Anaconda will officially open its new Shepparton store to the public on Saturday, November 25, helping to launch the first stage of a new $40 million retail development on Benalla Rd.
The new Anaconda store is larger than its earlier version just a few metres away across a car park, and initiated a “soft opening” on Thursday, November 23, with a grand opening planned for Saturday.
Anaconda CEO Chris Lude said the company’s Shepparton store had enjoyed great success since opening in 2018.
“It’s just gone bigger and better than we had ever imagined so now we’ve had to move into our new site, which is around 35 per cent larger just to keep up with local demands,” he said.
Mr Lude said the company’s move showed it had confidence in the local market, despite some challenging economic circumstances.
“One hundred per cent, yes,” he said.
“The customer feedback we get is fantastic. The people of Shepparton love getting out, love enjoying the outdoors and our job is to help them create memorable outdoor experiences.”
Spotlight Group Holdings is behind the new centre which also includes Spotlight, The Good Guys, Adairs, Autobarn and Pets Domain outlets.
Child employment watchdog issues school holiday warning to regional businesses
Regional businesses intending to hire children over the summer school holidays have been urged to apply for a child employment licence now to avoid falling foul of workplace laws later.
Wage Inspectorate Victoria, Victoria’s child employment watchdog, said businesses hoping to hire minors to help manage seasonal demand could hire children as young as 13 in industries such as retail and hospitality but needed a licence to employ anyone under 15.
It said businesses could employ multiple children under one licence and must adhere to rules around supervision, work hours, and rest breaks.
“We know child employment is more common in regional and rural Victoria, particularly in holiday hotspots, so I urge businesses to familiarise themselves with the law,” Wage Inspectorate Victoria Commissioner Robert Hortle said.
“The Wage Inspectorate would much rather help local businesses employ kids safely and legally than take more matters to court, so reach out to get the advice you need.”
Businesses can be fined more than $200,000 for breaking the law.
Entries open for 2024 small business awards
The 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards celebrate the achievements and economic, social and cultural contributions made by millions of small business operators across Australia.
The awards include more than 100 categories with online entry free and open until February 15 next year.
Australian government data suggests small businesses employ 5.1 million Australians, which is almost double what big business employs and account for one-third of Australia’s GDP.
For more information and to submit an entry, visit: businesschampions.com.au
Asbestos fight ongoing
National Asbestos Awareness Week from November 20 to 27 has marked the 20th anniversary of the prohibition on the use, importation and manufacture of asbestos.
Homes built in Australia until 1990 routinely used asbestos products such as cement sheeting and thermal insulation for pipes, and asbestos is estimated to still be present in one in three homes and when disturbed by demolition or construction, the consequences can be lethal.
WorkSafe is conducting a fortnight-long blitz across Victoria focused on the safe removal of asbestos.
People can find out more on safety obligations relating to asbestos and tools to reduce the risk of exposure at worksafe.vic.gov.au/asbestos
Ombudsman applauds cyber support for small business
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement that it will provide support for small businesses to help them combat cyber attacks.
“The latest chilling report from the Australian Cyber Security Centre is that a cyber attack happens every six minutes and when a small business is hit, on average they suffer a financial loss of $46,000,” Mr Billson said.
Under the announcements, $7.2 million will be spent to create a voluntary cyber health check program to allow businesses to undertake a free, self-assessment of their cyber security maturity and a further $11 million will be spent on the Small Business Cyber Resilience Service to provide one-on-one assistance to help small businesses navigate their cyber challenges, including walking them through the steps to recover from a cyber attack.