Western Sydney Business Connection News

Construction trends to further boost Western Sydney growth

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 02:02:51 GMT

By Michael Page

Transformational projects in Western Sydney will see continued activities this year, as a new industry report identifies three key hiring themes in construction.

The Michael Page “Salary Benchmark Report 2019”, revealed a shortage of specialised local talent in client side project management, making it very competitive to obtain good candidates.

In addition, the report found project managers with 5 to 10 years post-grad experience were the highest in demand.

Companies are also seeking professionals with business development abilities in addition to technical skillsets, the report said.

“For PageGroup, there is a new focus on the blue collar sector: with the country at close to full employment in the labour market, the labourer hiring and blue collar end of the market is certainly expected to outstrip supply in 2019,” Michael Page Australia Regional Managing Director Matthew Gribbs revealed.

“From a geographic perspective, terrific growth in Western Sydney has been observed and that will continue.”

Two major Western Sydney developments – Sydney’s second airport and the much anticipated cage-free zoo – have also made a point of engaging younger generations.

Western Sydney Airport will bring strong economic transformation to the region, with completion marked for December 2026.

Western Sydney Airport chief executive Graham Millett announced two major opportunities: giving university students studying or living in Western Sydney the chance to team with leading airport design firms competing for the change to design the airport’s terminal.

“We want to have the creative minds of our best and brightest young people help inform the design of the terminal, which will be a legacy for their generation, Millett said.

“The path to Western Sydney Airport’s opening will be full of learning and employment opportunities for the region’s young people.”

In addition, a partnership between Western Sydney Airport and Liverpool Council will see Year 5 and 6 students in the region be invited to design the airport using the popular digital building game, Minecraft.

Meanwhile, Sydney Zoo ran an animal-themed colouring competition for kids where the winning designs will be used as wraps for its Suzuki Ignis vehicles.

While it previously suffered building delays, those driving along the Great Western Highway passing Western Sydney Parklands can clearly see the construction activities and infrastructure at near completion.

There’s been huge build-up of anticipation for the $45 million zoo, as its world-class design will see animals roaming cage-free, similar to a safari experience, across 16.5-hectares.

The zoo is scheduled to open mid-2019.

To find out more about construction roles or what’s happening in construction from a hiring front, contact us.

For a copy of our Salary Benchmark Report 2019, download it here.

Introducing The Parramatta Eels Foundation

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 02:56:12 GMT

The Parramatta Eels National Rugby League Club will be launching the Parramatta Eels Foundation in April 2019.

The Foundation will fund programs and initiatives related to supporting the Club and promoting Rugby League within the local community.

The Foundation will be raising funds for:

Community and Social Programs
Woman’s Programs
Next Generation Participation
High-Performance Programs

It will give loyal members, fans and supporters a way to directly contribute to the club and play a role in its future success.

For further information, click here to contact the Club.

Can Emotional Intelligence Really Be Learned?

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 22:16:44 GMT

Some people are born with a naturally high Emotional Intelligence (EQ), and some have a naturally high IQ. While you cannot improve a person’s IQ, fortunately you can learn the skills to improve your EQ.

Research has shown that Emotional Intelligence is the strongest predictor of performance, explaining 58% of success in all job types. It also has a direct correlation with salary. Those with a HIGH degree of EQ have been shown to earn $40,000 per year more than those with low EQ.

So how do you improve Emotional Intelligence?

The Key is Changing Your Mindset

The first step is that you must want to increase your EQ. You need to have the desire to change the way you behave under pressure, or with difficult people.

You must believe that, with the right techniques and hard work, you will be able to change.

Too often as adults we say that we’re ‘hardwired’, that ‘we can’t change’. Science doesn’t support this.

Neurologists use the term ‘plasticity’ to describe your brain’s ability to change. Research shows that your brain grows new connections as you learn new skills. Increasing the connections between rational and emotional centres of the brain enables improved EQ.

Emotional Intelligence Skills

The second part is skillset. According to Dr Travis Burberry, co-author of ‘Emotional Intelligence 2.0’, high EQ requires four key skills:

1. Self-Awareness:

Your ability to perceive your emotions

2. Self-Management:

Your ability to manage your emotions appropriately, to direct your behaviour positively

3. Social Awareness:

Your ability to accurately pick up on the emotions in other people, to understand what’s really going on, to read between the lines

4. Relationship Management:

Your ability to use the awareness to of your emotions and of others’ emotions to communicate successfully

The Challenge of Managing Emotions

Managing emotions and behaving ‘appropriately’ is challenging for us. When we behave ‘appropriately’ in difficult situations or with difficult people, we work to gain outcomes that are good for ALL stakeholders.

Unfortunately, for most of us it is much easier to ‘vent’ and excuse our behaviour or blame the other person.

The internationally successful GREENLINE program that teaches Emotional Intelligence, labels these difficult situations “5% moments”. These are moments where we react with high emotion and afterwards wish we could play them again with better control. They are the moments when we can easily ‘lose our marbles’!

They are also the moments we get judged on the most. While we may behave appropriately 95% of the time, it is the “5% moments” when the stakes are high that people remember most clearly. How well do you perform in your “5% moments”?

Understanding the neuroscience, what’s really happening in our brains, means that we can make smarter choices. It allows us to respond rather than merely react to difficult situations. As a result, positive outcomes are gained, trust is enhanced, and relationships grow stronger.

New WSBC Member Benefit

We are excited to present a new WSBC membership benefit of a FULLY FUNDED, nationally accredited, 1-day GREENLINE Training Program. Click here to LEARN MORE.

GREENLINE is the internationally successful conversations training program used by companies such as Pepsi, Rheem and Redkite to drive emotionally intelligent conversations, boost productivity and create a high-performance culture.

Get a snap shot of the GREENLINE program and discover practical emotional intelligence boosting tools you can start to implement in your business straight away, by attending our upcoming workshop in Parramatta.

DATE: Thursday 4th April, 2019

TIME: 7.30am - 9.30am (includes breakfast)

BOOK: Click here to register

COST: 2 complimentary tickets for all WSBC members (additional tickets available for $50).

Non-members $75.

To learn more about how your business could benefit from GREENLINE, and take advantage of this WSBC member exclusive, please call Ramsina McCully on 1800 085 248 or email ramsina@worldclassteams.com.au

Meet for your chance to win at The William Inglis Hotel

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 05:19:58 GMT

Contract an event at The William Inglis Hotel and step out of your next meeting into the adventure of a lifetime. Choose one of the hotel's many function rooms to host your next conference and get yourself in the draw to win an AccorHotels gift card valued at $1,000 each month, or the grand prize of a $10,000 travel card to use throughout Asia Pacific. Earn 5,000 Le Club AccorHotels bonus rewards points with every event booked at The William Inglis Hotel.

Featuring 23 different function rooms, the hotel can cater up to 1,000 guests cocktail style in The Sales Arena. Enjoy the benefits of state of the art Audio Visual equipment in each function room including TV screens, natural lighting, complimentary high speed Wi-Fi and complimentary open-air car parking.

Together let’s see where your heart leads you in 2019.

Click here for further information on conferences and events at The William Inglis Hotel.

Investing for Good

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 04:04:10 GMT

For the third year NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) will host the Investing for Good Conference (I4G), in partnership with the NSW Office of Social Impact Investment (OSII), on Thursday, 9th May 2019 at Pier One, Sydney.

NSW is leading the way with social impact investment and we are excited to bring government, not-for-profit organisations, the private sector, business and investors together to further cultivate the ecosystem needed for social investment to reach its full potential.

I4G 2019 will enhance the capacity, nurture the ecosystem and celebrate the successes of the NSW not for profit, public and private sectors in developing mutually beneficial relationships that create long lasting, positive social impacts.

Join us as a corporate attendee and develop the necessary partnerships in order for you to engage in social impact investment and contribute to creating strong and thriving communities in NSW.

Special Offer to WSBC Members: Register now and receive a further 10% discount from original early bird prices using the code WSBCDiscount. This offer is valid until 5th March 2019.

NCOSS also invites you to review the Sponsorship Prospectus for the upcoming I4G Conference 2019. This is an exciting event that will contribute to new ways of tackling complex social problems that deliver results and a return on investment. Sponsorship opportunities are limited!

For more information, Contact: Susie Saba | Business Development Manager | susie@ncoss.org.au | 02 8960 7918 | 0407 780 787

Storytelling works for any industry

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 03:35:01 GMT

You hear it all the time – storytelling is the best way to market your business.

Storytelling can help you reach your target market. Storytelling helps your business and brand grow.

But your business is engineering, accountancy or manufacturing … can storytelling work to grow a business in any industry?

Absolutely it can.

From boats to banking

Storytelling is about making an emotional connection with your audience, telling how a customer benefited from using your product or service and giving your prospects the opportunity to relate to you, your business and your product.

These things are industry agnostic.

Let’s look at the evidence

At Brilliant Digital, we’ve helped businesses in a broad range of industries grow and expand their reach through powerful digital storytelling.

But there are a few tricks to getting it right. And that’s where our team of expert digital storytellers comes in.

We’re results driven here at Brilliant Digital – so let’s hear from some of our clients in their own words…

Show your benefits

For Craig Hannam at Water Filters Australia, storytelling is unsurpassed in its effectiveness –

“The blogs are an integral part of how we display our business to the community.

For existing customers, finding out about our products, their benefits and how to use them, works well... and for a person who doesn’t know anything about us and goes onto our website, there’s a significant amount of information there to assist them too.”

Put your aims into context

Through digital storytelling, we have transformed Romar Engineering so it can compete on a global stage. We have defined who they are and what they do – and are sending qualified leads from across the globe. CEO Alan Lipman says,

“Stories create connection, build trust and memorable brands and ultimately deliver sales.”

Create web appeal

When we write content for your website, we get inside your prospects’ heads so we know what will appeal to them.

And it’s emotionally engaging content that is key for Chris White at First Financial.

“Our website gives a sense that we are large enough to look after our clients, but not too large to ignore the client relationship – that’s the most important thing that we can do.”

Keep it simple

Our storytellers use simple, clear language. There’s little point in using complex technical jargon if your target market can’t understand it.

We simplify. We demystify.

Denis Zilic, co-founder of OSA says, “When you’re relying on technical people to write stories, people who aren’t technical can’t read it, it goes over their head and you lose the message.”

An enviable lifestyle

The best story will entice your prospect to see themselves in your customer’s shoes – someone who already enjoys your product or service.

Graham Raspass from Flagstaff Marine is a great example of how wonderful storytelling is at making a dream lifestyle purchase a reality.

“If you have an array of different stories, people will pick the one that relates most to their circumstance or their dream. If they can see that other people have already experienced that and shared that experience, it enforces their commitment and belief in what they want to do.”

Time to join the revolution

Storytelling is the most effective and proven method to make a connection and grow your business.

It’s a straightforward way to show rather than tell how you solve your customers’ problems.

Without storytelling, you are a bullet-point product list. Good luck with that.

But tell a great story, and you can conquer the world.

Read the full article here.

Campbelltown Billabong Parklands Project Announced

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 21:41:51 GMT

Campbelltown is set to get a major new attraction with the Campbelltown Billabong Parklands Project receiving funding as part of the Western Sydney City Deal Liveability Program funding. The $18.75 million state-of-the-art project will see the construction of a water recreation space and water play facilities across a four hectare site located at the Apex Park in Bradbury.

The Billabong Parklands will include a series of rock pools leading into a 1700sqm lagoon, and will have a wide range of interactive water elements enjoyable for all ages.

The project will include community consultation to ensure that all residents in Campbelltown have a voice in the final design of the billabong. The project is expected to be completed and open to the general public in 2021.

Major changes underway for Western Sydney

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 06:31:19 GMT

According to a government press release issued recently, all three levels of government will be co-funding the Western Sydney Liveability Program, which is an initiative aimed at rejuvenating and developing new public spaces and facilities in Western Sydney. Local councils will be contributing $50 million whilst the Federal and NSW governments will be both providing $60 million.

As part of the first stage of the program, funding will be provided to eight councils in support of projects that will improve key local infrastructure. Apparently, round two of the program will commence towards the second half of 2019.

Alan Tudge, the Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population commented that the “Funding will support new and redeveloped parks, sport and recreation facilities, rejuvenating town centres and creating spaces for arts and cultural events.”

Stuart Ayres, the NSW Minister for Western Sydney, remarked that the implementation of the Western Sydney Liveability Program was a vital milestone for the progression of the Western Sydney City Deal in creating sustainable communities.

The latest reports indicate that the Western City Deal will be an agreement that will run for 20 years between the eight councils of the Western Parkland City and the Australian and NSW government. The Deal hopes to capitalize on the new Western Sydney Airport and to stimulate opportunities for growth and development within Western Sydney.

Matthews Folbigg Lawyers are specialists in all aspects of Local Government and we look forward to assisting local councils grow and develop with all the dynamic changes underway for Western Sydney.

What if joining us for a fun run also helped hundreds of families?

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 00:14:12 GMT

Sign up for the inaugural RunWest fun run, Western Sydney's largest community festival. This new event is family-friendly, packed with sports stars, and as you tackle the 4km or 12km course you can also fundraise for Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney in support of families with a seriously ill child.

When: Sunday 31 March, 2019

Where: Your finish line will be at the massive finish line festival at WestHQ in Rooty Hill

How long: Choose between the 4km or 12km courses

Registrations: Click here for further details and how to register

Staff, families and supporters from RMHC Greater Western Sydney will be taking on the 4km course as part of the Ronald McDonald House Family wave ... including a few celebrity ambassadors! So why not sign up and walk, run or roll alongside us? Our "wave" is both pram and wheelchair friendly and everyone is welcome.

How to register to run with us

Click here and register for RunWest today
Registrations are available now from just $25 so get in quick!
Then you can create an online fundraising page to raise vital funds to keep the doors to Ronald McDonald House open! runthewest.com.au/fundraise/
As you fundraise for the race, you’ll also receive special incentives and surprises from us on your journey!
Lastly … get training!

The Business of Racing Lunch

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 00:03:27 GMT

The Business of Racing Lunch, hosted by the Australian Turf Club in partnership with the Western Sydney Business Chamber, brings together leaders in Australian Racing, Western Sydney & NSW business in an event not to be missed.

Held on Friday 15 March 2019 at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, the ATC invites guests to enjoy pre-lunch drinks and a three course sit down lunch and beverage package.

The MC will lead a celebrity panel and interviews with insights into the economic benefits to Western Sydney of racing’s $3.5 billion industry. Guests will have a photo opportunity with the Longines Slipper trophy and enter a business card draw.

Click here for further information or to book.

International collaboration on cancer research

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 23:37:33 GMT

Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) scientists from Westmead have just returned from the launch of an international collaboration with nine European countries and the US to create personalised treatment plans for children with cancer.

The project known as individualisedPaediatricCure (iPC) will be led by IBM in Switzerland and private research company Technikon in Austria. It was kicked off at a meeting with the members held in Zurich in January.

ProCan’s Co-Director Professor Phil Robinson attended the meeting to discuss CMRI’s role in the partnership.

In this € 15 million, four-year project funded by a European Commission grant, 21 partners will work together with the goal of giving clinicians the tools and knowledge to create individualised treatment plans to children with cancer.

CMRI Director Professor Roger Reddel, who is also Co-Director of ProCan explained the importance of the collaboration. “Although great advances have been made in the treatment of childhood cancers, too many children still die from these diseases,’’ Professor Reddel said.

“Of those that are cured, a substantial proportion suffer long-term serious health consequences from the intensive treatments that are currently required. A major reason for cancer being so difficult to treat effectively is that cancer cells undergo many random changes, which means that each cancer has an essentially unique combination of molecular characteristics.

“To address this problem, it is important to develop ways of specifically tailoring treatment combinations for the molecular profile of each individual cancer, to maximize cures and to minimize short- and long-term treatment side-effects."

The project team will focus on identifying effective personalised medicine for paediatric cancers and will address a multitude of challenges. The goal of the iPC project is to collect and standardise existing clinical knowledge and medical data and, with the help of artificial intelligence, create treatment models for each patient.

A comprehensive computational effort to combine knowledge-base, machine-learning, and mechanistic models to predict optimal standard and experimental therapies for each child will be proposed.

Armed with these treatment models, scientists will then test them on virtual patients to evaluate treatment efficacy and toxicity, thus improving both patient survival and their quality of life.

ProCan was established in 2016 thanks to a grant from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. It aims to analyse thousands of cancer samples from around the world to develop a database of information to advance scientific discovery and enhance clinical treatment.

Join Drive 4 Life and support Northcott

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 05:56:07 GMT

Want to support one of the Western Sydney’s oldest and most trusted charities and experience the thrill and beauty of country Australia?

Northcott is a dynamic and innovative not-for-profit organisation that provides support and services to more than 14,000 people with disability, their families and carers across NSW and the ACT. This year marks Northcott’s 90th year supporting children and adults with disability to realise their potential and achieve their goals.

For over 10 years Drive 4 Life, a non-profit fundraising organisation, has supported Northcott through its scenic “tag-along” 4 wheel drive event, which has raised over $800,000. Now, we want you to come and join the adventure.

Participate in the "tag-along" four wheel drive tour and see parts of Australia that are off the beaten track and not on the "shopping list" of many peoples four wheel drive itineraries.

Tours are open to both novice and experienced 4WD enthusiasts and are tailored to those who have either not had the opportunity to be expertly guided when driving off-road, or who do not have the experience to navigate the areas that Drive 4 Life visits.

In 2019 there are two tours that you can join:

Victorian High Country – April 28 to May 3 2019

This tour is open to 4WD vehicles. Please click here for full requirements.

There will be two groups of up to ten vehicles. Each group will have experienced four wheel drivers in lead and tail-end support vehicles.

The tour will start and finish in Harrietville, Victoria. The tour will commence with registration, introductions and pre-trip briefing at 3.30 pm on Sunday 28 April 2019 and end on the afternoon of Friday 3 May 2019. Drive 4 Life will host a dinner for all participants at the Snowline Hotel in Harrietville on the Friday evening.

We will be touring in an area bordered by the Dargo High Plains Road to the east, Licola to the south, Mt Buffalo to the west and the Great Alpine Road to the north.

Broken Hill to Broken Hill, via Flinders Ranges, Corner Country and Tibooburra –September 1 to September 8 2019

This tour is open to both 4WD and AWD vehicles. Please click here for full requirements.

The tour will start and finish in Broken Hill. The tour will commence with registration, introductions and pre-trip briefing at 3.30 pm on Sunday 1 September 2019 and end on the afternoon of Sunday 8 September 2019. Drive 4 Life will host a dinner for all participants in Broken Hill on the Sunday evening.

We will be touring in the Flinders Ranges area, doing “Skytrek”, Blinman, Arkaroola, Leigh Creek, “Talc Alf”, Lyndhurst, Maree, Strezlecki Track, Cameron’s Corner and Tibooburra, before returning back to Broken Hill.

Please visit the Drive 4 Life website: www.drive4life.com.au for full tour information and booking forms, or contact Annette Sneyd, Community Fundraising and Projects Co-ordinator:

E: fund@northcott.com.au

P: 1300 378 243

Click here for more information about Northcott.

Sydney 7s is coming back to Western Sydney for 2020

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 06:12:18 GMT

Following the huge success of the Sydney 7s 2019 at Spotless Stadium 1-3 February, Rugby Australia are taking the tournament back to Western Sydney in 2020.

Hospitality packages will be the first to go on sale, with General Admission to be released later in year.

To get on the waiting list to secure the best hospitality packages on the moment they are released email hospitality@rugby.com.au

NHFIC a piece of the puzzle to solve Australia’s housing affordability woes

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 22:17:44 GMT

The National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) is providing much needed ammunition to those fighting for more affordable housing in Australia.

NHFIC is an independent corporation established by the Commonwealth on 1 July 2018. It provides low-cost funding to Community Housing Providers (CHP) and other eligible entities for critical infrastructure projects and affordable housing developments.

NHFIC distributes funding through two schemes:

The National House Infrastructure Facility (NHIF), which is a $1 billion facility funded by the government for infrastructure projects such as transport links and utilities infrastructure. CHPs and various government entities are eligible to apply for funding in the form of concessional loans, grants and equity investments.

The Affordable Housing Bond Aggregator (AHBA), which provides concessional loans to CHPs for the acquisition, construction or maintenance of existing housing stock, as well as to assist with refinancing and working capital requirements. AHBA loans are funded by Commonwealth borrowings and out of finance raised by bonds issued in the capital markets.

The schemes were implemented following the recommendations of a report delivered to Australian Treasury in 2017, which noted that the affordable housing sector in Australia lacked access to suitable finance options.

The report found that the length and terms of loans were an issue. In Australia, CHPs tended to be offered loans of a three- to five-year term, which create refinancing risk and a mismatch with asset lifespans. Refinancing is further complicated by differences in rules surrounding security debt in each of the states and territories. This means that CHPs are faced with periodic headaches in renegotiating loan terms.

Also noted as an issue were asset valuations. CHPs reported that their assets are undervalued as a result of offering sub-market rents. This limits the security available for future loans, and inhibits their growth potential.

NHIF and AHBA are designed to address these concerns. While borrowers are required to provide appropriate security, they can expect favourable lending terms, such as extended terms and concessional interest rates.

NHFIC’s first finance project was announced last week, with a $35 million loan offered to Hume Community Housing. The funding will assist with the management of approximately 2000 community homes in Western Sydney, and support the development of a further 2200 homes in the Hunter region.

For many Australians, improved access to affordable housing cannot come soon enough. The Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services 2019 indicated that, in 2015-16, over 50 per cent of Australian low income households experienced rental stress, meaning more than 30 per cent of gross household income was spent on rent. Moreover, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report that the supply of social housing in Australia is failing to keep up with household growth, with social housing stocks dropping from 5.1 per 100 householders in 2007-08, to 4.6 in 2016-17.

While NHFIC alone cannot address this issue, it is certainly a step in the right direction. Hall & Wilcox is already advising CHPs on proposed NHFIC financings along with other social housing projects such as the NSW Social and Affordable Housing Fund and looks forward to seeing growth in Australia’s community housing sector, particularly as NHFIC expands its pipeline of projects.

For further information please contact:

Nick Slack

Partner

T: +61 2 8267 3896

Katrina Reye

Partner

T: +61 2 4908 8862

Seafood Buffet Exclusive Offer

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 01:50:50 GMT

Seafood lovers can indulge in the freshest locally sourced seafood buffet every Saturday from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at TABLE 30.

Enjoy Sydney rock oysters, king prawns, Balmain bugs and blue swimmer crabs, plus a variety of enticing hot dishes, salads and a live dessert cooking station.

WSBC Members and Contacts Special Offer:

Quote ‘WSBC’ upon booking and receive the following special offer:

A Seafood Buffet for 2 with a complimentary bottle of House Wine for $130.00*.

For reservations or enquiries:

P: 9685 0377

E: dining.prsyp@parkroyalhotels.com

Click here for further information or to book.

*Valid when dining before May 26th 2019.

Private Company Issues & Opportunity

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 01:00:12 GMT

Many people think of disruption as something to avoid. But in today’s competitive business environment, disruption can be a real positive - if you are embracing it and capitalising on the opportunities it creates. Across the world, that’s the reality for many private companies.

The new report from Deloitte Private - Private Company Issues and Opportunity - dives into the areas of leveraging technology, improving infrastructure and expanding business horizons, for a look at how private companies are uniquely placed to face disruption. Hear from global experts on how leading private companies have turned these challenges into growth opportunities.

Learn more about the upside of disruption and download a copy of the report.

Empowering your community

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 04:57:09 GMT

Perth-based Zenith Insurance protects its aged care and community and disability services clients from risks, so they can focus on their important work: protecting vulnerable Australians.

CEO Kim Gilbert takes his responsibilities seriously. “We want our clients to use their limited finances to best serve their clients,” he explains. “But beyond that, I believe we are all members of the same community and need to help one another.”

A family culture

“At Zenith, we all look after one another as a team, and the natural extension of this is that we also look to help other members of our community where possible,” says Gilbert of the supportive, inclusive environment his firm stands for.

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Sam McCarthy at our Parramatta office on 0417 518 724 and be connected with one of our banking specialists.

This information has been prepared by Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 237502 (“Macquarie”) for general information purposes only. This information does not constitute advice. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. No member of Macquarie accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect, consequential or other loss arising from any use of this information.

Digital marketing can be your competitive advantage – latest MWSG results out now

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 23:55:18 GMT

Stay ahead of your competitors - Latest insights from the Making Western Sydney Greater Report now available

Most B2B buyers perform 8-12 online searches before interacting with a vendor’s website and are already 57% of the way through the buying process before they speak to a sales representative. So how does your brand perform online?

The latest Making Western Sydney Greater report explores the different ways businesses are using digital and social media to drive value. With 86% of the world’s population using the internet for an average of six hours per day, connectivity has become part of everyday life. Our latest survey results uncover what you can do to leverage your brand’s online presence to have an advantage.

In today’s digital world, being able to access information on a business or brand influences how someone feels about your services or products. Your business’ online existence is just as important as its physical existence.

The latest results told us that many businesses are using digital media without a clear strategy to guide them. Businesses that indicated that they are actively tracking and measuring their ROI (return on investment) are using the data to drive higher conversions. They have a general idea of the value of each customer based on a campaign (lead conversion rate) along with non-revenue conversions (specific call to actions i.e. mailing sign up). Businesses that calculate ROI are 72% more likely to have an effective marketing strategy (Blue Corona).

There are big opportunities for businesses that use their analytics to understand their client base and tailor their digital marketing to reach their ideal audience using the right channels and language. Compared to traditional marketing, it costs significantly less to put together a digital marketing strategy and with the presence of a global audience online, it makes it easier to interact with existing and potential buyers.

Before you consider your digital marketing plans, it’s crucial to know which platforms are best for you and your industry along with having an in-depth understanding of how your business currently performs online.

Know your brand’s social performance

It’s impossible to know if your efforts are having the right impact on your target market if you’re not measuring the right metrics. Understanding your core KPIs helps to adapt your campaigns to suit your goals. Take the time to audit your digital media performance over the past year and assess the metrics for each channel. Look and where and how you have generated leads, driven traffic to your website, pushed social follows, and increased conversions. Ensure these results align with your goals.

A high number of likes and shares for a campaign can be encouraging but it’s important that every activity is achieving its pre-defined objective. The most important areas you can measure are reach (how many people see/hear your brand), engagement (shares, likes, comments), conversions (leads/sales) and advocacy (reviews and repeat interactions/referrals).

A few essential metrics that can be used to evaluate your online performance are:

Reach – Look at your follower count, impressions and web traffic. Followers tell you how broad your reach is while impressions show many people could connect with your brand (this measures the number of times your post appeared). Web traffic from social media campaigns is a good indication of potential customers and if your ‘call to action’ is working.
Engagement – This is your clicks, likes, shares and comments. These metrics start to show how many people are interested in your product or service and would recommend you to others. If your content is interesting and relevant, it will spark a conversation.
Conversions – Your goals will determine these measurements (i.e. increase readership times, generate sales lead etc) but not all visitors complete a conversion on their first visit. Checking out Google Analytics is the easiest way to get an insight into your lead conversion rate, website traffic improvements or you can refer to your CRM for new leads and sources.
Advocacy – Brand loyalty and referrals can be measured through various ways. You can look at cost per lead (cost per campaign divided by your qualified leads), the number of reviews and endorsements and understanding the customer lifetime value (revenue earnt from a customer minus money spent on acquiring and serving them).

After you have audited your brand’s online performance, you’ll be able to determine the effectiveness of your campaigns and which channels are the most successful.

Focus on what people need and want

73% of B2B buyers say they want a personalised, B2C-like customer experience (Accenture, 2017). Every part of your digital journey and content creation should be carefully designed around your audience’s interests and needs.

The Making Western Sydney Greater report showed that industries are relying on digital media to achieve various goals:

Manufacturers – using newsletters and their website to promote content (i.e. articles, videos, case studies) & improve search engine optimization (SEO)
Property / Construction – sharing content with networks (via LinkedIn, Facebook) to reach shared connections and drive referrals
Professional Services – integrating website with social media channels to share content quickly, drive brand awareness and identify key decision makers

The key to getting the balance right is making sure you don’t focus on what the technology can do but instead look at how you can create mutual value at every opportunity. Every piece of content you create – eNews, blogs, white papers, case studies – is a chance to increase your reach and generate leads.

The 2016 Demand Gen Report highlighted that 96% of B2B buyers want content with more input from industry thought leaders. With the online world flooded with information, influencer marketing has become one of the most powerful ways to market a business and build trust with your networks. B2C have been using ‘influencers’ to promote products and services for years and now B2B organisations are catching on. By collaborating with an industry influencer or using a brand ambassador you get exposure to a meaningful demographic.

Social media platforms are major contributors to buying decisions. Leading businesses are using analytics to know customer behaviours and target their online marketing efforts to suit their audience. Sharing content across the right social media platforms can add scale to you campaigns and help to drive higher search engine rankings. Take out the guesswork and look at tools such as Google Trends and SEO programs that can help you discover the most searched, valuable terms for your location and industry.

In the next edition of Making Western Sydney Greater, we’ll delve deeper into the real benefits of social platforms and how to assess which will be the best fit and value for your brand.

Making Western Sydney Greater (MWSG) is a collaborative project between William Buck, St. George, Western Sydney University and Western Sydney Business Connection, and forms part of our long-term commitment to drive positive change in the region.

Terminal Precinct Architect and Interior Design Services - Procurement

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 07:05:54 GMT

WSA invites suitably qualified and capable organisations to register for receipt of Expression of Interest documentation for the Terminal Precinct Architect and Interior Design Services for Western Sydney Airport.

WSA will procure the Terminal Precinct Architect and Interior Design Services by carrying out a two-stage competitive process consisting of:

1. An Expression of Interest stage including an initial registration process; and

2. A Request for Tender stage which includes an architectural design competition.

Any parties interested in bidding for the Terminal Precinct Architect and Interior Design Services must complete and submit a registration for Expression of Interest in accordance with the ‘Invitation for Registration’ document available on the Western Sydney Airport website.

Parramatta Light Rail Infrastructure Investigation Works March-Sept 2019

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 22:42:47 GMT

Parramatta Light Rail is one of the NSW Government’s major public transport projects, part of a record $89.7 billion infrastructure investment across the state.

Stage 1 of Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia.

In preparation for construction to start, project Infrastructure Works Contractors CPB Contractors and Downer Joint Venture will be undertaking geotechnical activities and underground services exploration along the Stage 1 corridor from Westmead to Carlingford.

Investigation Works

Investigation works from 22 March 2019 will involve:

digging holes in the road using saw cutting, jackhammering and excavating for underground utility investigation (high levels of noise)
drilling for soil sampling for geotechnical testing
investigating identified heritage and archaeological sites
reinstating footpath and road surfaces for safe access

What to Expect

Project contractors will be in contact directly with business and residents adjacent during February to ensure potential locations and durations of works are understood, including night work impacts.

For more information, please see the attached notification.

City of Parramatta Public Exhibition of the Land Use Planning Harmonisation Discussion Paper

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 04:40:22 GMT

The City of Parramatta Land Use Planning Harmonisation Discussion Paper is formally on exhibition from 21 January 2019 until 4 March 2019. The Discussion Paper outlines suggestions for the policies and controls that will form the basis of the consolidated Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP) for the City of Parramatta. For some issues, this process could result in changes to the current planning controls applying to certain areas and/or types of development, such as:

what types of development are allowed in a particular land use zone, including where dual occupancies can be built and the design requirements for such development;
changes to height and floor space ratio controls applying to residential zones;
changes to car parking, biodiversity and tree protection controls; and
a limited number of changes to the zoning of some sites are suggested to enable the harmonisation of land use plans.

Copies of the Discussion Paper can be viewed on Council’s website at www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/planningharmonisation or at the City of Parramatta Customer Contact Centre and Council libraries.

Campbelltown Hospital Redevelopment Stage 2 Visualisation

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 03:10:57 GMT

The highly anticipated $632 million Stage 2 Redevelopment of Campbelltown Hospital is now one step closer to reality with the planning and designing phase of the redevelopment underway. The upgrade will bring state of the art healthcare facilities and amenities to the Campbelltown region, which will rank it among the leading hospitals in Australia.

A computer generated fly through video has been produced, which showcases both the internal and external designs of the hospital.

Success for South-west Sydney’s A-League bid

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 02:46:33 GMT

The Football Federation Association has today announced that the combined United for Macarthur and South-West Sydney FC bid will become one of two new teams to join the national competition.

The United for Macarthur and South-West Sydney FC bids were shortlisted in June as contenders for two new teams in an expanded A-League.

They joined forces in August, combining their individual strengths to submit a single bid that would unite Sydney’s south-west community.

Mayor George Brticevic said today’s announcement was a win for the entire region that would benefit not only football players and fans, but the economy and community.

“We’re excited that the months of hard work by everyone involved in this bid have paid off,” Cr Brticevic said.

“This is a win for Sydney’s south-west community that will benefit present and future players, who will no longer have to leave their area to pursue their chosen sport at an elite level.

“It will also bring investment to the region, not only around the team, but because of the opportunity to showcase the benefits of investing in our region to a national audience.

“We’re proud that Campbelltown Sports Stadium will be the home of the new A-League team and we look forward to continuing to work hard in the months ahead in preparation for the 2020-2021 season.”

Walker Corporation Executive Chairman Lang Walker, who supported the joint bid as a strategic partner, said he was thrilled with the result.

“South-west Sydney is one of the fastest growing regions in the country,” Mr Walker said.

“It makes sense that this rapidly expanding community should have a football team to call its own,” he said.

“I look forward to continuing to support the club as it prepares to field a team in time for the 2020-2021 season.”

Gino Marra, Director Potentia Capital Finance Group who is also a strategic partner of the bid, said they are elated with the decision.

“Words cannot explain how our team is feeling. Over the last six months the local community has been asking us if ‘we’ will be successful. This shows that our community has taken ownership of this club already and I believe this is what has got us across the line,” Mr Marra said.

“I would like to personally thank Mayor George Brticevic, Campbelltown Council and Lang Walker for all their hard work as well as our bid team who have worked extremely hard,” he said.

“Everyone who worked on this bid believed in it, believes in our community and that’s why I believe we have been successful. Now the hard work begins.”

Click here to view the original article.

Two Double Passes To Be Won

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 03:21:57 GMT

The HSBC Sydney 7s are coming to Western Sydney and we are celebrating by giving away two double passes to Spotless Stadium's Skydeck where you can catch all the action from your premium allocated seats.

Tell us in 25 words or less "What you think Western Sydney's best kept secret is?" for your chance to win. Entries are to be sent to abrisot@wsbc.org.au by 5.00pm Friday 18th January 2019, to be eligible to enter*.

Having had three successful years at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, the hugely popular HSBC Sydney 7s tournament will light up Sydney's West over three action-packed days from February 1-3.

Upgrade your Sydney 7s experience and soak up the atmosphere with premium seats, amazing views and great hospitality from just $99!

As an exclusive offer, quote WSBC for a 10% discount on all hospitality packages.

To book call 1800 619 181 or email hospitality@rugby.com.au

*T's & C's apply

Step Out Of The Everyday - Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 07:29:46 GMT

Don’t miss out!

Contact the ATC team today to book your next raceday or corporate event:

Raceday hospitality: hospitality@theATC.com.au

Corporate functions: info@eventsbyatc.com.au

or call 1300 729 668.

Get involved with WSBC Charity Partner – Northcott - and support people with disability

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 23:33:27 GMT

Northcott’s purpose is to build an inclusive society where people with disability can live the life they choose.

Learning your child has a disability can be a huge shock, so Northcott wants to be there from day one. Northcott’s services include support in the form of the provision of individual plans, assessing equipment needs, therapy and accessibility assessments of the home and external environments. As you may be aware the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds the core needs but does not go further. This is where we need you.

To find out more about our recent appeal and to make a donation go to https://northcott.com.au/service/give-now/

Another way you can support Northcott’s work is by getting involved in International Day of People with Disability.

Northcott is encouraging local businesses and organisations to get involved with International Day of People with Disability that is held each year on 3 December. It is a day that aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. It’s also a celebration of the contribution people with disability make to the community.

By gathering together to celebrate this day, you can take practical action to highlight your support of people with disability and actively contribute to building a genuinely inclusive society.

You can host an event any time between now and the end of the year and raise funds to support Northcott’s important services.

Your event doesn’t need to be huge - just a small and meaningful gathering such as a morning tea with a gold coin donation or promoting your support of this day.

Through this action your organisation will help break down barriers for the 4.3 million Australians who are living with disability and help to create positive change in our community.

For more information on how our organisation can get involved, contact Holly Borbely on:

P: (02) 9890 0536 or

E: holly.borbely@northcott.com.au

Performance Conversations That Actually Work

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 23:02:59 GMT

It’s performance review season, and you know the drill. Fill in those long, tedious performance documents, drag each of your direct reports into a conference room for a one-on-one, hand them the performance document, and then start the same, tired conversation. Say some positive things about what the employee is good at, then some unpleasant things about what he/she’s not good at, and end with some more strokes of his/her ego to try to end on a positive note. The result: a mixed message that leaves even your best employees feeling disappointed, and results in little (if any!) change in attitude, behaviours or performance.

This Performance Management System is broken. Industry leaders including Adobe, Microsoft and Deloitte have all abandoned the traditional system complete with the dreaded annual appraisal, and 70% of corporate employers are either currently reviewing or updating their approach. The question becomes – what do you need to replace it with?

Many smart companies recognise there is a difference between a performance management system and having conversations that genuinely improve performance. These companies have woken up to the fact that it’s the conversation rather than the system that makes the difference.

So they are shifting their attention to equipping their managers to have the effective ongoing conversations so crucial to developing and expecting excellence in their people. Such conversations can at times be sensitive or difficult and as a consequence are often avoided by managers. All mediocrity continues and arises as a result of a tough conversation someone didn’t have.

‘Performance Conversations that actually work’ is a 2-hour dynamic and practical workshop. In it you will learn:

How to give honest feedback without the person becoming defensive or emotional
How to set clear and meaningful development goals with your direct report
How to ensure they are motivated to achieve these goals and take accountability for doing so
How to ask the right questions in the right way to keep your best talent

You will also have the opportunity to ask your questions and share your experiences or frustrations.

Don’t spend December and January dreading those Performance Reviews with your team. Instead sign up for this 2-hour workshop:

4-6pm on Thursday, 17 January

World Class Teams guarantee that after the workshop you will be able to have the conversations you need to have, and get the results you want rather than the reaction you fear.

Price:

World Class Teams would like to exclusively offer WSBC members the special early bird price of $89.00 (if they book before the 31st December) and $109 (if they book from 1st January).

General Entry: Early Bird $119 (until 31st December); $139 (from 1st January)

Limited to 40 people to ensure strong interaction

Book now by clicking here or for more information please call Ramsina McCully from World Class Teams on 1300 085 248.

Westmead researchers one step closer to curing childhood liver disease

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 22:42:56 GMT

A new partnership between Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) in Westmead and LogicBio Therapeutics in Boston, is set to fast track gene therapy treatments for children with life-threatening genetic liver disease and also boost Australia’s growing biotech industry.

The deal, announced this month, will see the partners develop new viral vectors, which transport a healthy copy of a gene into a patient’s cells to either replace or edit the faulty gene. It could dramatically change the lives of children like three-year-old Charlize Gravina.

Charlize and her twin brother Isaac were born with propionic acidemia, which is a serious metabolic disorder. Isaac required a liver transplant when he was just two years old. Unfortunately, due to post-surgery complications, he died a short time after the transplant. Within months, his family went through the heart-breaking decision of submitting Charlize to the same procedure. She has now had two liver transplants and her parents, Julie and Paul, are so excited to hear about this collaboration.

“When you are told there is no treatment, no cure,’’ Mrs Gravina said, “all you want to do is change things for other people, so they don’t have to go through what we’ve gone through.’’

This new program is led by Professor Ian Alexander who is head of the Gene Therapy Research Unit, a joint venture of CMRI and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN), and Dr Leszek Lisowski who is leader of the Translational Vectorology Group at CMRI.

Prof Alexander, a scientist and a clinician, said they hoped to produce significant outcomes for patients like the Gravinas. They are even using a sample from Charlize’s liver in their research.

“This technology could translate into saving the lives of infants with life-threatening conditions,’’ Prof Alexander said. “It’s about getting cures into the clinic as soon as we can.”

“We’re trying to get to a point where instead of a liver transplant in a very young infant, we can genetically repair the liver without major surgery. It’s a very exciting time to be doing gene therapy.’’

He said the investment from LogicBio was also a good sign for the local industry, acknowledging and supporting the local expertise.

“It recognises that we are one of the key groups in the world doing this work. I think this is an indication of the growing recognition of the strength of Australian researchers in this highly specialized field, contributing to the globally exciting development of gene therapies. It is further growth of the Australian biotech industry and will have a knock-on effect. We see it as the beginning of something much greater. It is about moving technology into the clinic which, in future, will benefit many more patients by offering new and better treatment opportunities.’’

Dr Lisowski said the LogicBio deal could help make a difference between therapies being readily accessible to patients or not.

“At the moment, we can routinely produce vectors in the lab, but to move to much larger clinical scales it is very costly and involves long, overseas waiting times for clinical trials’’ he said. “For one person it could be between $300,000 to $1 million for a single treatment. That means the therapies are not going to be available to most of the public any time soon. We aim to change that; to reduce costs and local waiting times for trials so these cures are more widely and more quickly available. While the initial focus is on liver the technology has the potential to expand to other disease targets, involving the brain, the heart, kidneys, bone marrow and pancreas, for example.’’

LogicBio CEO, Fred Chereau, said, "We’re optimistic that we can significantly improve the performance of AAV vectors through this collaboration. These next-generation vectors will strengthen our platform and expand our pipeline. We also expect them to bolster other important approaches to genetic medicine, including gene therapies.”

This latest announcement follows on from the news earlier in the year that the NSW State Government, through the Office of Health and Medical Research, will provide funding to establish start-up facilities that will manufacture gene transfer vectors in Western Sydney. This project is also run jointly by Professor Alexander and Dr Lisowski at CMRI and the SCHN.

The Gravinas are now focused on providing the best future they can for Charlize and her big sister, Amelia, who wants to be a medical researcher – but they also want to help future generations.

“There are so many questions where we don’t have answers,’’ Mr Gravina said. “We’ll never stop wanting to help as many people as we can.’’

If you would like to find out more about how you can support this work, or to organise a tour of the labs, contact info@cmri.org.au

The Link Between Mental Health and Exercise

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 22:12:20 GMT

Prudence Rehab are the trusted wellness experts when it comes to managing employee health and well-being. Maintaining optimal physical and psychological health of your workforce are integral to business success, and leveraging from our experience and wholistic approach to evidence-based injury prevention and rehabilitation, Prudence Rehab can identify and optimise areas of your business to achieve improved wellness performance.

In understanding your business, our strategy is simple:

reduce absenteeism and the financial, physical and psychological costs associated with employee injury and illness
improve the health and wellbeing of your workforce
increase employee engagement, satisfaction and retention
improve recruitment and increase productivity
ensure adherence to work health and safety obligations
assist with the development of policies that address barriers to employment
reduce claims costs and insurance premiums.

People who exercise have better mental fitness. Research into the effect of exercise as a prevention strategy and a treatment for depression have revealed resoundingly positive results.

Regular exercise has been found to change specific parts of the brain involved in memory, anxiety and depression, and has been shown to have protective effects against the development of depression.

In a landmark study led by the Black Dog Institute, regular exercise of any intensity was shown to be effective in preventing depression in many people, from as little as 1 hour per week, regardless of age or gender. The HUNT study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, is one of the most extensive studies of its kind, analysing the effect of exercise on symptoms of anxiety and depression for over 33,000 people over 11 years. People who were not exercising had a 44% increased chance of developing depression than the people who were exercising 1-2 hours per week.

When prescribed as a treatment, 16 weeks of regular exercise was found to be equally as effective as antidepressant medication for mild to moderate depression, without any of the adverse side effects. For people with severe depression, a combination of exercise, medication and psychological therapy gave the best outcomes.

Your Brain on Exercise:

We’ve put together 10 ways regular exercise may alleviate the symptoms of mild to moderate depression:

Increasing energy levels
Reducing the impact of stress
Improving sleep
Distracting from worries and rumination
Providing social connection, if done in a group
Building levels of protective and growth factors in the brain (BDNF)
Increases growth of new neurons in part of the brain responsible for memory and mood (hippocampus)
Replenishing neurotransmitters that are vital to mood, motivation and memory
Increasing natural vitamin D if exercising outdoors
Improves self-esteem

The Prudence Rehab Revitalise Program incorporates exercise as a vital part of restoring life domains essential to good mental health. The program can be used as an early intervention for people who are at risk of depression, or as a treatment program to reduce the severity and duration of depression and restore function and quality of life.

Are you doing enough exercise?

To learn more or book contact us: t 02 9283 5552 | e support@prudencerehab.com.au | w www.prudencerehab.com.au

Volunteers bring hope where it’s needed most

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 03:12:37 GMT

These days one of the biggest drawcards that employers can offer staff is the opportunity to volunteer with a charity. For many companies, volunteering at The Salvation Army’s candle-bag packing is an annual pilgrimage, joining an army of volunteers at Woolworths’ Yennora warehouse to pack 8500 bags of donated treats – and candles – for the Carols in the Domain event on Saturday 22 December.

Community Fundraising Coordinator Estelle Mansfield says, “Some companies are fantastic; they come year on year. Just yesterday we asked, ‘Who’s candle-bag-packed before?’ and nearly every single person put their hand up. They keep saying, ‘We’re coming back – see you next year’.”

Proceeds from the bags go to fund Oasis, The Salvation Army’s youth support network. Every five bags sold enables a safe place for someone to sleep.

Building products company CSR has been a Salvation Army supporter since 2003. This is their third year of candle-bag packing, according to Corporate Affairs Officer Margaretta Adam. “It resonates with a lot of people because it’s Australia-wide and what you support is very wide ranging.

“The candle-bag packing is fantastic – great energy, great camaraderie and great fun. CSR really values people being able to donate time,” Margaretta adds. “And employees really value being able to donate their time to a great cause.”

Family history inspires a first timer

First-time volunteer Michael Babekuhl from CHEP (an international company dealing in pallet and container pooling services) has a more personal reason for taking on a packing shift. “My grandfather and his brother went to New Guinea in World War Two; his brother didn’t come back but my grandfather did. He always said, ‘Thank God for the Salvos’ – they had been alongside him there for years. He passed away last year at 95, and even at his funeral the Salvos were there.”

The feel-good factor is everywhere. Margaretta says, “You can tell your friends this is what I did today, this is how many of us volunteered, we had a production line. You’re actually physically doing it and when you watch Carols in the Domain, you say, I helped to get that together.”

To share in the season, you can register for next year – or any of our other volunteering opportunities – by emailing Rebecca Hill on corporatevolunteering@aue.salvationarmy.org

And don’t forget, by attending Carols in the Domain and buying a candle bag, you can bring hope where it’s needed most this Christmas.

Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

Casual conversions - an employee’s right or an employer’s opportunity?

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 03:01:34 GMT

By Fay Calderone, Partner - Hall & Wilcox

New rights applying to casual employees came into effect on 1 October 2018 with the Fair Work Commission introducing a model casual conversion term into approximately 85 Awards (Model Terms).

The purpose of the Model Terms is to provide casual employees who have worked a regular pattern of hours for at least 12 months, without significant adjustment, the right to request their employment be converted to a permanent part-time or full-time arrangement - so what does this mean for employers?

Under the Model Terms, employers must:

provide all casual employees with a copy of the applicable Model Term by 1 January 2019, or if they were employed after 1 October 2018, then within 12 month of their commencement (we note that some Awards differ so employers should review the Award which applies to their workplace to determine their obligations);
respond, within 21 days, to any written request by a casual employee to convert to their employment to either full-time or part-time; and
where a request is granted, ensure the conversion is recorded in writing and the change takes effect from the next pay cycle (unless otherwise agreed).

The Model Terms provide that employers can only refuse a request on reasonable grounds, such as where a significant adjustment to the casual employee’s hours of work would be required to accommodate them in full-time or part-time employment under the applicable modern award, or where it is reasonably foreseeable that the casual employee’s hours of work will significantly reduce, or position will cease to exist, within the next 12 months.

An employee has the right to challenge any refusal using the dispute resolution provisions in the relevant Award and an employer may be liable for penalties for any breach of their obligations.

What does this mean for your business?

While the changes seem daunting, practically speaking, many casual employees are incentivised by the 25% casual loading and may not be inclined to request a conversion. Nonetheless, employers need to be aware of their obligations under the Model Terms or risk being liable for significant penalties.

Regardless of whether your casual employees will request a conversion, employers with casual workers that have worked on a regular and systematic basis for an extended period of time, should take this opportunity to consider converting those workers to a permanent status.

There has been a recent influx of cases in which a ‘casual’ employee claims they are a permanent employee at common law and seek redress for unpaid annual leave and other entitlements. Earlier this year in the Federal Circuit Court case Apostolides v Mantina Earthmovers & Constructions Pty Ltd [2018]1 a worker successfully argued that they were a permanent employee and the Court held they were entitled to 15 years of back-paid annual leave entitlements.

In the recent case WorkPac Pty Ltd v Skene [2018]2 the Full Court of the Federal Court also found a ‘fly-in fly-out’ worker was not a casual employee for the purposes of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) leaving WorkPac is liable for unpaid leave entitlements. The Full Court determined that casual employment arrangements are likely to have the following characteristics:

no firm advance commitment as to the duration of the employment or the days or hours that will be worked;
no firm advance commitment from the employer that the work offered will be ongoing or indefinite and no firm advance commitment from the employee that they will accept ongoing employment from the employer;
informal, uncertain, intermittent or irregular engagements;
payment by the hour;
payment of a casual loading in lieu of entitlements to paid leave; and
termination at short or on no notice.

In response to the WorkPac v Skene decision, WorkPac has commenced another case in the Federal Court seeking a declaration that employee Robert Rossato is a casual employee and should not be entitled to leave. The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union as well as former WorkPac employee, Mr Skene, have applied to intervene in the proceedings to support Mr Rossato’s claim that he is a permanent employee.

Industrial Relations Minister, Kelly O’Dwyer has also applied to intervene, fearing that the decision in WorkPac v Skene is causing a flood of casual employees trying to ‘double-dip’ on casual loading and leave entitlements, which should be offset against each other in the circumstance that a worker is deemed to have been a permanent employee.

While the WorkPac v Skene decision remains unturned, employers should be wary that if some of the above characteristics are absent from your agreement with your casual employees, you should consider converting them to a permanent status or risk being liable for back payment of their leave and other entitlements.

What should you do?

In light of the recent changes, you should:

familiarise yourself with your obligations under the Model Term within the applicable Modern Award or enterprise agreement which is relevant to your employees;
provide all current casual employees with a copy of the applicable Model Term before 1 January 2019;
provide all new casual employees, who have commenced from 1 October 2018 onwards, with a copy of the applicable Model Term within 12 months of their commencement (or as otherwise specified under the applicable Award);
consider all written requests by casual employees to convert to permanent employment and respond within 21 days; and
take this opportunity to reflect on your existing casual arrangements and consider whether it would be more appropriate to convert them to a permanent status so as to avoid any future liability to back-pay annual leave and other entitlements.

If you have any questions relating to this article, or if you would like advice on the new rights applying to casual employees, please contact the author of the article, Fay Calderone, Partner at Hall & Wilcox on +61 2 8267 2800 or by email, fay.calderone@hallandwilcox.com.au

1 FCCA 279.

2 FCAFC 131.

Deloitte Retailers’ Christmas Survey 2018

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 04:28:33 GMT

Based on a survey of senior executives from Australian retailers, the seventh annual Deloitte Retailers’ Christmas Survey 2018 report analyses their sentiment for the Christmas period, key trends and their expectations and priorities for 2019.

The overall market has performed relatively well in 2018 and, in spite of some dark clouds lurking on the horizon in terms of the broader economy, Australian retailers appear to be carrying this optimism into the Christmas trading period, with survey respondents expecting to increase both their sales and profit margins compared to last year.

Looking ahead, retailers still remain relatively bullish about their prospects for 2019, with over half of survey respondents expecting consumer confidence to decline in the next 12 months, but more than 90% expect to see positive sales growth in 2019, and nearly a third are predicting growth in excess of 10%.

Key takeaways

80% of retailers expect to see higher sales this Christmas compared to last year, with 41% predicting growth of 5% or more
Online is set to be a key battlefield this Christmas, with 79% of survey respondents expecting to experience growth of 10% or more in online Christmas sales
With a further 12 months of trading under its belt, the presence of Amazon in Australia hasn’t seemed to faze Australian retailers, with 83% predicting Amazon will have no impact on their Christmas trading performance
There is a continued shift in strategic thinking, with customer and omni-channel being the key strategic priorities for two thirds of survey respondents
“Responsible retailing” is also becoming a key strategic focus for many retailers as customers are voting with their wallets and demanding products from companies that align to their own cultural values and beliefs.

Learn more

Christmas All Wrapped Up

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 03:22:04 GMT

PARKROYAL Parramatta has Christmas all wrapped up with packages to suit all your festive needs.

Pre-Christmas Dining

Start your festive celebrations early with PARKROYAL's Pre-Christmas dining packages. Enjoy a Christmas themed buffet lunch or dinner at TABLE 30, or indulge in our premium seafood buffet available every Saturday night.

Christmas Function Packages

Having a Christmas Party? Choose from a range of options including PARKROYAL's set menu, canapé or buffet packages. All packages include Christmas centrepieces, bon bons, a DJ and more.

Christmas Day Lunch

Join PARKROYAL at TABLE 30 for a spectacular Christmas Day lunch. Indulge in traditional roasts, fresh seafood, Christmas desserts and more. All children under 12 will receive a visit and gift from Santa.

Celebrate Christmas Trackside

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 03:38:43 GMT

Make organising your Christmas celebrations easy and join ATC for all of the thrill and excitement of a day at the races on Saturday 24th November!

Located trackside at Rosehill Gardens, be a part of all of the live racing action while enjoying award-winning hospitality with a decadent buffet lunch and beverage package.

Your race day experience includes:

Reserved seating
Buffet Lunch
ATC beverage package
Christmas Theming
Access to betting and bookmaking facilities
Race book
Complimentary parking
Complimentary travel to and from Rosehill Gardens on Sydney train, ferry and bus services

Contact ATC to book today!

E: hospitality@theATC.com.au

P: 1300 729 668

W: www.theATC.com.au

Tougher Penalties under the Australian Consumer Law

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 04:16:14 GMT

The Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 3) Act 2018 (Cth) has introduced new tougher penalties for companies and individuals who breach certain provisions of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

What are the new penalties for companies?

The new maximum penalty for companies is the greater of:

$10 million; or
3 times the value of the benefit directly or indirectly obtained by the company (and any related companies) which is reasonably attributable to the offence; or
if the value of the benefit cannot be determined, 10% of the annual turnover of the company (and any related companies) for the 12 month period leading up to the commission of the offence.

Previously, the maximum penalty for companies was $1.1 million.

What are the new penalties for individuals?

The new maximum penalty for individuals is $500,000 (up from the previous maximum of $220,000).

Multiple Penalties

The maximum penalties will apply to each contravention, so companies and individuals could potentially face massive fines if they commit multiple contraventions of the ACL.

When do the changes commence?

The changes came into effect on 1 September 2018 but do not apply retrospectively.

Which aspects of the ACL do the new penalties apply to?

The new penalties apply to breaches of certain provisions of the ACL including:

unconscionable conduct
false or misleading representations about goods or services or the sale of land
misleading conduct relating to employment
misleading conduct as to the nature, characteristics and suitability of goods or services
bait advertising
misleading representations about certain business activities
pyramid schemes
supplies of goods or services that fail to meet safety standards
supplies of banned goods or services
non-compliance with product recalls
supplies of goods or services that do not comply with information standards

What is the rationale for the changes?

The penalties were increased to bring them into line with penalties for breaches of competition law. ACCC Chairman Rod Sims stated in a press release that the new penalties were designed to:

“hit the bottom line so they are not simply seen as the cost of doing business”
“be high enough to be noticed by boards and senior managers so that compliance with the law is a high priority”
“deter large companies from breaching consumer laws”

Given the current climate and community outrage over revelations from the Banking Royal Commission, it is likely there will be an increased focus by the ACCC on protecting the rights of consumers across many industries.

Takeaways

In summary:

businesses should be mindful of the heavy fines that apply to breaches of the ACL
businesses should expect the ACCC to more aggressively pursue breaches of consumer law
large companies could potentially face fines in the billions of dollars if they are fined at the rate of 10% of the annual turnover of their corporate group

More Information

Please contact our commercial law team at Matthews Folbigg Lawyers on 9635 7966 if you require legal advice on the ACL or any other commercial issue relating to your business.

Why working with purpose is vital to success

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 02:53:54 GMT

What one thing could transform trust and loyalty in your business?

The business benefits of a clear, inspiring sense of purpose are well documented. It gives every person in your organisation clarity and confidence, and a compelling reason to come to work every day. And that leads to higher engagement, productivity and retention.

Given the vast majority of employees globally are unsatisfied with their work or simply don’t care according to Gallup’s annual poll (as many as 85 per cent in 20171) – this can significantly impact internal collaboration, as well as customer experience.

But how do you find your ‘why’? If you’ve ever tried to articulate it, you’ll know it’s not as simple as it sounds.

We were fortunate to hear from Start With Why’s David Mead at Macquarie’s Perspective event. Over 400 business leaders gathered in Sydney to hear new perspectives on why purpose matters – and what it could mean to the future of your business.

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com/au/business-banking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call us at our Parramatta office on 0417 518 724 and be connected with one of our banking specialists in your region.

PARKROYAL Parramatta's Melbourne Cup Seafood Lunch

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 06:28:22 GMT

Sydney 7s on sale now!

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 00:27:43 GMT

Summer is coming and the HSBC Sydney 7s is back with hospitality packages now available and selling fast!

Hosted for the first time at Spotless Stadium between 1st and 3rd February 2019, click below to see the details of our packages.

To enquire: Call 1800 619 181 or email hospitality@rugby.com.au

To book: Return the BOOKING FORM to hospitality@rugby.com.au

SINGLE FIN SKYDECK

$99 per person

See Inclusions

7s SOCIAL CLUB

$549 per person

See Inclusions

PRIVATE SUITES

$649 per person

See Inclusions

Landcom hands back land to Dharug people at historic event

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 07:11:03 GMT

A celebration of Indigenous culture and reconciliation was on display on Saturday night at an historic event to mark the handover of government land by Landcom to Dharug Strategic Management Group.

Landcom acquired land in the 1980s to provide more than 3,000 new homes in Oakhurst and Hassall Grove, and part of the purchase included a six hectare site that contained remnants of the former Blacktown Native Institution.

Click here to read more.

HSBC Sydney 7s Exclusive Member Offer

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 07:10:00 GMT

New Traffic Lane Open to Ease Traffic in North Ryde

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 07:04:52 GMT

Commuters travelling through North Ryde will have an easier journey, following the completion of a $15 million widening and upgrade of Delhi Road between the Hills M2 and Lane Cove National Park.

The new 950 metre-long eastbound lane was funded and managed by Landcom on behalf of Roads and Maritime Services.

Click here to read more.

"We Need More Human Skills in Business Today”

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 06:13:45 GMT

When I speak with leaders about what they find most difficult about their roles they instantly answer ‘the people aspect’.

The ability to connect with a wide range of people, communicate effectively, to promote change in such a way that you win people’s hearts and can therefore implement it successfully, are vital to being a successful leader.

Hard skills require IQ application, an ability to solve problems. It is mostly about your own ability.

Success in soft skills is much more complex.

It requires the science of inspiring conversations, honest conversations, being present, delegating and coaching. It also requires the art of how to complete these successfully with each team member.

They are neither soft nor easy, yet they are crucial to learn if you want to succeed as a leader.

Leading business thinker Simon Sinek goes even further saying “I really reject the idea of soft skills. There is nothing soft about them. We have hard skills & we have human skills. We need more human skills in business today”.

Developing human skills is at the heart of our GREENLINE program. This program will develop your human skills and enable you to have the conversations you know you should have, but have been avoiding.

To get your GREENLINE journey off to a running start, request a copy of our FREE report “Taking the GREENLINE to Skyrocket Your Business: The Top 5 Red Cards to Avoid”.

In this report you will learn:

GOOGLE’s research that unlocked the secret to high-performing teams
The top 5 Red Card behaviours to STOP doing, that are wasting significant time and resources in your business
How to build you own world class, high-performing team

CLICK HERE to get your copy.

Work starts on $40M landmark pedestrian & cycle bridge at North Ryde

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 06:00:00 GMT

A landmark bridge for pedestrians and cyclists will soon traverse Delhi Road and the Hills M2 motorway at North Ryde, with the first sod being turned today to mark the start of work on Landcom’s $40 million project.

The revolutionary steel bridge is being constructed to provide safe and easy access to Landcom’s Lachlan’s Line development, North Ryde Railway Station and Macquarie Park.

Click here to read more.

