Kingston residents have been able to enjoy fresh ice cream all summer long, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Small Business Adem Somyurek today visited Andrew Lee and Joyce Ng at Paradise Gelato in Cheltenham, who had their business up and running in time for summer with help from the Labor Government’s Better Approvals Project.
Paradise Gelato accessed the Kingston City Council’s Business Wizardry program, part of the Better Approvals Project, that helps small businesses go from idea to opening within months.
Mr Lee and Ms Ng first approached Kingston City Council in July 2018 with their plan to open a gelato store, and by October 2018 Paradise Gelato was open for business.
The Better Approvals project, rolling out through metropolitan and regional councils across Victoria, is saving small businesses time, money and stress when establishing or expanding by cutting red tape and making permit approvals faster and more streamlined.
The Better Approvals project is contributing making the small business sector and our economy stronger.
Last week ABS data showed that Victoria recorded the highest growth in small businesses across the nation. The strong growth data followed the most recent Sensis Business Index Data which showed that that Victoria has the most confident small businesses in the nation.
Just months after opening Paradise Gelato, Mr Lee and Ms Ng were awarded the Antidefamation Commission’s Standing up to Hatred award for their response to a racist note delivered to their store.
As stated by Minister for Small Business Adem Somyurek
“From reducing red tape to making sure small business suppliers get paid on time, we’re making it easier for Victorians to start and run their businesses.”
“We’re proud to have helped businesses like Paradise Gelato right across Victoria – and our investment is paying off, with Victoria seeing the largest growth in small businesses according to the ABS.”
As noted by Member for Clarinda Meng Heang Tak
“Paradise Gelato is an asset to Kingston, and thanks to the Better Approvals Process they have gone from idea to opening in less than four months.”
