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Welcome to Business Connect, a regular e-newsletter produced by East Gippsland Shire Council to update the regions business community with business and economic development news. For further information about what we do, see the Shire’s website here, or if you would like to make an appointment with an Economic Development Officer phone: 03 5153 9500 or email.
SPRING 2018 ISSUE
East Gippsland Business & Industry Survey
 
Help us to better understand issues affecting business and industry in East Gippsland by completing this survey.

Data collected will help us to better support business operators, industry and economic growth in the region.

Economic Development
Economic Development Strategy 2019-2022

A Request for Quotation (RFQ) was recently advertised calling for quotations to develop the 2019-2022 East Gippsland Shire Council Economic Development Strategy in line with the Council Plan.
The closing date for the RFQ is Monday 1 October, the Strategy is anticipated to be completed early in 2019.

For further information please contact John Morton, Manager Economic Development on 03 5153 9500 or email

Business Support
Business Incubator
Council continues to work with Gippsland East Local Learning Employment Network to drive the establishment of a Business Incubator in East Gippsland. The project is gaining momentum with planning for facility changes and program establishment at The Hub in Bairnsdale occurring. Economic Development staff are also in contact with the Federal Government, seeking support through a grant for training and leadership.
 
2018 Business Training Workshops & Events
Council facilitated three business information and workshops recently.

The Business Connect Information Breakfast was held in July, the information session introduced participants to Gippsland’s new business register that seeks to keep product and service purchasing, local.
You can find more information and register here.
Business Breakfast
Adapt for the Competitive Edge

Council recently hosted a business breakfast as part of the Victorian Government’s Small Business Festival. Guest speaker, Gus Balbontin is the former Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer of Lonely Planet. 

The investor, advisor and dynamic speaker impressed guests with his knowledge and powerful concepts of adapting to change in a business environment, Gus addresses the question; "How do we survive in a changing environment". Hear Gus on YouTube 
 
Pictured is East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Cr. Joe Rettino and guest speaker Gus Balbontin at the recent business breakfast held at the Main Hotel in Bairnsdale.
Representing Council is Kiah Cashman, Manager Administration Services, Fiona Weigall, Director Operations with local contractors Glyn Baker and Phil Birnie at theTradies Forum.
Tradies Forum
Winning Government Business
 
More than 50 local contractors and business operators attended the East Gippsland Shire Council’s first procurement and tendering workshop, the ‘Tradies Forum - Winning Government Business’ held at the Bairnsdale RSL on 10 September.

The forum, designed to assist local small businesses to understand Council’s procurement and tendering processes, was well received. Council encourages local contractors and businesses to tender for works and services and to register with Council as a preferred supplier.

If you require assistance with the process, contact Councils Procurement Team on (03) 5153 9500.

Pictured representing Council is Kiah Cashman, Manager Administration Services, Fiona Weigall, Director Operations with local contractors Glyn Baker and Phil Birnie at theTradies Forum.
 
Up-coming Workshops
Information detailing the 2018 business training and workshops on offer can be viewed on Council’s Workshop & Training Calendar.
Invitation: Refrigeration Efficiency Masterclass
Local businesses across East Gippsland are invited to attend a free Refrigeration Efficiency Masterclass from 9.30am to 1pm on Thursday 25 October 2018 in Bairnsdale.

It is estimated there are over 65,000 walk-in cool rooms in Victoria, potentially wasting up to 25% energy.
The masterclass will offer businesses practical and cost-effective ideas on how their business can achieve energy efficient and reliable operation of their refrigeration equipment. 

Refrigeration expert Michael Bellstedt of Minus 40 Engineers will draw on his experience.  It will benefit businesses or organisations that own, operate or maintain walk-in cool rooms and provide practical real-world examples including:
  •  How to reduce energy costs
  •  Tips for working with your refrigeration contractor
  •  What to consider when upgrading
Register to attend the free Refrigeration Efficiency Masterclass on Thursday 25 October 2018 from 9.30am – 1pm at The Hub, 27 Dalmahoy Street in Bairnsdale.
 
