MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is being urged to be a “small business friendly council” by joining 18 municipalities that have signed a charter with the Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC).
Agreeing to sign the charter would see the shire partner with the VSBC to “provide small businesses with the support they need to run their businesses”.
The suggestion for the shire to sign up comes from the business-backed Committee for Mornington Peninsula (C4MP), which is also lobbying for the shire to be recognised by governments as “regional” rather than “metropolitan”.
“Small businesses are the heartbeat of the peninsula economy and deserve the support of the local council in their work providing jobs, services and a crucial economic contribution to our community,” C4MP president Bruce Billson said. The former MP for Dunkley and federal small business minister, said signing the charter would commit the shire to “create a more positive and encouraging enterprise environment for local businesses”.
Municipalities to have already signed the charter include Frankston, Casey and Kingston. Signing the charter, will see the shire pledge to:
- Pay small businesses within 30 days;
- Support local businesses in managing the impacts of infrastructure projects;
- Streamline the approval process when starting a business; and
- Help set up and support local business networks.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 9 October 2019