Last Chance to Register!
Victoria State of Emergency Extended
Get Back on Your Feet Program: How to Regroup and Build Resilience
Upskill My Business Platform
Beauty and Personal Care Guidelines (COVID-19)
GOV4U - Update for Business
Business Development Program
IGNITE Food Passions Program
Think.Shop.Buy Local - List Your Business

Brimbank.Localised - Networking Webinar
Friday 5 June 2020, 9.30-10.30am

Last Chance to Register! Join us at the online launch of Brimbank.Localised! It's a great way to learn about the Localised initiative and hear from a range of businesses and organisations within Brimbank. This business focused event is an easy and effective way to introduce yourself, your business and your expertise with a lightening pitch (only 20 seconds!).

Webinar 'Door' Prize: All webinar attendees, who have their business listed on Brimbank.Localised will be in the draw for a 'door' prize from Evan Sycamnias at Pixelife Studio - Photography and Videography (located in Deer Park) who has very kindly offered a 2 Hour Social Media or Media Package valued at $500 - register here

The State Government has announced that the State of Emergency in Victoria will be extended for another three weeks to slow the spread of coronavirus and keep people safe as restrictions are cautiously eased across the state.

The State of Emergency will be extended until 11.59pm on 21 June 2020.

This extension means the continuation of enforcement in regard to strict physical distancing requirements, as well as other directions from the Chief Health Officer relating to businesses, working from home, mass gatherings and recreational activities.

Police have strong powers to enforce directions and can issue on the spot fines, including up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses. People who don’t comply could also be taken to court and receive a fine of up to $20,000. Companies face fines of up to $100,000.

You can find the latest information on restrictions on the DHHS website

The Get Back on Your Feet program will equip you with the tools to build resilience so that you can navigate a new way of doing business and life.

After major disruption to our business and personal life, we need to define a new way of living and working. This 4-week program is based in Positive Psychology. It provides the tools, support and accountability you need to get back on your feet by regrouping, redefining normal, becoming more resourceful and making rational decisions and plans.

The program will be delivered over 4 weeks and topics include:

Week 1, 16 July 2020: Regroup
Regaining composure and prioritising self-care. We’ll focus on these foundational pillars of resilience by reflecting on lessons learned through the chaos and create routines that will bolster health and wellbeing e.g. reducing overwhelm, creating positivity.

Week 2, 23 July 2020: Redefining Normal
Redefine personal and business visions and identify opportunities, drawing on strengths and lessons.

Week 3, 30 July 2020: Resourcefulness
Improve your capacity to step into your business (and life) through connection, collaboration, support and/or resources you need to get back on your feet and back into business.

Week 4, 6 August 2020: Rational decisions and plans
Focus on making rational decisions and creating innovative plans and lifestyle goals as you navigate a new way of living and working.

Participants who complete the 4 week program will receive a 60 minute coaching session with a health and wellness coach.

Register here

The Victorian Government has launched the Upskill My Business platform in partnership with key industry groups and education providers, as part of the $1.7 billion Economic Survival Package supporting Victorian businesses and workers through the impacts of the coronavirus crisis.

Online programs, short courses and events on the Upskill My Business platform cover topics ranging from business innovation and staff development to export preparation will be presented in partnership with Deakin University, La Trobe University, RMIT, VCCI and Fair Work Australia.

Small Business Victoria's Digital Opportunities Roadshow, Small Business Workshops, Mentoring Program and Small Business Bus have transitioned to online delivery. More information can be found on the Business Victoria website.

Businesses can find out if there is a program to assist them and their workers at the Upskill My Business website, or by calling the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

Resuming Service from 1 June

These guidelines assist businesses to prepare to safely resume operations in accordance with the easing of restrictions and build confidence in the community that their health and safety is being protected.
Beauty and personal care businesses need to:

- create a plan for their business that takes into account these guidelines as well as guidance from WorkSafe Victoria, and the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009 which set out the requirements for premises registered under the Act;
- deep clean the premises before reopening and establish ongoing processes and schedules for cleaning that maintains good hygiene at the business;
- set up operations to ensure physical distancing requirements of one person per four square metres are met and ensure clients remain 1.5 metres apart;
- display hygiene, physical distancing and wayfinding signage to emphasise to staff and clients the expectation on all of us to stay safe;
- communicate with, and provide information for, staff on safety and hygiene practices to ensure they understand and can fulfil their duties and responsibilities;
- have a response plan in place ready for the possibility of a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) of staff or client at the business;
- maintain a contact register of all visitors to the premises (first name, telephone number, date and time of visit) including clients, suppliers, maintenance workers to support contact tracing and store it securely on-site for at least 28 days after the visit

Download the re-opening guidelines, checklists for business owners and managers, fact sheets and signage resources here

Council's Economic Development Unit hosted a GOV4U Update for Business webinar on the 28 May with representatives from AusIndustry, the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Small Business Victoria, and Council's in Melbourne's west. Attendees were provided with an update on support and grants available to business.