Further information: Rebecca Lamble, Sustainability Officer, East Gippsland Shire Ph (03) 5153 9500
Webinars:                                  
Victorian Tourism Industry Training Webinars
 
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
 
Australian Taxation Office
 

Business Bulletins
Australian Taxation Office here 


Small Business
Mentoring Service
 
Operated by Small Business Victoria, the Small Business Bus visits Melbourne and regional Victoria as a 'travelling office on wheels'. It offers friendly, professional assistance from an information officer and specialist advice from an experienced business mentor from the Small Business Mentoring.

Find more details about eligibility criteria and how a mentor can help you on the Small Business Bus program page.

Business Funding
Grants & Assistance
Looking for grants or assistance to start or run your business? While the government generally doesn’t offer funding to start a business, there may be other forms of assistance available to help you.

Search on the Business.gov.au website or the Regional Development Victoria website.
Announcement of Agri-food Business Funding
Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development, Jaala Pulford recently announced $190,000 for the East Gippsland Food Cluster towards Gippsland Industry Projects and Pathways for Youth in the Agri-food sector.
Find out more here
Boost Your Business Voucher program
The Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport & Resources (DEDJTR) has established Boost Your Business Vouchers to support Victorian businesses to become more productive, employ more people, improve market access and in general, increase their scale, diversity and profitability.
Farming Together
A resource for primary producers to help you value-add, build marketplace strength and boost returns.

What we’re about
Lifting on-farm profitability (at the farm gate and into the supply chain) by providing expert support and financial assistance to collaborative groups and cooperatives.
 
The Australian Government has invested $14,934,000 (including GST) into Farming Together, the two-year Farm Co-operatives and Collaboration Pilot Program.
 
For further information see the Farming Together website.
Future Industries Manufacturing Program
The Future Industries Manufacturing Program offers funding of up to $500,000 to Victorian-­based companies to implement new manufacturing technologies and processes, providing a critical foundation for growth.
 
For more information go to the Business Victoria website./
Agriculture Energy Investment Program

Agriculture Victoria is rolling out the first action in the Victorian Government's $30 million Agriculture Energy Investment Plan: free on-farm energy assessments.

The on-farm energy assessments will analyse on-farm energy use (electricity, gas and diesel) and identify opportunities to make energy savings; improve output volumes per energy unit; and convert to renewable energy sources. 

The assessments will make recommendations tailored to the type and size of farms.

The on-farm energy assessments will be conducted by registered independent experts to the national standard (AS/NZS 3598.2:2014). Type One and Type Two energy assessments will be available depending on on-farm energy expenditure.

For more information, case studies and to apply, see the Agriculture Victoria website. 
Search Grants

Commercial Enterprise
Livestock Exchange.
The Bairnsdale Livestock Exchange has fully commissioned the scanning processes of sheep sales at the facility to come in line with NLIS Sheep and Goats lifetime traceability legislation introduced in Victoria in March 2018.
 
Currently to meet legislation the Exchange scans lambs with hand scanning wands, however trials have taken place with lane scanning equipment whereby the animals run through a fixed scanner post-sale.
 
All equipment is purchased as part of a $74,000 grant from the Department of Economic Development Jobs and Transport.
East Gippsland Shire Caravan Parks

A new booking system, Newbooks was implemented across all Council managed parks in August. The system will provide a safer and more secure database as well as a more interactive booking experience for guests including SMS confirmations, interactive maps online and future online booking processes.
Marinas
A Marina Marketing Strategy has been created for Councils Marinas. This strategy will provide clear direction on marketing the marinas through new branding, social media avenues, marketing campaigns and media releases. 
 
Love East Gippsland

Local Industry Association
East Gippsland Food Cluster.
It’s been a busy time for the EGFC. There are several initiatives which are coming together and present significant opportunities for supporting collaboration and innovation across Gippsland's agrifood sector.

Opportunities include the recent signing of the 3 year agreement with Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL), the work the cluster and Agribusiness Gippsland are undertaking with the Latrobe Valley Authority, and the completion of a recent growth plan for 'eastern Gippsland'.
 
