Business opportunities and resources

As part of the Better Approvals Permit Process, these new fact sheets provide clear and concise information on what permits you may need before you are able to start your business – saving you time and resources.

Each fact sheet focuses on the requirements of the different laws that could be relevant to you.

Fact sheet - Food Business(PDF, 212KB)

Fact sheet - Building Permit(PDF, 126KB)

Fact sheet - Footpath Trading(PDF, 148KB)

Fact sheet - Health and Beauty(PDF, 184KB)

Fact sheet - Planning Permit(PDF, 199KB)

The Northern Business Achievement Awards are a partnership of industry, education, local and state government and decision makers across Melbourne's north.

They recognise the achievements of SMEs and encourage business excellence, growth and competitiveness.  

Nominations for 2023 are now open and Nillumbik based businesses are encouraged to apply. 

Complete your nomination

There is also a Young Business Achiever Award category for employees 25 years or under where their achievements, attitude and personal contribution to the business are recognised. Complete a Young Business Achiever Award nomination

All nominations will be reviewed by Council's Economic Development Advisory Committee. 

Below are previous nominees chosen to represent Nillumbik.

2022

Buttermans Track Wines

Buttermans Track Wines is a family owned and operated vineyard and winery located in the heart of St Andrews. Established in 1991, they produce hand crafted, premium quality wines from the finest estate-grown fruit, with minimal chemical and technological intervention. Visitors are welcome to enjoy tastings and refreshments in their outdoor area.  Watch a short video about the winery on our YouTube channel.  

Naught Distilling

Naught Distilling is a gin distillery located in Eltham. After crafting more than 300 distillations, owner Chris Cameron found what he was looking for – the result is an award-winning Australian dry gin. His goal now is to extend the circle of Naught to gin lovers around the world.  Watch a short video about the distillery on our YouTube channel.  

Young Achiever - Nicholas Costanzo - Nick's Gnocchi 

2021

Restaurant St Lawrence

M&M Printworks

Young Achiever - Benny Archer - Gallery 7six5

2020

Ben Hutchison Design

Blue Pear Pantry

Young Achiever - Nicholas Jamieson - Hot Coals Catering

Funded by the Circular Economy Business Innovation Centre (CEBIC, delivered by Sustainability Victoria) and The Monash Business School, The Circular Economy Journey is a research project undertaken by Monash University to investigate Circular Economy (CE) adoption in Victoria's manufacturing sector.

How does your business stack up in a circular economy? Click here to take the quiz now

The 10R's - Complete the survey here to see how your efforts rate

Click here to read case studies and for more information on The Circular Economy Journey.

Now your local business can join the Shop in our Shire campaign by accessing a range of downloadable promotional assets to include in your local marketing campaign.

Choose assets relevant to your local area and include them in your socials, print and website design.

Simply complete the form to request access to the assets.

For more information, contact our Economic Development and Tourism Team.

Email: business@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

Phone: 03 9433 3111

Request here

On Tuesday 24 May 2022, Council at its Ordinary Council Meeting were presented with an action plan that seeks to celebrate our agriculture and enhances discussions with business to retain, sustain and improve the future of agriculture in Nillumbik, taking into consideration geographic, environmental, economic and social trends and demands.

Council resolved as follows:

That Council:

1. Endorses the Future of Agriculture in Nillumbik Action Plan (Attached below) subject to the removal of Objective 5.
2. Requests Officers to begin implementation of the Action Plan from July 2022.
3. Requests that Officers provide a copy of the Action Plan on Council’s website.
4. Requests that Officers provide an annual update on the Action Plan as part of the Economic Development Strategy.
5. Requests that Officers notify submitters to the Future of Agriculture project of Council’s resolution.

The meeting minutes and Council’s resolution on the item have been published on Council’s website which are also attached on this page.

From here, Council officers will commence delivering the action plan. The action plan generated from research paper focuses on three objective areas:

1. Protect, promote and support sustainable, regenerative agriculture and local food systems in the Shire for greater climate resilience and adaptation in the broader community;
2. Investigate and advocate for diverse, innovative farming systems that foster ecological responsible economic development, local employment, circular resource use and local food systems and security;
3. Support a vibrant, connected local agricultural community through peer to peer networks, targeted education programs, market access, innovative and active open communication between Council and the agricultural community.

