New business booming in Golden Plains Shire

FOUR hundred and forty-seven new businesses registered with the Golden Plains Shire during the last financial year.

The increase in businesses goes hand in hand with statistical data showing the municipality is the fifth fastest growing in the State.

Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said a strong business community is critically important to building a thriving economy in the Shire.

“We work with economic development stakeholders across all tiers of government to leverage strategic successes such at the Berrybank and Golden Plains Wind Farms, Golden Plains Food Production Precinct and Gheringhap Employment Precinct,” Cr Sharkey said.

It was the demographic of the rapidly expanding Shire which prompted Vanessa Teakle and Jessica Goodman to open Golden Plains Travel and Cruise in December.

Ms Teakle, who lives in Bannockburn and Ms Goodman in Teasdale said they could see the growth of housing estates in the area.

“Data we found indicated a majority of the Shire’s population is in the 35 to 50-year age group,” Ms Teakle said. “This is our target market, families with older children and a disposable income, looking to travel.”

The business is a run as a mobile travel agency where both women personally visit their clients.

They also handle enquiries via the phone or email and set up a stall outside the supermarket in Bannockburn once a month.

“We are trying to see if its viable because there is no point in setting up a bricks and mortar travel agency in the local shopping centre if it’s not worth it,” Ms Teakle said. “We are testing the market and our clients seem happy with our service at the moment.”

Small business is the heart of the Golden Plains Shire economy, Cr Sharkey said.

The council is enthusiastic in its support for local businesspeople and it encourage all residents to shop local and support these businesses.

“We are developing an environment that is successful for businesses to grow and prosper, as well as creating the wonderful communities where existing and new residents want to live, work and enjoy,” he said.

Forty-two agricultural businesses opened last financial year, making it the second largest category of new endeavours.

Daniel Armeni raises lamb, beef and pigs on his family run free range Tarna Valley Farm in Cape Clear.

When he was given the opportunity to take over the butcher shop in Smythesdale in May last year he jumped at the chance.

“In agriculture you can’t survive on 300 acres,” he said. “Now we are fulltime on the farm, raising the livestock and selling direct through our Tarna Valley Farm butcher shop business.”

His new business now supports six staff.

Mr Armeni, a qualified butcher, said his customers come from across the Shire, from Bannockburn to Rokewood and he has a strong following from Geelong.

“The locals have been 100 per cent behind us, they love the fact that it comes off the farm,” he said.