Yarra business handbook 2020 - Yarra City Council

Yarra business
handbook
2020

Wominjeka Welcome
      to the Yarra Business
      handbook for 2020

      This booklet has been prepared by our economic development team
      to assist local business and is packed full of useful information and
      resources related to running a business in the City of Yarra.
      There are more than 15,300 businesses operating in Yarra, making
      us home to one of the largest economies in metropolitan Melbourne.
      Our vision is that Yarra is recognised for being a smart and sustainable
      city, with vibrant and thriving precincts and a locally engaged business
      community.

      Acknowledgment
      Yarra City Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people
      as the Traditional Owners and true sovereigns of the land now known
      as Yarra. We also acknowledge the significant contributions made by
      other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to life in Yarra. We pay
      our respects to Elders from all nations and to their Elders past, present
      and future.

055                                                                REF 18548

Councillors

The Yarra community is represented by nine elected councillors.
Individual councillors can consult with their constituents and
advocate on their behalf, but they can only make decisions as
a collective.
This Council was elected on 22 October 2016. Its term will conclude
on 24 October 2020.
To speak to your councillors visit yarracity.vic.gov.au/councillors

Melba Ward Councillors

Cr Mi-Lin Chen Yi Mei    Cr Daniel Nguyen             Cr James Searle

Langridge Ward Councillors

Cr Danae Bosler           Cr Stephen Jolly            Cr Amanda Stone

Nicholls Ward Councillors

Cr Misha Coleman         Cr Jackie Fristacky          Cr Bridgid O’Brien

Café BÜ, Carlton North

Business support

                                                                     Business support
Economic information
Remplan provides an economic profile that produces an interactive
understanding of Yarra’s workforce, characteristics, the role
of tourism and trends in the local economy. Visit
yarracity.vic.gov.au/research for details.
MyVictoria is a free tool from the Victorian government, combining
50 sets of open data. Search for a postcode, suburb, local
government area or region and discover information on local
businesses industries, building activity and government projects
myvictoria.vic.gov.au

E-newsletter
We have over 10,000 businesses signed up to our fortnightly
business e-newsletter. To receive the latest business news, tips,
upcoming events and networking opportunities in Yarra, you can
sign up at yarracity.vic.gov.au/biznews

Free training and events
We hold regular training and networking events where local
businesses share knowledge on their topic of expertise and/or
interest.
If you are interested in either attending or presenting visit
yarracity.vic.gov.au/businessevents

Mentoring
We offer a free mentoring session to new and existing businesses
in Yarra.
Running a small business can be difficult, lonely and financially
stressful. Talking with someone who’s been there before can be
a great way to help you address any problems.
For more details on how to access mentoring see
yarracity.vic.gov.au/mentoring

Put your business on the map
In Yarra, we have 12 distinctive shopping precincts, each with
their own personality and character. We’re currently mapping
out all businesses who are located within these precincts.
If you’d like to list your business on our map, jump over to
yarracity.vic.gov.au/shopping

I want to run an event - but where do I start?
A diverse range of festivals, events and activities occur within
the City of Yarra.
When planning an event, there are various regulations, permits
and approvals that need to be considered. Our event permits team
are there to assist event organisers to work through the various
requirements.
Visit arts.yarracity.vic.gov.au/events for details.

Business support
Managing disruptive works
We know disruptions such as construction or roadworks can have
serious impacts on a small business.
Early contact with the authority who is carrying out the works to
understand the size and length can allow you to properly prepare
your business in the form of rostering, alerting customers, adjusting
delivery times – even working out what happens to your bins!
If you would like to know more about disruptions in your area see
our directory of major authorities that carry out works within Yarra
visit yarracity.vic.gov.au/disruptions

Builders Arms Hotel, Fitzroy

Planning and Compliance

Australian Business Licence and Information Services (ABLIS)
Did you know you need a licence to play music in a public setting?
To find out what licences, regulations, council approvals and
compliance requirements you may need, visit ablis.business.gov.au
to complete a quick survey.

