Business Newsletter - Issue 2, 2013 - City of Monash

FACILITATING THE MONASH DIFFERENCE
FOCUS
Business Newsletter Volume 2, 2013
$4.75 million grant awarded for Business Centre
Monash Council welcomes with delight the Australian Government’s announcement of
$4.75 million in funding to create the Eastern Innovation Business Centre in Mulgrave.
The centre will provide crucial support
facilities for start-up small businesses with
tenancies for 27 businesses, ‘hot desks’ for an
additional 30 businesses, and an open space
area for training, workshops and exhibitions.
Monash Mayor Micaela Drieberg said the hightech
centre would be a vital component in the
future economic prosperity of the region.
CITY OF
MONASH
“If we are to compete in a global economy,
we need to support small businesses in their
early days when they face many challenges,”
Cr Drieberg said.
IN THIS ISSUE
City of Monash proudly presents
3
Economic
Development
Strategy
5
Monash
Pride Crew
NAID C 7
“This centre will give businesses a helping
hand as it will be a place where they can
receive professional advice, and share
resources and knowledge.” (continued P2)
A Celebration of Indigenous
NAIDOC
Culture
ww

Mayor’s Column
Welcome to the winter
edition of our newsletter for
local businesses. I hope your
business is riding the ups
and downs of the economy
well and that as you look
around, there is plenty for
you to be optimistic about.
For those of you who own
property in Monash, you
will have recently received
your rates notice in the
mail. Council continues to
make a big effort to keep
Monash’s rates as low as
possible. The result of this
is that Monash continues to
have the lowest average rates
of all Melbourne Councils
(as demonstrated in a recent
Municipal Association of
Victoria survey). We hope
this contributes towards you
thinking that Monash is a
great place to do business.
In keeping with the good
news theme, we were
delighted in June when the
Australian Government
announced they will grant
Council $4.75 million to
create the new Eastern
Innovation Business Centre
in Mulgrave. As you will see
elsewhere in this newsletter,
the centre will provide
vital support to start-up
businesses. It is expected to
create 100 additional jobs in
its first 16 months. We are
also grateful for the ideas
and assistance we received
from the local business
community in developing
a new Economic
Development Strategy for
Monash. The strategy
was adopted in May and
you should start noticing
some new initiatives rolling
out from it shortly.
Unfortunately, we have
also had some very
sad news since our last
newsletter, with longstanding
Councillor Tom
Morrissey passing away in
May. Many of you will have
known Tom personally as he
was a champion for small
business throughout his two
decades on Council. We are
really sorry to have lost Cr
Morrissey, as his dedication
to community service (and
his sense of humour) was
second to none. At the same
time, we warmly welcome
Cr Rebecca Paterson who
has been elected to Council
to fill the vacancy created
by Cr Morrissey’s passing.
Rebecca is looking forward
to getting to know local
community members and
their interests and issues
so I am sure many of you
will have the pleasure of
meeting her soon.
As always, if you would
like to discuss a local issue,
please ring me on 9518
3509, email me at Micaela.
Drieberg@monash.vic.
gov.au or tweet me at
@micaeladrieberg
Micaela Drieberg
Mayor
$4.75 million
grant awarded for
Business Centre
(from P1)
Building on the successes
of the Monash Enterprise
Centre, it will be
constructed on Councilowned
land next to the
centre in Hartnett Close
and is expected to be up
and running by mid-2015.
Council’s application
for the funding – which
was granted under the
Regional Development
Australia Fund – was
supported by Councils
and other groups across
the East and South East of
Melbourne.
“The Eastern Innovation
Business Centre will be a
great asset for the entire
East and South East
region of Melbourne,
as it will contribute new
jobs and wealth across
many municipalities,” Cr
Drieberg said.
For more info about
the Eastern Innovation
Business Centre, contact
Jeffrey McAlpine, Manager
Economic Development
on 9518 3454 or email
ecodev@monash.vic.gov.au

Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 2013–2017
Monash’s 2013–2017 Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan has recently been
completed. Thank you to the businesses and community members who provided ideas
and comments for the Strategy, which is designed to reinforce the City of Monash as
“First for Business”. The Strategy focuses directly on issues that have been raised by the
business community and will enhance the attributes that make Monash a key economic
region in Melbourne.
The Strategy & Action Plan has a focus on four key strategic areas:
1. Business Support
2. Economic Precincts
3. Infrastructure Development & Sustainability
4. Attraction and Investment Strategies.
To read the strategy, visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/business or ask for a hardcopy to be
sent to you by emailing ecodev@monash.vic.gov.au or phone 9518 3577.
WARNING: Bogus Sales Websites
Scammers are using the details of legitimate businesses to set up bogus sales websites that look
genuine and professional. These websites often ‘sell’ popular products at discounted prices to
unsuspecting businesses and consumers, who pay for goods that never arrive.
Details such as your business name, Australian Business
Number (ABN), address and contact numbers are
available through online business registers, telephone
listings and websites. Scammers can use these details
to set up fake identities for phoney websites and fool
consumers into thinking they are ordering products from
a genuine supplier.
With many online tools available, it is easy for a scammer
to set up a domain name and create a professional-looking
website from anywhere in the world.
Get into the habit of regularly searching for your business
details to see if they appear on any website other than
your own.
If you suspect that someone is using your business details to
run a bogus website, you can:
• contact the business directly and inform them that they
are using your details
• gather information from customers who have dealt with
the bogus website
• keep records of inventory, expenses and other
documents to show you are the legitimate owner of the
business
• inform the Australian Securities and Investments
Commission that another business is using your details
• report the suspected bogus website to Consumer Affairs
Victoria.
For more information, call Consumer Affairs Victoria on
1300 558 181 or visit www.consumer.vic.gov.au
Focus page 3

