May 2017 Edition

Published on 01 May 2017
 
May 2017
 
Welcome to the latest edition of Hobsons Bay Business e-Works
Our series of free workshops and seminars continues to attract business owners from across Hobsons Bay. This month we have a session aimed at the CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) community - Starting Your Business in Victoria. The Australian Tax Office (ATO) will be back hosting their popular Record Keeping for Small Business workshop in Altona as part of their Tax Basics program and we urge new and existing business owners to attend.

Also this month we have representatives from the Business Enterprise Centre (BEC)@Kanganreturning to Hobsons Bay to run free small business consultations with local businesses plus a range of other programs and funding opportunities available to local business owners.
 
All of these workshops are free but you must register. 

Have you had time to think about your Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards application? Please contact our office if you need assistance. There will be two information sessions about the registration/application process at 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday 12 July. Entries are open until August, so there is plenty of time, but don't procrastinate.
 
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
Did you know there are at least 3 business network groups in Hobsons Bay?
Good business networks are a useful way to make links within the business and local community. 

Westgate Referral Network (WRN)
The Westgate Referral Network provides a supportive environment for business people to come together and to develop qualified referrals for members, encourage opportunities for joint ventures, offer mutual support and encouragement and provide business education. 
WRN meets fortnightly on a Wednesday morning from 7am to 8.30am upstairs at the Duchess of Spotswood, 87 Hudsons Road. Upcoming dates: 10 and 24 May, 7 and 21 June
If you wish to attend or want more information on WRN please contact them at info@westgatenetwork.org.au or visit their website www.westgatenetwork.org.au
 
BNI Star Networkers
BNI is a business referral organisation whose primary purpose is to assist its members to find and exchange qualified business referrals.
BNI Star Networkers encourage visitors to come along to their weekly breakfast meetings. Attending is a great way to get acquainted with BNI and other local businesses in the area.
BNI is a specialist network supporting one person from each business category.
If you could gain from a significant increase in business referrals then this is a real opportunity for you.
For further information contact Braith Bamkin by phone 0425 211 094 or visit www.bni.com.au
 
West is Best Business Network
West Is Best - Business Improvement Group is an active business networking collective who meet regularly in the inner western suburbs of Melbourne.
With the aim of developing innovative business skills, they seek to grow their own professional relationships and facilitate networking opportunities for other industry professionals. For more information please visit www.businessimprovementgroup.net.au
Have you considered hosting an intern in your business?
Would your business benefit from being able to trial a young person on an internship to see if they are the right fit? The Australian Government’s new Youth Jobs PaTH program can help you!
 
What is Youth Jobs PaTH?
Youth Jobs PaTH is a new program designed to better prepare young people aged between 15 and 24 who may be ideal for work in your business. It also encourages employers to trial a young person for a job and offers financial incentives if they hire them.
 
Youth Jobs PaTH has three elements:
* Prepare: young people will be prepared for work through Employability Skills Training to help improve their chances of finding and keeping a job.
* Trial: employers can trial a young person in an internship from anywhere between 4 and 12 weeks and receive $1,000 to help with the costs of hosting the internship.
* Hire: employers who hire an eligible young person can receive a Youth Bonus wage subsidy incentive of up to $6,500 or $10,000.
 
Check out Youth Jobs PaTH website for further information. 
MAKING SENSE FROM ENERGY$MART
Businesses across Hobsons Bay can now access subsidised solar power via a Council initiative Energy$mart Program. Recognised providers can offer solar installations at a discounted rate with the help of subsidies on lighting and solar projects up to $5,000. Local businesses have a chance to save both energy and money while reducing their carbon emissions.
 
Council also now offers an Environmental Upgrade Agreement (EUA) service which assists businesses to make a green change with access to highly secured finance for upfront funding for their projects, provided through the Sustainable Melbourne Fund. Water and energy efficient assessments for small and medium sized enterprises and schools  are also being offered to help identify opportunities to reduce their energy use.
 
Council’s Community Greenhouse Strategy 2013-2030 has been developed to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions within the municipality. Hobsons Bay is a proud member of the Western Greenhouse Alliance, committed to delivering the Low Carbon West strategy to support the growth of this vibrant and diverse region while limiting the increase in greenhouse gas emissions associated with that growth.

One of our Altona businesses is already underway with an EUA, and we look forward to showcasing this business in future communications. For more information on the program, call Council on 9932 1000 or visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Business/Our-Sustainable-Business 
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