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This Friday iHarvest opens its doors free of charge to non-member start-ups, entrepreneurs and local businesses so they can trial coworking for themselves.

Free one-on-one mentoring sessions with our business mentor specialist Sara Pantaleo are also available.

For more information visit the iHarvest Coworking Sunshine website.  

Date and time: Friday 24 February from 9am until 5pm

Location: Level 4 / 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

Register for Free Coworking / Register for Free Mentoring

Discover new ways to save money and the environment at the Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action Business Support Program Launch.

Hop Nation Brewing Co. Co-Founder Duncan Gibson will step you through the brewery's sustainability journey, while business financing experts from Better Building Finance will be on hand to explain how to finance your own sustainable building upgrade.

So join us for complimentary refreshments and learn about these and other opportunities such as: 

Location: Hop Nation Brewery, 6/107-109 Whitehall St, Footscray

Date: Wednesday 29 March 2023

Time: 5:00 – 7:00pm 

Register here 

Sign our petition calling on the State Government to re-affirm its commitment to transform Sunshine Station as a Super Hub and reconsider its plans for a flyover through Albion.

Council is asking the State Government to adopt a staged-approach to delivering Airport Rail by initially utilising existing tracks to allow time to properly plan for:

  • The redevelopment of Sunshine Station into a regional super hub
  • The reconstruction of Albion Station into a fit-for-purpose public transport interchange that complements and celebrates the heritage value of the Darling Flour Mill
  • The integration of both stations into the surrounding precincts in a way that unlocks development opportunities, most notably within the Albion Quarter
  • The delivery of long-term rail commitments made in the Western Rail Plan, such as the electrification of the Melton and Wyndham rail lines.

Sign the Petition 

Hospital admissions for anaphylaxis have doubled in the past decade and food businesses that don’t have appropriate practices in place to keep customers affected by allergies safe, can be prosecuted in court.  

The State Government Department of Health and Human Services have released 'Allergen and intolerances: Factsheets for food businesses' to help food businesses identify the risks and their obligations to customers.

Supporting materials are provided to assist you to develop and implement a plan for handling and preparing foods to safeguard against allergens. 

The factsheets are also available for download in Arabic, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese. 

For more information contact Council’s Environmental Health Unit on 9249 4000. 

The State Government has extended existing rules for tobacco products to all e-cigarettes. The sale of e-cigarette products containing nicotine remains banned under the Victorian drugs and poisons legislation. E-cigarettes cannot be visible to the public from anywhere inside or outside a retail shop. It is also illegal to sell any e-cigarette product to a person under 18 years of age.  Penalties apply.

Retailer guides can be found on the Department of Health website here.

For enquiries about retailing e-cigarettes contact Council's Environmental Health department on 9249 4000. 



Join us on Thursday 23 February for the first free fun-filled morning of networking for 2023, where you can:

  • Pitch your business in our 20 second lightning pitch
  • Connect and network with other business owners
  • Discover businesses you didn’t know existed in your own backyard!

Time Lord, Les Watson will welcome and introduce local small businesses old and new.

Light refreshments will be served and places are limited - so book NOW!

Register here!

Creating Social Media Content 

Gain practical skills and techniques to create content to turbo charge your social media presence. Learn how to identify interesting topics, create eye-catching imagery, write engaging copy and schedule your socials for maximum impact. 

Date: Tuesday 28 February, 6-8pm - Register here.

From Zero to 100 Canva Skills 

Learn how to create professional looking social media graphics on the Canva graphic design platform.  Learn how Canva works and how to create posts, templates, videos and add photographs. 

Date: Thursday 16 March, 6-8pm - Register here.


Instagram Essentials 

Learn about what works best on Instagram today – and what it takes to use it successfully for your business, including the key elements for success. 

Date: Thursday 30 March, 6-8pm - Register here.

McKay Gardens Community Festival 

Come and have family fun at the sixth annual McKay Gardens Community Festival. Enjoy a host of different games, activities, face painting, free music and entertainment while you enjoy the beautiful and unique historic gardens.

Date:      5 March, 12 noon - 5pm
Where:   HV McKay Memorial Gardens, Anderson Rd Sunshine
Cost:      Free

For more information click here.



Join us for an International Women's Day Breakfast to celebrate women and what embracing equity means in Brimbank.   A jam-packed event with inspirational speakers, entertainment and a delicious breakfast. 

Date:      8 March, 7-9.30am
Where:   Switch, Watergardens 
Cost:      $20

For more information click here.



Get your tickets to this highly popular Melbourne Food and Wine Festival favourite.  Eat Drink Westside shines the light on Western Melbourne's culinary gems and enviable food community with a series of hosted moveable feasts.

Bookings essential - Book here!

For a comprehensive list of events in Brimbank, click here.



Learn new skills to build your business: 

February 

27th - Microbusiness Health Check - Register here
28th - Creating Social Media Content  - Register here

March 
9th - Maximising your marketing - Register here
14th - Generating Cashflow - Register here
16th - From Zero to 100 Canva Skills - Register here
30th - Instagram Essentials - Register here

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

Digital Solutions – Australian Small Business Advisory Services - Make the most of digital tools and get advice specific to your business needs.  For further information click here 

ATO: Support for Small Business Webinar
A series of free interactive online webinars where you can ask experienced tax specialists questions - register here

Headway provides a range of free services for small business including business advice, financial counselling, and mental health and wellbeing support.  

Get your free advice at business.vic.gov.au/Headway

Watch a 30 second video about the Headway initiative here. 







Make sure you’re adhering to the current COVID restrictions

  • All businesses must have an active, up-to-date COVIDSafe Plan.
  • Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au for more information or call Business Victoria on 13 22 15. If you need an interpreter, call the coronavirus  hotline 1800 675 398 and press 0. 
Other COVID Links
  • Current Restrictions for Melbourne, click here
  • Book your free vaccine appointment, click here
  • Where to get tested, click here
  • Vaccination Status Register (workers), click here 
  • Financial Support for Businesses, click here
  • Translated information about COVID-19, click here 
  • In-language updates can be found here
  • Partners in Wellbeing, click here
  • Health and Wellbeing, click here 
  • Coronavirus.gov.au, click here
  • Business Victoria, click here
  • Department of Health and Human Services, click here
Copyright © Brimbank City Council, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 70, Sunshine 3020

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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