A growing labour shortage in Victoria's west has the potential to threaten hundreds of millions of dollars of new investment in the region, a municipal executive says.

a website advertising a new treatment facility for convicted criminals on supervision orders, job-seekers have been invited to think outside the box.

If you’ve ever been confronted with a ‘cash-only’ sign and felt suspicious as to why the business doesn’t accept card payments, you’re not alone.

According to research by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), two-thirds of consumers believe cash-only small businesses are profiting from getting away with paying less tax.

An ATO blitz last year forced seven out of 10 cash-only businesses to increase the amount of tax paid, totalling $200 million in tax and penalties.

Diversified real estate group Mirvac has reported a profit statutory net profit after tax of $1.1 billion, marking the third consecutive year Mirvac has achieved a statutory profit of more than $1 billion.

But with the softening in the residential cycle, the group is now shifting its focus to more ''passive'' investments that generate recurring income from mangement fees through its club funds.

While it is not a determined shift in strategy, the new approach will mark a change in direction for some aspects of the group's business.