Navigating the red tape: free support for local startups

Golden Days Tanning owner Alli Carland with City of Greater Geelong councillor Emma Sinclair. Photo: supplied.

ENTERPRENEURS are being encouraged to make use of a central support hub designed to help navigate the regulatory hurdles of opening a new venture.

The City of Greater Geelong’s business concierge service provides a single point of contact for owners to address questions regarding the permits and regulatory requirements needed to start or expand a business.

Designed as a practical resource for the professional community, the service assists across various sectors, including traditional storefronts, mobile operations and home-based ideas.

Recent data indicates a steady demand for the service, with 445 enquiries recorded in 2025, a 2.7 per cent increase over the previous year.

The city said the majority of these enquiries related to new business proposals, with food and drink ventures the most common category.

Cr Emma Sinclair said the program is intended to provide a clear pathway for people looking to open or expand a business in the area.

“We’re committed to helping local

businesses at every step of their professional journey,” she said.

“The success of the business concierge program sends a strong message to the community, entrepreneurs and developers: Geelong is a first-class destination to set up and expand your business venture.

“If you’ve got an idea bubbling away, now’s the time to get in touch.”

For local business owner Alli Carland, the service filled a gap in mentorship when she launched her 24-hour tanning business, Golden Days Tanning.

Now operating across two locations, Carland said having a reliable point of contact for her early-stage questions was essential.

“It was incredibly helpful having one consistent point of contact that we could go back to with any questions,” she said.

“The follow-up and ongoing support really stood out to me, as it showed a genuine interest in how our business was progressing. This gave us confidence knowing we had someone we could rely on as we grew.”

To contact the business concierge team, head to the City of Greater Geelong website.