Latest News
New Australian Food Standards
New Food Safety Requirements for NSW Food Service, Caterers, and Related Retail Businesses Starting 8 December 2023, businesses in NSW must comply with new food safety regulations under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Key Deadlines: 8 December 2023: Most businesses must comply. 8 December 2024: School canteens, children's services, supermarkets, greengrocers, delis, coffee […]
Tips to get paid on time
Protect Your Cash Flow: Tips for Getting Paid on Time Delayed payments can disrupt cash flow and operations, but proactive measures can help safeguard your business. Here are simple steps to secure timely payments and reduce financial risks: Set clear payment terms: Use written contracts to outline payment schedules, including deposits, progress payments, and final […]
Winning Business
Expand your business opportunities with free training and resources designed to help you secure contracts and sell to the NSW Government. These courses provide essential tools, practical tips, and guidance tailored for small businesses, covering both private and public sector contracting. Choose from Winning Business to master the basics of pitching and contracting or Selling […]
Learn how to sell to Government
Learn how to identify tendering opportunities for your business. The NSW Small Business Commission has launched a new course, Selling to the NSW Government, designed to help small businesses unlock opportunities in the government marketplace. With governments spending $3 of every $10 in Australia, they can be valuable customers—if you know how to meet their […]
Christmas and New Year Tips for Small Businesses
As the year winds down, small businesses should prepare for the festive season's unique opportunities and challenges. Whether you’re gearing up for a busy period or planning to wind down, now is the time to ensure you're ready for what’s ahead. Key considerations include: financial planning workforce management legal compliance digital readiness. From budgeting for […]
Storytowns Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Embark on a magical quest this Christmas and help Rudolph find his mischievous reindeer friends before time runs out! Follow enchanting audio clues from Rudolph himself as you explore, solve puzzles, and uncover hidden surprises in your town. Keep an eye out for posters displayed throughout either Cessnock or Kurri Kurri town centres. Simply scan […]
Small Business Tech Boost
Check if you can claim a 20% bonus deduction on technology expenditure to help digitise your small business. Small businesses with an annual turnover under $50 million can claim a 20% bonus tax deduction on eligible technology expenses to support digital transformation. This applies to expenditures incurred between 7:30 pm AEDT on 29 March 2022 […]
Make a Business Continuity Plan
Prepare for the Unexpected: Build a Business Continuity Plan Every business needs a Business Continuity Plan. Disruptions and disasters can strike at any time, and preparation is crucial for survival. This guide walks you through the essential steps to create your own plan, complete with user-friendly templates and checklists tailored to your business needs. Your […]
Prepare your Small Business
Prepare Your Small Business for Bushfire Season As summer approaches, the NSW Small Business Commissioner urges business owners to prepare for bushfire risks. Commissioner Chris Lamont emphasizes the need for action: “This summer is predicted to be warm, with over 1,600 bush and grass fires reported since July 1. Even businesses in low-risk areas may […]
Understand the Retail Leases Act
Before entering a lease, check if the Retail Leases Act 1994 applies. This law sets clear requirements for lessors and lessees that you cannot waive, even if your agreement tries to exclude them. If you plan to sign a commercial lease that allows you to sell goods or services, understand the Retail Leases Act. It […]
Update your Holiday Hours
Prepare for the holiday season by updating your hours on Google. With the holidays just around the corner, visitor-focused businesses are encouraged to review and update their Google business listing to reflect any seasonal changes in operating hours. Keeping your hours accurate on Google helps ensure that customers can find reliable, up-to-date information, enhancing their […]
Winding Down Winery Waste Program
Go Circular invites you to join the Winding Down Winery Waste Program—a collaborative effort to reduce food waste in the Hunter Valley’s hospitality and winery sectors. This program focuses on implementing innovative food waste solutions, using the experiences and practices of local businesses. By joining the program, you will have the opportunity to: Collaborate with […]
Mobile Black Spot Program
Mobile Black Spot Program community survey The Mobile Black Spot Program is an Australian Government initiative that invests in telecommunications infrastructure to improve mobile coverage and competition across Australia. To date, around 1400 mobile phone towers (base stations) have been funded for delivery under the program, including a base station in the Cessnock LGA. They […]
Complete the National Retail Sentiment Survey
Responses to the National Retail Sentiment Survey will close in just two weeks. As the peak trading season approaches, many retailers are navigating a challenging environment. With interest rates holding steady but the economic outlook remaining uncertain, it is vital to hear directly from businesses about the issues affecting them. The National Retail Association represents […]
