The City of Port Phillip’s Economic Development Unit’s role is to act as an enabler of better business. Our job is to facilitate and influence so that local businesses are supported to grow and prosper. In order to do this we work with businesses and business groups, we promote innovative ways of doing business, we partner with State and Federal Government agencies and we conduct activities, programs and campaigns to stimulate economic growth.
It depends on two things – what type of business you want to open and where you want to locate it.
The type of business you want to open will determine what type of permit you require.
For example:
If you want to open up a new café or restaurant or buy an existing café or restaurant then you will need to a permit for
businesses selling food.
If you want to open up a hairdressing salon, beauty therapy or tattooing business then you will need a permit for personal care premises.
If you want to open up a business that sells alcohol then you will need a liquor licence.
If you want to open up an accommodation business then you will need to get a permit for prescribed accommodation.
The location of your business will also depend on what type of permit you require.
For example:
If you want to start up a business on the foreshore then you will need a foreshore permit.
If you want to sell food at a festival, market or from a mobile food van then you will need a permit for temporary and mobile food business.
There are many considerations that are taken into account before approving footpath trading outside a café or restaurant. Each application is assessed on a case by case by case basis and approval for footpath trading will only be granted if the proposal is shown to comply with the Footpath Trading Guidelines 2010. Applicants are advised to read and familiarise themselves with these guidelines, available at www.portphillipbusiness.com.au/footpathtrading prior to making an application. A Footpath Trading Officer can assist with any further queries that may arise during the application process on (03) 9209 6608
If you are intending to display any new advertising signs please contact Council’s duty planning officer to discuss the proposal first to establish whether a planning permit is required and if so, what may be acceptable to Council. It is important that advertising signs be appropriate to the building and the locality, particularly where there are heritage considerations.
Council’s duty planner who can be reached on (03) 9209 6424, or at planhelp@portphillip.vic.gov.au
We offer a number of training opportunities that are available to all local businesses:
Business workshops and seminars
The City of Port Phillip through Small Business Victoria and The Australian Tax Office (ATO) offer a range of workshops and seminars to assist local businesses develop stronger business
practices through education and training. These workshops and seminars cover all aspects of business from starting up to financial management, employing people, marketing and even closing a
business. All workshops and seminars are delivered by workshop leaders who are well-qualified and experienced in small businesses.
The workshops and seminars are offered at a low cost and each participant will receive training material.
Small Business Mentoring
The City of Port Phillip has partnered with Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS) to offer free one-on-one mentoring sessions for local businesses with a finance and marketing mentor. This service is at no cost and is fully funded by the City of Port Phillip.
This is your chance to develop sound business practices in areas including marketing, management, planning and finance. All sessions are 45 minutes long.
Tourism Accreditation programme
The Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (ATAP) is a nationwide programme, which aims to give tourism operators across Australia the ability to apply for ‘Australian Tourism Accreditation’ online. It is a business development programme that is based on Quality Assurance principles.
The Programme addresses many of the issues that are covered in the development of a business plan but focuses on those key elements that are part of the day to day function of any tourism operation.
This is achieved by the development of professional management systems that will lead to reliability, consistency and predictability in the operation of the business which in turn results in improved customer service and satisfaction.
It encourages businesses to:
In turn, Accreditation will provide clients and industry colleagues with an assurance that participating businesses are committed to professionalism both in business operation and delivery of service.
Tourism Excellence Workshops
These specially tailored workshops are designed to compliment the Australian Tourism Accreditation Programme. They will help you complete the application process. An accreditation officer will be on hand to assist with the online application process and to answer any queries.
The City of Port Phillip’s Economic Development Unit organise two Business Breakfast’s per year and two evening networking events per year. These events are attended by approximately 150 members of the local business community.
To make sure you are on the mailing list to receive email notification of these events subscribe here.
There are also six trader associations that hold regular networking events open to businesses that are part of the organisation. Here is a list of the trader associations:
St Kilda Village Traders Association
President: Bianca Dawson
Phone: 03 9534 4456 (Tuesday - Friday)
Email: bianca@veludo.com.au
Address: PO Box 1605, St Kilda 3182 03 9534 4456 (Tuesday - Friday)
Website: www.stkildavillage.org.au
Marketing Coordinator: Natarlia Webb
Phone: 0433 300 359
Email: natarlia@stkildavillage.org.au
Address: PO Box 1605, St Kilda 3182
Fitzroy Street Business Association
President: Roger Wyndham
Phone: 0402 014 365
Website: www.stkildamelbourne.com.au
Marketing Coordinator: Natarlia Webb
Phone: 0433 300 359
Email: natarlia@stkildavillage.org.au
Address: PO Box 1605, St Kilda 3182
South Melbourne Business Association
President: Sam Tresise
Phone: 03 9686 5655
Email: samtresise@tgsm.com.au
Website: www.southmelbourne.com
Port Melbourne Business Association
Acting President Port Melb Inc: George Tsingos
Phone: 03 9645 1271
Email: elegantslax@optusnet.com.au
Address: PO Box 264, Port Melbourne 3207
Website: www.portmelb.com
Marketing Coordinators: Ray Noella Jacobs
Phone: 03 943 2200
Email: portmelbinc@bigpond.com
Address: PO Box 264, Port Melbourne 3207
Elwood Traders Association
Contact: Gary Scott, Elwood Community Bank
Ph: 03 9525 6577
Email: gary.scott@bendigobank.com.au
Address: PO Box 409, Elwood 3184
Albert Park Business Community Association Inc
President: Martin Scanlon, Albert Park IGA
Phone: 03 9690 3772
Email: mscanlon@railsignallingservices.com.au
Council will continue the ongoing administration and governance of Special Rates Schemes, in partnerships with Business Associations to enable the facilitation of business development and coordinated marketing and promotion to include such things as:
The CitiPower Port Phillip Business Excellence Awards recognise, reward and celebrate the achievements of local business and their contribution to the Port Phillip community.
Entry for this biennial business development program is open to all businesses located in the City of Port Phillip.
Just entering the Awards offers Port Philip businesses the valuable opportunity to reflect and congratulate themselves on their business journey thus far. Being chosen as a finalist or winner offers businesses immediate recognition of their achievements.
It also offers business:
2010 CitiPower Port Phillip Business Excellence Awards photo gallery