Are you thinking of business in Whyalla?

Have you started or are you thinking of starting a new business?

Are you looking for a premise to operate from?

Have you outgrown your home premises?

Centrally located at the Whyalla office of Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula, 127 Nicolson Avenue, the Whyalla Business Centre provides office space to new and existing businesses at competitive rates.

All large businesses were once a small business but did you know that most start up businesses fail in the first few years of operation? Often entrepreneurs know how to produce and sell their work, but lack business skills required to operate and grow the business. Equally important, is minimising start-up costs and fixed expenses of operation, which drain hard pressed capital. The Whyalla Business Centre can help overcome these problems by providing a high quality, low cost, supportive environment where small businesses are encouraged to grow. We also offer onsite business advice and support to all clients in order to fill the gaps in their expertise and increase their chances of success.

Download the Whyalla Business Centre brochure by clicking this link

Inclusions and key benefits of the Whyalla Business Centre

• Short and long term hire of serviced offices, meeting rooms, conference rooms and facilities
• High quality and fully furnished facilities equipped with desks, office chairs, filing cabinets, book cases and guest chairs
• Experienced and friendly reception services to greet your clients, transfer calls, take messages and process mail (8.30am - 5.00pm weekdays)
• Flexible and negotiable tenancy agreements with terms that can be tailored to meet individual requirements
• No establishment fees
• Onsite business development assistance, support and advice
• Networking and sharing opportunities with other businesses working from the same base
• Amenities and kitchen facilities provided including tea, coffee and water
• Use of the Business Centres fully equipped meeting and conference rooms
• Secure post office box for directing mail
• Access and use of photocopier, fax and other office equipment such as printers, binding machines and  laminators
• Cleaning and maintenance
• Secure alarmed and monitored premises - all offices have their own key and a swipe card access
• Access and entry to business centre offices 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
• Car Parking for tenants and visitors
• Provision for internal and external signage
• Telephone handsets and connections are available in the office for receiving calls through reception (occupants are to arrange their own phone number for outgoing calls if required)
• Wireless internet
• Printing and photocopier services
• Word processing, binding and laminating services are available through reception 

Vision

To create a modern, vibrant and relevant business service centre which will be a central hub for business services, business activity and the economic development of Whyalla and the immediate surrounding region.

Mission

To support and accelerate sustainable economic growth of Whyalla and the surrounding region.

Business Objectives

The Whyalla Business Centre will provide modern, comfortable, well maintained, fully serviced commercial office space, meeting rooms and training facilities.

Facilities and Services

Premises and facilities

The Whyalla Business Centre provides 8 fully serviced/furnished offices and 2 workshop areas with access to common facilities, amenities and car parking.  

Comprehensive office services

The Whyalla Business Centre provides a range of comprehensive office and administrative services to clients including high quality reception services, wireless internet*, photocopying*, binding*, scanning, use of fax machine and other office equipment.  (* provided on a fee for service basis).

Training and conference room hire

The Whyalla Business Centre offers fully equipped training and conference facilities for hire.  Facilities include 3 large training rooms, a Board room and a smaller conference room.  Room hire includes room set up, tea, coffee, milk, water, mints and equipment.   Business Centre tenants can use the conference room free of charge (subject to availability) and use of the training rooms or Board room are offered at a discounted rate.  For further information on our venue hire click on this link.

Business advice and support

Free and confidential business support, advice and mentoring is available onsite to all Business Centre tenants through the Whyalla Business Development Adviser.  Business services include but are not limited to assistance in developing business and financial plans, human resource management, customer service improvement, marketing and promotions, expansion strategies benchmarking and sourcing grants and other funding assistance.

Networking

Business Centre tenants are introduced to other tenants during their induction process. Other networking opportunities are facilitated through functions, training and workshops. All Business Centre clients are offered the opportunity to attend relevant events.  In addition, the current Business Centre tenants and networks established through RDAWEP provide an extensive business and community network.

Learning and sustainable environment

The Whyalla Business Centre offers a dynamic learning and supportive environment where start-up and operating costs are minimised and business establishment risks are reduced. Learning, interaction and mentorship between tenants are strongly encouraged.  Formal learning and training and development opportunities will be offered on a regular basis as a part of the services delivered by RDAWEP.

Business incubator support program

The Business Centre offers a business incubator program for eligible new and emerging businesses to help them accelerate, survive and grow during the start up period.  A structured program offers hands on business advice, assistance and mentoring in addition to discounted rent. 