The 'growth plan' identifies opportunities that require a collaborative effort. These include-:
  • New market and value chain opportunities:
  1. Downstream supply chain opportunities in the craft brewing industry;
  2. Developing East Gippsland’s sea-urchin industry;
  3. Developing a wild deer meat industry in eastern Gippsland;
  4. Seasonal worker accommodation;
  5. New horticultural opportunities to align with a regional processing hub (as per above).
         Opportunities to nurture and support growth
  • Sustaining a focus on new opportunities and investment attraction;
  • Aggregation and collaborative on-line trading/marketing platforms;
  • Brand, provenance, and traceability;
  • Workforce solutions and capacity building. 
Stakeholders with interests in items 1-3 can contact the EGFC if they would like to access 'discussion papers'.

As part of the growth plan, work is already underway in partnership with EGMI to further develop the ‘East Gippsland Produce – naturally good’ brand and deliver a series of events designed to raise the profile of east Gippsland produce.

The EGFC is also working through a process with Agribusiness Gippsland to form a single unified entity to facilitate new business relationships and stronger partnerships between industry government, researchers and the community to support the sustainable growth of Gippsland’s important agrifood sector. This work includes identifying how broad regional needs can be addressed alongside more localized ones.

See East Gippsland Food Cluster website here.

Infrastructure Projects
Omeo MTB
After a successful grant application to the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund for $1.5M, Council is working with key partners in the planning and development stage before commencing works to deliver the Mountain Bike.
Council has also made application for funds to State Government for Tourism Infrastructure Funding for this project.
Discovery Trail Link -Track Planning
Staffare undertaking detailed planning of the proposed discovery trail linkage project, this project links the Discovery Trail at Scriveners Road, to Lakes Entrance, along Colquhoun Road.

Tourism
Tourism Opportunities from Recreational Fishing
After a successful grant application to Regional Development Victoria, this project will research new tourism opportunities in recreational fishing. The report will identify all opportunities and document strategies for the region.

The project will also focus specifically on new markets, Off Shore and Crab Fishing, activities that have increased organically in recent years. A consultant has been selected for the project and will be delivering the project over the coming months.
 
The project is anticipated to cost $50k, $35k contributed through Regional Development Victoria and the remaining $15k contributed through Council, East Gippsland Marketing and Destination Gippsland.
Rail Trail Strategic Business Case
Council has been successful in a $15k grant application to RDV. The Project will undertake a Strategic Business Case for the East Gippsland Rail Trail.  The study will consult with all stakeholders, and undertake a review of the current viability, users, and management structure of the Rail Trail. The final report will include recommendations for the future of the trail. A consultant has been selected and will be delivering the project over the coming months.
 
The project is a joint initiative between Regional Development Victoria, East Gippsland Shire Council, DELWP, and the Rail Trail Committee of management.  The RDV grant will be put together with funding commitment from the stakeholders above for the delivery of the development of a business case for the trail.
 
Council staff have provided significant support to the Rail Trail Committee to develop a successful application to Regional Development Victoria for funding for the implementation of new signage. During 2017, Council undertook a full review of signage on the trail and developed a plan for future signage. We initiated this current funding application to RDV to implement the Plan, providing our funding to attract and leverage RDV support.
Visitor Information Centre Changes
Information Centre’s trialed shorter hours over the winter months which has proved successful – normal hours will resume during September school holidays and remain until around April.
 
We intend to use the savings on wages to use for extra staffing hours over peak periods, manning the Pop-up Visitor Centre van and additional resources at Outreach Visitors Centre’s.
Destination Gippsland

Regional Events                                        Website: Visit East Gippsland
Snowy River Sprint
23 - 24 September

The AASA Australian Tarmac Rally Championship, will bring Tarmac Rally teams from across the country to the stunning East Gippsland country roads in Buchan and Orbost attracting over 150 visitors to the region.
 
The event offers three levels of driving for modern, classic and showroom-spec cars: one for fully licensed rally drivers, competing against the clock in vehicles which meet full tarmac rally specifications.

See Snowy River Sprint details here.
2018 Motorcycling Australian Off-road Championship and Victorian Off-road Championships
Motorcycling Australia Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship to be held in Omeo on the 6 & 7 October. The event is expected to attract 270 competitors and officials. For further information see the website Australian Off-Road Championship
2018 Cycling Australia Masters Road National Championships
From 18-21 October 2018, the second largest National Championship is expected to attract more than 800 entries from across Australia. Presented by Cycling Victoria, on behalf of Cycling Australia, the Masters continues East Gippsland Shire’s strong history in delivering quality cycling events including the extremely popular Tour of East Gippsland.

