Business boss visits region

The city’s commercial and entrepreneurial representatives hosted a special guest last week as the Commissioner for Small Businesses, Lynda McAlary-Smith, visited Ballarat to check in on the business climate.

Her itinerary included conversations with representatives at Bendigo Bank’s regional offices as well as municipal representatives.

She said she was impressed with the shared confidence of Ballarat’s businesses with post-COVID recovery and how the city’s institutions have supported owners.

“The data that council has is really highlighting optimistic trading conditions in the region. Spend is up. Investment’s up. There’s obviously a lot of big projects happening too,” she said.

“One of the things that has stood out for Ballarat compared to other places is the strength in the relationship across government with their support.

“It’s almost the best of both worlds, you get the regional spirit and a certain amount of size with universities, big projects, Gov Hub. It’s a critical mass.”

The Victorian Small Business Commission serves as a mediating service for entrepreneurs in areas of dispute.

Ms McAlary-Smith said jobs shortages and inflation are prominent issues for Ballarat’s businesses.

“Broadly speaking the businesses tended to be optimistic about the future but also staffing is a big pressure, either to run your business at all or to be able to grow,” she said.

While attending a Jobs Victoria forum at the Goods Shed during her visit, she said she heard plenty of stories of Ballarat businesses bouncing back.

“There was one gentleman who had an intellectual disability who’s been hired as a gardener. There was also a housekeeper from the Mercure who struggled with mental illness,” she said.

“The session was around practical ideas around employment for the region and the opportunities to hire people who might need additional handholding and the benefit that can have for a business.”

Gardenia Magnifica was the final stop for Ms McAlary-Smith’s Ballarat visit, and owner Ellie Feery said she felt she was heard when talking about her struggles to hire a permanent employee.