Economic Development Team Achievements | 2023-24
Winter in Williamstown - Mayoral Program
As part of the 2024 Mayoral Program, Council hosted Winter in Williamstown. The major event successfully ran from 28 June to 14 July during the winter school holidays and attracted thousands of visitors to Williamstown. The event included ice-skating in the park with over 7,000 tickets sold, a winter lights display and other free entertainment.
Economic Development Strategy 2023-28
In December 2023, the Economic Development Strategy 2023-28 was formally adopted by Council. The EDS is a forward-looking strategy that prioritises creating a positive economic environment for businesses and people who visit, live and work in Hobsons Bay. Councils economic development team will continue work on implementing actions align to this strategy in the current financial year.
Future Framework on Outdoor Trading
The Future Framework on Outdoor Trading was formally adopted by Council following extensive community engagement. The Framework outlines Councils long term strategy to support parklets, extended outdoor trading areas, the Pier Street Outdoor Feature Site and fixed infrastructure. Council officers continue to liaise with businesses with established outdoor trading areas to support them through the next stage of this program.
Hobsons Bay Tourist Bus
The Hobsons Bay Tourist Bus launched successfully with strong community and visitor support. The new service ran every Tuesday and Saturday from January to April 2024 with 534 bookings and an 87% booking rate. The activation was supported through influencer marketing and a segment on Postcards.
Business Precinct Program Grants
$100K was provided to support local trader associations as part of the Business Precinct Program Grants. To find out more about your local trader association please click here.
Business Workshops and Events
Economic development continued to support local businesses during the 2023-24 financial year with the delivery of 23 business workshops and events to over 400 people. Two major business events were also facilitated including the 2023 Business Excellence Awards and 2024 International Women's Day Networking Event with over 331 combined attendees. To find out more about upcoming business workshops, networking and major events, click here.
Experience Hobsons Bay Tourism Strategy Update
Preliminary consultations were undertaken to feed into the update of the 2019 – 2024 Experience Hobsons Bay Tourism Strategy. Community consultations took place in addition to stakeholder meetings with traders and volunteers. Further consultation and analysis will take place during the 2024-25 financial year after the upcoming council elections. For more information about the status of this project, visit the participate webpage here.
Westside Wanderers
Hobsons Bay was showcased via three Westside Wanderers events as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in March 2024. The Newport Wander, Williamstown Wander, and a special event held by Pizza d’Asporto were presented by Eat.Drink.Westside.
Roving Entertainment
A range of roving entertainment to enhance visitation to our local businesses were delivered including live and local performances with a key focus on delivery in our business precincts.
Visitor Economy Community Engagement Program Grant
Economic development successfully completed the Visitor Economy Community Engagement Program Grant facilitated by the State Government. The aim of the program was to help local councils to better engage with community and tourism industry on matters of their local visitor economies. Economic Development worked with a facilitator to conduct preliminary engagement for the Experience Hobsons Bay Tourism Strategy Update.