Business Community

Council as the principal local planning authority, with zoning and infrastructure development as well as community service provision responsibilities, has a strong interest in ensuring effective communication channels with business. The health of local business impacts on the local economy, employment prospects of local residents, as well as the character and appearance of neighborhoods. In addition it has been estimated that some 60% of rate revenue in the city comprises rate receipts from local businesses. Council has demonstrated its commitment to a strong and vibrant business community through its encouragement of several businesses support initiatives, and as has been mentioned, the Chamber has been the beneficiary of Council support.

We have summarised Council's primary business-related concerns as:

	Support business development (of present businesses)
	Facilitate communication with the business community
	Marketing of the locality

These concerns are of course shared by the Chamber which has adopted the following Strategies to address them:

Perceived council concerns	Chamber Strategies
Support business development (of present businesses)	Encourage the prosperity of existing businesses through training and networking Promote the creation of new jobs Attract research which identifies new markets or strategic advantages in the municipality

Facilitate communication with the business community	Consultation on land use and other matters Receive information, concerns and community development proposals from business Communication regarding local participation in Council contracts.

Marketing of the locality	Promote events and activities which attract business and investment Partnership with business which counteracts negative perceptions of the municipality.

The Chamber is therefore a membership based organisation, directly representing businesses in the area. It is therefore a direct voice for local business and an established channel of communication between Council and the business community. It is the only body representing businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors along with all community organisations within the City of Maribyrnong.

The Chamber is one of a range of business support organisations servicing the City of Maribyrnong. A brief sketch of the other, a complementary organisation is set out below.

Organisation	Role
Western Region Economic Development Organisation (WREDO)	Act as a lobby group to attract business and government provided business support services into the broad Western Region. It also provides networking opportunities for business, government (including local government) education and training.

First Place - Western Business Enterprise Center	Established by Small Business Victoria in conjunction with VUT, it is a one-stop-shop for a range of services including: small business counseling, business-related training, a reference library, the Australian Taxation Office, InfoWest, access to various business information data bases as well as internet based services.

Traders Associations	Generally comprising retail business owners from shopping strips. Emphasis is on improving the amenity of the strip and reducing crime and other impediments to business.

Maribyrnong Business Centre	Small Business incubator, providing low cost serviced offices to new businesses.

Small Business Research Unit (VUT)	Undertakes research (subject to funding) re trends, issues, and practices - about small business. Advisory Committee comprises several of the above organisations.

Education and training providers: community and private trainers, TAFE and University	Provide training and education at various levels in Business Studies

Service Clubs (Rotary, Apex, Lions)	Business networks, job creation, mentors for NEIS program