Pricing

Prices are set in accordance with market value and taking into account the need to cover costs, maximise the use of resources and to ensure the facility is self sustainable.  Prices will be reviewed annually.  New and emerging businesses may be eligible to access the business incubator program which offers discounted rent.   Download to the Schedule of Fees Information Sheet for further information. 

Serviced office space

The Whyalla Business Centre offers 8 fully serviced/furnished offices available for lease.  Office sizes and rates are outlined below. 

Short term serviced office rates

Longer term rates

Outgoings not included within the rental fee:

• Electricity (tenants are billed for actual consumption)
• Telephone or Internet services (a wireless service is available with an additional charge, or alternatively tenants can organise their own facility)
• Signage
• Printing and photocopying usage

Workshop space

The Whyalla Business Centre provides 2 unfurnished/unserviced external workshop areas which includes its own toilet and sink.  Workshops sizes and rates are outlined below.  

Included within the rental price for the workshops, we offer:

• A flexible and negotiable tenancy with terms that meet individual requirements
• Nil start up/establishment fee
• Access to facility 24 hours a day, 7 days per week
• Maintenance
• Car parking
• Access and use of basic office equipment
• Secure post office box for directing mail
• Use of facsimile machine
• Basic reception services for printing and photocopying
• Reduced rates on our training and conference room facilities. 

Not included within the monthly rent:

• Electricity ($130 per month flat rate)
• Telephone or Internet services
• Signage
• Security and cleaning
• Printing and photocopying usage

Incubator Support Program

The business incubator program is developed for start up and existing SME’s operating within Whyalla and the surrounding region. The program is a structured business development program, prepared and delivered by the Whyalla Business Development Adviser. The program includes business advice, assistance, mentoring and discounted rent.  

Applications will be assessed by the Whyalla Business Centre management team who may accept or reject any applications.  Acceptance as a tenant also depends on availability of suitable space within the Whyalla Business Centre.

Download the Business Incubator Support Program information sheet for further information.

Selection criteria

To be selected for the business incubator program, businesses/applicants need to:

• Intend to start a business or be an established business seeking to grow and establish a customer base in Whyalla or the surrounding region.
• Be able to demonstrate a viable business concept, explain proposed operations, potential customers, estimated market size and growth potential.
• Commit to participate in the program including being mentored by the Business Development Advisor and/or other experienced business managers. The program will include, undertaking market research, preparing a business plan, participation in regular business reviews, training, business information sessions, networking and other activities provided by the Centre.
• Demonstrate a level of basic skills, knowledge and experience in their chosen field.
• Have financial capacity to establish and operate the business.
• Be willing to support the Business Centre and incubator concept.
• Attend an interview with Business Centre Management.

Applications will be assessed by: 

• The extent that the business is operated in Whyalla and the surrounding region
• Need/demand for the business in the region
• Employment potential
• Potential for business growth
• Need for support
• Suitable to operate in the facilities available at the Whyalla Business Centre
• The extent to which the businesses is working to develop and commercialise new products
• Potential to bring new investment to the region

Not for Profit and community organisations may apply for the incubator program and will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Pricing structure

The lease/licence fees for approved business incubator program clients will be subsidised each month until the full commercial rate is reached. 

Getting started

It is our goal to make your transition to the Whyalla Business Centre as smooth and as easy as possible.  To apply for office or workshop space, contact our office to make an initial appointment with the Office Manager or Business Adviser to view the facility, discuss your requirements, determine appropriate allocation of space and the types of assistance needed.

All applications for office and workshop space will then be assessed by the Whyalla Business Centre management team who reserve the right to accept or reject any application. 

Acceptance as a tenant is subject to presentation of appropriate business liability and property contents insurance and also depends on availability of suitable space within the Whyalla Business Centre.

On approval, an agreement based on your requirements will be drawn up.  Once this agreement signed and executed and you present a copy of your certificate of insurance you are ready to move in.  Fees for the first month of rent are payable within 7 days of signing your agreement. 

For more information

Contact our office or download the following information Sheets:

• Whyalla Business Centre brochure
• Information Sheet 1 – General Information
• Information Sheet 2 - Schedule of Fees
• Information Sheet 3 – Business Incubator Support Program

Contacts

Tamara Clark

Position: Executive Assistant/Office Manager

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Phone: 08 8645 7811

Fax: 08 8645 1278

Mobile: 0417 457 811

Heidi Freeman

Position: Business Development Adviser – Whyalla

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Phone: 08 8645 7811

Fax: 08 8645 1278

Mobile: 0488 457 111