Renovation permits and zoning, increasing supply and product prices as well as climate vulnerability are some of the challenges businesses in Serpentine Jarrahdale are facing.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) August report on businesses, Western Australia showed the largest percentage increase of business growth in the 2024-25 financial year.
Local business owners Anne and Barry Sander established their Tarralea Grove business in 2002 producing olive oil at their Jarrahdale property.
“(We) initially planted four olive trees and by 2006 it increased to 300,” Mrs Sander said.
“The idea was to produce extra virgin olive oil.”
She said they purchased a processor in 2012 after years of outsourcing.
“Once word got out we had a press, we began doing contract work for other olive growers and now 80 per cent of our work is for other growers and community groups who harvest olives off the trees,” Mrs Sander said.
With the population increase in the area, she said interest over their product had also increased.
“Olive oil is so much in the focus of health benefits and local olive oil is very much in demand,” she said.
Mrs Sander said business was steady.
“Barry and myself are the major workers but at harvest time, we have help from family and friends,” she said.
FUNdamentals Occupational Therapy (OT) director Elaine Vandenbos said she opened the children’s-focused clinic in 2018.
Ms Vandenbos said she was a teacher at Byford John Calvin School where she also ran a small OT clinic.
“When the clinic grew too large for the school I chose to open my own business,” she said.
“Having contacts in Byford made it a logical place to start a business.”
Prior to opening the clinic, Ms Vandenbos said she was told Byford wouldn’t be able to support an OT and she wouldn’t get enough work to keep her busy.
“Initially I worked in the clinic two days a week,” she said.
“Before I had been open for a year, I increased it to three days and after two years, I worked full-time in the business.
“It was not long before I had a waitlist of clients.
“I still have a waitlist and often refer clients to other clinics as I don’t have the capacity to see them.”
Ms Vandenbos said she intentionally remained a small business.
“I have no other OTs working with me and employ three therapy assistants who work part-time,” she said.
“From my perspective, this enables me to do what I love – working with children – rather than becoming a manager.
“It is also the most cost-effective way for me as my business is run in a clinic at the back of my home.”
The ABS figures highlight the growth within the state.
“WA had the fastest growing count of businesses, with a 4.3 per cent rise or 10,877 more businesses,” the ABS said.
The number of employing businesses with one to 19 employees has increased throughout the years, according to the ABS – 634 in 2020, 781 in 2022 and 851 in 2024.
The ABS said there were 138 business entries and 55 exits in Serpentine Jarrahdale last year.
Based on the data from 2021 to 2024, the number of entries have increased but so has the number of exits.
Mrs Sander said dry years with low rainfall was one of the challenges they faced because olive trees needed regular watering during the summer to produce fruit.
Finance was another challenge for the pair.
“We do speak to a lot of local small business owners and the same as us, things do not get any easier with the constant increase of supply and product prices,” she said.
Ms Vandenbos said she found the process of getting permits challenging.
“The initial challenge of getting the permits to renovate the house and change the zoning from residential to residential-consultation rooms was big,” she said.
“I did not understand what was needed and when the shire declined the applications, I was at a loss as to what I had to do differently.”
A state government spokesperson said the shire was part of the small business friendly local governments program.
“(The shire) has undertaken several activities to support this initiative including promoting funding opportunities, renewing its economic development and tourism strategy, hosting events and promoting the support available from the Small Business Development Corporation,” the spokesperson said.
Ms Vandenbos said she hoped more initiatives could be introduced to encourage small businesses to open in Serpentine Jarrahdale.
“Encourage employment of local people so that people can live, shop and work in our community,” she said.
