A Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) initiative, the Charter aims to assist small businesses as they navigate their way into the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Council has pledged to work with the VSBC on measures including:
– helping small businesses to keep trading while infrastructure works are underway – including consulting with business owners for the life of these projects
– working towards paying small business suppliers within 14 days
– helping new local business networks to get up and running and existing ones to thrive.
Signing the Charter further demonstrates our commitment to achieving the Council Plan Strategic Direction of a Vibrant Port Phillip – “A City that has a flourishing economy, where our community and local businesses thrive, and we maintain and enhance our reputation as one of Melbourne’s cultural and creative hubs”.
The pledge, signed by Mayor Louise Crawford and CEO Peter Smith, is the latest in a series of Council initiatives to help support traders at this tremendously challenging time. Others include:
– Facilitating outdoor dining and footpath trading for businesses keen to trade, when restrictions allow, during the pandemic
– Providing a business concierge service to help new business owners navigate approvals
– Significant rent relief to eligible Council commercial tenants
– Establishing the Prosperous Port Phillip Business Advisory Group to gain insights into the challenges faced by local businesses.
Economic activity is also being encouraged through a range of initiatives aimed at encouraging residents and visitors to enjoy our City after restrictions ease.
Love My Place Grants, live music support, the Reimagine – Activation Design Competition and outdoor dining and activations, to name just a few, will all help drive foot-traffic to our traders as Port Phillip opens up, especially during the traditionally busy summer season.