Christmas All Wrapped Up

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:40:49 GMT

Book your spot trackside today to enjoy live racing action with a decadent food and beverage package!

Celebrate the end of year in style with entertainment and hospitality like no other.

Spaces won’t last, book now!

hospitality@theATC.com.au I 1300 729 668

https://www.australianturfclub.com.au/christmas-atc-2018/

‘National Safe Work Month’ – FREE Workplace Ergonomics Assessment

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:10:46 GMT

October is ‘National Safe Work Month’ with this year’s theme being “A moment is all it takes.” Indeed, a moment is all it takes for an incident to occur within the workplace, however equally, a commitment to taking a moment to address hazards and risks could prevent an injury from causing harm within your workplace.

For those businesses operating within an office and desk-based environment, managing ergonomic risk should be a key focus for this month!

Through targeted behavioural awareness and prevention strategies your business can achieve a healthy ergonomic and safe workplace.

Why focus on ergonomic risk?

How to manage ergonomic risk – Engage the experts!

Prudence Rehab are the experts in occupational risk and we understand the effects that a workplace injury can have on both the personal welfare of an employee and financial impact to employer. This is why we created Reboot — a wellness and prevention program for your organisation, designed to deliver cost effective and outcome focused health solutions for your employees.

Our Reboot: Ergonomic Wellness Coaching initiative has been designed to effectively identify and mitigate ergonomic risk behaviours within your organisation through delivery and execution of the following services:

Reviewing and identifying workplace environment and personnel risk
Onsite coaching and/or shadowing of your workforce
Development and delivery of collaborative health and wellness solutions
Overseeing the implementation of the solution and reinforcing healthy ergonomic practices
Driving Return to Work initiatives
Facilitating behavioural awareness education and improvement strategies
Leading health and well-being cultural change.

Why not take advantage of our ‘National Safe Work Month’ promotion?

For the month of October Prudence Rehab are offering a complimentary review of your workplace and two (2) ergonomic assessments*

FREE ergonomic assessments - Want to know more?

For expert advice please contact us on (02) 9283 5552 or submit your online enquiry to support@prudencerehab.com.au

* Note: Performed by one of our ergonomic experts this offer is limited to the first 10 businesses. WSBC members are also eligible for an ongoing 10% discount until the end of 2018 with Prudence Rehab for ergonomic services.

Prudence Rehabilitation is an iCare approved provider based in Harris Park with one of the most experienced Consultant teams in NSW. We are committed to providing Western Sydney with industry leading injury prevention & RTW services, supporting employers to return their valued employees to the workplace, and remain at the workplace in good health.

Creating A Focused Culture Of Innovation

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 14 Oct 2018 21:47:21 GMT

Four ways to lead the change

In a time of unprecedented market change, what does it take to stay ahead? Opening Macquarie’s Perspective event, Head of Business Banking Dean Firth told the audience of over 400 business leaders, “being ahead of the curve is what keeps you awake at night. But it’s also what gets you up in the morning.” And that demands a focused culture of innovation.

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Aisling Osborne at our Parramatta office on 0410 310 716 and be connected with one of our banking specialists.

Upcoming Events at The William Inglis Hotel

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 04:44:43 GMT

The William Inglis Hotel is excited to announce two great events they will be hosting in November and December 2018. Gather your friends and colleagues and book your tickets now.

Melbourne Cup Lunch

Bring your team along to watch the Melbourne Cup live on multiple large screens. Feast on the delicious buffet lunch and a glass of champagne on arrival. Take part in the many competitions hosted throughout the day to win a race day prize. Tickets are $75.00 per person or book a table of 10 to receive a 10% discount.

Click here for more information or to book your seats.

Locals Christmas Party

Looking for the ideal location to take your colleagues for an early Christmas celebration? The William Inglis hotel have the perfect function for you. Pile up your plate with the scrumptious Christmas buffet and relax while watching live entertainment. Get to know people from other local businesses and enjoy the Christmas festivities. Tickets are $95.00 per person.

Click here to book.

Going Overseas With Children After Separation

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 23:28:01 GMT

Typically following separation, parents need to work together to come up with a routine that allows their child to spend meaningful time with both parents. In these circumstances, it can be tricky for a parent to take their child overseas particularly when this means the other parent does not get to spend time during that period. However separation does not mean that parents will miss out on being able to go overseas with their child.

Travelling Overseas

Even though parents can take their child overseas when there is a valid passport and visa, it is a good idea to obtain the other parent’s consent and provide travel information such as the intended destination, itinerary and basic contact details for the child while they are away. This should prevent the other parent from making any unnecessary applications to locate and recover the child. If there are already orders in place or parenting proceedings on foot, then there are other specific procedures that may need to be followed before travel can occur.

Moving Overseas

When a parent is intending to relocate with their child overseas following separation and the other parent does not consent, it is important to first seek Family Court Orders that permit this relocation. Adhering to this procedure will likely prevent future unnecessary disruptions such as a Court Order being made for the return of a child to their original place of residence despite being settled in a new location.

If there is a risk of a child not being returned to Australia or the other parent is considering permanently relocating overseas with the child without consent, then circumstances can be much more urgent and require prompt action. It is important to get legal advice from a family lawyer as soon as these circumstances arise.

When there is a risk of permanent removal of a child outside of Australia, it may be necessary to place the child’s name on the Australian Federal Police Watch List. This will prevent the child from leaving any airport or seaport in Australia.

In instances where a child has already been removed overseas, there may be ways that the child can be located and recovered depending on which country the child is in. Australia is a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. If the country that the child is located in is also a party to this Convention, steps can be taken to return a child to their residence depending on the circumstances.

It is an offence to remove a child from Australia if parenting court orders are in place and the other parent’s consent or a Court Order authorising such travel has not been obtained. Such offence can be punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years.

For more information on taking a child overseas, contact Matthews Folbigg Lawyers in Parramatta on 1800 300 170 or email familylaw@matthewsfolbigg.com.au. Our team of family lawyers consists of Accredited Family Law Specialists who can provide any required assistance.

Disclosure documents and franchise agreements – Time for a Spring clean!

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 04:19:29 GMT

Authors: Jacqui Barrett and Paul Simons, Hall & Wilcox

Disclosure documents

Yes, it is that time of the year again! If you have entered into a franchise agreement in the past financial year and/or intend to enter into any new franchise agreements in the coming financial year, it is time to make sure your disclosure document is current.

Under the Franchising Code of Conduct (Code), you have until 31 October 2018 to issue an updated disclosure document to franchisees.

You must therefore ensure that all information in your disclosure document is current.

Some key items that you may be required to update include:

your list of officers and their business experience for the past 10 years;
your list of ‘associates’;
your list of existing franchised businesses, including details of any franchises that have been transferred, ceased operating, bought back or acquired, or any franchise agreements that have been terminated or not extended;
your intellectual property; and
any incidences of unilateral variations that have been made to existing agreements.

You will also need to provide:

updated financial records for your business reflecting your performance in the past financial year (or an independent auditor’s report);
updated financial records for any marketing cooperatives funds; and
a statement of solvency for the past financial year given by a director.

Franchise agreements

In addition to updates to your disclosure documents, we remind you that:

1. Franchise agreements can be subject to the unfair contracts regime.

If any of your franchisees fall within the definition of ‘small business’ in the Australian Consumer Law, you should ensure that terms in your franchise agreements do not constitute ‘unfair terms’.

Particular attention should be paid to those clauses that are not necessary or appropriate to protect your interests, including restraints, liquidated damages clauses, and requirements to purchase supplies from specific (more expensive) suppliers.

2. Amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) came into effect earlier this year.

These amendments introduced an obligation to notify individuals whose personal information is involved in a data breach that is likely to result in serious harm.

While your franchisees may not be required to comply with such amendments, any breaches pertaining to any data that you own (including customer databases) may need to be disclosed.

You should review your privacy policy and operating manuals to ensure that these changes are properly addressed.

3. The ipso facto law reforms came into effect on 1 July 2018.

Under these reforms, you will not be able to rely on any ipso facto clauses in your franchise agreements where a franchisee has gone into administration, if those agreements were entered into after 1 July 2018. If you intend to enter into new franchise agreements this financial year, we recommend reviewing your termination rights under those agreements.

If you would like to discuss any of the above, please feel free to contact our franchising team.

Jacqui Barrett

Partner

T: +61 2 8267 3201

Jacqui.barrett@hallandwilcox.com.au

Paul Simos

Lawyer

T: +61 2 8267 3257

paul.simos@hallandwilcox.com.au

Get The Best ROI On Digital Storytelling By Following A Strategic Framework

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 02:36:02 GMT

Creating digital content is not a low-cost exercise. Writing, editing, uploading, optimising, linking, sourcing images and producing video all take time. That’s time you’re paying for.

Every piece of content or collateral you create for your website must be part of a strategic plan. Each piece forms a building block in the digital home of your business.

At Brilliant Digital everything we do is hinged around a strategic framework so we don’t waste time … we get the full value of every piece of content and the best ROI for our clients.

Homepage - a great first impression

The most visited page on any website is the Homepage and it is the gateway to all your other relevant information. It should convey a very clear message about what you do for who and why. It should create an instant, strong brand awareness and present your UVP upfront.

About Page - who and why?

The About page is the place for your business story – shown through its relevance to the customer and their problems. It should include the ‘why’ behind your business – the reason the team works so hard.

Case studies - show and tell

Your Case Studies are a fantastic way to show your customer’s story and how your product or service has transformed their business. They will include plenty of relevant, relatable detail. And they show prospects your UVP in action.

Team - time to get personal

The personal stories behind your key people are a great way to build trust and that’s where your Team page comes in. Foster connection and engagement with your prospects. Tell them what your favourite customer outcomes are. And demonstrate your expertise.

Product/service - problem solved

A strong product or service page with high-quality information is where you can expect to generate significant enquiry. It’s important that you show how your product solves a customer’s problem here.

Blog and newsletters - edutainment!

The purpose of blogs and newsletters is to inform, entertain and create a buzz around your brand. They have SEO value and are a great way to drive people to your website. The content must be of high quality, ‘on brand’ and relevant at all times.

Drive them home, every time

With every news article and blog that you put into the digital space, focus on the ultimate goal … driving people back to your website to get enquiries.

Keep focussed and clear about what you will use every piece of valuable content for before you waste time and money on something that isn’t going to play its part.

Read the full article and download the Brilliant Digital Strategic Storytelling Framework pdf here.

Australian First In Cancer Research

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 22:35:42 GMT

An Australian-first peptide synthesis research facility has opened at Children’s Medical Research Institute in Westmead, thanks to a State Government grant which was made possible by the Cancer Institute of NSW.

Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, recently announced that cancer patients would benefit from a $3.1 million NSW Government boost for research.

The Health Minister said the funding will support six projects, including the NSW Cancer Research Peptide Synthesis Facility at CMRI, which will receive $700,000 out of the $3.1 m for its work in developing new diagnostic tests and cancer treatments.

“The NSW Government is investing in significantly boosting state-of-the-art cancer research capability,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Sadly, there are few people whose lives have not been touched by cancer. Keeping NSW at the forefront of cutting edge research will lead to new drugs and better-targeted treatment options.”

Professor David Currow, Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, said the funding will foster collaboration among researchers and clinicians and make a difference to cancer outcomes around the world.

“This investment means our brightest research minds have access to the latest technologies that will accelerate their research into new treatments and therapies for people with cancer,” Professor Currow said.

Professor Roger Reddel, Director of Children’s Medical Research Institute and Chief Investigator of the NSW Cancer Research Peptide Synthesis Facility, said the equipment will help many important cancer research projects across NSW, now and in future.

“Peptides have a wide range of research uses, including obtaining new insights into how cancers grow, devising new diagnostic tests for early detection of cancer, and developing new anti-cancer treatments,” Professor Reddel said.

The NSW Cancer Research Peptide Synthesis Facility will provide a complete workflow for the synthesis of peptides to support a broad range of cancer projects in NSW and beyond.

The new equipment made possible by the grant, includes two Biotage Syro II Peptide Synthesizers, Biotage Isolera™ Dalton and a Biotage V-10 Touch.

The instruments at CMRI are two of only five in the world with tip synthesis functionality. This new technology, which has only become available recently, allows researchers to make hundreds of peptides at once (576 per instrument) in small amounts.

Placing this equipment in one location together means that this facility, which is the first of its kind in Australia, provides a complete world-class workflow for peptide synthesis to support local research projects with an international impact.

The University of Sydney has also funded a different instrument in the laboratory of Professor Richard Payne that can make large amounts of small numbers of peptides. This group will work in concert with the scientists at Children’s Medical Research Institute to provide cancer researchers across the state with these cutting-edge research materials.

The collaboration between CMRI and the University of Sydney takes advantage of both locations’ expertise and encourages researchers to work together to push forward their work on cancer.

WSBC's 2018 State of the Region Address

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 01:54:03 GMT

Over 480 business leaders and distinguished guests from across Western Sydney gathered at The William Inglis Hotel, Warwick Farm, in September for the sold out State of the Region Address 2018.

Weeknight Presenter Juanita Phillips from ABC News NSW emceed the event and facilitated an insightful Audience Q&A with the Premier.

For WSBC General Manager, Amanda Brisot, the key theme that shone through on the day was ‘people centric planning’.

“Talk of infrastructure is still robust and businesses in the region have many exciting projects underway. But the focus on people and communities in Western Sydney dominated - they are our greatest asset and will ultimately drive the success of these initiatives.”

A new super campus for Western Sydney

It was an honour to welcome back the Premier of New South Wales, The Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP for her 2nd State of the Region Address. She shared her government’s future plans for Western Sydney, including a super university campus at Badgerys Creek. The Premier explained that this campus will focus on STEM - planning for the jobs of the future. It is expected not only to attract students from across Greater Western Sydney and Australia but from around the world.

Amanda comments that “The announcement of the super campus at the Aerotropolis will be huge in terms of investment and development... and as a centre of innovation for Western Sydney. Bringing industry and education together in that location, catalysing with major projects including the airport, will generate a lot of activity and growth in the region.”

A passion for the region

We also heard from Mayor Wendy Waller, Liverpool City Council, a passionate advocate for harnessing the potential of the people of Western Sydney. Mayor Waller spoke of a city on the move. It is home to three universities and a growing health precinct. International businesses like Amazon and Toll are making it their home. There is a strong creative arts scene and an airport under construction on its doorstep – all contributing to Liverpool becoming a city full of opportunity.

Local career pathways

As a business community it is vital to invest in the education sector to nurture local talent if we want to continue to create a prosperous and thriving region. Western Sydney University has transformed the local workforce ensuring the region is amongst the fastest growing professional classes in the country. It is essential that we create local career pathways and opportunities for the next generation if we want to keep our talent in the region. The way forward is through collaborative partnerships between industry and education. Western Sydney University’s Penny Tribe agrees: “Events like this are absolutely essential because this is the fastest growing region in Australia and we need to work together.”

A who’s who of Western Sydney

Amanda was delighted with the attendance - “With all major councils and State Government Departments, through to industry heads and small business leaders represented, the event was a who’s who of Western Sydney today.”

Business leaders had the opportunity to network and connect, and hear about the latest initiatives in the region. There was also the chance to say hello to familiar faces and enjoy more relaxed conversation over lunch.

Our event partners shared their vision for Western Sydney with the audience, giving some wonderful food for thought. Here are some of the highlights.

World class infrastructure

Deloitte Partner Danny Rezek highlighted world-class technology and unprecedented opportunity in the region. “We are exceedingly proud to be working with government and business across the region to bring their aspirations for Western Sydney to life and in doing so spring board the enterprise, investment and job creation the economy needs.

A future western Sydney will invest in a world class technology-based infrastructure where citizens are placed at the heart of its cities – capturing the convergence of data, digital and design to strategically address mobility, the environment and livability. It will provide intelligence and responsive ecosystems in ways that support the sustained renewal of jobs and innovation and improve the quality of life in the region.”

Great opportunity for SMEs

According to Landcom Acting Chief Executive Officer Matthew Beggs, Western Sydney is where great working partnerships have flourished. “Landcom has been focused on delivering more affordable and sustainable communities for the people of NSW, and particularly for the people of Western Sydney… and has been a permanent fixture in the Western Sydney property sector for over 40 years.

The planning and construction of our Western Sydney projects provide great opportunities for small-to-medium businesses in Western Sydney.”

Shaping your future

We would like to thank our Event Partners Liverpool City Council, Landcom, Deloitte, Western Sydney University, Claxton Speakers International and Jobs for NSW. Their support makes events such as the State of the Region Address possible.

A big thanks also to the Western Sydney Youth Orchestra (WSYO), based in Parramatta, for their wonderful performance. It was the icing on the cake of a successful event.

Amanda Brisot adds “We are delighted with the positive feedback about the 2018 State of the Region Address from our members and partners. We’re looking forward to working and partnering with this vibrant and visionary group of businesses into the future, as we continue to facilitate connection and growth in the region.

In their video, our platinum partners Deloitte asked: “What would your Western Sydney future look like?” We think this is a great question for us all to take away from the day as we work together to dream big for Western Sydney.”

Western Sydney Story: Theo Psychogios On The Region’s Increasing Economic Confidence

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 00:52:06 GMT

Theo Psychogios has been working in Western Sydney for a decade, and in that time he’s seen the area grow up from a place where ‘it felt like you were being transported back to the 70’s’, to the sprawling and commercially attractive hub it is today. Psychogios is Partner of financial advisory services at Deloitte, and co-author of the economic blueprint Shaping Future Cities: Designing Western Sydney. Working from Deloitte’s Parramatta offices, he advises government and commercial clients on the value propositions of transformative urban renewal, service delivery reform, and major infrastructure investments in the region.

How do you think Western Sydney has changed since you first came here?

“What I've seen is the obvious physical transformation that the place is undergoing. Towers going up all over the place, old buildings coming down, but more than that it's the new businesses starting to emerge, it's those cafes around the corner, the social impact providers, it's new restaurants coming in. It's all these big brands, you know. Neil Perry is coming to town, Jamie Oliver is in town. Those sorts of things are signals as to how a place is transforming and changing in front of you.

“I very much see Western Sydney as this adolescent child that's starting to grow into its skin. It's starting to bulk up, to get character and it's starting to be more self-confident. And you know that's really exciting to watch and it's exciting to help shape that.”

Shaping Future Cities was released in 2015, with a focus on recommendations for building platforms to enable jobs growth, creation of jobs and local employment. Where do you see Western Sydney going now that project planning and the initiatives that were set out are well underway?

“Shaping Future Cities laid down a pretty bold aspiration for Western Sydney, and it was an aspiration that was very much tied to the hopes and dreams of businesses and residents in the area being able to rise to make their contribution in Sydney.

“What we've seen over the last two years or so is of that 200,000 jobs target that was put in place [for the next five years], 60-70,000 are already being achieved now. The economy's been able to continue moving forward. There've been significant investments and announcements made by government that have led to business confidence continuing to grow, and you're starting to see significant housing and commercial developments taking place.

“Western Sydney has a high population of younger people with growing educational capabilities and long working lives ahead of them. We have greater diversity of culture and language which makes these people more relevant to the world both from a technical skills and a social and environmental perspective, and those ingredients are second-to-none when it comes to being a powerhouse for now and into the future.

“It's within these environments that you start to see the real fruits of the region’s labour coming to bear. You start seeing more universities established in the area or expressing interest to want to do so, because they see the longevity of the economy as advantageous to be around. You're starting to see corporates establish themselves in the area. Costco have set up their national headquarters here. Amazon are starting to set up their presence. They're all really positive signs of the green shoots that the region has been able to put in place.”

Do you see this shift happening across the board, or do you still think businesses need more evidence of success, a bit more time to make a move?

“No, I don’t. There is zero available A-grade commercial property in Parramatta right now. Every time new stock comes along it’s sucked up straightaway.

“There are [big insurance companies and banks] like QBE and NAB. There’s a holistic move of state government departments coming here, not just because of political decisions, but because it works for their staff, it works for the people they’re servicing and that’s relevant in how they deliver their portfolios.

“They don't build here on the basis of ‘build it and they'll come’. Properties don't get financed unless they've got committed leases, unless they've got absolute belief in the pipeline of sale. It doesn't matter where you go, from Penrith and all the way down to Liverpool or to Campbelltown, you have the major tier-one developers, the major global financial investors, putting money into bricks and mortar. They're not doing that if the underlying demand isn't there.”

There’s a sense that there’s a lot of emphasis on the bigger centres like Parramatta and Liverpool when it comes to development. What’s going on in all of those ‘in between’ areas of Western Sydney?

“Western Sydney was developed to deal with the migrant flow of the 60’s and 70’s and a lot of its planning then was at the macro scale. It was dealing with town centres and asking ‘how we can house these people’. The fine fabric of community that comes about from strip malls and corner shops in other areas wasn't really built in.

“So what's happening now is the people living there are creating that community, creating a sense of place, and councils are playing tremendous roles in making sure that they deliver that sort of amenity and service into a lot of those Western Sydney communities. There’s a long way to go because there's a lot of people living there - there's a lot of established suburbs. And many of those suburbs were historically migrant placement suburbs, they were social affordable housing suburbs and they've grown out of themselves and some are still growing out of themselves. But I'd say it's front and centre thinking for most of the councils in the West. They know the transformation of their town centres is critical to offering the services and the amenity and the job opportunities locally that they're able to carry.”

If you were helping other businesses decide whether to position themselves in Western Sydney today, what would you say to them?

“Is the region providing you the ingredients you need to do your business? Is the region providing you the landscape that is your market for your business? It's really simple in those two contexts.

“Why did Amazon come here? Because when they've stepped back and looked at the profile of online spending and their history, some of the largest trends in online purchases have come from the Southwest Sydney region. So they're staying close to where their market is and then they're tapping into the investments around logistics and supply chain and major motorways that are then enabling them to service the rest of Sydney and into Greater New South Wales as that comes into play.

“Businesses are thinking about the labor forces they’re looking for, thinking, ‘I'm looking for young, smart, dynamic, creative people. I'm looking for well-established people in their industry, for people who have a desire to succeed. And what they see when they then look at the resident profile of Western Sydney, is exactly those characteristics. First and second-generation migrants, people who've come here from other countries because of what the opportunity affords. There's a significant drive that comes with that, and you get this culture that starts building.

“If you're looking for work forces, you'll go a long way to find a more dynamic workforce than what’s in western Sydney. If you're looking for a market, well, you’ll be within 40 minutes’ drive of two million people within a couple of years. It's pretty compelling.

“I think the other thing that's in play is, ‘do I want to be globally relevant’? You're going to be in the most connected place in Australia between road, rail and international exit points with Badgerys Creek Airport. To succeed you've got to be close to where the markets are and you've got to invest to make it real.”

ADVICE

What would your advice be to businesses who are just setting out to employ and foster a workforce in Western Sydney?

“Invest in place, invest in people and authentically buy into the issues that shape the region. That makes every business from the local takeaway to your banks, to your realtor and hairdresser, all the way through to professional services firm like ours and others, relevant in the market and attractive as an employer. Focus on the purpose of how to make an impact that matters, because that connection of purpose, with people who have a connection to this place, makes it a no-brainer to ensure we can continue to draw on the best talent from the region.”

If you’d like to talk about how you can access the best talent for your business, speak to one of Michael Page's Western Sydney experts today.

Book Now for World Class Teams' GREENLINE Open Program on October 17

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 01:51:32 GMT

To help master the skills of critical conversations, Platinum Partner World Class Teams is offering places in their GREENLINE Open Program in Parramatta on Wednesday 17th October, 2018.

GREENLINE is the internationally successful conversation training program used by companies such as EY, Pepsi, Rheem and RedKite to rapidly increase emotional intelligence, master critical conversations and create a high-performance culture in your business.

At the one day workshop you will discover:

Techniques to rapidly increase EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
How to confidently have CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS that will build trust and engagement
How to have more EFFECTIVE Performance Conversations
How to AVOID the red card behaviours that take you off the productive GREENLINE
How to MASTER behaviours to quickly get you back on the GREENLINE
How to map the most effective, cost effective and efficient GREENLINE in EVERY business situation

To learn more, visit https://greenline.eventbrite.com.au

Please note: Ticket sales end 11pm on Wednesday 10th October

To help master the skills of critical conversations, Platinum Partner World Class Teams is offering places in their GREENLINE Open Program in Parramatta on Wednesday 17th October, 2018.

New Traffic Lane Open to Ease Traffic in North Ryde

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 01:34:39 GMT

Commuters travelling through North Ryde will have an easier journey, following the completion of a $15 million widening and upgrade of Delhi Road between the Hills M2 and Lane Cove National Park.

Landcom Chief Executive Officer John Brogden said the new 950 metre-long eastbound lane was funded and managed by Landcom on behalf of Roads and Maritime Services.

It is part of a $17 million commitment to provide traffic upgrades in the area to support the 5,000 new residents who will eventually live in Landcom’s new Lachlan’s Line development.

“Landcom strives to create sustainable developments that include vital infrastructure, and the Lachlan’s Line project is a good example with this road widening and the future Lachlan’s Line pedestrian and cycle bridge,” Mr Brogden said.

“These projects will make it easier for Lachlan’s Line residents, visitors and Sydney commuters to travel to and from the Macquarie Park precinct on road, foot and bicycle.”

The widening project also included putting existing overhead electrical and telecommunication lines underground, repositioning bus stops, traffic signal upgrades, and new footpaths.

Landscaping was also undertaken, including bush regeneration in Lane Cove National Park.

Mr Brogden said the road widening added to improvement works already undertaken by Landcom, following the upgrade of the intersection of Wicks Road and Waterloo Road with new traffic lights, drainage, footpaths and landscaping in 2014.

“Work will soon start on the Lachlan’s Line pedestrian and cycle bridge, a $40 million project that will be a landmark in North Ryde,” Mr Brogden said.

“The bridge will provide safe and convenient access for pedestrians and cyclists as they travel between Lachlan’s Line, the North Ryde Railway Station and jobs in Macquarie Park.

“'Subject to approvals, work on the bridge is expected to start later this year and finish in 2019.”

The Delhi Road upgrade has been completed ahead of bus services replacing trains as part of Transport for NSW’s temporary closure of the Epping to Chatswood rail line.

The road works were undertaken by Ward Civil and Environmental Engineering at Macquarie Park.

Landcom would like to thank road users, affected businesses and the local community for their patience and cooperation during construction.

Lachlan’s Line is a master planned community being delivered by Landcom at the northern end of the North Ryde Station Precinct.

Announced by the NSW Government in September 2013, the project will deliver 2,700 homes and includes infrastructure upgrades, public domain works, open space and a pedestrian bridge connecting to North Ryde Train Station.

Higher education for a changing world – Ensuring the 100 year life is a better life.

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 02:46:02 GMT

Champions of education and training in Australia have long signalled the virtues of lifelong learning as a means to navigate increasingly complex career structures and to enrich lives. To ensure that our longer lives are better lives, we will need to engage much more frequently in education and training as we get older, continuously updating and refreshing our education and skills not only to enable us to keep up with the accelerating pace of change across the industries in which we work, but also to revive and inspire us to make transitions in every stage of life.

A fantastic example in Western Sydney is the forthcoming Aerotropolis, which will be home to a world-class higher education institution specialising in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Four of NSW’s leading universities, including Western Sydney University are collaborating on this project to ensure young people in Western Sydney are ready for the jobs of tomorrow.

As Australia's current working population begins to truly understand the impact of macro trends – globalisation, longevity, technology transformation – on their immediate futures, we wondered how this would impact their attitudes towards further study, and their expectations of tertiary education providers.

To begin to address this information gap, Deloitte commissioned a survey to gather information about current Australian workers attitudes towards lifelong learning, and the needs and preferences of those who are interested in study.

What we uncovered is a story of positivity and possibility.

Download the report

Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 02:41:52 GMT

The Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research is at the forefront of many medical breakthroughs and clinical discoveries. The Institute’s world-class medical research is rooted and driven by the health needs of the local, South Western Sydney community.

In partnership with South Western Sydney Local Health District (which includes Bankstown, Bowral, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield and Liverpool Hospitals), UNSW Sydney and Western Sydney University, the Ingham Institute is committed to finding better ways to improve health and transform the treatment and care of people living with common medical conditions and disease.

The Institute’s 350 dedicated researchers are focused on exploring new medical approaches across Cancer, Clinical Science (Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, infectious and inflammatory diseases), Injury and Rehabilitation, Population and Health Services, and Mental Health research. The Institute is also currently coordinating over 300 clinical trials across South West Sydney.

The Institute’s medical research programs have a translational focus, which means results from the laboratory are transformed into direct health benefits in the form of new treatments and standards of care for local, national and international communities.

Based in Liverpool, the Institute’s research precinct includes many world and Australian-first technologies and research capabilities including:

- The Australian MRI- Linac is an Australian-first technology project that redefines radiation treatment for cancer. Only one of four worldwide, this next-generation cancer therapy equipment combines an MRI with a Linear Accelerator that will allow Doctors to ‘see’ and directly target cancer tumours in the body.

- Australia's only Electron Microscopy Facility uses 3D electron microscope and Carl Zeiss LSM 800 super-resolution laser scanning microscope to visualise and understand human disease.

- The CONCERT Biobank collects cancer tissue and blood samples to research the genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors linked to cancer.

- NSW's first Circulating Tumour Cell research centre has specialised cancer scanning technology that measures single cancer cells in small blood samples to identify why some cancer cells spread and provides doctors with an early warning system that allows them to start immediate treatment to stop further growth and spread of cancer.

As a charitable organisation, the Institute welcomes public donations and bequests to enable the researchers to continue their vital work. The Institute was founded by one of Australia’s most respected philanthropists, Mr Bob Ingham AO and is further supported by Lady (Mary) Fairfax AC, OBE.

100% of funds raised for the Institute go towards supporting medical research.

If you would like to meet with our researchers and experience world-class medical research here in South Western Sydney, contact our events team on events@inghaminstitute.org.au or 02 8738 9000.

Associate Professor Gary Liney with the MRI-Linac (background), next-generation cancer therapy equipment, and a sphere of water that was used to capture the first image.

Local scientists, Dr Tzipi Cohen-Hyams and A/Prof Murray Killingsworth, in Australia's only Electron Microscopy Facility, dedicated to cancer research.

Liverpool Hospital Medical Oncologist and Scientist, Dr Pei Ding, using NSW’s only Single Cell Selector equipment to research the growing number of young, non-smoking women diagnosed with lung cancer.

Tina Holmes (right) Lecturer at Ingham Institute/UNSW’s Skills and Simulation Centre in Liverpool, demonstrating the Anatomage table to a medical student. The Anatomage table is the world’s first virtual, dissection table.

Dr Nicole Caixeiro manages the CONCERT Biobank - a cancer blood and tissue collection facility focused on the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

The William Inglis Hotel Melbourne Cup Luncheon

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 02:09:58 GMT

Experience the races in style in the bespoke Sales Arena at The William Inglis Hotel.

Enjoy the races live on multiple screens while feasting on the delicious buffet with a glass of champagne in your hand. Take advantage of the onsite TAB machines to place your winning bet.

Listen carefully to MC Joe Dimento throughout the day who will be keeping you entertained with a variety of competitions.

Ensure you debut your best outfit for the occasion and enter the fashions on the field contest to win one of the amazing prices including Antler suitcases, Moet Chandon and many more.

Click here for more information.

Parra Leagues Has Levelled Up!

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 02:02:44 GMT

Level 3 has been completely overhauled to offer Kicks Tenpin & Arcade, a new entertainment venue, Pablo’s Cantina y Cerveza, a Latin American restaurant, and Jack’s Brewery where they now brew their own beer.

The iconic Kicks nightclub, which operated at the Club between 1989 until 1998, continues to live on in the name of the new Kicks Tenpin & Arcade. The new facility offers a state-of-the-art, seven lane tenpin bowling alley and the latest arcade games. Kicks is home to the only XD Dark Ride in Western Sydney – a 3D motion simulated group shooter experience that takes its players along for an unforgettable ride.

Incorporating a delicious blend of vibrant decor, colourful share plates and sumptuous Latin American flavours, Parra Leagues’ newest restaurant Pablo’s Cantina y Cerveza is adding a touch of spice to the Club’s revamped hospitality offering.

Club CEO Bevan Paul identified a gap in the range of food offerings available in the local area. With its influences originating from Mexico all the way to Uruguay, Pablo’s delivers authentic cultural dining that many Sydneysiders have travelled half way around the world to experience. And now it’s available in our backyard at Pablo’s!

The tapas dishes at Pablo’s pay homage to the Latin American style of consumption, where sharing food is a ritualistic rite of social engagement. While passing around empanadas, wild boar tacos and crispy pork belly, a lively atmosphere is enjoyed over delicious plates. Pablo’s mains and churrasco offer unique insight into Argentinian and Brazilian cooking methods. The tender cuts are cooked on a parilla - an open flame charcoal grill where the meat cuts rotated on skewers to preserve the flavour.

Parra Leagues has also established a dedicated full-mash brewery, Jacks, serving craft beer brewed in-house. The venue’s name was dedicated to the two influential Jacks — Jack Boyle, the man who secured the Club’s foundations in 1956, and Jack Argent, the man who built the original clubhouse which opened on August 22, 1959.

The full suite of Level 3 renovations – along with upgrades to The Bistro, Sterlo’s Sports Bar, K’s Noodle Bar, the Club’s car park and reception – were showcased to Members and the public during the Club’s Grand Re-Opening Weekend on August 18-19.

Club Food and Beverage Manager Karen Olic, expressed her excitement about the Club’s evolution,

“Our team have come together and produced an amazing result. We are really proud to show the community what we have to offer in the heart of Parramatta. We are able to cater and meet the needs and requirements of functions from small intimate parties to corporate events.”

Exclusive WSBC Member offer: Book in your Christmas function in Kicks Tenpin & Arcade and/or Pablo’s Cantina y Cerveza by 31 October and you will get a $50 Pablo’s voucher for your next visit! Booking must be for 10 or more people, Monday to Thursday in 2018. Call our Functions team on 02 8833 0738 and mention this offer.

*T&C’s

Booking needs to be for a table of 10 or more Monday to Thursday in 2018 in Kicks Tenpin & Arcade & Pablo’s Cantina y Cerveza only.
Booking must be made by 5pm 31 October 2018 by calling 02 8833 0738 and mentioning this offer. Note: changing the date or time of the booking after 31 October 2018 will result in the voucher being forfeited.
Minimum spend of $15pp ($150+ per group) is required.
Offer is open to Members, guests and visitors of Parramatta Leagues Club and subject to availability.
1 x $50 voucher available per valid booking.
Voucher is valid for 3 months from the date of group attending the Club.
$50 Pablo’s voucher can only be claimed at the end of the booked visit.
The group booking bill can be paid for by any method: Bonus Points, F&B Points, Cash/Eftpos. Normal Membership discount applies if valid Membership card is present for payment.
Offer is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.
Offer not available online.

Join Northcott For A Gala Dinner With Aussie Cricketers

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 23:30:00 GMT

Northcott’s Cricket Gala Dinner will be held on Thursday 8 November 2018 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) commencing with pre-dinner drinks at 6pm.

Northcott’s Recreation Service creates fun and social opportunities for children and adults with disability. Proceeds raised at the Cricket Gala Dinner will help fund this important service.

Watch this video to see the fun Northcott create and the opportunities your support helps them to offer!

Proudly supported by charity partner Cricket NSW, Northcott’s annual cricket event is now in it’s 23rd year, a remarkable achievement that would not have been possible without their wonderful supporters!

Please contact Annette Sneyd on 02 9890 0131 or annette.sneyd@northcott.com.au for more information or to learn about sponsorship opportunities.

Click here to purchase your ticket!

Heavy Vehicle National Law Reform - Will you be impacted?

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 23:00:00 GMT

From 1 October 2018, a number of amendments to the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) will come into effect that significantly impact existing ‘chain of responsibility’ (CoR) duties and the overall regulatory framework.

These amendments are relevant to all parties in the CoR, which includes businesses that operate heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes and businesses that consign, pack, load or receive goods by these heavy vehicles.

For this reason, any business that plays a role in the CoR should carefully consider these amendments, what impact they may have, and take steps to ensure compliance with the new regulatory framework by 1 October 2018.

What is the HVNL?

The HVNL regulates drivers and off-road parties who influence the supply and logistics chain – this regulation is commonly referred to as the ‘chain of responsibility’.

The HVNL provides a single national law for the consistent regulation of heavy vehicle operations across most of Australia. All Australian states and territories, except Western Australia and the Northern Territory, are participating jurisdictions for the purposes of the HVNL and have adopted the HVNL as a law.

What are the amendments to the HVNL?

Broadly speaking, there are four key amendments to the HVNL which are expected to commence on 1 October 2018:

1. Primary duty - The amendments will impose a primary duty, similar to work health and safety, on a party to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of a party’s transport activities. Without limiting this general requirement, each party in the CoR must, so far as is reasonably practicable:

a. eliminate public risks and, to the extent it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate public risks, minimise the public risks; and

b. ensure the party’s conduct does not directly or indirectly cause or encourage:

i. the driver of the heavy vehicle to contravene the HVNL; or

ii. the driver of the heavy vehicle to exceed a speed limit applying to the driver; or

iii. another person, including another party in the CoR, to contravene the HVNL.

2. Shared responsibility - The safety of transport activities is an issue ‘shared’ between each party in the chain. The parties in the supply chain include:

a. an employer of the driver;

b. a prime contractor for the driver;

c. an operator of the vehicle;

d. a scheduler for the vehicle;

e. a consignor or consignee;

f. a packer of any goods in the vehicle;

g. a loading manager for any goods in the vehicle; and

h. a loader or unloader of any goods in the vehicle.

Any prosecution will consider the actions of each party in the supply chain.

3. Due diligence requirements for executives - Executives of entities that have a safety duty (being entities that have, among other duties, a primary duty under the HVNL) must take steps to ensure that the entity complies with that safety duty.

4. Specific prohibitions - The amendments introduce a number of specific prohibitions on asking, directing or requiring a party in the CoR to do something that the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, would have the effect of causing a driver to exceed a speed limit, or drive while fatigued or in breach of a work/rest hours requirement. A similar offence also exists that applies to contracts that would have the same effect i.e. contractually ‘compelling’ an offence.

Why is this important?

The amendments to the HVNL represent a significant shift in regulatory focus.

By way of example, under the current regime a party can raise the ‘reasonable steps’ defence if charged with an offence under the HVNL. The new regime removes the ‘reasonable steps’ defence and replaces it with a positive duty on each CoR party to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of the party’s transport activities relating to the vehicle.

Further, the maximum penalty for breaches of the HVNL is being significantly increased to $3 million for a corporation and $300,000 or 5 years imprisonment (or both) for an individual.

What should you do?

To prepare for the upcoming changes, you should:

1. Be aware of your obligations under the new regulatory framework and ensure that the right stakeholders (including contractors) are compliant with their new HVNL duties on, or ideally before, 1 October 2018.

2. Consider how these amendments impact existing procurement/contracting practice. In particular, does your organisation have sufficient controls in place to monitor and ensure that contractors will comply with its HVNL obligations? Further, does your organisation’s current audit and risk controls sufficiently address the new HVNL duties (particularly given the wide scope of the primary duty)?

3. Conduct due diligence on your commercial arrangements to ensure counterparties are required to ensure compliance with HVNL and that commercial agreements are compliant with the HVNL overall. For example, organisations cannot simply subcontract their obligations under the HVNL. In addition, organisations should carefully consider any existing contractual terms, or proposed contractual terms, to ensure that they are not captured by the specific prohibitions on ‘compelling’ a contravention of the HVNL.

4. If you are an executive, consider how you will comply with your due diligence obligations and whether your compliance with your due diligence obligations is best addressed as part of existing due diligence processes that may apply under other regulatory regimes (such as work health and safety).

If you have any questions relating to this article, please contact the authors: Jacqui Barrett, Partner- Commercial and Corporate; Aaron Dearden, Partner - Employment; or Stephanie Gribbon, Lawyer on +61 2 8267 3800.

Parramatta Lanes: Welcome to Your Playground

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 08:06:23 GMT

Western Sydney’s biggest annual food festival, Parramatta Lanes, is returning 5pm til late from Tuesday 9 to Friday 12 October with a bigger and better program than ever before. The popular event is returning for its seventh year with a smorgasbord of curated eats, chilled beats and art installations throughout the City’s CBD.

Following the record-breaking attendance of more than 100,000 visitors in 2017, this year’s event has grown to include an incredible 14 lanes, more than 45 food stalls and six bars. With so much on offer, there is something to suit every taste.

The perfect after work experience with your colleagues, clients or staff. To see the full program visit the Parramatta Lanes website.

Why SEO Is Still The Key To Organic Business Growth

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 08:00:00 GMT

In today’s digital world, is it still important to focus on and invest in search engine optimisation to drive your business website up to the top of Google rankings?

Absolutely - SEO is still the best way to grow a serious business online.

Google it

In the business of digital marketing we have to ask ourselves if websites are going to go away or if Google is going to disappear.

The phenomenal potential for a service that could find and organise the world’s data was clear from the start… And that’s still the same today. Google is still the go-to search engine with the widest reach globally.

When we look at the landscape of our business, we can’t see a change to that any time soon.

Websites are still here. And Google moves with the times - they listen to customer feedback and adapt and innovate. So what makes sense is to focus your efforts on optimising your website content and coding. That’s how you will grow your business.

Your website - your control

You own your website and all the content on it. No one can advertise around it. No one can comment on it unless you let them.

But social media platforms can be a risk to your business - they are rented space and you are at your landlord’s mercy. Those platforms will come and go and you will never have any control over your content on them.

Facebook can even take your business page down without warning... if you were relying on it for your digital marketing, you could find yourself instantly invisible to your prospects.

But your website is your permanent information hub. It is the gateway to your business for the majority of your prospects. You can keep it up to date and fresh. You will have worked hard to optimise the content. It’s your brand, it’s your domain. You can manage it in any way you choose.

The best traffic

Google Analytics is a fantastic, freely available tool that shows you exactly how your website is performing and where and when the traffic is coming from.

The very best traffic is from Google organic search - the free search engine listings on Google. This is the traffic that converts to leads and sales. This is because this type of prospect arrives at your website with a positive mindset, delivered by a lofty position at the top of Google’s rankings.

And the great thing is that once you’ve built your platform full of great content that draws Google search in, the traffic is free. And it just keeps on growing.

Businesses that have been clients of Brilliant Digital for 10 years get ridiculously good volumes of free, trusted traffic from Google that goes to their website and sees their brand. And a percentage of those people convert to leads and sales. That is priceless.

Learn more about SEO here.

A Beginner's Guide To Diversity For Small And Medium Business Owners

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 07:44:42 GMT

How do you change behaviours in a small workplace?

Providing a 'fair go' is part of Australia's cultural DNA, but it is also good for business – if you acknowledge the growing body of evidence from high-profile consulting firms like McKinsey and Deloitte.

The consensus from these groups is that companies who demonstrate inclusion through racial, ethnic and gender diversity, to name a few, perform better. But while the commercial benefits of a diverse workforce have been proven for large organisations (who can dedicate sizeable budgets to diversity and inclusion programs), are the same benefits true for small businesses with a handful of staff?

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Aisling Osborne or Melissa Chung at our Parramatta office on 0410 310 716 and be connected with one of our banking specialists.

Building Export Capability for Small to Medium Enterprises

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 07:21:01 GMT

Regional Development Australia Sydney and Penrith City Council invite you to a “Building Export Capability for Small to Medium Enterprises Workshop” to be held at Penrith on 19 October 2018. As part of a series of workshops made possible through funding from the NSW Government, this workshop aims to help aspiring and existing exporters from Western Sydney.

The Building Export Capability Workshop will cover:

Welcome by Penrith City Council
Workshop content and facilitation by the Export Council of Australia
Case study discussion
Tips for export planning, resourcing, marketing and visiting your target market

Who should attend?

Western Sydney businesses looking to develop a growth plan to extend beyond the domestic market
Aspiring exporters and new exporters from Western Sydney
Existing exporters from Western Sydney that would like an export refresher

Event details

When: 9am (for 9.30am) to 1pm, 19 October 2018

Where: Nepean Room, Penrith City Council, 601 High Street, Penrith

Cost: Free (but places are limited) and light lunch provided

Registrations open until 15 October 2018

Click here to register

Western Sydney Parklands, Jobs The Winner As New Retail Centre Rises

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 07:16:09 GMT

A new, $100 million retail development will create jobs and investment in Western Sydney while helping secure the future of Australia’s biggest urban park.

The Eastern Creek Quarter – a new retail precinct at the junction of the M7 Motorway and the Great Western Highway – will create around 500 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs

The Quarter, which is being developed by Frasers Property Australia, will be home to supermarkets, specialty shops, and large format retail and ‘big-box’ stores, which might include businesses selling whitegoods, furniture or electrical products.

The land is owned by Western Sydney Parklands Trust and the revenue raised through leases will help secure its financial position as it expands its networks of parks, picnic grounds and recreation and leisure attractions.

Trust Executive Director, Suellen Fitzgerald, said the Western Sydney Parklands was becoming an important driver of not only lifestyle and leisure opportunities, but also economic growth in Western Sydney.

“Western Sydney Parklands is expected to generate $2.2 billion in additional economic activity for Western Sydney by 2031, through its unique range of open spaces and recreation and tourism attractions,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

“The Eastern Creek Quarter opens will attract visitors to the region from right across Greater Sydney.

“It is the second Western Sydney Parklands business hub to break ground, with the Horsley Drive Business Park just a few kilometres down the road – Australia’s first light industrial, commercial development to achieve a 6 star, ‘Green Star’ rating.

“The revenue from these business hubs and the others in development provides a sustainable financial base for the ongoing operation of the Parklands and the development of new parks, picnic areas, walking and cycling trails, and recreation and tourism opportunities.

“It will also help the Trust add to the more-than 1,300 hectares of bushland it has restored and planted over the last decade – including large areas of vital and endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland.”

The Eastern Creek Quarter site covers 15 hectares and will be built in up to four stages over five years. It is composed of 50,000 square metres of floor space for supermarkets and specialty shops, as well as ‘big box’ outlets, retailing products such as whitegoods, furniture or electrical products. The first stage due for completion in October 2019.

At more than 5,200 hectares, Western Sydney Parklands is the biggest urban park in Australia and one of the biggest in the world; spanning 27 kilometres from north to south.

Property of Pitcher Partners

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 05:16:00 GMT

Pitcher Partners are pleased to provide you with the latest edition of their national publication - Property of Pitcher Partners. This publication provides insight and commentary on the Australian property market.

In this edition they cover:

Australian prime residential market
Late cycle or sustained momentum?
Structuring investment in Australian real property – manage investment trusts
Changes to Victorian stamp duty law will impact property development and investment partnerships
Are you risking a tax hit by bundling your block with your neighbour?
2018 Budget: Denial of tax deductions on vacant land
Property and strategy - linking property investment decisions to strategy

Click here to read the winter edition of Property of Pitcher Partners 2018.

For further information, please contact your Pitcher Partners representative.

Contact

Scott McGill

Partner, Property Group

+61 2 8236 7880

scott.mcgill@pitcher.com.au

Pitcher Partners Sydney

Level 22 MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

www.pitcher.com.au

'Tis The Season To Be Rewarded

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 01:30:00 GMT

Book your Christmas event* by 1^st December for each guest to receive a signature cocktail on arrival plus your choice of:

2 x Member’s Reserve race day tickets (non-carnival) for every guest attending

A table of four to dine at Royal Randwick or Rosehill Gardens (non-carnival).

*event min 200 pax

Contact Events By ATC for further information:

P: 1300 729 668

W: eventsbyATC.com.au

E: info@eventsbyATC.com.au

Leadership Flips The 80/20 Rule

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 00:27:06 GMT

When most people start out in a professional career, their FUNCTIONAL expertise is the primary indicator of their level of performance.

Most are promoted because of this functional expertise. Their value to the organisation is approximately 80% functional skills and 20% human skills (soft skills such as communication and collaboration).

At the point at which that promotion now has them leading or managing other people, the 80/20 rule flips.

The skills they now require are 80% human skills and 20% functional skills.

Many are not very strong in the human skills. Some are talented in some aspects of human skills e.g. in communicating their ideas to a range of people, but are not as strong in delegating or having honest conversations.

These human skills can be learned, and in fact we owe it to our star performers to ensure that they are trained in these skills. Otherwise we promote them, yet set them up for failure.

How do you ensure the people you are promoting are properly equipped with the human SKILLS they will need to succeed in their new position?

World Class Teams one day GREENLINE program is the perfect way start focusing on these skills. They have an upcoming GREENLINE OPEN program at the Mecure Parramatta on Wednesday 17th October.

To LEARN MORE and book your tickets please visit https://greenline.eventbrite.com.au

Landcom Ranked Fourth In The World On GRESB Sustainability Benchmark

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 23:48:43 GMT

Landcom has achieved fourth place in the world and third place across the Asia Pacific in the 2018 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Developer Assessment.

Landcom is the only government land organisation in the world to participate alongside publicly-listed and private companies in GRESB, which assesses environmental, social and governance management and implementation performance.

Landcom Chief Executive Officer John Brogden said he was delighted to see the organisation achieve such a big improvement on last year’s results, in Landcom’s second year of participation.

“GRESB is an independent, globally recognised benchmarking assessment for the real estate sector, which provides participants and stakeholders with valuable, transparent, internationally recognised evaluation of development activities,” Mr Brogden said.

“It also enables Landcom to track our performance against industry peers, reveals best practice trends, and helps us identify emerging issues.”

GRESB Head of Asia Pacific Ruben Langbroek said Landcom had shown strong demonstrative leadership in sustainable urban development.

“Through its projects, policies and processes, Landcom has shown a clear focus on material topics such as liveability, resilience, and environmental quality,” Mr Langbroek said.

“This has resulted in them receiving maximum scores in the GRESB Developer Assessment for social and governance aspects.

“We’re delighted to have Landcom as the first and only government land developer globally to participate in GRESB.”

Landcom Senior Manager of Sustainability Lauren Kajewski said Landcom’s participation was a key part of its Sustainable Places Strategy, which was committed to industry leadership in environmental, social, economic and governance within the development sector.

“Landcom was assessed on how we manage and address material sustainability issues, such as emissions reductions, resilience to climate change, and the health and wellbeing of our people and communities,” Ms Kajewski said.

“This year we received a score of 90 out of 100, compared to 76 last year, placing us third behind internationally renowned Australian companies Lendlease (1st) and Frasers (2nd). The participant peer average was 67.

“Each year we see strong leadership from Australian development companies participating in GRESB, and we congratulate our peers for their continued strong results.

“We’re aiming to improve our performance in 2019, as we embed our Sustainable Places Strategy.”

This year 903 property companies, real estate investment trusts, funds, and developers participated in the Real Estate Assessment, an increase of six per cent on the previous year.

The assessment now covers more than 79,000 assets, of which more than 49,000 reported at the asset level, across 64 countries and represents more than $USD3.6 trillion in gross asset value.

About Landcom

Landcom is the NSW Government’s land and property development organisation. They are a state owned corporation working in conjunction with the private sector to produce quality housing and communities that also delivers social and economic benefits to the people of NSW.

Visit www.landcom.nsw.gov.au for more information.

Giddy Up! This September, Spring Carnival Race Day Supports Families With A Seriously Ill Child

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 08:05:11 GMT

Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney once again invites you to celebrate Spring Carnival racing in style at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse!

Date: Saturday, 22 September

Time: 12pm-5.30pm

Venue: In the Grand Pavilion Rosehill Racecourse

Tickets: Table of 10 $2200 or individual ticket $220pp

This Race Day Event is the perfect way to enjoy the Golden Rose Day, which features the Group 1 Golden Rose, along with the Golden Pendant.

Catch all the action overlooking the winning post at the Exclusive VIP function in the Grand Pavilion, while you enjoy a delicious lunch, networking opportunities, guest speakers, and private bookmaking facilities.

Tickets available for $2200 (table of 10) or $220 (per person), including:

Access to an exclusive VIP function in the Grand Pavilion, overlooking the winning post
5-hour beverage package including beer, wine, sparkling wine and soft drinks
Buffet luncheon and afternoon tea
Guest speakers
Private betting and bookmaking facilities
Live and silent auctions and on-site raffles
Networking opportunities with attendees from the racing and corporate communities
A racebook to keep track of the day’s action

This is a not-to-be-missed event on the Spring Carnival calendar so giddy up to enjoy the best of Spring Carnival racing while you help families with a seriously ill child.

Click here to book now

Connecting for Greater Social Impact

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 08:52:57 GMT

Are you a business that can add value across the social services sector and/or enhance partnerships to alleviate poverty and inequality in NSW? Join NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS) through NCOSS Connections to work with communities to support people that are experiencing poverty and inequality.

NCOSS Connections brings together businesses, not-for-profit organisations and government to work together towards a NSW free of poverty and inequality.

We are looking for businesses with aligned values who are seeking to:

- Provide high quality, targeted services / products ( IT, Marketing, Financial, Professional Development, etc) to our not-for-profit members to help build the capacity of the social sector and/or

- Connect to stakeholders across the social services and/or government sectors to explore possible collaborations that will alleviate poverty and disadvantage across NSW.

How We Connect

In 2015 NCOSS played an integral part in the development of the $1.1 billion Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF). Through consultations, workshops and networking events, NCOSS Connections brought together key stakeholders including representatives of the social sector, community housing providers, consumers, developers, investors, social housing finance advisors and urban planners for opportunities to collaborate. Through key networking events and participation in a bespoke broker workshops, NCOSS was able to assist in brokering partnerships and in the development of strong and innovative proposals to tender for SAHF Phase 2 funding.

Join NCOSS Connections to link with leaders across the social services and government sectors and gain access to advocacy and policy expertise around social issues affecting NSW.

NCOSS Connections Member Benefits:

- Align your business with a trusted brand and the peak body for the social sector;

- Unique opportunities to engage with government and social sector leaders;

- Promote your product and/or service offerings both targeted at not-for-profit organisations and more generally;

- Validate your brand as a leader in Corporate Social Responsibility

Let’s connect for greater social impact!

Contact us today to discuss how you can be a part of the journey to advocate, collaborate and mobilise for change to end poverty and inequality in NSW.

For more information contact: Susie Saba | Business Development Manager | E: susie@ncoss.org.au | P: 02 8960 7918 | M: 0407 780 787

You are invited to Northcott's 23rd Annual Cricket Gala Dinner

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 07:55:14 GMT

Book now for Northcott’s 23rd Annual Cricket Gala Dinner.

Date:

Thursday 8 November 2018

Where:

Sydney Cricket Ground

Time:

6pm: Pre-dinner drinks presented by Terry Shields Toyota

7pm: Dinner in the Noble Dining Room

11pm: Dinner concludes

Cost:

Individual $295 inc. GST

Table of Ten $2,950 inc. GST

We hope you can join Northcott for a great event that is attended by over 400 corporate guests, attracts past and present cricketers and importantly raises funds for recreational and social activities for children and adults with disability so they can achieve their goals!

Click here to book now

Embracing the dream: What Western Sydney businesses need to know

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 06:48:51 GMT

By Future City Minds – Western Sydney

When it comes to Western Sydney growth, some exciting statistics get bandied about:

Home to 47% of Sydney’s population
An estimated 200,000 new jobs expected by 2020
A projected 1.9% population growth each year over the next 20 years

The results that came out of the survey we conducted, tracking the responses from 2,895 Australian professionals were just as interesting:

64% believe that in the next five years, Western Sydney has the potential to progress economically to the level of a large city like Sydney or Melbourne
65% of Western Sydney professionals would prefer to work outside the CBD over working within it
91% of professionals in the region would like to change their jobs to work closer to home given the right opportunity

What all these statistics confirm, is that Western Sydney should be the focus for businesses. But don’t just take our word for it.

As part of our Future City Minds series, we gathered a team of seven true Western Sydney advocates, across different industries, age groups and cultures. There’s the head of a local law firm. The leader of a co-working space. A founding partner in a property investor. Serial entrepreneurs. And a champion of women’s employees.

Up for discussion were hiring tactics and niche opportunities – ways to spread your HR spending in clever ways, and smart tactics around retention and marketing. It’s a way of building a tool-kit for you to negotiate the road to a real Western Sydney dream: and our way of investing in being a part of that dream.

These interviews, coupled with the results of our Australia-wide survey, can be downloaded as a report by clicking on the link below:

Download the free Future City Minds report now!

The business of business management - winning in Industry 4.0

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 05:22:39 GMT

Written by John Spender, Director of Business Advisory at William Buck Chartered Accountants and Advisors

Australian advanced manufacturers, have the power to contribute to the growth of the economy and be competitive on the global stage through sophisticated business processes, involving innovation and technology.

Small to Medium Enterprises (SME’s) are in the best position to excel in advanced manufacturing because their size makes them agile; allowing them to be more flexible, innovative and take more risks. However, their barriers to long term growth are their lack of planning and organising.

The Industry 4.0 era is one of automation and data exchange, with new markets, new products, new technologies and new ways to manufacture existing goods.

For an SME to succeed in Industry 4.0, the question manufacturers need to ask is, where do we want to go and how do we get there?

The answer is reliant on two key factors:

1. Assessing practical areas of business management - namely strategy

2. Utilising grants to help develop their strategic plan and increase budgets.

Getting strategy right – redefine the long-term

Technology is an ongoing strategic negotiation which challenges businesses to evolve rapidly. The rapid pace of change means business owners are working in compressed time frames making it harder to plan.

A common misconception is that planning isn’t relevant in the changing environment. However, more than ever a business needs a strategic plan, because it presents a vision for the future and without it, there’s no direction or accountability. It also makes an organisation more responsive and provides clear focus by outlining objectives with actions.

The key difference that plans of the past and plans of today have, are that owners need to redefine what long-term is.

While historically a long-range plan was approximately ten years, today business owners should not be forecasting a period any longer than 2-3 years. It’s also best to divide the strategy into manageable stages.

This is a good timeframe to create a framework with achievable goals and when used in conjunction with monitoring tools such as a balanced scorecard, enables a business to see areas that need improvement. A strategy should also carefully align with budget, cashflow and forecasts.

Today’s manufacturers are experiencing the benefits and challenges of new interconnected and intelligent manufacturing technologies and system changes such as automation. In last year’s Making Western Sydney Greater report, 88% of Manufacturers in Western Sydney believed that automation would be good for their business, with 65% believing it would displace more jobs than it creates by 2030.

Technology is having a huge impact on the industry and businesses, leading to increasing profits, changing workforces and driving efficiencies. Companies of all sizes are realigning their business and operational models to take advantage of new, disruptive technologies. Those that thrive and succeed in this space, will be the ones who can distinguish between what is new and what is useful.

Getting ‘buy-in’

What’s the point of getting ‘buy-in’? While it’s one thing to have a plan in your head, an owner / executive must write it down so that they can share their direction and in doing so the organisation can rally around. Having a strategy sounds straightforward but a well understood and executed one can:

- Increase engagement

- Presents new opportunities

- Gives agreement on goals

- Builds culture

- Strengthens the business through good management and governance.

Strategy takes time and effort. It requires a comprehensive assessment of both positive and negative internal and external conditions, accompanied with best ways to leverage the positives and minimise the negatives with clear goals, tasks and methodology.

Implementation of a plan requires buy-in from all the management team and strategy days are a good way to achieve this. A strategy day has agenda items with a focus area around building achievable goals.

The balanced Scorecard

A balanced scorecard is a tool, used to assess and measure the progress of a business and its path toward the business overall strategy.

It helps an organisation translate their vision, communicate, plan, learn and enables feedback so they can continue to grow.

Balanced scorecards allow owners/executives to understand how each department is functioning through a variety of perspectives. From our experience, manufacturers face either one of two key issues; not knowing what KPI’s to track to allow for improvement, or being unable to gather enough data to accurately assess the measures you want to.

There are four drivers known as KPI's in a balanced scorecard.

These KPI's help managers develop their resource needs by focusing on the areas of finance, customer satisfaction, internal business functions and innovation, to ensure growth. These areas are evaluated by looking at whether current objective, targets and initiatives are being met and measures are efficient.

For example, it may find areas of skill gaps, which is a major issue in manufacturing, which could mean devising a plan to collaborate more with external bodies.

Costs of strategy

While developing, strategy sounds good in theory, often business owners say that they are too busy, or the costs are too high. Yet, successful business outcomes have been proven to be from having a strategy in place. One thing we’ve noticed is that the most effective strategies don’t require a huge investment, but do need vision and dedication. You need to plan for growth, you can’t wait for it to happen organically.

As part of your plan, it’s important to see if there are programmes or grants for your business, which give you extra money in your budget and can aid in cashflow. Furthermore, it is common now for manufacturers to collaborate with industry networks, research bodies and even competitors to gain competitive advantage. Creating these knowledge networks will assist in your business management.

With SME’s making up 97 per cent of the Australian economy, incentives to boost SME’s – particularly in high growth areas such as manufacturing are available.

The Australian Government has developed an entrepreneur programme, specifically for SME’s, which enables them to be more innovative, productive and competitive. More than 10,000 businesses have accessed the programme and it’s grants and 98 percent of these participants have said it has contributed to their future success and improvement.