You can view the presentations by clicking on the links below:

AusIndustry Update
Australian Government support for SMEs financially affected by COVID-19
Department of Education Skills and Employment Update
Small Business Victoria Update

For further information, please contact ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Pitch Perfect! - register here
Legal Essentials for Start-ups and Small Business - register here
DIY Public Relations for Entrepreneurs - register here
Managing the demands of running a Business - register here
Getting Social #1: Start up Smart and Strategic - register here
Getting Social #2: Making the most of Instagram & Facebook - register here
Getting Social #3: Facebook Advertising Essentials - register here
Getting Social #4: Creating great content - register here
Getting Social #5: Getting Stuff Done! - register here

COVID-19 Tenancy Assistance - Brimbank Business Association
Hear from Ferraro & Co Lawyers and Biggin and Scott Real Estate about assistance for commercial and residential tenancies - register here

Small Business Victoria
A series of webinars to improve chances of business success - for further information click here

Key Business Advisors: Survive and Thrive
A series of webinars to get you through challenging times - for further information click here

ATO: Support for Small Business Webinar
A wide range of interactive online webinar seminars presented by experienced tax officers, you can ask questions to help you apply the information to your situation - register here

Melbourne Innovation Centre: Business Resilience Program
- Business Resilience Mentoring Webinar with 4 hours of free mentoring
- A range of Business Resilience Workshops

Do you have a passion for food?

Delivered by The Business of Food, the purpose of the IGNITE Food Passions program is to provide ideas and information to get your food business venture started, and is designed for food entrepreneurs who are looking to build on an idea and grown their business.

Interactive sessions cover business operations and food regulations. You'll also have an opportunity to share your journey.

The Program runs will be delivered online via Zoom over 5 weeks every Tuesday commencing 14 July 2020. Applications are now open!

Click here for further information and application details (applications close 21 June 2020).

The Think. Shop. Buy Local Alpaca map aims to make it even easier for locals to find out who is open, and to support and stay connected to their local business community.

All businesses in Brimbank are welcome to have their business listed on the Think. Shop. Buy Local map - and if you're offering take-away, delivery, online shopping, online fitness classes or virtual services during COVID-19 it's even more important to let locals know.

Explore the Think. Shop. Buy Local map

Find out more about the Think. Shop. Buy Local program, and if you’d like to have your business listed, contact the Economic Development Team.

Have you responded to the Business Impact Survey?

We'd really like to hear from you to gain an understanding of how COVID-19 (coronavirus) is impacting your business. Your input will be used to inform action and advocacy for assistance, and inform government on short and long-term recovery priorities. This survey is mainly multiple choice and will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Complete the Business Impact Survey here

Join AusIndustry every Tuesday at 1pm for a series of 30 Minute online presentations featuring a range of programs, services and opportunities for your business.

ICN Gateway (Tues 9 June, 1-1.30pm)
Would you like to strengthen your supply chains and connect with projects seeking your products and services?

Building Business Resilience (Tues 16 June, 1-1.30pm)
Resilience: the ability of people or things to recover quickly after something unpleasant.

Click on the chat title to register.

Council’s Community Support Response (Financial Hardship and Resources) is centered on the development and implementation of Council’s new COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy, and the Rates, Charges and Fee Review which seeks to assist local businesses, residents and other affected ratepayers.

For more information on Council’s Community Support Response as part of the Coronavirus Response & Recovery Strategy please click here.

Council’s Business Support and Assistance website page provides information, support and resources for businesses affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis. Find out about:

Brimbank Business e-Bulletins (previous editions)
Council's Business Support
Victorian Government Business
Victorian Government Economic Survival Package
Australian Government Business
Australian Government Stimulus Package - Business
Australian Government - JobKeeper Payment for Employers and Employees
AusIndustry Contact Centre
Australian Taxation Officer (ATO)
Victorian Chamber of Commerce Industry (VCCI)
Working for Victoria Fund - Support for Displaced Workers
Small Business Mentoring Service (SMBS)
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

For more information and contact details for the Economic Development team, click here

Are you doing something different in your business during the COVID-19 crisis? Let us know, we are looking for good news stories to share about business innovation and changes made to allow your business to continue running during the current crisis. Email us at ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Are you a local business looking for new staff and want to employ local?

There's no cost to join the Joblink community or to post your employment opportunities. You’ll also receive promotion for your business on the JobLink Facebook Page.

Check out Brimbank Joblink for more information and be sure to LIKE us on Facebook.

For further information about this newsletter please contact the Economic Development Unit on 9249 4000 or email ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au

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