The Pyrenees Shire has a diverse economy with the key propulsive sectors being sheep, grains, beef cattle and wine. Other industries include a range of community services, retail, manufacturing, transport and construction.
A number of private and public infrastructure projects are currently underway in the region including wind farms, road and rail projects that are creating new investment potential.
Avoca and Beaufort which are the two larger towns in the Shire are located on major east–west and north –south road freight routes such as the Western and Sunraysia Highways connecting Melbourne with Adelaide and Northern Victoria.
Local residents enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities because the Shire is approximately 30 minutes from the regional city of Ballarat.
For people interested in starting a small business or growing an existing business it is important to do your research first.
Council can support you during this important phase by:
• Providing important background information on the location and industry you may be operating in,
• Providing access to demographic details and important statistical data,
• Responding to your development applications promptly.
• Introducing you to a range of resources to assist with your venture, including representatives of State and Federal Government agencies where appropriate,
• Linking businesses considering export markets to specialist government departments and,
• Identifying regulatory requirements that may apply to the business and introducing you to representatives of the relevant Council departments that can assist in this regard.
To learn more about starting or growing your business in the Pyrenees Shire, please contact Council's Manager Economic Development and Tourism on 03 5349 1100.
Further support is also available from Business Victoria, a dedicated department of the Victorian State Government to assist small businesses. Business Victoria provides access to a wide range of resources to assist new and existing businesses such as:
Business information - Starting, buying, growing and exiting a business.
Learning & Advice - Free workshops, webinars, mentor sessions
Tools & templates
Grants & Programs
Details can be found at www.business.vic.gov.au.
Support can also be found at business.gov.au. At business.gov.au, there are practical tips and insights to help businesses in all different industries. If your business operates in accommodation or food services, check out our information on things like food safety requirements, tax obligations, reducing your environmental impact and much more.
Joining your local business association or regional tourism board provides excellent networking opportunities and the potential for business growth and development. Please contact your local business association or regional tourism board directly:
Business for Beaufort - www.destinationbeaufort.com.au
Advance Avoca - www.Avoca.vic.au
Pyrenees Grapegrowers and Winemakers Association - www.pyreneesunearthedfestival.com.au
Tourism Midwest Victoria - www.tourismmidwestvic.com.au
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) offers information and advice for Small Business about:
consumer and competition issues for small business
franchisee information and support
product safety for small business
scams targeting small business
and much more
Please visit the ACCC website for more information.
www.accc.gov.au/about-us/information-for/small-business
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) offers information and advice for Small Business about:
registration of your business
managing invoices, payments and paperwork
on line services and technical support
goods and services tax (GST)
lodging activity statements
making payments to the ATO
government grants and payments
and much more
Please visit the ATO website for more information.
www.ato.gov.au/Business
Tips to prepare for funding opportunities:
1. Subscribe to newsletters and alerts to keep up to date with new and upcoming government assistance programs including grants, subsidies, rebates, etc.
— business.gov.au/grants-and-programs – All federal grant programs
— vic.gov.au/grants – All Victorian grants and programs
— rdv.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs – Grants and other support programs specifically for Regional Victoria
— https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/grants-funding-and-investment/grants-and-funding – All Victorian sustainability related grants and funding programs
2. Ensure that you understand the eligibility criteria before starting your application…
— Are you the right entity type?
—Do you have the right number of employees?
— Have you applied for this funding program before, or is your project already funded by another grant?
3. Keep up-to-date business documentation on hand – it sounds simple, but having this on file and easily accessible can
significantly reduce the time/effort involved in putting together a strong grant application in a short period of time.