Thriving business good for community

Published on 11 June 2025

We are so fortunate to have a fantastic array of local businesses here in Hobsons Bay. No matter what you are after, there is something for everyone.

Council is proud to support our local businesses, encouraging our community to get out and put their hard-earned dollars back into the community they live in.

We have always looked for new and creative ways to help foster local support of our local economy.

One example is our outdoor dining program from COVID going on to be a big win for our local businesses during a difficult recovery.

Just this month, our ‘love local, dine local’ program, which came about from a community Pitch Your Project idea, has been a massive success.

By offering a $50 rebate when spending more than $100 at local restaurants, local eateries benefitted from a boost in patronage as winter sets in.

It’s been great to see the community response in getting behind our local businesses.

I’ve also loved seeing the Council-led Better Places project benefit local business and the community across Hobsons Bay.

Better Places has helped create more attractive precincts and spaces around businesses. In my ward, the Eames Avenue upgrade in Brooklyn has created great buzz in the community, and we look forward to it being completed.

We will continue to shine the spotlight on our amazing businesses over the coming months, with nominations now open for our biennial Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards.

With six awards up for grabs, the event is a chance for us to celebrate the great things being done in our business community, bringing them to the fore.

Entries are open until 13 July, with the awards gala taking place on 23 October.

I know times are tough at the moment, for both residents and small businesses. Where you can, I encourage you to support our local businesses this winter.

Because thriving small businesses mean a thriving Hobsons Bay.