Almost 40 business in Corangamite Shire have benefitted from the latest round of Council’s Retail Area Façade Improvement Program.
At the September Meeting, Council allocated $87,000 to 39 businesses in seven towns.
Council allocated $49,220 from the 2021-2022 Budget to 19 applicants and $16,795 not allocated from 2020-2021 to another 10 applicants.
As a COVID-19 business support initiative, an additional $20,793 in once-off additional funding was allocated to a further 10 businesses.
Mayor Ruth Gstrein said Council did not hesitate to make the extra allocation to help businesses during difficult times.
“We are pleased to support local businesses that have been doing it tough during the pandemic.
“The extra funding comes from projects from last year’s Budget that came in under budget or didn’t proceed and a once off additional allocation as part of our COVID support program for small businesses.
“This program is a way to support businesses in our retail and industrial areas, with flow-on benefits for the local tradespeople and suppliers involved in carrying out the improvements.
“This dollar for dollar funding will enable work worth about $225,000 to occur, in improving facades, whether it be painting, new verandas, improving lighting or maintenance on properties.”
Mayor Ruth Gstrein said the program had delivered great outcomes over the past seven years.
“This year the program was expanded to include businesses not on the main street of a Shire town,” she said.
“It has always been a really great program and has been oversubscribed every single year.
“By improving the appearance of our streetscapes in the Shire, we can keep local spending here and attract passing trade to support business operators who are major employers in our community.”
Successful applicants reflect a wide range of sectors including hospitality, retail, charities, health and personal services and more.
The recipients
- GBM Technology
- Josie Black Community Health Centre
- Wickos Auto Electrics
- Cobden Bakery
- Ball and Chain Hotel Motel
- Crawley’s Milk Bar
- Heytesbury House
- 91 High Street
- Curdie Arcade Cobden
- Great Ocean Road Motor Inn
- ANZ Bank
- Terang Garden Supplies
- 12 Rocks Bar
- Camperdown Pharmacy
- 13th Apostle Backpackers
- Timboon Wash Dock
- Thommo’s Hotel
- TS McQuinn & Sons
- Wylde Home Timboon
- SunnySide Op Shop 1
- Sunnyside Op Shop 2
- Port O Call Motel
- Port Campbell Fuels & Restaurant
- Port Campbell Shopping
- Mint Body & Beauty
- Cobden Laundromat and Desire Beauty
- Cobden Rotary Mini Golf
- Jokers Fancy Dress
- Sow & Piglets Guesthouse and Brewery
- Hair Supreme
- Camperdown Nursey and Mart
- Mount Elephant Hotel Motel
- Timboon Provedore
- Cobden Floor & Furnishings
- Commercial Hotel Terang
- Bert’s Bank 154 Manifold Street
- Berry World
- The Chook Shed
- Charles Stewart
