Accommodation and tourism businesses

If you are thinking of opening a bed and breakfast, boarding house, guest house, hostel, motel, hotel, residential accommodation, rooming houses, student dormitories, caravan parks or a holiday camp in the Macedon Ranges then it is important that you communicate with Council’s Planning, Building, Health, and Tourism departments as there are many requirements associated with opening any type of accommodation in the Macedon Ranges.

The following must be considered when opening tourist accommodation:

Call Council on (03) 5422 0333 to arrange a pre-application meeting with the relevant departments.

Registering a new accommodation business

You will need to register your accommodation if:

  • Six or more people (other than the owners) are able to stay at a prescribed accommodation premises.

These regulations aim to ensure good standards of:

  • Hygiene
  • Sanitation
  • Maintenance
  • Prevent overcrowding
  • Reduce the risk of communicable diseases

To register, complete an Application of Prescribed Accommodation(DOCX, 169KB) / Application of Prescribed Accommodation(PDF, 198KB) and submit along with the prescribed fee.

Buying an existing accommodation business

 When buying an existing accommodation business:

Promoting your business

Once your business is established and ready for operation, contact the Visitor Information Centres to list your business with both centres in the Macedon Ranges Shire.

You can also accredit your business with the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program. The ATAP will assess your back of house operations such as business and marketing planning and licences.

There are many ways you can promote your business once it is operating. Visit the Marketing Your Business web page for further information.

The Centre For Adult Education has a range of short courses related to running a business.

William Angliss Institute of Tafe also run courses that may of assistance.

 

Related Information

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