The programme gives tailored advice and assistance to businesses operating in growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing, to improve their business management through the engagement of independent, skilled and experienced business advisors with private sector experience.

In particular, the Entrepreneurial Growth Grant, is available to SMEs. There are a number of projects that the funding can be used for, including strategic planning, where the entrepreneurial growth grant will match dollar for dollar of expenditure for the use of a professional services firm. The program has helped businesses increase turnover, and improve or develop new products and services.

There are eligibility requirements, including having an eligibility turnover between $1.5m and $100m, a 3-year trading history, have an A.C.N, being financially solvent, not be a tax exempt organisation and be participating in one of the growth sectors.

To prosper, the manufacturing sector must improve access to global supply chains and international markets; engage with numerous networks, improve management and workforce skills, develop leadership capabilities and improve internal capabilities within the business. To achieve this requires careful business management, beginning with strategic management, so visions can be realised.

Australia’s manufacturing industry is volatile and unpredictable for any business. Understanding and analysing the experiences of business owners and managers helps us to identify the important issues and priorities impacting the industry. If you’d like to take part in the MWSG Survey click here

Reference: Aus Industry Group.

Payroll tax obligations of medical and healthcare providers

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 08:33:44 GMT

Authors: Jim Koutsokostos and Anthony Bradica of Hall & Wilcox

Do you operate or manage a medical or healthcare clinic? Does the clinic engage medical practitioners and professionals (such as GPs, dentists)?

If so, the payroll tax authorities around Australia will be looking at you (if not already).

What do you need to do?

Consider both your legal agreement with the medical professionals and what happens on a day-to-day basis with the clinic’s patients; how cash is collected and how it is applied to pay the clinic’s costs and the medical professional.

Consult a legal adviser to confirm your payroll tax obligations (if any) on the payments you make to the medical professional.

The detail

The State Revenue Offices around Australia currently have medical and healthcare providers in the spotlight regarding their payroll tax obligations.

The revenue authorities are currently focusing on medical, dental, and optometry clinics, and the manner in which the clinics have structured their arrangements regarding medical professionals at that clinic. In many cases, medical practitioners are engaged by a service entity (or medical centre operator) as contractors to work in these clinics. The Revenue Offices have sought to apply payroll tax to the payments made by the centre or clinic to the medical practitioners.

The recent VCAT decision in The Optical Superstore Pty Ltd & Ors v Commissioner of State [2018] VCAT 169 (Optical Superstore) is an example of that payroll tax focus.

In Optical Superstore, the Applicant was the owner and operator of an optical clinic. The Victorian State Revenue Office (SRO) raised amended assessments for payroll tax in respect of payments made by the Applicant to optometrists who provided services to the general public at the Applicant’s facilities.

The features of the arrangements in the Optical Superstore case will be familiar to medical and healthcare providers, in that the Applicant:

owned and managed an optical store
collected income from optical sales and the provision of eye tests to customers and
paid a portion of the income from its customers to the optometrists.

The SRO contended that the payments to the optometrists constituted payment for work performed by the optometrists under the ‘contractor provisions’ of the payroll tax law, as the arrangements involved ‘relevant contracts’ in relation to the performance of work by the optometrists to the owner of the clinic. This meant that, in the SRO’s view, the payments to the optometrists were deemed to be wages and subject to payroll tax.

The Tribunal found that the agreements between the optometrists and the Applicant were ‘relevant contracts’ for payroll tax purposes (meaning that payments under these agreements could attract payroll tax). However, in this particular case, the payments made by the Applicant to the optometrists were not wages because the store was simply returning the fees to the optometrists, who were rightfully entitled to that income under the trust arrangement that was in place between the store and the optometrists.

The SRO has appealed this decision, which is scheduled to be heard in September 2018.

Key risks and issues

The SRO has been emboldened by the Optical Superstore case and is currently reviewing a number of arrangements involving medical and healthcare providers.

A similar focus is also being applied by the Revenue Offices in New South Wales and Queensland.

Unfortunately, there is no ‘safe harbour’ and each business needs to consider their own position.

Ultimately, the outcome will depend on a weighing up of the following matters:

The wording of any service agreement between the medical centre or clinic and the medical professional. For example, is the arrangement a trust arrangement under which the owner of the clinic is merely collecting income on behalf of the medical professional or is the practitioner actually working for the clinic?
What happens on a day-to-day basis regarding the management of the practice. For example, in a typical case where the clinic is entitled to a ‘service fee’ of, say, 35% for operating and managing the practice, the Revenue Office may take issue with a medical centre recognising 100% of the consultation fees paid by patients as its own income in its financial records (with a separate expense item for the amounts returnable to the medical professional), even though the service agreement makes clear that the fees are to be held on trust for the medical professional.

To the extent that the arrangements do constitute relevant contracts in relation to the provision of work, it is possible that an exemption may apply. However, these can be very fact specific and will often require further fact finding.

It is not hard to imagine the Revenue Offices soon targeting other industries and professions where service entity arrangements, similar to the medical profession, are in place, e.g. barristers, accountants and engineering businesses. Ultimately, the strength of the case will depend on the written agreements in place and how the practice is managed on a day-to-day basis.

If you have any queries in relation to the above or how it may impact you, please do not hesitate to contact Hall & Wilcox.

It will soon be time to give your Personal Property Securities Registrations a "Spring Clean"

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 04:42:34 GMT

Remember how much fun it was to register to protect your security interests on the Personal Property Securities register (PPSR) when it came into force in 2012?

If you answered ‘yes’, then the fun will return this year as many of those registrations will come up for renewal in January 2019. This is because by far the most common duration of registration has been 7 years. So, hundreds of thousands of registrations will be subjected to expiration next year, unless they are renewed.

Those with long memories might also recall the confusion that reigned over technical aspects of the registration process, which lead many businesses to register multiple interests, on the basis that “it’s better to be safe then sorry “.

Now that the position is (somewhat) clearer, it is likely that many registrations going back to 2012 are no longer necessary and should not be renewed.

All of this means is that prudent businesses will, over the next few months, be conducting a review of their PPSR registrations and working out which ones to renew and/or amend.

Matthews Folbigg Lawyers have advised small and large business on PPS issues since before the inception of the PPSR. We can guide you through the registration process, advise on whether a registration is enforceable, and act for you in disputes over registration issues. Our aim is however to ensure wherever possible that these disputes do not arise.

If you have any questions or concerns about the PPSR please call or email Jeff Brown of Matthews Folbigg Lawyers on 9806 7446 or jeffreyb@matthewsfolbigg.com.au.

Expressions of Interest Issued for Bulk Earthworks Airside Civils

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 07:38:07 GMT

WSA Co has issued the Expression of Interest for the Bulk Earthworks Airside Civils (Bulk Earthworks Package A) for the Western Sydney Airport.

Parties interested in this package, may register via WSA Co’s website: www.wsaco.com.au. Registrations must be submitted by close of business 24 August 2018.

Please forward any enquiries to tenders@wsaco.com.au.

The Big Sports Breakfast Grand Final and Racing Lunch

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 23:36:40 GMT

The Australian Turf Club have partnered with Sky to host the inaugural Big Sports Breakfast Grand Final and Racing Lunch on Wednesday 26 September.

Don’t miss your chance to join the ‘whos who’ from the worlds of Racing, NRL and AFL whilst enjoying all the live racing at Rosehill Gardens!

Book by the 31st August to purchase tickets at the special members rate of $165 per person – hospitality@theATC.com.au

HSBC Sydney 7s Pre Sale is Now Open

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 22:56:57 GMT

The countdown for HSBC Sydney 7s 2019 is on! Sydney’s biggest rugby festival is back anready to take over Spotless Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park on 1-3 February.

The Aussies took out the Men’s and Women’s titles in 2018 and will be back for more glory this time around, in what promises to be an epic weekend full of high-class entertainment on and off the field. There’s free train travel included in all tickets, and access to the stadium on Friday is free of charge for everyone!

Using the password below, you can get access to discounted pre-sale tickets which are available now, for a limited time. Don't miss out, secure your tickets today before they're all gone!

Buy now using the pre-sale password EARLYBIRD2019!

Pre-sale opens 10am Monday 13 August and runs until 5pm Wednesday 22 August (AEST).

Emotional Intelligence is Essential for High Performance

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 06:49:03 GMT

Emotional Intelligence is the strongest predictor of performance, explaining a full 58% of success in all types of jobs.

“EQ is your ability to recognise and understand emotions in yourself and others, and your ability to use this awareness to manage your behaviour and your relationships.” Drs. Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves

TalentSmart tested Emotional Intelligence alongside 33 other workplace skills, and found that 90% of top performers have high EQ. In fact, people with high EQ and average IQ outperformed those with the highest IQ 70% of the time.

The impact on earnings for the individual was also shown to be significant.

Those with a high degree of EQ earn on average US $29,000 more per year than those with low degree of EQ. The link between emotional intelligence and earnings was so direct, that each point increase in EQ was shown to add $1,300 to an annual salary.

Why does having a high EQ matter so much?

How we behave and perform in ‘ordinary’ situations is nowhere near as important as how we behave in difficult situations or how we respond to difficult people.

If you have brilliant ideas and can solve complex problems but don’t listen to the ideas of others, your value to your team and the business diminishes significantly.

Too often people are aware of their emotions and of other people’s emotions and ‘just say it anyway’. However, when we ‘vent’ we hardly ever get what we actually wanted. In addition, the person we ‘override’ thinks we don’t care about them, the relationship goes backwards and can even break down.

Managing your emotions is a more certain way to get a good outcome.

While it is a much more difficult option to choose, it is a skill that will pay massive dividends to your career and business.

How high is your EQ?

If you see that someone is resistant, do you tell them not to worry, it will all be okay, and then just ‘steam roll’ on (the lower EQ response)? Or do you notice that they are concerned and ask them about their concerns, so that you can address these and help them to move forward (the high EQ response)?

When someone ‘vents’ or ‘loses it’, and excuse their own behaviour because ‘the other person was asking for it’, they are actually revealing their own lower EQ.

High performers, on the other hand, are great under pressure.

They manage their own emotions well and are very mindful of, and responsive to, the emotions of others. This enables them to achieve positive results even in difficult situations with difficult people.

These people get noticed because their ability to behave appropriately and perform well under pressure is a key advantage for any business.

Emotional Intelligence can be learned

While some people naturally have a higher EQ, it is important to note that EQ can be learned.

GREENLINE is a one-day program that uses neuroscience and practical tools to set you on the pathway to a higher EQ and higher performance.

If you are interested in developing the mindset and skillset for a higher EQ, World Class Teams can help you to achieve that.

Call World Class Teams on 1300 085 248 or check out their internationally successful GREENLINE program at www.worldclassteams.com.au/greenline.

The Secrets of Digital Storytelling Explained

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 06:23:45 GMT

Writing compelling, engaging, strategic copy in the digital space is a unique skill. And that’s why we have a team of expert digital storytellers at Brilliant Digital – we know how fundamental powerful storytelling is to creating a successful business.

Each piece of content we write consistently delivers the clear and compelling brand message behind your business.

Get to know your customer's problems

The first thing we seek to discover is who your ideal customer is, what problems they have, and how you can solve them.

Once we understand how your target audience thinks, and why they make decisions, we can build the core brand message. This message can then be woven through every story we tell.

Tell the four stories

We tell 4 key stories that we layer through your website – the customer story, the business story, the product story and the personal stories. And each of these comes back to solving your customer’s problem.

Create an emotional connection

People make decisions, no matter how logical, based on emotion.

Stories provide entertainment as well as information. And they work for every type of business.

Compelling copy is key

The way we approach writing compelling copy is to pretend that we’re reading the website from the prospect’s perspective.

Every story we write must be beautifully written, simple and without jargon. It must be relatable and create an emotional connection.

Show the transformational journey

A dry list of bullet points can present the features your customers are after. But it can’t show the benefits or trigger an emotional connection to your business.

A story, however, can show how your product has transformed someone’s life. Your prospects can see what that journey looked like and how your product provided the solution.

The importance of strategy

When you have strategic consistency across all of your collateral, on all platforms, you will be able to get your brand message across successfully.

That’s why we adhere to a proven strategic framework for our storytelling.

This consistent message is really valuable for our clients because it means that our websites and ongoing marketing will attract the right kind of qualified lead. It stops time wasters and saves you money.

With powerful storytelling as the tool, we bridge the gap between you and your customers…

The content gets momentum and continues to deliver results long after it’s loaded onto the site, with SEO and Google traffic. Our stories keep going back to your core brand message and deliver a return on investment and brand growth, time and time again.

Find out how powerful digital storytelling can transform your business.

Becoming a Leader of Change

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 22:15:05 GMT

Embracing change, becoming better leaders

In this time of accelerating change, we’re seeing transformations in our products, services, experiences – and also in the business operating models that underpin them.

At the Macquarie Perspective event held in June, Emergent CEO Holly Ransom described the shift from efficiency to effectiveness in successful businesses. From standard processes and ‘command and control’ hierarchies to crowdsourcing, empowerment and autonomy.

We’re now focusing on outcomes, not outputs – and leading small, nimble teams willing to embrace variability within guardrails, rather than large monoliths.

So, what does this mean for the way we lead?

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Sam McCarthy at our Parramatta office on 0417 518 724 and be connected with one of our banking specialists.

Green Square’s tallest building reaches completion

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 02:23:49 GMT

Ovo completes on schedule as Sydney’s newest village takes shape

Landcom and Mirvac Group (Mirvac) today announced the completion of OVO at Green Square, with more than 600 residents set to call the landmark building home.

This milestone was celebrated with a ceremony attended by NSW Minister for Planning and Housing Anthony Roberts, Landcom CEO, John Brogden, Mirvac CEO and Managing Director, Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz and Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT) design director, Richard Francis-Jones.

Mr Roberts unveiled a commemorative plaque for the building, which is the second Landcom and Mirvac building to be completed at Green Square, following the completion of Ebsworth in early 2017.

Mr Brogden said the completion of the flagship OVO building was a great example of a successful urban renewal project that had transformed a former industrial area into an attractive, sought after community.

“Landcom has been given a new mandate from the NSW Government - to take a lead role in improving the supply, diversity and affordability of new housing in Sydney and NSW,” Mr Brogden said.

“Landcom is meeting this commitment by working with government agencies and private sector companies, such as Mirvac, to deliver a range of housing types that are sustainable, innovative and attractive places to live at various price points across Sydney.

“Landcom looks forward to working with Mirvac on the next stage of Green Square Town Centre, which will provide even more housing choices for future residents.”

Designed by FJMT in partnership with Mirvac Design, OVO features a distinctive ellipsoid-shaped tower taking advantage of the prime views of the city and beyond. The stunning façade of the building has one of the most complex colour, detail and manufacturing systems Mirvac has delivered, including approximately 1,800 panels in 134 different shapes and 17 different colours.

Mirvac’s CEO and Managing Director, Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz said: “The completion of OVO represents the culmination of visionary design and construction to deliver a landmark building that will be home to more than 600 new Green Square residents.

“Mirvac’s vision is to reimagine urban life and OVO is testament to that. It is an iconic building that transforms the skyline and is the result of extensive planning and collaboration between Landcom, City of Sydney, FJMT and Mirvac.”

OVO’s 224 apartments contribute to a total of 302 apartments that have been delivered across three buildings on this site. OVO is the gateway to the heart of the Green Square Town Centre, on the corner of Bourke Street and Ebsworth Street.

Green Square’s high street along Ebsworth Street now features a 2,000 square metre Woolworths supermarket and The Social Corner - a community space and cafe. The Social Corner is the venue for an ongoing events and activation series run by Green Square’s dedicated Place Manager, designed to foster resident connections as the community grows.

Just a short walk to the Green Square Train Station, OVO is linked to the Sydney CBD and beyond by an extensive public transport network, offering residents complete ‘walkability’ of this highly-connected location.

Later this year, the City of Sydney will open the civic plaza and library, with more amenities, such as parks and an aquatic centre, set to open in the coming years. This has followed the completion of a $32 million community and cultural precinct, complete with a three-storey creative centre, which opened in May 2018.

Mirvac and Landcom are successfully building a strong community at Green Square with the completion of the first two developments.

Are You Interested In Doing Business In Japan?

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 01:55:41 GMT

Liverpool City has a long standing relationship with the town of Toda, Japan with significant similarities in population growth and economic opportunities to that of Liverpool. Council is leading a business and civic delegation to the city during 4-6 October 2018 and would welcome businesses based in Liverpool and South West Sydney to join in the trip.

A full program is currently being developed with the Toda municipality leaders that will incorporate B2B meetings, field trips to precincts integrating transportation/logistics and printing-based enterprises and networking functions to introduce delegates to Japanese business and civic leaders.

There are limited spaces available as part of the official delegation so please contact Alyson Infanti, Council’s Civic Co-ordinator at InfantiA@liverpool.nsw.gov.au by COB 6 August for more information about this exciting opportunity.

Riverside Advisory Board Seeking Expressions of Interest

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 07:24:07 GMT

Expressions of interest are sought from the members of the community who desire to work with Riverside and City of Parramatta Council as part of the Riverside Advisory Board. The board works to promote Riverside as a centre of creative excellence and innovation, and Parramatta as a place to visit for arts and culture. The current board’s term will conclude in September 2018. The new Board will be appointed for the balance of current term of Council concluding September 2020.

The Riverside Advisory Board sets strategic directions for the successful operations of the Theatres and its members are advocates for the place of Riverside in the cultural, entertainment, performance and event calendars of Parramatta and Western Sydney.

The Board advises City of Parramatta Council on the activities of the Theatres, the Theatres’ strategic and business plans, the raising of external funds from government, the private sector and individuals and the development of Riverside Theatres and the surrounding precinct.

You may have an interest or expertise in the performing arts and/or you may have management, financial, marketing, education or legal expertise. Council is looking for community leaders who can energetically commit themselves to assisting Riverside in taking centre stage in Sydney’s Central City, Parramatta.

Council invites interested persons with appropriate skills to submit a written expression of interest by mail or email by 5.00 pm on Thursday 16 August, 2018.

Send your expressions of interest marked to the attention of the Director,

Riverside Theatres

PO Box 3636

Parramatta

NSW 2124.

Click here to download an information sheet.

To receive an information pack and further information for submitting an expression of interest please phone Riverside on 8839 3386 or email cswallow_riverside@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au.

Free Guided Tours This Monday in Celebration of Local Government Week

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 07:42:15 GMT

In celebration of Local Government Week City of Parramatta Council are offering free guided tours to local businesses and residents.

Councils provide invaluable services to local communities 365 days a year, though the breadth and diversity of the work undertaken can at times go unrecognised.

Local Government Week (30 July to 5 August 2018) provides the perfect opportunity to promote the importance of councils to the whole community.

On Monday 30 July, Visitor Services will host a 2-hour local government information tour for local businesses and residents, culminating at the Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre for a presentation by Research and Collection Services.

The presentation will share the interesting contributions of past Mayors of our city. A short film will also be screened, drawn from 16mm film footage held in the Council Archives, taken by William ‘Bill’ Andrews OBE (1908-1988).

Bill Andrews was the town planner at Parramatta through the 1950s. Brilliant, imaginative and ambitious, Andrews laid the foundations for the city’s pioneering Town Planning Scheme, designed and implemented one of the first central traffic systems in Australia, and oversaw the construction of the new Parramatta City Council Chambers. Andrews was also an avid amateur film maker, and the film footage he captured around Parramatta represents a fascinating glimpse into life in the city, as it was.

Making Western Sydney Greater - Latest Survey Released

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 07:59:34 GMT

The investment in transport infrastructure and the development of a second airport at Badgery’s Creek promises to be a catalyst for economic growth in Western Sydney. The new-found connectivity provides unique opportunities for businesses to compete locally and on a global stage. Do you agree? Share your views and insights by completing our short 10 minute online survey.

Our latest survey targeted to Western Sydney business owners and managers has been released.

Complete the survey before 8 August and go in the draw to win 2 tickets to the 2018 Bledisloe Cup and watch the ultimate trans-Tasman rivalry at ANZ Stadium.

In this latest edition, we focus on the benefits and obstacles of a strong digital marketing strategy, the impact of better connectivity and new transport networks, and take a look at growth and employment outlook for businesses in Western Sydney.

Making Western Sydney Greater is a collaborative project between William Buck, St.George Bank, Western Sydney University and Western Sydney Business Connection.

Analysing the experiences of business owners and managers in Western Sydney, helps us to identify the important issues and priorities for businesses in Western Sydney and driving positive change for you and the region.

Join the conversation and be part of Making Western Sydney Greater.

To access a copy of the MWSG Competition Terms & Conditions, please click here.

HSBC Sydney 7s set to take over Sydney Olympic Park!

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 06:51:49 GMT

HSBC Sydney 7s is back and better than ever before, this time taking over Olympic Park in Western Sydney. Experience rugby like you’ve never seen before; fast paced, full of flair and on your doorstep. Its non-stop, long passes, fast running, try scoring RUGBY SEVENS! The Aussies took out the Men’s and Women’s titles in 2018 and will be back for more glory – share the moment and experience that winning feeling!

Sydney 7s is the ultimate weekend experience. Three days of high energy entertainment, live music and amazing rugby that is unrivalled in any sporting arena. Get your mates together for an epic weekend. Visit SYDNEY7S.COM.AU and join the waitlist to hear more about our early bird ticket prices, the entertainment line-up and secret after party!

3 things every employer needs to know to reduce their Workers’ Compensation costs

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 06:08:41 GMT

We’re all aware of the direct costs associated with workers’ compensation insurance, however it’s the indirect costs that also impact your business when an injury arises. Workers’ compensation costs can be controlled and reduced through three key considerations….

1. Many injuries are preventable

The most effective way to reduce workers compensation costs is to reduce or eliminate injuries from occurring in the first place. Although it may sound challenging, this can be achieved with some simple strategies…

Stop injuries coming through your door with effective pre-employment medical screening.
Undertake injury risk profiling to identify why and where injuries are occurring within your business.
Create a positive workplace culture – workers exhibiting warning signs of not coping at work should be supported with proactive health and well-being strategies to help them better manage financial, health and emotional effects.

2. Early intervention is key

Unfortunately, not all injuries are preventable. If an injury has occurred, employers must ensure that the injured worker is supported to either remain at or return to safe and sustainable work.

An effective early intervention framework is crucial to reduce the impact of injuries to your business. Early intervention practices have proven to be more effective in fostering a happy and healthy workplace as it promotes a workplace that is supportive and committed to the health and wellbeing of its workforce. This in turn generally supports improved productivity and employee morale.

Research also supports that with early intervention, workers are more likely to be back at work within 6 months, and 50% more likely to return to work at 12 months.

So what are the key elements to effective Early Intervention…

1. Early Intervention begins before an injury occurs.

2. Prompt reporting of injuries is critical – early reporting of injuries result in less expensive claims.

3. Ensure that you have an effective Return to Work (RTW) program including early access to evidence-based interventions delivered by experts.

4. Flexible workplace solutions including the provision of Suitable Duties.

Why invest in Early intervention…

Under an Early Intervention model, less time off work results in less wage reimbursements, and further indirect savings such as improved productivity. When factoring in the reduced costs for time off work, the overall benefit to cost ratio is approximately seven. This means that for every dollar invested the ROI is approximately $7 – a significant savings to your business!

Managing a workforce, regardless of the size of your business, is a balancing act between costs and employee wellbeing. However, when that balance is achieved, the benefits go well beyond the bottom line.

3. Simple tips for consideration

BE PROACTIVE!
Ensure line managers are provided education and ongoing support.
Invest in evidence-based strategies with a proven record in effectively reducing and managing injuries.
If RTW resourcing or experience within your business is a concern, consider outsourcing the role of RTW Coordinator.
Consider appointing a preferred Rehabilitation Provider whom in time and partnership understands your business, as depending upon your premium scheme, their RTW services are often provided at no additional cost to your business.

“Prudence Rehab have been pivotal to the Spotless workers compensation program in reducing claims costs and durations, providing strategy and direction, with clear and concise communication.”

Want to know more?

For expert advice please contact Prudence Rehabilitation on (02) 9283 5552 or submit your online enquiry to support@prudencerehab.com.au

Landcom and Greenfields celebrate $14 million library opening at Oran Park Town

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 06:03:31 GMT

Thousands of residents will now benefit from a new 21st century library and community centre, after it was officially opened today at Oran Park Town.

Landcom Chief Executive Officer John Brogden and Greenfields Director Mark Perich joined the Minister for Planning and Housing Anthony Roberts, The Member for Camden Chris Patterson and Camden Council Mayor Lara Symkowiak to celebrate the opening at a community fun day.

Mr Brogden said the library and community resource centre was the latest facility delivered by Landcom and its project partner Greenfields Development Company as part of the Oran Park Town project.

“Many people would remember Oran Park as a racetrack, but it has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade into one of the fastest growing towns in Sydney,” Mr Brogden said.

“Landcom prepared a masterplan to guide delivery of Oran Park Town and Landcom is also responsible for delivering a number of major public facilities.

“The library is the latest piece of community infrastructure, with several parks already open and more to come, such as a leisure centre, skate park, parkour facility and basketball courts.

“It is great to be here today to see the library open its doors to the public after years of hard work and planning, and this facility is a fantastic example of a 21st century library.

“The library was a collaborative effort between the council, Landcom and architects Brewster Hjorth and is designed to be a fun place of knowledge and learning, and its facilities are interactive, which encourages collaboration.

“This project is a great example of what can be achieved through long-term planning, and Landcom, Greenfields Development Company, and Camden Council have worked hard together to achieve great things for this community.”

Mr Perich said the library and community resource centre was located in the heart of Oran Park Town and formed an integral part of the Civic Precinct, a unique master planned centre that included the recently opened council building, a shopping centre, commercial space and a smart work hub.

“The library is designed in zones to enable different stages of learning, and includes performance spaces, interactive screens and walls, and folding doors to open the building to outside activities,” Mr Perich said.

“The library’s interior design celebrates the town’s history as a race track, incorporating artworks made from car and motorcycle parts and grid motifs on the carpet and walls.”

The 2,500m2 multi-purpose library building also includes a community resource centre, providing of a new place for people and community groups to meet. The facility was built by ADCO Constructions and includes sustainable items, such as a 90,000 litre rainwater tank.

It was delivered as part of a Voluntary Planning Agreement that will fund more than $200 million of essential infrastructure to ensure Oran Park Town is a cohesive and attractive community.

Oran Park Town is one of the largest master planned communities in NSW, and will provide 10,000 lots for 30,000 residents over the next 20 years. Landcom has delivered 2,700 lots and Greenfields will deliver more than 7,000 lots.

HSBC Sydney 7s is back!

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 04:26:42 GMT

Soak up the atmosphere of Sydney 7s experience with premium seats, amazing views and great hospitality! Choose from one of Rugby Australia's custom made packages and let them take care of everything to ensure your group has a fantastic day out.

Rugby Australia are excited to be hosting the Sydney 7s event at Sydney Olympic Park this February and for a limited time they would like to offer 10% off their Social Club packages. Contact Luke Jennison and quote the code WSBC to redeem this discount.

Where

Spotless Stadium Grand Parade

Olympic Park NSW 2127

When

Friday to Sunday

1 – 3 February, 2019

Contact

Luke Jennison

Ph: 02 8005 5574

E: hospitality@rugby.com.au

W: http://rugbyaustralia.com.au/hospitality/Sydney7s-2019.aspx

Prestigious Laser Wizard Innovation Award Enters Second Year

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 03:57:17 GMT

Following last year’s successful collaboration between Laser Wizard and Western Sydney University (WSU), the distinguished Laser Wizard Innovation Award is once again open to all SCEM students at WSU. Award co-founders Paul Bingham of Bingardi Design and Brett Kingham of Ideal Future, along with Professor Simeon Simoff, Dean SCEM for WSU, continue to build on their unique partnership by creating a two-year approach for the award process with individual entries welcomed for 2018 while multi-disciplinary team entries are sought for 2019.

The theme for this year’s award is ‘Smart Sustainable Health and Human Comfort in Western Sydney,” in line with a report by Greening Australia which highlights the Urban Island Heat Effect adversely affecting Sydney’s western suburbs. The Urban Heat Island Effect has the potential to adversely impact the city's public health, air quality and energy use. This disturbing development has prompted WSU to seek to improve the health and well-being of people residing in Western Sydney.

WSU has aligned itself with The Global Goals for Sustainable Development, a result of the 2015 agreement of world leaders to work towards 17 goals for a better world by 2030. These goals have the power to end poverty, fight inequality and stop climate change. Global Goal 3 zeroes in on good health and well-being to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Recognising the need for talented students to apply their valuable skills in today’s competitive commercial environment, the Laser Wizard Innovation Award provides young people with the platform to turn their visionary ideas into practical reality while making a valuable contribution, ensuring the local community benefits from this exciting initiative.

The Laser Wizard Innovation Award challenges students to develop ground-breaking sustainable solutions in the fields of Engineering – incorporating Civil, Construction, Electrical, Mechanical and Robotics & Mechatronics – Industrial Design, Computing and Construction Management.

Brett Kingham, Executive Consultant at Laser Wizard, a family-owned laser cutting business based in St Marys, recognised the need for tech-savvy students to utilise their newly-learned skills in a real-world setting. ‘I believe it’s essential to engage the next generation in a process which encourages them to use their expertise to transform a local community while realising their global responsibility.’

Laser Wizard is at the forefront of providing innovative services in a highly competitive environment with a focus on performing precision CNC laser and waterjet cutting, advanced folding, welding, fabrication and assembly of bespoke products. Established in 1999, the company has experienced steady growth due to its commitment to superior quality and standard of excellence.

More information regarding the Laser Wizard Innovation Award can be found at laserwizard.com.au.

World Class Teams - Valued Contributors to the WSBC Community

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 23:02:45 GMT

World Class Teams is delighted to become a Platinum Partner of the Western Sydney Business Connection (WSBC).

World Class Teams is a CHANGE company, not just a training company. They provide leading-edge programs, tools and techniques to help you boost productivity, reduce wastage and create a high-performance culture in your business.

Working with clients such as Commonwealth Bank, Cathay Pacific, Merlin Entertainments and Linfox, they use the latest research in fields such as neuroscience to deliver customised programs that are practical and immediately applicable.

Many WSBC members would have already met World Class Teams CEO Diana Tapp. She was the highly regarded keynote speaker and moderator at June’s Leading Change Business Leader Luncheon.

World Class Teams are valued contributors to the WSBC community and will be hosting two upcoming Leadership Masterclass Breakfast Workshops.

The first will take place on Wednesday 29th August, 7.30 - 9.30am on the topic of Critical Conversations. In this practical workshop you will learn:

How to give honest feedback without needing to be worried about the person’s reaction
How to manage your emotions well, especially in stressful situations
How to resolve disagreements or complaints with genuine agreement and dignity
The power of giving regular performance feedback, not just once a year in formal appraisals

Click here to learn more and book your seats.

The team at World Class Teams welcomes the opportunity to say hello and discuss how they can help your business.

Contact Ramsina McCully via email ramsina@worldclassteams.com.au or call 1300 085 248.

To learn more about their services, visit www.worldclassteams.com.au.

The four stories every business must tell

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 07:16:32 GMT

Storytelling is the best way to promote your business. People are hardwired to like stories. Stories connect emotionally human to human; they build trust; they build memory and they drive action.

But what stories should you tell?

Four essential stories are key to forming the brand message of any business. They are your personal story, your business story, your product or service story and your customer story.

The customer story is the most important of all. It should focus on the main problems that your target market face and how you can solve them. The trick to engagement is to weave the problems and solutions into the digital content.

The classic place for the business story is the About Us page. It’s not about you though… A business story must focus on the customer. It must explain why your business solves your customer’s problems and begin to introduce how you do that.

Story three is the service or product story. The messaging at the top of the page introduces the problems your customer faces day in and day out which deepens the emotional connection. And then you can go into detail of exactly how you deliver your service or process further down the page.

And finally personal stories. These fit perfectly into something that will never change – people do business with people. Show the ‘why’ – the personal journey that took you to the place of starting your business. Or show the passion behind the key members of your team. People will start to connect with the team and your business as people they want to do business with.

The trick to successful digital storytelling is to weave those 4 stories together into a consistent brand message you can repeat and share over and over again. That’s how people start to understand and connect with your great business and your great brand.

Learn more about the four stories every business should tell here

Giddy up and get ready to have a ball! The 2018 Charity Golf Classic and 2018 Race Day are coming up soon.

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 01:50:06 GMT

The countdown is on to Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney’s two biggest events of the year, the annual Charity Golf Classic and the annual Spring Carnival Race Day!

This August, bring a team of clients or colleagues to the pristine Lynwood Country Club for 18 holes of golf, a leisurely lunch, and more. Or why not book a table for the Golden Rose Race Day at Rosehill Gardens?

Thanks to the generosity of the major events partner, Dyldam, all the proceeds from Race Day and Golf Day will go towards #KeepingFamiliesClose.

The 20th Annual RMHW Charity Golf Classic

Date: Tuesday, 14 August

Location: Lynwood Country Club, Pitt Town

Registration: 7am

Shotgun Start: 8am

Lunch and Presentation: From approximately 1.30pm

Team of 4: $800 per team

Individual Players: $200pp

Don't miss one of Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney’s favourite days of the year at one of NSW's premier links courses! From breakfast through to your sit-down catered lunch and presentations, host your friends, team or clients at a picture-perfect day of golf.

Lynwood golf course is set on 230 acres, perfect for a relaxed, enjoyable day of Ambrose-style play, and the annual Golf Day has become one of the most-loved events on the Ronald McDonald House calendar.

Click here to book tickets

Spring Carnival Race Day at Rosehill Gardens

Date: Saturday, 22 September

Location: In the Grand Pavilion Rosehill Racecourse

Time: 12.00pm-5.30pm

Includes: Buffet Lunch and Beverage Package

Table of 10: $2200

Individual ticket: $220pp

Enjoy the best of Spring Carnival racing, as you take in the Golden Rose and Golden Pendant in style from Rosehill Gardens' Grand Pavilion.

Overlook the winning post at our exclusive VIP function, complete with networking opportunities, guest speakers and private bookmaking facilities. No guarantee you'll back a winner, but there is no better location anywhere in the course to enjoy the day.

Click here to book tickets

Also on the calendar for 2018

Laugh for the House

Stand-Up Comedy Night starring Akmal and the Stevenson Experience

This is absolutely a social night of nights, and set to be another hilarious evening in 2018! This year, Laugh for the House is headlined by Akmal's funniest show ever, and introduces you to The Stevenson Experience, a unique musical duo of bickering identical twins. Please note: due to the unpredictable nature of comedy, this is an 18+ event.

Date: Saturday, 20 October

Location: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta

Time: 7.30pm-10pm

Tickets: $49.90pp*

*Booking fee applies

Click here to book tickets

Christmas Carnival at the House

Save the Date to ring in the festive season at our Christmas Carnival, with family fun zone activities, performances and more! Each year, Christmas at the House is a time for families and the community to come together for an evening of music and entertainment, before the switch to turn on the Christmas lights is officially flicked.

Date: Saturday, 1 December

Location: "The Oval", Ronald McDonald House Westmead, 1 Labyrinth Way, Westmead

Time: To be confirmed

Save the Date

Supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney is as simple as buying a ticket and coming along to the events.

For further information on the events or for any events sponsorship opportunities please contact Ana on 02 9806 7111 or supportingGWS@rmhc.org.au

EPA Fines Company $30,000 For Breaching Licence and Polluting Waters

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 01:32:14 GMT

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has recently fined South Coast Plant Hire Pty Ltd (South Coast), a resource recovery facility in Bomaderry, $30,000 for allegedly breaching its licence conditions and discharging waste water from the site.

In December 2017, the EPA carried out a site inspection and found that a containment system holding polluted water had overflowed.

The EPA issued a clean-up notice directing South Coast to clean-up the area where the discharge occurred and implement measures to prevent further pollution. Two penalty notices were issued totalling $30,000.

EPA uses tools such as clean up notices, prevention notices and penalty notices to achieve environmental compliance.

Clean-up notices

Pursuant to s 92 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act), the EPA can issue a clean-up notice when it reasonably suspects that a pollution incident has occurred or is occurring or when the release of a pollutant is likely or imminent. The notices may direct that action is taken to prevent, minimise, remove, disperse, destroy or mitigate pollution resulting from or likely to occur from an incident. The notice details the clean-up action required and a time frame for completion.

Prevention notices

A prevention notice can be issued under s 96 the POEO Act when the EPA reasonably suspects that an activity has been or is being carried out in an ‘environmentally unsatisfactory manner’. Notices specify preventive actions that must be taken to improve environmental performance. Section 96(3) provides a non-exhaustive list of actions that may need to be carried out by a prevention notice. A prevention notice may order that equipment is not operated until appropriate controls to prevent or minimise pollution or waste are in place.

Penalty Notices

Penalty notices are issued under a wide range of legislation administered by the EPA including the following and their associated Regulations:

Contaminated Land Management Act 1997
Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Act 2008
Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act 1985
Environmental Trust Act 1998
National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974
Native Vegetation Act 2003
Pesticides Act 1999
Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991
Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997
Radiation Control Act 1990
Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995
Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001

The EPA may issue penalty notices:

for minor breaches when the facts appear obvious and a penalty notice is likely to be a viable deterrent
to allow the person served with the notice to pay a fine rather than have the alleged offence dealt with in court

Penalty notices are designed to deal with one-off breaches that can be remedied easily. The EPA does not generally issue simultaneous or successive penalty notices for multiple or ongoing breaches of the legislation. Instances where there is a continuing environmental or compliance problem are dealt with by issuing other appropriate notices or through court proceedings.

For more information about the EPA’s regulatory tools, see the EPA Compliance Policy and EPA Prosecution Guidelines at www.epa.nsw.gov.au/legislation/prosguid.htm

Campbelltown Small Business Workshop Program

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 23:44:06 GMT

Campbelltown City Council have been working with a number of different training providers to develop a varied program of workshops, development programs and networking opportunities as part of the small business development program for 2018/19.

The diverse program targets a number of different industry sectors, and this year has a particular focus on supporting leadership development for women in business/microbusiness.

Additional workshops and development opportunities will be continually added to the program throughout the year to ensure as much engagement and support as possible is offered to our existing and potential business community.

Click here to find out more about Campbelltown City Council's Business Event Program.

A new perspective on digital transformation

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 23:25:40 GMT

With business changing faster than ever before, what will it take to thrive in the future?

That’s the question posed by Macquarie Business Banking’s Perspective event – and while it saw over 400 real estate leaders gather in Sydney, the insights shared are relevant across every business sector.

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Aisling Osborne or Melissa Chung at our Parramatta office on 0410 310 716 and be connected with one of our banking specialists.

Celebrating 20 years in business - Marketingheads

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 22:53:17 GMT

Marketingheads is a multi-awarded market research and strategy business that celebrated its 20th anniversary on July 2nd. John Wakeling and Kaye McIntyre are both accomplished marketers and strategists who relish the challenges faced by business. Their methodology has identified game changing strategies and achieved exceptional results for many clients across a diverse range of industries for more than 20 years.

Testament to Marketingheads exceptional achievements was them being awarded winner of the prestigious “Excellence in Marketing” award in 2017 at the 27th annual Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence.

John says that “whilst Marketingheads has been recognised with many awards over the years and achieved this impressive 20 year milestone it’s the success of client’s businesses that is more important at Marketingheads. It’s our client’s challenges and their success that makes our job so rewarding”.

Northcott's Charity Golf Day

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 22:56:31 GMT

Northcott is a not-for-profit disability service provider that works with customers to realise their potential. Proceeds raised at the Northcott Charity Golf Day will help fund their Recreation Service which creates fun and social opportunities for children and adults with disability.

Join Northcott at the beautiful Oatlands Golf Club for a day of golfing fun. Your ticket price includes:

A bacon and egg roll for breakfast
Five drink vouchers
Buffet lunch
18 holes of golf

Event Details

Date:

Friday 10 August 2018

Time:

7am arrival for an 8am start. Event will finish at 3pm.

Venue:

Oatlands Golf Club
94 Bettington Road,
Oatlands 2117 NSW

Cost (includes GST):

Individual player: $175 pp
Team of four (4): $700
Hole sponsor: $1500
Hottest drive sponsor: $1500

For more information or to book your tickets/sponsorship package now, contact:

Deana Gibbons (Northcott)
P: 1300 378 243
E: fund@northcott.com.au

Interested in exporting to India?

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 06:17:13 GMT

The NSW Government is leading a delegation to Mumbai and Delhi from 23 to 30 September 2018 to provide opportunities for NSW food and beverage producers in India.

In 2016-17, NSW exported $760 million worth of agricultural produce to India, an increase of 200%. With NSW’s global reputation for ‘clean and safe’ agricultural products there is substantial potential for further export growth.

The purpose of the delegation is to promote NSW food and beverage capabilities and producers and create government-backed networking and business matching opportunities with potential Indian buyers.

Proposed activities

The week long program will cover:

In-market briefings
Participation in the Annapurna World of Food
visits to supermarkets/retailers
B2B and group meetings
NSW events to promote NSW food and beverage capabilities

How you will benefit from participating

Participate in business-to-business matching sessions facilitated by Austrade and the NSW Government.
Meet local distributors and importers.
Meet potential in-market partners.
Develop skills and experience within international markets
Enhance your international profile
Gain a better understanding of the cultural and regulatory requirements in India.

What it will cost

All travel and accommodation expenses are to be covered by participating businesses, as well as shipment of samples and collateral to the markets.

The NSW Government will cover the costs of the scheduled business program and related on-ground expenses.

Draft travel program

23-24 September: Travel to Delhi
24-26 September: Delhi | In-market briefing | NSW Wine masterclass | Site visits to retailers/outlets in New Delhi | Interaction with key importers
26-29 September: Mumbai | NSW Wine Masterclass | Annapoorna Trade Show | B2B meetings | Site visits to retailers/outlets | Taste of NSW Event
30 September: Travel home or continue on own program

Eligibility and registration

To be eligible applicants should:

be a NSW-based business with an ABN
have been in business for a minimum of two years
have a minimum annual turnover of $150,000
be currently exporting to at least one other country
ideally have products or services in the food and beverage industries or related technologies.

Applications close 5pm, Friday 10 August 2018. Click here to register your interest.

What every employer MUST know for 1 July 2018

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 04:34:17 GMT

With the commencement of a new financial year, it brings with it important changes and new rates which will apply from 1 July 2018.

NEW! High Income Threshold (HIT)

With the HIT:

it increases on 1 July 2018 to $145,400
it impacts:

(a) who can make a claim for unfair dismissal (for those not covered by a Modern Award or to whom an enterprise agreement does not apply)

(b) the maximum amount of compensation payable in an unfair dismissal claim

(c) those on a 'guarantee of annual earnings' (a Modern Award does not apply to an employee whenever this guarantee is in place provided it continues to meet the relevant legislative requirements)

NEW! Modern Award Increases

With Modern Awards (including enterprise awards):

minimum wages increase by 3.5% (starting on the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2018)
absorption of wage increases into over-award payments is permissible (subject to the terms of the relevant employment agreement and what other amounts are being absorbed into any annualised salary)
increases to the minimum wages of junior workers, apprentices, trainees, piece workers and employees on the supported wage system will occur
expense-related allowances in Modern Awards will increase as set out in the Modern Award (eg, by the applicable CPI index figure)
annualised salaries will need to be checked to ensure they can still properly absorb/include all relevant minimum Modern Award amounts and that they continue to meet the technical requirements of the relevant Modern Award

NEW! National Minimum Wage (NMW)

With the NMW:

this is applicable to employees to whom neither a Modern Award or enterprise agreement applies
the NMW increases by 3.5% to become $719.20 per week or $18.93 per hour
in addition:

(a) special NMW rates apply to employees with disabilities, junior employees, apprentices, and those on training arrangements

(b) the minimum casual loading remains unchanged at 25%

NEW! Impact on Enterprise Agreements

With enterprise agreements:

they must always meet or exceed the minimum wage of:

(a) the relevant Modern Award (ie, the Modern Award that would have applied had the enterprise agreement not been in existence)

(b) the NMW (ie, where a Modern Award would not apply even if the enterprise agreement was not in existence)

thus, pay rates in enterprise agreements may need to be increased (even if the enterprise agreement has its own wage increase regime)

NEW! The Sting

Be mindful that wage increases may have flow-on effects such as increasing:

the value of leave loading, penalty rates, overtime and superannuation contributions
the value of accrued leave entitlements
the cost of wage related expenses such as payroll tax and workers compensation premiums

NEW! Redundancy

The tax-free component of a genuine redundancy payment increases to be:

a base amount of $10,339
an additional amount of $5,200 for each completed year of service

NEW! Superannuation Contributions Base

With superannuation:

the maximum superannuation contribution base increases to $54,030 per quarter ($216,120 per annum)
an employer is not required to make superannuation contributions on behalf of employees on earnings in excess of that maximum contribution base

Questions/Assistance

If you have any questions in respect of the above or would like any employment related assistance, please contact a member of our Matthews Folbigg Workplace Solutions employment law team on (02) 9635 7966 or julianac@matthewsfolbigg.com.au

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided to clients and readers for their general information and on a complimentary basis. It contains a brief summary only and should not be relied upon or used as definitive or complete statement of the relevant law.

7 Days of Luxury

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 02:26:01 GMT

At The William Inglis Hotel there are many unique onsite activities that can be utilised throughout the week to spice up your pre and post conference stay.

Monday

Kickstart your busy week with one of Heroic Café's famous coffees and head to your conference room with a skip in your step.

Tuesday

Enjoy a workout with a view on Tuesday morning with the Gymnasium boasting views of the property through the perfectly positioned large windows.

Wednesday

Continue your conference with day three of your meeting located in one of the hotel's many unique function rooms. Then join your colleagues for post conference drinks at the Warwick Farm races in the afternoon, located next door to the hotel. Get your fanciest suits and fascinators out to watch the horses race to the finish line.

Thursday

Indulge in a 3 course meal from Newmarket Restaurant's newest winter menu serving delicious fare aimed at satisfying your winter cravings.

Friday

End your week on a high with a relaxing evening spent in Talisa Spa Wellness where you will enjoy a massage and facial package.

Saturday

Glide through the warm water in the luxurious heated pool located on the rooftop of the hotel with views over looking the property, racecourse and surrounding areas. Top your day off with a well-deserved beverage in the 1867 Lounge bar. Sit by the fire whilst watching live musicians entertain every Friday and Saturday evening from 6pm to 9pm.

Sunday

Spend your day exploring the gardens and stables scattered around the property before heading to the 1867 Lounge Bar for Sunday afternoon High Tea featuring miniature cakes, sweets and warm scones with the perfect accompaniment of Tea and Coffee.

Click here find out more about the The William Inglis Hotel.

How to conduct a fraud risk assessment

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 02:02:36 GMT

Seven steps to identifying and protecting your business against fraud

Australian businesses are reporting losing more money to fraud than ever.1 And yet four in five businesses have never carried out a proper risk assessment.2

So, if your business wants to minimise risk but doesn't know where to begin, here's how to conduct an effective fraud risk assessment in seven steps.

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Aisling Osborne or Melissa Chung at our Parramatta office on 0410 310 716 and be connected with one of our banking specialists.

Winterlight Returns With Special Business Offers

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 23:38:09 GMT

Skate into a magical winter wonderland this July at Winterlight! Featuring Sydney’s biggest open-air ice rink, a 30m ice slide, illuminated ferris wheel, light garden with interactive aquabeams, live music, food village and bar, and free kid’s activities, it’s the place to be these July school holidays.

Work locally? Grab your winter coat and head on over to Prince Alfred Square for a winter experience with a difference. Get exclusive access to a range of offers for local businesses and workers, including:

- 20% off full-priced ice skating tickets

Receive 20% off full-priced skating tickets for you and your team! Use code PARRABIZ20 when purchasing your tickets online or mention the code at the box office.

- $12 Biz Lunch Deal

Get out of the office for a warm meal, drink and live music. Enjoy our $12 biz lunch deal from any food outlet at Winterlight when you show this post.

- Private Rink Hire & Skate Lessons

Book in ice skating lessons or hire the entire smoothfm ice rink for a private session for your next team building activity. Enquire now at events@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au.

Skate, eat and play at Winterlight, 6-22 July at Prince Alfred Square.

Invitation to submit a Registration of Interest - Airport Planning Services

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 23:12:01 GMT

WSA Co invites suitably qualified parties to submit a Registration of Interest for the provision of Airport Planning Services for the Western Sydney Airport.

Any parties interested in tendering for the provision of Airport Planning Services, must register to receive Request for Tender documents which will be released in July 2018.

A copy of the Registration of Interest documentation is available on the WSA Co website at https://www.wsaco.com.au/the-project/business-opportunities-and-procurement.

The Invitation to submit a Registration of Interest will close at 4:00pm (AEDST) on Monday 2 July 2018.

Please forward any enquiries to tenders@wsaco.com.au.

Trivett Classic BMW End of Financial Year Sale Event

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 03:29:54 GMT

Celebrate with savings equal to the GST* and exclusive reduced dealer delivery at $1395.

Contact Jeanette Ivsic, Corporate Sales at Trivett Classic BMW for more details:

E: Jeanette.Ivsic@trivettclassicbmw.com.au

P: 02 8892 9643

A: 40 – 52 Church Street, Parramatta, New South Wales, 2150

W: www.trivettclassicbmw.com.au

Exclusive to WSBC members only. Offer ends 30 June, 2018

Are you risking a tax hit by bundling your block with a neighbour?

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 06:01:40 GMT

Home owners hoping to capitalise on the appetite for property development by working with neighbours or partnering with a builder should be wary of a surprise Capital Gains Tax or Goods and Services Tax bill. Scott McGill, Partner, Private Clients and Tax Consulting, looks at the biggest tax risks you face when selling your home.

The headline figures look tempting: 29 townhouses in Perth sold for more than $33 million, a $60 million price tag for 13 strata units in Chatswood, and more than $80 million for 55 units in Macquarie Park.

In each deal, neighbours were able to band together to get a much better dollar price for their homes from developers by amalgamating their properties.

But understanding how the Australian Tax Office treats these horizontal collective sales (when land is amalgamated) or vertical collective sales (when apartments are sold together) can be complex.

The trend has had serious momentum over the past couple of years, particularly in Sydney where the booming property market has tempted home owners to go beyond simply listing their properties on the market.

Instead, they might band together with their neighbours to sell their combined lots to a developer for a higher price or delve into the world of property development and develop the lots themselves.

Click here to continue reading the full article.

For further information, please contact your Pitcher Partners representative.

Contact

Scott McGill

Partner, Private Clients and Tax Consulting

+61 2 8236 7880

scott.mcgill@pitcher.com.au

Pitcher Partners Sydney

Level 22 MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

www.pitcher.com.au

10 Ways to Build Positivity in your Workplace

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 22:39:39 GMT

At Great Managers, we say that being a manager is all about results. And you can only get results through your people, so their happiness must be one of your prime concerns.

A toxic culture in the workplace does more to hold your organisation back than you might realise. However, if you act deliberately, you can create a more positive workplace and improve results.

Here are 10 ways to build positivity in your workplace.

Positivity Tip #1 – Be Grateful

A good salary isn’t enough to keep today’s workers happy. People want to feel appreciated in the workplace. Their results suffer if nobody cares about their contributions. Simple acts of gratitude encourage positive workplace behaviours. A word of appreciation and a thank-you go a long way toward helping employees to feel valued. You’ll create an undercurrent of positivity, which will shape your team.

Be quick to compliment team members for good work, and use random acts of kindness to show your team your gratitude.

Positivity Tip #2 – Play to Employee Strengths

Nobody wants to feel like they’re not contributing to the team. But that’s what can happen when you don’t give your people tasks that play to their strengths. Confidence drops, and soon enough employees start to resent the idea of coming to work.

Employees prosper when they can use their talents to benefit the organisation. Learn about your employees and what they bring to the team.

Positivity Tip #3 – Be Optimistic

Your team looks to you for inspiration. What you say and how you act influences your organisation’s culture.

It starts with the way you talk. Positive verbiage bolsters your team and shows that you’re excited to work with them. Phrases like “I admire how…” and “I’m impressed with…” offer positive reinforcement. They also change the way your employees absorb your feedback. Keeping a positive tone makes the listener more receptive.

Mind your body language too. Stand tall and show that you’re proud of your workplace. Optimism is surprisingly infectious and is a cornerstone of a great company culture. Even a smile can bolster your team spirits and generate positivity.

Positivity Tip #4 – Connect With Individuals

Talk to them and learn what drives them. Develop a bond stretching beyond what you expect the person to do in the workplace.

Connection is something many leaders struggle with when building a positive workplace culture. They rely on emails and memos to get their messages across. All the while, their team members resent the lack of personal communication with their leaders. They see you as a face behind a machine, instead of a person they can connect with.

Positivity Tip #5 – Celebrate Small Wins

The biggest project goals are also the most difficult to achieve. Your team may spend months, or even years, toiling away without an end in sight. If they don’t have anything else to celebrate during that time, they become less effective.

Every major project requires small steps. When you celebrate these steps, you give your employees a much-needed motivational boost.

Positivity Tip #6 – Encourage Ideas

Every new challenge tests your creativity. Some leaders plough ahead while giving little regard to others’ ideas. They assume their way is the right way, even when people on their teams could offer insight into the new challenge.

Instead, encourage flexible thinking. Look at new challenges from as many perspectives as possible. Encourage your team to contribute ideas. As importantly, listen to these ideas and think about the ramifications of implementing them. Not every idea will be a winner. However, encouraging your team to think often leads to better solutions than you could have created on your own.

Positivity Tip #7 – Trust Your Team

Treat your team members like competent adults. Delegate appropriate tasks, and allow employees to take ownership of their work. Increased responsibility makes employees feel valued. They also take more pride in their work, which usually leads to stronger results. Finally, you free your time up to focus on the more significant issues.

Positivity Tip #8 – Inspire Your Vision

Most leaders have a vision and a mission. They know what they want to accomplish, and how they want to get there. Unfortunately, they struggle to inspire others with that vision.

Your vision must compel others to follow. Saying “We want to be the best” isn’t enough. Dig down into specifics.

Positivity Tip #9 – Create Opportunities

A great company culture encourages employees to reach for success. Individuals stagnate when they don’t receive opportunities. They may feel frustrated about their lack of achievement and resentful of you for not providing opportunities.

Positivity Tip #10 – Have Fun

Having fun doesn’t mean letting employees spend hours away from their work. However, a 15-minute conversation where team members share stories won’t damage the workflow. It might just be the quick release they need to de-stress before renewing their efforts.

What to Do Next

Ronald McDonald House Westmead Launches Exciting Events Season

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 06:53:15 GMT

The exciting events season by Ronald McDonald House Westmead has commenced. From movies and comedy, to golf, horse-racing and Christmas carols, be sure to grab a ticket and support the House to keep the doors open for seriously ill children and their families.

Movie Night

Bring the kids and enjoy the exclusive VIP Vmax Red Carpet and pre-screening of the much-anticipated Hotel Transylvania 3! This is your chance to see the film before its official opening from luxurious VMax seating, after the kids enjoy a fun and quirky "red carpet" experience at the cinema.

Wednesday 27 June, 6pm-8pm

Event Cinemas, Castle Hill

Tickets $30pp (includes movie, popcorn and drink).

Tickets are limited!

Proudly sponsored by Dyldam

To book tickets please complete the Booking Form

Golf Day

From breakfast through to a sit-down catered lunch and presentations, host your friends, team or clients at a picture-perfect day of golf. Lynwood is set on 230 acres, perfect for a relaxed, enjoyable day of Ambrose-style play.

Tuesday 14 August

Lynwood Country Club, Pitt Town

Team of 4: $800 per team

Individual players: $200pp

Registration 7am

Shotgun start 8am

Followed by lunch & presentation

Proudly sponsored by Dyldam

To book tickets please complete the Booking Form

Race Day

Enjoy the best of Spring Carnival racing, as you take in the Golden Rose and Golden Pendant in style from Rosehill Gardens' Grand Pavilion. Overlook the winning post at the exclusive VIP function, complete with a delicious buffet lunch and beverage package, networking opportunities, guest speakers and private bookmaking facilities.

Saturday 22 September, 12pm-5.30pm

Rosehill Racecourse, Grand Pavilion

Table of 10 $2200

Individual ticket $220pp

Proudly sponsored by Dyldam

To book tickets please complete the Booking Form

Comedy Night – Laugh for the House

Set to be another hilarious evening in 2018! This year, Laugh for the House is headlined by Akmal's funniest show ever, and introduces you to The Stevenson Experience, a unique musical duo of bickering identical twins.

Saturday 20 October, 7.30pm-10pm

Starring Akmal and the Stevenson Experience

Riverside Theatres, Parramatta

Tickets $49.90pp* Booking fee applies

To book tickets visit Riverside Theatres

Christmas Carnival

Save the Date to ring in the festive season at the Christmas Carnival, with family fun zone activities, performances and more! Each year, Christmas at the House is a time for families and the community to come together for an evening of music and entertainment.

Saturday 1 December

Time to be confirmed

"The Oval", Ronald McDonald House Westmead

1 Labyrinth Way, Westmead

Supporting Ronald McDonald House Westmead is as simple as buying a ticket and coming along to the events.

For further information on the events or for any events sponsorship opportunities please contact Ana on 02 9806 7111 or supportingGWS@rmhc.org.au

2018 Australian Federal Budget Insight

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 06:46:15 GMT

Article by: Hall & Wilcox Tax

With a modest surplus of $2.2 billion predicted for 2019-20, and tax cuts totalling $140 billion, Scott Morrison’s third budget is a strong indication of an imminent election.

There are few losers in this budget, with significant personal income tax cuts scheduled for the next 7 years without any corresponding halt to the planned reduction of the corporate tax rate. Further, despite recent debate and media coverage, the budget did not include any changes to negative gearing or the 50% CGT discount.

Expenditure programs have been slated for infrastructure and the health care sector, among others. This includes announcements relating to infrastructure impacting Western Sydney, including a plan to co-fund the first stage of the North South Rail Link from Schofields to Macarthur, and improvements to community infrastructure.

However, Scott Morrison has tempered the spending and tax cuts with measures aimed at increasing revenue by an estimated $5.3 billion over the next 4 years by targeting the black economy.

Reforms announced in the budget include:

significant personal income tax cuts, including the introduction of a 7-year Personal Income Tax Plan
various measures in response to the final report from the Black Economy Taskforce, including those aimed to combat illegal phoenixing
a number of superannuation changes
various integrity measures, including those aimed to limit the CGT discount and
an extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off.

Below is a snapshot of some of these measures. For more on the budget and what it could mean for you, contact Hall & Wilcox.

Personal income tax cuts

Next financial year, individuals will benefit from tax savings of up to $530 aimed at the ‘middle’ tax bracket. The top of this bracket will be increased from $87,000 to $90,000 from 1 July 2018 and then to $120,000 from 1 July 2022.

The upper threshold of the 19% tax bracket will then increase from $37,000 to $41,000, with an accompanying increase in the low and middle income tax offset. The next tax bracket ($90,000 to $180,000) is to be eliminated in 2024.

There will be no increase in the Medicare levy rate, remaining at 2%.

Small business

The $20,000 instant asset write-off has been extended to 30 June 2019 for businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $10 million. Assets valued at $20,000 or more can continue to be placed into the small business simplified depreciation pool and depreciated at 15% in the first income year and 30% each income year thereafter.

Restricting deductions for vacant land

Taxpayers will not be allowed a deduction for expenses associated with holding vacant residential or commercial land from 1 July 2019.

Superannuation

From 1 July 2019, SMSFs that have a history of 3 consecutive years of clear audit reports will be able to move to a 3-yearly audit cycle.

The ATO will also be empowered to help match ‘lost superannuation’ activation to active accounts.

Exit fees for switching superannuation will be banned, and caps will be placed on other fees (e.g. administrative).

Insurance for new members under 25 will now be ‘opt-in’.

Testamentary trusts

From 1 July 2019, the benefit of adult marginal tax rates applying to distributions from testamentary trusts to minors will only be available for income generated from the assets placed in the testamentary trust by the deceased, or the disposal or investment proceeds of those assets.

Limiting concessions for partnerships

Partners that alienate their income by creating, assigning or otherwise dealing in rights to the future income of a partnership, will no longer be able to access the small business CGT concessions in relation to those rights.

Black economy

Measures have been announced in response to the Black Economy Taskforce, including:

From 1 July 2019, businesses will not be able to claim deductions for payments to their employees (e.g. wages) where PAYG has not been withheld
Introduction of an economy-wide limit of $10,000 for cash payments made to businesses for goods and services from 1 July 2019
Consulting on a new regulatory framework for issuing ABNs in 2018-19
Measures to combat illicit tobacco

GST measures

The Government is aiming to make Director Penalty Notices apply in respect of GST liabilities, in addition to the existing application of the notices to PAYGW and SGC.

Image rights

Measures will be introduced to prevent individuals with potentially valuable ‘image rights’ (such as sportspeople and media identities) from obtaining a tax advantage by entering into arrangements to license those rights to controlled companies and trusts.

