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(USGovernment-News.Com, September 03, 2015 ) Melbourne, Australia -- Point Cook is known for being the fastest growing area in the western corridor and currently has over 44,000 residents.
An innovative idea for small businesses, driven by local residents, is rapidly developing.
Live Local, Work Local, Love Local.
The idea is to establish a central point where small business can come together to share ideas and resources and create local employment opportunities.
Some 70% of the local population currently commute to the city and beyond for work. Many will experience long commute times, sometimes 2 hours each way, due to the heavy reliance on congested road infrastructure.
A group of community minded Point Cookians got together and asked "What if we could create a local coworking space where we could collaborate and strengthen our community and the local small businesses and offer a work in your own postcode option to corporate commuters?".
When they asked that question, they got a resounding response from both local business and local commuters. When they started asking key local stake holders about options - the dots started to join themselves.
Currently, this group of BizBuddyHub associates are negotiating with Victoria University for space at East Werribee Campus and plan a pre-launch kick off on Friday 4th September to get the local associates, champions and key stakeholders ready to launch.
They plan to launch the concept with a campaign of pop-up coworking sessions in the local area while they are confirming their permanent space.
One of the BizBuddyHub champions, Tim Mahlberg, founder of the successful NAB Village at Docklands, is supporting the group because he believes that initiatives like BizBuddyHub represent the way that more of us will work in the future.
Tim Mahlberg, who is now studying a PhD on the Future of Work at the University of Sydney, Business School, is also engaging Masters students from the University to help BizBuddyHub in the design of the space and developing a business model. This is beneficial to BizBuddyHub and is a great learning experience for students.
"We are seeing more and more people wanting to work closer to their communities, and avoid the long commutes to the city. With 97% of Australian businesses being small businesses (ABS 2015), we need to do more to support them to ensure they have the best chances of being successful. Coworking communities are a perfect way to do this" said Mahlberg.
The group has also received strong support from local Federal Member for Lalor, Joanne Ryan, who has enabled the group to make connections with Victoria University, the local council and other community members.
"I congratulate the group for their innovative ideas and their drive and commitment to date. I encourage anyone with an interest to get in touch and become involved," said Ms Ryan.
Those seeking more information or wanting to become active in the group are encouraged to get in touch.
About BizBuddyHub: BizBuddyHub is a hosted community coworking space, starting in Melbourne, Australia, with a membership of local business people who pay a monthly fee to work and collaborate in a local setting. While based on social enterprise it is a self-sustaining model.
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