The 2025 Bayside Local Business Awards are open giving the community an opportunity to nominate their favourite business in the area.
Every local business can take part in the awards which highlight those with outstanding service, innovation and community engagement.
Businesses are judged against specific criteria which includes information provided by each finalist, and their online presence. The judging process ensures that it is fair for any size or type of business.
There are about 30 business categories to select from including retail, service and industrial categories.
Major awards include Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year, and Youth Award. Finalists are selected based on the number of nominations they receive from the public.
Bayside Council is a major sponsor of the Bayside Local Business Awards and has created three special award categories - the Sustainability Award, the First Nations Award and the Inclusion & Accessibility Award.
Sustainability Award
This award builds on Council's work to promote sustainable best practices in the Bayside area. It acknowledges businesses who demonstrate sustainability in their business planning, operations and marketing.
Best practices could include gas, electricity and efficiencies, reducing and recycling waste, using environmentally friendly materials, products and services, operating sustainable transport and having community partnerships for environmental outcomes.
First Nations Award
Bayside Council's vision is to create a future built on respect, understanding and empowerment as outlined in Council's Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.
The First Nations award is part of Council's commitment to recognising and celebrating Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples which are majority owned, operated or managed.
Inclusion & Accessibility Award
This award recognises and celebrates socially inclusive businesses where every person matters, regardless of their circumstances. Examples include businesses which have policies and staff training so employees can meet the needs of people with disabilities, seniors, those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. This includes installing ramps, grab rails, wider doors and unisex bathrooms for accessibility and employing people from a wide and varying local talent pool. Disability, aged care, migration or settlement service providers are not eligible for the award.
The three awards are open to businesses and non-profit organisations with a turnover of less than $10 million, operating within the local Bayside government area.
Nominations close on Wednesday 10 September and the winners will be announced at a prestigious gala evening on Monday 10 November at the Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach.
Bayside Mayor, Councillor Edward McDougall said:
"I'd like to encourage businesses to nominate themselves and for residents to support their favourite local businesses by voting for them in our annual awards. It means a lot to local businesses to be acknowledged and nominated by their customers for such a prestigious award."
More Information
Bayside Local Business Awards
Nominations close on Wednesday 10 September
The Local Business Awards - Recognising and celebrating the best in Local Businesses
