The Huon Valley provides the ideal environment and opportunity for new entrepreneurs, micro and small business people, and for existing businesses to strengthen and expand.
A supportive, open-for-business environment awaits, with the Council’s Economic Development Unit providing direct support and guidance for new and existing business ventures, facilitating interactions both within and external to Council, and providing support through the ongoing promotion and awareness of businesses and services via the Huon Valley brand marketing program.
The Unit also has access to a range of plans, resources and material that may be beneficial to support your grant application, business loan submission or business planning.
If you have a business idea, or are an existing business seeking to expand, please contact the Council’s Economic Development team by emailing ecodev@huonvalley.tas.gov.au to start the conversation.
Huon Valley Brand
Supporting our communities and economy means being proud and proactive in promoting our local offerings, making connections and working together. The Council is actively supporting the local community and business community through the establishment of a new place brand to promote the region through four key areas of focus: Live, Invest, Product and Visit.
Since launching in 2016, work has progressively continued with developing a program that can support the community as a whole for enhancing the region’s profile. Council is pleased to announce the launch of a new website where community, businesses, investors/developers, and visitors to our beautiful area can come together to celebrate and rejoice in what makes the Huon Valley such a unique, vibrant and versatile place to live, work, invest and visit.
The new Huon Valley website is a place for our businesses and community groups to reach more local people and visitors by helping showcase all our region has to offer.
Add your listing now on www.huonvalleytas.com – simply select ‘Register’ at the top of the page and create your account.
To learn more about the Brand program, contact Council’s Economic Development Unit on
(03) 6264 0300 or email ecodev@huonvalley.tas.gov.au.
Tasmanian Government support and information
The Tasmanian Government website coronavirus.tas.gov.au is the single source of truth for current government information relating to coronavirus. It includes facts and information about COVID-19 and how stay safe, as well as information for businesses, employees, travellers and visitors, and is continually updated when new advice or information becomes available.
Business Tasmania Hotline
1800 440 026 has been set up so you can register the impact of COVID-19 on your business and call if you have immediate business concerns.
Business Tasmania
The Business Tasmania website has the most up-to-date business information, including about the support available from the Tasmanian Government, such as grants, loans, fee relief and stimulus packages.
Visit the Business Tasmania website
Digital Ready for Business
Digital Ready for Business has a dedicated page providing a series of blog posts, fact sheets, and online coaching and Q&A sessions about the current digital business environment. You can also follow their Facebook page.
Tourism Tasmania
The Tourism Tasmania website has up-to-date information for the tourism industry.
Visit the Tourism Tasmania website
Skills Tasmania
The Skills Tasmania website provides advice, support, guidance and administration for individuals, employers and industry, and VET sector service providers.
Visit the Skills Tasmania website
Typsy and The Tasmanian Hospitality Association
The Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) is offering a helpful online training program through Typsy, free for any service-oriented business/service in the Huon Valley until 30 April, 2022.
The program also provides useful information to guide you through the WorkSafe COVID-19 Safety Plan process.
Normally this offer is only available to tourism and hospitality businesses, however the THA and Typsy are kindly offering this wonderful opportunity to any business or group in the Valley to gain access to this unique online training tool.
Contact THA for more information on how you can access this free online training opportunity for yourself and your staff by emailing enquiries@tha.asn.au or sign up on the Typsy website.
Buy Something Tasmanian
www.buysomethingtasmanian.com.au is a collaboration between the Department of State Growth, Brand Tasmania and the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to create closer connections between Tasmanian entrepreneurs and consumers.
At a time when there is necessity of maintaining a ‘contact-less’ economy, the site aims to provide a central place to discover local businesses and how to find them. Providing a free service for any business to list and promote themselves, the directory makes it easy for consumers to support local Tasmanian business.
Visit the Buy Something Tasmanian website
Tourism Tasmania campaigns
For the latest Tourism Tasmania campaigns visit: https://www.tourismtasmania.com.au/marketing/campaigns
Australian Government support and information
The Australian Government has announced a range of support for businesses, including employer and sole trader payments, JobSeeker and JobKeeper programs, credit support, and payments for employers of trainees or apprentices.
Business.gov.au has the most up-to-date information for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subscribe to the Business.gov.au newsletter.
Australian Tax Office
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) website has the most up-to-date information for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Visit the ATO website
- Support Info-line: 1800 806 218
- ATO Frequently asked questions
Kingborough & Huon Business Enterprise Centre information
The Kingborough & Huon Business Enterprise Centre is Southern Tasmania’s leading facilitator of small and medium business enterprise development in Kingborough and the Huon Valley.
The Centre is local, non-profit and autonomous, and is owned by the people and business community of the two regions, with offices in Kingston and Huonville.
The Centre is supported by the State Government, Kingborough Council and Huon Valley Council, and is governed by a board of local business people and representatives of community organisations.
To keep up to date with the latest news and information, you can view the KHBEC’s latest newsletters or visit them on their Facebook page.
No-interest micro business loans
The Kingborough & Huon Business Enterprise Centre processes applications for the No Interest Micro Business Loans Scheme through NILS Network Tasmania. The Scheme offers no-interest loans for small businesses on an ongoing basis of up to $3000 for supporting start-up costs, insurance/registration costs or equipment purchases for those with a Health Care Card or Pension Card.
To see if you might be eligible, contact our local friendly Business Enterprise Centre for more details.
Webinars
A variety of webinars are available and free to access to all businesses throughout the Huon Valley. Covering a range of topics, these short sessions provide some valuable insights and helpful tips to help you and your business thrive and survive.
Huon Valley Business and Community Directory
Our Huon Valley directory of business services helps locals and visitors to find and support businesses. It covers all types of businesses and community services such as schools, medical practitioners and tradespeople.
If you are a Huon Valley business, service or community group, you can register for a free listing on the directory. Register your business now.
Strategies, plans and studies
The Huon Valley Interim Planning Scheme 2015 applies to all use and development in the Huon Valley. View the scheme
A range of strategies, plans and studies are available to support developments, business ideas and economic activity.
- Huon Valley Economic Development Strategy 2015-2020
- Huon Valley Arts and Culture Strategy 2018-2022
- Huon Valley Land Use and Development Strategy
- Huonville-Ranelagh Master Plan
- Huon Valley Accommodation Supply Analysis Report
- Huon Valley Recreation Plan
- Huon Valley Mountain Bike Feasibility Study
- Upgrade of Jeffreys Track – A feasibility study for the Huon Valley Council
- Huon River Shared Pathway Feasibility Study – Technical/Engineering
- Huon River Shared Pathway Feasibility Study – Economic/Community Benefits
The Economic Development team are available to discuss and provide additional information should it be required – just email ecodev@huonvalley.tas.gov.au.