East Gippsland is one of several regions within the state where facilities meet the minimum standard, and where there is suitable capacity within the local club to assist with running such an event.  Entries for the individual time trial, criterium, and road races are now open, see Cycling Australia's website.
Barry Sheene Tribute Ride
Riders from across Australia head to Phillip Island each year for the Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.  As part of the event, Bairnsdale hosts the annual Barry Sheene Tribute Ride.
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation in consultation with the Sheene family developed the concept of honouring Barry with a Tribute Ride from Bairnsdale to the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
 
For those purely interested in seeing the bikes and the spectacle of hundreds of bikes departing with a police escort, the riders will leave the Service Street Bairnsdale staging area at 8.30 am on Thursday, October 25.

To register see the MotoGP website.
Centenary Golf Tournament(T100)
Bairnsdale Golf Club are presenting seven days of amateur competition for members and visitors. The event is expected to attract over 700 participants to the region from 29 October - 4 November.

To register see find the entry form here.
FGA National Carnival 2018
Bairnsdale Field & Game Association will host the Field and Game National Carnival in Bairnsdale on the 2 -4 November. The event is a national clay target championship that will see close to 750 competitors from across Australia compete at Bairnsdale Field & Game club grounds over 3 days of competition.

More Information or to register.
East Gippsland Gallop Hop
East Gippsland Historical Automobile Club Inc. based in Bairnsdale and established in 1972 will invite people and their vintage and classic cars from across Victoria and interstate to gather in Bairnsdale. This, the 7th running of a 3-year tri-club rally will run over the Melbourne Cup weekend from the 2 -6 November   The Rally attracts over 200 participants and visitors to the region.

Register here.
Bairnsdale Show
The 139th Annual Bairnsdale Show is on again Saturday 10 November. The main show and muster will commence from 9am – 4pm.
 
This year show organisers are adding a new element to the show the Country Music Festival from 6.30 – 11.30pm The music festival aims to attract audiences from around Victoria and Australia with quality country music performers on the program. Organisers for the event hope that this new addition will consolidate and grow the Bairnsdale Show as a major event for East Gippsland.

More information here.
Events Funding

Regional and District Events Grants (RADES)
The second round of RADES funding for 2018-19 opens on 9 January 2019 and closes Wednesday 6 March.

Up to $100,000 per year (over two funding rounds) is allocated.

Information regarding the funding program and other event information can be found on Council’s Events page.

RADES funding has a focus on economic benefit to East Gippsland, and the audience will include visitors from around Victoria, interstate and internationally.

For further information, contact Councils Economic Development Events Officer, Jeanette Seignior on (03) 5153 9500 or email.
 
Significant Sporting Events Program
The Significant Sporting Events Program provides funding to support local event organisers, sporting associations, sporting venues, and local councils to deliver sporting events that are nationally or internationally focused, or have regional significance and are recognised by a relevant sporting body.
 
For further information, or to apply for funding, please go to Sports Vic website.

Council Updates for Your Place
Place Connect are quarterly updates from East Gippsland Shire Council on projects and programs planned for your place.
Visit your community page on our website www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/YourPlace and subscribe to receive updates by email. If you prefer to read our newsletters in hard copy, we have copies available at your local Council Customer Service Centre.

Tenders

East Gippsland Shire Council's publicly advertised tenders can be downloaded through our eTender portal which can be accessed here. 
Handy Business Links

AusIndustry

East Gippsland Statistics

Small Business Victoria

Sustainability Victoria

Agribusiness Gippsland
Where can I go for 

Information on Australian Government business requirements? 

Contacts for my local business association or industry body?        
                  
Victorian Employer’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry(VECCI).

Have Your say on Council Projects an easy and convenient way to share your ideas about projects or services that are provided by Council for the community.

Tips and Facts

For advice on how to prepare an emergency contingency plan for business:  Business Victoria has useful information.
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East Gippsland Shire
PO Box 1618
BAIRNSDALE  VIC 3875

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