Research and development tax incentive

The Government intends to better target the research and development tax incentive with an emphasis on improving the integrity of the system by strengthening anti-avoidance rules, increasing transparency and simplifying the system.

Additionally, there are intensity focused changes (on a bracket scheme basis) to the R&D tax that would apply.

Anthony Bradica is a Partner, Jim Koutsokostas is a Special Counsel and Raoul D'Cruz is a Lawyer in the Tax team at Hall & Wilcox.

For further information please contact:

Anthony Bradica

Partner

Hall & Wilcox

Phone: +61 414 509 268

Email: anthony.bradica@hallandwilcox.com.au

Are you looking for a Community Housing Provider?

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 02:04:32 GMT

The Affordable Housing Prequalification Scheme is an online tool that connects developers with nationally registered Community Housing Providers.

The scheme was created by Landcom and the Department of Finance and Services to respond to the growing demand for Affordable Housing in NSW.

Where to find the tool

You can find the tool and more information at ProcurePoint.nsw.gov.au/scm4421 - see tab ‘Information for buyers’, then click on ‘How to buy from this scheme’.

Landcom develops award-winning places for the people of NSW.

They are a state owned corporation that partners with councils and the private sector to create quality residential communities that demonstrate leadership in sustainable urban development.

landcom.com.au/housing

EOI called for new community around Hills Showground metro station

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 06:30:39 GMT

Landcom is calling for Expressions of Interest to deliver a mixed use local centre next to the future Hills Showground metro station, the next stage in the Sydney Metro Northwest Places project.

Landcom Chief Executive Officer John Brogden said the site at 1-5 Carrington Road, Castle Hill met the NSW Government’s direction for the organisation to take a lead role in improving the supply, diversity and affordability of new housing in Sydney.

“Landcom, on behalf of Transport for NSW, is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified developers to deliver the first mixed use superlot adjacent to the future Hills Showground Station,” Mr Brogden said.

“Landcom has partnered with Transport for NSW to develop government land around Sydney Metro Northwest stations to create new places for families, businesses and communities.

“The Castle Hill site is the first within the Hills Showground Project.

“The broader project will see potential for more than 1,600 dwellings and 10,000m2 of retail, commercial, and spaces for community use right next to the new Hills Showground Station.

“This will enable residents to live, work, shop and relax within the precinct.

“The mixed use development will feature a range of housing types that meet the needs of different households and will demonstrate a commitment to best practice transit-oriented development.

“The development will include an Affordable Housing component, so the Castle Hill site will bring much needed housing for low to medium income workers.”

Mr Brogden said the Hills Showground development was the second site of a wider program to transform government land around the new metro stations of Tallawong, Kellyville, Bella Vista, Norwest, Castle Hill and Cherrybrook.

An Expression of Interest was called for the Cudgegong Road Station South site, recently renamed Tallawong Station, in March 2018. An Invitation to Tender is expected to be issued later this year.

“Sydney Metro Northwest Places is a 10-year program that will deliver about 11,000 new dwellings, parks, community facilities and up to 400,000m2 of floor space dedicated to employment opportunities in retail and commercial enterprises, supporting new and future residents living along the Sydney Metro Northwest corridor,” Mr Brogden said.

“As masterplanner for the site, Landcom will work with the local community, The Hills Shire Council, Department of Planning and Environment, other government organisations, and businesses to finalise a concept proposal for the Hills Showground Project.

“This will guide the successful development partner to prepare detailed development plans for the site.”

The development is being marketed through Knight Frank, and Expressions of Interest will close at 3pm on 16 July, 2018. An Invitation to Tender is expected to be issued late this year, with a contract to be awarded early next year.

Sydney Metro services start in Sydney’s north west in the first half of 2019.

Western Sydney Airport - Airport Lease Grant

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 07:23:57 GMT

On 17 May 2018 the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities, granted an airport lease over the Western Sydney Airport site to WSA Co Limited (WSA Co).

As the government-owned company tasked with building the airport, WSA Co has taken over management of the airport site from the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities. This is an important step towards the construction of the Western Sydney Airport, which will drive economic and social growth in Western Sydney via a thriving airport precinct which will stimulate local jobs, attract new businesses and bring new education opportunities.

The Government is working closely with WSA Co to ensure a smooth transition as we assume the role of the Airport Lessee Company (ALC). As the ALC, WSA Co will become subject to a wide range of obligations under the Airports Act 1996 and associated regulations. This includes the Airports (Building Control) Regulations 1996 and the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997.

The Commonwealth Government will maintain responsibility for several specific activities in relation to the Western Sydney Airport, including the airspace design and biodiversity offsets. They will also continue to facilitate the Forum on Western Sydney Airport (FOWSA).

The grant of the airport lease marks the next stage in the delivery of the Western Sydney Airport, which will play an important part in the wider economic expansion of Western Sydney.

Campbelltown CBD Night Time Economy Survey

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 30 May 2018 23:40:17 GMT

Campbelltown City Council is committed to creating a local economy that is dynamic, diverse and provides opportunities for residents, visitors, businesses and investors to live, work, play and learn close to home. The creation of a night time economy is an important element in the realisation of this vision and a necessary requirement for the revitalisation of Campbelltown CBD.

With this in mind, Council has commenced work on the development of a Night Time Economy Strategy and Action Plan for the Campbelltown CBD, focusing on the area from Leumeah to Macarthur Square. The project will focus on creating a vibrant, safe and sustainable economy at night.

Take the community survey

Take the business survey

Council would like to hear your ideas on how to create a thriving night time economy. They invite you to share your insights and perspectives on the future of the Campbelltown CBD by completing a quick survey.

Enquiries:

Email: business@campbelltown.nsw.gov.au

Phone: 02 4645 4476

Parramatta Light Rail approved

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 30 May 2018 08:20:41 GMT

Stage 1 of Parramatta Light Rail is now full steam ahead after planning approval from the NSW Government was received for the project.

Planning approval follows extensive consultation with the community, local businesses and valued stakeholders including Westmead Hospital, the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Western Sydney University, the City of Parramatta Council, Western Sydney Business Chamber and the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce.

Stage 1 of Parramatta Light Rail will link Westmead to Carlingford via Parramatta CBD and Camellia, connecting key destinations including the Westmead Precinct, the new Western Sydney Stadium, the new Powerhouse Museum and three Western Sydney University campuses as well as communities at Camellia and Telopea.

Associated road, traffic and remediation works for the Parramatta Light Rail will take place later this year, with major construction to begin in 2019. The light rail will begin services in 2023.

For more information, refer to the Parramatta Light Rail website or contact us at parramattalightrail@transport.nsw.gov.au

HSBC Sydney 7s Set For Western Sydney Evolution

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 27 May 2018 22:41:57 GMT

The HSBC Sydney 7s is heading west with the announcement that the 2019 tournament will be played at Spotless Stadium in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct.

Having had three successful years at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, the hugely popular tournament will light up Sydney’s west over three action-packed days from February 1-3.

To celebrate the move, and in a first for the tournament, the HSBC Sydney 7s will throw open it’s doors on Friday 1 February with free entry for all fans for the opening day of action.

Fans will be able to cheer on the Qantas Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams as they fight to defend their titles after running out emphatic winners in their home tournament earlier this year.

Sydney Olympic Park will be transformed into a Rugby festival with live bands, rides, interactive entertainment, the kids zone, and plenty of places to eat and drink, coupled with the best Rugby Sevens athletes from across the world doing battle just a year out from the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Fan-favourites that have become synonymous with the HSBC Sydney 7s will return with Dance Cam, Kiss Cam, The Gun show, and Karaoke all to feature again in the 2019 edition. There will also be some new additions and surprises to be announced over the coming months.

Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Raelene Castle said: “This is a great opportunity for families and Rugby fans in the greater Sydney region to come along and experience the fun and excitement of the HSBC Sydney 7s and witness truly world class athletes play one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

“Anyone who has been to the tournament in Sydney will tell you its not just about the footy, Sevens Rugby is the complete package. It’s a chance to get your mates together, deck yourself out in fancy dress and experience all the entertainment on offer.

“There is a genuine international flavour to the tournament which is unrivalled in sport, with fans coming from all corners of the globe to cheer on their teams.

“The major highlight of any Sevens tournament anywhere in the world is seeing the passion and flair of the Fijian fans, and we know that there are large communities of Fijians and Rugby fans from other island nations in Western Sydney who have been waiting for the opportunity to experience the tournament in their own backyard.”

NSW Minister for Sport and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres said: “Western Sydney is home to some of Australia’s biggest and best major sporting events and some of the city’s most passionate fans, so Spotless Stadium is the perfect home for the Sydney 7s,” Ayres said.

“Beyond all the action on field, the event will also provide a boost to the local visitor economy, with hotels, restaurants and attractions set to be buzzing with visitors from around Australia and the world. I encourage everyone to get their tickets early and start planning an extended stay in Western Sydney.”

HSBC Australia CEO, Martin Tricaud, said: “The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series is an exciting competition which brings the great game of rugby to new audiences all around the world. The Australian tournament has become one of the highlights of the world tour and we are looking forward to the event at Spotless Stadium next year.”

Fans are encouraged to take advantage of the early bird ticket offer and register at sydney7s.com.au for the early bird prices. Tickets will go on public sale on Thursday August 23.

India: Opportunities for NSW Businesses

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 22 May 2018 01:03:07 GMT

The NSW Government invites you to an “opportunities in India event” in Sydney. This event aims to help aspiring and existing exporters to India.

With a rapidly growing population of more than 1.2 billion, India is expected to overtake China as the world’s most populous nation within a decade. India’s middle-class population is expected to soar to about 200 million by 2020, generating huge demand for high-quality, protein-rich foods as well as numerous opportunities across a number of different sectors of the economy.

The workshop will cover:

Welcome by the NSW Government
India: opportunities for NSW Business - presentation by Rohit Manchanda - Trade & Investment Commissioner for India
Panel discussion: expert tips on doing business in India
Q&A

Who should attend?

Businesses looking to develop a growth plan to extend beyond the domestic market
Aspiring exporters and new exporters
Existing exporters wanting an export refresher

Expert Speakers:

Mr Rohit Manchanda - Trade & Investment Commissioner for India
Ms Kylie Bell - Director & Oceania Leader, India & ASEAN Business Group and NSW President & National Board Member, Australian India Business Council
Mr Peter Mackey, Director, International Trade - NSW Trade and Investment

Event details

When: 8.00am – 10.00am, Thursday, 31 May 2018

Where: Level 48, MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

Cost: Free (places are limited), a light networking breakfast will be provided.

Last chance to register for the Australia-China Zhejiang Trade and Investment Forum

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 21 May 2018 22:28:27 GMT

The Australia-China Zhejiang Trade and Investment Forum on 28 May 2018 is a half day event at Sofitel, supported by Austrade, NSW Government, CCPIT, Commonwealth Bank and Hall & Wilcox.

The event will see business matching opportunities, with a delegation of up to 100 CEOs and senior executives from leading Chinese companies in the Zhejiang province seeking investment, trade and business opportunities in Australia. Host of the G20 summit in 2016, Zhejiang is a province of around 55 million people. It represents one of the richest, busiest and most advanced provinces in China.

Business opportunities for both Australian and Chinese businesses will be in: Technology, Services, Energy, Resources, Education, Tourism, Agribusiness, Finance, Investment, Manufacturing and Logistics and Health.

Event Format – Business and Opportunity Matching

The event will include relatively short proceedings, with the bulk of the time dedicated to a business and opportunity matching session.

Chinese Companies Attending

Click here to view the list of companies from Zhejiang attending including the business opportunities.

Register Now

Step 1: Click here to find out more

Step 2: Register your place (limited spaces available)

ASEAN Markets: Opportunities for NSW Businesses

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 21 May 2018 07:47:21 GMT

Asialink Business and the NSW Government are delighted to invite you to attend:

ASEAN Markets: Opportunities for NSW Businesses

Date: Thursday 31 May 2018

Time: 12.00pm for a 12.30pm start to 2.00pm

Venue: Level 48, MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney

Registration: Click here

Registrations close on Tuesday 29 May 2018

This seminar is designed for businesses looking to develop a growth plan to extend beyond the domestic market. The seminar will provide expert tips on boosting your export capabilities in ASEAN markets.

With a population of more than 600 million and a collective GDP of $US2.5 trillion, the Association of South East Asian Nations now attracts more global foreign direct investment than China in markets beyond the traditional focus on Singapore and Malaysia. Hear from a panel of expert speakers on:

Current ASEAN markets (overview)
Emerging opportunities for exporting to fast-growing ASEAN markets
Starting or refreshing your business export strategy
Tips on doing business in ASEAN regions

Panellists:

Mercy Simorangkir, Director, NSW Trade & Investment – Indonesia

Mercy Simorangkir is the Director, NSW Trade & Investment for Indonesia based in Jakarta. Mercy works towards growing NSW trade and investment with Indonesia with a focus on the sectors of infrastructure and sustainable urban development, innovation and technology and education and training.

Cherriyln Neo, Director, NSW Trade & Investment – Singapore

Cherriyln Neo is the Director, NSW Trade & Investment in Singapore, dedicated to growing NSW business with Singapore. Sectors of focus for NSW in Singapore are infrastructure investment, ICT/healthcare/fintech investment, and healthcare and financial services export.

David Albaiceta, Director, NSW Trade & Investment – Malaysia

David is an MBA educated professional with 15 years’ experience in healthcare logistics in the Asia Pacific region with a proven record managing teams and projects successfully. David was employed in Thailand and China for Tractus Asia, a consultancy company providing advisory services for Economic Development Organizations working to attract FDI flows to or from Asia. He has acted as an advisor to the investment promotion agencies of the governments of Spain, Australia (Victoria) and Mongolia; as well as The World Bank, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency.

Cost:

Asialink Corporate Member/ Chairman’s Circle/ Leaders Program Alumni: $33.00

Non Member: $55.00

For further information please contact Shirlin Liu on x.liu@asialinkbusiness.com.au or 03 9035 3088.

Australia's Biggest Caravan and Camping Show

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 18 May 2018 00:59:02 GMT

Avid outdoor enthusiasts once again made their way to Rosehill Gardens for the 2018 NSW Caravan Camping Holiday Supershow.

Showcasing all the latest and greatest caravans, motorhomes, and a wide array of outdoor and camping accessories, the Supershow did not disappoint its fans.

Making its Golden Jubilee this year, the exhibition is the largest event of its type in Australia, and the largest expo held at Rosehill Gardens each year. Attracting around 60,000 attendees over the six days, the 300+ exhibitors occupied 35,000 square meters of exhibition space.

Operating from twelve food and beverage outlets, five of which were custom built specifically for the expo, the venue was well equipped and prepared to accommodate an event of such size. Working alongside the NSW Police, Roads and Maritime Services and Parramatta Local Council, the event and operations teams adhered to a comprehensive Traffic Management plan ensuring thousands of vehicles had access to free parking and a smooth traffic flow over the course of the six days of the show.

Complementing the exhibition’s daily catering production was a 50^th Anniversary Celebration cocktail reception for 350 people held in the Hive, with guests served first class catering by our award winning Executive Chef and team.

Rosehill Garden's audio visual team worked with the client to provide overlay of the precinct so that announcer messages and background music were distributed to all areas of the site, an undertaking that enabled attendees to move around the site without difficulty and be across event updates. An overwhelmingly successful large-scale show, the whole site was reverted back to its core business and was race day ready within five days post event. No mean feat by any standards.

The Australian Turf Club look forward to welcoming back the NSW Caravan Camping Holiday Supershow again in 2019!

Debt Collection By The Mere Fact…

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 17 May 2018 01:56:31 GMT

By Darrin Mitchell, Senior Associate, Insolvency Restructuring and Debt Recovery Group, Matthews Folbigg Lawyers

Following on from Matthews Follbigg's article on the Safe Harbour provisions recently introduced, Credit Managers should also be aware of the proposed additions to the Corporations Act 2001 (“the Act”) that attempt to create further reforms for companies in financial stress.

The reforms are known as the “ipso facto” provisions. Don’t let the Latin term confuse you as it simply means “by the mere fact”.

An ipso facto clause is commonly the phrase used for a term in a contract that should a certain event occur, then another act can follow. Credit Managers would be aware of their own terms of credit and goods/services supply which (should) include ipso facto clauses. These clauses can include allowing for cessation of the agreement, or at least some modification, should an insolvency event occur that affects the solvency of the customer, such as liquidity issues leading to administration and/or liquidation.

A company under financial stress may wish to implement some form of restructure which allows for a trade-on of business and may include the appointment of an administrator. The ipso facto clauses within the company’s supplier agreements may result in the termination of the contract of supply, leading to the demise of the company as it can no longer obtain its core products and so defeat the intended reforms.

The recent provisions to the Act allow for a stay on the implementation of the stop supply provisions available to the creditor should the company enter into some form of administration or other scheme of arrangement. The stay does not affect a decision to stop credit to the company, only the supply of goods and/or services. The stay would cease if the company was placed into liquidation therefore allowing the creditor to then enforce the terms of its agreement.

Whilst these provisions allow for a company in financial difficulty to attempt to trade out of its position, creditors should be aware of their inability under the Act to turn off supply of their goods and/or services to the company and manage their debt collection process as they would prefer. Credit Managers should also be aware of the possibility of claims for preferential payments should the company continue to trade then go into liquidation.

The reforms are in their infancy and whether or not they will be successful or have any real positive effect is yet to be seen, so creditors should take constructive steps early to protect their position and interests.

The above summary is designed to give creditors a general idea of the recent reforms to and the continuing provisions of the Act that may impact upon them and debt collection processes employed by them. Any specific advice on the ipso facto reforms or preference claims received can be discussed by contacting the team at Matthews Folbigg.

Matthews Folbigg's comments on the Safe Harbour reforms can be reviewed here

If you would like more information or advice in relation to insolvency, restructuring or debt recovery practice and procedure, contact Darrin Mitchell on 02 9806 7428 or by email or a Principal of the Matthews Folbigg Insolvency, Restructuring & Debt Recovery Group:

Jeffrey Brown on (02) 9806 7446 or by email

Stephen Mullette on (02) 9806 7459 or by email

Making Western Sydney Greater - Survey Launching June 2018

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 17 May 2018 01:39:52 GMT

Making Western Sydney Greater is a collaborative project between William Buck, St.George, Western Sydney University and Western Sydney Business Connection.

Our sixth survey will target Western Sydney business owners and managers and identify issues specific to the region, helping to drive positive change.

The four organisations leading this research will use the results to contribute to and influence discussions on NSW Government policy regarding workforce skill and employee training.

When you participate you’ll get priority access to all of these resources, as well as a full copy of the research report.

To be involved, email research@williambuck.com

Exceptional corporate offer for The William Inglis Hotel, Western Sydney’s new 5 star hotel

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 15 May 2018 05:54:41 GMT

Experience The William Inglis Hotel at Warwick Farm with their opening corporate offer of $195 per night in a Superior King room. This special offer also includes breakfast, high speed Wi-Fi, parking and double Le Club points and is valid for new business from May to September 2018 inclusive.

The William Inglis Hotel is a luxurious boutique 5 star hotel located at Riverside stables with stunning function spaces available for all different types of events. Complete with a day spa, rooftop pool, 144 elegant rooms and suites, paddock to plate style menu at the Newmarket restaurant and 1867 lounge bar, the hotel can cater to events and meetings from 10 to 1,000 guests. For more information please visit www.williaminglis.com.au.

Call (02) 8324 3460 or email hb042-re@accor.com to enjoy Western Sydney’s newest 5 star luxury hotel.

Featherdale Wildlife Park launches Platinum Passes for Sydney businesses

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 14 May 2018 06:34:00 GMT

Featherdale Wildlife Park has launched their new Platinum Pass, the perfect Australian perk for team-oriented businesses. The Platinum Pass allows company staff, a year of unlimited entry to Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Platinum Passes are transferrable among employees within a company and are valid for 4 people per visit. They include the essential benefits of a family annual pass, with the bonus of premium benefits for companies such as a complimentary animal interaction for any corporate function, event or team building activity booked at Featherdale. And with any event, the company logo can be incorporated in any Featherdale photo product (T&Cs apply).

“We’re really trying to open our arms to companies across Sydney with our first corporate offering in many years” says Sara Ang, Director of Sales & Marketing of Featherdale Wildlife Park. “We hope to strengthen our ties with Western Sydney businesses through our Platinum Passes—it’s a great deal!”

Platinum Passes are retailing for AU$1,500.00, but in celebration of the launch, Featherdale is offering a $500.00 discount on any Platinum Pass sold before the 30th June 2018.

To get in touch about a Platinum Pass, contact their Marketing & Social Media Executive, Arianne Zaragoza via phone (02) 9622 1644 or email arianne_zaragoza@featherdale.com.au

Invitation to submit a Registration of Interest - Technical and Design Services Panel

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 14 May 2018 05:53:27 GMT

WSA Co invites suitably qualified parties to submit a Registration of Interest for the Western Sydney Airport Technical and Design Services Panel.

Any parties interested in tendering for the Technical and Design Services Panel, must register to receive Request for Tender documents which will be released in late May 2018.

A copy of the Registration of Interest documentation is available on the WSA Co website at www.wsaco.com.au/business.

The Invitation to submit a Registration of Interest will close at 4:00pm (AEDST) on 21 May 2018.

Please forward any enquiries to tenders@wsaco.com.au.

How to Say No! 2 Leadership Techniques to be More Assertive at Work

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 14 May 2018 05:41:01 GMT

Many people have great difficulty saying NO to others.

Even people who are quite assertive, in some situations might find themselves saying yes to things that they really don't want to do!

Watch this clip from a recent Great Managers MasterClass for 2 techniques to be more confident saying NO.

Great Managers run a 1 hour MasterClass webinar for their members every month.

If you would like a complimentary guest invite to a future MasterClass, please contact Great Managers by clicking here. Don't forget to mention you are part of the WSBC Community.

How to make a winning pitch

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 14 May 2018 02:50:45 GMT

The art of building a winning proposition

What does it really take to win over a new client? Head of Marketing and Sales for Macquarie’s Banking and Financial Services Group, Craig Griffin, says he’s seen (and won) many different pitches over his career – and there are five really important things people do well.

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Aisling Osborne or Melissa Chung at our Parramatta office on 0410 310 716 and be connected with one of our banking specialists.

The benefit of volunteering

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 11 May 2018 06:09:41 GMT

At Ronald McDonald House Westmead, volunteers not only help families, but find a new family as well.

With the doors now open to the 60-room Ronald McDonald House Westmead, the contributions of volunteers have become more vital than ever.

The House is a “home away from home” for seriously ill children and their families who live more than 100km from Sydney.

Being able to access a room in the House eases the incredible stress and financial pressure that falls on families from across Australia when their child needs vital medical treatment in Sydney’s Westmead.

Even better, it allows the families to stay together in a welcoming, safe environment, rather than turning to sleeping in cars, or crashing in a chair in the hospital wards while the rest of the family stays home.

And while the dedicated crew of volunteers donate their time to help families stay together while their child is ill, the “Vollies” claim they benefit just as much as the families they support.

“I get so much joy even just putting my volunteering shirt on and coming to the house,” said Ronald McDonald House Westmead volunteer Lisa Maroun.

The Western Sydney local and business owner has been volunteering for almost three years, taking on evening shifts to oversee the Meals from the Heart program, as well as overnight volunteering shifts, which double as a chance to spend time with good friends who also volunteer.

“I can be having the most stressful day working for myself, in my own business, but walking into the House I forget all of that. It’s just a rewarding experience being able to give back.”

“It’s not only a home away from home for the families, but when I come here I feel like I’m walking into my second home.”

Ronald McDonald House Westmead welcomes new volunteers, who are open to committing just four hours a month to make an impact in the lives of seriously ill children and their families.

To find out more, please contact Volunteer Manager Josh Binns on (02) 9806 7111 or josh.binns@rmhc.org.au, or click through to apply online.

Federal and State governments collaborate to invest $41 million in precision medicine

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 10 May 2018 22:32:11 GMT

A $41m investment in the world-first proteomics project, ProCan®, is predicted to boost the wider national economy and will increase Australia’s international competitiveness.

This week, in a combined announcement, the Australian Federal Government committed $20 million to ProCan, and the NSW State Government committed $21 million for the provision of new building space at Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) in Westmead, Western Sydney, which will allow ProCan’s expansion.

ProCan is the world’s only research facility in high-throughput cancer proteomics and big data proteogenomics. It aims to change the way cancer is diagnosed and treated.

Researchers will analyse thousands of proteins simultaneously in each sample of up to 70,000 cancers of all types from patients worldwide and will use advanced computational techniques to improve diagnosis and predict the most effective treatments for each cancer.

CMRI’s Director Professor Roger Reddel said “We are grateful for the Commonwealth and NSW Governments’ generous support, which will enable ProCan to employ the highly-skilled staff in diverse fields needed to undertake this ambitious program, and has set the stage for the institute’s expansion, for ProCan to grow and reach its potential.’’

The funding allocated will create employment in Western Sydney in varied fields including biomedical research, pathology, software engineering, data science, and in the building construction, design and engineering sectors and will facilitate the training of Australia’s next-generation research scientists.

ProCan is also expected to have substantial economic benefits for the wider community. It aims to: replace the majority of today’s protein-based cancer pathology tests, with one multi-parameter test; address inequities in access to high-quality cancer diagnosis faced by patients in rural/regional Australia; and to find the most effective treatments for each patient’s cancer, at the time of diagnosis. This means reduced health system costs from fewer tests, less time in hospital, and by avoiding the use of ineffective treatments.

Consulting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, conducted an economic benefit analysis of ProCan (using three common cancers as examples), and estimated $669 million in direct health cost savings for the Federal Government, cumulative over 10 years (and $697 million in savings for patients and carers, in out-of-pocket expenses and productivity benefits). Across all cancers, PwC’s conservative estimate was that ProCan would result in $383 million saved per year if the technology were to reduce cancer-related healthcare costs by just 5%.

ProCan’s ultimate objective is to translate its research findings into clinical applications, with the Australian economy set to reap the benefits of revenue-generation from new diagnostic and software technologies based on ProCan’s globally leading position in a key area of cancer precision medicine.

Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) is dedicated to advancing the treatment and prevention of childhood diseases, so every child has the opportunity for a healthy start to life. For further information about CMRI click here.

Introducing the Manufacturing Work Health and Safety Sector Plan

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 10 May 2018 22:23:00 GMT

This week, the Minister for Innovation, Matt Kean, launched the Manufacturing WHS Sector Plan, a key deliverable of the SafeWork NSW Work Health and Safety Roadmap for NSW 2022.

SafeWork Director for Metropolitan Operations & Sector Initiatives, Elizabeth Tosti, said the Sector Plan represents a collaborative agreement between SafeWork NSW and industry that will drive and influence safety improvements across the state. The tools developed as part of this plan will be applicable to both small and large businesses

“This launch marks the beginning of an exciting five-year journey that we are taking with industry,” she said.

“Through this collaboration, we have set out a clear direction for manufacturing safety that shows the way forward. With strong leadership from the top, we are confident this will be a successful program of work with benefits for all levels of industry.”

By providing leaders, and those who influence change, with the tools they need to set the highest possible standards, we can all reduce serious injuries and foster a workforce that looks out for each other.

Click here or email us to learn more about the Manufacturing WHS Sector Plan.

Employee dismissed for inappropriately touching co-worker

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 10 May 2018 00:14:09 GMT

The recent Fair Work Commission decision in George Talevski v Chalmers Industries Pty Ltd1 reminds employers that they have a duty to protect employees against inappropriate conduct in the workplace.

In this unfair dismissal case, the applicant was dismissed for serious misconduct after he:

swore, raised his voice and banged the desk in a loud and threatening manner in a meeting in the office of the CFO
refused to leave the CFO’s office despite repeated directions to do so
on a number of occasions touched the hair and shoulders of the employer’s receptionist and
despite being directed not to enter the building where the receptionist worked, entered the building a number of times on one day to repeatedly question the receptionist as to whether she had complained to management about him.

Employees in the business had not received workplace behaviour training, but the employer was able to show that each year it required each employee to sign off that they have read and understood the employer’s policies.

The applicant said he was not given an opportunity to respond to the reasons for the termination. The Commissioner rejected this position, finding that the employer had put the allegations to him at least twice. The applicant chose not to respond to his employer – instead opting to send a ‘written response’ to his colleagues.

The receptionist gave evidence that she did not consider the conduct to be of a sexual nature and she had not wanted to get the employee into trouble, but she wanted his conduct (which had reduced her to tears on one occasion) to stop.

Whilst the receptionist claimed the conduct was not sexual harassment, the employer rightly still treated it as inappropriate workplace conduct and dismissed the employee.

The Commission agreed, reinforcing the position that employers have a duty to protect employees against the inappropriate conduct and not just sexual harassment in the workplace. The Fair Work Commission found this was a valid reason for dismissal and dismissed the application.

For further information please contact:

Aaron Dearden, Partner

T: +61 2 8267 3805

Iona Goodwin, Senior Associate

T: +61 3 9603 3576

You are invited to Ideas Lab 2018: Social Robots in Business Environments

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 07 May 2018 01:33:30 GMT

Western Sydney University's School of Business invites you to Ideas Lab 2018.

Ideas Lab is the School of Business’ thinking-forum which brings together participants from various disciplines, who hone and develop novel ideas. This year the School, in collaboration with colleagues at the School of Computing, Engineering & Mathematics plans to demonstrate its innovative research work in the field of social robots.

Join the School for an interactive presentation with Pepper (the world's first humanoid robot that can recognise emotions) and to discuss the future of such machines in the business world. In view of developments in other parts of the world, the School envisage the use of robots by businesses at various points of customer-interaction. Academics and research students at Western Sydney University hope to engage constructively in dialogue at the Ideas Lab to develop collaborative research proposals.

Event details:

When: Monday, 14 May 2018

Time: 10:00am for a 10:30am start to 12:00pm

Where: Western Sydney University

Level 9, 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta

RSVP: Register by Friday, 11 May 2018

Further queries please contact:

Dr Aila Khan at a.khan@westernsydney.edu.au

Dr Omar Mubin at o.mubin@westernsydney.edu.au

NSW Government announcement on the MAAS Project

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 07:35:36 GMT

Over the weekend, the NSW Government announced the Powerhouse Museum will relocate to new premises in Parramatta and accommodate Australia’s largest and most advanced planetarium. The new museum will form the centrepiece of a new arts and cultural precinct on the banks of the Parramatta River, including a modernised Riverside Theatres complex.

The Government plans to retain cultural spaces at Ultimo, including plans for MAAS to lead a new design and fashion museum and a Broadway-style lyric theatre.

The announcement is the start of a more detailed planning process for the MAAS Project, as we work towards realising new cultural experiences at Parramatta and Ultimo.

For project details, please refer to the new museum project website at new.maas.museum or contact development@maas.museum if you have any questions.

National Manufacturing Week 2018

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 01:36:39 GMT

National Manufacturing Week is Australia’s largest gathering of manufacturing decision-makers under one roof. It is the one place for the manufacturing community to come together to be inspired, innovate and connect with one another over three days.

National Manufacturing Week 2018 will showcase 11 product zones:

Advanced Materials
Additive Manufacturing
Automation & Robotics
Electrical
Engineering
Industrial Internet of Things
Machine Tools
Industrial Safety
Supply Chain and Logistics
Warehousing & Materials Handling
Welding Technology

Visitors will also have the opportunity to hear from world-class speakers across 3 conference stages; Industry 4.0 Theatre, Business of Manufacturing Theatre and Safety First Theatre.

Co-located with Inside 3D Printing Conference & Expo and Safety First Conference & Expo, this free-to-attend expo and conference will run from 9-11 May 2018 at Sydney Showground.

Click here for more information

Ronald McDonald House Westmead - Help keep the doors open 365 days a year

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 00:36:54 GMT

Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Westmead is a home away from home for families with a seriously ill child receiving treatment at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness or injury, it can be a traumatic time in a family’s life. Keeping families close through such times is at the heart of what RMH Westmead do.

In 2017, sadly more than 400 families had to be turned away with their former House at capacity. With their new larger 60 room House now open, turning away families is a thing of the past. RMH Westmead can now support more families than ever before - over 1,360 families each year.

To keep the doors open 365 days of the year, RMH Westmead rely heavily on corporate and community support. Now in their larger House, the need for support is greater than ever!

To find out more and help keep families close, contact RMH Westmead today.

T: 02 9806 7111

E: supportingGWS@rmhc.org.au

W: www.rhmc.org.au/westmead

The 3 Clear Expectations All Great Managers Set for their Teams

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 07:49:15 GMT

As a leader, setting clear expectations is critical to making sure your team understand what is required of them. Of course, this applies to all of the basics like vacation time, appointments, breaks and sickness among others. But even more importantly, it also refers to what is required of different tasks and goal-setting.

There are 3 areas where providing clear expectations of your staff will have a profound impact on your ability to get the very best from these people… over the short and long term. To lay the foundations for a high performing workplace, managers need to ensure they are setting clear expectations around:

Direction – “Where are we going?”

This includes the vision and strategy of the organisation (or team).

Values – “Who are we?”

Values are shared standards and behaviours that contribute to the organisational culture and answer the question “Who are we and what do we stand for?”

Roles and Responsibilities – “What is my contribution?”

This includes ‘inputs’ and ‘outputs’, goals and timeframes and answers the question “What’s my contribution to the performance of the business?”

Direction

For everyone in an organisation to clearly see what’s ahead of them, leaders must have and convey a vision, direction or focus.

Visions are the first step in the goal setting and planning process. A vision represents what the organisation wants to become and sets the direction for the future. To achieve the organisation’s vision and strategic intent, the high-level strategic objectives and measures need to be translated into plans and actions that each business unit and individual can take.

The high-level goals in the strategic plan need to be cascaded through the organisation – firstly into the WIGS (wildly important goals) for each unit and then the work plans and KPIs for individuals. It is vital that each individual understands what is expected of them and the contribution they make to the organisation’s goals.

Values

Values clarify how an organisation will conduct its activities to achieve the Vision. They represent the core principles and behaviours that are important.

Values exist in every workplace whether they are written down or not. Your organisation’s culture is partially the outward demonstration of the values currently existing in your workplace. The question you need to ask is whether these existing values are creating the workplace you desire.

An organisation will have functioning values and standards only to the extent that it has a capable management system (and skilful managers) that will NOT TOLERATE deviations from those values.

Intolerance is about responding quickly to any and every instance of non-compliance with set values. This takes a lot of courage (and skill).

It is worth noting that a weak or non-existent value system requires a lot more management time than an effective value system. A value system that is a living part of the culture takes minimal effort to sustain.

Roles and Responsibilities

Clear Roles and Responsibilities come from a position description/job statement and work plan so that each employee knows what their contribution is to the overall goals of the business. It also comes from a manager providing clear instructions about tasks and clear outcomes required, with regular progress updates.

A Great Manager will let staff know how their performance will be measured and what success looks like for them. This is described clearly up front rather than at an annual or bi-annual performance review, and feedback is regularly given about whether expectations are being met.

One way you’ll instantly demoralise employees is by saying “that’s not good enough” months after the event.

When setting and conveying expectations, Great Managers start by saying something like “This task/objective will be successful if….” and then fill in the blank.

Setting Clear Expectations Requires Effective Communication

It is critical to check for understanding when giving direction and no, this does not mean providing information and then saying, “Do you understand?” or “Have you got that?”

Instead, use your effective communication skills to ensure the other person has truly understood what is required.

Remember, communication is the transfer of information from the mind of one person to the mind of another, so be sure that the transfer is complete and not misunderstood in any way.

When setting clear expectations, it is important to remember that your team will do what you do, not what you say to do, if the two are different.

This means that whatever expectations you set for the team, you will also have to meet yourself.

As a Leader, YOU set the tone for others to follow.

What to Do Next

Setting Clear Expectations is one of the 7 Essential Skills for every Great Manager. Register for our next webinar here to learn more about Setting Clear Expectations and the other 6 critical people-leadership skills.

InnoTrans 2018 - The world's largest public transport event

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 07:03:34 GMT

Join a major Australian delegation, network with global rail decision-makers and showcase your organisation in the Australian Rail Industry pavilion at InnoTrans 2018 in Berlin, Germany.

About this event

With 3,000 exhibitors from 60 countries and over 137,000 trade visitors from 120 countries, InnoTrans is the largest transport event in the world. Every facet of rail is represented among the exhibitors and visitors - from passenger and freight, to services, technology, equipment and training.

A key feature of InnoTrans is a large outdoor track display area showcasing a wide range of heavy and light rail vehicles as well as a static bus display and live bus demonstration area.

Austrade is in partnership with the Australasian Railways Association (ARA), Transport for Victoria (TfV) with Trade Victoria and the NSW Department of Industry to organise the Australian pavilion. The objective is to maximise exposure and business connections for Australian delegates to global rail industry executives, distributors, potential commercial partners and customers.

Why you should participate?

Benefit from being involved in the high-profile Australian Rail Industry national delegation, including senior executives from TfV, TfNSW and ARA.
Be invited to networking events with senior rail sector decision-makers from around the world.
Receive pre-exhibition briefings, on-the-ground assistance and one-on-one business matching with global firms, as well as insights and advice on how to succeed in global rail markets.
Use the national pavilion as a base for meetings and interactions with partners and customers, and as a platform to display marketing collateral.
Participate in site visits to European rolling stock manufacturing plants to connect with decision-makers and inspect cutting edge technologies and processes.
Engage with Australian executives already experienced in global business - fast-track your skills development and explore commercial opportunities.
Be included in the Australian rail industry InnoTrans printed and electronic directory to raise your company profile.

Event details

Date: 18-21 September 2018

Time: 9.00am – 6.00pm

Location: Berlin, Germany

Apply by: 31 May 2018 by clicking here

Who should attend?

Australian businesses in:

rail
transportation
advanced manufacturing of rolling stock, rail signalling and communications
intermodal and logistics
infrastructure development
rail training and education
research and development
workforce planning
engineering
consulting.

For further information and to apply click here.

Government announces franchise inquiry – what does this mean for franchisors?

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 23:22:16 GMT

In response to highly publicised failings of franchisors, the Senate has resolved to commence a Parliamentary inquiry into the Australian franchising sector.

Background

Over the past few months, there have been increasing calls for a review into the Australian franchising sector. Critics of the sector have cited the power imbalance and limited enforceability in practice of breaches of the Franchise Code of Conduct (Code).

The sector itself has been embroiled in numerous scandals in recent years. Notably, 7-Eleven, and more recently Caltex, have been sanctioned by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO). Investigations into Domino’s are ongoing, and Retail Food Group (owner of Michel’s Patisserie, Gloria Jeans and Donut King, amongst other franchises) has been accused of numerous breaches of the Code amidst worsening performance of its franchises.

Government inquiry

In light of the purported non-compliance with the franchising regulatory framework by both franchisors and franchisees, there was a call for a parliamentary inquiry into the franchising sector.

On 21 March 2018, the Australian Senate resolved to commence a parliamentary inquiry into the Australian franchising sector. The inquiry is to report by 30 September 2018.

The areas that the inquiry will cover include:

the operation and effectiveness of the Code, including the disclosure document and information statement, in properly informing franchisees of their rights and obligations (including financial performance, contractual obligations and rights, leasing arrangements and expenses)
the effectiveness of dispute resolution under the Code
the impact of the small business unfair contract provisions (under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL)) on franchise agreements
adequacy of termination provisions under the Code
the effect of restraints of trade under the Code
the enforcement of breaches of the Code (as well as other applicable laws include the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)).

The inquiry appears to focus on the power imbalance between franchisors and franchisees, particularly in relation to the effectiveness of the protections in the Code and the franchisee’s ability to enforce breaches. Further, it appears as though a primary focus of the inquiry will be ensuring that franchisors afford transparency to franchisees.

Critically, the inquiry also appears extensive enough to encourage a balanced review of the franchising sector and consideration of the problems faced by franchisors. Notably, franchisors have had difficulty terminating franchise agreements where the franchisee has been found to have underpaid employees. Such challenges will likely fall within the scope of the review, particularly given recent investigations and findings by the FWO.

Key takeaways

Given the breadth of the inquiry, and the increasingly negative perception of the franchising sector, significant amendments to the Code (and the franchising regulatory framework) may result from the inquiry.

In the interim, franchisors should ensure that their franchise agreements are reasonable and fair. Some areas for franchisors to consider are:

Termination rights: Franchise agreements should provide the franchisee the right to terminate the agreement and, where they have not breached the agreement, exit without incurring significant costs and losses. Conversely, franchisors should also provide themselves the ability to terminate the agreement for material breaches (such as wage fraud and underpayment of employees).
Unfair contract terms: The unfair contracts regime in the ACL applies to franchises where the franchisee is a “small business”. Where this is the case, franchisors should ensure that terms in their franchise agreements do not constitute “unfair terms”. Particular attention should be paid to those clauses that are not necessary or appropriate to protect their interests. Examples of such clauses are restraints, liquidated damages clauses, and requirements to purchase supplies from specific (more expensive) suppliers.
Reporting obligations: Strict reporting obligations should be included in franchisor agreements to minimise the risk of wage fraud and underpayment of employees.
Disclosure of information: Franchisors should provide franchisees with all information required for them to make informed decisions. This should include materially accurate financial information, the projected financial performance of the franchise, worst-case financial performance, details regarding leasing arrangements (including any limitations of the franchisee’s ability to enforce tenant rights) and the expected costs of operating.

Jacqui Barrett

Partner

T: +61 2 8267 3201

Paul Simos

Lawyer

T: +61 2 8267 3257

How to recruit with diversity in mind

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 06:38:21 GMT

It’s time to challenge your talent thinking

The commercial benefits of a more diverse workforce are clear. So why do so many offices still look so homogenous? The truth is, hiring someone who has a different appearance, cultural background, age or experience doesn’t come naturally. Our unconscious biases are exactly that: unconscious. They stem from a natural need to make quick judgements, but they hold us back from embracing difference.

“It all starts with the hiring manager’s perception of what the ideal candidate ‘looks like’,” explains Natalie Goldman, CEO of FlexCareers. “Often they keep repeating situations: ‘the person who did this role before was like this and it worked.’ Of course, clearly it didn't – because they left.”

Goldman believes small businesses can change their habits and practices much more quickly than large enterprise – and they have even more to gain.

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Aisling Osborne or Melissa Chung at our Parramatta office on 0410 310 716 and be connected with one of our banking specialists.

Parramatta Mission's 2018 Raising Hope Gala

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:24:54 GMT

Parramatta Mission would like to invite you to their 2018 Raising Hope Gala.

As our city continues to expand there are increasing social needs that together we must address. Parramatta Mission seeks to serve the social heart through the provision of over 70 services to meet the desperate needs within our community.

Many of these essential services are otherwise unfunded.

By attending, supporting or partnering with Parramatta Mission in this event, you are directly investing into the areas of homelessness, domestic violence, crisis support and accommodation services.

When: Friday 7th September 2018

Time: 7:00pm to Midnight

Where: PARKROYAL Parramatta

30 Phillip Street Parramatta

Dress: Black & White

Click here to purchase your tickets or download the Partnership Package opportunities here.

For further information or enquiries, email raisinghope@parramattamission.org.au

You may also be able to contribute by donating items for their raffle or auction. If you can assist with donations of items, experiences or services, please contact raisinghope@parramattamission.org.au

Re-imagining Campbelltown CBD - survey and community consultations

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 08:34:55 GMT

The community are invited to help 're-imagine' the future of Campbelltown CBD by providing feedback on Council's bold vision for attracting employment and investment to our city, while creating more activated, connected and sustainable places.

The draft strategy has been placed on public exhibition for community input until Friday 27 April, and can be viewed at the Civic Centre on Queen Street, HJ Daley and Glenquarie Libraries, or can be downloaded from Council's website.

The community is also encouraged to take a short survey on the draft vision, or provide a written submission to Council.

From Thursday 5 April, a series of pop-up events will also be held providing the community with an opportunity to find out more about the draft strategy and speak with Council staff.

The pop-up events will be held at:

Campbelltown Mall - Thursday 5 April, 4pm - 7pm; Thursday 19 April, 4pm - 7pm
Macarthur Night Markets at Mawson Park - Friday 6 April, 5pm - 7.30pm
Macarthur Square - Thursday 12 April, 4pm - 7pm
Campbelltown Arts Centre - Saturday 14 April, 9.30am - 12.30pm; Wednesday 18 April, 10am - midday
Campbelltown Civic Centre - every Tuesday in April, 9am - 11am

Click here to find out more about the draft strategy and take the survey.

Westmead to get new underground metro line station

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 01:25:22 GMT

As part of its $15 billion Sydney West metro line, the Berejiklian Government has announced a new underground stop at the expanding Westmead Health and education precinct. The new stop will be a real game changer for Westmead, especially as the current line will be at capacity within 10 years and will not be able to meet the growing demands of a growing hospital and surrounding precinct.

The new stop is in addition to the new metro stations previously announced for Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park that will support future residential and business investment in the region. It is expected that the driverless metro trains will deliver a 20 minute trip from Parramatta to Sydney CBD for Western Sydney residents.

The state government is currently exploring the viability of adding two additional stops at Rydalmere and Camellia. This will, however, add additional time to the trip and Transport Minister Andrew Constance has committed to further consultation with community and industry to determine the right balance before coming to a final decision, saying "there was a balance to be reached in deciding on the number of stations and the travel time for a journey between Parramatta and the CBD”.

The project is expected to commence in 2022 and be complete in the late 2020's.

Western Sydney Business Connection making visiting Western Sydney easier

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 03:53:21 GMT

Visiting Western Sydney just got a lot easier with a one-stop shop website and app launched last night as part of the first ever marketing campaign for Sydney’s West – “SW: you’ll love it as much as we do”.

This is the first time Western Sydney covering 9,000 square kilometres and eight local council areas is being marketed collectively as one destination. The website and app are part of the Western Sydney Visitor Strategy, a concerted group effort driven by the Western Sydney Business Connection to position Western Sydney as a highly competitive region on the world stage.

Visit Sydney’s West website and real time smart phone app provides locals and visitors all the stay, play, work, study and live information together in the one place.

Each Western Sydney suburb is profiled including population, travel distances, schools, languages spoken, median house price and average age of populations. There is also a comprehensive travelling to guide, and a single source of What’s On detailing hundreds of cultural festivals, sporting events, exhibitions, entertainment along with local tourist attractions, walking, hiking and cycling trails, accommodation, places to eat and drink and special offers.

Using world best practice in destination marketing the Visit Sydney’s West strategy and campaign elements have been created by specialist city marketing consultancy Strategetic Consultants best known for delivering the incredibly successful 100% Pure New Zealand campaign.

Western Sydney Business Connection, General Manager, Amanda Brisot said the premise to the Visit Sydney’s West strategy is the focus on growing the visitor economy for the region rather than just attracting tourism dollars.

“It is designed to help the region achieve sustainable growth by attracting skilled migrants, students, investment, business and tourists through showcasing the lifestyle, sociability and other attributes of the area”, said Mrs Brisot.

“Phase one of the marketing program, the website and app are designed to set the foundation that will be extended and enhanced over time.

“Throughout the year we will release additional elements including a direct marketing campaign we are working on with big sporting codes, a Western Sydney Business Events Bureau and major event strategy.” said Mrs Brisot.

The launch event was attended by The Hon. Minister Adam Marshall, MP, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, The Hon. Dr Geoff Lee MP, Member for Parramatta, City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson, Liverpool City Council Mayor Wendy Waller, key industry bodies, local government and local business.

The Western Sydney Business Connection is the driving force in this unique public private partnership, bringing all levels of government and local businesses together to promote Western Sydney collectively.

Founding members include DNSW, City of Parramatta, Campbelltown City Council, Liverpool City Council, Cumberland City Council, SOPA, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Parramatta Leagues Club, Penrith Panthers, Rooty Hill RSL, Wet n Wild, Sydney Zoo, Australian Turf Club, Museum of Applied Science and TAFE NSW.

The Visitor Strategy aims to bring 185,000 incremental visitors each year with an estimated $25million incremental spend, culminating in 12.8 million visitors and $1.1BN per annum in direct incremental spend by 2030 and 36,000 jobs over 12 years.

A Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO) will be established as a division of Western Sydney Business Connection to deliver the strategy and campaign. The project team will continue to develop an experience portfolio focusing on the area’s lifestyle both now and the future.

Western Sydney Business Connection is also pleased to announce the formation of the Visitor Marketing Advisory Board responsible for leading the DMO. The board is designed to represent the major sub-sectors of the visitor economy including tourism, art and culture, licensed clubs, sport, local government, major events and exhibitions.

The Board will be chaired by current WSBC Board Member Lindy Dietz, General Manager, Campbelltown City Council and will include:

Tony Chiefari, GM , Featherdale Wildlife Park
Joyce Dimascio, CEO, Events and Exhibitions Association Australasia
Bevan Paul, CEO Parramatta Leagues Club
Susan Skuodas, Senior Manager, Place Making at Sydney Olympic Park Authority
Jimmy Busteed, Head of Sales, Australian Turf Club
Arani Duggen, Head of Development, Museum of Applied Arts and Science and current WSBC Board Member
Julia Pucci, Director Cultural Infrastructure, Western Sydney – Cultural Infrastructure Program Management Office
Michael Johnson, General Manager, Parkroyal Parramatta

Visit Sydney’s West sydneyswest.com or download the free “Sydneyswest” app - available on iOS and android platforms.

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sydneys-west/id1335848506?ls=1&mt=8

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.com.appspeople.sydneywest_android

The Championships - The Grand Finals of Australian Racing

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 06:09:53 GMT

The racing world will turn its focus to Royal Randwick for The Championships, as the best-of-the-best vie for over $20 million prizemoney across two consecutive Saturdays.

The Championships Day 1, the grand finals of Australian racing, is heralded by the Group 1 $2 million Australian Derby along with the world’s richest mile handicap, the Group 1 $3 million The Star Doncaster.

A day of racing royalty that celebrates the traditions of Derby Day, join with friends at Royal Randwick for a day of fashion, entertainment, award winning hospitality, thrilling thoroughbred racing and so much more.

Don't forget, your event ticket includes complimentary travel on Sydney train, bus and rail.

Click here to book your hospitality.

Excitedly daunted – the GWS business oxymoron

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 03:52:36 GMT

“How do I find the time to star gaze, to get on the balcony when my business needs to be resilient and adaptive now?”

Western Sydney is the growth story of our lifetime and businesses are told to grab the opportunity with both hands. Our clients are excited about this but they are daunted at the same time. Management and leadership have only so many hours in the day. You are not alone on this. Here are the top 5 questions we are helping our clients solve:

- How do we get more cash and profit out of what we are already doing?

- We predict change, can you help us prepare?

- How do we improve our attractiveness to lenders or equity investors in order to grow or improve our business?

- Our business is having an ‘uh-oh’ moment, where should we prioritise our effort?

- How do we prepare for sale or succession?

Our financial and operational improvement strategies look beyond the obvious to uplift profit, unlock cash, obtain capital, respond to change or simply improve shareholder value. We deploy leading edge data and technology insights to quickly identify where to prioritise your valuable management time and allocate effort to unlock those pockets of value uplift and afford the best chance of achieving your strategic and financial ambition.

I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss what we are seeing and where we can assist.

Angela Haynes

KPMG Greater Western Sydney

Level 8, 91 Phillip Street

Parramatta NSW 2150 Australia

Tel 02 8841 2150

Mob 0419 444 010

ahaynes1@kpmg.com.au

Corporate Volunteering Can Increase Employee Engagement

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 23:32:11 GMT

Community engagement and increasing corporate social responsibility has been linked to organisations attracting and retaining staff. Indeed, employee retention is one of many organisations major battles. A survey conducted by Australian Human Resources Institute in 2015 revealed that the average turnover figure is 16 percent! This is costly in many ways including a decline in productivity. Now many organisations are investing in retention initiatives such as competitive pay may not be a financially viable option. Employees no longer prioritise holding tenure with their current company over seeking a job elsewhere that better suits their lifestyle, career and altruistic aspirations.

Parramatta Mission believe one of the key engagement factors that really matter to staff is a card that many organisations in the corporate world may not have yet realised - the importance of creating a corporate social responsibility. Parramatta Mission have gathered this information through the experience of providing many corporate organisations the ability to partner with them and achieve their corporate social responsibility, especially though their Meals Plus service.

Parramatta Mission's Meals Plus is a program that provides an inclusive, safe place were many who are struggling from all kinds of issues including homelessness, crisis and domestic violence, can come and eat a healthy meal and socialise with others. They serve breakfast and lunch to those who are homeless, facing homelessness or in financial crisis.

They provide more than 26,000 meals a year.

Meals Plus has been running for more than 20 years now and only have three paid staff.

Meals Plus provides an opportunity for organisations to have a designated event where you can sponsor a lunch, on a day of your choice – which is excellent for team building and demonstrating your corporate social responsibility. As a team you will prepare, cook and serve meals for those less fortunate. Feedback has been that this is a very rewarding experience; many of their corporate volunteers ask when they can return!

To find out more, or to book in your sponsored lunch contact: fundraising@parrmarramattamission.org.au

5 Essential Lessons from Jeff Bezos’ 2017 Letter to Shareholders

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 02:21:29 GMT

For the past 23 years, Jeff Bezos has served as the CEO of Amazon. In November 2017, Forbes named him the richest man in the world. They estimated his net worth at more than US$100 billion. That was enough to put him above Bill Gates, the previous holder of the top spot.

“Day 1” vs. “Day 2” Companies

In the opening of his 2017 letter to shareholders, Bezos makes a distinction between Day 1 and Day 2 companies. He first referred to Amazon as a Day 1 company way back in 1997. According to him, Day 1 applies to companies that are on their way up.

Unlike them, Day 2 companies are on their way down. He sees Amazon as a permanent Day 1 company. “Day 2 is stasis. Followed by irrelevance. Followed by excruciating, painful decline. Followed by death.”

In his words, this decline doesn’t have to happen fast. It can play out over several decades. Most businesses will not even notice it happening. But the inevitable final result is always the same.

2017 Letter to Shareholders: Key Lessons

When building culture in the workplace, it’s important to ensure that the company remains in Day 1. In the most recent letter, he shares some pointers on how to achieve this.

It is interesting to know that there’s no mention of money or profit anywhere in the letter yet Amazon grew its gross profit to US $47.72 billion in 2016.

Lesson #1 – Focus on Your Customer

According to Jeff Bezos, customer obsession is one of the keys to staying in Day 1. Of course, companies can choose what they want to focus on. They can focus on their products, technology, or their business model. They might also direct their attention towards beating the competition.

But Amazon’s decision to focus on its customers has proved crucial to its lasting success. Bezos says that even when customers claim they are happy with the service, they are always dissatisfied. As such, it’s up to businesses to come up with new ways to engage them and keep them on board.

This has been the company policy from the get-go. They always aim to create a better service and an easier-to-use interface. After a while, they were also able to offer much lower prices than their competition.

Lesson #2 – Make Decisions Fast

To remain a Day 1 company, it’s not enough to make high-quality decisions. You need to make high-quality decisions fast. This is the go-to approach of Amazon’s senior management.

According to Bezos, this can be tricky, as there’s more room for error. But another hallmark of a great company culture is the ability to solve those issues early on. If you can do it, it may cost you much less than being slow at making a decision.

Sometimes, you also have to trust your team to do something you may not agree with. Bezos calls this approach “disagree and commit.” He cites a recent example where he green-lit a series for his streaming service even though he didn’t have much faith in.

But he did have faith in his team, which made his decision easier. He wrote them a message saying “I disagree and commit and hope it becomes the most watched thing we’ve ever made.”

It’s all rather simple: he believes that his team know what they’re doing. What’s more, had he declined their proposal, they would have wasted a lot of time trying to persuade him. In building a positive workplace culture, you sometimes have to take risks. If experience has taught us anything, it’s that, in the end, some of them might pay off big time.

Lesson #3 – Escalate Misalignment Issues Straight Away

Conflicting views within teams are common in any workplace. Bezos makes it clear that Amazon is no exception to the rule. He dubs these “misalignment issues.” If they go on for too long, they could create a toxic culture in the workplace.

The end result of this process is always the same – exhaustion. According to Jeff Bezos, this is never the smart way to go. “‘You’ve worn me down’ is an awful decision-making process. It’s slow and de-energising. Go for quick escalation instead – it’s better.”

He cited an example from his own experience. This happened when Amazon first toyed with the idea of allowing third-party sellers to feature on their pages. Many found it outrageous to welcome competitors on the site. But instead of delaying it, Bezos decided to act fast.

By doing that, he took an already great company culture to a whole new level. This also ties in with his earlier point. It takes a lot of time to sort out these misalignment issues. Thus, it prevents the senior team from making rapid decisions.

Lesson #4 – Embrace Innovation

Staying on top of current trends is essential to any company’s longevity. Yet according to Bezos, resisting the changes can lead a business into Day 2.

It is much easier for small businesses to do this. At the same time, it could be somewhat problematic for large companies like Amazon. For one, they have many managerial levels that need to approve the change. Then there’s also the scope of their operations and the effect sudden changes would have on them.

Right now, Amazon is focusing on implementing one such change. Bezos says they are exploring artificial intelligence and the power of machine learning.

Some of these changes are rather visible. For example, Amazon has recently started testing air delivery drones.

Lesson #5 – Find Employees Who Think Like Business Owners

Like he always does, Bezos attached the original 1997 letter to his most recent one. In it, we can find one great example of employee development methods. Back then, he claimed that his goal was to find employees who think like business owners.

In the year prior, Amazon hired 450 new full-time employees. Twenty years later, the number has risen to 230,000. There are plans to grow the staff by 100,000 across the world by mid-2018.

Bezos points out that talented and versatile employees are vital to his company’s success. They also have to think of the company instead of themselves. To motivate them, Amazon compensates them in stock options. They are thus not only employees but also owners.

What to Do Next

In the last 23 years, Jeff Bezos has led his company to incredible success. His effective leadership skills have helped him in building a positive workplace culture.

Following his expert advice will enable you to do the following:

Make smart business decisions with long-term positive effects.
Create high-performing teams of employees who think like owners.
Remain the leader in the market by adopting innovations.

Remember that a great manager can DOUBLE the capacity of their people.

A Visit to Westmead Before Teeing Off

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 02:08:09 GMT

Parramatta Chamber of Commerce has selected Westmead Medical Research Foundation (WMRF) as the charity of choice for their upcoming Charity Golf Day.

During a recent visit to Westmead Hospital, the event sponsors got a behind the scenes insight at how funds raised by WMRF are used in different areas of the hospital.

Paul Noppen, Darren Delaney and Mark Davis, from Noppen Group, together with Parramatta Chamber of Commerce Board member Rosa Bellisimo, visited The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre (CPMCC) and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Westmead.

CPMCC nurse unit manager radiation oncology Noeline Ranzac – who is also a golf fan – thanked the sponsors for their commitment to this year’s event.

“Some of the equipment we use daily at the centre was purchased with funds received from sponsors and supporters of events like golf days,” Noeline said.

“The incredible generosity of donors funding state-of-the-art equipment allows us to improve the therapy of patients through their difficult cancer journey.”

At NICU, the sponsors met nurse unit manager John Whittaker who explained the importance of having equipment with advanced features available at the ward.

“A perfect example is the PANDA Resuscitaire, a machine that keeps a newborn at optimum temperature and has the ability to provide breathing assistance if the baby requires it,” John said.

“Thank you to Parramatta Chamber of Commerce, Noppen Group for visiting, and all the sponsors of this year Charity Golf Day.”

The 2018 Charity Golf Day in support of the Foundation will be held on May 8 at Oatlands Golf Club. Golfers and guests will play a round of golf and then enjoy lunch to raise funds to support medical research and patient care at Westmead.

To find out how you can support medical research and patient care, visit wmrf.org.au, call 1800 639 037 or email wmrf@wmrf.org.au

175 One Hotels and Apartment's Mission

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 00:01:07 GMT

175 One Hotels and Apartments owned and operated by Parramatta Mission is located in the heart of Westmead Medical Precinct. The 59 room motel has close to 40 years’ experience accommodating local professionals, families, patients and visitors. All proceeds from the activities onsite at 175 are returned in to the non-government funded programs run by Parramatta Mission.

175 One Hotels and Apartments is a social enterprise and a profit-for-purpose organisation with a mission to transform the lives of the less fortunate within our community.

175 One Hotels and Apartments is run under social enterprise principles in aspects of training opportunities for disadvantaged youngsters and activities supporting local community engagement. For the social activities that has been adopted on the Westmead site, One Hotels and Apartments was awarded the 2017 Western Sydney Business Awards for excellence in Social Enterprise.

The social principle is supported by the recently added activity of a coffee cart, called One Grounds.

One Grounds provides amazing coffee, tea and baked goods from the convenience of a coffee cart located on the corner of the property at Queens Rd and Hawkesbury Rd Westmead. The social concept of buy 1 give 1 has been established to provide an innovative way to help people lift themselves up out of a difficult situation with the support from a fellow member of the community and of course a great coffee.

