Support for business

Council has a number of initiatives to support local businesses, led by the Economic Development Department including the City of Whittlesea Business Network, Business Concierge free mentoring sessions and the It’s All Here Campaign.

Council support for business

Business support service

Council’s Business Engagement Officer can help connect businesses with a variety of support available from Local, State and Federal Government and across industry. Call 9217 2170 or email business@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Mentoring

Free Monthly Business Mentoring

Are you thinking of starting a new business, already involved in an established business or simply want to take the next big step?

The City of Whittlesea in conjunction with Small Business Mentoring Service is offering FREE business mentoring sessions to support businesses situated within the City of Whittlesea.

Business mentors can assist with:

Insightful advice on how to work on your business
Enhance your marketing and business planning skills
Help setting objectives and direction
Moral and Mental Health support
Help you to boost sales and profits
Bring fresh perspectives and ideas to identify new opportunities
Help you to link into other organisations
Assist you in addressing time management

Small Business Mentoring sessions provide one on one general business information and can assist you in the steps you need to take to overcome an issue or information gap. Appointments can be carried out over the phone, online or in person as required.

If all sessions are filled please contact the team at business@whittlesea.vic.gov.au to discuss further options.

To book your slot, visit SBMS Upcoming Events.

Webinars

If you missed our recent webinar series, or would like to learn more about gaining new skills or thinking for your business, you can view all the recordings on Council's YouTube channel. Recorded webinars have covered topics such as; online networking, managing cashflow, mental health, business planning, negotiating rent relief, running a home-based business, applying for grants, moving your business online, business continuity and risk planning.

Watch a Visual Marketing webinar online.

City of Whittlesea Business Advisory Panel

The City of Whittlesea Business Advisory Panel is comprised of up to 19 members inclusive of local business industry professionals, City of Whittlesea Administrators and Council staff.

Guided by the terms of refence, the Business Advisory Panel meets five times per annum and work together with in delivering the key objectives and advocacy for a Strong Local Economy (one of the four overarching objectives in Council’s 2040 Plan). The Plan, endorsed in 2020, outlines the need for the City of Whittlesea to be home to successful, innovative local businesses, who offer employment and education for our community.

Expressions of interest (EOI) for the Business Advisory Panel are now open and will close on Wednesday 10 April. Please download the EOI form and return it to the Manager Economic Development – City of Whittlesea at business@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Complete EOI

Terms of Reference

Retail Business Support and Information brochure

The City of Whittlesea values the many retail businesses operating across the municipality and has a dedicated Retail Activity Centre Officer to provide free business support and assistance. Read or download our information brochure that outlines all support available.

Privacy Statement

The City of Whittlesea may collect your personal information (PI) to provide you, or a representative of a business located in the municipality, access to economic development information and programs.

We may use your PI to contact you to advise you about programs and initiatives and discuss economic development opportunities. We may also conduct analysis of our database to inform our program and activity development. We will not disclose your PI unless you consent to the disclosure or where we are required to by law.

To access any PI we hold about you or to change your privacy preferences, contact us at business@whittlesea.vic.gov.au. You can also view our full Privacy & Data Protection Policy

Find out more

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