 27 December 2016.

For more information on public holidays in Victoria for 2016-17 and restricted trading days go toBusiness Victoria website .

Need to hire more staff over the holiday period?
The silly season is here, which may mean you’re thinking about taking on extra staff to help you out. If it’s the first time you’ve employed short term staff, or if you haven’t had to hire staff since last holiday period click here for some handy tips.

Council proudly supports a number of events to celebrate the festive season in every corner of our city. Check out the carols by candlelight services, as well as Santa appearances and Christmas craft markets to celebrate this special time of year. We hope that even people who do not celebrate Christmas will come together with their friends and family to enjoy the festive season. For more information on events across the City over the festive season click here .

Please note, there will be some changes to traffic conditions, including temporary road closures, on The Strand and North Road on New Year’s Eve 2016. As you know, many people travel to Hobsons Bay to watch the Melbourne fireworks on New Year’s Eve and these road closures are necessary to ensure emergency access is maintained.

Traffic management will be in place in the area from 7pm. Full road closures will be implemented in North Road at Douglas Parade and The Strand at Ferguson Street. The Strand will be closed to vehicles by 8.30pm on New Year’s Eve and will remain closed until 1.30am. If you have any questions about the road closure contact Council on 9932 1000.