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October Edition:
- Business Confidence and Training Needs Survey
- Council tenders - current and upcoming
- Information for agribusinesses
- Information for tourism businesses
- COVID-19 update and assistance
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Business Confidence and Training Needs Survey
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East Gippsland Shire Council is seeking feedback from businesses and industry in a Business Confidence and Training Needs Survey designed for Council to better understand the training and development needs of businesses across the region.
Our previously run business and training development program has been inspired by your input and our current survey will help Council plan the 2022 Business Development Program and advocate on behalf of businesses to state and federal government, industry and other agencies about training needs and business confidence.
We value your feedback and appreciate your time to complete the survey (8min).
The survey will close on 28 October 2021.
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Border Brokers - supporting border businesses
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The Victorian Government has set up a team of locally based Border Brokers to work with and support local industries and business manage the challenges caused by restrictions on Victoria’s borders.
The Border Broker team of Elise Erwin RDV and Bruce Weston Ag Vic will support the Cross Border Commissioner’s work to ensure a local understanding of the issues and that these are represented across government.
A dedicated inbox has been established should your business need further information on current border restrictions email borderbroker.gippsland@ecodev.vic.gov.au
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Council tenders - current and upcoming
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Council uses TenderLink to advertise and receive tenders, quotes, expressions of interest and other purchasing requirements.
Current tenders open
- CON2022 1453 WORLD Construction Package 3 – closes 27/10/21 at midday
- CON2022 1459 East Gippsland Gymnastics Centre – closes 27/10/21 at midday
Tenders to be advertised prior to Christmas
- Mirrabooka Drive, Mallacoota - Footpath Installation
- Mallacoota Skatepark
For further details on Council tenders visit Tenders (eastgippsland.vic.gov.au).
New suppliers are encouraged to apply to feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au to prequalify as suppliers.
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East Gippsland Business Awards - update
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Applications closed for the Federation University East Gippsland Business Awards 2021 on the 13 September and judging is now nearly complete. We have received 56 individual business applications with 76 nominations across 11 categories. We are delighted by the applicants enthusiasm for the awards, including entries from Mallacoota to Omeo to Bairnsdale surrounding areas.
Our award finalists will be invited to take part in the Finalists’ Breakfast, now on 11 November. Finalists’ Breakfast will be followed by the final event of the awards, The Winners Presentation, on 25 November. Finalists will be announced 20 October.
To keep up with all the Federation University East Gippsland Business Awards 2021 updates, like and follow the Facebook page, East Gippsland Business Awards.
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East Gippsland Women in Agriculture and Business
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Information for agribusinesses
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Small-Scale and Craft Program
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Stream Three of the Small Scale and Craft Program is now open and focuses on creating unique visitor or ongoing tourism experiences that involve and are directly linked to multiple small-scale and craft agribusinesses.
The program shall help producers to work together to put their high-quality produce on the tourism map. Program closes 19 November 2021. Find out more
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On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme
The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments are offering the On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate to drought affected farm businesses in East Gippsland and Wellington Local Government Areas. The rebate can be used to invest in on-farm water infrastructure that addresses the needs of grazing livestock or assists in maintaining existing permanent horticultural plantings.
The availability of rebates is subject to funds being available. Find out more
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Supporting the next generation of farmers
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The Young Farmer and New Entrant Mentoring Program provides eight young farmers and new entrants in the Ag sector the opportunity to be a paired with an experienced farmer or ‘mentor’ to assist. The 12-month program is open to farmers aged 18 to 35 years to develop the skills they need to better manage their farm businesses, identify risks and develop strategies to build resilience and achieve their business goals. Find out more
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RFCS Gippsland, Agriculture Victoria and Centrelink are offering a free information session, helping primary producers understand options and available support to prepare for the future.
10.30am - 12.30pm Lunch provided.
16 November - Orbost
17 November - Bairnsdale
18 November - Omeo
Register your interest
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Information for tourism businesses
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East Gippsland Nature-based tourism forum #4 (virtual)
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Registrations are now open for the fourth nature-based tourism forum which will be held online on Tuesday, 30 November at 3.00pm.
If you are a tourism business in East Gippsland with a strong interest in nature-based tourism and would like to connect with fellow operators, this 2hr webinar will inspire and inform you. We look forward to welcoming you to an online forum to hear updates from some of key tourism projects for East Gippsland.
Register your interest and join the conversation
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Recovery Tourism Marketing Toolkit
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As restrictions begin to ease, Destination Gippsland has created a Marketing Toolkit to assist your business in creating a recovery marketing plan, content planning, social media and PR, business events and crisis management. Download the Marketing Toolkit.
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Dealing with difficult customers and guests
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With COVID-19 protocols sometimes causing confusion and frustration for visitors, the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has developed tools to help these difficult interactions.
The Industry Support Hub provides an extensive range of support resources to help businesses. Watch the video how to Managing Difficult Conversations with Customers (5mins).
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COVID-19 update and assistance
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Regional Victoria Roadmap
The Roadmap out of COVID-19 released by the Victorian Government includes important information around current rules for Regional Victoria and the milestones and dates when restrictions change, so businesses can plan accordingly. Read the Regional Victoria Roadmap
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Vaccination requirements for industry and workers
New COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions, came into effect on 7 October.
From 15 October, to work onsite at a work premises, workers must be able to provide evidence to their employer that they have either:
- received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, or
- have a booking to receive a first dose by 22 October, or
- have a medical exemption from an authorised medical practitioner.
From 26 November, to attend work, workers will also be required to provide evidence to their employer that they have received a second dose - unless they have a medical exemption.
The new Directions apply to employers of select workers, including contractors, volunteers and students on placement. Find the full list of workers here.
Please visit the Coronavirus website for more information for industry and workers.
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Vaccinated Economy Trials start in regional Victoria
The first stage of the Vaccinated Economy Trials started from Monday 11 October, at regional venues across Victoria. Fourteen venues and events in East Gippsland Shire and five other local government areas will operate with higher capacity and density limits under the 70 per cent double dose settings.
The trials will allow real-world testing of the vaccine certification technology and confirm the best processes for establishing vaccination status. They will also help fine-tune training for staff, support for business owners and public communication of vaccine requirements.
Victorians can add their COVID-19 digital certificate to the Service Victoria app through MyGov or the Express Medicare Plus App.
For more information, please visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccinated-economy-trials
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Supporting Victorian Businesses through to reopening
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Business Costs Assistance Program
Further funding will provide for automatic payments to recipients of the Business Costs Assistance Program across October and into the first half of November. Businesses will be eligible to receive two fortnightly payments in Phase A of Victoria’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan.
Businesses that remain closed or severely restricted between 70% and 80% double dose will receive an automatic payment for the Phase B period. Find further details on Phase A and Phase B.
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Hospitality Venue Fund 2021
Licensed hospitality businesses that have previously received grants under the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund or July Extension programs will receive further automatic payments in October.
Small Business COVID Hardship Fund - extended
The new allocation of funds will see 65,000 businesses supported with one-off grants of $20,000. The Fund has been designed to support businesses that have suffered significant losses due to the pandemic.
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Updated information about all business support programs is available at business.vic.gov.au.
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Wellbeing and mental health support
Mental health support for Victorian small business owners include:
Partners in Wellbeing provides business owners access to financial counsellors and business advisors.
Telehealth services are available if you or your employees need additional mental health support.
Beyond Blue has tips to help you run your business and information on managing your mental health.
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You can get in touch with the Economic Development Team by phoning 5153 9500 or via email.
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