New permit application process
Are you looking to move into a new premises, or open a new
business?
Our new Business Application Service which provides you with

                                                                       Planning and compliance
a single point of contact to help guide you through the registration
process. To find out more check out yarracity.vic.gov.au/business

Construction management permits
Planning on doing some small scale building works that require you
to use our roads or footpaths?
Then you’ll need a work area permit. These works could include the
use of ladders, mobile scaffold, site sheds and painting.
If you are planning larger scales works and need to occupy public
land for excavators, containers, hoarding and other larger closures,
you will need to apply for a road occupation permit. Other permits
may apply too.
Applications for permits can be made online
at yarracity.vic.gov.au/workpermit

Building permits
You need a building permit for most commercial and industrial
works.
Irrespective of the costs of works, this can include the following:
• new buildings
• alterations and additions to current buildings
• modifications to property drainage
• pergolas (roofed), verandahs and shade sails
• change of use of a building (warehouse to dwelling)
• minor structures (carports, roller doors)
• outbuildings (garages and sheds)
• fences and retaining walls
• demolition of an existing building
• structural works.
If you have a question, contact our Building Services team or see
yarracity.vic.gov.au/buildingpermit

Heritage considerations
Two-thirds of Yarra is covered by a heritage overlay in which
a planning permit is required for all demolition and works (including
painting, fences and signage).
You can find out if your property is included in the heritage overlay
by creating a free property report. The report will tell you all the
planning controls that affect your property.
To access the report visit yarracity.vic.gov.au/yarraheritage

Health

Food businesses
It is important that we ensure all food businesses operating within
the City of Yarra comply with their responsibilities to sell safe and
suitable food.
All class 1, 2 and 3 food businesses need to renew their permits
annually at the end of the calendar year. A renewal notice and
invoice will be posted to the nominated postal address in early-mid
November each year.

                                                                         Planning and compliance
Personal care services and tattooists
We are responsible for ensuring that personal care and body art
businesses are safe for customers. A renewal notice and invoice
will be posted to the nominated postal address in early September
each year.

Footpath trading
We are legally responsible for regulating trading activities in public
places in Yarra. We’re committed to ensuring safe access for all
people who use our footpaths.
Footpath trading is using the footpath for commercial activities,
including:
• outdoor dining
• display of goods and signs.
If you wish to place tables and chairs, an advertising sign, display
goods, planter boxes, umbrellas, screens or promotional items on
the footpath you will need to apply for a permit.
Applications can be made online at yarracity.vic.gov.au/footpaths

Bins
Placing your waste and recycling bins in the correct position on the
street makes it easy for them to be emptied. Bins must be placed
out on the night prior to collection and taken back in as soon as
practically possible. It is an offence under the Local Law to leave
your bin out any longer than 24 hours after collection.
Remember:
• wheels are away from the kerb
• front of bin is 30cm to 100cm from the kerb
• make sure lid is fully shut.
Items that must not be placed in your bin:
• hot ashes
• unwrapped vacuum dust
• liquids
• syringes and needles
• timber or other building materials
• oil, paint and solvents.

Precinct Pulse fact sheets

Vacant properties
Yarra has a high density of retail businesses – in fact we have over
6,000 of them!
Each year, we visit approximately 3,000 ground floor businesses
across our 12 retail precincts. We record vacancies and changes
to businesses to monitor trends and assist with strategic planning.
This information is publicly available so you can see what changes
are happening in your street. ‘Precinct Pulse’ fact sheets can be
accessed. Find them at yarracity.vic.gov.au/research

What are we doing about the vacancies?

                                                                             Planning and compliance
Local governments are limited in how we can affect the private
property market, including high rental prices. We use our resources
to work with existing businesses like yourself to help support you
stay in business.

What can I do about a vacant property?
We know vacant properties can be seen as detrimental to your
business, so we have a few tips to try and reduce their impact:
1. Request to use their footpath trading space
    If you’re neighbouring a vacant property, you could try contacting
    the owner of the property to get their approval for you to use their
    space. You will however still need to pay the applicable fees, and
    inform council’s compliance team so they can assess your set up.
2. Get permission to remove graffiti from the building*
    While speaking to the owner, get written permission from
    them to allow you to request graffiti remove on their behalf.
For more information on graffiti removal, visit
yarracity.vic.gov.au/graffitiremoval

*
 Please note, removal from private property will only be considered where
it has a significant impact on public amenity and/or is a shopping centre,
a gateway or an area of high prominence.

