welcome to business matters · 2020-01-14 · to assist small businesses understand their tax and...
TRANSCRIPT
Inside this issue
PAGE 2
• Digital Innovation Learning and Strategy Build Week
• The best start for your business
PAGE 3
• New regional tourism website launched
• Plastic bag ban
PAGE 4
• Localised - a new local business networking platform for Greater Bendigo
• Sustainable finance for energy solutions
PAGE 5
• Ready to give your business a Head Start?
• City signs Small Business Friendly Charter
PAGE 6
• Accessible tourism
• Bendigo embraces street art
Edition 3 - Spring 2019
Welcome to Business MattersWelcome to the spring edition of Business Matters - the City of Greater Bendigo’s quarterly newsletter for local businesses.
Highlights of this edition include:
• The launch of a new tourism website and information around accessible tourism
• Information on the upcoming plastic bag ban
• Localised - a new local business networking platform for Greater Bendigo
• The City’s Head Start program to assist youth development
The City has officially signed a Small Business Friendly Charter (a Victorian Small Business Commission Initiative) in a pledge to give more support to small businesses in the region. Read more inside.
We want to hear how we can better support local business. We have extended our survey until Friday December 6. This should take no more than 10 minutes and you will go in the draw to win one of three double passes to Star Cinema. This survey is available through www.surveymonkey.com/r/businessdirections
To provide feedback on Business Matters, we encourage you to email [email protected]
PAGE 7Calendar of events
The City of Greater Bendigo’s place
for news and upcoming events for our region’s local
businesses.
Like to keep in touch with us? Subscribe to this newsletter at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/Business/Business-Publications 1
Digital Innovation Learning and Strategy Build WeekWhether you’re a start-up or an established business, growth – what it means, how to plan for it, and how to realise it – presents an enduring challenge.
To achieve growth in the digital age, emerging and new businesses need to innovate to survive, just as established businesses need to innovate to revitalise and thrive.
Bringing 20 years of digital strategy and business planning experience to the table, Maxsum is excited to contribute to the 2019 LaTrobe Accelerator Program.
Over the five-day program, Maxsum will deliver insights, strategic guidance and practical tools in a workshop-style series of sessions that will empower your start-up or business to understand and leverage:
• The role of mission, vision and culture in a digital world and the four pillars of digital business
• A fresh take on establishing a product development framework
• Business planning 101 – Building a one-page business plan that lives, breathes and works in your business
• Strategic planning 101 – End-game-driven goal setting
• Digital marketing 101 – How to let your ideas loose on the world!
Register: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/digital-innovation-strategy-build-week-tickets-74650598951
Dates: Monday 18 - Friday 22 November 2019
Location: La Trobe University Bendigo Campus, Engineering Building, ET-103
Enquiries: [email protected]
The best start for your businessRepresentatives from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will be visiting Bendigo in November to provide tailored workshops to assist small businesses understand their tax and super obligations.
By providing face-to-face workshops, the ATO is giving small businesses in Bendigo the opportunity to learn and understand what they need to do, why and how, so they can confidently get off to the right start in running their business.
The ATO is offering free workshops on a variety of tax topics for small business including: tax essentials, employer essentials, record keeping and an introduction to Single Touch Payroll.
You must register to attend these sessions. You can find full details of the workshops including how to register at lets-talk.ato.gov.au/sbworkshops
Like to keep in touch with us? Subscribe to this newsletter at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/Business/Business-Publications2
Visitors will have the ease of researching and booking must-see attractions and unique experiences on a new regional tourism website that brings together four central Victorian councils in an initiative to boost tourism across the entire region.
Bendigo Regional Tourism Chair David Leathem said the new website was an ‘umbrella’ platform to link the websites from the City of Greater Bendigo, Mount Alexander, Central Goldfields and Loddon Shire, highlighting the huge number of events and exhibitions at Bendigo Art Gallery and Capital Venues and Events.
“The website will help to build on the Bendigo region’s thriving reputation
for arts, culture, food, nature and heritage experiences making it easier for visitors to plan a trip and to consider including experiences across the smaller townships, villages and hamlets in the region,” Mr Leathem said.
This development will build on the core objective of the Bendigo Regional Tourism Board to grow the visitor economy throughout the Bendigo region, increasing visitor spend and encouraging overnight stays in the many destinations across the four municipalities.
“The Bendigo Loddon Region continues to thrive with almost three million domestic day trippers visiting
in 2018/2019, a 73 per cent growth over the past 10 years. Overnight stays attract one million which is a 69 per cent growth over the past 10 years.”
“The website will draw more people to the region as more visitors prefer to use digital technology to research, plan, book and share their interests in regional Victoria.