The Future of Agriculture in Nillumbik Action Plan(PDF, 720KB)

Future of Agriculture in Nillumbik Consultant Report(PDF, 3MB)

Council Meeting Minutes - 24 May 2022(PDF, 864KB)

Your guide to Business in Nillumbik toolkit has been designed to help businesses navigate the many areas of Council that are involved when starting or growing a business.

The Kit introduces Council's business support program and ways for local businesses to connect and network. Find out about local business associations, grants and funding, marketing opportunities and more. The Kit also explains regulatory requirements such as permits and registrations that may apply to businesses operating in Nillumbik.

Download a copy of the Nillumbik Business Toolkit(PDF, 1MB)

Live, work, play and shop in Nillumbik

We’re inviting people to experience the very best of the region with a range of weekly giveaways of unique and special experiences are on offer via @VisitNillumbik on Facebook and Instagram.

A ‘Shop in our Shire’ campaign is also under way, that encourages residents to buy local this winter. From clothing to homewares, cafes and restaurants to a range of different services, everything you need is right here in our Shire.

Shop in our Shire puts the spotlight on local businesses and their online presence. We’ll be promoting your social media accounts and supporting you to continue to offer online shopping options, which many businesses explored for the first time when the pandemic hit.

Interested? If you're a Nillumbik-based businesses who would like to be promoted for free on our @VisitNillumbik Facebook and Instagram social media pages:

Complete the online form

This opportunity is ongoing and will remain active until further notice.

Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant

Brought to you by Business Victoria, The Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant provides funding to wine producers who add value by encouraging visitors to wine regions via their cellar door operations.

Eligible wine producers can access an annual grant of up to $100,000 (GST exclusive) for their eligible rebatable domestic cellar door sales.

Click here for more information, eligibility and to apply.

Victorian Rural Landholder Grants

Brought to you by Business Victoria, The Rural Landholder Grant provides up to $25,000 for eligible primary producers that have a smaller-scale Primary Production Enterprise and do not qualify for the Primary Producer Recovery Grant.

The grant supports activities like the removal and disposal of debris and injured or dead livestock, replacing or repairing essential equipment, fixing and replacing fencing, buying fodder, water and water storage, salvaging damaged crops, grain or feed, and hiring or purchasing materials to clean up a property or equipment. 

Click here more information, eligibility and to apply.

Council is offering local creative businesses free access to the Creative Industries Business Education Program.

Developed specifically for the local industry by Monica Davidson, Director of Creative Plus Business, the program offers a series of six webinars, with accompanying resources, designed to assist creative businesses to recognise and operate a best practice business. 

The topics included in this program are:

• Getting Started
• Planning for Creative Success
• Making Money Work
• Innovation and Ideas
• Understanding the Market
• Promoting your Creative Business

Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who has infamously never had a ‘proper job’. She began her creative life as a freelance journalist and filmmaker before starting a production company in the early 1990s. Her experience highlighted how unprepared creative people can be for a life of entrepreneurship. 

Read Monica's Full Bio

The modules can be completed at your own pace with unlimited access to the program until June 2023.

Access and register for the program

Diamond Creek Traders Association

Eltham Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Hurstbridge Traders Association

Local Food Connect

Melbourne Innovation Centre

Nillumbik Tourism and Business

NORTH Link

Yarra Ranges Tourism

Please note the details for groups are subject to change. If you have trouble contacting any of them, please contact business@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

Do you know the impact that people with access challenges can have on your bottom line?

Make your business accessible to the widest possible market reap the benefits and opportunities in this expanding market.

Whether you have a shop, café, restaurant, accommodation or office based service, there are many ‘hints and tips’ that you can apply to expand your business reach and attract and keep return customers. 

Download the factsheet Access for all(PDF, 2MB)

The Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) have established some great new resources in regard to a suite of translated digital resources via their Languages web page.

The resources can explain how we can help small businesses who are in dispute with another business or government service, and what they need to know before they sign a retail lease.

VSBC website

Email communications@vsbc.vic.gov.au