Business Concierge Service

Obtaining permits, consents, or approvals is often necessary when starting or growing a business.  These may be required for changes in business type, trading hours, liquor licenses, signage, or work on heritage listed buildings.

Council's Economic Development team can guide you through the process and provide advice on what is needed to open your business. You may wish to access Council's Duty Planner Service available either: 

For complex operations, it may be beneficial to seek assistance from a qualified Planning Consultant to develop documentation and communicate with Council on your behalf.

Finding the right property for your business can be a challenge. It is important to consult with Council staff early to ensure the location meets your needs and the property has necessary permissions for your intended activity.

Information on Local Environmental Plans and Development Control Plans can also aid in making the right decision.

The NSW Planning Portal provides a property report through the ePlanning Spatial Viewer for community, industry, and government to understand and meet their obligations under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Council’s Duty Planner Service is available either:

For help developing your project contact the Economic Development team on 02 6625 0500 or business@lismore.nsw.gov.au.

The Northern Rivers of NSW is an amazing place to be in business.  We have innovative, spirited and sustainable business acumen that is unrivalled.

In Good Company is a Northern Rivers project developed to keep and attract business in the region. You're invited to be part of the project to celebrate, connect and collaborate to enhance business opportunities and facilitate economic development. 

Read the stories of more than 40 Northern Rivers businesses to explore our entrepreneurial landscape from small retailers to global manufacturers.

• Australian Business Register: Access the Australian Business Register website to apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN), update your details or access Tax professional services.
• Australian Trade and Investment Commission: Austrade accelerates the growth of exporters, attracts foreign investors and stimulates the visitor economy.
• Support for Businesses in Australia: Helping connect you to information, grants, registrations and support to help your business succeed.
• Business NSW: Business NSW actively advocates for positive change on behalf of members at a local, state and federal level.
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) promotes and protects Australia’s international interests to support our security and prosperity.  They work with international partners and other countries to tackle global challenges, increase trade and investment opportunities, protect international rules, keep our region stable and help Australians overseas.
• Fair Trading: Information for running businesses across various industries.
• NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure: Providing a variety of information to support including investment, business growth and export opportunities to boost business.
• Regional Australia Institute: The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is a think tank devoted to issues concerning regional Australia. The information gathered is readily accessible to people all around the country.
• Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers: Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation funded through the Australian Government’s Regional Development Australia Initiative. They have an active role in the Northern Rivers community with a clear focus on growing strong and confident regional economies that harness our competitive advantage, seize on economic opportunities and attract investment.
• Small Business Commissioner:The Small Business Commissioner is an independent voice. The Commissioner is a passionate supporter and advocate of small businesses whilst striving to resolve any issues impacting their day-to-day operation.
• Rural Small Business Financial Counselling: The Rural Business Support Program is an independent financial counselling service available to small businesses in regional centres experiencing or at risk of financial hardship. If your small business is going through a difficult period, reach out to your local counsellor on 1800 344 090.
• My Future Workforce: Find local staff on My Future Workforce. With a unique job-matching approach on the Northern Rivers My Future Workforce platform, employers will receive applications only from the best-suited candidates, reducing the time needed to find the right person for the job.
• Launch into Work Program: Launch into Work trials: pre-employment projects that support job seekers in increasing their skills, experience and confidence. Projects are co-designed with employers, Jobactive providers, registered training organisations and other stakeholders to ensure both employer and job seeker needs are met. If you are interested in co-designing a pre-employment project that includes training, mentoring and work experience, and can commit to employing job seekers who successfully complete the project, please register your interest by contacting the Employer and Workforce Strategies Team at workforce@dese.gov.au.
• Workforce Australia is the employment service delivered by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Workforce Australia includes a new online service and a network of providers to deliver personalised support. Workforce Australia helps Australians find and keep a job, change jobs or create their own jobs.
• Digital solutions: Australian small business advisory services supports the Australian Government’s commitment to enhancing the capabilities of local small businesses. It delivers low-cost, high-quality digital advisory services to Australian small businesses in metropolitan and regional areas. To find out more, visit www.enterpriseplus.org.au or contact our local Northern Rivers Region Digital Business Advisor, Liza Lyttle, on 0429 686 629 or email liza.lyttle@enterpriseplus.org.au.
• Strengthening Business connects you with experts to help your business become stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future. You will be paired with an independent facilitator to recommend ways to strengthen your business systems, operations and strategies and identify opportunities to improve your business, with a roadmap to get you back on track.
  
  To find out more, visit www.business.gov.au/EP or contact one of Lismore’s Strengthening Business Facilitators:
  Stuart McPhee:
  Stuart.McPhee@ep.industry.gov.au
  M: 0414 788 278
  
  

• Mindset & Mental Health
  New Access for Small Business with Beyond Blue is a free and confidential mental health coaching program. It’s for sole traders and small business owners. And the best bit - You don’t need a doctor’s referral to access it. Find out more here.
  
  Rural Aid also offers free counselling to farmers and their families.

• Service NSW: The Service NSW Business Bureau provides personalised support for businesses, in one convenient place.  Business owners can save time, make confident decisions and access the right support from across the NSW Government – all from a single point of contact.  Business owners can also build their skills with videos and other online resources on topics such as business planning, marketing and cash flow – a simple way to learn, improve and make day-to-day decisions with more confidence.

  To get in touch with the Service NSW Business Bureau call 13 77 88, or by booking a call. 

  Lismore has two Chambers of Commerce:

• Business Lismore: Business Lismore has a goal to create a strong, united and thriving business community.
• Nimbin Chamber of Commerce: The Nimbin Chamber of Commerce promotes the interests of its members and community by fostering the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of the Nimbin area.