“We know that well over half of tourism visitors use smart devices, including mobiles and tablets, to research their proposed visits so the website has been tailored for both desktop and hand-held devices.”
The new tourism website is www.bendigoregion.com.au
Plastic bag banThe Victorian Government will implement a state-wide ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags from November 1, 2019.
The ban applies to all retailers including supermarkets, greengrocers, bakeries, pharmacies, clothes stores, restaurants, cafes, markets, food outlets and many more.
The ban will apply to all lightweight plastic shopping bags which have a thickness of 35 microns or less at any
part of the bag, including degradable, biodegradable and compostable bags.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has engaged the National Retail Association to help retailers transition away from lightweight plastic bags.
You can find more information at www.vicbagban.com.au or by phoning the National Retail Association on 1800 817 723.
New regional tourism website launched
Like to keep in touch with us? Subscribe to this newsletter at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/Business/Business-Publications 3
Sustainable finance for energy solutionsLooking to reduce your businesses energy costs by investing in energy efficiency or renewable energy?
Sustainability Victoria offers a free finance facilitation service to all businesses, property owners, councils and community groups seeking to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy.
The finance facilitation service is open to all Victorian businesses, and will assist you with access to data, information and analysis expertise needed to assist you in developing your Environmental Upgrade Finance business case or accessing other financial products.
The service includes help with cash flow development, provides market intelligence of government subsidy schemes, potential financiers, technology suppliers and regulatory requirements.
Require finance but don’t know where to begin? Sustainability Victoria is here to help navigate your business through the various finance options available for your energy efficiency upgrade or onsite generation project. For an initial discussion please contact Ciaran O’Connor from Sustainability Victoria on 03 8656 6721 or [email protected]
Localised - a new local business networking platform for Greater BendigoOur region is full of amazing businesses, both large and small, but too often people don’t know what’s out there.
Localised is a new platform that connects businesses and helps to grow the local economy.
On Localised, businesses can advertise their products and services, engage with other businesses and get access to a range of local events and professional development opportunities for their staff.
If you have a business, sign up to Localised for FREE and use it to:
• Create a profile and advertise goods and services
• Get recommendations, introductions and quotes from local suppliers
• Access a pipeline of future procurements across the region
• Promote a business event you’re running
• Access a regional calendar of business networking and professional development opportunities.
Register your business details today at centralvic.localised.com.au
Like to keep in touch with us? Subscribe to this newsletter at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/Business/Business-Publications4
Ready to give your business a Head Start?Head Start is a new State Government initiative designed to help your business recruit quality apprentices and trainees with the literacy and numeracy skills you need for your business to succeed.
Head Start aims to fill vacant positions in a number of industries such as engineering, business and community services. This program gives passionate students the opportunity to kick start their career whilst completing their VCE or VCAL.
When students finish school, they will have their VCE or VCAL as well as having finished (or be close to finishing) their training – and your business has a talented recruit, ready to begin permanent work.
Loddon Campaspe Head Start is one of ten school-based clusters across Victoria, targeting an additional 1,700 new apprenticeships and traineeships over the next four years.
Each Head Start cluster of schools and the Head Start team work with employers and training providers to deliver Head Start at the local level.
Depending on your needs as an employer, students attend school some days and work on others. At a minimum, students will undertake paid employment for:
• one day per week in Year 10
• two days per week in Year 11
• three days per week in Year 12
Peter and Tara, the Head Start Coordinators for the Bendigo area, welcome the opportunity to speak to employers who have an interest in school-based trainees or apprentices. They want to support local employers by providing them with the chance to train and mentor work-ready young people to become valued employees within their business.
For more information on Head Start and how you can get involved please contact Peter Tyack on [email protected] or Tara Kirk on [email protected]
City signs Small Business Friendly Charter
The City has officially signed a Small Business Friendly Charter in a pledge to give more support to small businesses in the region.
In an initiative delivered by the Victorian Small Business Commission, Mayor Cr Margaret O’Rourke was joined by Victorian Small Business Commissioner Judy O’Connell and Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards MP to mark the signing of the new charter.
Commitments outlined in the charter include:
• Working with small businesses disrupted by infrastructure projects
• Support the creation of small business networks across Victoria
• Faster permit approvals processes for small business
• Prompt payments to small businesses (within 30 days of issuing an invoice)
• Easy to read, easy to understand information for Victorian small businesses
• Open channels of communication between the Commission and local councils
Like to keep in touch with us? Subscribe to this newsletter at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/Business/Business-Publications 5
Accessible tourismAccessible tourism is a booming market that is estimated to be worth over $10B a year in Australia.
