Business support line
Call 8470 8888 and select the option for the business support line service open 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri (except public holidays). Through this service, we will provide advice and support for your business. As most of our team are working remotely, please leave your details with customer service operators and an Economic Development officer will contact you directly. Our team will use information from the established a Business Support Line to define and develop a range of activities to provide support to businesses throughout the coming weeks or months of uncertainty, with dedicated support and resources from Council.
Refunded fees
Council resolved to waive Footpath Trading Permit fees for traders between the 1st March 2020 and 30th June 2021. A four-month refund has been processed and will be provided to all current permit holders in early May, with the renewal of 2020-21 permits to be sent in early July free of charge.
Suspended fees
Businesses who have paid their 2020 Food Act or Public Health & Wellbeing Act Registrations will be credited a free registration 16-month registration, until April 2022. You will still need to apply to renew your registration via a new online portal, however there will be no fees. Please ensure you have provided your email address to Council’s Health Protection Unit so we can activate your portal access later in 2020. For businesses requiring urgent financial assistance who wish to register their interest in a pro rata refund of their current 2020 Food Act, or Public Health and Wellbeing Act registrations, please contact health@darebin.vic.gov.au. We will then be in touch with more information on this process. Businesses that receive a refund will retain their registration until 30 June 2021.
Counselling
We’ve opened our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to you and your employees all businesses in Darebin – so you can reach out for information and counselling in this difficult time.
Online counselling resources
You can now log in for free to our EAP supplier, Converge International, and view a range of helpful resources. Visit their website and on the ‘Portal Login’ link (in top right corner). Use the below information to gain access.
Username: darebinbusiness
Password: converge
Arranging a free and confidential counselling session
To book a counselling session, please call Converge International on 1300 687 327. This service is completely confidential and is available free of charge to you.
Parking
We are looking at ways to change our local laws to allow easy food pick-up and delivery – especially to help reach vulnerable members of the community for food delivery.
Light$mart
All Businesses based in Darebin are now able to apply for our Light$mart program, which offers a free or subsidised LED lighting upgrade to businesses (conditions apply). So far over 250 Darebin businesses have been upgraded through this program, saving an average of $420 a year on their electricity bills. To find out more and register your interest please email business@darebin.vic.gov.au.
Council tenant checklist
All occupants (tenants/official representatives) of Council’s facilities are required to complete our
COVIDSafe Checklist. This will ensure that Council is taking the appropriate measures to keep staff and community members safe by reducing the risk of Covid-19 within Council facilities.
Other sources of support
Victorian Small Business Commission
Contact to access support for small business including mental health plans, advocacy and negotiating rent support. Mediation on rent is now being offered free to those who are part of the Jobkeeper program and on a case-by-case basis. Council are supporting businesses in Darebin who don’t fall in these categories to access these mediation services for free.
Business Victoria
For the latest information on restrictions and support from the state government.
Worksafe Victoria
For information on how regulations affect your rights and responsibilities as an employer or employee.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce
You can now access membership of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce for free and they will be providing help and advice to businesses.