Sustainability Webinars for Tourism
Austrade has created a playlist of Sustainability Training Webinars for tourism businesses. The videos include: Taking a managed approach Taking environmental and climate action Respecting Culture Creating positive social impact and sharing your sustainability journey View the playlist here
Closure of 3G Network
The national 3G network is closing to boost the speed and reliability of the 4G and 5G networks. Telstra will close their 3G network from 28 October 2024. Optus will close their 3G network from 28 October 2024. TPG Telecom/Vodafone has already closed their 3G mobile network as of January 2024. Devices that depend on […]
Tourism Workforce Diversity Videos
Austrade's new ‘Tourism workforce diversity in action’ videos are now available to view online. These five short films offer real-life examples of how employing people with disability and older Australians can benefit tourism businesses and staff. View the videos here
Food Rescue Rebates
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is working to reduce good quality food suitable for human consumption from being disposed to landfill. The Food Rescue Rebates are available to expand food rescue and relief capacity to safely manage increasing amounts of rescued food in NSW. The rebates are part of a suite of organics programs […]
Visitor Economy Training Program
The NSW Government is boosting NSW’s visitor economy workforce, delivering subsidised training programs for a sector that is expected to need up to 150,000 more workers over the next decade. TAFE NSW is partnering with Destination NSW to develop and deliver training programs jointly funded by the Australian Government’s NSW Choose Tourism Program. The subsidised […]
Live Performance Venue Accelerator Program
The Live Performance Venue Accelerator Program is a series of skill building workshops for existing small to medium hospitality venues in NSW to provide participants with a fundamental understanding of the major elements required to stage a long-term program of live performances. The intended benefits for successful applicants from the Accelerator Program include: An individual […]
No more – 5km rule for clubs removed
To encourage more people to visit local clubs, the 5km membership rule, which required residents living within a 5km radius to become members, has been lifted. Previously under the 5km rule, residents were required to either sign up for a membership, pay a fee, provide proof of membership at another club, or visit as a […]
Provide feedback on Mobile Vendor Approval
The Office of Local Government is seeking feedback on the approvals process for mobile vendors to operate across multiple council areas. Currently a range of businesses must seek separate approval from councils in each council area they wish to operate, as required under Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993. Mutual Recognition will allow certain […]
Wayne McLennan – Coal Town
Live Author reading of Coal Town - Coal Town is the story of the glorious rise and fall of an Australian mining community. It is a tale of hardship and danger, accidents and disasters – strikes, riots, the suffocating and sometimes dangerous power of unions. At the same time, it is a chronicle of colonial […]
Australia Day Awards, 2025
Each year, we celebrate Australia Day by hosting an awards ceremony to recognise those in our community who make a difference. This is a wonderful community event and we encourage everyone to join the celebrations. The residents of the Cessnock Local Government Area are invited to nominate fellow citizen/s and/or organisations for Cessnock City Australia […]
The Summit 2024
The Summit, formerly known as the ICF, is the premier annual event of the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (NSWICC). Over two days, delegates from government and industry supply chains gather to connect with Indigenous businesses on beautiful Wonnarua Country in the Hunter Valley. This unique event offers attendees the opportunity to not only network, […]
Cyber Wardens
Cyber Wardens will be the online version of first aid officers or fire safety wardens, who can prevent, prepare, fight and help recover from a cyber attack or the theft of customer data or intellectual property. Find more information here
Accommodate Us Toolkit
The Accommodate Us project was facilitated by Autism Queensland’s Community Inclusion team, with the support of the Queensland Government’s Accessible Tourism Enablers Grant. This project resulted in the development of the Accommodate Us Toolkit, a co-designed Toolkit specifically designed to support accommodation providers in removing barriers and providing more inclusive travel experiences for neurodivergent patrons. […]
- 1
- 2
Our mission is to nurture a prosperous economy by supporting local business and investment attraction.
Join Our Fortnightly Business eNews
Full of current business news, grant opportunities, business event and training opportunities and more!
Business information is only utilised by Cessnock City Council for the purposes of economic development.
Cessnock City Council acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which our offices and operations are located, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.
© 2017-2024 Advance Greater Cessnock • Privacy Policy • Disclaimer