Sustainability Section
Oakleigh Graffiti Removal Project
The Eaton Mall and Oakleigh precinct is about to
undergo a graffiti removal program, which aims to
reduce graffiti and educate school children against
committing graffiti. Using a Department of Justice grant,
Council will remove graffiti from businesses around
the shopping precinct. Separately, Council will organise
education sessions at three local schools where young
people will be encouraged to speak up against graffiti.
The key to the project is bringing together
shopkeepers, students and volunteers to create a
sense of community pride and safety in Oakleigh.
Under the project, a professional graffiti removalist
will give the area a clean, with traders and volunteers
then using free graffiti removal kits for ongoing
maintenance.
To register your interest
Contact us on 1300 781 998 OR
email commercial@lowenergy.com.au
You may be eligible for a rebate under the Victorian Government’s
Energy Saver Incentive Scheme. Why not subsidise the costs
For
of
more
installing
info,
energy
please
efficient
contact
lighting
April
in
Williams,
your premises
Project Officer - Waste Services, on 9518 3774 or at
aprilw@monash.vic.gov.au
ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING
Want to reduce your energy costs now
ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING
Want to Products reduce your and energy Rebatescosts now
We are offering the following range of LED
lighting Products products to suit and your Rebates
business’ needs
We are offering the following range of LED
Tubes High Bays Downlights Floodlights Shopfitters
lighting products to suit your business’ needs
Tubes High Bays Downlights Floodlights Shopfitters
For a full list of products view our website www.lowenergy.com.au
To register your interest
Contact us on 1300 781 998 OR
email commercial@lowenergy.com.au
You may be eligible for a rebate under the Victorian Government’s
Energy Saver Incentive Scheme. Why not subsidise the costs
of installing energy efficient lighting in your premises
There may be a service fee for installation, depending on the type and number of services
There may be a service fee for installation, depending on the type and number of services

Business pays the
costs of violence
against women too
Did you know that violence against
women in Australia is a widespread
problem
Physical, emotional, financial and
sexual violence against women
has enormous direct and indirect
costs for survivors, families and
employers. This includes lost wages
and productivity. In 2009, violence
against women cost the Victorian
economy $3.4 billion (DPCS, 2009).
Your business can make a difference,
visit: www.dvandwork.unsw.edu.au
Alternatively, a call for donations of
women’s business clothing would be
appreciated to help women in need.
Monash Pride Crew
Members of the Monash Pride Crew have been keeping the Glen Waverley,
Oakleigh and Clayton shopping precincts “spick and span” for most of the
past year. A roving Monash Pride Crew is now patrolling Pinewood, Mount
Waverley and Huntingdale shopping strips, with other sites being added in
the near future.
Clothing donations can be made to:
Amaroo Op Shop, 34 Amaroo St,
Chadstone. Phone: 9807 2625
The Monash Pride Crew is responsible for keeping the areas free of litter. They
are also responsible for reporting any maintenance such as broken bin lids or
unworkable lights to the relevant Council area for fixing.
Traders should feel free to raise any Council-related issues with members of
the Monash Pride Crew as the crew is there to help. For more info, contact Enia
Batista, Waste Services Supervisor, on 9518 3735.
Focus page 5

Community Events
NAIDOC
The City of Monash NAIDOC week
celebrations were held from 7-14
July 2013. Monash embraced the
NAIDOC week theme: ‘We value the
vision: Yirrkala Bark Petitions 1963’
with community focussed activities
and events across the city for all ages
to enjoy. This year’s theme proudly
celebrates the 50th anniversary of
the presentation of the Yirrkala Bark
Petitions to the Federal Parliament.
The community honoured the local
Wurundjeri tribe with a traditional
smoking and flag raising ceremony.
They were then treated to a
performance by the Koorie Tiddas and
a welcome to country by Wurundjeri
Elder Colin Hunter Junior.
This flag raising ceremony was
followed by the ‘Badjurr-bulok munga’
(meaning "many women make")
Exhibition launch.
NAIDOC Week was supported
by the Monash Arts and Cultural
Development Unit, Monash
Reconciliation Group, Highway Gallery
and Monash Gallery of Art. For more
info, contact events@monash.vic.gov.
au or 9518 3636.
Winter Concert Series
Concert #3
The Sounds
of Silent
Featuring
Silent Film
with Live
Jazz
‘The Sounds of Silent’ are a five piece ensemble
featuring some of Melbourne’s most versatile
and accomplished musicians. They recreate the
silent movie experience from the ‘20s & ‘30s
with improvised performances featuring fun,
familiar and popular music in the style of the
period. The result is a vibrant and entertaining
musical and movie event for the whole family.
Scores have been developed for some of the
great silent film classics including Buster Keaton
and Charlie Chaplin films.
Details:
Sunday 15 September, 2pm-4pm
Clayton Theatrette, Clayton Community Centre,
(Cooke Street, Clayton)
This is a FREE event.
Bookings open 9am on Friday 30 August and
close 3pm on Friday 13 September.
Bookings can be made on 9518 3636 or at
events@monash.vic.gov.au
City of Monash proudly presents
NAID C WEEK
A Celebration of Indigenous Culture and Heritage in Monash
www.monash.vic.gov.au/macd

