Support and information for businesses during Coronavirus

Mornington Peninsula Shire is supporting businesses with extended footpath trading, outdoor dining and a new ‘parklets’ program for local restaurants and cafes as COVID-19 restrictions ease over spring and summer.
 
The Shire is streamlining the permit process required by business to increase outdoor dining space, making it quicker, easier and cheaper for businesses to apply.
 
Options to extend outdoor dining space include extended footpath space, temporary street closures and new parklets, which repurpose car parking spaces outside shop fronts. 

Additional outdoor dining space will be crucial for the Peninsula’s food businesses to re-open and remain profitable while complying with social distancing measures and space restrictions.

Learn more about extended outdoor dining.

Affected businesses can also apply for grants of up to $5,000 from the Victorian Government’s $87.5 million Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package to help them pay for items such as outdoor furniture, umbrellas and screens.  The grants will be available to licensed and unlicensed cafés, restaurants, takeaway food businesses, pubs, taverns, bars and clubs with a payroll of less than $3 million.

Information and application form here

Sustainable Parklet Competition

Mornington Peninsula Shire is looking for the best examples of sustainability within the Parklet Program!

If you’re thinking sustainable design, construction and use then we’d love to know and promote your project.

For inspiration on what you could do, check out the tips for Environmentally Sustainable Parklets in the Design Guidelines here.

The grand prize is a Biofilta self-wicking garden bed – ideal for growing herbs, vegetables or indigenous plants with minimal maintenance and water, and made from recycled plastic.

Applications are open now and close 5pm on 29 January 2021. Entrants will need to submit written evidence and/or photos of their parklet and the sustainable initiatives included.

The grand prize winner and two runners-up will be announced on the Shire’s Facebook page in February 2021.

Apply for the Sustainable Parklet Competition

The Mornington Peninsula Shire has developed a business support package(PDF, 2MB) designed to help the local community through the unprecedented effects of COVID-19. 

For more information on support that is available for your business please phone 1300 850 600 or email business@mornpen.vic.gov.au.

Mornington Peninsula Shire has a platform called Funding Finder which lists all funding opportunities provided by state, federal and philanthropic grant programs, including all COVID-19 funding support.

Federal and State guidelines for businesses are being updated regularly. Subscribe to receive the MP Business newsletters and stay up to date.

A wide range of free business resources  are collated on the Shire’s MPbusiness website.

The Shire offers Free Business Webinars on topics such as: finance fundamentals, taking businesses online, business marketing, building business resilience, and commercialising new business ideas.

The Mornington Peninsula Shire in conjunction with Small Business Mentoring Service offers FREE business mentoring sessions to support businesses on the Peninsula. These clinics are introductory sessions, where you get the opportunity for a 45 minute one-on-one with a small business mentor at no cost. Learn more about the Small Business Mentoring Clinics.

Your free library membership gives you access to a range of great training resources that can help your business and staff transition to operating online. This includes free access to Lynda.com which offers training in online meetings, productivity tools and more. Visit the Library website to learn more.

The ATO provides tailored support to businesses feeling the effects of coronavirus. Phone 1800 806 21

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry provides resources for businesses including support for corona virus impacts.

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides information for employers and employees.

The Australia Banking Association provides a list of every bank’s contact number for financial hardship inquiries.

The Shire is rolling out a Support Local campaign to support local businesses and help keep our community thriving.

The Shire offers free business listings on its local business directory website: MPBusiness.

Local businesses are able to create and manage their own business listing on the directory. Update it regularly to keep customers informed about how your business is adapting or changing its operations during Coronavirus. Listings are displayed in a number of areas:

• The Support Local Business Directory that promotes local business under a range of categories

•  The Best Bites Online Directory of best practice food businesses offering safe, healthy and sustainable foods. 

The Victorian Government has announced that restaurants, cafes and other hospitality businesses are able to resume limited dining arrangements from 1 November 2020.

Industry Restart Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions have been released to help cafes, restaurants and other hospitality premises resume serving meals via table service from 1 November 2020. The guidelines assist businesses to prepare to safely resume operations in accordance with the easing of restrictions and meet CovidSafe principles.