Homelessness and rough sleeping
Why are people homeless?
As in many cities around the world, homelessness across Melbourne
is growing.
The main reasons people become homeless are:
• lack of affordable housing
• domestic violence
• poverty
• disability
• mental health
• alcohol and other drug issue.

What do we do about homelessness?
There are limited ways for Local Government to help the homeless;
however our council officers play an important role in our partnership
with the homelessness outreach team at Launch Housing.
We also advocate to State and Federal Government to increase funding,
support and housing to those who need it most. Currently there is no
national plan to address homelessness and the affordable housing crisis.

What can I do if I see someone who looks homeless?
It is not against the law to be homeless, and all Victorians have
a right to be in public places. Our approach recognises the principles
of Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities in
treating all people with respect and dignity.
However as people experiencing homelessness may have a history
of trauma leading to behaviour that can seem antisocial, it’s advised
not to approach homeless people unless:

                                                                         Planning and compliance
• they ask for help
• they seem distressed
• they are a danger to themselves or to others
• there is a child under 18 with them
• their behaviour may damage property or the environment.
For all safety issues call Victoria Police on 000.
For medical emergencies call Ambulance on 000.
Tell us about a rough sleeping site by using our online reporting tool
at yarraroughsleepers.com.au
For any other concerns or to help someone who is sleeping rough,
call us on 9205 5555 or Launch Housing outreach team on
8598 1111.

What about begging?
Begging is illegal under the Summary Offences Act and
enforcement is the responsibility of the police.
If a person who is begging is acting aggressively, is intoxicated,
intimidating, violent, blocking access to your business or
placing people at risk - you can report the matter to the police
by phoning 000.

Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Parking

On street parking
We have installed sensors in the parking bays in most of our key
shopping precincts. This provides data around occupancy and
length of stay. Sensors support efficient turnover of parking spaces
and helps on street parking be more readily available for residents,
businesses, shoppers and visitors.
It also allows us to manage the limited parking spaces on our
streets in a fair and equitable way for everyone
Each precinct has spaces designed to enable quick, medium and
long-term visits to ensure our streets are accessible to all.

Parking permits
If there is no off street parking at your business you may be eligible
to apply for a parking permit. The number of permits issued to your
business is determined by the length of the street frontage.
For more information or to see if you’re eligible, visit
yarracity.vic.gov.au/park

Use of a loading zone
You can use a loading zone if your vehicle has a goods registration
classification, or is a passenger vehicle, truck or van with
a permanently fixed sign on both sides of the vehicle.

Apply for a loading zone
To apply for a loading zone bay near your business, please visit
yarracity.vic.gov.au/loading
                                                                         Parking

Billy Van Creamy, Fitzroy North

Sustainability

                                                                         Sustainability
Waste management
In the face of our climate emergency, the protection of our
environment is an important global and local responsibility. We
want to continue to lead the transformation in how we live and use
our resources in the future.
Sustainability is important to us, and we know it’s important to
businesses in Yarra too. Here are some ways you can deal with
business waste in a sustainable way.

Plastic bag ban
From 1 November 2019 the Victorian Government banned retailers
from supplying lightweight plastic shopping bags in Victoria. The
Environmental Protection Authority will be managing compliance
with the ban and penalties will apply to retailers who sell or provide
a banned plastic bag or who give false or misleading information
about non-compliant bags.
To ensure you comply with the new rules be sure to visit
environment.vic.gov.au/sustainability/plastic-bags

Waste education signs for your workplace
We all need to work together to improve the way we recycle to
recover our valuable resources and keep them out of landfill.
Print and display our waste and recycling educational signs to help
your staff understand which items go into the recycling and rubbish
bins. We even have one you can put up for your customers!
Download our signs here yarracity.vic.gov.au/bizsustainability

Electronic waste
From 1 July 2019, electronic waste is banned from landfill and must
be disposed of at a designated collection point.
Electronic waste is anything with a battery or a plug, including
phones, laptops, appliances and toys.
To find your closest e-waste drop off point visit
yarracity.vic.gov.au/bizsustainability

Yarra’s Zero Waste Map
We’ve developed an online tool that will help customers reduce
their waste in the City of Yarra.
Our Zero Waste Map is an online directory that profiles business
and community initiatives across Yarra that promote waste
reduction through their products, services or business practices.
For more information and to view the map visit
yarracity.vic.gov.au/zerowaste

