This Week In The Market – 24 August 2021
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| In this week’s Market News: – Vaccination hub first-day success – Behind the scenes Vaccination hub video – Post your vaccine selfie to social media Market News Vaccination Hub first-day success! Well done, Melbourne Market! An amazing 245 market users got the COVID-19 vaccine on our first day of operation at the Melbourne Market Vaccination Hub! The clinic opened its doors at 3 am, and lines moved fairly quickly throughout the morning. As expected, the process was simple and streamlined; just turn up with your medicare card and photo ID, and the team from Austin Health will talk you through the rest. Today the hub will open at 6 am through to midday. Hours vary for the rest of the week, as shown below, and may be subject to change depending on demand. Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 3 am to 9 am Tuesday and Thursday – 6 am to 12 pm Have more questions about the Vaccination Hub? Read through our frequently asked questions by clicking here. Every Melbourne Market access card holder can receive the Pfizer vaccine at the Melbourne Market Vaccination Hub, so don’t delay; pop in today.     Keen to see how the process works when you come in for your COVID-19 vaccination? Check out our behind the scenes video so you know what to expect. Post your vaccine picture to social media You can’t miss the colourful selfie wall next to Art and Style on the Buyers’ Walk. Post your vaccination photo to social media to show your customers, friends and family that the Melbourne Market community is doing its part to protect Victoria’s fresh produce supply chain! Tag the Melbourne Market and use the hashtags #MelbourneMarketJab and #JabDone, and you can receive a free coffee voucher to use at participating market cafes. After your vaccination, go straight downstairs to take your photo, then head into Art and Style to pick up your voucher! And if you’ve already had the jab elsewhere, there’s no need to miss out; we’d love to see you take a photo at our selfie wall too!   COVID Restrictions – Authorised Worker Permit Authorised workers are now required to carry a permit when leaving home for authorised work. By now, businesses should have completed and signed a permit for each employee. Authorised workers may carry a paper printout or an electronic copy of the permit. Victorians living in regional Victoria and entering metropolitan Melbourne for authorised work must also obtain a permit. You can download the current permit template by visiting www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/authorised-provider-and-authorised-worker-permit. Current restrictions The Melbourne Market is operating under stage 4 restrictions. The following rules are currently in place. Fitted face masks are mandatory and are required to be worn at all times while on market land, in both indoor and outdoor locations. Market cafes are providing a takeaway service onlyGates 2 and 3 and the P1 pedestrian turnstile are closed, with all vehicle and foot traffic required to come through Gate 1; Only one person per electric vehicle or buggy, no passengers. Non-essential market visitors are restricted from entering the market We ask you to be vigilant and continue to follow COVIDSafe practices. Social distancing must be strictly adhered to; you must keep 1.5 metres from others wherever possible. Do not attend the Melbourne Market if you are feeling unwell. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms, get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result. COVID penalties Market users risk severe penalties for non-compliance for mask-wearing and social distancing. 1st offence – official warning recorded on users file 2nd offence – 24-hour suspension 3rd offence – 14-day suspension Please do your bit for the market and wear your face mask correctly, and call out those who are not doing the right thing. Undercover Parking Canopy construction work continues Whilst many in the construction industry have been reduced to a 25% workforce, we’re pleased that the solar canopies will continue to proceed on schedule. The Melbourne Market was given an exemption for this project due to the OHS risk of leaving the site uncompleted. Parking relocations currently in place are shown below. The relocation of Moon Bean cafe will be affected by the reduced construction work caps, so we anticipate there may be some delays in the completion of this project. Questions Please contact customer service if you have any questions about the parking relocation or the undercover parking project. New round of support for small and medium businesses The Victorian Government has announced a new round of support for small and medium businesses most affected by the extension of public health restrictions in Melbourne with details on the business.vic.gov.au website. Most of the $807 million package will flow automatically to more than 110,000 businesses in industries ranging from hospitality to non-essential retail, accommodation, events businesses, hairdressing and beauty services. The package includes: Business Costs Assistance Program More than 110,000 businesses in metropolitan Melbourne will automatically receive payments of $5,600 ($2,800 per week) through a $625 million injection. The Business Costs Assistance Program provides support for businesses that are significantly affected due to the lockdown but continue to incur costs. Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 Automatic payments of $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000 per week will be made to about 7,000 licensed hospitality premises in metropolitan Melbourne that have previously received grants under the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 or July Extension programs. An additional $110 million has been allocated to the new licensed hospitality venue initiative. Payment amounts are based on the capacity of premises: $5,000 for a capacity of up to 99 patrons, $10,000 for a capacity of 100 to 499 patrons and $20,000 for a capacity of 500 or more. Small Business COVID Hardship Fund An additional allocation of $72 million will boost the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund, with grants increasing from $10,000 to $14,000 available to small and medium sized businesses across the state. The fund will help up to 18,000 businesses that have been ineligible for business support programs and have experienced a reduction in revenue of at least 70 per cent. Businesses that are legally allowed to operate but are restricted in their ability to generate revenue – such as a food store located at a shopping centre or a manufacturer supplying goods for closed venues – will be among those businesses that could be eligible. COVID-19 Disaster Payments Eligible workers across the state who lose work due to the lockdown will be able to access the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment, as will individuals who are sole-traders and do not qualify for Victorian Government support programs. The COVID-19 Disaster Payment is administered through Services Australia. The payment is set at $450 for people who have lost 8-20 hours work over seven days and $750 for 20 hours or more. People who receive certain Commonwealth income support are eligible to receive a $200 payment where they have lost eight hours work or more due to the lockdowns. Victorian micro-businesses and sole traders who wish to apply for the Commonwealth COVID-19 Disaster Payment can receive assistance in making their application via the Business Victoria Concierge Service on 13 22 15. More information about the business support programs is available at business.vic.gov.au. M80 upgrade road closures The M80 Ring Road will be closed overnight in both directions between Sydney Road and Edgars Road from 10 pm, Saturday 28 August to 8 am, Sunday 29 AugustDetours will be in place via Mahoneys Road, Edgars Road, Cooper Street and the Hume Highway.  Industry News Key changes to the Export Market Development Grant program The Export Market Development Grant program (EMDG) has been significantly restructured to provide greater upfront funding certainty and allow businesses to plan export marketing and promotional activities. Changes have been made to the application process and the eligible expenses that can be claimed under the program. Melbourne’s North Food Group and Matthews Steer invite you to join a webinar to gain details around these changes and ensure you are prepared for the new program structure. Grants will be available in three tiers, to support to SMEs as they grow their export markets at different stages: Tier 1: for eligible SMEs new to exporting, grants of up to $40,000 per year for two years – a total of up to $80,000 Tier 2: for eligible exporters who plan to expand their presence in current markets, or enter new markets, grants of up to $80,000 per year for three years – a total of up to $240,000 Tier 3: for eligible exporters who plan to make a strategic shift in their exporting business, grants of up to $150,000 per year for three years – a total of up to $450,000. Click here to register for the webinar taking place on Wednesday 25 August 2021, 10.00am – 10.45am. Melbourne Market Job Board Do you have a vacancy to fill in your business? Email submissions@melbournemarket.com.au for the position to be placed on our online job board. Looking for a new role? Check out the online job board via the button below. View full online job board Pick Packer – Barker’s Fresh Produce We currently have an opportunity for an experienced Pick Packer who enjoys early morning starts. We’re looking for a motivated and energetic Pick/Packer with an interest in fresh produce to join our young dynamic team. You’ll benefit from; – Passionate and fun working environment – Close-knit team – Ongoing training. – Competitive salary Ph: 03 9408 4860 Email: Jasmine@btfc.com.au FRESH PRODUCE BUYER – SCICLUNA’S A rare opportunity has arisen to join Scicluna’s Real Food Merchants at the Melbourne Produce Market in Epping in this key position as Fresh Produce Buyer. You will work early morning shift and be responsible for buying fresh produce for our wholesale business. For more details on this or to apply, please visit https://www.seek.com.au/job/53254945 Ask the MMA If you’ve got a question for the MMA email it to: submissions@melbournemarket.com.au. Follow us  |
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