May 2020
We are Open for Business
Welcome to the May edition of the City of Marion’s Open for Business newsletter.

In this edition, we provide updates on the support packages from both the State and Federal Governments. We showcase a great selection of webinars that will help you kickstart your side hustle, improve your digital marketing plan, or improve the wellbeing of yourself and your business. If you haven't already, please visit our City of Marion COVID-19 for Business portal which is updated frequently.

After a number of days with no new COVID-19 cases, it feels like we are starting to see a glimpse of a light at the end of the social isolation tunnel. Perhaps it's time to turn your mind to business recovery? An appointment with a Southern Business Mentoring Program advisor could kickstart your business. It is still important for us to stay connected so we want to hear from you; how can we help your business on the road to recovery? If you need any further support, please get in contact.

Keep safe,
Donna, Kate, Lisa and Marissa
Economic Development Team
Southern Business Mentoring Program
Retail advisor coming soon
From Monday 11 May, the Southern Business Mentoring Program will be offering specialised advice for retail businesses. 

Joanna from the New Retail Revolution will be joining the program to help our retailers solve problems with landlords, lease conditions, franchising and business to business disputes.
 
To register an interest for this new service, please email via the link below.
Revitalisation of the Edwardstown Precinct
Update on Greening of Edwardstown
Marion Council are planting 100 mature trees, installing 75 tree inlets and installing educational signs as part of a plan to revitalise the area.
 
The Edwardstown Green Infrastructure Project, jointly funded by State Government and Marion Council, seeks to improve the appearance of streets and provide shade and habitat for wildlife while reducing the impact of heat.
 
Work is currently being undertaken on Woodlands Terrace, Furness Avenue, Deloraine Road, Dunorlan Avenue and adjoining streets to mark out tree and water inlet locations. 
Footpath Blitz
Marion Council is calling on the community to nominate the worst footpaths in the city as part of a year-long repair blitz. Mayor Kris Hanna has announced an unprecedented campaign – Footpath Blitz – to identify and repair broken footpaths across the city.

Businesses and residents have until Friday 29 May  to lodge examples of poor local footpaths using our Making Marion web portal.
Support for Business
State Government Updates
The State Government's COVID-19 page for business has new information regarding their support packages and resources to help you plan for the future.

There are tips and practical steps that you can take to recover, rebuild and plan for the future. Learn how to make a business continuity plan or take immediate steps to manage your cash flow.
Federal Economic Updates
The Australian Government regularly releases information regarding their support packages for both employers and their workers.

To ensure the integrity and the efficient operation of the JobKeeper Payment scheme, the Government is clarifying the operation of some rules. The Australian Commissioner of Taxation has also extended the time to enrol for the initial JobKeeper periods, from 30 April 2020 until 31 May 2020.

Find more information on your business obligations, tax and mental health support and how to continue your business during the coronavirus pandemic on their website.
Government Assistance Guide
In partnership with the Australian Chamber of Commerce, Business SA , has compiled a comprehensive guide providing business owners with an overview of the financial support packages available to those negatively impacted by the pandemic. The guide also answers some common questions arising from business owners.

Business SA's COVID-19 resource pag e is a wealth of information for businesses and links to catch up on their previous Business Resilience webinars.
Plastic Free SA - New Guide
Cafes and restaurants are, for now, only able to offer takeaway, which comes with a new set of packaging challenges. Waste is almost unavoidable, but Plastic Free SA has developed their own guide for businesses to help choose the best packaging options for the environment.

Need more advice? Plastic Free SA are also offering free personalised assistance to food retailers via phone or online.
Google My Business for COVID-19
If your business is affected by COVID-19, don't forget to update your Google My Business profile to provide the most accurate information to your customers. The updates will show on your Business Profile on Google Search and Maps. Provide updates such as updated hours of operation, if you are experiencing delays, additional services and mark your business 'Temporarily Closed'.

Don't have a Google My Business page? Create a Business Profile .
Planning for post-pandemic
While many people are dealing with the day-to-day pressures caused by the pandemic, it is also important to remember that this will pass and that we need to plan for the future.

To assist with this planning, REMPLAN are targeting insights around change in employment and economic impact at an industry scale through a business survey, the Australian Business Economic Impact Survey

Please assist us to plan for the future and complete REMPLAN's COVID-19 Australian Business Survey.
Need an office for a day?
Are you stuck working from home and struggling with productivity? The Marion Hotel's private rooms are now available to book as an office for the day.

