Gippsland › Latest news › Gippsland Portal Local News

Grant to Provide Free Business Advice

Gippsland ACC Small Business Officer Alison Turner with Colin Pittard from South East Australia Training Services (a division of East Gippsland TAFE) and Stuart Cooper from Central Gippsland TAFE, meeting to discuss the new business service

Small business owners to be provided with free advice and assistance

By Gippsland ACC - 18th February 2003 - Back to News

Small business owners throughout Gippsland will be provided with free advice and assistance under a Federal Government program announced today by Gippsland Area Consultative Committee (ACC).

Gippsland ACC Chair David Power said the Small Business Answers Program would involve field officers meeting with business owners throughout the region to help them become more successful.

"This project is all about helping small businesses to prosper by providing general advice, information and assistance," Mr Power said.

"Owners are normally too busy running their business to be attending courses or searching for information on the latest regulations or issues that affect them.

"Gippsland ACC has received $347,000 from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, through AusIndustry, to work directly with Gippsland small business owners over the next two years."

Mr Power said Gippsland ACC would work in partnership with Central Gippsland and East Gippsland Colleges of TAFE to deliver the services throughout the region.

"We are working closely with the TAFE business studies departments to make sure we cover the entire region, including some of the more remote locations which often miss out on these types of services," Mr Power said.

"The success of small business is fundamental to jobs growth and economic prosperity in Gippsland and we need to do all we can to help them grow and meet the challenges of a changing business environment."

Gippsland ACC Executive Director Maree McPherson said the committee had employed field officers in the past to meet with business owners at their place of work.

"Gippsland ACC had a great deal of success helping businesses adjust to the introduction of the GST, and we have also coordinated a Small Business Assistance program in the past," Ms McPherson said.

"This initiative is a great example of the Federal Government working in partnership with regional areas to deliver much-needed support for the business community.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Free Gippsland workshop with Tony Evans on maximising dairy effluent through composting and sustainability
  Gippsland dairy farmers are invited to a free workshop with Tony Evans on effluent management, exploring composting, fermentation, and biogas to boost sustainability, save money, and reduce reliance on external nutrients.
• Join our free Beninette Tour for behind-the-scenes access, event facilities insights, and booking information
  Ever wondered what's really beyond the bricks at Berninneit? Thinking about hiring a space or curious about what's backstage? Join us for a free guided tour and get an insider's look at every space in Berninneit, in just half an hour.
• Darren Chester delivers $3000 grant to Rosedale Historical Society for eco-friendly heating upgrade and safety improvements
  Darren Chester delivered a $3000 Volunteer Grant to Rosedale Historical Society, funding eco-friendly heating upgrades that improve safety and sustainability while supporting volunteers and preserving the district's heritage for future generations.
• West Gippsland CMA hosts free sustainable farming workshops with local landcare groups from September 2025 to March 2026
  West Gippsland CMA is hosting free farm field days September - March, showcasing sustainable agriculture, carbon farming, and local expertise. Workshops cover soil health, biodiversity, biofertilizers, and agribusiness opportunities.
• Bass Coast Shire Council hosts free creative industries workshop with marketing strategies, PR insights on 12 November 2025
  Bass Coast Shire Council is hosting a free creative industries workshop in Cowes on 12 November, offering marketing strategies, PR insights, business support, and networking with local media.
• Darren Chester delivers volunteer grant to support Traralgon RSL Bowls Group and boost junior participation
  Darren Chester awarded a $1700 Volunteer Grant to Traralgon RSL Bowls Group, funding equipment to boost junior participation, support volunteers, and strengthen youth development as part of Gippsland's wider $63,000 program.
• Wellington Shire Council offers free green waste disposal to help residents reduce fire hazards this season
  Wellington Shire Council is urging property owners, particularly in coastal communities, to prepare for the fire danger period by taking advantage of its Fire Ready No-Fee Green Waste Disposal program.
• South Gippsland Seniors Festival offers free and low-cost events to connect, create, and celebrate together
  South Gippsland celebrates Victorian Seniors Festival this October with 60+ free and low-cost events across nine towns, inviting over-60s to connect, create, celebrate, and enjoy community through sport, arts, learning, and fun.
• Melina Bath urges parents, carers, and educators to provide submissions to improve child safety by 30 November 2025
  Victoria's Child Safety Inquiry calls for public submissions to investigate early childhood education failures, restore family confidence, and recommend reforms ensuring children receive safe, high-quality care and protection.
• Martin Cameron says new emergency services tax replaces fire levy, adding enormous pressure to struggling small businesses
  Latrobe Valley small businesses face soaring costs as Labor's new Emergency Services Tax replaces the Fire Services Levy, with Nationals warning it punishes regional communities and fuels insolvencies amid financial mismanagement.