Doing Business in the West Tamar

 

West Tamar Council is committed to fostering a thriving local economy and supporting businesses of all sizes. Whether you're an established business or just starting out, this page connects you to essential resources, services, and information to help your business succeed.

From grant funding opportunities, road signage, permits and regulations, to educational sessions and economic development initiatives  our Tourism and Economic Development Officer is an accessible support for your business.

To arrange a conversation please connect with us:


Email: 
wtc@wtc.tas.gov.au
Phone: 03 6323 9200
Subscribe: https://www.wtc.tas.gov.au/Your-Community/The-Beacon
West Tamar Council Community Profile: https://profile.id.com.au/west-tamar
Grants and funding:  https://www.wtc.tas.gov.au/Your-Community/Grants-and-Awards
Destination Marketing:  https://www.tamarvalley.com.au/

 

Business Support

 

Business Tasmania

Business Tasmania supports Tasmanians to start, run and grow a business by offering personalised, consultative, first contact resolution assistance. They provide targeted information, and access to a range of services and programs to help businesses succeed. They also provide a business events calendar that lists workshops, networking events, webinars etc. across the state.

https://www.business.tas.gov.au/home

Tasmanian Business Advice Service
The Tasmanian Business Advice Service provides free and independent business advice to Tasmanian small businesses. Experienced advisors can help you with a wide variety of topics.

https://www.businessadvice.tas.gov.au/


Tamar Valley Business Association
The Tamar Valley Business Association are a group of business owners in the Tamar Valley, Tasmania. Facilitating networking events with guest speakers, and the opportunity to share concerns, new ideas and collaboration concepts among other business owners.
If you are interested in joining this local network, there are two types of Membership

1. Business membership has voting rights and is for business owners.
2. Associate Membership is for Not for Profit entities, retired business owners, employees. working in business and anyone interested in business in the Tamar Valley.

Email: tamarvalleybusinessassociation@gmail.com


Tasmanian Visitor Network – Road Signage


Roadside Tourism Signage applications and approvals are the responsibility of the Department of State Growth who can begin the process with contact made via the below details.


Website information: 
https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/road_permits/permits_and_bookings/roadside_tourism_signs
Email:   permits@stategrowth.tas.gov.au 
Phone:  (03) 6166 4467

Business operators will be required to complete an online Application Form for Department of State Growth.

• For State Government Road network DSG will administer the approval and installation process, and future maintenance and removal requirements.

 For Local Road network, DSG will assess initial eligibility and forward the assessment to Council for further approval. The Council’s Tourism and Economic Development Officer will be your point of contact throughout the next stages of the application and installation.


Tourism Industry Support

 

Visit Northern Tasmania (VNT)
Visit Northern Tasmania (VNT) is the regional tourism organisation for Northern Tasmania. We are an Incorporated Association governed by a voluntary skills-based board of Directors and funded by participating Councils and Tourism Tasmania.  They are resonsible for representing the region that reaches as far as Ross in the South, Flinders Island to the North; Great Western Tiers in the West to the North-East Coast. Although funded by Councils (7) and Tourism Tasmania, they are an industry-led organisation working in partnership with Local Tourism and Business Associations within the region.


Tasmanian Hospitality Association & Great Customer Experience
The Tasmanian Hospitality Association is the peak industry body for hotels, accommodation, restaurants, cafes, caterers, community, sporting and RSL clubs in Tasmania. The THA runs the Great Customer Experience Program (GCE) which provides operators with opportunities and guidance that result in elevated customer experiences Tasmania-wide. The program is tailored to meet the needs of individual Tourism and Hospitality businesses and courtesy of government funding is no cost to the business.
https://tha.asn.au/industry-development/gcep/

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT)
The Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT) is the peak body for Tasmania's tourism industry, representing over 1,100 Tasmanian tourism operators.

The TICT offers a quality tourism accreditation program that assists businesses in exceeding industry standards across various aspects, including planning, customer service, operations, risk management, and compliance.  Additionally, TICT runs the Tourism Ambassador program and coordinates the Tasmanian Tourism Awards, the Tasmanian tourism conference, and other industry events.
https://tict.com.au/

Tourism Ambassador Program
The Tassie Tourism Ambassador Program has been created specifically for the Tasmanian tourism industry to equip tourism and hospitality staff and interested locals with the skills to offer a great visitor experience and local knowledge to tell the story of the region.

The objective of the Tassie Tourism Ambassador Program is to increase regional dispersal by inspiring and empowering staff working in customer-facing businesses to provide a positive experience for every visitor with whom they come into contact.
https://tassietourismambassador.com.au/about/

Agritourism Tasmania  
Agritourism Tasmania is a network of individuals who are passionate about connecting and collaborating to support and celebrate the people behind this emerging industry sector. Founded by Optimum Standard (Aus) Pty Ltd in 2021, their Lead Innovator, Allison Clark, has been the driving force behind the network, facilitating opportunities to bring together agritourism operators and interested stakeholders across Tasmania.  With a mission to advocate more strongly for a distinct industry sector, Agritourism Tasmania will continue to collaborate and evolve. For more information, events and projects see below:
https://www.agritourismtasmania.com.au/

 


 

How to get your business seen

 

Tamar Visitor Centre
The Tamar Visitor Centre is a service to our locals and the visitor economy into our region. Open 7 days from 9am to 4pm they are able a source of truth for many who are planning travel. Keeping the Visitor Centre team informed about your business's current hours, new products, and offerings ensures they can provide accurate referrals to your business.

Email:  Tamar@wtc.tas.gov.au
Phone:   03 6394 4454 or 1800 637 989
Website:  www.tamarvalley.com
Socials:   Tag us on Facebook or Instagram @tamarvalley


Google Business Profile
Google is often the first port of call for people looking for a specific type of business especially when they are in the area or travelling through. This is where you will clearly see the benefits of getting your business details loaded up! Even if the potential customer doesn’t know your name, if they type café and the area into Google, and you are a cafe and registered on Google, the geocaching on their phone will link your details to their search and hey presto – a customer you never knew you’d have. You can read more about how to create a Google Business Profile here- https://digitalready.tas.gov.au/blog/google-my-business/ . Google Business Profiles can also be integrated into your Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) account so when you change your opening hours on ATDW they will automatically update on Google.

Digital Ready
The digital ready program offers 4 hours free digital coaching  to assist with website, social media, booking platforms and more for any business. It also offers a range of free resources and digital fundamentals courses.  https://digitalready.tas.gov.au/

Brand Tasmania
Brand Tasmania is a government initiative with a mission to support and celebrate Tasmanians. Brand Tasmania’s focus extends to assisting tourism operators by offering workshops to refine storytelling skills and providing access to a toolkit with royalty-free images and videos to showcase businesses more effectively. You can check for upcoming workshops HERE.

 

Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW)
The Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) allows tourism operators to easily promote their business or event online directly to consumers. A profile on ATDW increases your exposure on numerous Australian travel websites, including Tourism Tasmania’s Discover Tasmania website and app. It also helps your visibility with  tourism organisations like us (VNT), Tourism Tasmania and Tourism Australia. This allows us to recommend you when appropriate for marketing campaigns, media and influencers.

Find more information on ATDW and register for a free profile
https://www.atdw.com.au/about-us/.


Instructions and support guides can be found at:
https://www.tourismtasmania.com.au/marketing/atdw/

 

 


 

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