During restrictions, standard Food business requirements still apply.

Advice on operating a Covid-safe business, business restrictions, personal hygiene and food safety is available from DHHS and from Business Victoria.

You can also find specific sector guidance including cafes, restaurants and food businesses from Business Victoria, and clear evidence based answers to FAQs about Coronavirus and Food Safety from Food Safety Standards Australia New Zealand.

Free online training for food safety and allergen management is available for food businesses at:

• Food Safety Training: Do Food Safely
• Allergen Management:  All About Allergens Training

Environmental Health Officers are available for advice and can provide up to date Coronavirus business information & support. They can also provide onsite advice to food businesses on implementing the reduced dining restrictions. As businesses fully reopen, it is important staff are trained in food safety, hygiene and allergen management. If your business fully ceased trading during the previous Coronavirus dining restrictions, please contact the Shire’s Environmental Health Team to book an inspection before serving foods.

The Team can be contacted by emailfood@mornpen.vic.gov.au or phone 5950 1050. 

Learn more about Health and Hygiene for Business

Hairdressers are able to reopen from 18 October, provided all clients and staff wear face masks and the Industry Restart Guidelines are followed.
 
From 1 November 2020, health, beauty and personal care premises can open for activities that can be conducted with face masks worn throughout.  
The State Government Industry Restart Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions for hair and beauty premises are at Hair and Beauty Restart Guidelines
 
Further information on general hygiene precautions is on the Shire web site at Mornington Peninsula Shire Health Premises

The Victorian Government has announced accommodation businesses are able to reopen from 1 November 2020, with specific restrictions on group bookings:
 
Group booking restrictions:

• Only members of a single household; OR
• Only intimate partners; OR
• Only members of a single household and two others (plus dependents who cannot be left unattended or cared for in another setting); AND
• Cannot stay with people living in a restricted area; AND
• Members of separately booked groups do not share bedrooms at the facility.

 This applies to hotels, hostels, Bed and Breakfasts, motels, serviced apartments, camping grounds, caravan parks and private holiday rental facilities
 
The guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions for accommodation premises are available at  Food and Accommodation Restart Guidelines.

As we stay home to stay safe, a new campaign will encourage Victorians to experience some of our state’s best produce and products – right from the comfort of their own home.

‘Click for Vic’, is a new campaign to encourage door-to-door delivery from Victorian restaurants, cafes, bars, producers, growers, and artisans.  

Victoria is home to some of the best fresh food, wine, galleries and homewares in the world – but the coronavirus pandemic has hit many small producers hard.

The new website – backed by a major new campaign that will be rolled out across television, print, radio, digital and social media channels – will encourage Victorians to support these hard-working local businesses, which are vital to so many local communities.

Visit the Shire's MPbusiness website to read more

BUSINESS RESILIENCE GRANTS OPEN FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES

Applications are open for four grant packages to support Victorian businesses impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions and help them prepare for COVID Normal business.

Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package

The Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package will provide grants of up to $5,000 to help eligible hospitality businesses adapt their operations to outdoor dining.

For more information on eligibility and the application process visit Business Victoria Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package.

Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund

The Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund program will provide grants of up to $30,000 for eligible liquor licensees with hospitality venues impacted by the restrictions put in place to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Eligible licensees will be invited to apply through their Liquor Portal accounts.

For more information on eligibility and the application process, including Liquor Portal accounts, visit Business Victoria Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund.

Sole Trader Support Fund

The Sole Trader Support Fund provides grants of $3,000 to eligible non-employing sole traders who are impacted by the restrictions in Victoria’s roadmap for reopening.

Details on eligibility and applications are available at Business Victoria Sole Trader Support Fund.

Third Round of the Business Support Fund

The third round of the Business Support Fund will provide grants of up to $20,000 to eligible businesses, ensuring they continue to receive the support they need to make it through restricted trading.

For more information on eligibility and applications visit Business Victoria Business Support Fund.

COVIDSafe Plan

It is mandatory for every Victorian business to have a COVIDSafe Plan. Information and resources to help businesses prepare a COVIDSafe Plan are available at vic.gov.au/coronavirus.

