Winter.
Winter newsletter • July / August 2026 • Please display or share with your team
A quick round-up for Merimbula businesses — what’s happening in town, and the changes landing this financial year. Pop it on the staff noticeboard or by the till.
Welcome to Winter
Winter is a time to shine in Merimbula, and we’re encouraging every business to pop some fairy lights into a window or in-store to brighten the days and evenings. Fairy lights are cheap to run, and most of us have a set left over from Christmas. If not, the friendly team at Mitre 10 Pambula can get you twinkling.
The Jazz / Wintersun Festival decals were a great success and made the town feel a little more cohesive over the long weekend, which saw good visitor numbers enjoying some “stella” Merimbula winter weather.
Our retail committee is now working towards a “Spring into Spring” campaign, with window-painting ideas and options to come. They’re also planning a “Crazy Day” sale on Thursday 1 October — just like the good old days, for those who remember what that was like. Many hands make light work, so if you’d like to share ideas or focus on retail events, please come along to the next retail meeting.
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NEXT RETAIL MEETING Tuesday 21th July, 8:00am — Genevieve Mussell’s Office above Capital Chemist. All welcome to discuss ideas for Spring into Spring & Christmas in Merimbula. |
TOWN NEWS
Council endorses revised plans for the Merimbula CBD
At its meeting on 22 June 2026, Bega Valley Shire Council considered the outcomes of community consultation on the Merimbula CBD Upgrade and endorsed a revised package of traffic, parking and public-space improvements. Our thanks to everyone — community, businesses and stakeholders — who took part in the consultation.
Chamber President Rachel Whittaker has worked tirelessly with executive members and councillors who were proactive for a positive Merimbula upgrade, and the Chamber will continue to work with Council — and in particular with Councillor Mitchell Nadin, who has advocated strongly for Merimbula.
What Council decided
Following community feedback, Council resolved not to proceed with the proposed traffic trial or the detailed design component. Instead it endorsed a revised traffic configuration:
• Two new mini roundabouts — at Sapphire Coast Drive / Main Street and Main Street / Market Street
• Two-way traffic retained along Market Street, with existing turning movements kept at the Market Street lights
• A new lit pedestrian crossing on Market Street
• Traffic monitoring following implementation
Funding originally set aside for detailed design will instead go towards landscaping, beautification, traffic and parking improvements along Beach Street, including a new fenced playground, one-way eastbound traffic, new 45° nose-to-kerb parking and additional public-space upgrades. A revised scope for Hylands Corner — minor landscaping, seating and pedestrian-safety improvements — was also endorsed.
What happens next: construction of the mini roundabouts, pedestrian crossing and lighting is expected to begin in August 2026, followed by traffic monitoring. The Beach Street improvements are expected to commence later in the year, with further opportunities for community input. The project is supported by a $2.8 million Australian Government commitment through its Investing in Our Communities program.
PLAN AHEAD
Changes for business — from 1 July
Three federal changes land this financial year that affect almost every Merimbula employer. Here’s the short version, with links to the official detail.
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FROM 1 JULY 2026 Payday Super Super now has to be paid at the same time as wages, not quarterly. Contributions must reach an employee’s fund within 7 business days of each payday. The super rate stays at 12%, but it’s now calculated on a broader “qualifying earnings” base. Two practical flags: the ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House closes on 30 June 2026, so if you use it you’ll need an alternative; and late contributions now trigger a tougher, ATO-assessed Super Guarantee Charge. Speak to your payroll provider or accountant and run a test pay cycle before go-live. |
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FROM 1 JULY 2026 Minimum & award wages rise 4.75% The Fair Work Commission’s 2026 Annual Wage Review lifts the National Minimum Wage and all modern award rates by 4.75%, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. The new National Minimum Wage is $1,004.90 per week ($26.44 per hour) — the first time it has topped $1,000 a week. Most affected are retail, hospitality and accommodation employers. Review your pay rates — including any salaries with set-off or annualised arrangements — to make sure they still sit above the new award minimums. |
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FROM 1 OCTOBER 2026 No more card surcharges The RBA is removing card surcharges on eftpos, Visa and Mastercard debit and credit payments from 1 October 2026. You’ll no longer be able to pass these processing fees on to customers — they’ll need to be absorbed or built into your pricing. To offset this, interchange fees are being lowered, so merchant costs should fall, especially for smaller businesses. A heads-up: you can’t simply rename a surcharge an “admin” or “service” fee — the ACCC has been clear that’s still a surcharge. Amex and PayPal surcharges may continue where justified by cost. Review your POS settings and merchant agreement before October. |
DIARY
What’s on — July & August
School holidays — VIC / ACT — Sat 27 June – Sun 12 July 2026
School holidays — NSW — Sat 4 July – Sun 19 July 2026
Far South Coast Film Festival — 14 – 15 August 2026
Chamber Social Networking night — Thursday 20 August 2026
Merimbula “Crazy Day” sale — Thursday 1 October 2026
MEMBER BENEFITS
Make the most of your membership
Bookable sign holders. With the support of Bendigo Bank, we’ve installed over 70 A4 perspex sign holders in prominent positions across the Merimbula CBD. They’re there to promote events and activities that benefit our members and the community — and you can book them through the Our Merimbula website.
Social shout-outs. Chamber members get regular shout-outs and event shares on our Merimbula Facebook page — another benefit of belonging.
Our Chamber website has had a refresh and will keep being updated with all things Chamber, so keep an eye on it for the latest information.
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Not yet a member? Join the Merimbula Chamber of Commerce and help shape the town’s future — while getting your business in front of the community. Membership details and sign-up are on our website, or come along to a meeting and say hello.
Already a member? Keep an eye out for your Membership renewal landing in your inbox this week ! |
Questions, suggestions or want to get involved?
Reach out any time at president@oirmerimbula.com.au or secretary@ourmerimbula.com.au •
Web: www.ourmerimbula.com.au • Find us on Facebook: Our Merimbula