Changes to Fair Work Act
Effective 1 July 2013
Amendments to the Fair Work Act have
recently been enshrined into law.
The first stage of the family friendly changes
effective from 1 July 2013 include:
• pregnant women can transfer to a safe
job even if they haven’t worked for their
employer for 12 months
• employee couples can take up to eight
weeks unpaid parental leave at the same
time (increasing from three weeks) and
can take it in separate periods eg. two
periods of two weeks off
• more groups of employees now have
the right to request flexible working
arrangements, including:
o employees with caring responsibilities
o parents or guardians of children that
are school age or younger
o employees with disability
o employees who are 55 years or older
o employees experiencing family violence,
or caring for a family or household
member who is experiencing family
violence.
• there is a non-exhaustive list of
‘reasonable business grounds’ to refuse a
request for flexible working arrangements.
For more info about these changes call
13 13 94 or visit www.fairwork.gov.au
Seeking Your Contributions to Focus
New to Monash or have an interesting story to tell We
would like to hear from you. In every edition of FOCUS,
we like to highlight achievements from businesses
within the Monash municipality.
If your business has recently won an award or
celebrated a milestone, or you would like to announce your arrival in
the City of Monash, please let us know. Please provide us with a brief
outline of your achievement and story by contacting us at ecodev@
monash.vic.gov.au or on 9518 3261.
Join the Monash eBulletin List
A regular and business focussed
email bulletin is sent from
Monash Council’s Economic
Development Unit. The email
bulletin contains information
on business development
opportunities, programs and
events. This is a free service
provided by Council.
To subscribe please visit:
www.monashfirstforbusiness.com.
au/Publication/Pub/Subscribe.asp
Feedback
Suggestions and contributions
for this newsletter are welcome.
Tell us what you would like
featured in the newsletter or
email us about a business success
story. Readers are invited to
contribute articles, stories and
news to the newsletter.
Email ecodev@monash.vic.gov.au
Monash’s Online
Business Directory
It’s free to register and use.
The Monash Business Directory
is a free service open to all
Monash businesses. By listing
yourself on the business
directory, you will also receive
updates from the Economic
Development Unit on upcoming
business workshops/seminars
and networking events.
Listing your business is free and
you can update your company
details online at any time with
your username and password.
To register your business or
update your entry, visit:
www.monashfirstforbusiness.com
For more information, please
contact us on 9518 3577
Focus page 7

September
11 Wed Monash Business Awards lunch
Time:
Venue:
Cost: $55
Register:
Contact:
12Noon – 2pm
Mulgrave Room,
Mulgrave Country Club
Cnr Wellington & Jells Roads,
Wheelers Hill
www.monashbusinessawards.asn.au
RSVP by Friday 6 Sept
Events Officer,
mba@monash.vic.gov.au or 9518 3587
15 Sun The Sounds of Silent
Time:
Venue:
Cost:
12Noon – 2pm
Clayton Theatrette,
Clayton Community Centre
Cooke Street, Clayton
FREE, bookings essential
RSVP by Friday 13 Sept
Contact: 9518 3636
events@monash.vic.gov.au
Language Assist
October
16 Wed Women’s Business Network Event
Time:
Venue:
Cost: $20
Register:
Contact:
6pm arrival
November
Monash Gallery of Art
860 Ferntree Gully Road, Wheelers Hill
Download registration form www.monash.vic.gov.
au/business/events, RSVP by Friday 11 Oct
Economic Development Unit
ecodev@monash.vic.gov.au or 9518 3577
13 Wed Monash Business Awards lunch
Time:
Venue:
Cost: $55
Register:
Contact:
12Noon – 2pm
Mulgrave Room, Mulgrave Country Club
Cnr Wellington & Jells Roads, Wheelers Hill
www.monashbusinessawards.asn.au
RSVP by Friday 8 Nov
Events Officer
mba@monash.vic.gov.au or 9518 3587
www.facebook.com/CityofMonash
www.twitter.com/MonashCouncil
Contact Details
Economic Development Unit
Monash Council
293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley Vic 3150
Ph: 9518 3454
Email: ecodev@monash.vic.gov.au
Disclaimer
Other languages
Focus is published in good faith & no liability is accepted for
its contents or use of the information.
“The processes associated with this publication are eco friendly”