To run alongside the coffee cart the motel has opened a continental buffet breakfast that operates from 6am – 10am Monday to Friday which is located in AJ’s Café of 175 One Hotels and Apartments. AJ’s Cafe is a perfect location for your next meeting or breakfast catch up. Sit in a quiet space away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy great food and a peaceful atmosphere.

For more information on our functions or to make a booking, including a conference centre, please contact our team on (02) 9635 1233 or email info175@onehotelsapartments.com.au or alternatively visit our website www.onehotelsapartments.com.au/175

Brendon Noney on why education is the key to future prosperity

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 00:28:16 GMT

By Future City Minds - Western Sydney

Born to migrant parents from India and raised in the working-class suburb of Pendle Hill, Brendon Noney realised at a young age that education would be the key to his future prosperity. Through his work at HWL Ebsworth, a large law firm with a local focus, he has developed enduring ties with some of Greater Western Sydney’s most influential business people. Since 2013, he has also served as president of the Western Sydney Business Connection, an organisation that aims to facilitate networking between some 6,000 business leaders across the region.

“When I was growing up, in many instances I didn’t want to let people know that I came from Western Sydney. But now, I wear it very proudly – and I think a lot of people from Western Sydney who have done well for themselves are similarly proud.

“I grew up in Pendle Hill. My parents came here from India in 1971 and I was born two years later. We didn’t have a lot of possessions as kids, but there was a lot of love in the house. Not having a great deal encouraged me to study, because I saw that as my way to succeed. I did my tertiary education in the city, at Sydney Uni. Back then, Sydney Uni and UNSW were the best places to study law and medicine and engineering, but these days, I’d certainly do my law degree through Western Sydney University because its courses and academic staff and facilities are all so good. As a Western Sydney boy, I’m very proud of the fact that we can now offer world-class university courses right here in the west.

“HWL Ebsworth is the largest law firm in Australia by partner numbers and having a Western Sydney office is incredibly important to us. Many of the firm’s clients are decentralising from the Sydney CBD or are solely based in Greater Western Sydney. And we’re picking up new clients all the time. Only last week I signed a new client based in Blacktown with a $300 million turnover. Our dedicated office at Norwest played a role converting that client.

“The Western Sydney Business Connection’s tagline is ‘Connection for Growth’ and that’s exactly what we do: connect some of the leading businesses in Greater Western Sydney with each other and with government so they can benefit from each other and collectively grow the region. We also help set the agenda for future economic activity in Western Sydney. Currently, we’re doing a lot of work on developing the region’s visitor economy to bring more people to stay and play in the west, ensuring people are spending their money in cafes and restaurants, hotels and theme parks.

“My message to migrants who are weighing up different parts of Sydney is, ‘There’s opportunity in the West. Come and take it.’ There’s enormous opportunity here. You can still get reasonably priced real estate – you’re not paying $1.5 million for a run-down shack like you do in the inner west. Major businesses like Woolworths have their headquarters here. And it’s very Aussie and very multicultural at the same time. You’ve got the best of both worlds. I’m wearing my heart on my sleeve when I say this, but I think it’s a place of more acceptance than some other parts of Australia. We put our arms out and welcome people – that’s what we do. Everyone’s welcome.”

Advice

For some new business entrants to the area, Western Sydney may seem like a challenge in terms of attracting and retaining talent. How useful is a business network to this exercise, and what would your key advice to a manager be?

“In my time working in Western Sydney, I have found participating in business networks to be a critical means of establishing trusted relationships, be they with clients or with other lawyers and law firms. In our profession, building trusted personal relationships is the name of the game – and by establishing those relationships through business networks, opportunities arise to attract and retain talent. Participating in Western Sydney’s business networks is also a way for companies and individuals to demonstrate their dedication to the region. It’s an authentic thing to do, and colleagues in both Western Sydney and elsewhere will recognise that.” - Brendon Noney, Western Sydney Business Connection

“Our clients who succeed within a non-CBD space, frequently do so by adopting a “hyper-local” strategy: this involves investing time and energy into the local business community, and making sure your product offering is tailored to the community you serve. Business forums and platforms are a valuable platform for exchange and feedback, and can be a great away of meeting potential partners.” – Adrian Oldham, Michael Page

Looking to make the most of the opportunity in the West? Speak to a Michael Page regional expert today.

Re-imagine Campbelltown project presented at Parliament House

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 03:34:08 GMT

Campbelltown City Council unveiled its bold vision for the City of Campbelltown in front of Sydney’s leaders in government, business, tourism, health, education and sport, at a recent event at Parliament House.

The Mayor and General Manager kicked off the event, which focused on Re-imagining Campbelltown – a future vision for the Campbelltown CBD and the creation of more activated, connected and sustainable places. Council engaged specialist consultants Deloitte Access Economists for the project, who assembled a renowned team of specialist professionals with a wide range of expertise in urban analytics, economic development, urban design, sustainability, transport and infrastructure, tourism and leisure management, strategic and structure planning.

The Health and Education Precinct strategic vision was also officially launched at the event by Minister for Education, Rob Stokes. Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian also made an appearance, and awards were presented to Jim Marsden OAM and Lisa Wilkinson AM for their efforts in promoting Campbelltown City to a broad audience.

Phase 1 of the project did not include physical works, but provided the first step towards clarifying the vision of the CBD and its future as a vibrant, dynamic, active centre for the greater Macarthur region. Throughout this process, the consultant team held meetings with an extensive range of stakeholders groups, and undertook a number of tours of the CBD and surrounds to establish context and understanding of the issues and challenges the CBD faces.

The next step of the Reimagining Campbelltown will be to develop an economic masterplan, as well as an implementation plan.

For further information on the Re-imagining Campbelltown project, please visit:

https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Business/ReimaginingCampbelltown

Single Touch Payroll is coming - Are you ready?

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 02:53:06 GMT

What is Single Touch Payroll (STP)….

Single Touch Payroll (STP) is a government initiative to streamline and simplify the way businesses report to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Each time an employer pays employees through a Single Touch Payroll enabled software you will be reporting the employees salaries and wages, allowances, deductions and other payments, pay as you go (PAYG) withholding and superannuation information to the ATO.

Your payroll frequency (cycle) does not need to change. You can continue to pay your employees using your current pay cycles.

Employer checklist to help you get ready

Step 1. Take a headcount of the current employees you have on 1 April, 2018. If you have 20 or more employees on that date, you are considered a ‘substantial employer’ and will be required to report through STP enabled payroll software from 1 July 2018. If you have 19 or less employees, Single Touch Payroll reporting will be optional until 1 July 2019.

It should be noted that counting your employees is purely by headcount, not a count of your full time equivalent employees.

What is an employee for headcount purposes?

full-time employees
part-time employees
casual employees who are on your payroll on 1 April and worked any time during March
Australian resident employees based overseas
any employee absent or on leave (paid or unpaid)
seasonal employees (staff who are engaged short term to meet a regular peak workload, e.g. harvest workers).

Do not include:

any employees who ceased work before 1 April
casual employees who did not work in March
independent contractors
staff provided by a 3rd party labour hire organisation
company directors
Office holders, e.g. President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, etc.
religious practitioners

If you are part of a company group, the total number of employees employed by all member companies of the wholly-owned group must be included.

Step 2. Review and possibly update your payroll solution.

A payroll solution is the accounting, business management or payroll software you use to pay your employees. If you are using a payroll software solution or service provider you will need to confirm with them that they will be STP enabled by the due date.

What if I don’t have a payroll solution?

There are a number of options available if you don’t have a payroll solution:

You can speak to your tax agent to determine which payroll solution would best suit your business.
You can use a registered tax agent or payroll service provider to report to the ATO on your behalf
You can check which payroll solutions are Single Touch Payroll enabled in the product catalogue on the Australian Business Software Industry Association (ABSIA) website and choose one of them.
The major software and payroll services providers are either ready or committed to be ready for STP to be available and it is best to check with your provider and make sure your software is updated to be able to report by the due date.

A payroll provider that we have recently used and can recommend is CloudPayroll.

CloudPayroll is an online based payroll solution who will automatically manage the STP process on clients’ behalf as part of the standard service. CloudPayroll is suitable for small to medium size businesses from 1 employee up to several hundred. Migration, implementation and training, is all taken care of by their experienced friendly payroll experts. Ongoing, unlimited support is provided by phone or email for no additional fee.

Penalties, exemptions and deferrals

When you commence reporting through Single Touch Payroll the first 12 months will be a transition period.

During the first 12 months of reporting through Single Touch Payroll you will be exempt from any administrative penalties for failing to report on time, unless the ATO have already given you written notice advising that a failure to report on time in the future may attract a penalty.

The ATO may grant you an exemption from Single Touch Payroll reporting if you are located in a rural area with no reliable internet connection or you are classed as a substantial employer for a short period of the income year – for example, due to harvesting activities.

How to retain employees even if you can’t meet average salaries in your industry

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 02:30:10 GMT

By Jim Roy, Director at Michael Page

Despite popular belief, attracting and retaining top talent doesn’t always come down to offering the highest salaries on the market. For many businesses on a tight hiring budget, securing the best professionals is all about providing employees with a balanced, positive, and flexible working environment.

Here are some of Michael Page’s proven employee retention techniques that you can utilise even if your average salary benchmark is lower than the industry standard.

Focus on creating a positive work culture

A positive working environment is vitally important today, especially for younger employees entering the workforce. In fact, 50% of millennials say that the most important factor when choosing a new employer is that the organisation has a strong culture and a good reputation.

For employers, fostering a positive environment means adopting an ‘open-door’ policy where communication and the free exchange of ideas are encouraged. Developing initiatives for recognition, team-building, and wellbeing are also crucial to creating a welcoming and cohesive team atmosphere for employees.

Offer flexible working conditions

A healthy work-life balance is important to a huge 95% of employees, according to a recent study by PwC. Similarly, workers want the ability to take advantage of new technological capabilities to work from anywhere, at any time.

As such, providing the opportunity for employees to work flexibly (by working remotely or working flexible hours, for example) serves as a major non-financial drawcard for many professionals.

Provide opportunities for progression

According to the same study by PwC, career progression is the number one consideration for younger candidates when searching for employment, coming ahead of a competitive salary in second place. Candidates are also looking for assurance that they will have the ability to build their skill set through on-the-job learning and mentoring.

With this in mind, businesses (especially those that aren’t able to offer competitive salaries) must provide a defined framework for training and upskilling of employees to not only attract new talent but also retain existing workers.

Implement a system of recognition & reward

Employees in any industry want to feel that their work is worthwhile and that their contributions to the business are being recognised. In fact, the 2017 Trends in Global Employee Engagement report found that reward and recognition initiatives provide organisations in the APAC region the greatest opportunity to engage employees – over and above financial incentives.

Businesses that aren’t able to offer recognition in the form of generous salaries should instead look to initiatives like employee awards and bonuses for quantifiable achievements (rather than blanket pay rises) to assure employees that their work is valued.

Want to find talent that’s ready to commit to your company long-term? Get in touch with our recruitment consultants.

What's Your #Slipperstyle?

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 02:45:12 GMT

5 ways to boost performance through people and purpose

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 04:55:02 GMT

Powering people to live their best life

Whether you sell to other businesses, or to consumers, you’re in a ‘people to people’ business.

As marketing and sales functions focus more on ‘customer experience’ and HR evolves into ‘Chief People Officer’, it’s clear our language is shifting to accommodate a view that no longer treats staff or customers as assets or resources – but people.

There’s a good reason for this. Research consistently finds that happier employees make happier customers – in the US, Gallup found engaged employees improve customer relationships, leading to a 20% increase in sales.1

“All high performance organisations are united by a common purpose, and enjoyed many benefits from their ability to think of an impact beyond their business,” explains Ros Coffey, Head of People, Culture and Client Experience with Macquarie Bank.

So what does it take for a business to become a truly people-first, purpose-led organisation?

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Aisling Osborne or Melissa Chung at our Parramatta office on 0410 310 716 and be connected with one of our banking specialists.

Workforce productivity key to long term growth

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 00:10:39 GMT

By Adrian Oldham, Managing Director, Michael Page

Low productivity growth impacts Australia’s workforce via incomes, employment levels and standard of living, so it’s crucial to address the issue and take steps to address this economic challenge.

Lifting productivity a complex task

There is a productivity problem in this country, and though there’s been much discussion on the topic, progress to fix it is slow.

Stephen Walters GAICD is Chief Economist at the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). He says, “We have been lucky, and perhaps another boom will appear over the horizon.

“It would be wiser to assume, though, that we have run out of booms and need to focus instead on lifting productivity.

Walters indicates the task is difficult, but productivity and population growth are the only two long term drivers of growth.

He says, “Business, educators and government need to be working together and all pulling in the same direction, [which is] a complicated task.”

Innovation and reform drives change

The solutions to our productivity issues will be multifaceted. Addressing educational outcomes and encouraging people to gain the skills essential to future jobs is one of the keys to long term change.

Walters notes that according to a recently released report from the federal government’s Productivity Commission, broad based recommendations also include a focus on introducing measures to reduce chronic illness and increase workforce participation.

He says, “We need to be more innovative, reform our education system, collaborate more, better commercialise ideas, and improve access to capital, particularly for start-ups.”

Don’t rely on population growth or longer hours

Population growth is a major driver of potential output, our economic speed limit, but Australia’s fast-ageing population means we can’t rely on increasing numbers of workers to drive growth. Current population growth and advances in automation may not keep up with the rate of older people leaving the workforce.

Asking those who do work to work longer hours is also not sustainable. A workforce doing longer hours has the potential to contribute further to the chronic health issues and workforce participation problems which already need addressing.

The trick, says Walters, is working both smarter and harder. Seeking integrated reform which spans state and federal government as well as the private sector will create more meaningful change.

Long term reform offers long term benefits

The AICD’s latest survey results for the Director Sentiment Index showed more than a third of respondents nominated productivity growth as an economic challenge for the nation. To address this, respondents seek long term solutions: a renewed push for broad-based tax reform, more infrastructure spending, greater focus on fostering innovation and better standards of education.

Although the global economic outlook says 2018 will bring the best growth levels in eight years, Walters believes Australians need to be proactive and collectively seize their destiny to ensure economic growth in this country.

Walters says, “The payoffs from lifting productivity are very long term, so we need to move beyond a short-term focus.”

Stephen Walters was the guest speaker at a recent Michael Page breakfast briefing session, where Australia’s business leaders share their insights and experience. To take advantage of our economic experience in your own business, contact one of our expert consultants.

Workplace Culture - 7 Red Flags that it's Turning Toxic

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 06:30:03 GMT

Is Your Workplace Culture Turning Toxic?

The culture that surrounds your team has a huge effect on its performance. Once a workplace culture has turned toxic, it becomes very difficult to recover.

So how do you know when you’re on the way to a toxic culture in the workplace? Look for these seven signs of a dysfunctional organisation.

Red Flag #1 – There’s No Communication

What do you see when you walk into the workplace? Is the team talking and laughing? Or are people working in silence, with barely a flicker of emotion on their stony faces?

If it’s the latter, then, you may have a workplace culture issue. A completely formal atmosphere indicates that people are unhappy. There’s no positive energy in your workplace, which is something that everybody can pick up on.

Don’t get me wrong, professionalism is obviously important. However, employees spend around 50% of their waking hours (Mon-Fri) in your workplace so must feel comfortable and happy too.

Red Flag #2 – A Disorganised Workplace

When people care about where they are, they want to ensure the space stays clean and tidy. It’s a strange quirk, we know, but it’s not an irrelevant one.

Think about your home. You love it, so you want to make sure it looks the part. This enhances your enjoyment of the property because you feel proud of it. It also makes you happier to spend time at home.

Now, apply that same line of thinking to your workplace. If the workplace has a feel of disorganisation about it, it means people don’t care about it.

Red Flag #3 – Bad Workplace Behaviours

Everybody has bad habits. That’s unavoidable. However, a toxic workplace culture seems to have the ability to magnify a person’s bad habits.

You’ll find that a lot of your team members procrastinate when they don’t like the workplace culture. They’ll find any excuse not to get their work done until the last minute. If left unabated, these bad workplace behaviours may extend to the point where employees turn up late or take unneeded sick days.

Red Flag #4 – A Title is More Important than the Role

Think about how people introduce themselves to you when you meet them at work. Some will talk in depth about the work that they do. Others will be more concerned with telling you their job title.

The latter situation is a warning sign. When people are more concerned about their titles than the job itself, it shows that they don’t care about their work.

Instead, power seems to be their key motivator. They may use their status to hold themselves above others, which creates an unhappy workplace.

Red Flag #5 – Competition Isn’t Friendly

Let’s assume that your organisation has a sales department. You may think that creating small competitions will help the department to achieve better results.

If your workplace has a good culture, you’ll be right. A little friendly competition doesn’t hurt anybody, plus, it can motivate employees to reach for higher standards.

It’s when those competitions turn sour that you must start worrying. If your employees focus more on competing amongst themselves than they do on reaching the organisation’s goals, you may have to change your workplace culture.

Red Flag #6 – Managers Don’t Interact With Employees

Think about how you talk to your team members. If you find yourself barking orders before storming back to your office, you may have something to worry about.

Employees value effective communication. They want to know that they have a voice in your organisation, and you’re willing to listen to it.

Red Flag #7 – Nobody Talks About It

Acknowledging the fact that a problem exists is the first step to confronting it. You can apply this line of thinking to all areas of life, but it’s particularly important in the workplace.

Be very wary if you don’t hear about the things you need to improve. This usually suggests that people are too scared to speak out, rather than that you’ve created the perfect workplace. No news is certainly not good news!

What to Do Next…

If any of the above sounds familiar, then your workplace culture may be turning toxic. The Great Managers Academy can help you. Click here to learn more.

Featherdale’s Corporate Hub

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 05:23:50 GMT

As well as having the world’s largest collection of Australian animals, Featherdale Wildlife Park’s Drover’s Hut Function Centre is available for your next casual meeting, activity day or lunch with a difference! With free onsite parking and a handy location just 10 minutes from the M4/M7 junction, Featherdale can host the ultimate business function for you.

Enjoy a meal with a Koala or a Billy Tea presentation with the resident Swaggy. Add extra animal encounters such as: feeding the Crocodile, walking a Dingo, cuddling up to a Joey or getting rapt in Reptiles with an encounter of the scaly variety or learn all about Featherdale’s comprehensive fauna collection with a fact-filled Education Lesson.

For more information on our tailor-made functions or to make a booking, please contact the Events team on (02) 9622 - 1644 or email events@featherdale.com.au

Proposed changes to the ACL?

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 02:53:19 GMT

The proposed amendments to the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) will strengthen consumer protection in Australia, but what does it mean for businesses?

The changes contained in the proposed Treasury Laws Amendment (Australian Consumer Law Review) Bill 2018 and the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Consumer Law Review) Regulations 2018 include:

Publicly listed companies no longer being exempt from unconscionable conduct protections alongside all classes of consumers
A wider scope of actions which will lead to the requirement to issue a product recall, whilst increased penalties will apply with non-compliance
Further false billing protection for unsolicited services will be implemented
The scope of unsolicited consumer agreements will be expanded to include transactions away from business premises
A requirement for single price goods and services to be included in the headline price
Remedies and transport security for consumers who purchase goods online
Extending the investigative powers of regulatory bodies (such as the ACCC and ASIC) in respect of possible unfair contractual terms
Easing the evidentiary burden for claims under the ACL
Providing consumer protection for financial products alongside financial services protection
More detailed clarification regarding compulsory consumer warranties

These drafted amendments will significantly amend the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, and the ACL contained therein; - as well as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and the Competition and Consumer Regulations 2010.

What does this mean for Western Sydney businesses?

If, as anticipated, these amendments are incorporated into Australian law, they will create significant compliance requirements for businesses in relation to the ACL. Although the aim of these amendments is (apparently) to ensure that consumers are provided with strengthened protections in business relations, there is no doubt that businesses will need to spend significant time and money ensuring they meet these further regulatory requirements, and avoid possible investigation and / or prosecution.

In anticipation of these amendments, businesses would be well advised to become familiar with their new obligations, and be proactive in ensuring that these obligations can be complied with.

If you would like more information or advice in relation to the proposed changes to the ACL contact a Principal of Matthews Folbigg Lawyers:

Keli Law on (02) 9806 7443 or kelil@matthewsfolbigg.com.au

Simone Brew on (02) 9806 7440 or simoneb@matthewsfolbigg.com.au

Property of Pitcher Partners

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 21:16:05 GMT

In this edition they cover:

How Australia is trending towards medium density living
Structuring investment in Australian real property - Managed Investment Trusts
Property developers and investors look to alternative sources of funding
CGT main residence and withholding reforms for non-residents
The increasing complexity of property sales in Australia - GST withholding
Changes to the Queensland building industry regulatory environment

Click here to read Property of Pitcher Partners February 2018.

For further information, please contact your Pitcher Partners representative.

Contact

Scott McGill

Partner, Property Group

+61 2 8236 7880

scott.mcgill@pitcher.com.au

Pitcher Partners Sydney

Level 22 MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

www.pitcher.com.au

Sign Up For Anniversary Year

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 02:39:44 GMT

If you ask six-year-old Maddy Luk what she wants to be when she grows up, she’ll answer without hesitation – “a teacher, because I love to tell people what to do’’ and burst into hysterical giggles.

“She tells everyone that, all the time,’’ mum Nicole Luk laughs.

Nicole is preparing for both Maddy and her four-year-old sister Briella to have spinal surgery within weeks. “It’s a rough start to the year, that’s for sure.’’

This will be a big year for their family, yet Nicole will still mark an important date on the calendar.

On Friday 3rd August, Children’s Medical Research Institute at Westmead will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Jeans for Genes and she is appealing for every Western Sydney student, teacher and school to get in early and sign up now for the big day.

“My kids are happy and in many ways just normal kids. That said, I do believe more research needs to be done into ways to improve their quality of life, both physically as well as socially.’’

Both Maddy and Briella have diastrophic dysplasia, a genetic disease. They were born with a cleft palate, have difficulty breathing due to the size of their ribs, and have developed kyphoscoliosis, a deformation of the spine.

Despite their challenges, Maddy loves school and is particularly looking forward to year 2.

“She uses a wheelchair and a walking frame to get around but is also very mobile over short distances,’’ Nicole said. “She is a vibrant and happy child who brings joy to so many people around her. She loves swimming, she has just started learning piano. She even joined the school choir, without us knowing, and she does ballet as well. She’s an excellent reader, although if you were to ask her, she’d tell you that her favourite thing to do is to play the iPad or watch TV! ‘’

Briella is starting “prep’’ before moving into primary school in 2019. She doesn’t have Maddy’s confidence but looks up to her big sister.

“She is my cautious child,’’ Nicole said. “She is more of an observer than a participant at first, but she’s do amazingly well. She was very slow to develop speech, reaching less than the fifth percentile, but she’s made such incredible progress she’s on the 97th percentile now.’’

Nicole said the idea of having two children with a disability was challenging, but the girls support each other. “We have these two kids with the same rare condition, so they can be there for each other.’’

Next month they will undergo spinal surgery on the same day. They will then be put in traction for a couple of months to straighten their spines. They may then need further surgery.

There are times the girls feel frustrated by their situation but are generally optimistic. “When Maddy was turning 5 the year before last, she asked me ‘When I wake up in the morning, am I going to be taller?’ I told her ‘Even though you will be a year older, it is still just one night. You’re going to be just about the same size as you are today. But you WILL grow taller in time, just not as tall as everyone else. You’ll always be smaller than other people your age’.

“She was devastated at the time – but that said, I think that because we had those conversations, she understands how she is different and even has a sense of acceptance and pride in who she is.’’

Nicole may have two children facing some massive challenges in the year ahead, but she can always see the positive – and believes that research may change life for her children and others.

“I believe it has made us all more accepting and understanding. Life isn’t fair and we all just need to play the hand we are dealt.’’

The Luk family feel very lucky and want to do whatever they can to educate others about the importance of medical research.

As part of the 25th anniversary of Jeans for Genes, Children’s Medical Research Institute wants to raise $25 million for a new centre of collaboration, which will bring together research and hospitals to better help Australians kids affected by genetic diseases.

It may be months away, but you don’t need to wait until August to start helping.

Mark Friday 3rd August 2018 in your diary now, sign up online at jeansforgenes.org.au. Start thinking of inventive ways for your school to fundraise, whether it’s a cake stall for the kids or a daggy day of double-denim for the teachers, it’s all for a great cause!

Events By ATC's Special Offer to Kick-Start 2018

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 03:26:33 GMT

4 Surprising Statistics About Carers

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 07:15:05 GMT

Why caring for your carers is critical

As Australia’s population ages, an increasing number of people will find themselves – often quite suddenly – caring for a family member or friend. For many, taking care of an ageing parent, a terminally ill partner or child with disability is the most important thing they will ever do. But it can come at a cost.

1. Around one in eight Australians have an unpaid caring role1

Around one in eight Australians are ‘informal carers’, taking care of an ageing parent, a terminally ill partner or child with disability. Combining these responsibilities with paid work can be challenging, and they may choose to move into a part-time role. This can be career-limiting, with a knock-on financial impact – now, and on their super.

"Some caring can be 24/7, but other needs may be more intermittent and people can balance that informal or ad hoc need with their paid work," explains Elena Katrakis, CEO Carers NSW. "To do that, they may need time away from the office for medical appointments, or to help ageing parents with their shopping."

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Sam McCarthy at our Parramatta office on 0417 518 724 and be connected with one of their banking specialists.

WSA Co - Invitation to submit a Registration of Interest - Bulk Earthworks & Airside Civil Works

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 05:50:38 GMT

WSA Co invites suitably qualified parties to submit a Registration of Interest for participation in the procurement process for the Bulk Earthworks and Airside Civil Works package.

Any parties interested in tendering for this package of work, must complete and submit a Registration of Interest in accordance with the invitation to submit a Registration of Interest documentation which is available on the WSA Co website at www.wsaco.com.au/business.

Please forward any enquiries to tenders@wsaco.com.au.

Catalyst West: How will you shape the future of Western Sydney?

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 22:41:52 GMT

What happens in Western Sydney in the next 20 years will change Australia.

How will you shape the future of Western Sydney?

Catalyst West is a collaborative forum, developed by Western Sydney University and its partners, to guide change in Western Sydney. There are no agendas and no wrong answers. We want to experiment with transformational ideas.

On 28 February 2018, 350 representatives from government, industry and the community will activate the University’s flagship Parramatta City campus as a place for experiment and exchange. Our focus will be on mapping the transformation pathway in four priority areas for Western Sydney and the nation:

HEALTH

Is there an app for health? Just what does technology enable in health care? What ‘tsunamis’ will we see in the next two decades in health?

RESILIENCE

How can we design smarter, more resilient cities? How do we infuse urban design with social, cultural and economic attributes that make cities stronger and more liveable?

TRANSPORT

‘Where’s my driverless car?’ Is mass transport infrastructure necessary for the 30 minute city? Is Western Sydney Airport an international interface or domestic hub - and will either work?

WORK

What does digital disruption mean for Western Sydney’s labour markets? Can we prepare?

Catalyst West is not a talk-fest. It is not a workshop. It is not over in a day.

Catalyst West unpacks the challenges and maps the opportunities we can create through collaboration. The event starts months ahead of the day. Participants will be issued with a green paper, authored by University subject-matter-experts,– scoping what we are confronting across each of the four themes. The event itself will feature Keynote speakers, Industry pop-ups, interactive displays, App-polling, table-talks and facilitated Hacks where participants can actively shape approaches to each of the four priority areas.

It doesn’t end with the event. Participants will see their ideas channelled and expanded through white papers that support the translation of Catalyst West solutions into actual policy frameworks, projects and action plans.

Catalyst West.
BE PART OF THE TRANSFORMATION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW.

Visit westernsydney.edu.au/catalystwest

Unveiling & Celebrating 175 One Hotels & Apartments Enhanced Hospitality Offerings

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:00:16 GMT

Parramatta Mission requests the pleasure of your company at the unveiling and celebration of 175 One Hotels and Apartments enhanced hospitality offerings.

Over the past months Parramatta Mission has undertaken works to enhance 175 at Westmead including a new lift giving disability access for guests and a playground area for children.

Please join Parramatta Mission for refreshments and hors d'oeuvres on:

Date: 16th February, 2018

Time: 6pm to 8pm

Location: 175 One Hotels and Apartments, 175 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead

RSVP: events@onehotelsapartments.com.au

Your Invited to Ronald McDonald House Westmead's Community Open Day

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 05:06:23 GMT

The opening of the new 60-room Ronald McDonald House Westmead is just around the corner ... and you’re invited to take a look!

When: Saturday 17 February, 2018

Time: 12.00pm – 3.00pm

Where: Ronald McDonald House Westmead, 1 Labyrinth Way, Westmead

Join Ronald McDonald House Westmead for an exclusive tour of the House, some family fun and a bite to eat in their Family Zone.

Entry on the day is by gold coin donation, however registrations are essential.

It is only with the support from government, corporates and the community that this House has been possible, and Ronald McDonald House Westmead cannot wait to welcome their first families into the House later this month.

Following this event, the House will remain a private residence for seriously ill children and their families staying at the House.

Don’t miss your chance to see the House that Love Built!

What’s happening on the day?

Between 12.00pm - 3.00pm, visitors can enjoy a tour of the new Ronald McDonald House Westmead, a variety of family fun activities in their outdoor ‘Family Zone’, and a delicious BBQ lunch kindly provided by friends at Rapid Relief Team.

Click here to register your attendance.

New ATO view on private use of utes and vans

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 00:23:17 GMT

The popularity of utes and vans in Australia is undeniable, but so too is the pursuit of a tax break. For many businesses and individuals, there is a belief that owning a ute rather than a car will achieve significant tax savings.

The argument is that the ute is used for ‘business’ rather than ‘private’ purposes. This might sound simple enough, but how do you make sure you don’t get the ATO offside? For example, can you legitimately make private trips in the ‘business ute’ without ruining the tax benefits you are looking to claim? New ATO guidelines shed light on this grey area.

Why is the ATO view needed?

Generally, a fringe benefits tax (“FBT”) liability arises where an employer makes a vehicle available for the private use of their employee. Different FBT rules apply for eligible vehicles that are not ‘cars’, examples being utes and vans. A full FBT exemption can apply for eligible vehicles where the use of that vehicle is limited to work-related travel and other private use that is ‘minor, infrequent and irregular’.

While travel between an employee’s home and their place of work is generally considered private use, those trips can be treated as work-related travel for the purpose of the FBT exemption. Hence, the crucial part in obtaining the exemption is making sure the other private trips are ‘minor, infrequent and irregular’. This is a subjective assessment, so it is difficult to know how many private trips are too many (in the ATO’s eyes).

There has previously been limited guidance on this issue. However, the ATO have recently issued draft guidelines on when they will undertake compliance activities (such as reviews or audits) on eligibility for the FBT exemption for utes and vans. These guidelines are discussed in more detail below.

What are the guidelines?

Provided the following criteria are satisfied, the ATO will accept that an employee’s private use of their employer’s ute or van was minor, infrequent and irregular. The criteria are:

-you provide an eligible vehicle to a current employee;

-the vehicle is provided to the employee to perform their work duties;

-you take all reasonable steps to limit private use of the vehicle and have measures in place to monitor such use;

-the vehicle has no non-business accessories;

-the vehicle had a GST-inclusive value less than the luxury car tax threshold (currently $65,094) at the time the vehicle was acquired;

-the vehicle is not provided as part of a salary packaging arrangement and the employee cannot elect to receive additional remuneration in lieu of the use of the vehicle; and

-your employee uses the vehicle to travel:

between their home and their place of work and any diversion adds no more than two kilometres to the ordinary length of that trip;
no more than 750 kilometres in total for each FBT year for multiple journeys taken for a wholly private purpose; and
no single, return journey for a wholly private purpose exceeds 200 kilometres.

Based on the ATO guidelines, an employee who stops off on their way to work to pick up a newspaper may be able to treat that as a mere diversion on their home to work travel (and hence a ‘business trip’ for the purpose of the FBT exemption). By comparison, travelling with a passenger in your vehicle (for example you drop your kids off at school on your way to work) would be considered a private trip, even if dropping the passenger off involves a detour of less than two kilometres.

The guidelines also consider taking the vehicle to private appointments, such as sport. If an employee drives the work ute to footy training after work and then home after training, the ATO considers both those trips private, and not a mere diversion on the employee’s way home from work. Accordingly, such trips, along with all other private trips, would need to total less than 750kms in an FBT year for the exemption to apply.

Are the guidelines a good thing?

At first glance, the guidelines appear useful to many employers as they provide more of a framework to support genuine claims that private use of the vehicle is indeed ‘minor, infrequent and irregular’. However, for some employers, these guidelines will be highlight problems such as where they don’t have the appropriate policies, records and steps in place to meet the criteria, or it is clear that employees’ private use would be well outside the guidelines.

From the ATO perspective, these guidelines provide their case officers with more of a checklist to be able to consider the private use of vehicles. This is likely to lead to an increase in ATO reviews and audits in the FBT space and potentially more disputes with taxpayers.

While the guidelines are generally welcomed, some of the traps which employers could fall into, include:

-If you’ve agreed to include a ute or van as part of an employee’s salary package, be careful whether that results in the guidelines not applying, especially if the employee could substitute other forms of remuneration for the vehicle;

-Social media might be a fun way to share photos of you out and about on family trips in the ute, but those photos can also be a great way for the ATO to build a case that your vehicle has significant private use (and therefore deny the FBT exemption);

-If you provide the vehicle to an employee who has no other vehicles (for example a single person with no other vehicle) then be prepared for a fight with the ATO to show how that employee would live their day-to-day private life whilst racking up less than 750kms of private use each year; and

-The guidelines currently only consider FBT (i.e. an employer providing the ute to an employee) and not other arrangements where a ute or van is used (such as a sole trader, or an employee who uses his own ute for work purposes). While it may seem reasonable to assume that the finalised guidelines will apply to these other arrangements, it is not currently the case and hence a more robust system of record keeping still needs to be maintained for those arrangements.

What action should I take?

The guidelines are currently only in draft form, but when finalised they are proposed to apply for the 2018 and later FBT years. Accordingly, we recommend that employers begin to look at their existing policies and approach to private use of utes and vans and see how it fits with the draft guidelines. Once the guidelines are finalised, businesses should ensure their approach is robust and within the ATO guidelines if they wish to have a more relaxed level of record keeping and less likelihood of a fight with the ATO.

We can assist in reviewing your existing motor vehicle private use policies and help to ensure your arrangements are compliant with the ATO requirements. Contact your local William Buck advisor for further details.

Article By: Todd Want l Director, Tax l William Buck

Disclaimer: The contents of this article are in the nature of general comments only, and are not to be used, relied or acted upon with seeking further professional advice. William Buck accepts no liability for errors or omissions, or for any loss or damage suffered as a result of any person acting without such advice. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

WSA Co - Invitation to submit an Expression of Interest - Delivery Partner & Project Manager (Definition)

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 21:54:58 GMT

WSA Co is inviting suitably qualified and capable organisations to submit Expressions of Interest for two separate roles on the Western Sydney Airport project, being the Delivery Partner and Project Manager (Definition).

Any parties interested in tendering for either of the Delivery Partner or Project Manager (Definition) roles must complete and submit the relevant Expression of Interest documents in accordance with the Invitations to submit an Expression of Interest which are available on the WSA Co website at www.wsaco.com.au/business.

Applicants are not precluded from applying for both roles, however, in such a case, the applicant is required to separately complete and submit the Expression of Interest documents for each role.

The closing date and time for Expression of Interest submissions for both the Delivery Partner and Project Manager (Definition) is Wednesday 28 February 2018 at 10:00am (AEDST).

Please forward any enquiries to tenders@wsaco.com.au

You are invited to Parramatta Mission's Annual Golden Pancake Day Race

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 21:30:00 GMT

Come and celebrate Shrove Tuesday with the Parramatta Mission Annual Golden Pancake Day Race. Bring your friends, family and colleagues for this fun event, while supporting the essential work of Parramatta Mission - helping transform the lives of thousands of people in need in our community.

RUN in the Golden Pancake Day Race for your chance to win the golden pan trophy. To enter your team of four runners please contact Donna on 9891 2277 or email donna.kelly@parramattamission.org.au

INVEST in the social heart of Parramatta and make a donation on the day or online at www.parramattamission.org.au

SUPPORT a team on the day by cheering them on at the finish line in Centenary Square from 11:30 am.

Accelerate your qualifications in Financial Planning to meet new requirements

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 04:25:02 GMT

As you may be aware, recent changes in educational requirements may mean you need to upgrade your qualifications to practise as a financial planner. According to new legislation, existing financial planners will have until January 2024 to meet the new educational standard (FASEA).

Sydney Graduate School of Management’s (SGSM) postgraduate degrees in Financial Planning assist you to get the qualifications you need, without pausing your career.

Our postgraduate degrees in Financial Planning are offered online, taught by academics and practitioners, accredited by the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and designed to provide you with advanced knowledge and understanding of financial planning.

Consider our accelerated pathway through our challenge exam.

To ensure you have all the information you need in order to meet the new requirements, I would like to invite you to our Information Breakfast event.

Event details:

When: Tuesday 6 February, 2018

Time: 7:30am to 9:00am

Where: Western Sydney University

Level 9, 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta

RSVP: Sharon Taylor at sharon.taylor@westernsydney.edu.au

Western Sydney Airport: Invitation to submit a Registration of Interest - Early Earthworks

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 06:06:22 GMT

WSA Co invites suitably qualified parties to submit a Registration of Interest for the Western Sydney Airport Early Earthworks package.

Any parties interested in tendering for the Early Earthworks package, must register to receive Request for Tender documents which will be released in late February 2018.

A copy of the Registration of Interest documentation is available on the WSA Co website at www.wsaco.com.au/business.

The Invitation to submit a Registration of Interest will close at 4:00pm (AEDST) on 21 February 2018.

Please forward any enquiries to tenders@wsaco.com.au.

The Economic Year in Review

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 05:02:34 GMT

Macquarie Bank’s, Martin Lakos reflects on the key economic and market take-outs from 2017, and what to expect in 2018 – with an interest rate rise on the horizon. Click below to see his presentation.

Western Sydney Airport - Industry Information Session

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 06:06:29 GMT

UPDATE: A copy of the presentation given at the Western Sydney Airport Industry Information Session on Tuesday 5 December is now available on the WSA Co website at www.wsaco.com.au/business

**************************************************************

The main airport works program for the Western Sydney Airport will be divided into three primary works packages.

An Expression of Interest for the first package which will cover all Stage 1 earthworks, drainage and utilities will be released to market in early February 2018. More information about what constitutes the first package is now available on the WSA Co website.

On Tuesday 5 December 2017, WSA Co will hold an Industry Information Session on the Western Sydney Airport procurement approach and upcoming tender opportunities.

For more information on the first works package or to register for the information session please visit the WSA Co website.

A Restraint On Your Business

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 00:04:43 GMT

By Mark Petrucco and Megan Scott

Restraint of trade clauses are found in business sale agreements, shareholders’ agreements and employment contracts. In most cases the restraint clause will come into effect on execution of the sale agreement. However in some cases the clause will come into effect after the particular relationship ends. The restraint clause prohibits the vendor of the business, the former shareholder and/or the former employee from certain conduct or activity (such as solicitation of customers or former work colleagues) and depending on that person’s role the restraint will operate for a period of time and possibly within a geographic area.

The general principles of the clause to restrain a person’s freedom to conduct business are well established. The courts have long said that a restraint of trade is contrary to public policy and the clause is void unless it can be proven that the restraint is reasonable, in the circumstances of the particular case.

However in New South Wales the position is different and it is not entirely correct to say that a restraint is void, in the first instance. The Restraints of Trade Act 1976 (NSW) approaches the position on the basis that a restraint is valid to the extent it is not contrary to public policy, even if it is not in severable terms. The effect of the Act is to allow a restraint that is too wide to be read down so as to be valid to the extent necessary. Whilst the court is empowered by the Act to read down a restraint clause it cannot redraft it.

The party contending that the clause is reasonable will need to demonstrate the restraint goes no further than is reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the entity in whose favour the clause operates. The concept of legitimate business interests is broad and includes customer contacts, customer business practices, the employer’s pitch or pricing models, the employer’s business plan and target markets and the employer’s confidential processes and trade secrets. It is not uncommon that the former employee will argue that the restraint is unreasonable and contrary to public policy and it will be up to them to argue that defence.

The courts will look closely at what the parties negotiated and the terms of the particular clause at the time of entering the agreement. The test of reasonableness of a restraint is measured as at the time the parties entered the agreement, not at the time the restraint is sought to be enforced or is challenged, and by reference to the interests of the parties concerned and the public interest. Therefore the restraint must afford no more than the adequate protection of the legitimate business interests of the entity that has the benefit of the restraint clause.

An employer is not entitled to protection against competition. Such a restraint clause would be unreasonable and contrary to public policy. However an employer is entitled to protection against the use by the former employee of certain information or knowledge acquired by them with regard to the employer’s business affairs, in the ordinary course of trade. The relevant information or knowledge needs to be something more than mere skill and knowledge required by the employee to perform work (and become a possible competitor). The particular information or knowledge is of a kind that enables the employee to have influence over the employer’s customers, or knowledge of the employer’s confidential processes or trade secrets. This could enable them to take advantage of the employer’s business connection with its customers or the misuse of confidential information.

In most cases an employer’s customer connection is an interest which a reasonable restraint clause can protect in circumstances where the former employee was the face of the business to that customer.

The above is a general summary and not intended be legal advice.

For further information or advice contact Mark Petrucco or Megan Scott. Mark is a partner and Megan is a senior associate in the Litigation and dispute resolution team at Hall & Wilcox.

www.hallandwilcox.com.au

The Top Six Things Keeping CFO’s Awake

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 23:03:39 GMT

By Rainer Ahrens and Domenic Molluso

The role of the CFO has changed. No longer purely compliance, a CFO has valuable skills, qualities and insights that converge with the CEO. The modern CFO is faced with the challenge of a role with many hats and not enough time to wear them.

Through a number of conversations with clients and working closely with numerous CFO’s across our network, we’ve identified six key areas that have helped today’s CFO be successful.

The Strategic Lens

Over half of the CFO’s we spoke to, indicated that their company’s strategy wasn’t part of their board meetings during the last 12-18 months. We also found that it’s common for the ‘strategy’ to be confused with the organisation’s goal or vision. It’s important to understand that strategy is the practical game-plan that sets the team up to achieve the business goals.

Today’s CFO is playing more of a partnership role and providing valuable input in shaping and driving wider business strategies. As the keeper of the company’s data, the CFO plays a vital role in assisting the board to refine action plans and clearly articulate objectives to all stakeholders.

Successful CFO’s are strategists. They influence the direction of the company and provide financial leadership to grow the business.

Conquering Cash Flow Management

The key to business success is a proactive approach to cash flow management. Research tells us poor cash flow management is one of the leading causes of failure in otherwise successful organisations.

Generally, those at the executive level understand the importance of cash flow management, however, it can be lost on operational staff. There is a clear distinction between companies that prioritise cash flow management and those that do not. From working with CFO’s, the common themes we’ve identified within organisations who manage their cash flow successfully include:

Frequent communication about the importance of cash flow management with staff, at all levels, to ensure that staff understand the impact of their actions (or inactions) on the organisation’s cash flow position;

Providing training to all staff, tailored to their role within the organisation, in order to support sound cash flow management practices; and
Regular reporting of the organisation’s cash flow position against targets and identification of the causes of significant variances from expectation.

Culture of Risk Awareness

Besides the basics of risk management such as reviewing insurances, having key-man policies and possibly conducting outsourced internal audits, it’s crucial to evaluate risk in terms of the organisation’s culture. Risk management is not tangible or static, it’s always evolving and can be impacted by constant changes.

Developing a risk-managing mindset can become a key competitive advantage for your company. By embedding risk awareness directly into the culture, it will significantly impact business performance and decision making at all levels.

Different parts of the organisation generate and are exposed to alternative forms of risk including financial, reputational, strategic and operational areas. Don’t underestimate the power of your staff’s unique insights and knowledge, in particular the short-comings of your organisation’s controls and systems. A CFO can tap into this knowledge more readily when assessing and collating the overall risk framework with the assistance of those around them – they do not have to do it alone!

Rethinking Performance Management

An effective Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is paramount to managing the performance of any business. The ERP system needs to be scalable, accessible and easy to use but most importantly it needs to produce timely, accurate and relevant information for decision-makers.

Most ERP systems have the ability to produce large amounts of data, however the short-coming often lies with their inability to easily convert that raw data into relevant information.

Today’s CFO needs to have a clear understanding of the goals, strategies and key business drivers of their organisation in order to tailor the reports the ERP system generates to ensure the specific needs of the organisation’s various stakeholders are met.

Effective Change Management

CFO’s are well positioned to evaluate the success of potential changes and transformations. In today’s world, change is constant and a company’s ability to adapt and be agile is key to succeeding.

When analysing change, it’s important to evaluate if the change is necessary and fundamental to the business. The best starting point is to proactively research the pro’s and con’s of the change and consider all alternatives, including preparing an own cost-benefit analysis to ensure there is a clear understanding and reason for the change.

The most important part of any change is the communication strategy. By taking ownership of the conversation, you can control the underlying message and clearly communicate the value and reasoning behind the change.

The Right People in the Right Roles

One of the largest and most important assets an organisation has is its people. One of the most common challenges facing organisations today, is having to manage a multi-generational workforce with different values and motivations.

In order to attract, employ and retain the right people for your organisation, today’s CFO needs to work with their HR specialists to:

Develop reward & recognition programs to align staff behaviour and expectations with the organisation’s strategy and objectives: the appeal and effect of for non-monetary recognition is often overlooked.
According to our CFO feedback, an honest thank you and an occasional day-off has boosted productivity more than an additional cheque;
Introduce training and development programs to ensure skill gaps are filled: up-skill training should not be seen as a substitute for hiring correctly in the first place. Your team is your foundation for good results, ensure that you have the right candidates by being a tough recruiter.
Implement structured performance review processes to provide timely and constructive feedback to staff: we all benefit greatly from timely and honest feedback, which is best administered within an “open and direct” environment. Strong CFO’s encourage upward feedback to be provided from below in order to better understand their own focus areas.
Identify opportunities to increase staff engagement: staff want to be part of the organisation – hence make a point of inviting them into the process and offer an open ear. You don’t have to agree or follow with all suggestions – but you should encourage participation.

The role of today’s CFO continues to grow and evolve. Responsible for much more than finance, the modern CFO has a greater focus on strategy and business leadership.

An effective and successful CFO:

needs a clear game-plan that is articulated and understood by everyone;
has an ERP system in line with their needs, which provides information on a timely basis;
has KPI measurements in line with cash flow targets;
embeds risk management as part of their culture; and
controls any messages of change.

Throughout our conversations, we’ve learnt that the greatest challenge for CFO’s is time.

Time needs to be “won” by critically self-assessing the daily routine and working with your staff, superiors and other stakeholders to identify areas of importance.

When overbearing control processes appear to take up most of your day – perhaps the reason is to revisit the underlying processes and identify if, for example, enhanced staff empowerment, improved up-skill training for support staff or delegation ahead of final review are better suited to address the initial reviews.

In addition, it is a process of small steps. You will not be able to change everything at once – but you have to start somewhere. Identifying the list of priorities can be a function undertaken within the finance team and should also include the buy-in from other members, such as:

commitment to prepare for meetings ahead of time, by having an agenda;
investing that little bit of extra time to clearly articulate the objective / task required, as this will often cut down on review and follow-up time later on;

Focusing on these six key areas and investing time to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of your team and systems, will make it a lot easier to wear the many hats of today’s CFO.

Domenic and Rainer recently presented their insights at the NSW CFO Symposium, to view their presentation click here.

Building Business Partnerships To Support Seriously Ill Children

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 22:39:27 GMT

It’s finally here! Introducing Room Sponsorship at the New Ronald McDonald House Westmead.

The new, 60-room Ronald McDonald House Westmead is set to open in early 2018, and with the help of genuine partnerships with Western Sydney businesses, the doors of the new House will stay open for seriously ill children and their families well into the future.

Room sponsorship is a vital program that sees corporate groups engage directly with the House and families, while providing much-needed financial support.

The impact of room sponsorship is real and lasting: it determines how the House will operate and will ensure we are able to provide important services to families.

For businesses, it offers real benefits while also meeting corporate social responsibility. And for the families who need Ronald McDonald House Westmead’s services, the support of corporate groups is life-changing.

A child’s illness can have a devastating effect on families, and along with the uncertainty and fear comes medical bills, missed work for parents and the added stress of not being close to the medical care your child desperately needs. How will we be there for our child? How will we make ends meet?

For a sick child, sometimes what they need most is to have their family nearby for more hugs, kisses, and “I love yous”.

Ronald McDonald House Westmead supports over 600 families each year, but in the last 12 months it has been forced to turn away 400 more due to lack of space. The new House will increase capacity to support 1,360 families a year, which is why room sponsorship is so vital.

Without Ronald McDonald House Westmead, those families would have to travel long distances, sleep in waiting rooms, in bedside chairs in hospital wards, in their cars, or find a way to pay for expensive hotel rooms.

With corporate support, our home can be their home, offering warmth, security and a place to make new friends who are on a similar journey. From warm beds to hot showers, laundry facilities, family-friendly kitchens and play areas, Ronald McDonald House Westmead has all the essentials of a family home.

Taking up room sponsorship in the new Ronald McDonald House Westmead carries a range of wonderful sponsor benefits that begin when your plaque is fixed to the door. Room sponsorship packages are limited, so don’t hesitate.

To find out more about Room Sponsorship, please contact Amal Maait on amal.maait@rmhc.org.au or 0404 826 403.

Your End of Year Invitation

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 22:13:17 GMT

Just like that, it's less than 30 days until Christmas!

Can you believe it?

What most people do NOT realise, is how crucial the next 30 days are for almost any business, whatever industry you're in.

Christmas is VERY QUIET in many industries. (I know it is in ours!)

And it usually stays that way until mid-February.

Are you prepared for that?

What are you doing in the next 30 days to set yourself up for success in 2018?

What you do will usually define how you perform over the entire next year!

Did you catch that? This is important...

THE LAST MONTH BEFORE will define your 12 months AFTER!

Of course, most people wait until the predictably quiet January period to start their planning.

Don't do that!!

The best leaders know what they want to achieve. They plan.

And they start making it happen... NOW.

One of our Great Managers mantras is: "Do the Front-end Really Well!"

So will you be chasing your tail in February, wishing you had more time to plan?

Or will you be smooth sailing into the new year? Feeling totally on top of everything?

I don't know about you, but I prefer the less stressful path. ;)

That's why I'm planning now.

2017 was a fantastic year for Great Managers.

Enrolments in our Great Managers Academy were full, with a record-breaking number of managers on board.

Over 500!!!

We welcomed 2 new team members.

One of our valued partners who deliver our program into Government departments, commissioned an independent auditor to review the quality of their training providers.

Great Managers were described by this L&D expert as...

"the Exemplar; the Benchmark for Blended Learning & Leadership Development...”

It's the first time I remember our program being called the "Exemplar" so I'm not afraid to shout it from the rooftops! :)

As you may know by now, we are on a MISSION to fill the world with Great Managers.

I want to help give you reasons to celebrate in 2018.

We are taking enrolments for February start dates, and beyond NOW. Although February is nearly full, as I write this, with businesses who missed out this year.

If you are sick of spending money on training that changes nothing in your business, it might be time we connected.

Great Managers are the industry leaders in behavioural and cultural change.

We are all about making positive change in your business and ultimately, making your life easier.

Our training has been proven to deliver time & time again with thousands of leaders across organisations of all shapes and sizes, that we're not only confident you and your team will get better results...

We guarantee it.

It's time to decide.

A) Make Great Managers part of your strategy next year or...

B) Keep doing what you've always done

So, what will it be?

Joining is on an application-basis as we only work with those who are 100% committed, so this is your invitation to apply.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GREAT MANAGERS ACADEMY

To a successful 2018!

Sandra Wood, Managing Director

Great Managers®

Westmead Research Facility Gets Funding Boost

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 19 Nov 2017 23:37:38 GMT

A key part of the Westmead-based Children’s Medical Research Institute’s ProCan® project is closer to being realised, following the announcement of a research equipment grant from Cancer Institute NSW last week.

ProCan is a world-leading project aimed at changing how we diagnose and treat all types of cancer. In 5-7 years, it will be possible to give a patient a precise diagnosis and tailored treatment plan within 36 hours of receiving a cancer biopsy.

The $910,000 boost will go towards a high-performance computing platform for cancer proteogenomic research – which is needed to make the whole ProCan project possible. ProCan General Manager, Dr Brett Tully, who is also lead of the ProCan Software Engineering Team, said the funding will go towards their “super computer’’.

“Very few institutes get a piece of equipment for one particular project like this,’’ Dr Tully said. “This has been designed primarily for ProCan, but it is a real collaboration among many partner organisations.’’

ProCan needs to analyse the proteins, or proteomes, from tens of thousands of cancer samples. They will then be compared with profiles from patients where outcomes of treatment are known. This will allow predictions of which treatments work, or won’t work, for a particular patient. In order to do this, CMRI needs a high-performance computing platform.

“This will allow us to get that data into a format for clinicians to look at, without it the whole project would be very difficult.’’

CMRI has been working closely with Harbour IT, Canon, HP, Red Hat and Intel to design the unique system. Canon Managing Director, Yusuke Mizoguchi, visited the Institute’s Westmead head office earlier this month to get an update on the ProCan project.

Dr Tully said they were planning to start the next phase of ProCan work, and hope to put the super computer to work in January, 2018.

“We’ve been working on getting the Standard Operating Procedures established, and now we can consider the next phase,’’ Dr Tully said. “Next year we will be ramping up what we’re doing. Getting the funding for this computer infrastructure is really key.’’

CMRI has also received funding from the Ian Potter Foundation for this project and is hoping that, through its annual Christmas appeal with support from donors, the remaining funds can be raised.

Photo: Canon management visiting Children’s Medical Research Institute in Westmead

Business Succession Planning from a Lawyer’s Perspective

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 19 Nov 2017 23:29:39 GMT

Lawyers see all sorts of businesses and deal with the effects of human nature in business on a daily basis. They document business ventures, estate and succession plans and we are often brought in to clean up the mess when things don’t go smoothly.

Planned Succession

Planning assumes there is time to plan. Often the business is closely tied to the founder who has a significant bank of knowledge which should be documented and communicated during the planning and handover process.

There are many issues to consider when preparing a succession plan:

Will the owner leave completely or will the owner have some future involvement with the business?
Who is to be the successor? This doesn’t matter if the business is being sold at arm's length
How will the owner conduct discussions with the preferred successor? Is there a backup successor?
Will the owner appoint an independent person to lead the discussions and to chair meetings?
Owners should set a realistic timeframe for planning, documenting, mentoring, transition, handover
What are the risks to the business that may arise?
How will the organisation structure change and how will other people’s jobs change as a result?
What training is required for the successor and other people in the organisation
What documents should be drawn up?
What advisors will be involved – accountants, lawyers, spouse?

Put something on paper! It’s a start!

Unplanned Succession

This is a critical issue in smaller businesses. Who will turn the lights on in the morning after unexpected death or incapacity?

Whilst the ownership of the business may be covered in the will or shareholders agreement, an operations manual or statement of wishes may assist those who will be running the business.

Unplanned succession can still involve elements of a succession plan, for example, mentoring a preferred successor, putting a shareholders agreement in place where there is more than one owner and having a will and/or power of attorney.

Family Businesses

These have their unique planning challenges including dealing with the expectations of family members who may not be the best people for the business. Owners should:

Aim for family harmony – do the children want to be involved in the business?
Aim to instil business skills and experience in those family members that are interested to hopefully build wealth across generations
Assess the financial capacity of the business to support these changes
Encourage communication between family members, don’t assume
Formalise the process with a timetable and adequate resources

Takeaway

This is very much an area of long term focus and vision, implementation and common sense rather than the application of strict legal principles. The early involvement of key people (whether family or not) and trusted advisers is essential to effective business succession planning.

More Information

For practical friendly advice on business succession planning contact please call Matthews Folbigg Lawyers in Parramatta on 9635 7966 to speak with Phillip Brophy or Natalie Gosper.

7 Secrets of Sales Outperformers

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 06:11:41 GMT

Tips to sharpen your sales skills

Are great sales people born or made? Whether you need to sharpen your own sales skills to build your business or you’re thinking about your next sale hire, it’s important to know what sets top sales teams apart.

So we asked three leaders in their fields to share a few sales secrets.

1. It all starts with the right attitude

For Mark Churchill, Managing Director with commercial broking firm Allfin Financial, attitude is the first thing he looks for in a new sales recruit. “You need to be able to talk with people. Every sale starts with a conversation.”

He believes this attitude comes naturally for a good salesperson – but those with a strong product knowledge base can learn it and do well.

Jennifer Carr, Principal at Louis Carr Real Estate in Sydney, learned her trade with her grandmother – also a real estate agent – who sparked her interest from a young age.

“Grandma would say, ‘there is no secret’. She genuinely loved talking with people, and everyday I look forward to meeting new people and hearing their stories,” Carr says.

Click here to read the full article.

Events by ATC Takes Top Honours

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 23:24:08 GMT

Events by ATC at The Australian Turf Club has taken top honours at the 2017 Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence – National in the category of Function/Convention Centre Caterer.

Beating 6 other finalists for the top nod, the award is in recognition of the dedicated and talented function and culinary team at The Australian Turf Club for the Longines Golden Slipper Luncheon.

The Awards for Excellence is a nationally recognised, independently judged awards program that celebrates exceptional service and culinary talent across the state. The Awards for Excellence is the only program in Australia where the judging criteria is determined by consumers who rank what is important to them in the dining experience.

The Australia Turf Club is proud to be showcasing and promoting its functions which are a reflection of our professional team of industry specialists. The award was accepted by Head of Sales, Jimmy Busteed.

Previous Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Award wins for The Australian Turf Club include:

The 2014 ‘Function/Convention Centre Caterer’ NSW

The 2015 ‘Caterer at a Major Event’, NSW

The 2016 Awards for Excellence NSW – Events Caterer

The 2017 Awards for Excellence NSW – Function/Convention Centre Caterer

WSA Co Request for Tender: Land Survey Services

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 05:33:05 GMT

WSA Co has today released a Request for Tender for the provision of Land Survey Services for the Western Sydney Airport project. This procurement is being undertaken using an open tender approach.

The procurement seeks to obtain detailed land surveys of the airport site including: cadastral survey; topographic survey; utilities survey, including underground and overhead services and utilities; and orthorectified aerial photography.

These services are required to support the preparation by WSA Co of a reference design for the Stage 1 airport development.

A copy of the tender documentation is available on the WSA Co website at www.wsaco.com.au.

The tender will close at 11:59pm (AEDST) on 27 November 2017.

All enquiries relating to the tender should be submitted to tenders@wsaco.com.au

More Trains. More Services.

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 02:59:16 GMT

Transport for NSW will deliver 8600 extra weekly services when a new train, bus and ferry timetable is introduced on 26 November.

How timetable changes may affect customers:

- train lines or platforms may change at different times of the day or week

- train, bus and ferry times may have changed

- customers may now need to interchange to complete their journey

- there could now be an express service or faster trip

More information is available online at transportnsw.info and at bus, ferry and train stations across the network. Customers can also call 131500.

Staff will be available at stations across the network to assist customers through these changes. Customers with special needs should seek out staff assistance, especially at busy stations like Central, Town Hall and Parramatta.

Productivity Bootcamp – Campbelltown’s Graduating Classes

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 01:40:27 GMT

Another milestone was reached this week, with the second Productivity Bootcamp class from Campbelltown graduating this week.

Productivity Bootcamp is an intense eight week course designed to prepare young people for the building and construction industry. Although focused on developing work-ready industry skills in formwork, steel, concreting, carpentry and general ground work, the Bootcamp goes much further, arming students with a wide variety of lifestyle management skills such as personality aptitude, finance/budgeting, communication skills, health, nutrition and fitness.

The program was established by Paul Breen, Director of Productivity Force, who had become frustrated with the skills shortage in the industry and the difficulty for construction businesses to attract and maintain apprentices – with almost 50% of all apprentices dropping out by the second year.

Bootcamp helps address this issue, by allowing young people to begin the course without the need of first having to apply for an apprenticeship. Upon completing the eight week course, the graduates are more confident, more knowledgeable about the industry and more successful in gaining future employment.

Campbelltown City Council is looking forward to continuing to work with Productivity Bootcamp next year on creating further opportunities for local youth.

For further information on Campbelltown City, visit www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au

Can you remember what you were doing in 1978?

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 01:19:25 GMT

Let us remind you.

Superman, The Deer Hunter, and Grease were the must-see movies of the year, while John Travolta along with our very own Olivia Newton John were singing about the ‘One that they Want’.

Parents everywhere were rushing to the shops, trying to find the ‘must have’ Christmas presents which were Stretch Armstrong, Evel Knievel stunt bike and Star Wars figurines – some things never change!