For $49, you will receive f ree unlimited wifi, a comfortable, clean room with work desk, and lunchtime room service!

Their menu is also available for takeaway via their Grazing Station food truck!
Upcoming Webinars
Strengthen business wellbeing

Four of the Southern Business Mentoring Program's Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisors will present a session on how to strengthen your own personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of your business.

Learn their top tips and get a taste of their approach to mental health and wellbeing. Includes opportunities for your questions.

Zoom Webinar, Free
11am, Wednesday 6 May
Your business IT at home in the age of Coronavirus

Join Paul Bloom from Statetechnics as he covers:

- Securely being able to work from home
- Online tools to help keep your time
- Cybersecurity tips
- The best way to stay connected, and
- How to keep your business running online while you’re stuck at home.

Zoom Webinar, free
11.30am, Wednesday 6 May
Protecting Your Business from Covid Criminals

This webinar seeks to help you better understand the threats from physical crime and cybercrime to your business. 
 
The expert panel will share details about where many businesses are exposed to criminals and how to ensure your doors, both physical and digital, can be locked tight. 

Online delivery, free
5.30pm, Wednesday 6 May
Small business support, continuity and recovery

This interactive webinar brings together leading experts, advocates and providers for SA small businesses to discuss key themes as social distancing measures change the way many of us operate. Panellists will discuss support services and funding available to small businesses, using digital platforms for business continuity, and the road to recovery.

Online delivery, free
10.00am, Thursday 7 May
Start It Up! Turning a hobby into a side hustle

Do you have a hobby that you can see potential for bringing in some extra income? How about converting it to a side-hustle?

Join Sharon Boath for a casual morning coffee workshop, and discuss what steps can be put in place to turn your hobby into a side business.

Online delivery, $20
(Use code Cove for free access - numbers limited)
10.00am, Friday 8 May
Marketing Sweet Spot

A lot of business owners try to do too much. It's just not possible to do everything. If you don’t have a plan and if you don’t have a strategy, you’re likely to end up doing a lot of stuff badly. That’s just a waste of time and rarely pays off. This webinar presents you with a super easy formula and some key tricks and tips to get you promoting your business effectively.

Zoom Webinar, $10
(use code Marion for free access - numbers limited)
3pm, Wednesday 13 May
Tax Support for Small Business

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) are running a number of free 60 minute webinars.

This webinar provides small business owners affected by COVID-19 with information about how the Government's stimulus package can help their business.

Online Delivery, Free
Various times, 4 May - 15 May
Powerful ways to stay positive

Are you feeling anxious right now? Are you worried about your future, your job, your health? Positive thoughts will reduce your stress, you'll be able to sleep better. So, if you want positive results, improve your positive thinking. Join this session with Penny Tonkin to learn how to switch negative thoughts to positive and strengthen your ability to think positively.

Zoom Webinar, $10
(Use code positive for free access - numbers limited)
10.30am, Tuesday 19 May
City of Marion News
Marion Council is here for you in these challenging times as we respond to COVID-19. Public access to our venues is suspended but we are continuing to serve you – and support our vulnerable residents.

You can:
- Book services any time at marion.sa.gov.au/online-services
- Learn and be entertained via marion.sa.gov.au and our social media channels
- Request support for vulnerable residents on 8375 6649 or email PositiveAgeingInclusionTeam@marion.sa.gov.au

Our staff, particularly those in the libraries and neighbourhood centres, are only a phone call away. Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions about services and support. Please look after yourself, your loved ones and neighbours.

Mayor Kris Hanna
Annual Business Plan
The City of Marion is seeking your input and feedback regarding the Draft Annual Business Plan 2020/21.

This process provides you with the opportunity to have your say on the level of service and the activities undertaken by the council before the final budget is adopted.

Visit Making Marion to read the plan and provide your feedback by Wednesday 20 May 2020.
Playground, skate park reopenings
SA Health has written to Councils to say playgrounds and skate parks can re-open this week provided measures are in place to protect health and safety.

Council will announce on social media and its website when people can safely return to our playgrounds and skate parks.

For updates to Council services during COVID-19 please visit our COVID-19 page.
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