Nominations have opened for the 2025 Sutherland Shire Small Business Awards, with organisers introducing new categories this year to recognise businesses embracing technology and sustainable practices.

The annual awards, now in their 12th year, celebrate the achievements of small businesses across the Shire, from Cronulla to Engadine and everywhere in between.

New Categories for 2025

Alongside traditional categories, two new awards have been introduced:

Best Use of Technology Recognising businesses that have successfully implemented technology to improve customer experience, streamline operations, or create innovative products and services.

Sustainability Champion Celebrating businesses demonstrating leadership in environmental responsibility through reduced waste, sustainable sourcing, or eco-friendly practices.

“These new categories reflect what we’re seeing across the Shire,” said awards coordinator Lisa Tran. “Local businesses are innovating and leading on issues that matter to our community.”

All Categories

The full list of award categories includes:

• Outstanding New Business (trading less than 2 years)
• Excellence in Customer Service
• Best Retail Business
• Best Hospitality Business
• Best Professional Services Business
• Best Home-Based Business
• Best Use of Technology (new)
• Sustainability Champion (new)
• People’s Choice Award (public vote)
• Business of the Year (overall winner)

Eligibility and Nomination

To be eligible, businesses must:

• Be located within Sutherland Shire Council boundaries
• Have fewer than 20 full-time equivalent employees
• Have been trading for at least 6 months
• Hold all required business registrations and licences

Businesses can self-nominate or be nominated by customers, suppliers, or community members. Nominations close on December 15, 2025.

Judging Process

A panel of judges comprising local business leaders, council representatives, and previous award winners will assess nominations based on:

• Business performance and growth
• Customer feedback and satisfaction
• Community contribution
• Innovation and adaptation
• Category-specific criteria

Finalists will be announced in late January 2026, with winners revealed at a gala dinner in February.

Previous Winners Making Their Mark

Last year’s Business of the Year winner, Gymea Bay’s “The Grind Espresso,” has since expanded to a second location in Miranda. Owner Sam Patel credited the award with raising the cafe’s profile.

“Winning that award brought in customers from across the Shire who’d never heard of us,” Patel recalled. “It was fantastic validation for our team and gave us the confidence to grow.”

Similarly, 2023 winner “Cronulla Cycles” used their win as a springboard to launch an e-bike rental service that has become popular with tourists visiting the national park.

How to Nominate

Nominations can be submitted online through the Sutherland Shire Council website. The nomination form takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and requires responses about business achievements, challenges overcome, and community involvement.

For businesses needing assistance with the nomination process, free workshops will be held at:

• Sutherland Library: November 12, 6pm
• Cronulla Library: November 15, 10am
• Engadine Library: November 18, 2pm

More information and nomination forms are available at sutherland.nsw.gov.au/businessawards or by contacting the council’s economic development team on (02) 9710 0333.