Neville Wran was re-elected as premier of New South Wales, in a huge victory reported in the press as a ‘Wranslide’ (they knew how to write headlines back then) and, thanks to the vision of Gough Whitlam, the rapidly growing population of Western Sydney finally had a hospital to call its own, right in the heart of Westmead.

Built on the site of the former speedway and Parramatta showgrounds, Westmead Hospital will reach the big 40 in November of 2018.

To celebrate, Westmead Medical Research Foundation is asking anyone who has ever visited, been treated or worked at Westmead Hospital to share their stories and photos with us.

If you have photos from 1978 wearing the 70’s fashion, or remember driving your Holden VB Commodore to the official opening of the Hospital, please send your memories to wmrf@wmrf.org.au.

We would love to hear from you!

Parramatta Leagues Club $130 Million Dollar Sport and Entertainment Precinct

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 00:50:42 GMT

Parramatta Leagues Club has unveiled plans to build a $130 million dollar sport and entertainment precinct adjacent to the new 30,000 seat Western Sydney Stadium.

This precinct will feature a 200-room hotel and luxury leisure centre including an aquatic centre, gymnasium and state of the art function facilities.

“It will be a landmark development for Parramatta” Parramatta Leagues Club Chief Executive Bevan Paul said. “We want people to see it as somewhere to take the family and celebrate events both on game and non-game days”.

“With social infrastructure of this kind, people living in Parramatta will have greater choices when it comes to their leisure and entertainment and people outside Parramatta will have another reason to visit and extend their stay.”

Work has already started on the first part of this development, a 750 spot multi-storey carpark. “Once complete, this $30 million dollar structure will make it easier for Members and Visitors to access the Club, during the construction period and after the Precinct is finished” Mr Paul added.

During the construction phase, this project will add 800 jobs to the Western Sydney economy and once completed, 300 new, ongoing jobs to Parramatta.

The carpark is on track to be completed in the first half of 2018. If the Club receives planning approval from the State Government, the hotel and leisure centre is forecast to open in 2019, the same year as the Western Sydney Stadium.

How To Be More Assertive

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 00:43:29 GMT

Lack of assertiveness in the workplace is a major contributor to poor performance.

Could you be more Assertive at work?

Well, there is a way to get what you want, without being pushy...

Learn the 3 key components of Assertion Messages, in this clip from a Great Managers MasterClass, and be more Assertive!

Quick and accurate cancer diagnosis

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 00:13:11 GMT

CANCER doesn’t discriminate and soon, thanks to work being done at Children’s Medical Research Institute in Westmead, neither will its diagnosis and treatment.

At the moment, the speed and accuracy with which all types of cancers are identified and treated can vary, according to where you are in the world and your access to experienced clinicians. Children’s Medical Research Institute wants to change all that with ProCan®.

One mum who sees the value of ProCan is Rene. While living in South Africa, her daughter Linke was diagnosed at the age of one with an aggressive form of leukaemia. After weeks of dealing with a baby who was constantly sick with no official diagnosis, a blood test revealed something was not quite right. Finally, a bone marrow procedure revealed the cancer.

After six months of chemotherapy, Linke was still unwell and their doctor gave little hope.

“He said, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t do anything for her, there is no proven treatment for her. Maybe do some research’,” Rene said. “So I went home and that same day I sent about 130 emails to medical professionals all over the world.’’

She received a response from Dr Luciano Dalla-Pozza, Head of Oncology at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, CMRI’s partner hospital, who said he would help. Rene moved countries, bringing her family to Sydney so Linke could have access to specialised care.

“She began treatment on a clinical trial within 24 hours. By the end of the first month on this new treatment, Linke was in remission. Three weeks is all it took on the right treatment,’’ Linke said.

ProCan could have made this a very different experience for Rene and Linke.

Over the next five years, the scientists at Children’s Medical Research Institute will analyse the proteome of tens of thousands of cancer cells from all over the world. They will compile this data and use advanced computer analysis to compare it with pathology results, genome sequencing, as well as response to treatment. This will allow CMRI to develop the ProCan test, so any cancer doctor anywhere in the world can have their patient’s cancer diagnosed faster. What’s more, they will know which treatment is most likely to work for that patient’s particular cancer, and equally important, which treatments won’t work. This will save crucial time and lives.

“Hearing about ProCan was breathtaking,’’ Rene said. “It will mean that every child has the opportunity of getting the right treatment, with the greatest chance of success, first time around. Regardless of where a child lives.’’

To find out more about the work being done on ProCan and other research projects at Children’s Medical Research Institute visit cmri.org.au

Campbelltown City Promoted to an International Audience

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 23:59:47 GMT

Campbelltown City Council recently attended the 10th World Chambers Congress at the Sydney International Convention Centre, to strategically profile Campbelltown City to an international audience.

The World Chambers Congress is the premier event of its kind, bringing chamber, business, education institutes and government figures together in one single gathering.

Held for the first time in Sydney, the Congress provided the rare opportunity to strategically profile Campbelltown City to a diverse international audience, obtain an audience with some of the world’s most prominent business leaders and promote the employment and investment opportunities within Campbelltown to more than 1000 delegates from 110 countries.

Throughout the three day event there was considerable interest from many overseas contingents about the growth the city is experiencing, as well as the opportunities that projects such as the Campbelltown Health and Education Precinct and the CBD Revitalisation present.

For further information on Campbelltown City, visit www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au

Western Sydney Wanderers launch W-League Mentoring Program

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 06:34:59 GMT

As part of the club’s ongoing commitment to women’s football, the Western Sydney Wanderers W-League Mentoring Program is designed to help players plan for success, build on their personal brand whilst also aiming to support both their mental health and physical well-being.

Supported by Western Sydney University, the program is focused on developing bright futures for the Wanderers' elite female players, ensuring that they get the support and confidence to manage their home, work and football life balance as well as introducing them to the right networks that will help broaden their career opportunities.

The first session of the program was hosted by Nikki Heald from Corptraining and was designed to help the W-League team build their personal brand and work on their networking skills.

The second session saw the players meet their Mentors for the very first time with 30 of Western Sydney’s most accomplished leaders in business, charities, sport, the arts and media industries coming together to celebrate a greater professional pathway for Wanderers W-League players.

Western Sydney Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said he was extremely proud of the program and the commitment that has gone into bringing it to life.

“This year we enter our sixth Westfield W-League season and during our time we have had the pleasure of seeing a great number of highly impressive young women play for our team,” said Tsatsimas.

“We introduced this program to help our elite female players develop not only on the field but off it also.

“Our goal was to create a program that has tangible benefits for our W-League players and I believe the response we have had so far and the incredible list of both male and female ambassadors coming on board is an outstanding achievement.”

There are three W-League Mentoring Events we’re hosting in conjunction with the program:

Westfield W-League Round 3 home match against Brisbane Roar 10 November 2017 – Hosted in the Elettra Room at Club Marconi followed by private suite seating in Marconi Stadium
Sydney Derby Double Header 9 December 2017 – Hosted in the Legends Room at ANZ Stadium
Player/Mentor function – TBC 2018

Family Law Review: Superannuation “Splitting”

Julie Falzon — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 04:30:00 GMT

A stressful time

When a marriage or de facto relationship breaks down, it can be a stressful time. Part of this process may involve the separation of assets, which may include the family home, business interests, investments, savings and superannuation. If a mutual agreement cannot be reached, the Court can determine the settlement. The right financial and legal advice at the early stages of this process can help a party to navigate their way through the Family Law system and make decisions about their assets and superannuation that provides a better outcome.

Superannuation Splitting as part of a property settlement

Superannuation is an asset that can usually be divided as part of a property settlement. Sometimes it is not possible to split superannuation. For example:

a. When the interest is of little or no value, when it would not be cost effective to do so (see The Commonwealth Attorney-General’s guide “Splitting Laws – Frequently Asked Questions”);

b. In the recent case of Goudarzi & Bagheri (No. 2) the Court considered the exclusion of the husband’s retirement pension from the property pool. It is noted that the wife received in excess of $1.4 million by way of an adjustment on account of the husband’s pension.

Superannuation agreements

Following a divorce or other relationship breakdown, parties are able to make a “superannuation agreement” about how any superannuation benefit of either party will be split. There are rules about what this agreement needs to say. An agreement can also be made before or during a marriage or de facto relationship, detailing how any superannuation will be split on marriage or relationship breakdown.

If a superannuation agreement meets certain legal requirements, the agreement is binding and the trustee of a superannuation fund is required to implement the agreement. A Court cannot make an order about a superannuation interest that is dealt with in a superannuation agreement.

Court orders

If there is no agreement between the parties about how to deal with superannuation, then the Court can be asked to make a property settlement order that specifies how superannuation is to be split. If this order is properly constructed, the Court order is binding on the trustee of a superannuation fund, who has to comply with it.

Some complicating factors

There is some complexity relating to the division of superannuation benefits. For example:

a. There are different types of superannuation benefits (for example, accumulation and defined benefit funds, allocated pensions, complying pensions and annuities). They each have different rules.

b. An important part of considering property settlement terms and the split of any superannuation benefit involves requesting information from a superannuation fund about the benefit (this request can be made by a spouse) and ensuring that the benefit is valued in accordance with the Family Law (Superannuation) Regulations.

c. Consideration should be given to how superannuation interest can be split. For example, a split may occur in the form of a specific dollar amount (base amount) or as a percentage of the balance of the party's superannuation fund. This can make a significant difference to the settlement outcome.

d. The parties should consider the eligibility criteria to access superannuation benefits.

e. For a splitting order to be binding on the Trustee of a Superannuation fund, certain requirements must be followed including the provision of procedural fairness to the Trustee.

f. The splitting of superannuation carries its own tax implications. For example, financial advice should be obtained in relation to a payment made under a family law split being a capital gains tax (CGT) exempt event. When dealing with splitting certain tax concessions like roll-over relief can apply. Some funds will even have untaxed elements or other schemes not subject to tax. Advice may also identify wealth management strategies (for example, spouses going through separation may wish to consider the structure of their superannuation asset holdings to be in a position to optimise the $1.6 million transfer balance cap).

g. There are time limitations that may apply. For married couples, applications for property adjustment must be made within 12 months of a divorce becoming final. For de-facto relationships, applications for property adjustment must be made within 2 years of the breakdown of a de facto relationship.

Benefits of consulting with a family lawyer

The law in relation to superannuation provides parties with more flexibility in the way that property settlements are structured. A spouse may consider the option of splitting superannuation to ensure that there is a more equitable outcome for both parties.

Knowing what you or your client may be entitled to is important in ensuring that any asset distribution (which can include superannuation benefits) is fair. Our specialist family law lawyers work closely with qualified accountants and financial planners to give you or your client the guidance that is needed. Speak to one of them today!

Disclaimer: Family law situations can be complex and sometimes they can involve serious issues. Information outlined is proposed to provide general guidance only. Due to the seriousness of legal matters as well as the uniqueness of your individual situation, professional advice should be sought. For advice, please contact one of our Family Lawyers.

2017 Northcott Cricket Gala Dinner

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 04:15:03 GMT

Join Northcott for a gala dinner with Aussie cricketers in support of children and adults with disability!

Northcott’s Recreation Service creates fun and social opportunities for children and adults with disability. Proceeds raised at their Cricket Gala Dinner will help fund this service. Watch this video to see how your support helps them create more fun!

Northcott's 22nd annual cricket event will this year be a dinner. It will be held on Thursday 9 November 2017 in the Noble Dining Room at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Proudly supported by their charity partner Cricket NSW, Northcott’s annual cricket event has raised more than $1.8 million for children and adults with disability – a remarkable achievement that would not have been possible without their wonderful supporters!

Click here to book your tickets or contact Annette Sneyd on 02 9890 0131 or annette.sneyd@northcott.com.au for more information or to learn about sponsorship opportunities.

A beginner's guide to diversity for small and medium business owners

Julie Falzon — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 04:13:15 GMT

How do you change behaviours in a small workplace?

The consensus from these groups is that companies who demonstrate inclusion through racial, ethnic and gender diversity, to name a few, perform better.

But while the commercial benefits of a diverse workforce have been proven for large organisations (who can dedicate sizeable budgets to diversity and inclusion programs), are the same benefits true for small businesses with a handful of staff?

According to Sarah Platts, Director of leadership and communication consultancy Catalyst, the answer is yes.

"Small business owners are recognising the commercial opportunity in diversity. When an employee can bring their whole self to the workplace, they will feel more engaged and will be more effective in their work".

It's about leading by example through important changes in everyday behaviour.

"The benefits of this engagement are amplified in a small business, where people often play multiple, critical roles in driving business performance."

The problem for small business owners, Platts says, is simply knowing where to start on their diversity journey.

"The worst thing you can do is appoint the ‘Diversity Police’, she says. "Diversity isn’t about policing behaviour. It is about being human, and allowing others to be human, too."

According to Platts, the two biggest barriers to achieving a diverse workforce are the unconscious bias at play and lack of inclusive behavior.

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Sam McCarthy at our Parramatta office on 0417 518 724 and be connected with one of our banking specialists in your region.

Safe Harbour – A licence to be insolvent, but only whilst inside the harbour.

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 03:30:00 GMT

There is welcomed legislation, designed to assist company directors to feel safer in restructuring a company when it comes to matters of insolvent trading. This is good news as the laws have typically been difficult for directors in circumstances where a company is facing a financial crisis.

The law doesn’t remove the insolvent trading laws. However, once a director enters a ‘safe harbour’, they are deemed not to be personally liable “where they take a course of action that is reasonably likely to lead to a better outcome for the company and the company’s creditors as a whole”. This legislation is awaiting royal assent which is expected in the very near future.

How to enter the harbour?

The ‘better outcome test’ is the legislative equivalent of being safe to fail. The onus is on directors to, amongst other things, obtain expert advice, and prepare a restructuring plan with a demonstrable course of action to find a solution that results in a better outcome than the immediate appointment of an administrator. This will afford pro-active directors a defence to being held personally liable for debts incurred in connection with the course of action they take.

Successfully restructuring a distressed business is hard to do. The high risk and emotionally charged environment requires compromises and trade-offs. We often see directors judgement clouded due to the risk of being personally liable for the debts they incur.

Most directors have strong relationships with their employees, suppliers and customers and have a genuine desire to restore performance and preserve those relationships, jobs and personal wealth. The changes don’t remove the role of the courts and subsequently appointed liquidators (if appointed) to call to account those directors and their advisers who purposefully seek to rip people off.

Where can directors obtain advice?

The onus will still be on director to prove that they’ve satisfied the safe harbour qualification criteria Retaining turnaround professionals is a central element of a director’s defence. If you would like to know more about Safe Harbour or options for early identification of signs of distress and intervention, I invite you to a confidential, no obligation, initial discussion about your company’s situation.

Angela Haynes

KPMG Restructuring Services

Level 8, 91 Phillip Street,

Parramatta NSW 2150

E: ahaynes1@kpmg.com.au

Ph: 02 8841 2150

Mob: 0419 444 010

Carl Gunther - Partner

KPMG Restructuring Services

Tower 3, 300 Barangaroo Avenue,

Sydney NSW 2000

E: carlgunther@kpmg.com.au

Ph: 02 9335 7381

Mob: 0408 477 407

Industry groups like the TMA have published helpful guidelines for its membership to navigate Safe Harbour. However it’s one thing to satisfy the legislative requirements of the Safe Harbour, it’s another to undertake the turnaround. The legislation supports that advice should be taken from an appropriately qualified advisor and to have evidence of this e.g. documentation of any specific advice sought and obtained, plus the engagement of a recognised turnaround professional.

Why act now?

Whilst the Safe Harbour reform is positive news, the steps to qualifying for entry to the safe harbour require some preparation. Ultimately recognising early signs of distress and subsequent intervention by company directors when these arise remains the best way to achieve a better outcome for the company.

Who is liable when a worker is injured on a construction site?

Julie Falzon — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 03:15:34 GMT

Article by: Rachael Arnold and Terri Hirbod-Bassi

A recent NSW Supreme Court decision discusses the apportionment of liability of various parties on a construction site where a worker is injured. This case raises an important consideration for all labour hire companies, employers and contractors, and their insurers, in order to understand their responsibilities and assess and minimise their risk and liability in the event that an injury occurs on site.

The plaintiff worked as a labourer on the redevelopment of the Redfern RSL. He was employed by a labour hire company, Caringbah Formwork Pty Ltd (Caringbah), and was hired out as a labourer to Calcono Pty Ltd (Calcono). Calcono was sub-contracted to undertake formwork for the site by the principal contractor, Deicorp Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd (Deicorp). The sub-contract cast a number of obligations on Calcono with regard to site safety, including compliance with the Occupational Health, Safety and Rehabilitation Act 2000 (NSW).

On 26 May 2011, the plaintiff fell two metres from a raised wooden platform on a metal frame within the building site. He alleged that he slipped on a piece of plywood on the platform, which he claimed was very slippery when wet. The plaintiff sustained injury and sued Caringbah, Calcono and Deicorp, alleging that each was liable in negligence.

Proceedings were dismissed against Caringbah as the Court held that although it had a non-delegable duty of care as the plaintiff’s employer (it was only his de jure employer whilst Calcono was his de facto employer) practically it had no control over the actual working conditions or state of the site.

Proceedings were dismissed against Deicorp as the Court held that although it had a duty to take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that workers on the building site were able to work in safe conditions, this duty was in the nature of a supervisory role only.

Calcono had contracted with Deicorp to take certain safety measures. The duty that Calcono owed the plaintiff was to take reasonable care to avoid exposing its (de facto) employees to unnecessary risk of injury. It was found that Calcono breached its duty to the plaintiff by failing to take reasonable precautions against the possibility that he could fall from the elevated decking. As a result, the Court found Calcono solely liable in negligence.

However, the Court made a finding of contributory negligence of 33.3%. The Court was satisfied that the plaintiff was negligent in failing to draw his superiors’ attention to the unsafe conditions in which he had been directed to work, and that this contributed to his fall.

What does this mean for your business?

The case draws an important distinction between a de jure employer and de facto employer. The case demonstrates that the non-delegable duty of care owed by an employer does not automatically assume that an employer will always be held liable, particularly in circumstances where that employer had little or no control over the work that was being performed.

Further, this case demonstrates the importance of principal contractors undertaking and recording safety measures that have been put in place, and the importance of carefully drafted agreements that specify the obligations of each party on a construction site with regard to, among other things, site safety.

Rachael Arnold is a partner and Terri Hirbod-Bassi is a senior associate in the General Insurance team at Hall & Wilcox.

www.hallandwilcox.com.au

Macarthur Clinical School nominated for Project of the Year

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 03:00:00 GMT

The Macarthur Clinical School has been nominated for the Boomtown! Project of the Year, a new award established by the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue to acknowledge completed (or near completed) projects over the past 12 months that have, or will, significantly contribute to the sustainable growth of Greater Western Sydney. The award aims to celebrate achievement in innovation and leadership in project design and delivery by the public and private sector, and recognises major projects that have positively impacted on community, social, and economic outcomes.

The $21m, four-storey Macarthur Clinical School at Campbelltown Hospital was opened in early 2017, providing advanced training to medical students and researchers. Jointly funded by the NSW Government and Western Sydney University, it is one of the key training sites for Western Sydney University’s School of Medicine, where hands-on clinical experience is embedded in the students' training from their very first year. With state-of-the-art training equipment, students are mentored by senior specialists and other health professionals from the nearby hospital.

Other finalists for 2017 are M4 road widening for WestConnex (Sydney Motorway Corporation/RMS); Western Sydney University Parramatta CBD Campus (WSU); Transport Technology Centre at TAFE Wetherill Park (TAFE NSW); Fire and Rescue Academy at Erskine Park (FRNSW); Inglis Riverside Stables (Inglis/Accor Hotels). The winner will be announced at the Boomtown! Infrastructure Summit on 22 November.

For further information on Campbelltown City, visit www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au

Pitcher Partners Contact Magazine – Spring 2017

Julie Falzon — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 02:42:04 GMT

Pitchers Partners are pleased to provide you with the Spring 2017 edition of their national publication - Contact. This quarterly publication examines issues specific to their clients.

In this edition they cover:

Being brave - new ways of thinking. Innovation is not just about bean bags and ping pong tables in the break out room. Innovation at its simplest is adding value to an organisation or its customers.
Strategy in the face of disruption. In today’s hyper-competitive business environment, strategy is so important. What strategies could you employ to defend against an invisible and stealthy threats? Tips for building resilience against disruption.
Client case study – Crone. Award winning design of the future.
Venture forth with internationalisation. In today’s shrinking world internationalisation is growing, which inherently brings increased cross-border deal making opportunities. But Australian businesses need to open their doors and their minds to joint ventures if they want to capitalise on this trend.
Making cents from foreign currency. Businesses which take their first step beyond Australia are faced with global headwinds, often outside their control, and have the potential to impact their bottom line.
What's new at Pitcher Partners?

To read Contact Spring 2017, please click here.

For further information, please contact your Pitcher Partners representative.

Contact

Rob Southwell

Managing Partner

+61 2 9221 2099

rob.southwell@pitcher.com.au

Pitcher Partners Sydney

Level 22 MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

www.pitcher.com.au

The Greater Sydney Commission launches draft Greater Sydney Region Plan

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 23:30:00 GMT

Our Greater Sydney 2056 – A Metropolis of Three Cities (draft Greater Sydney Region Plan), launched in conjunction with Transport for NSW’s draft Future Transport 2056 strategy will reshape Greater Sydney as a metropolis of three cities – Eastern, Central and Western, rebalancing it, fostering jobs, improving housing affordability, easing congestion and enhancing our enviable natural environment.

You can read the plan and provide your feedback through a submission by visiting their website www.greater.sydney.

You can also register for community events and online discussion forums.

The Greater Sydney Commission would like to acknowledge the hard work and support of local government councillors and staff, community groups, industry groups, government agencies and community members who have helped shape the draft plan through their submissions and feedback over the past 20 months.

The draft plan will be on exhibition till the 15 December 2017.

Article and image courtesy of the Greater Sydney Commission

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 07:00:00 GMT

Today the NSW Premier and the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure announced the nine kilometre preferred route for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2. This will connect to Stage 1 and run north of the Parramatta River through the rapidly developing suburbs of Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point to Sydney Olympic Park, helping to connect people to this booming sport, entertainment and employment hub.

This route is the best option as it achieves a fully integrated transport and land use plan for Greater Parramatta and the Olympic Peninsula, and connects directly with fast rail and future metro services to the Sydney CBD. Stage 2 will be further developed by consultation with the community and stakeholders. A Final Business Case for Stage 2 is expected to be completed in 2018, with an investment decision and details on the timing of construction to follow.

The Environmental Impact Statement for Stage 1 of the project is on exhibition until 23 October. Expressions of Interest have been called to design and construct, supply, operate and maintain the network and light rail vehicles. Construction on Stage 1 is expected to start in 2018, pending planning approval, with light rail to begin operating in 2023.

More information about Parramatta Light Rail, including the preferred route for Stage 2, is available on the project website.

Announcement courtesy of Transport for NSW

Request for Tender: Geotechnical Investigation Services

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 22:54:38 GMT

WSA Co has today released a Request for Tender for the provision of Geotechnical Investigation Services for the Western Sydney Airport project. This procurement is being undertaken using an open tender approach.

The procurement seeks to obtain high quality geotechnical information which will inform the development of a reference design for all structures, earthworks, pavements and ancillary works required for the Stage 1 airport development.

WSA Co requires a suitably skilled and experienced geotechnical engineering consultant to complete the geotechnical investigation.

A copy of the tender documentation is available on the WSA Co website at www.wsaco.com.au.

The tender will close at 11:59pm (AEDST) on 31 October 2017.

All enquiries relating to the Geotechnical Investigation Services tender should be submitted to tenders@wsaco.com.au

Featherdale & Western Sydney Wanderers Announce Partnership

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 02:13:29 GMT

Two of Western Sydney’s key sporting and tourism entities – the Western Sydney Wanderers and Featherdale Wildlife Park - have teamed up in partnership to promote the region’s extensive variety of leisure benefits.

Wanderers Midfielder Roly Bonevacia, who will serve as Featherdale’s Ambassador, recently visited the Park with wife Milou and two children to introduce his young family to the Park’s extensive collection of native Australian animals. Bonevacia has ‘wandered’ all the way from his native Netherlands to call Western Sydney his home, having signed with the team in May 2017.

Featherdale’s CEO, Tony Chiefari said “We are pleased to welcome Roly and the Western Sydney Wanderers to the Featherdale community. With a young family himself, Roly was a perfect choice to represent Featherdale both on and off the field.”

Western Sydney Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said that the club was delighted to be teaming up with Featherdale. “Featherdale has a proud Western Sydney identity so this partnership is a great fit for our club.

“We look forward to working alongside Featherdale this season and hope that our members, fans and also our players can enjoy all that Featherdale offers.”

Featherdale has developed into one of Australia’s finest tourist attractions in Greater Western Sydney and has played an important part in the growth of tourism and awareness of wildlife conservation. Similarly, the Western Sydney Wanderers club has pioneered development programs with school communities, football associations and local football clubs building awareness of the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle.

The aptly named “Wildlife Wanderers” mobile education program is one of Featherdale’s key community initiatives. The program facilitates keeper and wildlife visits to schools, libraries and other community facilities within a 45km radius of the Park, educating outlying communities on the importance of wildlife preservation off site.

To celebrate the partnership, Featherdale Wildlife Park is offering an exclusive Western Sydney Wanderers “Members Only” offer of Free Entry for Children to the Park. Further information can be found at www.featherdale.com.au or by calling 02 9622 1644.

Featherdale is located at 217 Kildare Road, Doonside and is open 9am to 5pm daily

Human Capital and the Future of Western Sydney’s Labour Market

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 00:10:06 GMT

The Premier of NSW, The Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP, recently addressed 550 business leaders at Western Sydney Business Connection’s 'State of the Region Address', where she outlined how the NSW Government’s projected investments are shaping Western Sydney’s future.

The Premier highlighted the extraordinary jobs growth in Western Sydney as a direct result of record Government investment in infrastructure and subsequent private investment.

“Over the next four years, the Government will invest more than $22 billion on major projects to tackle congestion, connect communities and improve services across this region,” the Premier said.

“The Western Sydney commitment is almost a third of our total, state-wide infrastructure commitment of $73 billion."

The latest ABS figures confirmed that since 2011, 142,000 new jobs have been created in Western Sydney – almost 40 per cent of the 361,000 jobs created across the whole of NSW in that time.

"Western Sydney jobs have surged by 12.3% - faster than NSW as a whole and faster than any other state and territory, she said"

"As the latest ABS figures confirmed last week, the Western Sydney unemployment rate of 5.5% today is the lowest since 2008 and over the past two years alone, Western Sydney has created more jobs than Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania combined, the Premier added.”

As a leading voice in the region, WSBC General Manager Amanda Brisot said, “There are a number of pressing issues facing Western Sydney’s labour market and we need to address them now."

"Whilst we are definitely experiencing employment growth we need to see a dramatic increase in knowledge jobs to ensure and uplift the socio economic conditions within the region."

"Let’s start discussing who will populate the innovation corridors and medical research hubs and how we will attract talent to the region."

"We have over 300,000 workers leaving Western Sydney every day; how do we connect the people of Western Sydney with local job opportunities?"

"How are we preparing our young people for what’s to come given half of the people 25 years or younger are currently enrolled in courses that will be dramatically impacted by automation in the next 10-15 years?"

"If Western Sydney doesn’t put strategies in place to develop the labour market and ensure that the talent resides in the area, we will never fully realise the benefits of this once-in-a-generation investment boom."

"WSBC’s Visitor Strategy initiative, due to be released in December this year, will go some way to attracting talent to the region by positioning its lifestyle attributes and stimulating vibrancy within the visitor sector, creating informal sector and entry level jobs. We must then leverage these opportunities by creating new career pathways within the sector, Ms Brisot added.”

Western Sydney currently accounts for 8% of Australia's GDP, represents 10% of Australia's population, and is expected to account for 15% of Australia's population growth in the next 25 years

Urban growth of this magnitude is a rarity in the cities of advanced nations, so we can't afford to waste the significant momentum and investment. We are at a crucial time of development to establish a legacy that will affect many of Australia's next generations.

Ms Brisot noted that the human capital solution requires collaboration and commitment from both industry and Government and WSBC will continue to provide that important link between the two.

Western Sydney Business Connection is the prime facilitator of business engagement and growth in Western Sydney.

State funding confidence boost for Western Sydney Visitor Economy Strategy

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 05:36:48 GMT

The Western Sydney Business Connection (WSBC) has received an investment boost from the NSW Government towards its Visitor Network Strategy.

WSBC General Manager Amanda Brisot thanked the NSW Government, Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall and said the $100,000 investment means a lot to the region and the development of the visitor economy in Western Sydney.

“This is about Industry and government coming together in a pubic private partnership to promote western Sydney’s hidden gems – the great outdoors, the multicultural cuisine, our unique arts and culture offering and attractions such as Featherdale and Wet n Wild,” Mrs Brisot said.

“WSBC set out to deliver a co-ordinated strategy providing a vital link between all levels of government and this investment from the NSW Government confirms the WSBC Visitor Network Strategy as a true public private partnership and takes us another step closer to delivering on our goals.” she said.

The WSBC Visitor Network Strategy was initiated in December 2016. Its founding members include; City of Parramatta, Campbelltown City Council, Parramatta Leagues Club, Penrith Panthers, Rooty Hill RSL, Wet n Wild, Sydney Zoo, Australian Turf Club, Museum of Applied Arts & Science and TAFE NSW.

The strategy will drive incremental visitation that will achieve an increase in the area’s tourism value add to $10.2 billion by 2030.

“WSBC will promote the many hidden gems of western Sydney via a smart phone app and a website designed to be a one stop shop for visitors to plan a great day out, find somewhere to stay or a bite to eat,” said Mrs Brisot.

“This money will go towards developing three experience trails across western Sydney – we will start off with cycling, walking and cuisine and later look to add heritage and other great trails.

“It’s time to start promoting what is great about western Sydney and WSBC's strategy does that.

“It is important for industry and local government to see this commitment from State government. It sends a very strong message. It not only gives them confidence for the future but provides that vital link to Sydney and to Destination NSW's resources and marketing channels.

“We are confident the State Government’s commitment will potentially be worth more than the investment alone by boosting confidence in the project and will encourage more investment to reach the $1 million required for the initial stages of the project.”

Districts merged to create new Western City District

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 02:29:44 GMT

Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts, has issued a formal order for the creation of a new Western City District, after the merger of the West and South West Districts.

The new Western City District encompasses eight local council areas from north of the Hawkesbury River to Bargo in the south and west into the Blue Mountains.

Minster Roberts appointed the Greater Sydney Commission’s Deputy Chief Commissioner and Economic Commissioner, Geoff Roberts, as Interim Commissioner for Western City District.

Minister Roberts has thanked the outgoing District Commissioners Sean O'Toole (West) and Sheridan Dudley (South West) for their contribution and commitment to their Districts and their work as Sydney Planning Panel Chairs.

The Minister is also taking the opportunity to rename two of the other five districts within Greater Sydney, to provide greater clarity around their location within the “Three Cities” vision:

The Central West District has been renamed the Central City District.
The Central District has been renamed the Eastern City District.
The North and South districts remain the same.

Find out more about the Western City District here.

Courtesy of Greater Sydney Commission

BOOMTOWN! Property & Infrastructure Summit 2017

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 02:06:40 GMT

BOOMTOWN is Western Sydney’s premier property and infrastructure summit, promoting the major projects that will help to build, connect and grow the cities of Greater Western Sydney.

The summit, to be held on November 22nd, will showcase the major projects, unpack the funding models, explore ‘City Deals’ and their potential to kick-start growth-generating transport infrastructure and social housing and examine urban transformation projects which underpin the wave of economic development impacting Greater Western Sydney. With $50b+ in projects, every decision-maker in attendance and 400 deals to be done, this year's BOOMTOWN Summit is not to be missed!

Click here to view the BOOMTOWN Event Program.

ACCC taking measures to protect small business

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 09:16:44 GMT

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has taken action against two companies in a bid to protect small Australian businesses from unfair contracts.

Changes to the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) came into effect in November 2016 now provide the ACCC with the ability to bring actions against companies that include unfair terms in their contracts with small businesses.

In September, JJ Richards & Sons (JJ Richards), one of Australia’s largest, privately owned waste management companies, was the first to be taken to task by ACCC since those changes. Now a second company has had proceedings brought against it.

The ACCC alleges that up until April this year, JJ Richards’ standard form contract with small businesses included terms that caused damage to those businesses. These terms included binding customers to further contracts unless they cancelled the current one within 30 days of it ending, allowing JJ Richards to increase its prices, giving exclusive rights to remove waste from a property and allowing them to suspend collection service if payments were not paid within 7 days.

While proceedings against JJ Richards have only just begun, the ACCC has also bought an action against Servcorp, which supplies office space and virtual office services worldwide.

Servcorp’s contract terms allegedly include unfair terms that allow Servcorp to increase its contract price, terminate contracts and impose penalty-type consequences on the customer, limit Servcorp’s liability while imposing unreasonable liability on the customer, and acquire a customer’s property without notice.

What does this mean for your business?

Whether you’re a large business that maintains contracts with smaller businesses, or you are one of those smaller businesses, you should consider reviewing any agreements for terms which may be deemed "unfair".

For more information regarding what is considered to be ‘unfair’ terms, click here to read our full article.

Alternatively, if you would like advice regarding contract terms, please get in touch with Jacqui Barrett at Hall & Wilcox on + 61 2 8896 6037.

Western Sydney Wanderers Corporate Hospitality Has Everything You Need

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 05:31:50 GMT

Enjoy a Wanderers match day in style within the comfort of our corporate hospitality spaces.

With varying options from entry level rooms to exclusive private suites, Wanderers hospitality has everything you need. Whether it is for a corporate outing, a client meeting or a birthday party our array of options will satisfy all your needs.

Purchase Wanderers corporate hospitality by the 3rd of October to go into the draw to win an on field experience for two people.

Wanderers corporate hospitality prices start from as little as $180 per person.

Sydney Derby Chairman’s Dinner (ANZ Stadium)

This exclusive event brings together the most influential individuals in business across Western Sydney.

Ambassadors Lounge (Both Venues)

The ultimate match day experience soaking up the atmosphere in the comfortable setting of the Ambassadors Lounge along with your chance to meet the players and fellow Ambassadors of the Wanderers

Sky Deck (Spotless Stadium)

Experience your Wanderers match day hospitality in one of the most unique viewing platforms in the Sydney sporting venue landscape.

Sydney Derby Sports Bar (ANZ Stadium)

Experience one of the best live sporting events in Australia in a fun and exciting sports bar environment. – suitable for all ages.

W-League Mentoring Program

As part of our ongoing support commitments to women’s football, the W-League Mentoring Program has been designed to help our elite women’s players plan for success. Get involved by joining us at one of our W-League networking sessions.

Contact details

For bookings or any additional information, please contact Dimitri on:

P: 02 8602 6413

E: ddroulias@wswanderersfc.com.au

W: www.wanderland.com.au/corporate

Hospitality with a heart: Parramatta Mission’s One Hotels and Apartments win’s Social Enterprise of the Year

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 02:59:59 GMT

One Hotels and Apartments is a part of Parramatta Mission - working to grow stronger communities by supporting individuals in need, providing meals, accommodation, support services and mental health services across Greater Western Sydney.

One Hotels and Apartments oversees the operation of the Westmead motel, 175, and the non-for-profit program Wesley Apartments. The goal is to provide hospitality with a heart as our Wesley Apartments accommodates families for long term whilst their loved ones are being treated in the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

At the same time our Motel (175) is re-invested in the Wesley Apartments program enabling Wesley Apartments to continue to operate independent of external funding. The surplus has allowed Wesley Apartments to charge the residents a minimum accommodation fee and support the families with an onsite support worker. The extra financial contribution has allowed Wesley Apartments to adopt a Hospitality Fund, which permits management to provide free phone and internet service, welcome packs of food, toiletries & general household supplies, along with additional food/fuel vouchers, food packs, gift vouchers, personal hygiene packs, books/magazines and DVD’s to the families that reside at Wesley Apartments. The families usually come to the apartments with only the clothes on their backs and limited amount of money, so these initiatives are very important, most welcomed and appreciated by these families.

The purpose of the motel is to provide a standard of accommodation to the guests and designed to contribute financially to the non-government services provided by Parramatta Mission, in particular One Hotels and Apartments - support to the operations of Wesley Apartments, funding the shortfall sustained by offering discounted accommodation.

Wesley Apartments was opened in February 2010 and has been operating successfully for over 7 years. The surplus of 175 motel has enabled Wesley Apartments to operate without the need for government assistance. Surplus enables Parramatta Mission to run many of their welfare programs such as Mealsplus, along with providing Chaplin’s to the Westmead Hospitals and soon to University of Western Sydney’s CBD campus with no assists of government funding. This has resulted in the organisation being able to ensure sustainability.

Growth continues progressing the training and development model within the hospitality sector of Parramatta. The training and development model will see an increase of Youth within our programs contributing back to the community of Greater Western Sydney and eventually being the trainers and mentors for new youth coming through the programs.

If you need accommodation please contact 02 9635 1233 or visit onehotelsapartments.com.au/175/

2017 Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence Winner

Category: Excellence in Social Enterprise

Events By ATC Takes Top Honours

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 09:07:36 GMT

Events by ATC at The Australian Turf Club has once again taken top honours at the 2017 Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence – NSW in the category of Function/ Convention Centre Caterer.

Beating 8 other finalists for the top nod, the award is in recognition of the dedicated and talented function and culinary team at The Australian Turf Club for Golden Slipper – Gold Room Luncheon.

With a major $28million dollar refurbishment at Rosehill Gardens, The Australia Turf Club is proud to be showcasing and promoting its functions which are a reflection of our professional team of industry specialists. The award was accepted by Head of Sales, Jimmy Busteed.

Previous Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Award wins for The Australian Turf Club include:

The 2014 ‘Function/ Convention Centre Caterer’

The 2015 ‘Caterer at a Major Event’,

The 2016 Awards for Excellence NSW – Events Caterer.

The Australian Turf Club will progress to the nationals held in Victoria on the 30th October 2017.

Develop this Skill and Neutralise Defensiveness in your Workplace

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 08:39:01 GMT

Without a doubt, one of the hardest parts of managing people, particularly during performance conversations, is dealing with defensiveness.

However, if you are skilled enough to identify defensiveness and handle it effectively, before it sets in and takes over, your discussions can be focused on: the future, on solutions and next steps, as opposed to being stuck in protectiveness, the past, and who’s to blame.

Understanding the mechanics of the mind, and how the brain works, is critical to learning how to manage yourself and develop new behaviours for dealing with defensiveness.

So let’s have a look at some of the signs of defensive behaviour:

1. Rationalising

AKA: explaining yourself & making excuses.

With this pattern, you might find yourself saying "yes, BUT..." an awful lot.

So someone might make a comment, and you say "yes, BUT!" and you will explain why you have to do things the way you do or explain why the other person is wrong. You feel that you have to justify your behaviour and act as though their questions or comments are attacks on you.

Someone might say to you; "I’m really disappointed that you can’t come to the lunch." When rationalising, you would end up getting upset with them and explaining the numerous reasons why you can’t go to the lunch rather than just acknowledging that this person might just miss you.

2. Blaming

With blaming, you shift the focus from yourself by making the other person (or people) the reason for your behaviour or the way you feel.

For example, if you didn’t get to work on time it’s because someone didn’t wake you up or you just missed the bus because the insensitive bus driver didn’t stop when he saw you.

It is always someone else’s fault with this pattern.

3. Attack and Counter Attack

You might complain about a problem you’re having, and when the other person gives you some insight into the role you play in the problem, you attack or judge them.

You say; "huh?"

You feel indignant, you feel wounded or misunderstood by the suggestion that you might play a role in your own problems.

You might accuse them of being mean and insensitive, or you counter attack by drawing their attention to something that they’re struggling with and how ineffective they have been!

4. The Need to be Right

… or the need to make others wrong.

Characterised by a tendency to see why things won’t work or point out flaws. This can take a few different forms.

It can be an oppositional style which is characterised by stubbornness, sarcasm, cynicism.

You know the one, “…as if that’ll work!”

It can be a controlling, authoritarian style where things can only be done one way.

It can be a competitive style which is what we call a win-lose mindset where you need to beat the other person; you always need to be one-up on them.

Know Yourself & Neutralise Defensiveness

You will never handle defensiveness in others well if you can’t handle your own defensiveness. Self-awareness must always come first.

When you find you are displaying defensive signs, start by asking yourself, “What am I feeling?” and then labelling the feeling. If you cannot do this immediately, you might need to notice what behaviour you are displaying or contemplating.

For example, are you shutting down emotionally or are you winding-up emotionally? It’s important to notice and label this feeling because this will help quiet down the amygdala (the emotional brain).

The next thing to do is tune-in to your body, your physiology.

Notice what’s happening in your body.

Is your breathing shallow? Is your heart pounding? Are your muscles tense? Because the first sign of defensiveness might be an emotion, or it might be a bodily sensation, it might be like a jolt of energy where you feel the protectiveness kick in.

Self-awareness is our foundation strategy in the Great Managers Academy. This skill will strengthen you professionally, personally and put you in the top tier of leadership.

Click here to find out more about the Great Managers Academy and how you and your Managers can neutralise defensiveness in your workplace.

Marketingheads announced Winners at the 27th Annual Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 08:30:41 GMT

Marketingheads Kaye McIntyre and John Wakeling are very proud to be the winners of the Excellence in Marketing award for 2017.

The Excellence in Marketing award recognises businesses that utilise a variety of marketing tools and techniques to effectively promote their business whilst engaging the end user.

John Wakeling said: “We are very proud to be in the winner’s circle. Virtually all our growth originates from referrals and repeat business. We are honoured to be part of a professional network that values excellence in an ethical framework where our goal is to achieve exceptional results for our clients.”

Marketingheads were also a finalist in the Excellence in Small Business category and received a highly commended award at the Gala event. This award recognises a company that has attained significant growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies and processes implemented to achieve sustainable growth.

The Premier of NSW the Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP provided an insightful overview of Western Sydney as a key economic hub and gave her vision for its development in the future. Clearly Parramatta and Western Sydney are the place to be for businesses with a mindset to grow and prosper.

Pre-Christmas Dining Packages at TABLE 30

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 07:51:26 GMT

Kick off your festive celebrations with Parkroyal Parramatta's range of Pre-Christmas Dining Packages at TABLE 30.

For only $59 per person, enjoy a pre-Christmas lunch or dinner which includes unlimited soft drink.

Table 30's succulent Premium Seafood Buffet is only $69 per person and is available every Saturday night from 6.00pm to 9.30pm.

Click here for further information or to book.

Transformation: Beyond the Buzzwords

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 03:42:20 GMT

Making sense of the pace of change

If you feel like things are changing at an increasingly rapid pace, you’re not alone. We are well into the ‘fourth industrial revolution’, where transformation is happening 10 times faster than the first.1

Fintech, the internet of things, machine learning – terms like these are the currency of this new digital economy. This article makes sense of the jargon, and looks at what they really mean for your business, your clients and the way your industry will operate in the future.

The rise and rise of – techs

From lawtech and insurtech to proptech, digital disrupters are leveraging new technology to create entirely new service models for both consumers and businesses.

“All of these techs are potentially new competitors in your market. And they have more muscle than you might think.”

Innes Kirkwood, Macquarie Business Banking’s National Head of Residential and Commercial Real Estate, describes ‘proptech’ as “technological innovation specifically designed to improve processes and remove friction in the real estate sector,”

“Most proptech innovations start with the client experience, and focus on improving one (or all) of the ‘three Ts’ – trust, transparency and time,” he explains. “In every area of real estate there are manual, inefficient processes and a lack of transparency. They can also reduce costs, enabling highly competitive pricing.”

Investment in these tech platforms has increased exponentially. Four years ago there was around $US221million invested into property technology – now proptech is attracting over $2.6 billion in capital.2 That’s a 1,200% increase – in just four years.

One example is Rentberry, which removes friction in the letting process. “This could disintermediate the property manager for that part of the process,” comments Kirkwood. Another is Macquarie’s new DEFT Auction Pay, which finally removes the need to pay a home deposit by cheque on auction day.

Click here to read the full article.

1 The four global forces breaking all the trends. McKinsey, April 2015

2 Real estate technology – Threat or opportunity? KPMG, May 2017

Thriving Rydges Hotel, Campbelltown begins on $16 million expansion

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 01:44:48 GMT

Campbelltown’s skyline is set to be transformed with work now in progress on the $16 million expansion of Rydges Campbelltown.

The exciting new look for the four-and-a-half star hotel will include an upgraded terrace area, an extra 38 rooms, stylish refurbishments to its existing 116 rooms, as well as brand new event space for corporate and social occasions.

For the business traveller, managers, and local companies, new and bigger conference facilities will accommodate 200 attendees.

Hotel general manager Brett Barlow said it will also prove a boon for weddings.

“This expansion will provide Campbelltown with a brand new contemporary ceremony, reception and conference venue,” he said.

“The wedding sector is a market that we haven’t promoted heavily to date, but you can be assured it will be THE place to celebrate your special Day, and even a weekend!”

“On-site ceremonies, reception space to spread out, and accommodation to cater for travelling loved ones – the ideal one-stop location to tie the knot!”

The new accommodation tower has been designed by Scott Carver Architects, who were also the designers of Aquafit Leisure Centre, The Cube Entertainment Centre and the renovated Campbelltown Catholic Club – which are all located within the one destination precinct in the Campbelltown CBD.

Campbelltown City Council General Manager, Lindy Deitz, has described the expansion as a wonderful success story for Campbelltown.

“Rydges Campbelltown is an asset not only to Campbelltown, but to the entire south west Sydney region.

“Campbelltown is transforming into a destination where people choose to visit for a number of reasons, including business, sport and recreation. The latest expansion of the hotel will place Campbelltown in a position to continue to cater for this increased visitation.”

Rydges Campbelltown, which includes also OTIS Grill Bar with its own micro-brewery, has thrived since it opened in 2007. The hotel expansion and refurbishment is expected to be complete by July 2018.

For more information on Campbelltown City’s business success stories, visit www.investcampbelltown.com.au

City of Parramatta Council's Night Time Economy Discussion Paper Now On Exhibition

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 01:48:39 GMT

The City of Parramatta Council's Night Time Economy Discussion Paper is now on exhibition.

This document proposes ideas to develop the City’s future Night Time Economy Strategy – a framework that will further encourage the City at night as a vibrant, diverse and welcoming space. The discussion begins in areas that have an existing night time economy, where there is potential for sustainable growth: Parramatta CBD, Harris Park and Epping.

The paper is structured around seven key themes, being:

Safe and vibrant centres;
A competitive economy;
Live music and recreation;
Creative spaces;
Celebrating our diversity – welcoming everyone;
Events and activations; and
Easy to get to - easy to get home.

The key themes have been developed through a number of engagement and consultation activities including surveys, focus groups and interviews, undertaken with residents, visitors, business owners and key stakeholders, hearing what these groups consider most important to them in terms of a desirable night life. The Discussion Paper brings together what Council have heard so far and consolidates this for further discussion.

Council invite you to comment on the questions and ideas outlined in this discussion paper. Your input will help Council develop a night time economy Strategy for the City of Parramatta LGA.

Have Your Say

The Night Time Economy Discussion Paper and supporting information will be on public exhibition from Monday 21 August to Friday 22 September 2017 and can be viewed in the following ways:

- On Council’s On Exhibition Page on their website

- Visit City of Parramatta Council Administration Building:

Ground Floor, 126 Church Street, Parramatta: Monday – Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm

- Visit Parramatta Central Library:

1-3 Fitzwilliam Street, Parramatta: Monday – Friday 9.30am to 8pm; Saturday 9.30am to 4pm; Sunday 2.00pm to 5.00pm

All submissions received will be considered before it is endorsed by Council. Any submission received may be made publicly available and may include the name(s), address, signature and contact details provided. Please ensure to note in your submission if you wish for your details to not be made public.

All submissions are to be received by 4:30pm Friday 22 September 2017.

Submissions can be sent to:

Night Time Economy Discussion Paper

City of Parramatta Council

PO Box 32

Parramatta NSW 2150

Council will also accept e-mailed submissions sent to economicdevelopment@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au and faxed submissions to: (02) 9806 5913.

For further information, please contact:

Harumi Arrascue

Project Officer – Economic Development

P: 9806 5818

Parramatta Light Rail Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Public Exhibition

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 01:04:17 GMT

Western Sydney’s latest major infrastructure project is one step closer with the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 Environmental Impact Statement now on exhibition so the community can have its say. Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 will connect Westmead to Carlingford via Parramatta CBD and Camellia over a 12 kilometre route.

Transport for NSW has prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 project to address design options and the associated potential environment and social impacts arising during construction and operation of the proposed project. EIS for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 will be exhibited by the Department of Planning and Environment from August 23, 2017 to October 23, 2017. Parramatta Light Rail must undergo environmental impact assessment under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). Approval from the NSW Minister for Planning is required following public exhibition before Transport for NSW can proceed with construction of the project.

The full Environmental Impact Statement and its accompanying documents may be viewed on the Department of Planning and Environment’s website (www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au) where you can also find out how to make a submission on the Parramatta Light Rail proposal. Submissions must be received by 5.30pm on 23 October 2017.

You can also view project documents at www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au. During the public exhibition period, Transport for NSW will be holding community information sessions where members of the project team will be available to answer your queries. Information about these sessions is available on the Parramatta Light Rail website or by clicking here.

Remunerating your employees

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 06:06:19 GMT

Business owners and managers are constantly looking at the most effective ways to remunerate their employees. There is a long list of alternatives, ranging from cash to equity (and lots in-between).

Below is a list of the key considerations when designing and implementing an arrangement that will attract, reward and retain key employees and non-employees, such as contractors, consultants and directors.

Tax will often be a key driver in structuring incentive arrangements, but other legal and commercial considerations will also come into play.

The comments below are general, and many will require some planning to navigate the interaction between tax, company law and the commercial drivers for the arrangement. You should consult your legal adviser on these matters.

1. Equity or cash?

Cash is a simple way of rewarding employees, but it isn’t particularly tax effective; nor does it specifically assist in retaining key employees once the cash is paid. Equity can be more tax effective than salary, provide greater financial upside, but it does require a consideration of a broader range of issues than cash.

2. The problem with cash incentives

Whether by way of salary or bonus, cash is taxed on receipt at an employee’s marginal tax rate, so your employees may lose half of what they’ve earned to tax. But there’s no doubt, cash is a simple strategy that can be made subject to the meeting of KPIs and company law compliance obligations are typically not a factor that needs to be considered.

3. Not quite equity? Shadow (or phantom) equity

Shadow equity is a means of paying an employee a cash incentive calculated as if the employee owned equity in the company. While these arrangements offer the benefit of greater upside in reward – as equity will often increase in value over time – the tax outcome for employees is no different than being paid cash. However, unlike cash, the company will need to consider whether company law imposes obligations that require disclosure documents to be prepared and impose licensing requirements.

4. Equity

Be it in the form of shares or options, equity is usually structured to give a tax deferral benefit under the ‘Employee Share Scheme’ (ESS) tax rules. Tax is deferred until the employee can realise the benefit in the equity (‘deferred tax time’), such as when options are exercised or shares are no longer subject to forfeiture. The trade¬off is that the employee pays tax at their marginal rate on the value of the equity at the deferred tax time.

5. Don’t forget there may be tax to pay on sale

Employees who receive equity will usually be subject to a tax event when they sell their shares (or options), even after paying tax at the deferred tax time. The gain on sale will typically be taxed as a capital gain, so the 50% CGT discount may be available.

6. Start-up tax concessions

The ESS tax rules have recently changed to make equity far more tax effective for employees of ‘start-up’ companies. Employees are only subject to tax on the sale of their equity (not on vesting or exercise) and any gain is only subject to CGT. However, there are strict rules that define which companies qualify as a ‘start-up’, some of which require a consideration of the start-up’s investor base and other entities in its corporate group.

7. The non-tax legal considerations

The company needs to consider whether the issue of equity (or even shadow equity) triggers company law requirements to prepare some form of disclosure document or if the company needs to be licensed for AFSL purposes. An exemption from these requirements will often apply in the case of an employee share scheme, but the exemptions only apply if specific conditions can be met.

8. Company tax deduction

The employer may be able to obtain a tax deduction for the full value of the equity that is provided to its employees. The deduction requires some planning and typically requires a trust to be established to manage the equity plan. This can add to the complexity of the incentive arrangements in terms of additional documents (or more detail in the standard incentive documents) and potentially more compliance obligations. Remuneration arrangements can also have other tax risks for the employer, such as payroll tax and fringe benefits tax that need to be considered.

9. Employee benefit trusts

These types of arrangements are increasingly common and are often used when the ESS rules cannot apply or when a business owner doesn’t want to offer equity in the company to its employees but wants them to share in the increase in company value. These arrangements can often be more complex than the ‘usual’ form of ESS arrangements. They have also come under the close scrutiny of the ATO and must be carefully planned and implemented to avoid adverse tax outcomes.

10. Drafting the incentive arrangement - don’t forget employee leaver arrangements

A well-drafted plan should set out the terms of the incentive arrangement and deal with future events as completely as possible so everyone knows where they stand, say if the company is listed in the future. In particular, the incentive documents need to set out what happens if an employee leaves. Many owners of private companies don’t want ex-employees to hold equity, so the incentive documents need to address how equity is handed back. Different tax outcomes can arise for the employee depending on how the equity is returned and some are more tax effective than others.

For further information please contact:

Anthony Bradica

Partner

Hall & Wilcox

Phone: +61 3 9603 3523

Email: anthony.bradica@hallandwilcox.com.au

How to secure below market rates on electricity without any upfront capital

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 07:59:27 GMT

Energy costs are a major concern for business with Australians paying amongst the highest electricity prices in the world. Market uncertainty and rising prices are an obvious problem for companies but a new Australian CleanTech company SolarCloud is about to change all that.

SolarCloud helps individuals and businesses save money on energy. It provides all the benefits of solar power without the usual expensive cost and hassle.

Residential and small business customers can invest in solar power without touching their roof. In fact, you don’t even need a roof at all! Making it suitable for everyone including renters and simply investors.

Commercial customers can potentially become SolarCloud hosts and access all of the benefits of solar without the usual upfront capitol or ongoing costs.

&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;

SolarCloud offers a range of energy efficiency services to help businesses achieve optimum energy savings in addition to solar. It helps businesses to reduce the power they consume and the price they pay for it.

Businesses underestimate potential savings achievable through solar energy, LEDs, voltage optimisation, power factor correction, better brokering.

Every company is different but SolarCloud can usually expect to find significant savings. The best approach to the overall energy savings is to address all of potential energy reduction opportunities first then install solar to power what’s still needed.

Book your free Energy Usage Assessment to see how and where your business can save money. Email John Kennedy john@solarcloud.com.au or call him 0434 007 008 www.solarcloud.com.au

KPMG continues to grow in Western Sydney

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 01:15:03 GMT

Angela Haynes has recently joined as a Director in KPMG’s growing Restructuring Services (RS) team and is based at Parramatta to expand these services into Greater Western Sydney.

Angela has practiced in restructuring and turnaround for the past 11 years. This is the first time KPMG have had a dedicated RS-GWS practice and from feedback, the market is very welcoming of Angela and this local KPMG capability.

Restructuring Services are no longer ‘undertakers’ or ‘bad guys’ as once known. KPMG’s RS team has a skill skills that enable much earlier intervention, when symptoms of distress arise, before it is terminal. Examples may include:

- creditor & bank pressure;

- failure to thrive;

- running out of cash;

- declining profitability;

- covenant breaches; and

- a need for turnaround.

For performing companies not in distress, KPMG has a Rapid Diagnostic service that can identify opportunities for savings, cash release and optimisation of financial and operational performance through the 9 levers of value.

For critical and urgent circumstances, or where creditors are commencing legal action, KPMG are very experienced in understanding and diagnosing quickly. Options are greater if a company acts early. If Voluntary Administration or Liquidation is required, KPMG are well regarded, sensitive and responsible. Confidentiality for sensitive matters is paramount.

At times a Board or Management may sense an underlying problem but cannot put their finger on it. Other times, issues are clear as day. This is when specialist advice comes into its own.

About Angela

Angela grew up and schooled in Greater Western Sydney undertaking a B Com(Accounting) at WSU. She then gained her Chartered Accountant qualification and has over 25 years commercial & financial business experience. Angela looks beyond the obvious and delivers practical strategies for responding to change, performance and cash flow challenges with options designed to restore and improve value.

She is experienced in both restructuring and turnaround and providing deal services across the business lifecycle:

working with companies through expansion, contraction or distress to maximize value & outcomes;
providing early intervention & performance improvement to stabilize or return to growth;
solvency reviews, strategic advice, external administrations, solvent and insolvent liquidations and stakeholder representation;
interim management including CFO and CEO;
advising & assisting transactions and post deal integration following mergers or acquisitions;
project managing deals including due diligence, sale agreements, completions, and 100 days plans.
enhancing provision of smooth functioning, properly managed finance and operating environments.

Angela’s industry experience spans manufacturing, financial services, NFP, transport, bloodstock, wine, timber, education, aged care, religious organizations, horticulture, utilities and hospitality.

She is completing a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance & Risk Management. Is presently on the Board of Athletics NSW and formerly on the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board. She has also community positions with Woodstock Runners, Bankstown Council and the UWS Student Association.

Angela will travel and is very happy to chat through options and ideas and can be contacted any time on 02 8841 2150 or 0419 444 010. Her email is ahaynes1@kpmg.com.au.

TJS Services Partners with The Kid’s Cancer Project

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 05:07:00 GMT

TJS Services are proud to announce sponsorship of the Kid’s Cancer Project in line with the charity’s national bus tour beginning this month.

Founded by Col Reynolds in 1993, The Kid’s Cancer Project is a national charity committed to combatting childhood cancer through scientific research.

The partnership will see both TJS and The Kid’s Cancer Project align their values as community driven organisations as they work in unison to raise awareness for childhood cancer.

“We are humbled to be supporting a community based foundation with such strong commitment to addressing childhood cancer. TJS is a business that cares for both client and community, sponsoring the Kid’s Cancer Project gives us the opportunity to give back to a cause that affects over 15,000 children each year” – Chief Executive Officer, Ben Bayot

In line with their support of The Kid’s Cancer Project, TJS will also be supporting the organisation’s Write a Book in a Day campaign, promoting healthy learning and development for schools across the country.

Having already enabled three schools to participate in the program for the first time, the national facility services provider is reaching out to schools experiencing financial hardship and wishing to join the program.

“We cannot thank TJS enough for sponsoring us to enter the competition. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of these students and we are so very grateful.” – Matthew Pearce Public School

The support and funding provided by TJS Services and various other corporate partners has lead to great progress.

To date the Kid’s Cancer Project has raised over $200,000 and funded 1.6 scientists with more to follow.

More importantly in the charity’s quest to raise brand awareness for their cause, thousands of people are now following the yellow bus journey locally and from areas outside the bus route - SA, Perth, country NSW and Victoria.

How to keep pace with the competition

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 06:31:20 GMT

Tips for succeeding when the rules keep changing

In the not so distant future, your competitive landscape could look very different.

The Internet of Things, where more and more devices are connecting to the internet and collecting data, means market disruption is the new normal.

Whether it’s your smart hairbrush that analyses the health of your hair, or a digital legal assistant, technology is infiltrating every part our lives.

This capability is opening doors for a new breed of competitor who is using technology to solve friction within the customer experience, or streamline a business process to slash costs.

So how do you keep track of all this activity – and stay one step ahead? Macquarie Bank’s National Head of Insurance Broking, Eoghan Trehy, believes it’s a matter of making sure you’re well informed, open to new opportunities – and being proactive, rather than reactive.

Insurtech is the latest disrupter that is innovating the insurance industry with new, streamlined technologies that are re-shaping the established model.

“In Australia’s insurance industry, we’re not quite seeing the impact of insurtech on brokers yet. But signals from overseas risk markets and requirements in the domestic/retail sector are an indication of what is to come,” he says.

He gives an example from one of the four new local insurtech start-ups he has spoken to in just the past week.

“They are about to launch a new direct product that will allow SMEs in retail or hospitality to buy insurance on their mobile phone – targeting the emerging demographic who prefer to transact that way. To me, this indicates a big shift in the traditional model. They’re using technology to combine the skills of an underwriter and broker to deliver a better client experience, in a channel Generations X, Y and Millennials prefer.”

Trehy suggests four ways to map your evolving competitor landscape.

Click here to read the full article.

16 Creative Ways to Instantly Motivate your Team

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 05:14:20 GMT

Recognition is a powerful motivator because it makes your team feel valued.

When your team feel valued they are more likely to connect with you as their leader, connect to the organisation, be more productive and more engaged.

Great Managers Academy members learn dozens of ways to recognise and motivate their people but here are the top 16.

1. A Welcome Aboard Card for new starters, signed by everyone in the team

Don’t wait for people to leave to give them a card from everyone – give it to them when they start!

