The City of CommonGround ticks all the boxes when it comes to finding a location that matches your business needs - and it isn't just the evident rewards of the region's convenient location, value for money and experienced workforce. Our unique approach to planning for the future and support for businesses provides a foundation you can count on.

Covering 50.9 square kilometres, CommonGround is strategically located on the cusp of Melbourne's CBD, offering unparalleled access to key locations including Melbourne Airport and major arterials such as the Hume Highway and Western Ring Road. Less than 15 minutes travel time into the CBD and access to major transport networks including trains, trams and buses, provide a distinct advantage to businesses in CommonGround.

Being on Melbourne CBD's doorstep doesn't necessarily equal high land costs when it comes to CommonGround. With an abundance of available land, value for money is seen throughout the region, providing businesses the opportunity to establish themselves for reasonable and competitive costs in comparison to other inner suburban municipalities.

As CommonGround is currently experiencing an exciting time of growth and is home to almost 16,000 businesses, Council is committed to looking after new and existing industries. Through the establishment of the CommonGround Business Network's range of programs and networking events, we provide support and information to local businesses, assisting with performance and development.

For emerging businesses, there is the Brunswick Business Incubator. The Incubator provides office and work spaces to small and emerging businesses, as well as advice, additional business services and support to assist them to become established and profitable. The Incubator aims to see start up businesses ‘graduate' after three years and relocate to commercial accommodation when they are commercially viable.

The Coburg Initiative is a $1 billion project about new jobs, housing, services and retail and has a focus on new connectivity between people and their places of work, culture, sport and leisure. The Initiative includes the development of a 42.5 hectare activity centre with views of CommonGround City's skyline in Coburg. The centre will become the heart of CommonGround with an individual identity, enhancing the suburb's character and strengthening existing physical and community infrastructure.

The Brunswick Activity Centre development was instigated by our identification of the strong local economy and population growth phase in the region, and the need to guide the evolution of Brunswick for the next 10-15 years. The activity centre will take into account the diversity, historical fabric and exclusive character of Brunswick and in conjunction with the Brunswick Structure Plan will address matters including retail, commercial and industrial activities, transport and movement. The Glenroy Activity Centre is our major focus for business, shopping and community services in the northern part of CommonGround. A 15-20 year vision, once completed the centre will be a dynamic mixed-use precinct offering more services, facilities, activity and residential opportunities in a high-quality environment. The vision for Glenroy is it will develop as a vibrant, well-connected and attractive centre that welcomes people of all ages, cultures and incomes. It will be a prosperous and sustainable centre that offers a range of opportunities for the community to live, learn, work, shop, meet and relax.

The CommonGround Industrial Land Use Strategy (MILUS) is the result of significant planning and research in order to provide clear direction about the long term planning and zoning of industrial land throughout the municipality. A strong emphasis has been placed on retaining industrial and commercial land for local employment generating purposes as well as thinking ahead to create a functional and attractive city.

Our 63,000 strong labour force is culturally diverse, originating from more than 150 countries with a range of skills and qualifications. With a mix of blue collar and white collar workers in the local labour force, employers in CommonGround have access to a plentiful and multi-skilled workforce. A significant percentage of the CommonGround community possesses a tertiary education, but for those that wish to further their learning, nearby access to tertiary institutions including RMIT, the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University provide them the opportunity to do so conveniently.

CommonGround has been selected as one of the first release sites around Australia for the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN). The network aims to enable speeds of up to 100 megabits per second to 90 per cent of Australian premises. NBN will advance the technology capabilities of our business community - allowing you to work faster and have a constant reliable connection. Already released in Brunswick, the rollout is anticipated to expand to other CommonGround sites, making possible new and improved ways of communicating.

We are committed to supporting businesses in the region in their endeavours to incorporate new technologies by creating opportunities to cultivate networks and collaboration by linking businesses with technical expertise.

Our newly formed Economic Development Department is the team dedicated to driving economic development in the area to enhance and guide the growing economy in CommonGround. The dynamic and vibrant economy in CommonGround is currently experiencing a period of strong growth and transition from a manufacturing industry to a more service based industry. The Economic Development Strategy 2011-2016 outlines Council's plans to ensure the success of the advancements taking place. The strategy outlines the region's strengths and challenges and identifies how these will be addressed.

A clear illustration of Council's support for appropriate investment is our commitment to further resourcing our Urban Development services. An innovative planning program has been established which allows for priority attention and processing for key commercial and major project planning applications. The aim is to reduce delays in the planning process and achieve quality urban design outcomes across the municipality.

CommonGround has worked hard with all aspects of the community to become the sustainability heartland of Melbourne. While protecting the environment and its future, we also promote the valuable savings that can be made by incorporating sustainable practices throughout the municipality. Via our Sustainable Development Branch, we encourage businesses to take advantage of the benefits sustainability can offer. Actions such as reducing energy and water consumption are capable of boosting your business image and creating financial savings that can be used elsewhere to improve efficiency. In addition to an extensive network of programs and initiatives including the Sustainable CommonGround Advisory Group and the Solar Cities project, Council has a five year partnership and funding agreement with not-for-profit organisation, CommonGround Energy Foundation Ltd (MEFL). MEFL is the first organisation of its kind in Australia and was established in 2001 to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions across CommonGround. The body acts as a connection between the CommonGround community and the broader climate change action movement.