Operating a Business in Whitehorse

This information is to assist people who plan to or already operate a business in the City of Whitehorse.

Obtaining appropriate approval from Whitehorse City Council is a critical part in the success of any business enterprise  – whether you are planning to start, expand or change the nature of your business activities and/or the location of your business.
To help businesses run smoothly, Council provides information and services about a variety of business issues. Local businesses are also likely to be subject to local regulations that determine matters, such as:
• Where and under what conditions your business can be established.
• The conditions for building construction and other works.
• The position and size of your advertising signage.

To help speed up the permit approval process, business owners are encouraged to:
• Firstly, confirm with the Council whether a permit is needed for some or all aspects of your business enterprise.
• Discuss your plans with Council Officers before you lodge your application to ensure you avoid possible pitfalls.
• Submit an application for permit (if required), which can be obtained from Council.
• Provide Council with all required information and supporting material. Be prepared with plans, accompanying letters/reports, or even photographs, that precisely describe the nature of your business.
• Adequately describe the nature of your business. Information that may be required may include – area requirements, number of employees and patrons, operating hours, transport and parking needs (including use of street trading), any off-site effects, such as odour, noise and general image.
• Speak to surrounding businesses or your neighbours, to advise them what you propose to do. If they have no objections, it is likely that your business will be approved quicker.

Communicating with Council

When you visit the Whitehorse Civic Centre in Nunawading, you will be given the required information for setting up your business. Council staff will discuss your plans before you lodge your application. The following departments can also guide you through the process and assist with your business venture:

Statutory Planning Unit
Advises where and under what conditions your site can be used and developed including issues such as land use, parking needs, operating hours, outdoor advertising and external works, and alterations.
Ph: 9262 6303

Building Unit
Deals with alterations, demolitions, new buildings or extensions, to ensure that your business meets fire, safety and structural standards.
Ph: 9262 6421

Environmental Health Unit
Controls the registration of food and health related businesses to ensure all health requirements, specifications and codes are met.
Ph: 9262 6197

Strategic Planning Unit
Advises on policy direction within activity centres and industrial areas. As well as where amendments or changes to the Planning Scheme may be required and under what conditions this could occur.
Ph: 9262 6303

Sustainability Team
Council encourages all businesses in the municipality to work towards becoming more environmentally sustainable as well as financially sustainable. The Sustainability Team can assist in reducing your carbon footprint in all facets of sustainability, including energy, water, waste minimisation and transport.
Ph: 9262 6333

Business and Economic Development Unit

Helps initiate and deliver business support programs, which respond to the needs of local businesses. The team pursues new economic development opportunities for the municipality.
Ph: 9262 6353

Programs
Whitehorse City Council has developed a wide range of workshops, seminars, programs and services aimed at attracting and assisting businesses to the municipality. Whitehorse Business Week, the largest in the Eastern Metropolitan region, is a great networking opportunity for local businesses. It is a series of events run over a week with a range of high profile speakers on various topics providing local and regional information on the future direction of national and international business.

Wbiz.com.au: free business directory
The website provides local businesses with an opportunity to promote their business for free, while being kept up to date with news, events, and council services.

Down to Business Newsletter
A quarterly business newsletter distributed to around 8,000 businesses located in and around the City of Whitehorse. The newsletter provides up-todate information about business services from local and state government, events and activities, as well as information to help you manage your business.
Ph: 9262 6353

Whitehorse Business Group Inc.
The Whitehorse Business Group Inc. (WBG) consists of key business leaders from the local community who encourage and develop future economic stability and growth within the City of Whitehorse. This successful organisation has become an integral component of local and regional economic growth. The WBG has recognised the need to offer local businesses the opportunity to network and develop business links amongst Whitehorse businesses and local service providers. Details of membership can be found at: www.whitehorsebusinessgroup.com.au
Ph: 9275 6910

Small Business Victoria
Small Business Victoria provides further information relating business issues and services on offer from the Victorian Government.
Ph: 13 22 15

Home Based Business

‘If we can’t find you, neither can your customers!’

Council’s Business and Economic Development Unit is keen to initiate activities and help home based businesses to become involved in networking and the potential to do business with other local businesses.

We also want to promote awareness of these often isolated businesses, and to link them with the wider business community.

A report compiled by the Small Business Victoria indicated that home-based businesses represent 60% of small businesses within the state.

Since the relaxation of the home based business control in June 1995, you can use a larger floor area in the home and employ an additional person in the occupation. A larger number of businesses now comply with these regulations.
Home based businesses are encouraged to register with Council’s Business and Economic Development Unit so they can be actively promoted and included in Council activities.

To register your business on the Whitehorse ‘free’ online business directory please call 9262 6353 or visit  www.wbiz.com.au

For general business information contact Business Victoria 13 22 15.

Home Occupancy Requirements
No permit required if the following are met:
• The person conducting the occupation must use the dwelling as their principal place of residence.
• No more than one person who does not live in the dwelling may work in the occupation.
• The floor area used in conducting the business, including the storage of any materials or goods, must not exceed 50
square metres or one third of the floor area of the dwelling, whichever is lesser.
• The occupation must not impose a load on any utility greater than normally required for domestic use.
• The occupation must not adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood in any way.
• No motor vehicle may be serviced or repaired in the occupation.
• Only one commercial vehicle not exceeding two tonnes capacity, registered to the owner of the dwelling, may be present at any time.
• No goods other than the goods manufactured, serviced or repaired in the occupation may be offered for sale or displayed so they are visible from outside the site.
• Materials used or goods manufactured, serviced or repaired must be stored in the building.

Permits are required if the following applies:
• If you are planning to prepare, handle or store food at home you must apply for a Food Act Registration. For more information call 9262 6197.
• If you are proposing to conduct beauty treatment including: electrolysis, tattooing, body piercing, acupuncture or hairdressing at your home you must apply to Council’s Environmental Health Unit on 9262 6197.
• If your business occupies more than 50m2 of your home, or you employ more than one person at the home. A planning permit may allow for two people who do not live in the dwelling to be employed from the home. The permit may also allow for an increase in the floor area up to 100m2, or one third of the floor area of the dwelling, whichever the lesser.
• If you require a sign larger than 0.2 meters, a permit is needed. You may have a sign up to 0.2 metres square without a permit.

Operate with your neighbours in mind
• Maintain your property to ensure you make a positive contribution to the streetscape.
• Ensure that any noisy aspects of your operation are away from your neighbours. Try soundproofing to minimise the impact on neighbours.
• Maintain the residential character of the neighbourhood by storing materials and goods indoors.
• Discuss any issues with your neighbours before they become unsolvable problems.

Start up guide
Visit www.wbiz.com.au an online step-by-step guide to start your business and explore ways to promote your businesses.

Free business directory
Wbiz.com.au provides local businesses an opportunity to network and promote their business for free while being kept up to date with news, events, and council services.

Develop partnerships with Council
Call Council’s Business and Economic Development Unit to discuss your current operation. We will work with you to seek solutions and conform to the current guidelines.

Benefits of operating a business from home*
Financial
Lower overheads are often the main influence of operation for home based business.
Lifestyle
Home based businesses provide a flexible and viable lifestyle for people to do non work related activities or care for family.
Environmental
Significantly reduced energy cost of transport and energy consumption.
Safety
Increased daytime activity in residential areas, reducing potential for crime.

Contact us
Business and Economic Development Unit
Whitehorse City Council
379-397 Whitehorse Rd
Nunawading VIC 3131
www.wbiz.com.au
Phone: 9262 6333

* BDC Market Research (2008). City of Whitehorse Home-Based Business Survey. Melbourne.