2. Tell your team members frequently “I know you can do it” or “I believe in you.”

Create a self-fulfilling prophecy – this must be sincere, or it will have the reverse effect.

3. Take one of your achievers to a Senior Team Meeting and recognise their efforts in front of your peers

Are some people going to feel awkward about this? Of course they are! But, if you could hear what they say about the experience at the family dinner table that night, it is worth a bit of squirming!

4. Make recognition a Team Activity

Get your team to identify what other team members do best.

Recognition does not have to be all about super high-achievers – you might have someone who is a quiet achiever and really dependable – make sure that quality is recognised too.

5. Give your team a stack of thank you cards and ask them to recognise others

Even those from different departments. You cannot be everywhere and see everything. It is amazing how supportive other teams will be when they get thanked in a sincere way!

6. Allow someone to call in “well” and have the day off

7. Print out and issue certificates for a “long lunch” (2-hour break)

Even better still, take them to lunch and celebrate!

8. Use an Achievement Logo on your business cards for high achievers who have received ongoing above & beyond awards

9. Use post-it notes to put hand-written comments or feedback about things done well

These can be put on their desk or on a report, or however you can get it to them – you will find that people will often keep these as a reminder.

10. Use a trophy or award of some sort that gets rotated to recognise great ideas, creative solutions and valuable input

11. Pitch in and help with the hard stuff

Demonstrate that you are a team player through recognising when it’s tough and helping them out

12. If things are “heating up” at deadline time, bring in some gelato or ice cream to cool things down – for some chill out time.

13. Hire a masseuse & provide a massage for your hard-working team members

14. Do something that benefits the team member personally - or their family

This will require some budget. For example:

• Babysitter

• Cleaner

• Car washer

• Send a hamper to their family.

On the higher end of the spending scale you could:

• Hire a chef to prepare a meal for them at home

• Rent their dream car for them for a week.

• Donate on their behalf to their favourite charity

• Gift vouchers or a Training course of their choice

15. Acknowledge Service Anniversaries

End of probation, 1yr, 3yrs (strategically you should check where the most of your turnover occurs)

16. Hold Events for achievements of major goals or milestones

Can be anything from a cup of tea and cake to a party or meal together. Alternatively, a team day out – barefoot bowls is popular. Always link these events to something meaningful!

If you, or your managers, could benefit from improved engagement and productivity, get in touch to learn more about the proven Great Managers Academy.

Love That Club

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 03:39:23 GMT

Enjoy a weekend in style when you book the ‘Love that Club’ Package at PARKROYAL Parramatta.

For $249 a night, treat yourself to a new Club Room.

Enjoy exclusive access to the Club Lounge, where a host of benefits and panoramic views of Parramatta await.

Additional benefits include:

• Sparkling wine and chocolate truffles on arrival

• Twilight drinks and canapés

• All-day non-alcoholic refreshments

• A seasonal buffet breakfast

• Complimentary Wi-Fi

• Late check-out

• Complimentary parking

For bookings contact PARKROYAL Parramatta:

P: 02 9685 0377

E: enquiry.prsyp@parkroyalhotels.com

or click here for further information.

* T&C's apply. Package available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night stays, subject to availability. Valid for two adults.

Western Sydney Airport - Project Management and Technical Support services tender now open

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 22:44:45 GMT

Request for Expressions of Interest now open for Project Management and Technical Support services

Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) released 11 August 2017
REOIs close Friday 1 September 2017 at 2 pm AEST
View more information on AusTender

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development has released a two-stage tender process to procure Project Management and Technical Support services for the next phase of the Western Sydney Airport (WSA) project.

The services required include, but are not limited to:

establishing a Project Management Office;
undertaking technical reviews on behalf of the Commonwealth for the WSA project;
providing procurement oversight in the preparation and development of procurement activities; and
undertaking general project management services, as required.

Suitably qualified service providers can submit a response to the REOI by email to wsu_tenders@infrastructure.gov.au, using the reference number 10015675, by Friday 1 September 2017 at 2 pm AEST.

The contract will be awarded mid to late October 2017.

VIEW MORE ON AUSTENDER

You can find out more about future tendering opportunities in the presentation about WSA Co development packages and tendering opportunities.

Further information about business opportunities is available at www.westernsydneyairport.gov.au/industry

Join Ronald McDonald House Westmead for a Golden Day of Racing

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 00:54:09 GMT

In 2017, Ronald McDonald House Westmead’s Spring Carnival Race Day will be bigger than ever, featuring the Group 1 Golden Rose, along with the Golden Pendant, together for the first time.

De Bortoli Golden Rose Day is set to be a huge day of Spring racing at Rosehill Gardens, and tickets and tables are now available for Ronald McDonald House Westmead’s exclusive VIP function in the Grand Pavilion, overlooking the winning post.

The day includes a buffet luncheon and afternoon tea, 5-hour beverage package, guest speakers, networking opportunities, and private betting and bookmaking facilities.

When: Saturday, 23 September, 2017

Where: Grand Pavilion, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse

Cost: $220 per ticket, $2200 per table of ten

This is always a do-not-miss day on the House calendar, and all proceeds from the day go towards keeping families close when their child is seriously ill.

To find out more about our 2017 Spring Carnival Race Day, please contact:

Michelle Burman

P: 9845 0600

E: Michelle.Burman@rmhc.org.au

Pitcher Partners Contact Magazine – Winter 2017

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 08:25:47 GMT

Pitcher Partners are pleased to provide you with the Winter 2017 edition of their national publication - Contact. This quarterly publication examines issues specific to their clients.

In this edition Pitcher Partners cover:

The changing world at Pitcher Partners
Mitigating cyber-risk – risky business? As a board member, owner or executive of a company, how much cyber risk are you prepared to incur? How much risk are you taking that you don’t know about?
Keys to success for startups
Wall street meet sport. The story of Sportnext, an ambitious Australian tech start up.
Good corporate governance – good business sense. Good corporate governance drives great businesses and is the cornerstone of success from a start-up to an ASX Top 100.
What's new at Pitcher Partners?

To read Contact Magazine - Winter 2017, please click here.

For further information, please contact your Pitcher Partners representative.

Contact

Rob Southwell

Managing Partner

+61 2 9221 2099

rob.southwell@pitcher.com.au

Pitcher Partners Sydney

Level 22 MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

www.pitcher.com.au

Campbelltown City Council puts innovation on the map

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 05:17:15 GMT

Campbelltown City Council, together with key strategic partners including the NSW Business Chamber and the South West Sydney Business Enterprise Centre, has developed a business event program aimed at helping businesses grow.

The program calendar, which spans the next 12 months and includes a series of seminars, workshops and capability building programs, encompasses a range of topics suitable for micro, small and medium-sized businesses, or those considering starting a new business.

Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr George Brticevic, said that with the growth forecast for Campbelltown over the next 20 years, Council is committed to fostering opportunities for innovation, leadership and development of businesses within Campbelltown.

“Council recognises the importance of a strong small business sector to the prosperity and vibrancy of our city, and is committed to ensuring local businesses have the support and knowledge they need to succeed,” he said.

“The business event program is part of that commitment, and provides a wealth of opportunities for small business operators to develop the skills they need to thrive. To ensure that even the smallest micro-business can take advantage of the opportunity, the program is financially subsidised by Council.”

The breadth of subject matter is extensive, ranging from social media, branding and all aspects of digital marketing, through to business networking, retail sales, industrial relations and human resources.

Council is also planning a STEM event to drive student interest in these subjects and take advantage of the growing employment opportunities presented in this field.

For more information on Campbelltown City Council’s business event program, visit www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au

How will changes to the Retail Leases Act affect your business?

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 05:59:04 GMT

On 1 July 2017 changes came into force on the Retail Leases Act 1994 (NSW) after a 13 year period without amendments.

Hall & Wilcox is pleased to invite you to a seminar focusing on the changes within the Retail Leases Act. The presentation will discuss:

changes to requirements regarding Lessor's disclosure statements
the importance of accurate estimation of outgoings and consequences of failing to do so
consequences of failure to provide a disclosure statement that is complete, accurate and not misleading
removal of the five year minimum term requirement
new time periods for registering leases and returning bank guarantees
removal of certain types of premises from the application of the Act
removal of the right to recover mortgagee consent fees from tenants and various other changes to the Act.

Katrina Reye, Partner will give an overview on these changes and what you need to do to comply andMaurice Doria, Special Counsel will provide an overview on developing projects in the region.

There will be ample opportunity to contribute to the discussion, to learn how others are approaching these changes, and to network with peers.

Event Details

Date & Time: Tuesday 8 August 2017, 3:30pm - 5:00pm

Venue: Parkroyal Parramatta, 30 Phillip Street, Parramatta 2150

For further information contact

Sarah Porter, BD & Events Coordinator

P: 8267 3815

E: sarah.porter@hallandwilcox.com.au

Featherdale Wildlife Park celebrates their birthday with a gift for regular visitors

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 23:32:16 GMT

Featherdale Wildlife Park, home to the world’s largest collection of native Australian animals is celebrating its’ 45th birthday in August with the launch of new Annual Pass offerings.

Priced at $55.00 for adults, $30.00 for children aged 3 to 15 and $145 for a family of four, with other family packages available as well, the Annual Passes provide exceptional value offering unlimited year round entry for the price of less than two visits.

The Pass benefits also include 20% off admission for a friend on each visit; 20% off purchases at the café and souvenir centre; 20% discount on the entire range of daily Animal Encounters; 10% discount on children’s birthday parties and exclusive access to competitions and monthly offers.

As an added incentive, everyone who purchases Annual Passes in Featherdale’s birthday month in August, will go into a draw to win a VIP Private Tour of Featherdale Wildlife Park for four guests valued over $500.

“We are looking forward to welcoming back our existing Annual Pass holders and having new members join our Featherdale family. Our Park has always focused on community and we look forward to continuing this legacy into the future” said Tony Chiefari, General Manager.

Established on seven acres of land originally purchased by Charles and Marjorie Wigg in 1953, Featherdale has evolved from a family farm into one of the best privately own wildlife parks in Australia.

The Wigg’s daughter Margaret and her husband, Bruce Kubbere who had studied Australian fauna, opened Featherdale as a wildlife park in 1972.

During its’ 45 years, Featherdale Wildlife Park in Western Sydney has become well known for its conservation programs and has provided millions of visitors with the opportunity to interact with a diverse range of iconic Australian animals and birds. These include many threatened and vulnerable species including koalas, Tiger Quolls, the Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby, Tasmanian Devils and the Plains Wanderer.

Featherdale has also continued to play an important role in the local community rescuing animals; working closely with school groups through the Wildlife Education Program which hosts visits and the “Wildlife Wanderer;” and offering Community Outreach programs for aged care homes and other local groups.

Featherdale is located at 217 Kildare Road, Doonside and is open 9am to 5pm daily. Further information and the Annual Passes can be found at www.featherdale.com.au. The Featherdale Annual Pass can be purchased at the Park, by calling 02 9622 1644 or emailing social@featherdale.com.au

2017 AIPPI World Congress

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 07:03:17 GMT

Davies Collison Cave welcomes Intellectual Property (IP) practitioners from around the world.

Damon Henshaw, Sydney based patent attorney and lead Principal for the Parramatta Office of Davies Collison Cave Pty Ltd has been helping clients protect and enforce their IP for over 25 years.

An integral part of Damon’s practice is managing IP rights internationally and in promoting local client interests overseas Damon has become an active member of AIPPI - the world’s leading international organization dedicated to the development and improvement of legal regimes for the protection of IP.

For the first time in its 120 year history, AIPPI’s World Congress is coming to Sydney.

As Chair of the Organising Committee, Damon invites Western Sydney business and industry representatives to join and register for the AIPPI 2017 World Congress. Help shape the world of IP into the future. For details go to aippi.org

Damon Henshaw, Chair, Organising Committee, AIPPI 2017 Sydney World Congress Principal.

E DHenshaw@davies.com.au

T +61 2 9293 1000

F +61 2 9262 1080

Davies Collison Cave Pty Ltd

255 Elizabeth Street Sydney

NSW 2000 Australia

ABN 13 613 954 368

Recruiting Now - Sydney’s best hospitality professionals

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 01:32:39 GMT

Want to be part of the team that delivers award-winning service?

Looking to supplement your income?

Be a part of the glamour of racing!

Australian Turf Club are currently recruiting:

- Bar Attendants
- Restaurant and Function Wait Staff
- Baristas
- Kitchen Staff
- Chefs
- Venue Attendants

for their Rosehill Gardens and Randwick locations.

Rosehill applications open 17 July to 30 July; Randwick applications open 14 August to 27 August. Apply online at theATC.com.au/employment.

Benefits you can enjoy as an Australian Turf Club employee

Flexible shifts tailored around your lifestyle at either Randwick and/or Rosehill
Excellent hourly pay rates
Free onsite car parking and close to public transport
Meals provided during shift
Weekend day shifts

Why Supplier Diversity Matters

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 06:58:08 GMT

This month TJS are proud to announce their partnership with the leading Indigenous industry body, Supply Nation.

Established in 2009, Supply Nation is the Australian leader in Indigenous supplier diversity, connecting both Corporate and Government members with Indigenous businesses across the country.

The move comes as we continue to address supplier diversity as a business priority in collaboration with our indigenous sister company, Yaanma Services.

Yaanma’s vision is to nurture and grow Indigenous Australian leaders in the Facility Services industry. As a cleaning and maintenance service provider, Yaanma share TJS’s vision of guiding Indigenous Australians’ to their full potential by providing pathways to sustainable employment.

Now part of the Supply Nation community, our organisation joins Yaanma in sharing best practice to achieve our common goal of sustainable supplier diversity.

Together Yaanma and TJS are committed to helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders secure equal opportunity.

TJS Chief Executive Officer, Ben Bayot outlines why the impacts of supplier diversity are far reaching and can have significant positive impact on the social and economic development of our nation.

“We have the opportunity as a business to make a positive and long lasting social impact. Our commitment to supplier diversity is a testament to our commitment to the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; our goal is to go beyond immediate employment, instead creating lasting pathways for growth and development. We share this goal with all our staff across the business as well as with our Indigenous Sister Company, Yaanma Services”

Today, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders are on the path of leading supplier diversity and positive social change. Through membership of Supply Nation, TJS is one of the many organisations joining the movement towards a future of equal opportunity.

“We are delighted to welcome TJS Services into the Supply Nation program and look forward to working with them to develop their supplier diversity footprint and the measure of our collective success will be in the value of transactions between our members and suppliers.”

- Supply Nation Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Laura Berry

TJS’s participation and partnership with Supply Nation will play an important role in identifying and addressing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, through collaborative development of these opportunities in the Indigenous Business Sector, will see significant growth.

The choices we make as businesses and individuals can contribute to the social and economic development of our community, which is why it is so important to consider supplier diversity.

For more information on this topic or to see how you too can be a part of the move towards supplier diversity please contact info@tjsservices.com.au.

Understanding performance management and your Fair Work obligations

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 06:06:27 GMT

The NSW Government, TAFE NSW and the Fair Work Ombudsman are delivering a free workshop to provide businesses with practical advice in better understanding workplace laws and performance management of employees.

Presentations from the Fair Work Ombudsman and TAFE NSW will equip you with a better understanding on how to manage workplace risks in your business and ensure you are recruiting and retaining people with the right skills to help your business grow and succeed.

Why attend?

This free workshop will help you to:

develop and manage performance management processes
understand some of your workplace obligations as an employer under the Fair Work Act
meet with other businesses and expand your business network
meet with NSW Government staff and learn about other services that may benefit your business

Event Details

Date: Wednesday 9 August 2017

Time: 6pm-8pm

Location: St Johns Park Bowling Club

93 Edensor Road

St Johns NSW 2176

Register to attend - To attend the workshop, please email western.sydney@industry.nsw.gov.au for more information.

Western Sydney Aerospace and Defence Industries Precinct

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 05:54:50 GMT

The NSW Government is working with federal and local government colleagues to develop a Western Sydney Aerospace and Defence Industries precinct adjacent to the airport. The precinct will leverage the investment in the airport and surrounding infrastructure and is expected to create approximately 5,000 jobs and over AUD$15 billion of industry gross value over the next 30 years.

One part of this future investment has already materialised. In May 2017 Northrop Grumman committed $50 million towards a new advanced defence electronics maintenance operation that will eventually be located in the new precinct.

Securing an anchor tenant of the calibre of Northrop Grumman this early in the planning process, means the precinct is well on its way to becoming an Asia-Pacific hub for the aerospace and defence industries.

Under the strategy for the precinct, the NSW Government plans to attract small, medium and large aerospace and defence businesses across a range of capabilities, both from within Australia and internationally.

Northrop Grumman is the first of a range of businesses expected to establish a presence in aviation education, pilot and simulation training, parts manufacturing, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.

Together, the Western Sydney Airport and the Aerospace and Defence Industries precinct will form the core of the surrounding ‘aerotropolis’ - transforming the western Sydney economy.

The heart of defence in Australia

The precinct will also consolidate NSW at the heart of the nation’s defence industry sector. It will help deliver key parts of the NSW Defence and Industry Strategy, ensuring the state is well placed to capitalise on the record Australian peacetime defence expenditure of AUD$195 billion, that has been forecast over the decade to 2026.

It will also be a hub for defence manufacturing for the Army, Air Force and Navy, along with cyber-security and big data, and for professional services such as consulting, engineering and design.

Timeline for development of the precinct

In September 2017 work will be completed on Phase 2 of the precinct concept feasibility study. The NSW Government’s Aerospace Industry Development Strategy and the concept master plan are expected to be completed by October.

Construction on the airport itself is expected to commence in 2018, and work is already underway to prepare the site.

Once the airport and its adjoining precinct are operational from the mid-2020s, there are long- term plans for further expansion, with construction of a second runway expected by around 2050. It is expected that by 2063 the airport will be capable of handling 82 million passengers a year.

For further information please contact the NSW Department of Industry: wsadip@industry.nsw.gov.au.

Evolving your customer service model

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 05:19:53 GMT

Shifting focus from services to outcomes

From peer to peer insurance and robo advice to virtual real estate agents, there’s no doubt customer models are evolving in almost every service sector.

But what is really driving this change? New technology certainly makes it possible, but successful new business models have one thing in common: they solve a previously unmet customer need.

That doesn’t necessarily mean changing the product or service. Uber, for example, still gets you from A to B. But how you experience that journey – from connecting directly with the driver to paying automatically through your app – is very different to a traditional taxi trip.

“Uber didn’t change what happens. It changed how it happens,” explains Tim Molloy, CEO of property software provider Console Group.

“I think that’s the model real estate needs to think about. There are many opportunities to make transactions more efficient.” So how do you identify that opportunity in your sector?

Where established players fear to tread

New models will thrive when they meet a need that established players have failed to address. That’s something Campbell King of accounting and advisory firm mi-fi knows from personal experience.

mi-fi’s services go beyond compliance to include support with building a digital business (such as ecommerce platforms and cloud integration) and educating clients about business.

“When we first started, we built our client base from within our network,” says King. “They were all young and entrepreneurial – taking over the family business or building their own start-ups.”

Millennials are increasingly turning away from traditional career paths to create opportunities to work for themselves – with one recent study finding 66% want to start their own business.1

“Younger business owners have high expectations about what’s possible, and as an adviser you need to show value because they often think technology can solve it all,” explains King.

Console Group is already an established player, with 43% of the real estate agent market using its software. But it also recognised a need to create an ecosystem of apps to support a more efficient property management platform.

Remove more friction from the experience

Molloy says today’s property manager sits at the centre of an antiquated system. “Rental notices are sent by post, it takes dozens of interactions for a tenant to get a repair sorted, it’s very dependent on paper and phone calls.”

With Console Group’s new platform, currently in beta testing, all that will change.

“The tenant could use an app to notify a problem with their oven door, for example. They send a photo of the problem and the serial number. The tradie is notified and can supply a quote through the app for approval by the property manager or landlord.”

Click here to read the full article.

Will you take up the challenge to give back with Jana Pittman?

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 04:57:44 GMT

It’s time to put on your trainers, charge your fitbit and walk, run or bike for a good cause.

On Friday October 20, you won’t want to be the only business that misses out on Western Sydney’s fundraising event of the year – the Coleman Greig Challenge.

In addition to getting fit, having fun and rubbing shoulders with hundreds of local businesses and residents, the Challenge is an opportunity to give back, with funds raised going to children with special needs and newborn care at My Westmead, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, and St Gabriel’s School for Children with Special Needs.

This will be the 5th year that Western Sydney’s businesses and locals will run, ride or walk alongside each other – and ambassador Jana Pittman – through beautiful Parramatta Park. In past years, over 400 people have taken part before enjoying a complimentary breakfast and award presentation before heading to the office.

Local businesses are signing up now as sponsors and supporters for the 2.5km Walk in the Park, 5km run, 10km run and two grades of cycling. And with St George the Dragon in training for the 2.5km walk it will be a morning of family fun too.

Athlete, mum, doctor in training and event ambassador Jana Pittman is thrilled to be on board for this year’s challenge which she says is a great way for businesses to support organisations making a difference to the lives of children and their families in Western Sydney.

A snapshot of how the funds you raise will help children with special needs and newborns requiring critical care: Purchasing technology to assist with educational opportunities at Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children; acquiring Panda Resuscitaires, machines that enhance treatment and care of babies for My Westmead; and funding a new sensory garden, equipment and educational outdoor space designed to foster social skills and communication at St Gabriel’s School for Children with Special Needs.

Benefits to your brand: Not only will your support help with this critical fundraising, it will also benefit your business through enhanced brand awareness and alignment with the three charity partners across local, regional and national media, event day opportunities with radio and television, and logo inclusion on the official event website between July and November 2017. So don’t miss out on the chance to boost your business brand while helping your staff get fit for a great fundraising cause. Read the Sponsorship Proposal and pledge your support today. Contact Westmead Medical Research Foundation - Partnerships Manager - Susie Saba on 02 9845 8162 or susie.saba@wmrf.org.au.

Like to take on and beat last year’s cycling champions Raine & Horne or watch CEOs compete against other? Don’t let other businesses have all the fun and publicity. Sign up now to register as a team or individual.

Indigenous Business Forum

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 04:41:01 GMT

Do you run an Indigenous business or want to start one?

Find out how to unlock government procurement opportunities.

Learn what finance options are available to support your business.

Discover the services available in NSW to support the growth of your business.

You’ll hear inspiring stories from innovative Indigenous businesses and learn about their pathways to success.

The presenters will be available to answer your questions, and there’ll be an opportunity for networking at the event.

This free seminar on Tuesday 1st August is for any Indigenous person who wants to start or grow a business in NSW.

or click here for further information. Advance registration is required.

Key Timings:

5.00pm Arrive for registration

5.30pm Session commences

7.30pm Session concludes

Where:

Parliament of New South Wales - 6 Macquarie St, Sydney

Getting there:

The Parliament of NSW building is located near the Hyde Park end of Macquarie Street, close to Martin Place railway station and Elizabeth Street buses.

This event is presented by the NSW Department of Industry

Raising Hope Gala

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 03:20:33 GMT

Parramatta Mission invites you to invest in the social heart of Greater Western Sydney at the 2017 Raising Hope Gala.

Date: Friday 8th September

Time: 7:00 pm till midnight

Venue: Parkroyal Parramatta

30 Phillip Street Parramatta

Dress: Black Tie

RSVP: www.humanitix.com/event/raising-hope

Tickets: $200

As our city expands there are increasing social needs that together we must address.

Parramatta Mission seeks to serve the social heart through the provision of over 70 services to meet the desperate needs within our community. Many of these essential services are otherwise unfunded.

Join us at our 2017 Raising Hope Gala to help raise the funds needed to invest into the areas of homelessness, domestic violence, crisis support and accommodation services.

Further information, including partnership investment packages and group bookings, please contact us.

Email: raisinghope@parramattamission.org.au

Phone: (02) 9891 2277

How to Maximise your Confidence & Overpower Stress

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 04:37:03 GMT

Emotional Agility is one of the most valuable business skills you can possess.

With greater Emotional Agility, you can maximise your confidence, turn negative emotions into positive thoughts, and overpower stress!

This essential leadership skill is about knowing yourself and developing a greater level of control over your feelings and reactions. With a bit of practice, you are capable of improving this skill quite quickly.

I am drawing on the work of a couple of experts: Susan David and Christina Congleton. In their Harvard Business Review article called “Emotional Agility: How Leaders Manage Their Negative Thoughts and Feelings”, they describe 4 Steps for Building Emotional Agility. They say that people do not stumble because they have undesirable thoughts – because we all have them. That’s inevitable. They stumble because they get hooked by their thoughts like a fish caught on a line, and they buy into their thoughts, treating them like facts.

Here are the 4 Steps for Building your Emotional Agility:

1. Recognise your Patterns

It is very important to notice when you have been hooked by your thoughts and feelings. This can be a little bit hard to do initially, but there are certain tell-tale signs that you are hooked. One of them is that your thinking becomes a bit repetitive and rigid. Another sign is that you feel like you are telling the same story over and over – a bit like that movie, Groundhog Day. You have to be aware of the patterns that you are stuck in before you can make a change. Self-Awareness is critical.

2. Label your Thoughts and Emotions

Labelling allows you to see your thoughts and feelings for what they are. They are transient sources of data that may or may not prove to be helpful. We are all capable of taking this detached view of our experiences, AKA mindfulness. Bring your awareness to your present moment and ask, “What am I feeling?” and label it. Then you ask, “What am I thinking?” and label it. This not only improves behaviour and well-being, but it also promotes beneficial biological changes in the brain at the cellular level.

3. Accept Them

The opposite of controlling is accepting. You do not need to act on every thought or feeling, or resign yourself to negativity. Remember our thoughts and emotions are not facts – they are data. However, you can choose to respond to your experience with curiosity and openness. You can notice yourself feeling angry or upset, and you can accept that: “I’m feeling upset right now.” Then you can be curious about how that feeling came about and how you could think about the situation differently. Emotions are a signal that something important is at stake and that productive and skillful action is needed.

4. Act on your Values

When you unhook yourself from difficult thoughts and emotions, you expand your choices. You can activate your free will and decide to act in a way that aligns with your values. This is about making a choice about your response and reality-checking whether it will serve you or sabotage you in the long term, as well as the short term. Asking: “Are you being the person you want to be? The leader you want to be?” The mind’s thought-stream flows endlessly, and emotions change like the weather, but your values are consistent and can be called upon at any time and in any situation.

Could your business benefit from having Emotionally Agile managers? Click here to learn more about our transformational leadership program, the Great Managers Academy.

Western Sydney Airport Tendering opportunity

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 07:07:08 GMT

Project management and technical support services tender process to begin soon

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development is preparing to release a two-stage tender process to procure Project Management and Technical Support Services for the next phase of the Western Sydney Airport project.

The procurement is planned to be released on Austender prior to 31 July 2017. Suitably qualified service providers will be able to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via Austender. You will receive an email once the tender has been approved for release on Austender.

Shortlisted EOI respondents will then be invited to participate in a limited Request for Tender (RFT) process. The contract will be awarded prior to 30 September 2017.

Noise and air quality monitoring panel procurement

A number of suppliers from the Infrastructure Advisory Panel have recently been approached to tender on the provision of noise and air quality monitoring at Badgerys Creek.

The service provider who will be providing the monitoring will be announced in the coming weeks.

You can find out more about future tendering opportunities in the presentation about WSA Co development packages and tendering opportunities.

Further information about business opportunities is available at www.westernsydneyairport.gov.au/industry.

The Hot Pursuit of Talent: Growing your Business Through Smart Training

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 03:35:04 GMT

The manufacturing industry has undergone enormous change over the past decade and one topic keeps coming up: Skills Shortage.

You’re invited to attend a special presentation to discuss how your business can build a competitive workforce and close the skills gap now, and for the future.

You’ll have the opportunity to have your say on education and hear about the variety of training currently available that will help fuel your company’s growth.

Register now to find out how you can build your talent pipeline and the smart training options that will produce business results.

During the session, the following important points will be covered:

Creating career pathways - resources and development opportunities available to students
The right competencies - education and technical training to attract the right talent
Hiring outside the industry - the growing demand for skill sets from other fields

Please RSVP early to secure your complimentary place.

This event is proudly supported by William Buck, St.George Business Banking, Coleman Greig and TAFE NSW.

Click here for further details or to register.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Natasha Hughes

P: (02) 8263 4000

E: natasha.hughes@williambuck.com.

Date & Time:

Tuesday 8 August 2017; 7.30am to 9:00 am AEST

Location:

Mount Druitt TAFE

creATE Restaurant

Mount Street & North Parade

Mount Druitt, NSW 2770

Property of Pitcher Partners

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 02:59:57 GMT

We are pleased to provide you with the latest edition of the Pitcher Partners national publication - Property of Pitcher Partners. This publication provides insight and commentary on the Australian property market.

In this edition Pitcher Partners cover:

Global investment flows continue to target Australian property
South Australia: The year ahead
Stamp duty changes to impact development and investor market in Victoria
Perth's future is bright, but the challenges remain
The Greater Sydney vision

Click here to read Property of Pitcher Partners July 2017.

For further information, please contact your Pitcher Partners representative.

Contact

Brendan Jones

Partner, Property Group

+61 2 9228 2207

brendan.jones@pitcher.com.au

Pitcher Partners Sydney

Level 22 MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

www.pitcher.com.au

Fifth Making Western Sydney Greater Report Now Available

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 01:46:19 GMT

The fifth report in the Making Western Sydney Greater research is now available.

In this edition, we investigate the impact automation is having on businesses in Western Sydney and the challenges that lie ahead. Our research also shows that businesses in Western Sydney have grown their business, exceeded their profit targets and expanded their workforce consistently over the last few years. This is the trend for the region as a whole, but there are also a core group of businesses that are finding economic conditions particularly challenging.

Click here to download your copy of the research and find out what’s Making Western Sydney Greater for businesses.

Making Western Sydney Greater is an initiative of William Buck with the Western Sydney Business Connection, St.George Bank and Western Sydney University, and forms part of our long-term commitment to drive positive change in the region.

What every employer MUST know for 1 July 2017

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 23:07:49 GMT

With the commencement of a new financial year, it brings with it important changes and new rates which will apply from 1 July 2017.

NEW! High Income Threshold (HIT)

With the HIT:

the Fair Work Commission has just confirmed that the new HIT to apply as and from 1 July 2017 will be $142,000

it impacts:

(a) who can make a claim for unfair dismissal (for those not covered by a Modern Award or to whom an enterprise agreement does not apply)

(b) the maximum amount of compensation payable in an unfair dismissal claim

(c) those on a 'guarantee of annual earnings' (a Modern Award does not apply to an employee whilstever this guarantee is in place provided it continues to meet the relevant legislative requirements)

NEW! Modern Award Increases

With Modern Awards (including enterprise awards):

minimum wages increase by 3.3% (starting on the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2017)

absorption of wage increases into over-award payments is permissible (subject to the terms of the relevant employment agreement and what other amounts are being absorbed into any annualised salary)

increases to the minimum wages of junior workers, apprentices, trainees, piece workers and employees on the supported wage system will occur

expense-related allowances in Modern Awards will increase as set out in the Modern Award (eg, by the applicable CPI index figure)

annualised salaries will need to be checked to ensure they can still properly absorb/include all relevant minimum Modern Award amounts and that they continue to meet the technical requirements of the Modern Award

NEW! National Minimum Wage (NMW)

With the NMW:

this is applicable to employees to whom neither a Modern Award or enterprise agreement applies

the NMW increases by 3.3% to become $694.90 per week or $18.29 per hour

in addition:

(a) special NMW rates apply to employees with disabilities, junior employees, apprentices, and those on training arrangements

(b) the minimum casual loading remains unchanged at 25%

NEW! Impact on Enterprise Agreements

With enterprise agreements:

they must always meet or exceed the minimum wage of:

(a) the relevant Modern Award (ie, the Modern Award that would have applied had the enterprise agreement not been in existence)

(b) the NMW (ie, where a Modern Award would not apply even if the enterprise agreement was not in existence)

thus, pay rates in enterprise agreements may need to be increased (even if the enterprise agreement has its own wage increase regime)

NEW! The Sting

Be mindful that wage increases may have flow-on effects such as increasing:

the value of leave loading, penalty rates, overtime and superannuation contributions

the value of accrued leave entitlements

the cost of wage related expenses such as payroll tax and workers compensation premiums

NEW! Redundancy

The tax-free component of a genuine redundancy payment increases to be:

a base amount of $10,155

an additional amount of $5,078 for each completed year of service

NEW! Superannuation Contributions Base

With superannuation:

the maximum superannuation contribution base increases to $52,760 per quarter ($211,040 per annum)

an employer is not required to make superannuation contributions on behalf of employees on earnings in excess of that maximum contribution base

Questions/Assistance

If you have any questions or would like any assistance, please feel free to speak with or email a member of our Matthews Folbigg Workplace Solutions team on (02) 9635 7966 or jcc@matthewsfolbigg.com.au

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided to clients and readers for their general information and on a complimentary basis. It contains a brief summary only and should not be relied upon or used as definitive or complete statement of the relevant law.

Featherdale Wildlife Park playing an integral role in conservation and growth of the local economy

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 00:14:43 GMT

Featherdale Wildlife Park, located at Doonside, is pleased to be a new member of the Western Sydney Business Connection.

The Park was opened in 1972 by Bruce and Margaret Kubbere on Margaret’s parents’ 7-acre plot, which had previously operated as a poultry farm. Today the Park is owned by Elanor Investors Group and has developed into one of Australia’s finest tourist attractions in Greater Western Sydney playing an important part in the growth of the local and state economy.

Home to over 1,700 Australian native animals from more than 260 different species - Australia’s largest native collection – Featherdale is committed to animal conservation and environmental and education programs. There are several outstanding success stories which have come from the conservation work undertaken at the Park.

Featherdale is home to over 40 koalas - the largest captive population in Australia - and has successfully bred over 200 koalas since they opened. A critical part of Featherdale’s continued commitment to koala conservation was the formation of a partnership with GE Health which secured a state-of-the-art diagnostic ultrasound machine for the Park. With this equipment, Featherdale can identify fertility and breeding availability as well as injuries and illness.

As Koalas are listed as vulnerable in the ACT, New South Wales and Queensland, early detection of any potential reproductive problems means that treatment can commence quickly substantially increasing the chances of a full recovery and reducing future reproduction issues. The Park is also known for its conservation work with other endangered species such as the Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby and the Tiger Quoll. Featherdale is also home to an insurance population of Tasmanian Devils. Featherdale also has the largest bird collection in Australia including species being kept nowhere else on the planet. This highly significant collection has given the Park a reputation as a world leader in bird management and has seen them work on the conservation of several threatened species including the Regent Honeyeater and the Plains Wanderer.

All of these species, along with other Park favourites such as reptiles, echidna and kangaroos can be visited daily with keepers providing regular talks and presentations to make sure our visitors leave with an important understanding on how they can help preserve these beautiful species for the future.

Featherdale also offers private and small group encounters so our guests can get up close and personal take photos, pat and in some cases, hold our beautiful animals.

As a special offer, children visiting with a full paying adult in July will receive free admission* (a maximum of four kids allowed per paying adult). The Park also works closely with school groups through the Wildlife Education Program which hosts visits and the “Wildlife Wanderers,” Featherdale’s mobile school incursion program.

Featherdale Wildlife Park is located at 217 Kildare Road Doonside, Western Sydney. The Park is open 9am to 5pm daily. Visit www.featherdale.com.au or call 02 9622 1644 for further information.

*Terms & conditions apply

Early Reindeer Offer

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 07:43:27 GMT

Book before 30th September 2017 and receive a complimentary lectern and microphone PLUS a DJ for 4 hours of your event!

Host your end of year event or work Christmas party in one of the 11 great event spaces at the Novotel Sydney Parramatta. The hotel features Western Sydney’s largest pillar-less hotel ballroom which can cater for up to 550 people. Each function room has access to state of the art audio visual equipment and the popular Lennox Ballroom has customised ceiling lighting to set the festive mood at your party!

Novotel's professional event planning and catering teams can help make your Christmas party a memorable event for all. With a range of packages and inclusions, Novotel Sydney Parramatta can cater to suit all budgets.

Enquire today!

E: h8787-sb4@accor.com

P: (02) 9630 4999

or click here to visit Novotel Sydney Parramatta's website.

*Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability at time of booking.

How to keep your high-performing brain active, even under intense pressure

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 07:02:01 GMT

You know the feeling. You're about to give the biggest presentation of your life to a room full of strangers who will be critiquing your every word. A lot is riding on it, but you know the content. You're feeling confident, yet, five minutes before you're due to start, your heart starts beating through your chest, your hands sweat, and you're not sure if you can remember the opener that you've rehearsed a thousand times.

You are experiencing an Amygdala Hijack and the clever part of your brain, the cortex, is shutting down.

If you are interested in learning a technique that will allow you to stay in high-performance mode, with the clever part of your brain working for you, even under intense pressure, then watch the clip below from a recent Great Managers MasterClass.

Delivering quality disability services that support families

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 07:00:41 GMT

Martin is 14 year old Jessica’s dad, Martin is a single dad and like many families he is concerned for Jessica’s future.

“I try not to think what will happen when I’m gone, but I do”

“I want her taught life skills so she can be independent because I’m not going to be around forever.”

Jessica was born with Down syndrome and Martin recently told us “if anyone says being a single dad is easy, put my shoes on and see how you go. It hasn’t been easy…”.

“Jessica’s mum and I found out she was going to be Down syndrome in an ultrasound. We decided we would give her the best care in the world,” Martin says.

The first two years of Jessica’s life were spent in and out of hospital, with her first major surgery at 5 weeks old, heart surgery at 15 months and an operation to remove her tonsils and adenoids on her 2nd birthday.

“It’s definitely been hard yacka. Coping with all the illness because of her low immune system was hard but getting Jessica to walk, eat properly and use her motor skills, were also difficult. There are also a lot of challenges with talking. Jessica used to get upset and hit herself when she couldn’t express herself and no one could understand her.”

Martin was referred to Northcott by Jessica’s school, when he started noticing improvements in her speech, her confidence and her independence.

At Northcott we are dedicated to supporting people with disability to realise their potential.

“It’s been about two years with Northcott now. The therapists have been going to Jessica’s school, coming here to the house and getting her to talk a lot better.”

Once she learned to talk and increased her communication skills, her confidence and self-esteem dramatically improved.

“Since this started, she is using a lot more words and expressing herself a lot better. She’s not stressing out so much with her talking.”

“She’s come a long way and I’m really happy with the work,” he says.

Martin says that with Northcott’s support, Jessica is becoming more independent, giving him peace of mind that she will be capable of looking after herself in the future.

With over 85 years of experience and expertise, Northcott delivers quality disability services that support families like Martin and Jessica, but we need your generosity to ensure our programs are ongoing.

How to make your gift:

Visit: www.northcott.com.au/donate to make a secure online donation.

Call: 1800 818 286 and Northcott’s Donor Care Coordinator will be able to take your gift over the phone.

All gifts $2 and over are tax deductible. ACN 000 022 971 ABN 87 302 064 152

Run for Research

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 06:07:06 GMT

If you like to challenge yourself at marathons, running festivals or fun rides, remember to register in the below events and select Westmead Medical Research Foundation as your preferred charity.

On Sunday, 13 August, you can make your experience at the world’s largest fun run even more meaningful, by supporting the delivery of medical research and patient care.

Simply join the The Sun-Herald City to Surf and select Westmead Medical Research Foundation as your cause to fundraise. Help us to provide patients with access to the best possible treatment and care locally and globally.

Locally, as with your donation you are helping us to fund new, cutting edge medical equipment and innovative patient care services. Globally, because together we are funding life-saving, visionary research projects in search of prevention, treatments and cures to some of the most devastating diseases affecting our communities.

Do you think you need to train a bit more? If so, join the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival on Sunday 17 September and run along with over 32,000 participants from over 66 countries. By choosing to support Westmead Medical Research Foundation you will be helping us to ensure all patients receive the best care today, while searching for a healthier tomorrow.

If what you prefer is a two-wheel challenge then the 2017 Bowral Classic on Sunday 22 October is for you! Feel the freedom of the picturesque Southern Highlands while fundraising for Westmead Medical Research Foundation, simply select us from the drop-down menu under the Fundraising Page section.

Join our own Dr Philip Lee from Westmead Hospital Palliative Care and 2017 Citizen of the Year, who has accepted the challenge and will participate at the Bowral Classic fundraising for Westmead Medical Research Foundation.

For more information about supporting Westmead Medical Research Foundation please visit wmrf.org.au or call 02 9845 6289.

Good luck and thank you!

Winter Wealth Update 2017

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 05:48:46 GMT

Welcome to the 2017 edition of the Winter Wealth Update, brought to you by Pitcher Partners Sydney Wealth Management.

In this edition Pitcher Partners provide an overview of:

The NSW first home buyer relief package;

Re-cap the super changes that will take effect from 1 July; and

Review some of the nuances associated with the CGT relief rules when complying with the $1.6 million transfer balance cap.

Click here to read the Winter Wealth Update 2017.

For more information, please contact your Pitcher Partners representative:

Contact

Martin Fowler

Partner, Wealth Management

+61 2 8236 7776

martin.fowler@pitcher.com.au

Pitcher Partners Sydney

Level 22 MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

www.pitcher.com.au

Charity Golf Classic to help keep families close at Ronald McDonald House Westmead

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 05:21:53 GMT

In 2017, the Ronald McDonald House Westmead Charity Golf Classic will be held for the first time at North-West Sydney’s premier course, Lynwood Country Club.

The annual event sees almost 150 guests gather for a BBQ breakfast, before spending a morning on the course and returning to the clubhouse for a relaxed, catered lunch.

Now in its 19th year, the day has built a dedicated community of golfers from the corporate world who return year after year for a fantastic day of golf that also supports seriously ill children and their families staying at Ronald McDonald House Westmead.

With prizes and games throughout the course, and awards and auctions at the ‘19th hole’ the Charity Golf Classic provides a perfect networking opportunity in a friendly, casual atmosphere, as well as the chance to take on a top-notch links-style course.

In 2017, places are selling quickly, but there are still spots available for teams, as well as gold sponsorship opportunities for the day. Gold sponsorship opens the door to on-course and online branding, commercial activations and – of course – a fantastic day of Ambrose-style golf for a team of four.

Teams of 4 are available for $800, while gold sponsorship opportunities are available from $2000, with all proceeds going towards Keeping Families Close at Ronald McDonald House Westmead.

To find out more, contact Michelle Burman on 9485 0600 or michelleb@rmhwestmead.org.au

Western Sydney Wanderers Gold Star Luncheon

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 00:54:20 GMT

After the success of their first event, the Western Sydney Wanderers are excited to announce their 2nd annual Gold Star Luncheon, to be held on Friday, 14th July at The Westin, in celebration of their first ever marquee international match against Arsenal FC.

Learn about the business of Arsenal with special guest speaker Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis, be inspired to succeed after invincible conversation with Arsenal legend Ray Parlour and expand your professional networks with likeminded leading Sydney wide businesses.

This is an event you don’t want to miss. Book today to take advantage of early bird pricing.

Will local businesses win the west?

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 00:33:28 GMT

Parramatta Square and the cultural infrastructure currently underway will deliver a Smart City and core CBD to greater Sydney.

Expansions at Westmead will create a world class health precinct, as well as opportunities for nearby hospitals to expand their services to an ageing population.

Rail, light rail and road infrastructure, intermodal facilities at Moorebank, expansion of the higher education sector and new high school campuses, all point to new developments that will accommodate the rapid growth of Western Sydney’s population in future decades.

The Federal government’s decision to directly invest in the development of Western Sydney’s airport at Badgery’s Creek is a milestone.

By providing a gateway for lightweight freight, domestic and international travellers, Western Sydney will not only have better access but more competitiveness on the world stage.

Innovative businesses, local councils and not-for-profit service providers will all benefit from this growth.

The current job and entrepreneurial opportunities in Parramatta and the growth corridors in Western Sydney are distinctively different from the region’s blue-collar heritage.

Knowledge-based employment and business opportunities will require digitally savvy, customer-centric and flexible workers who are able to constantly learn and adapt.

Western Sydney’s new found accessibility will create export opportunities but this will also open us to increased global competition.

Automation of routine physical and clerical tasks will take away many of the jobs employing people today.

New digital and easy-to-use technologies can lead to more knowledge based jobs for those businesses investing in human capital and innovation to improve their agility and profitability.

Automation of low value added activities will become the norm with intuition and customer-centric thinking keys to enabling sustainable growth.

Success isn’t a given though, and local businesses will need to work hard to reap the benefits. KPMG Partner - R&D and Incentives, Paul van Bergen, who is based in Parramatta advises businesses on the best way to maximise opportunities.

“Think about what customers will demand in the future,” he says. “The winners in the West will be companies which strategically invest in developing products and services that customers want and need, creating alliances to leverage skills to provide world class solutions from local suppliers.

“Some of this investment will be in the form of R&D, some in trialling innovative business models. For many, this might involve encouraging entrepreneurial behaviours to create, accelerate and commercialise new business models.

“Increased funding from NSW and Federal governments is available for collaborative R&D and developing digital technologies for established businesses.

“Through the Western Sydney University LaunchPad accelerator, companies can access expertise and leading-edge technologies subsidised by the NSW government technology vouchers.

“For example, the School of Engineering Computers and Mathematics has assisted traditional manufacturing companies in developing solutions that apply the Internet of Things to create new service lines.

“This enables closer relationships with technologically demanding customers. Partially funded by R&D tax offsets, this reduces the after-tax cost of transforming a business to become a global player.”

Cloud technology has changed the way we work, how health and social services are delivered and how businesses provide goods and services in the future.

For businesses looking to capitalise on Western Sydney’s growth, this means that the need to invest in and embrace cloud technology is no longer a choice. It’s an imperative.

It’s important to keep tabs on the cost effectiveness of all business activities. Understanding what cloud technology can contribute to improve profit margins, better decision making and ensuring businesses deliver a unique and consistent customer experience.

Gordon Irons, KPMG Partner - Technology Advisory, says: “Cloud-based solutions make it possible to get more value out of existing data and IT services. The mid-market can now access user-friendly business systems at a fraction of the cost of the amounts historically paid by their larger competitors.

“This increased flexibility will enable Western Sydney businesses to become more nimble, responsive and entrepreneurial.

“The ability to harness accurate, meaningful and real-time information from systems that can be accessed via a mobile device or any internet connection will help all these Western Sydney businesses to become more competitive, agile and profitable.”

Article by:

David Pring

Managing Partner

KPMG Parramatta

This article was first published in Western Sydney Business Access - www.wsba.com.au

Western Sydney Airport - information on future tendering opportunities

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 22:30:00 GMT

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development will hold an Industry Information session for experienced businesses interested in design and construction opportunities for the Western Sydney Airport project on the morning of Monday 26 June 2017 in Western Sydney.

The session will provide details on procurement and construction timeframes and is tailored for established businesses who are capable of offering specific services, including:

• earthworks (22 million cubic metres)

• building a 3.7 km runway, aprons and taxiways;

• terminal construction (up to 90,000 m2 floor area);

• drainage and utilities works;

• car parking facilities for around 11,500 cars;

• onsite roads; and

• environmental management.

To register your interest in attending the Industry Information Session, please visit www.westernsydneyairport.gov.au/industry and submit a registration form by 21 June 2017. More information about the event and invitations will be sent to those registered.

The event is an information session only and attendance is not a requirement for participation in any subsequent procurement processes. Information from the event and a copy of the presentation will be made available on the Western Sydney Airport website, following the session, for those unable to attend.

Autumn 2017 Community Update out now

The Western Sydney Airport Community Update newsletter for autumn 2017 is out now. Click here to find out more about the latest news in the project, including the establishment of WSA Co and the work happening on the airport site.

William Buck Tax Rates & Tools App

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 07:06:59 GMT

William Buck have just released their Tax Rates & Tools App which is available for Apple and Android phones/tablets and is free to download.

Packed full of useful features, the App can help you:

Calculate tax outcomes at the push of a button

Access the latest tax rates and dates at your fingertips

Keep track of journeys using GPS logbook tracker (IOS only)

Never lose a receipt again – using the integrated receipt management tool

How to improve your efficiency at tax time

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 02:47:58 GMT

Why switching to the cloud is the answer

As 30 June approaches, so does a seemingly infinite list of end of financial year tasks. But where pressure and stress levels have typically been at peak-level at this time, things are looking up – to the cloud. If your business is yet to make the switch to more efficient financial and reporting systems, it’s time to act now so you can begin the new financial year with a clean slate.

Out with the old

Changing systems may seem daunting, but think of it as short-term pain for long-term gain. As with any change management, look within first to identify any bottlenecks or inefficiencies.

Are you attached to a reliable but clunky old system? Or do your admin staff distrust new technology because they’re so used to entering data manually?

Mindset can be one of the biggest roadblocks when you’re disrupting the system, but it’s quite simple: if your staff can see the benefits of the change, then they will adapt and the business will thrive.1

In with the new

According to global accounting community Panalitix, by the end of 2017 more than 90% of small and medium sized businesses will be using cloud-based accounting systems.2 And over 90% of accounting firms will be using cloud-based practice management systems.

So if you aren’t already underway with those systems, this end of financial year really is crunch-time.

According to Receiptbank, Xero and Quickbooks Online are leading the way globally.3 Along with MYOB Essentials, they automate many of the manual processes, from bank feeds and reconciliation to payroll and accounts payable.

Once your business has streamlined these processes, your team will have much more time to focus on the important things that can increase your bottom line.

Click here to read the full article.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Sam McCarthy at our Parramatta office on 0417 518724 and be connected with one of our banking specialists in your region.

Mentors Wanted

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 06:58:19 GMT

The Western Sydney Wanderers are proud to announce the launch of their W-League Mentoring Program. As part of their ongoing commitment to Women’s football, the program is designed to guide their female athletes towards success both on and off the field, build their own personal brand and help extend their professional networks that will allow them to broaden their career aspirations.

The Wanderers are looking for mentors from a range of roles, businesses and backgrounds to mentor their elite athletes. Click here to apply now.

Novotel's 350 Restaurant and Lounge Offers New Seasonal Menu

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 23 May 2017 02:47:44 GMT

Located on Eat Street – Parramatta’s dining district, Novotel Sydney Parramatta’s 350 Restaurant and Lounge is embracing this Winter a NEW seasonal menu!

Taste heart-warming dishes with Chef Kiki’s favourites:

Black Mussels with tomato & chilli sauce, parley & rustic bread

Bourbon glazed beef ribs with grilled prawns and sweet potato wedges

Barramundi fillet in fish broth with braised white beans, chorizo and clams

Baked pear with custard, topped with coconut crumble and a side of raspberry sorbet

Reserve a table with your friends and family and enjoy free undercover parking.

Book via our website, call our friendly reservations team on 02 9630 4999 or email h8787-fb@accor.com

The Insider’s Guide To Staff Recruitment

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 17 May 2017 09:36:17 GMT

Get your hiring strategy right in 2017.

As a growing real estate agency with five offices in Perth, Davey Real Estate brings on 10 to 15 new hires every year. General Manager Andrew Davey is first to admit they don’t always get it right.

“Like any service-based business, people are our biggest asset, and our biggest cost. It’s vital to get hiring right – but while we have wins there are the occasional misses.”

He says it’s more important to get the right attitude, rather than focus on ability.

“It’s difficult to interview for culture and mindset, but if we believe they’ll fit in and believe in what we stand for, then they’re in – we can work with them to get their skills up if we need to.”

With the cost of a poor hiring decision estimated at around one and a half to two times that person’s salary(1), many business owners are taking their time to make the right decision. A recent report revealed that globally, the average time it takes to fill a position has increased by 50% since 2010(2).

But while it’s important not to rush such an important decision, having an open position for months on end can also have a negative impact on staff productivity and morale.

Click here to read the full article.

(1) How much the wrong hire will actually cost you, Magda Walcak, 13/9/16

(2) Average time to hire staff hits 68 days, AFR, 30/6/15

Apprenticeship & Traineeship Expo Set To Attract Thousands

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 17 May 2017 08:55:13 GMT

With the announcement in the recent federal budget of a $1.5 billion skills fund aimed at delivering an additional 300,000 apprentices and trainees over the next four years, TAFE NSW are playing their part with the staging of the 2017 Western Sydney Apprenticeship & Traineeship Expo at Penrith Panthers on 29 August 2017 – 3pm to 8pm.

The Western Sydney Apprenticeship & Traineeship Expo attracted over 4000 attendees and 100 exhibitors last year from the Greater Western Sydney region. This year, the organising committee is aiming to eclipse this with increased promotion across the whole Sydney basin and new initiatives to take the event to another level.

One of these new initiatives is a partnership with SkillsOne Television and the staging of their popular Skills & Thrills showcase to run concurrently with the Expo.

The Skills & Thrills showcase supported by Deputy Premier John Barilaro and the NSW Government is aimed at promoting vocational career pathways through an exhilarating display of music, film and theatre. Find out the latest on jobs of the future, industry trends and connecting your passion to a successful career outcome.

The Western Sydney Apprenticeship & Traineeship Expo has a rich history dating back 15 years and has grown to a status where it is widely accepted as the premier apprenticeship/traineeship expo in NSW.

The timing of the expo is a hit with families as it allows parents to attend with their siblings and have those all-important career chats with industry experts.

The expo kicks off the recruitment process. Exhibitors get the chance to promote their organisation and collect resumes for upcoming recruitment drives.

High School Careers Advisers from the Nepean Careers Forum are on hand to meet career seekers and parents to discuss career options.

For a look at the 2016 expo click here

For a look at the Skills & Thrills showcase from 2016 click here

Interested in becoming a sponsor and/or exhibiting? Contact Brett Carter on 0437 995 279 or brett.carter18@tafensw.edu.au for details.

Laser Wizard announces prestigious new Innovation Awards with Western Sydney University

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 16 May 2017 07:07:35 GMT

A unique partnership between Western Sydney University and innovative company Laser Wizard has resulted in the prestigious Laser Wizard Innovation Award, with a $2,500 first prize up for grabs – not to mention exposure at the University’s 2017 Widevision and the Penrith City Council Real Festival for the successful entrants.

In line with current market trends, this year’s theme is centred around ‘Smart Sustainable Homes,’ challenging students to develop ground breaking sustainable products for the home in the fields of Engineering – incorporating Civil, Construction, Electrical, Mechanical and Robotics & Mechatronics – Industrial Design, Computing and Construction Management.

Recognising the need for talented students to apply their valuable skills in today’s competitive commercial environment, the Laser Wizard Innovation Award provides young people with the platform to turn their visionary ideas into practical reality. At the same time, this inaugural award contributes to Laser Wizard’s Social Responsibility Program, ensuring the Western Sydney student community benefits directly from this exciting initiative.

Students are encouraged to develop eco-friendly devices or gadgets for use within, or outside, the home which can be applied to water usage, power, plumbing, construction methods, insulation, climate control, smart home developments, lifestyle spaces or lighting, though any area of sustainability may be explored.

Brett Kingham, a WSU alumni and CEO of Laser Wizard, a family-owned laser cutting business based in St Mary’s, saw the opportunity to give something back to the University while recognising the need for tech-savvy students to utilise their newly-learned skills in a real-world, commercial setting. ‘There is nothing more rewarding than encouraging and motivating the up-and-coming generation to design products which have the potential to revolutionise daily life, inside and outside the home.’

‘Supporting the local community appears on top of my shareholders priority list and the Laser Wizard Innovation Award is a great way to enable students to create tangible products which utilise laser technology while giving them recognition at the same time.’

Laser Wizard is at the forefront of providing innovative services in a highly competitive environment with a focus on delivering precision cutting every time. Established in 1999, the company has experienced steady growth due to its commitment to superior quality and standard of excellence.

Western Sydney University students are encouraged to register their interest to enter the competition on the Awards website by the end of the Autumn semester, Friday 26th May.

For more information contact Laser Wizard:

P: 02-9623-2335

W: www.laserwizard.com.au

Pitcher Partners' coverage of the 2017-18 Federal Budget

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 16 May 2017 02:35:44 GMT

Pitcher Partners' comprehensive analysis of the 2017-18 Federal Budget is now available.

Overview

This Budget continues the intent of gradually returning to surplus over the medium term, with the Budget expected to balance in 2021 and remaining in surplus thereafter. But it's a case of relying on regulation, not innovation, to find savings in the Budget.

To read more click here.

Personal Income Tax

There are no changes to personal income tax rates proposed in the Budget, however the Medicare Levy will increase from 2% to 2.5% from 1 July 2019.

To read more click here.

Superannuation

No major superannuation changes, but the Government has announced housing affordability measures and tax integrity measures applying to specific superannuation investments.

To read more click here.

Small Business

The instant asset write-off is being extended, but access to the small business CGT concessions will be tightened.

To read more click here.

Property

The Government has introduced two new measures to restrict the availability of deductions in respect of residential investment property, expecting to save $800 million over the forward estimates.

To read more click here.

International Tax Measures

Foreign residents owning or looking to invest in Australian real estate have been targeted in the Government’s housing affordability measures.

To read more click here.

Finance and Investment

A major bank levy will be imposed on Authorised Deposit Institutions. The Government has also introduced tax incentives to encourage investment in affordable accommodation.

To read more click here.

Indirect Taxes

A range of indirect tax measures have been announced in the Federal Budget.

To read more click here.

Fintech and Innovation

A number of amendments were expected to address uncertainties with the current tax concessions relating to Fintech startups. These did not materialise.

To read more click here.

Tax Integrity

The ATO continues to focus on the black economy and organised crime.

To read more click here.

Infrastructure

The Federal Government will seek to boost the economy by investing an additional $20 billion in transport infrastructure over the next ten years.

To read more click here.

Download the full report here.

Download the Federal Budget Infographic Highlights here.

Contact

Scott Treatt

Partner, Tax Consulting

+61 2 9228 2284

scott.treatt@pitcher.com.au

Pitcher Partners Sydney

Level 22 MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

www.pitcher.com.au

Contact

Scott Treatt

Partner

+61 2 9228 2284

scott.treatt@pitcher.com.au

Pitcher Partners Sydney

Level 22 MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

www.pitcher.com.au

Join the Stars for the 2017 Jeans for Genes Denim Dinner

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 16 May 2017 02:12:04 GMT

Join Children's Medical Research Institute for a night filled with celebrities, entertainment and fundraising!

The Jeans for Genes Denim Dinner raises much needed funds to beat childhood diseases like cancer and support the amazing work of the talented researchers at Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI).

This premier charity event is a 'must' on the Sydney social calendar and one not to be missed!

The night will be packed with surprises, great entertainment and delicious food.

Join CMRI to raise awareness and funds to fast track their goal of eradicating childhood cancers and genetic diseases.

Details:

Saturday 15 July 2017. 6:30pm drinks on arrival. 7:30pm start, to conclude at 11:30pm

Venue:

The Star, Event Centre
80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont

Attire:

Black Tie with a touch of Denim

Tickets:

Single ticket: $350
Table of 10: $3,150

Mention you are a WSBC Member to receive a 10% discount on the purchase of a table of 10.

To purchase tickets please email J4GEvents@cmri.org.au or contact:

Rebecca Hasler on +61 2 8865 2812
Nikki Byrnes on +61 2 8865 2955

For further information go to www.denimdinner.org.au

Deliberately Creating your Workplace Culture

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 16 May 2017 01:43:21 GMT

Culture in your workplace happens - for better, or for worse.

If the video above looked familiar, you will greatly benefit from having a system for deliberately creating the culture in your business.

One of the ways you can ensure your workplace is a great place to work is reviewing the Environment, Practices and Rituals that occur in your organisation.

First, look at the physical Environment you and your team work in every day. It is normal to get tunnel-vision when you spend so much time in a workplace. After some time, you no longer see what a client or visitor would see when they visit your business, so try to take a 3rd person view… or ask people!

Have a look at what changes could be made. These do not have to be expensive changes. They could be simple layout changes of desks or decluttering. How’s the lighting, temperature or noise? It’s proven that natural light and plants can create healthier workplaces.

Next, review your organisation’s Practices, which includes things like organisational design and structure.

Structure helps people in your organisation work together effectively. The more effective the structure, the more effective the working relations between people and departments.

Your HR Practices contribute to your culture. Think about the importance of a practice like Onboarding. This is where employee engagement begins. The quality of your onboarding practice has a big impact on people and will determine whether they attach to your business for the long-term.

Finally, what are the Rituals and Routines going on in your business? These should teach people about your culture and the workplace you’re trying to create.

Rituals and Routines determine what is expected to happen in given situations, and what is valued by management. Examples include morning teas for new starters, Friday afternoon get-togethers, end of month drinks, or simply just saying goodbye to everyone before you leave for the day.

Through the power of rituals, bonds become stronger and non-members become members of the culture

This is step 5 from Great Managers’ 6-Step System for Deliberately Creating your Workplace Culture. On 26 May, Managing Director, Sandra Wood, will be sharing the other 5 steps and much more on WSBC’s next webinar, Building a Great Place to Work.

Simply follow this link to register for our live, free webinar.