The Inclusive Towns project aims to assist people with disability, carers and families with planning, visiting and exploring the region, by identifying inclusive spaces and places. It also provides businesses with information, links and free resources.
The City’s Inclusive Towns project supports increased access and inclusion within businesses for people with disability. The project has worked with more than 180 businesses in the region.
For the remainder of 2019, the project is working with businesses in the Bendigo city centre and Heathcote to discuss how they can become more inclusive.
The City invites all businesses in the region to click register at www.inclusivetowns.com.au to let customers know which accessibility features their business has. Businesses are encouraged to register if they incorporate any of the following features:
• Accessible entry
• Accessible paths around the site
• Accessible toilet
• Disability parking space nearby
• Pictures on the menu
• Scooter recharge point
• A person with a disability could work here
• An Auslan trained staff person works here
• Autism Friendly space
If you would like more information on access and inclusion or the Inclusive Towns project please contact www.inclusivetowns.com.au or call the City on 5434 6000.
Bendigo’s street art movement is creating vibrant precincts within central Bendigo. The movement is underpinned by a community of talented artists, creators and supporters.
Locations such as Chancery Lane, Bath Lane and more recently Lyttleton Terrace /Mitchell Street are quickly becoming hot spots for visitors wanting to explore and experience Bendigo’s emerging street art culture.
The City’s Coordinator Creative Communities Maree Tonkin said investing in and supporting artists was part of the City’s role.
The City started commissioning street art in 2019 and there is a growing recognition of the transformative potential of street art to change the way a place looks, feels and how people perceive it.
The City’s temporary street art collection features artwork by local and regional artists and includes murals created by some of Australian’s leading street artist such as Be Free, MIKE 11, Baby Guerrilla, Minna Leunig, Daisy Legs, Mysterious Al and Jack Fran.
Above: Mural by Minna Leunig. Commissioned by the City of Greater Bendigo 2019
Bendigo embraces street art
Like to keep in touch with us? Subscribe to this newsletter at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/Business/Business-Publications6
Calendar of eventsThe City of Greater Bendigo is presenting a series of workshops and events to support local business. The following provides a list of opportunities to assist in the expansion of your business or business idea. A full list and an overview of each workshop is available at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/business. Bookings are essential and can be completed through following the links below.
NOVEMBER6th Social Media Marketing 101 –
Greater Bendigowww.eventbrite.com.au/e/social-media-marketing-101-greater-bendigo-tickets-73212469467 Bendigo $55*
11th Tax Essentials for Small Business www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tax-essentials-bendigo-vic-tickets-62423684922 Bendigo Free
11th Single Touch Payroll Reporting www.eventbrite.com.au/e/single-touch-payroll-reporting-bendigo-vic-tickets-62423642796 Bendigo Free
12th Facebook for Small Business Simplified – Greater Bendigo
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/facebook-for-small-business-simplified-greater-bendigo-tickets-73212662043 Bendigo $55*
13thStart-up Victoria and Standard Ledger: 4 Ways to Fund Your Start-up
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/startup-victoria-x-standard-ledger-4-ways-to-fund-your-startup-tickets-75254322705 Melbourne Free
14thLaTrobe University and Bendigo TAFE Mature Student Information Evening
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/mature-student-information-evening-bendigo-tickets-72881046171 Bendigo Free
18th Winning Government Business: What you need to know
www.bendigoregion.com.au/explore-bendigo/cogb-business-events-government#anchor-booking Bendigo $30
18th-22nd Digital Innovation & Strategy Build Week
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/digital-innovation-strategy-build-week-tickets-74650598951 Bendigo Free
19th Digital Marketing Essentials – Greater Bendigo
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/digital-marketing-essentials-greater-bendigo-tickets-73213131447 Bendigo $55*
21st Bendigo’s Start Up Community Meet Up
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/bendigos-start-up-community-meet-up-tickets-76166328539 Bendigo Free
27th Simple Steps to Build a Website – Greater Bendigo
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/simple-steps-to-build-a-website-greater-bendigo-tickets-73213273873 Bendigo $55*
A full list and an overview of each workshop is available at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/business
Are you wanting to start, expand or re-locate your business? Our Business Help Desk can help you.
Call 5434 6000 or email [email protected]
*$55 one off registration fee provides access to all ASBAS workshops
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WANT TO KNOW MORE?
P: (03) 5434 6000E: [email protected]: www.bendigo.vic.gov.au
The City of Greater Bendigo’s place for news and upcoming events for our region’s local businesses.
Like to keep in touch with us? Subscribe to this newsletter at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/Business/Business-Publications