Sustainability
Proudly Plastic Free
We are reducing plastic use in business through our Proudly Plastic
Free program.
Proudly Plastic Free is a whole of community plan to reduce the use
of single use plastic packaging. We’ll support you every step of the
way and share your efforts and successes with the community.
What is the process?
• Contact our sustainability team and pledge to go Proudly
   Plastic Free
• Assess what you’re already doing to reduce single use plastic
• We’ll help you think of further actions to take
• Implement the actions that make most sense for your business
• Celebrate your success with the local community!
To sign up visit yarracity.vic.gov.au/plasticfree

  Wild Things Food, Fitzroy North

Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Sustainability
Energy efficiency
Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) provides a range of services and
advice to help you:
• improve your energy efficiency
• save money, and
• reduce your carbon footprint.
YEF can assist you with:
• retrofitting for energy efficiency including LED lighting, insulation
   and solar panels
• renewable energy options
• use of energy management systems
• grants and environmental finance options.
YEF can also link you in with similar businesses in your industry that
may have recently improved energy efficiency and can guide you on
your sustainability journey.
To get started head to www.yef.org.au

Going 100% Renewable
Yarra and YEF are looking at ways to support businesses who
want to procure renewable energy directly from generators, either
through new renewables projects or from existing sources.
If you are interested please contact our sustainability team on
9205 5555 to register your interest.

Environmental Upgrade Agreements
Yarra businesses are now able to access Environmental Upgrade
Finance. This financing mechanism is aimed at bridging the
incentive gap between Landlords and Tenants. It is also suitable
to many owner occupied businesses seeking alternative sources
of finance.
To find out more see yarracity.vic.gov.au/sustainability

Corner Hotel, Richmond

Make your business accessible

Good access = good business!
Did you know that 1 in 5 people in Australia have a disability?
You might be missing out on potential customers if your premise is
not accessible for all.
We are committed to ensuring that everyone can enjoy our local
restaurants, shopping strips, music venues and cultural events.

Meeting your legal responsibilities
In Australia, the law says that customers with disabilities should be
able to access your goods or services just like any other customer.

                                                                         Accessible business
If a customer with a disability cannot get into your building or
cannot access your goods or services they could make a complaint
of discrimination under the Disability Discrimination Act.
Making your business more accessible is also likely to make it safer
for both customers and staff and could have an effect on your public
liability and workplace safety responsibilities.
Making simple changes to shop layouts, providing menus with
large print, making sure doormats are secure and level with the
surrounding floor and providing good customer service are a few
small adjustments that can be made for little to no cost.
If your business is accessible, let people know! To see a full list of
suggestions, head to yarracity.vic.gov.au/accessible

Victoria Street gateway, Richmond

Additional resources

Our website has some fantastic resources which we encourage
you to check out at yarracity.vic.gov.au/business
You may also wish to access the following information:
Small Business Victoria
A comprehensive online resource designed to help you start,
run and grow your business.
business.vic.gov.au

The Victorian Small Business Commission
Can assist with dispute resolution, and assistance with leasing
agreements.
vsbc.vic.gov.au

Fairwork
Understand the correct award rates, and employee entitlements.
fairwork.gov.au

Australian Tax Office
Responsible for administering the Australian federal taxation
system, superannuation legislation, and other associated matters.
ato.gov.au

Beyond Blue
A guide to help you support the mental health of small business
owners you know or work with.
bb.org.au/supportingsmallbusiness                                   Additional resources

Business Enterprise Centre
The Kangan Institute Business Enterprise Centre (BEC), in
partnership with council, offers Yarra businesses a free business
counselling session.
Bookings can be made by contacting the BEC on 9094 3042
or email bec@kangan.edu.au

Yarra City Council PO Box 168 Richmond VIC 3121
Bargoonga Nganjin, North Fitzroy Library
182 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North
Collingwood Town Hall 140 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford
Connie Benn Centre 160 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Richmond Town Hall 333 Bridge Road, Richmond

T (03) 9205 5555
TTY 133 677 then 9205 5555
E info@yarracity.vic.gov.au
W yarracity.vic.gov.au