The roadmaps for reopening and industry restrictions are available at vic.gov.au/coronavirus.

Further information on current restrictions is available at the Department of Health and Human Services website.

The Victorian Government has developed the First Peoples’ COVID-19 Business Support Fund to support Victorian Aboriginal businesses that have been affected by trading restrictions introduced to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Grants can be used to help to meet business costs including rent and salaries, develop marketing activities or pivot the business offering in response to the current environment. A full list of uses can be found below.

Eligible businesses will be provided with a one-off grant of up to $10,000.

To be eligible, businesses must be a certified Victorian Aboriginal business through Kinaway Chamber of Commerce (Kinaway).

You can find out more about the process of certification on the Kinaway website.

Before applying, please read the information provided on this page, including the program guidelines and frequently asked questions (FAQs). Applicants must also ensure they have the required documentation before they apply.

To learn more or apply, visit First Peoples’ COVID-19 Business Support Fund

For the latest information on the Federal Government’s economic response (including support for sole traders, JobKeeper and more) refer to the COVID-19 outbreak refer to Treasury’s Coronavirus page or businesses and employers.

Or contact business.gov.au on 13 28 46

Business proprietors, their staff and families can access a range of mental health services to help them cope.

• The Shire has a detailed list of resources to help with managing COVID-19 & Health and Wellbeing.
• Business Victoria offers additional mental health business resources and a listing of free mental health services.
• Beyond Blue has valuable tips for small business owners on managing mental health during coronavirus or you can call them on 1800 512 348 to speak to a trained counsellor.
• Resources are available on the Head to Health website, including self-help options and information on accessing mental health services. 
• For businesses concerned about staff between 15-25 years there is support on offer through Headspace Ph: 1800 650 890, and the Shire Youth Services team

Businesses have an important role to assist with the prevention and management of the current outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Shire is regularly updating information for food businesses to assist them and further protect the community.

Advice on operating a Covid-safe business, business restrictions, personal hygiene and food safety is available from DHHS and from Business Victoria.

You can also find specific sector guidance including cafes, restaurants, food businesses, and more.

Services and industries that are able to open are required to have a COVID Safe Plan.

All employers must notify Work Safe Victoria if an employee has tested positive for COVID-19.

• Work Safe Victoria has the latest information about coronavirus in the workplace: reporting a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis; preventing and managing exposure to Coronavirus; face coverings in workplaces; and a Coronavirus guide for employers.
• Safe Work Australia has a Small Business Coronavirus Planning Tool to help your business develop a COVIDSafe Plan.
• Find more DHHS information on face masks – including refusing entry to customers who try to enter without wearing a mask, and Work Safe advice on responding to work related violence

A mediation service is available for commercial tenants and landlords through the Small Business Commission

Currently there is  

• A six month moratorium on commercial tenancy evictions from 29 March for the non-payment of rent for small to medium enterprises
• A freeze on rent increases during the moratorium for commercial tenants
• A rental payment waiver or deferral can be negotiated between tenant and landlord proportionate to commercial tenants’ income reduction
• Land tax relief available to commercial landlords that provide rent relief to their tenants, provided the tenant’s annual turnover doesn’t exceed $50 million

Email or phone 13 87 22.

There are a range of good print resources (posters, signage and floor stickers) available from Business Victoria.

The Department of Health offers a large number of fact sheets and resources to help you stay informed and share important messages with your staff and customers

There is also additional industry specific information for Mornington Peninsula food and health businesses here

We’ve all enjoyed seeing our streets finally teeming with life again and restaurants filling up this summer. Most patrons are great at checking in to a venue or event by scanning QR codes, but some still need a reminder. Please ensure you ask all guests if they have checked in properly. These records help contact tracers in the event a positive case of coronavirus is identified. As we recently experienced, the coronavirus threat is still real and we must continue to be vigilant so we can continue to stay safe and importantly, for business to stay open.

To help contract tracers, you should only use one platform per business, organisation, club or event. The Victorian Government has a free QR code service, which only asks patrons their first name and phone number, making the check in process quick and easy.

Victorian Government QR Code Service | Coronavirus Victoria