Small businesses in Murrindindi Shire are set to benefit from enhanced support and simpler regulatory processes, as Council formally signs on to the Small Business Friendly Charter.
Victorian Small Business Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith, Murrindindi Shire Council CEO Livia Bonazzi and Mayor Damien Gallagher jointly signed the Small Business Friendly Charter in Council's Alexandra Chambers today.
The Small Business Friendly Charter outlines six commitments that council and the Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) will jointly work on. These commitments include:
Minimising disruption to small business from infrastructure projects
Supporting local small business networks
Streamlining permit approvals processes for small business
Promptly paying small business suppliers
Delivering information and guidance for small business
Open communication between the VSBC and Murrindindi Shire Council on small business concerns
Murrindindi is the 66th local council to sign the Charter.
Signing the Charter complements Council's ongoing commitment to supporting small business by streamlining its approvals processes, building on the foundation of its Business Concierge service, business support grants and ongoing improvements to the business customer experience.
The Charter states that the six commitments are to be delivered within 12 months, with Council to report to the VSBC on its work at the end of financial year.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Small Business Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith:
"I commend Murrindindi Shire Council for making the commitment to becoming a Small Business Friendly Council."
"The Charter's greatest power is to focus everyone within Council upon the experience of small business."
"I'm pleased that Murrindindi Shire Council is wasting no time by already actively reviewing and uplifting its approvals processes for small business through the Business Friendly Council Initiative."
"I invite Murrindindi's small businesses to keep council and the VSBC jointly accountable for delivering upon the six charter commitments."
Quotes attributable to Mayor Damien Gallagher:
"We are proud to sign the Small Business Friendly Charter, reaffirming our commitment to the small businesses that are the backbone of our rural community. This partnership with the Victorian Small Business Commission reflects our focus on building a more inclusive, resilient and connected business community."
"The Charter strengthens our engagement with local entrepreneurs, creators and service providers. It commits us to practical support that helps businesses succeed, especially during times of disruption."
"We value the leadership of the Victorian Small Business Commissioner and the Commission's ongoing work to create a fairer, more transparent environment for small businesses across Victoria. We are pleased to stand alongside them in championing local enterprise."
Quotes attributable to CEO Livia Bonazzi:
"This Charter comes at the right time as we enter the next phase of our Better Approvals Project under the Business Friendly Council initiative. We are continuing to look across all areas of our operations to find better ways to support local businesses, from cutting red tape to improving customer experience."
"It is a pleasure to welcome the Commissioner to Murrindindi and a point of pride to be the first council since 2021 to sign the Charter, reinforcing our commitment to local business."
