Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News

Free information night on business planning program

By Latrobe Shire Council - 2nd September 2004 - Back to News

A free information session will be held at 6pm on Wednesday 8 September at the Latrobe City Function Room, Kay Street Traralgon, for small and medium sized local businesses interested in finding out more about a forthcoming subsidised business planning program

Latrobe City Investment Manager, Leo Billington, said that Latrobe City Council and the Victorian State government are joining forces to support the growth of local small and medium sized businesses by hosting the subsidised business planning program with workshops later in September and October, and Wednesday’s free information night is the ideal opportunity for businesses to find out how beneficial the program will be.

"The program will be conducted by Business Development Network (BDN), which has run similar programs throughout Victoria for the past seven years. Many businesses that have participated in the program are experiencing significant increases in turnover and profitability and have greater confidence about their future," Mr Billington explained.

"Small business is a vital part of the economy, providing 60 per cent of all employment in Victoria and business planning is crucial to facilitate the on-going growth of this sector.

"Some businesses survive by reducing staff and overheads and the consequences for a local economy can be disastrous. This is a short-term solution that often does not address the key issues facing small business," Mr Billington said.

"Problems tend to arise because many small business owners are too busy with the day-to-day running of the company to develop management methods capable of delivering profitable and sustainable growth.

"Most can keep their head above water in good times but find it difficult to manage staff, delegate work, cope with increasing workloads and manage the cashflow all at the same time. The most effective way to help is to provide expert support to the businesses, to assist with long term planning and management as well as succession planning.

"The BDN program has been specifically designed for the management of small and medium businesses. It is also designed to give the owner more skills to develop a better work/life balance."

Program participants will attend two days of workshop with practical one-on-one coaching sessions in between with a BDN consultant to complete a business plan specifically tailored for their business.

"The cost of producing a business plan can often be an expensive exercise, but with the support of the state government and Latrobe City, the cost for businesses to participate in the program is only $550 including GST," Mr Billington said.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Free green waste disposal helps East Gippsland residents prepare properties for upcoming bushfire season from 1 to 30 November 2026
  East Gippsland residents can dispose of eligible green waste free throughout November to reduce bushfire risks. Council also encourages safe gas bottle disposal and separating green waste from general rubbish to save fees.
• Bass Coast offers free green waste disposal from 31 October to 22 November to help residents prepare for bushfire season
  Bass Coast Shire Council will accept domestic green waste free at its four waste facilities from 31 October to 22 November 2026, helping residents reduce bushfire hazards before summer.
• Baw Baw book boxes bring free children’s books and reading opportunities to communities across Drouin, Longwarry and Warragul
  Baw Baw Shire Council and Drouin Men’s Shed have installed community book boxes across Drouin, Longwarry and Warragul, offering free children’s books while encouraging literacy, reading and family connections.
• East Gippsland Council introduces free Payble online service offering ratepayers flexible, convenient and automatic payment options for rates
  East Gippsland Council has introduced Payble, a free, secure online service allowing ratepayers to automate payments, choose flexible schedules, check balances and manage rates conveniently.
• Latrobe City Libraries offer free live music celebrating local Gippsland talent from October to December 2026
  Latrobe City Libraries will host free, family-friendly live music from local Gippsland musicians across Morwell, Traralgon and Moe from October to December 2026. No bookings are required; everyone is welcome to attend.
• Latrobe City Business Festival returns with free October events connecting businesses, employers, job seekers and industry partners
  Latrobe City’s 2026 Business Festival runs October 14–23, offering free jobs expos, workshops, networking, professional development and business events connecting employers, workers, students and industry.
• Latrobe City Children’s Expo offers free family fun, activities and community services at Kernot Hall in Morwell on 27 October 2026
  Latrobe City Council will host a free Children’s Expo at Kernot Hall, Morwell, on October 27, featuring entertainment, activities, food vendors and community services for families.
• South Gippsland offers more than 40 free and low-cost activities during Victorian Seniors Festival month this October
  South Gippsland will celebrate Victorian Seniors Festival month in October with more than 40 free and low-cost activities, including movement, sport, socialising, learning, arts, culture and creative events for seniors.
• Cycling Without Age Gippsland returns with free trishaw rides around Sale’s Lake Guthridge for community passengers and visitors
  Cycling Without Age Gippsland has resumed free trishaw rides at Lake Guthridge, Sale, welcoming Central Gippsland Health passengers and 16 floral art convention visitors, while inviting bookings and new volunteers.
• New drinking fountains improve free water access across Sale's popular recreation facilities
  Sale's major recreation facilities now offer improved free drinking water access, with new fountains at Aqua Energy, Port of Sale and Gippsland Regional Sports Complex, supporting hydration and reusable bottle use.
• Parma for a Farmer returns to Poowong, bringing free food, laughter, community and mental health support on 17 September 2026
  Parma for a Farmer returns to the Poowong Hotel on September 17, offering local farmers and workers a free meal, comedy, connection and conversations supporting mental health and wellbeing.
• Sale residents urged to safely dispose of hazardous household chemicals at free Detox Your Home event on 10 October 2026
  Wellington Shire residents can safely dispose of unwanted hazardous household chemicals at a free Detox Your Home event in Sale, helping protect waterways, people, animals and the environment.
• Latrobe City Council urges Premier Ben Carroll to include the region among Victoria's three free dental clinic locations
  Latrobe City Council urges Premier Ben Carroll to select Latrobe City for a free regional dental clinic, improving affordable healthcare access and reducing cost-of-living pressures.
• Morwell CBD double-storey car park set to deliver more than 120 additional free parking spaces soon
  Preparation works have begun for Morwell’s new double-storey CBD car park, expected to start construction in October, adding more than 120 free spaces and completing Latrobe City’s Regional Car Parks Fund projects.
• Darren Chester congratulates Chris Dixon’s Helping Hands Running Festival team after raising $256,941 for free 3D hands
  Stratford runner Chris Dixon’s Helping Hands Running Festival raised $256,941 for Free 3D Hands, supporting children with limb differences, following his world-record treadmill run and strong community participation.
• Morwell Rose Festival returns with blooms, aerial acrobatics, night lights, workshops and family entertainment from 6-7 November 2026
  Morwell Rose Festival returns for its ninth year in 2026, featuring thousands of roses, aerial performances, night lights, workshops, market stalls, live entertainment and family-friendly activities.