PARKROYAL Parramatta's Hot Hotel Deals

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 12 May 2017 06:36:50 GMT

PARKROYAL Parramatta have just released a number of great offers including:

The ‘Meet & Stay” residential conference package:

Book and hold your next Residential Conference before 30 September 2017 to take advantage of their full Day Delegate Package from AUD299 per person, with overnight accommodation in one of their new Premier Rooms.

For enquiries and bookings contact PARKROYAL Parramatta on:

P: 02 9685 0340

E: events.prsyp@parkroyalhotels.com

The ‘Day Delegate Barista Package’:

Experience PARKROYAL Parramatta's new premium facilities and enjoy unlimited barista coffee for your next meeting or event.

Book their Day Delegate Barista Package for only AUD81 per person.

To request a quote or site visit, contact PARKROYAL Parramatta on:

P: 02 9685 0391

E: events.prsyp@parkroyalhotels.com

City of Parramatta's Draft Economic Development Plan 2017 – 2021 is now on Public Exhibition

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 11 May 2017 22:36:32 GMT

The City of Parramatta's Draft Economic Development Plan 2017 – 2021 (EDP) is on public exhibition for a period of 28 days beginning 10th May – 7th June.

Summary of the EDP

The EDP represents Council’s commitment to growing jobs and business across the whole LGA. The plan seeks to provide a roadmap to facilitating the growth of 20,000 additional jobs over the next five years in key employment precincts and local centres. The EDP has been prepared after extensive consultation with business owners, the community and government agencies through interviews, surveys, workshops and presentations.

Purpose of the Draft Plan

The purpose of the EDP is to grow the number of jobs in the Parramatta Local Government Area. It achieves this by communicating the following:

1. Providing a clear economic direction for the City;

2. Outlining the challenges and opportunities in the local economy;

3. Providing a positive framework for partners to work together;

4. Detailing specific goals, objectives and programs; and

5. Guiding the appropriate expenditure of the Economic Development Special Rate.

Public Exhibition

Council has approved the draft plan to be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days. This will allow Council the opportunity to conduct further consultation with the business community to make sure the programs and initiatives listed in the plan are appropriate.

The EDP will be made available online on council’s websites, and hard copies at Council and in libraries. Information sessions will be organised to allow for a more in-depth consultation and discussion. More information on information will be soon be made available on Council’s website.

Providing Feedback

Council encourages interested people to provide feedback on the EDP. Submissions can be made via Council’s website or in person at one of the information sessions.

Visit - https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/about-parramatta/news/on-exhibition/draft-economic-development-plan-2017-2021

A Long Weekend Away With The Parramatta Eels

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 07 May 2017 23:46:24 GMT

Join the Parramatta Eels for a long weekend away as they take on the Cowboys in their round 14 clash at TIO Stadium, Darwin on June 10.

Your long weekend includes:

Return economy airfares
3 nights accommodation plus breakfast
Captains run training session
Dinner with the playing squad
Seafood luncheon and Adelaide River Croc Tour
VIP corporate hospitality seating at the game

Prices for a single are $3400 + GST per person and $2975 + GST per person for a twin/double.

Register your interest here or for further information please contact:

E: eels.commercial@parraeels.com.au

P: 02 8843 0382

Garden to Gala

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 07 May 2017 23:24:12 GMT

Locally sourced, seasonal produce offering the freshest quality menu’s for your next event.

Events by ATC Executive Chef’s at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens strive to deliver the ultimate culinary experience by sourcing fresh New South Wales produce and cultivating herbs and spices onsite. Garden to Gala has been developed by working closely with our food producers and onsite horticultural and culinary teams. Menus are of optimum quality designed to energise, stimulate and encourage wellbeing at your next event, conference or gala.

Having been awarded The Savour Restaurants & Catering Awards for Excellence, Best Caterer at a Major Event (2015) and Best Events Caterer – NSW (2016), Events by ATC pride ourselves on a dedication to serving our guests the highest quality food possible.

Delegates and guests will be fuelled by healthy, wholesome and nutritious Garden to Gala menus.

Celebrate Mum at Novotel’s 350 Restaurant & Lounge on Sunday 14th May 2017

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 00:44:05 GMT

Spoil Mum with a delicious buffet breakfast including an indulgent dessert buffet and a complimentary champagne buffet where Mum can mix a Mimosa or two!

Bookings are from 9am and we’re extending breakfast right up until midday!

Book now to ensure you don’t miss out.

Kids under 8 years eat FREE!

$35 per adult, $15 per child (9-16yrs)

Ph: (02) 9630 4999 | E: h8787-fb@accor.com

Western Sydney businesses encouraged to support transformative cancer research program

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 07:02:27 GMT

James Wakim, former CEO of Arab Bank and current Board Member at Children’s Medical Research Institute, is leading an initiative encouraging businesses in Western Sydney to support a transformative cancer research program in Westmead.

ProCan, a global-first research program using “big data” technologies that will automate and greatly improve the speed and accuracy of cancer diagnostic testing and will facilitate much more personalised cancer treatments.

The side effects of existing treatments can be devastating, especially in young children. We know that children have a much greater survival rate when they are given the right treatment first time around. This database will mean doctors can effectively narrow down the best type of currently available treatment to target the patients’ individual cancer diagnosis, without wasting time trialing treatments that are less likely to work.

This is an opportunity to make your business part of something truly life-changing. We are looking for 1,000 Western Sydney businesses to pledge just $1,000 per year to help fund this life-saving project.

Your tax-deductible gift will help change the face of cancer research and impact countless young lives. To find out more, click here.

Amendments to Retail Leases Act and their effect on Retail Leases & Franchise Agreements

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 06:46:04 GMT

Parties to retail leases and to franchise agreements will need to be aware of the Retail Leases Amendment (Review) Act 2017 No 2 (the Act) which will commence on 1 July 2017.

Most Franchising agreements provide for a sub-lease or licence arrangement of retail premises which the franchisee obtains from the franchisor (who is the lessee in most instances) in order to operate the business in the premises. This means that any advantage (or disadvantage) the franchisor obtains through the Act as a lessee may affect the franchisee.

Some of the key changes to leasing of retail premises are:

• New Lessor Disclosure Requirements - requires full disclosure in the lessor’s disclosure statement of any obligation of the lessee to contribute to the lessor’s outgoings and prevents recovery from them of outgoings that are not disclosed.

• Turnover Rent - lessees may find shelter from turnover rent clauses in leases by utilising online transactions. The definition of turnover rent now excludes online sales revenue, except where the goods are delivered from or at the premises (or the Centre) or where the transaction takes place while the customer is at the premises.

• Minimum 5 year term to be repealed - the requirement for a minimum term for retail leases will be removed meaning lessees will no longer have the security provided by legislation of a term of no less than 5 years. Franchisees will need to be aware of this change in particular.

The Act also introduces changes to the rights and obligations of lessors:

• Outgoings - the definition has been extended to include management, operation, maintenance or repair of the retail shop building or land, and other fees charged by a lessor, for services provided by the lessor. Franchisees may need to bear these extra costs.

• Compensation for lessees - lessors will now need to pay the lessee compensation if they terminate the lease within the first six months, on the basis that the lessor didn’t provide a disclosure statement or because the disclosure statement was incomplete or contained information that was materially false or misleading.

Some other general changes which will occur as a result of the Act include:

• Return and registration of lease - The timeframe for the lessor providing a copy of the signed lease to the lessee has been amended from one month to three months.

• Bank guarantee - a lessor will now be required to return any bank guarantee within 2 months after the lessee has performed all obligations secured by the bank guarantee.

• Mortgagee consent - lessors are no longer entitled to recover any expenses involved in obtaining the consent of the mortgagee of the premises leased.

• Assignment of lease – amendments have been introduced to clarify the procedure that must be followed for the assignment of a retail shop lease and for a lessee to be released from liability to the lessor after assignment.

• Increased jurisdiction of Tribunal - the monetary limit on the jurisdiction of NCAT will be increased from $400,000 to $750,000.

If you would like to know more about how these changes will affect you, please contact Matthews Folbigg Lawyers on 02 9635 7966.

Anna Zdrilic, Principal, practices extensively in commercial and retail leasing. Anna can be contacted on 9806 7461 or annaz@matthewsfolbigg.com.au.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as a brief summary only and should not be relied upon or used as definitive or complete statement of the relevant law.

Church St Retail Frontage Improvement Program

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 05:25:43 GMT

City of Parramatta has just launched the Church Street Retail Frontage Improvement Program (RFIP) which is offering eligible businesses, property managers, and property owners situated on Church Street, Parramatta (between Macquarie Street and Lennox Bridge) up to $20,000 to improve the quality of their shopfront, building façade, and awning.

To learn more about the program, click here.

How to stop your business being held to ransom

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 05:03:20 GMT

Macquarie Bank's guide to protecting against the latest craze in cybercrime

It starts innocuously enough. You receive an email from a colleague; just the regular kind of short message they’re always sending and a link to an article they thought you’d like. But when you click on it, your troubles start.

It’s not The Australian or The New York Times that you’re taken to. Instead, you’re directed to a screen that tells you all of the data stored on your computer has been encrypted. Worse still, you’re not going to get it back unless you pay. And to top it off, for every 30 minutes you delay, a piece of data will be destroyed or the price of having it unlocked will increase.

What’s happened is that you’ve just downloaded dangerous ransomware to your system. And ransomware is on the rise....Click here to read more.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call us at our Parramatta office on 0418 253 049 and be connected with one of our real estate banking specialists in your region.

The future of cancer therapy based in the heart of South West Sydney

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 04:48:38 GMT

In the past year, demand for outpatient cancer services − that is treatments not requiring an overnight stay in hospital − in south west Sydney rose by up to 10 per cent. Our population in this part of Sydney is among the fastest-growing in the country and as population grows, the incidence of cancer in its many forms also escalates.

Across Australia, the number of cancer patients in Australia grows by approximately 3 per cent a year. That's 5,000 new cases each year, about half of which require radiation treatment. In 2015, more than 131,000 cancer patients presented for treatment in south-western Sydney. More than half of this number (51 per cent) needed treatment for tumours, including radiation and surgery.

Right here in Liverpool, we're building what will become the most advanced radiotherapy treatment tool in the world − and for the first time, we're inviting the people of Western Sydney to come and see it.

Anyone familiar with the work we do at the Ingham Institute would have heard us talk about the MRI-Linac. We're in the business of fighting disease, and the MRI-Linac will, once it's completed, be one of the world's most advanced tools for attacking cancer.

We're designing and building the MRI-Linac so that we can offer these patients image guided radiation therapy − or in other words, radiation that can much more accurately track and target tumours using MRI as the patient is being treated, something that cannot be done today. As a result, we will also be able to offer more powerful radiation treatment while at the same time, avoid the risk of damaging healthy tissue.

Liverpool is one of only four research institutions in the world, and the only one is Australia that is building an MRI-Linac machine, and we believe our design is unique compared to other models currently under development. Working with South West Sydney’s Cancer Therapy Centres and specialists from Sydney, Wollongong, Queensland, Stanford, Western Sydney and NSW Universities, our researchers are essentially inventing new technological solutions to improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy for cancer patients.

We've reached a point where we can not only demonstrate the technology works, but explore how it will one day revolutionise the way we treat cancerous tumours here and around the world. We are inviting our neighbours in Western Sydney to experience history in the making and book a tour of the MRI-Linac while it is still under construction.

Guided tours are free and can be arranged by calling the Ingham Institute on 1800 66 55 41. On a tour you will be able to step inside the bunker housing our MRI Linac prototype and see close-up what the future of cancer therapy looks like.

The MRI-Linac is just one of the dozens of research and development projects we have underway at Ingham Institute, developing new ways to improve human health and save lives. We encourage anyone who's interested in the work we do and its potential, to come and take a look.

To register for the MRI-Linac tour, call 1800 66 55 41. Visit www.inghaminstitute.org.au for more on Ingham Institute's medical research.

City of Parramatta's Council Plans on Public Exhibition

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 04:12:20 GMT

City of Parramatta’s vision to be "Sydney’s central city, sustainable, liveable, and productive – inspired by our communities" – will be achieved by placing people at the centre of its future planning.

Council has eight draft documents currently on public exhibition until Monday, 8 May 2017 which will form the basis of significant work to deliver Council’s vision.

City of Parramatta invites you to share your feedback on these policies, to ensure they accurately reflect the needs and aspirations of the community.

As a valued member of the business community, Council would like to draw your attention to and invite you to give feedback on both the Draft Public Car Parking Strategy and Draft Civic Link Framework Plan which are currently on public exhibition.

The Draft Public Car Parking Strategy provides plans to support economic activity in the City while alleviating congestion by reducing car movements in the CBD.

The Draft Civic Link Framework Plan establishes Council’s aspirations for a Civic Link – public open space and a cultural spine that connects Parramatta Square and the Transport Interchange to the river foreshore precinct.

Have your say on these strategies, or attend one of Council's drop-in sessions and speak to a planner.

Networking for Success…How you can be a better networker (even if you think you hate it)!

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 02:17:51 GMT

Love it or hate it, networking is an essential business skill and most professionals don’t know how to do it effectively. In this extract from a Great Managers MasterClass, Managing Director Sandra Wood will help you understand the techniques used by successful networkers and give you a fool-proof process that will make you feel more prepared, and more confident at the next WSBC (or any other) networking event!

Watch the video below:

Free Community Seminar: New and Novel Treatments for Cancer

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 06:24:29 GMT

1 in 3 Australian men and 1 in 4 Australian women will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 75.

Thanks to donors’ incredible generosity, My Westmead has been able to proudly support the work of The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre at Westmead Hospital. This purpose built state of the art facility provides fully integrated research, prevention, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation programs for patients and families coping with cancer.

Despite their busy schedules, five of the Westmead Hospital’s Oncologists have kindly agreed to speak at the upcoming My Westmead Community Seminar “New and Novel Treatments for Cancer”.

When: Tue 30 May 2017

Time: 1:30pm

Where: Level 2 - The Westmead Institute for Medical Research

176 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW

RSVP: Please call Alison Whittaker on 02 9845 9019 or visit mywestmead.org.au

The presentation will be followed by Q&A session. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Join us and hear from our guest speakers:

Professor Nicholas Wilcken - Director of Medical Oncology at the Westmead Cancer Care Centre

Dr Mark Wong - Medical Oncologist at Westmead Hospital and Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney

Dr Matteo Carlino - Medical Oncologist at Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals

Dr Adnan Nagrial - Medical Oncologist at Westmead Hospital and The Garvan Institute

Dr Alison Salkeld - Radiation Oncologist at The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions to the oncologists about their current work.

Zoe Johnson, Cancer Care Co-ordinator and Clinical Nurse Consultant for Breast Cancer, and Noeline Ranzac, Nurse Unit Manager at The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre will also be in attendance to answer questions arising.

Cancer will touch most Australians at some stage of their lives, either personally or through relatives and friends, as every year over 123,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed in Australia.

This is a free event not to miss. It is open to the wider community; however places are limited so bookings are required.

To RSVP or for more information, call Alison Whittaker on 02 9845 9019 or visit mywestmead.org.au

Laugh For The House

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 23:37:47 GMT

This May, don’t miss Laugh for the House, an outrageous night of stand-up comedy for a fantastic cause!

Proceeds from this bumper night of laughs go towards Ronald McDonald House Westmead, a ‘home away from home’ for seriously ill children and their families.

Headlined by Jimeoin, one of Australia’s most beloved comedians, Laugh for the House also features the hilarious Simon Kennedy as MC, and fresh young talent Emma Zammit.

Jimeoin is acclaimed as one of the hottest stand-up comics of his generation and a true comedy master. A prolific writer with an exceptional audience rapport, he is known for his brilliant wit and charming observations on the absurdities of everyday life.

Join us to Laugh for the House and help raise vital funds to help Ronald McDonald House Westmead keep families close when they need it most.

When: Thursday 18 May, 2017

Where: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta

Cost: $50* per ticket

Economic and Market Outlook: April 2017

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 08:04:34 GMT

Welcome to the April 2017 edition of our Economic and Market Outlook, brought to you by Pitcher Partners Sydney Wealth Management.

This edition provides commentary on the following topics:

International economy
Australian economy
Australian equities
International equities

To read the full version of the Economic and Market Outlook April 2017, please click here.

Should you have any queries in relation to the above, please do not hesitate to contact the author or your Pitcher Partners relationship partner.

Contact

Martin Fowler

Partner, Wealth Management

Pitcher Partners Sydney

T: +61 2 8236 7776

E: martin.fowler@pitcher.com.au

Diversity, investment in digital technology and acquisitions drive Australia’s mid-market success in ASX300+, KPMG Enterprise Report shows

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 04:48:27 GMT

Companies in Australia’s mid-market sector with boardroom diversity, a dominant shareholder, or a long-serving chairperson are outperforming their peers. And those which made acquisitions for inorganic growth last year are boosting their revenues more than those that did not, but potentially squandering profit boosting synergies in the short term.

These are just some of the headline findings from KPMG Enterprise’s first ASX300+ Report, which studied the 2016 and 2015 results of Australia’s ASX300+ companies.

The report uncovered six secrets of success for performance across: diversity, digital technology investment, acquisitions, funding arrangements, shareholder composition, remuneration and tenure, to highlight the opportunities and challenges facing ASX 300+ companies.

KPMG Enterprise’s report provides a unique and accurate picture of mid-market performance through the lens of mid-cap listed businesses. While companies in this group do not have the same degree of diversity at board and senior executive level, those that do delivered better results in the 2016 year than their competitors. This reinforces our view that a broader range of views around the board table adds value to businesses.

Key findings:

Female CEOs in the ASX 300+ delivered a 9 per cent increase in revenue in 2016, compared to the group wide average of 0.5 per cent. There are 21 companies in the ASX 300+ with a female CEO (3 per cent of companies);

Companies with women on their Board achieved higher revenue growth, profitability and shareholder returns in 2016. On average, ASX 300+ Boards comprise only 9 per cent female Directors, compared with 23 per cent in the ASX 200. ASX300+ companies have a long way to go to reach the AICD target of 30% female Board representation by the end of 2018.

Entities that completed an acquisition saw an 11 per cent boost in revenue overall for the year, compared to a backward trend of 2 per cent for the remainder of companies which did not complete an acquisition. However those entities that completed an acquisition saw a decline in profits post acquisition.

Companies investing in intangible assets such as digital technology are growing their revenue at a faster rate than those which are not (4 per cent growth compared to -2 per cent trend). Profitability returns are also greater in these companies.

ASX 300+ companies with a dominant shareholder (>50 per cent equity) performed better than other companies in both revenue growth and profitability improvements - growing revenue in 2016 at 6 per cent, compared with 0 per cent growth for widely held entities.

15 per cent of the ASX 300+ are showing some financial distress in terms of their working capital position – and debt levels are rising overall across the ASX 300+.

Those with strong working capital positions grew revenue at 2 per cent overall, compared to an overall decline of 4 per cent from companies which weren't able to effectively manage working capital.

Chairperson tenure of more than 10 years is linked to better financial performance, with revenue growth of 7%, outperforming the competition.

Remuneration of Directors is widely dispersed across the ASX 300+ from no remuneration to multi-million dollar packages including share based payment arrangements.

Sarah Cain

Director, KPMG Enterprise

Sarah is a Director at KPMG’s Greater Western Sydney office based in Parramatta and a leader within KPMG’s Enterprise Audit practice. Sarah has over 11 years’ experience providing professional services to a range of clients including listed entities in the ASX 300+, private companies and groups, not-for-profit organisations and indigenous businesses.

Sarah has worked with KPMG both in Australia and internationally. She has a passion for helping her clients and team achieve their best and is involved in a broad range of community activities.

Penrith Press: Businesses Lead Push To Put West On Tourist Map

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 06:36:58 GMT

Panthers part of $100,000 bid to market high-energy appeal

By Isabell Petrinic

PENRITH Panthers has united with other western Sydney leaders to fund the first business-led plan for a stronger visitor economy.

Western Sydney Business Connection’s new $100,000 Western Sydney Visitor Project aims to produce a region-specific visitor marketing strategy to put western Sydney on the map.

The man behind the hugely successful 100% Pure New Zealand tourism campaign, Ian Macfarlane, has been recruited to help with this.

“Up to 1998 NZ had suffered market share decline in its major markets and that campaign actually allowed NZ to increase its market share in all its major markets in the seven years that followed,” said Mr Macfarlane, who has also developed marketing strategies for Abu Dhabi, Cape Town, Adelaide and San Diego.

“I think western Sydney has made a giant leap forward ... to realise it does take local initiative,” Mr Macfarlane, Strategic Consultants’ managing consultant, said.

He says the challenge for the west is around “getting local activation ... (and) achieving a far greater appeal to interstate travellers”.

This includes making local businesses “accountable” for the activity they can generate with the right government support, he said.

“In Penrith and the Blue Mountains what it seems to me is you’re more into higher energy stuff ... hiking, walking, doing things. That’s the type of audience we need to attract.”

Deloitte data shows in 2015 western Sydney welcomed 9,681,183 visitors, who spent over 15 million nights in the region, injecting more than $2.5 billion to its economy.

Western Sydney is now NSW’s fourth largest visitor region, and Badgerys Creek airport will be a big part of its future market.

The new visitor project strategy will be launched at a Western Sydney Business Connection forum on June 8 and be enacted from July.

It comes on the back of Deloitte’s first business-led plan for jobs creation in western Sydney, launched in December 2015, to create 200,000 “great new” jobs in western Sydney by 2020.

Recommendations include investment in cultural infrastructure, such as arts spaces in disused facilities in the Penrith CBD.

Click here to view the original article in PDF

Help Northcott Create Fun on June 21

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 06:15:09 GMT

Learn how SMEs can gain funding and support | Angels and Government

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 03:40:41 GMT

Obtaining funding or investment to help your business innovate, commercialise and evolve can be a daunting challenge.

Angel investors, government grants and entrepreneur programs provide various funding options to Australian businesses. Understanding these, and how to best position yourself to maximise the opportunities available, can be highly beneficial.

Following our Guide to Funding for SMEs - a summary of grants and funding opportunities, this interactive and informative seminar will assist business owners to understand:

- the support Government programs provide to help SMEs to

commercialise novel products, services and processes; and

- the role of Angel investors in the ecosystem, and what they're looking for.

So whether you're an expert, or new to the fund raising process, come and join us to get some tips from the experts.

EVENT DETAILS

DATE Thursday 6 April 2017

TIME 5.30pm - 7.30pm

VENUE Davies Collison Cave, Level 14, 255 Elizabeth Street

COST Complimentary, including refreshments

RSVP By Thursday 30 March via the button below

CHAIR / SPEAKERS

Damon Henshaw | Principal, Davies Collison Cave

Damon will chair the session. Damon has extensive experience as a patent attorney and specialises in a range of engineering-related sectors, including clean technologies, mechanical and engineering sciences, medical devices, mining, automotive, manufacturing and physics. He has been successfully representing local and international clients for over 20 years, advising on IP strategy and crafting patent protection for businesses ranging from start-ups through to multinational corporations.

Topaz Conway | Director, StartupAUS | Commercialisation Adviser for the Entrepreneurs' Programme, Accelerating Commercialisation (Federal grant program) | Chair, SBE Australia

As a result of international experience traversing a number of industries including biotech, hi-tech, ecommerce and services, Topaz is an entrepreneur, angel investor, Director, and an advocate to the creation of a stronger Australian innovation culture. She works with early stage companies on commercialisation strategies and investment. As a Commercialisation Adviser, Topaz provides assistance and guidance to applicants and potential applicants with respect to grants under Accelerating Commercialisation within the Entrepreneurs' Programme.

Adrian Bunter | Executive Committee, Sydney Angels

Adrian is a member of the executive committee of Sydney Angels and is an experienced angel investor having made over 25 angel investments. He is also an executive director of Venture Advisory, one of Australia's leading specialist technology, media and telecommunications corporate advisory firms. With over 20 years' experience he has worked with a large number of companies to commercialise technologies, raise capital and to ultimately sell the business. Adrian is also a non-executive director of two ASX listed tech companies and several private businesses.

Did you miss today’s webinar?

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 02:30:00 GMT

If you missed today’s free webinar, Power Up Your People, brought to you by the WSBC and Great Managers, attendees received 7 Powerful Management Strategies that, if applied well, will guarantee better results from their teams.

We can’t give away that gold… but here are some of their key takeaways:

75% of employees say their manager is the most stressful part of their job
65% of employees say they would take a new manager over a pay-rise
A Great Manager can DOUBLE the capability of their people
Top Australian CEO reported, “For every $1 we invested in leadership development, it added $6 to our bottom line.” Rob Birtles, CEO of Super Retail Group (incl. brands Supercheap Auto, Rebel Sport, BCF).
A professional services firm identified the huge cost of lack of employee engagement in their business and after reacting to this loss by strategically developing their leaders, successfully recovered over a $1m in unbillable hours to their bottom-line

On top of this valuable learning, all attendees received a special gift only for those attending live.

Be sure you don’t miss the next webinar from the WSBC on Friday 26 May titled:

Building a Great Place to Work- A 6-Step System for Deliberately Creating your Workplace Culture.

Culture happens – for better or for worse. Every organisation has a culture. Proactively choosing to create your culture in a deliberate and intentional way will deliver financial and emotional benefits and build a high performing workplace – a great place to work - and you will be the envy of your competitors.

Click here to register for Building a Great Place to Work.

Western Sydney welcomes another cultural icon with the launch of the Western Sydney Youth Orchestra

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 22:00:00 GMT

Minister for Western Sydney, The Hon. Stuart Ayres launched the Western Sydney Youth Orchestra (SYO) yesterday at Riverside Theatre in Parramatta. This is a major coup for the west which continues to see growth in the arts and culture sector. It I well known that growth in this sector contributes to the prosperity of the region through its role in influencing perceptions and liveability. The SYO also presents enormous opportunity for the young people in western Sydney by acting as a feeder to some of the words most renowned musical organisations.

For close to 45 years, SYO has been a vital part of the cultural life of our nation by training thousands of talented young musicians and inspiring them to pursue their musical dreams and take their place in orchestras throughout Australia and the world. SYO has a strong track record of delivering a consistently outstanding educational and performance program and it has grown to encompass 12 orchestras with the launch of the new Western Sydney Youth Orchestra. SYO fills its unique training role within the sector by functioning as a ‘feeder’ of talented musicians to organisations such as the Australian Youth Orchestra (29% of participants), the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (27% of all participants), the Australian Chamber Orchestra (16% of all participants) and the Australian World Orchestra (32% of all participants).

SYO’s program not only equips members for a career as a professional musician. The orchestral training program teaches teamwork, discipline, dedication, leadership, and a commitment to excellence. Whatever career path these talented young people follow, they are likely to become leaders in and contributors to the community. In WSYO, young musicians aged 13-24 from across Greater Western Sydney will finally have the opportunity to access the full SYO orchestral training program as part of this unique cultural initiative. Our aim is to reduce the barriers to participation for young people across the West so that they have access to the very best arts and culture programs our State has to offer.

SYO is keen to work with local businesses in order to enhance their events and public profile, as well as develop avenues for funding so that scholarships can facilitate more young talented musicians being part of this ensemble. Please contact Sydney Youth Orchestras CEO Yarmila Alfonzetti about opportunities for your business with WSYO – yarmila.alfonzetti@syo.com.au

New Leases Accounting Standard

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 03:59:45 GMT

Leasing, as a means of accessing assets, of obtaining finance and of reducing an entity’s exposure to the risks of asset ownership, is becoming more and more important for many entities. As a result, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the US Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) initiated a joint project to develop a new approach to lease accounting.

On 13 January 2016, IASB issued IFRS 16 Leases. Australia has fully adopted this new standard and introduced AASB 16 Leases.

Application date

The new accounting standard will be effective for companies with annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. Early adoption of this standard is permitted. The transition period and comparative balances need to be considered.

Compliance Requirements – Lessee’s

Entity	Compliance
Tier 1 reporting entity	Full compliance with the standard.
Tier 2 reporting entity	Compliance with the measurement and recognition requirements. The AASB will determine the disclosure requirements through a separate process.
Non-reporting entity lodging with ASIC	Companies preparing special purpose financial statements and lodging with ASIC must comply with the measurement and recognition requirements of the standard (Refer to RG 85).

All ACNC registered charities should comply with the ACNC reporting requirements. In general, the ACNC requires reporting entities to submit general purpose financial statements with non-reporting entities permitted to lodge special purpose financials statements.

Compliance Requirements – Lessor’s

There are no changes in the requirements for accounting by lessors, which means that the distinction between operating and finance leases still remain.

Key Changes by the New Standard

There is no longer a distinction between finance and operating leases for lessees
Lessees record a right-to-use asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases
Depreciation and interest charges on leases will impact the profit and loss
Impact of lease payments on the cash flow statement include:
1. payments of principal are recorded in financing activities
2. payments for short-term leases and low value items expensed in profit or loss are disclosed in operating activities.

Leases Excluded from the Scope of AASB 16

The following types of leases (and subleases) are scoped out of the new AASB 16 requirements:

Exploration leases for minerals, oil, natural gas and similar non-regenerative resources
Biological assets (apply AASB 141Agriculture)
Service concession arrangements within the scope of Interpretation 12 Service Concession Arrangements
Licences of intellectual property of a lessor (apply AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers)
Rights held by a lessee under a licensing agreement (apply AASB 138 Intangible Assets).

Recognition Exemptions

A lessee may elect not to apply the new standard for:

Short-term leases, typically these are leases with a period of 12 months or less
Leases for which the underlying asset is of low value, such as laptops or phones.

Industries Impacted

The new standard is expected to have a wide impact across many industries in particular those industries with numerous and/or high value leases. Those industries that use extensive land and buildings and valuable equipment will be strongly impacted. The following industries are particularly likely to be impacted upon:

Property and construction;
Government and Not-for-Profit sector;
Retailers’ with multiple outlets;
Education and training;
Health and aged care;
Mining;
Manufacturing; and
Real estate

Need help

Please feel free to contact us to discuss your situation if you think your business will be affected by the new standard. Our professional team is always willing to be in your shoes and provide tailored advice for your business.

Radlee Moller

P: 9683 5999

W: www.cibaccountants.com.au

How To Define Your True Business Purpose

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 01:54:55 GMT

Boost your business with a simple question

Why do you do what you do?

It may sound like a philosophical question, but defining a strong, shared purpose for your organisation is much more than an abstract statement. It can create a key advantage in an increasingly fast-paced world, with tangible bottom line benefits.

When former P&G global marketing director Jim Stengel collected 10 years of data across 50,000 brands, he found a direct relationship between a brand’s ability to serve a higher purpose and its financial performance.

Businesses with ‘higher ideals’ – those focused on improving people’s lives – grew three times faster than their competitors. Investing in his resulting ‘Stengel 50’ over that decade would have been 400% more profitable than investing in the S&P 500.

EY, which recently defined its purpose as 'to build a better working world', conducted a global survey of 474 executives with Harvard Business Review Analytic Services. Its report, The Business Case for Purpose, found that while 90% of respondents believe their company understands the importance of purpose, only 46% use purpose to inform strategic and operational decision-making.

Purpose, values and strategy

There is a difference between your ‘universal purpose’ and your mission or strategy. Purpose is your reason for being – and it does not change over time although it may inspire change. Your mission is what you do, your strategy is how you plan to achieve your shorter-term goals – and your values will guide the way that strategy and mission are executed.

EY defines purpose as "an aspirational reason for being that is grounded in humanity and inspires a call to action." It is big picture and long term – and it allows an organisation to create value beyond financial metrics.

This is not a new concept – and in more recent years, business leaders have discussed things like triple bottom line, shared value and corporate sustainable responsibility. But the EY survey results highlight we still have some way to go in embedding purpose into strategic decisions.

For 77% of millennial employees, organisational culture is just as important as base salary and benefits.

Does purpose really matter?

According to the results of The Business Case for Purpose, 89% of executives say a strong sense of collective purpose drives employee satisfaction and 80% believe it can help to increase customer loyalty. Importantly, in a time of unprecedented change, 84% say it can affect the ability to transform.

Employee engagement

According to the 2015 Virgin Pulse survey, for 77% of millennial employees organisational culture is just as (or even more) important as base salary and benefits.

Having a strong sense of purpose can define that culture. It gives people a clear sense of what their contribution to the company means, and also how they should do things every day. It makes their work feel more meaningful – a key motivator for staff across all generations, because we all have an innate desire to contribute to something bigger.

A clearly defined purpose also makes delegating responsibility simpler as the business grows, because expectations are clear and consistent. And it also makes recruitment and retention much more effective. Employees need to believe in their organisation's purpose, and want to work towards it.

In 2016, LinkedIn named online real estate advertising company REA Group one of the top 25 Australian companies for attracting and keeping top talent, according to its data. In an interview, REA’s executive general manager of People and Culture Barb Hyman said the company’s purpose has evolved to “change the way the world experiences property.”

This has in turn translated into an open and transparent culture. “People connect with our purpose with their hearts and their minds and we know that the best work happens when people care deeply about what they are doing and why,” she said.

Customer loyalty

In 2012, Edelman’s global goodpurpose study found that 89% of consumers are more likely to buy from companies that support solutions to particular social issues. For more than half, purpose is the most important factor influencing brand choice when quality and price are equal.

For example, Airbnb's purpose is "belong anywhere". It's a refreshing and inspiring purpose with clear benefits for its users, striving to create the kind of warm interpersonal connections that are groundbreaking in its category. Airbnb has grown rapidly and is now valued at $25.5 billion.

A path to change

If everyone in the business is aligned to a common purpose, they can understand the need for transformation – and this empowers them to embrace it, rather than fear it.

As a ‘guiding light’, purpose becomes the key filter for ideas and decisions.

Google’s purpose has been articulated as “to organise the world’s information, and make it universally accessible and useful” – and this purpose drives its continual innovation in new products, technologies and services.

It’s a purpose with a greater good – giving more people access to information can make a real difference to inequality in the world. And it aligns with the company’s core mantra, which changed from “don’t be evil” to “do the right thing” when the company renamed itself Alphabet.

So how do you define your purpose?

As leadership consultant Simon Sinek informed us in his 2009 TED Talk (now viewed over 29 million times), inspiring leaders ‘start with why’. “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it,” is his mantra, and his golden circle is a useful starting point for defining (or re-defining) purpose.

Perhaps the shining example of this is Apple. Its “Think different” promise, created in 1997 is still relevant today, highlighting the benefits of buying an Apple product. It’s not just a device, it promises authenticity, and to be a mode of self-expression. It’s no coincidence Apple is one of the most recognised and valuable brands in the world.

Creating financial value within the business and addressing relevant society challenges are not mutually exclusive ideas – in fact, this is the underlying concept of shared value.

Once you’ve articulated your purpose, be prepared to walk the talk. If it’s not real or believable, it will inspire cynicism rather than trust. Make sure every person in the organisation is truly committed to it, and align it with performance metrics and rewards.

Ultimately, a shared purpose should create strategic clarity. It allows you to focus on what really matters – and in the process boost productivity, performance, loyalty and the bottom line.

If you are interested in hearing more about our business expertise in Western Sydney, please contact Sam McCarthy at Macquarie Bank Parramatta on 0417 518 724.

Experience Executive Corporate Golf with Lynwood's All Inclusive Package

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 01:05:22 GMT

What Great Managers Do Differently - Exclusive Webinar for the WSBC Community

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 04:00:00 GMT

Struggling to keep your good staff for the long-term?
The culture in your business feels like it is out of your control?
Tired of unproductive conflict and misunderstandings in your team?
Mistakes and errors caused by your staff costing you precious time and money?
No matter what you try, your team just don’t seem motivated?

If you are a business owner, director, manager or simply leading a team of people and you are experiencing one or more of the above problems, you are invited to attend this exclusive webinar to learn what great managers do differently to grow profitable, sustainable businesses and high-performing teams.

On TUESDAY 21 MARCH at 12:30 PM, Sandra Wood from Great Managers will share with you proven ideas that she has gained from years of insight into high-level business challenges. You will also have an opportunity to interact live with Sandra on the webinar and find out how you can reduce costs, increase productivity and ultimately profit in your business!

To join the free and exclusive webinar, simply register via this link to attend the live session. There will be no replays so to get the most value out of the session, block out this hour in your calendar on 21 MARCH, bring your lunch and prepare to learn some valuable techniques to get the very best from your staff!

Sign of the Times – What has your customer signed?

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 03:55:00 GMT

Times are changing with the introduction and advancement of technology every day. This has led to innovations, even in the last bastion of luddites, in the legal industry. Court documents may now be solely filed online; Contracts for Sale of Land may now be signed and exchanged electronically; and electronic signatures may be placed on agreements and guarantees and considered enforceable, in certain circumstances. However, when the lawyers get involved, you know the legal arguments will closely follow. Is an electronic signature enforceable? Against whom? The person whose signature it is? What if the signature was affixed by someone else? When will this bind the person whose signature is involved, and further, the entity they represent (for instance their company)? Most importantly, what can creditor do to protect themselves against disputes about the execution of credit applications and contracts where the signature is an electronic one?

Electronic Signatures

First of all, there is now such a breadth of technology available, it is necessary to think about what an 'electronic signature' actually means. Or for that matter, what is a signature? When lawyers get involved even that question is not necessarily as simple as it sounds, and although this is not the focus of this article, it is important to be aware that there have been cases in which "'Signature' in this case, obviously, does not mean the personal signature of the Minister" (Williams v Silver Peak Mines Ltd (1915) 21 CLR 40 at 47–48, in relation to notices published in a Government Gazette purporting to be signed by a minister), and where unsigned documents from an agent of the Official Trustee in bankruptcy, which had her typewritten name at the end of it, was a form of "signature" sufficient for the relevant provision of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Coshott v Coshott [2010] FCA 300).

In electronic terms, an electronic signature could include typing an individual’s name, placing a copy of a computer file (for instance a jpg file) containing an image of an individual’s signature in an appropriate field, clicking an ‘I Accept’ box, or using a personal identification number.

A second preliminary issue is a practical one which arises in all matters, electronic or otherwise. When a document is signed electronically, it is vital to ensure that the relevant terms and conditions that are to be agreed upon by the parties are able to be identified from the signed document and have been made available (and remain available) to the customer. Ideally the signature and the terms are held by the relevant company together as one document. This becomes problematic as terms and conditions become documents placed on websites, and are altered from time to time. It can become a large issue to confirm which version of the company’s terms and conditions were in existence at the time the contract was entered into, and also, what evidence there is that these terms were accessible and were agreed by the consumer.

Electronic Transactions Legislation

Over the past 2 decades, the Australian government has attempted to provide protection for parties entering into transactions either wholly or partly by electronic means and to progress together with the change in technology. With the introduction in 2000 of the national scheme of Electronic Transactions Acts ("the ETA Scheme") in the Commonwealth and all states and territories (with the initial exception of Western Australia who came on board in 2011), it seemed as though Australia was on track to increase the certainty of electronic transactions. This legislation was introduced as "part of the Government's strategic framework for the development of the information economy in Australia" and set about "ensuring that Australians enjoy the social and economic benefits offered by the growth of the information economy" (Electronic Transactions Bill 1999 Revised Explanatory Memorandum).

It's a Crocker!

However, the recent decision in Williams Group Australia Pty Ltd v Crocker [2016] NSWCA 265 (22 September 2016) (“Crocker”) has suggested that there are some significant limits to the usefulness of the ETA Scheme.

This decision, by the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, raises a number of issues for creditors, especially those who allow electronic signatures to be used on credit applications and accompanying all-moneys guarantees. The creditor set out the stakes which were in issue (at [4]):

"Williams raises the spectre that, if this appeal is not allowed, the ability of a trade creditor ever to rely on electronic signatures will be in real doubt."

Crocker involved an appeal by a creditor, seeking to enforce an all-moneys guarantee against a director of a company, now in liquidation. The guarantee and the accompanying credit application had been signed electronically by all three directors of the company, apparently witnessed by the company's administration manager. The signatures had been placed on the documents using a system known as HelloFax, which required a username and login before the signature would be attached to the documents, which was then faxed to the creditor. On the basis of the credit application and guarantees the creditor supplied goods on credit totalling $889,534.35 before the company was wound up.

Summary judgment was obtained against the 2 co-directors, however Mr Crocker argued that his electronic signature had been placed on the documents without his authority, knowledge or consent by an unidentified individual. As it transpired, Mr Crocker had been provided with a username and password by a member of staff. However he has not changed the password given to him since receiving it, which meant that any of his co-workers with access to his login and password could have gained access to his account and placed his electronic signature on the documents.

The evidence disclosed that Mr Crocker had used the system to affix his signature to a credit application (and guarantee) for a different supplier, only a few days before the relevant documents were signed, and on a number of occasions subsequently. However Mr Crocker was able to provide evidence of the fact that he had not been the person to place his electronic signature on the document, that it had been affixed in a different office of the debtor company from the one in which he was located at the time.

The trial judge considered it important that the signature used was different from the one Mr Crocker had himself loaded when setting up his registration in the system. The trial judge was satisfied that Mr Crocker had not provided his authority to any person to affix his signature using the HelloFax system, and that it has been affixed without his knowledge or consent, that he had not seen the email notifications which would have been sent to him that his signature was in fact being used, and nor did his subsequent conduct ratify the use of his signature for the guarantee. The trial judge dismissed the claim and the creditor appealed.

The Court Of Appeal Judgment

On appeal, the creditor did not dispute the trial judge's finding that there was no actual authority for Mr Crocker's signature to be used on the guarantee. Rather, it argued:

Mr Crocker gave ostensible authority to whoever it was who affixed his signature, given he failed to change his password and ID and uploaded his signature to the system; essentially the creditor was arguing that the establishment of a system for attaching electronic signatures was a representation to trade creditors that the signatures had been authorised;
Mr Crocker had ratified the guarantee;
Mr Crocker was estopped from denying the guarantee was operative.

The Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of New South Wales dismissed the appeal.

Firstly, the Court of Appeal held that in order for the use of his signature by someone else to be binding upon him, Mr Crocker must in some fashion have made a representation to the creditor that his electronic signature had been placed with his authority, and in turn the creditor must have relied on the representation. However:

Mr Crocker did not implement the Hellofax system, he merely "participated in its use" (at [67], and his use of such a system could not be a representation by Mr Crocker that others were authorised to use it to affix his signature;
Given Mr Crocker did not know the documents had been signed the creditor could not have relied upon his adoption of the system as a representation in any event;
Mr Crocker’s failure to change his password for the HelloFax system did not "arm" anyone at the company to use his signature and so did not amount to holding out to the creditor that any person had authority to affix his signature; and
The systems used may well have been representations made by the company or by other officers or employees that Mr Crocker was authorised to bind the company, but did not amount to representations by Mr Crocker that someone else could affix his signature to a document.

Insofar as ratification was concerned, the Court of Appeal found that the mere fact that an email had been sent to Mr Crocker showing his signature had been affixed, did not give him sufficient notice of the guarantee to be bound by it. Nor was the court persuaded that Mr Crocker should be treated as having knowledge of the guarantee because he "shut his eyes to the obvious" (at [128]). The Court wasn’t satisfied that this was the case, as the system would not have shown that his signature would have been affixed to a guarantee, merely to the credit application.

The Court did not accept the estoppel argument either. The only representation the Court was satisfied had been made was that Mr Crocker’s signature was on the guarantee. Even if the creditor had relied upon it, this was not a representation by Mr Crocker and did not preclude him from denying personal liability on the guarantee.

In a point which the Court did not need to decide, but which will become relevant in other cases, the Court held that it was not clear whether an electronic signature which was affixed without authority, could amount to a "forgery" in accordance with the case law. This will become important because Mr Crocker argued that if this was the case, then the law is that a forgery cannot be ratified, so that even if the evidence against him had been stronger, he could still not have been held to have ratified the guarantee.

In the end the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and ordered the creditor to pay the costs of Mr Crocker.

What Does this Decision Mean for Electronic Signatures?

The result in Crocker means that creditors need to be extra cautious when conducting transactions either partly or wholly through an electronic medium. It is perhaps impossible to put the genie back in the bottle, and suggest that creditors should stop using electronic means to conduct business. In the digital age, electronic signatures are ubiquitous. From emails, to letters, to formal legal documents – they are convenient, and allow for documents to be sent whilst the author is unable to place a physical signature on a document, or where a document is being signed on someone’s behalf. But this begs the question - with actual signatures being scanned and sent in an electronic form, it is often impossible to tell whether a signature provided electronically was original or electronic in its initial form. So what use is the ETA scheme?

The creditor in Crocker appeared to have believed that Mr Crocker’s signature was legitimate, especially as it was provided to them by facsimile. It is not clear what more the creditors could have done to protect without physically attending and witnessing the guarantors each execute the guarantee. Any further protection will to come from the courts. In Crocker, Justice Ward (with whom Simpson and Payne JJA agreed) acknowledged the creditor’s concern about the (lack of) usefulness of electronic signatures, but held that “If it is the case that drastic consequences flow from the application of the principles relating to ostensible authority and ratification in the electronic signing context, that may be a matter for the legislature to address” (Crocker at [4]).

It is too early to know whether the government will respond to the difficulties with electronic signatures raised in Crocker and whether it will consider further protections and certainty for creditors entering into electronic transactions.

So where do I sign?

Until there is any legislative reform it is important for creditors to consider what processes they will adopt to minimise the risk of unenforceable agreements, arising from electronic signatures

So what steps can creditors take?

Pursuant to s 187 of Schedule 1 of the National Consumer Credit Act 2009 (Cth) (“the Credit Act”), a contract, mortgage or guarantee may be signed by use of an electronic signature and declared effective in accordance with the Electronic Act.

Section 10 of the Electronic Act sets out the requirements for use of an electronic signature, being:

1. A method is used to identify the person and to indicate the person’s intention in respect of the information communicated; and

2. The method used is reliable or proven in fact to identify the person and the person’s intention; and

3. The signature is in accordance with any IT requirements of the entity; and

4. Consent must be given by the person receiving the signature to use of an electronic signature as a method of signing.

In Crocker, the system maintained by the company included a confirmation email sent to the director/guarantor regarding use of his electronic signature. However:

The creditor was not able to prove that Mr Crocker received, opened or read such email; and
The creditor was unaware of the existence of such emails until the proceedings had been commenced.

It would have been open to the creditor to have confirmed Mr Crocker’s identification, sent its own confirmation email, confirming his electronic signature was placed on a contract at the time, and that the contract was now binding. It is possible, that in those circumstances, the end result of the case would have been substantially different. However there remains the difficulty regarding use of an email address for confirmation. Much in the same way the electronic signature was able to accessed by persons other than Mr Crocker, so to could it have been said that the confirming emails were either not received, or if a response was sent to the creditor, that it was sent by someone other than Mr Crocker without his knowledge or permission. Nevertheless, the more communication with the guarantor, regarding provision of the guarantee, the greater the chances of proving the guarantor was aware of the execution of the contract using his or her electronic signature, and the greater chance of success of the estoppel, representation and ratification arguments which failed in Crocker.

Whatever steps are taken, if an electronic signature is or may be used when entering into a contract, the question needs to be asked – how will I be able to prove the connection between the person whose signature is on the document and their intention to be bound by the document.

A further issue arises with an electronic signature in regards to the witnessing of such signature. What does a witness of an electronic signature even mean? The whole point of an electronic signature is the lack of formal execution, so in what sense is it even possible for someone to witness an electronic signature? An electronic signature is not required to be witnessed, so long as the entity that is to receive and rely upon the electronic signature consents. If a witness is to be required, the same issue exists whereby identification and intention of the witness will be required to be proved by the creditor company.

Abandoning the use of electronic signatures in this day and age is just not a possibility. The world will only become more reliant upon technology and avoiding use of such technology will only leave a company falling behind in the industry. This issue also arose and continues to exist on the introduction of websites for order forms, supply arrangements and the establishment and variation of terms and conditions.

Conclusions

Should creditors wish to enter into contracts with customers electronically and allow the use of electronic signatures, then at the very least consideration should be given to establishing a process to confirm:

Who affixed the electronic signature;
the authority of the person to affix the electronic signature (if not affixed by the person whose signature it is);
Evidence of the knowledge of the relevant person that his or her signature has been affixed, and to what contract (if both a credit application and a guarantee, for instance).

Failure to put such process in place may make the enforcement of electronic contracts much harder, and may cause a substantial loss to your company in the future, should the relevant customer default on payment in accordance with the contract. There are also other forms of technology that may mitigate authentication risks (such as public key cryptography) and you should seek both legal advice and IT advice in respect of the effectiveness of the systems in place in your company.

Article by:

Bonnie McMahon & Hayley Hitch, Solicitors &

Stephen Mullette, Principal of Matthews Folbigg Lawyers; Insolvency, Restructuring and Debt Recovery Group

W-League Mentoring Program Announcement

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 03:46:10 GMT

Valuable Family Time

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 03:34:01 GMT

My Westmead Retreats at Hawks Nest Program is a way for seriously ill patients undergoing medical treatment to spend precious time together with their families, to recharge before returning to continue their treatment or simply leave their arduous routine of hospital visits behind as they create new memories with their loved ones.

Last year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, Westmead Medical Research Foundation helped 16 families get away through our Hawks Nest Program.

The program has been running for nearly 15 years. It provides patients and their families with the opportunity to take time out and spend a week away at Hawks Nest on the mid-North Coast of NSW, at no cost. Some patients use the time at the retreat to say their goodbyes and others spend the days recharging before coming back to Hospital for further treatment.

Patients and their families are very thankful when they return from Hawks Nest. This is only an example of one of their thank you messages: “I am writing on behalf of my husband to thank you for the lovely week break at Hawks Nest. This enabled us to spend quality time with all the family. The unit was very comfortable and the weather was perfect. Would you kindly thank the owners on our behalf for this kind donation?”

This is a fantastic demonstration of community goodwill and ‘give back’, and with the demand for this service growing rapidly, the Foundation needs your support to continue to work closely with referring staff and our partner real estate to best facilitate the program and help as many families as possible.

“Going through a health crisis often means lower income for families, making difficult – and sometimes impossible – to be able to take a holiday or even a short break. The retreats are an extremely worthwhile service provided to families in their time of greatest need and a program that the Foundation is incredibly proud of,” said Jo Sabbouh, Hawks Nest program coordinator at My Westmead.

When donors support this program they are helping My Westmead to provide more families with food vouchers, petrol vouchers and even the fee for cleaning and maintaining the properties so more patients and their loved ones can enjoy this valuable time together.

To learn more or to make a donation towards our Hawks Nest Program call 1800 639 037 or email wmrf@wmrf.org.au

Novotel Sydney Parramatta - Taking Care of Business

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 03:19:05 GMT

Novotel Sydney Parramatta is taking care of business. Book your 2017 conference by the 30th April 2017 and receive a $65 Day Delegate Package PLUS your choice of FREE upgrade.

The hotel features 11 versatile event spaces with Western Sydney’s largest pillar-less hotel ballroom which can cater for up to 550 people. Each event space has access to state of the art audio visual equipment. Our professional event planning and catering teams can help make your event successful.

ENQUIRE TODAY:

Email h8787-sb4@accor.com or call our friendly reservations team on (02) 9630 4999

Tips for small business owners

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 22:50:08 GMT

Many people operate small businesses and many people are setting them up.

Here are a few simple but effective tips:

It is well known that you should try and separate assets from business risk. That is why many people operate under a company structure. It follows that you should not use the trading company to acquire any assets, that is, other than the business itself. For example, premises should be purchased in another name and, if possible, any valuable assets such as intellectual property or even expensive equipment should be held in another name and licensed to the trading entity.

If a husband and wife operate a business under a company structure there is no need for both to be directors (as opposed to shareholders). The role of director carries considerable personal risk and there is no need to expose all the couple’s personal assets to that risk.

A small business owner will inevitably be required to provide personal guarantees to the bank, suppliers or a landlord. It is a good idea to keep a copy of any such personal guarantees in a safe, accessible spot.

Similarly and particularly if you shop around for the best insurance deal from time to time you should keep a copy of your policies in one spot. This is very important for workers compensation policies where a claim would be handled by the insurer at the time of the injury and not the insurer at the time of the claim.

If you operate from leased premises you should check that the lease term has not expired and that you have diarised the latest date to exercise any option to renew.

Keep your company’s share register up to date and make sure all board and shareholder meetings are properly minuted. The minutes do not have to be extensive but they should clearly set out what was decided.

Make sure your terms of trade are clear and comprehensive. They should be consistent with your quotes, order forms and invoices. In particular customers should be provided with your terms of trade before you enter into a contract with them.

These aspects are also important if you are thinking of selling your business, either by way of a sale of assets or a sale of shares. Often time is wasted and extra expense is incurred if things are not in order at this time.

Please think about these tips, act accordingly and then get on with running or setting up your business.

Phillip Brophy is a Senior Commercial Lawyer and practices extensively in the commercial and property areas. He can be contacted on 9806 7452 or phillipb@matthewsfolbigg.com.au for a friendly discussion.

Join The Conversation - New Making Western Sydney Greater Survey Released

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 06:43:53 GMT

Making Western Sydney Greater is an initiative of William Buck with the Western Sydney Business Connection, St. George Bank and Western Sydney University, and forms part of our long-term commitment to drive positive change in the region.

Our latest survey targeted to Western Sydney business owners and managers has been released.

In this edition, we focus on the benefits and obstacles of automation, and take a look at the growth and employment outlook for businesses in Western Sydney.

We invite you to share your views and insights by completing this short 10 minute online survey.

TAFE Training Courses

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 06:01:48 GMT

WSBC is partnering with TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute to deliver FULLY GOVERNMENT SUBSIDISED courses to our members. Members will be able to register multiple staff in a number of carefully selected and fully certified courses across Western Sydney. The current course selection includes:

1. Deliver Memorable Presentations – Presentation Skills and Public Speaking

2. Negotiating for Success - Written and Oral Communications in the Workplace

3. Advanced Computer Applications and Social Media

4. Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA)

5. First Aid Course

6. Aspects of Aboriginal Culture - Aboriginal Cultural Awareness in the Workplace

You will be receiving more information about this in the coming weeks.

Department of Industry Procurement Initiative

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 05:53:19 GMT

WSBC, in partnership with key Western Sydney stakeholders, has been working with the Department of industry to deliver the Western Sydney Procurement Initiative. The initiative aims to identify opportunities and enable Western Sydney SMEs to secure large government and non-government contracts.

The initiative delivered a series of Supply Chain and Tender Writing workshops across Western Sydney in 2016 as well as the Western Sydney Procurement Toolkit and Tender Guide.

The Western Sydney procurement initiative encourages a greater percentage of funds to be spent with local suppliers, therefore supporting local jobs, economic prosperity and social benefits.

More workshops will be rolled in 2017. Please stay tuned for further information or contact Amanda Brisot at abrisot@wsbc.org.au with any queries or to register your interest.

How to stop profits draining from your bottom-line

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 03:30:00 GMT

If you are not measuring employee engagement in your business, you are not only missing out on valuable data that can shape the culture of your business but you could be letting potential profits drain from your bottom-line.

Employee engagement is the fuel that drives your business’s market value!

In 1982, 62% of an organisation’s market value came from tangible assets. Things like machinery, inventory, facilities etc. Intangible assets, on the other hand, include intellectual property and the quality of the workforce. 20 years later, by 2002, The Brookings Institute found the source of value had completely flipped. Almost 80% of market value today comes from intangible. In today’s technological age, products can be copied, more facilities can be built but the quality of an organisation’s talent, passion and commitment is nearly impossible to duplicate.

Staff turnover costs your business a fortune!

A 2016 report by recruitment firm, Hudson, reported that 44% of employees surveyed were actively seeking new opportunities. Significantly up from 26% in 2015. A further 32% were open to hearing about new opportunities and only 24% were happy to stay put. The beneath-the-surface issue here isn’t their jobs, it’s their work. It’s lack of recognition, poor culture and rapidly declining engagement. Price Waterhouse Coopers estimate the cost of staff turnover in Australia to be $3.8 billion in lost productivity and $385 million in avoidable recruitment costs every year!!

FACT: The higher your level of employee engagement, the higher the performance of your business.

The impact of engagement on business performance is MASSIVE. For decades, it has been believed there’s a lack of evidence to suggest HR initiatives and investments make a positive impact on the performance of the business but everyday there is more and more evidence mounting from hundreds of studies that we can no longer deny. And this is not inconclusive research either… and it’s not limited to one country or industry.

An engagement survey is your ESSENTIAL tool to begin positive action in your business and stop the thousands (or even millions) of dollars draining from your bottom-line.

As a member of the WSBC community, Great Managers are offering a rare opportunity to have a FREE Engagement Survey conducted in your business, valued at over $12,000. All you need to do is click here to qualify.

2017 We’re Coming For You!

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 00:44:33 GMT

There is a common ideology in business, success breeds success, and that is certainly the case when it comes to Nickaz Commercial Interiors.

In 2017 we will roll out an exciting new chapter in turn-key, cutting edge and innovative design and construction.

Last year we celebrated more than 20 years in business and our transformation of Nickaz Commercial Interiors to the centre of Sydney, where our second office now operates in Martin Place.

This year brings a new chapter for Nickaz Commercial Interiors, operating and servicing our customers from two locations, the greater west in Norwest Business Park and in Sydney’s CBD.

Excitingly our new Nickaz website has been launched, bursting with innovative current and completed projects, clients, case studies, our story, news, videos, photos and more. Take a look at www.nickaz.com.au.

The Hills Shire Mayor, Councillor Yvonne Keane said, “Behind every successful business is a wonderful story and Nickaz Commercial Interiors story is just that.

“Director Kazan Hadden’s success story isn’t one based on luck or being in the right place at the right time. His story is about hard work, dedication and having the drive to succeed. Although he has focused on reaching and attaining goals, he has never lost sight of the value of doing what you love every day.

“Every project provides an opportunity to tell a unique story and create an immersive experience for all to enjoy.

“It is leading designers like Nickaz who will add to the vibrancy of our region as we grow, helping us deliver world class precincts. I can’t wait to see what the next 20 years has to bring,” Mayor Keane said.

Nickaz Commercial Interiors has got lots in store and can’t wait to share it with you throughout 2017.

We’re coming for you!

Global Company Hires Graduates Through Student Recruitment Service

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 00:15:14 GMT

Western Sydney careers specialists, Judy Holman and Scott Hinchliffe recently visited Cyient Australia Pty Ltd to meet up with some of the eleven students recruited by Cyient through the Western Sydney U Student Recruitment Service.

Cyient is a global company and an acknowledged leader of engineering, manufacturing, data analytics, networks and operations solutions, whose New South Wales office is located in Blacktown.

Internal Design Team Leader, Clarel Farla, has called the Western Sydney graduates: “Life-savers, who have hit the ground running and are always eager to learn new processes.”

Sravya Garlapati, Computer Science graduate, who majored in Software, explained that since starting at Cyient she has taken up front end designing, which she did not think she would ever be involved in, but finds this new technology and career path something she really loves.

The visit was organised by Anthony Laria, Senior Delivery Manager at Cyient who said: “The engagement with Western Sydney students has been highly successful. The university offer students of an exceptional standard.” Anthony, a member of the Western Sydney Alumni, is really pleased to give job opportunities back to graduates residing in Greater Western Sydney and to create strong ties with the local Western Sydney University. “The Western Sydney U Student Recruitment Service, located in the University Careers office, is not just a recruitment service to us, but offers Cyient a real partnership in our local community. We hope to maintain our connection with Western Sydney students and graduates through this service into the future as our business continues to grow rapidly”.

Click here for more information on the Student Recruitment Service or contact:

Judy Holman

E: j.holman@westernsydney.com.au

P: 02 4736 0388

Property of Pitcher Partners

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 05:13:09 GMT

We are pleased to provide you with the latest edition of the Pitcher Partners national publication - Property of Pitcher Partners. This publication provides insight and commentary on the Australian property market.

In this edition we cover:

The Property Market Report including prime residential property market perspective, three themes for real estate investors and Sydney’s future as a co-living, co-functioning hub.

Airbnb – The questions people want answered – Does it go in my tax return, can I claim it and what about taxes?

Tenants and landlords – Commercial leases and the changes to lease accounting standards

The AP energy case and the importance of market valuations

Snapshot of recent tax changes affecting property transactions

Margin scheme traps - Dot your I's and cross your T's

Property sales in the federal government's crosshairs – New laws to claw back up to 10% of the sale price for real estate sold by foreign residents at $2m and above.

Click here to continue reading.

For further information, please contact your Pitcher Partners representative.

Contact

Scott McGill

Partner, Property Group

Pitcher Partners Sydney

T: +61 2 8236 7880

E: scott.mcgill@pitcher.com.au

Lunch on the deck, live music and a whole lot more

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 06:09:44 GMT

Introducing PARKROYAL Parramatta’s hottest new offers:

Lunch on the Deck with a glass of selected wine, beer or soft drink for only $18.90. This offer is available Monday to Friday from 12:00pm - 2:30pm.

Live music and $10 cocktails every Friday night from 6.00pm.

The Seafood Buffet. Seafood lovers can indulge in the freshest locally sourced seafood, available every Saturday night.

Click here for more information

Superannuation Changes Passes Parliament

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 05:30:35 GMT

After months of Government deliberation, public outcry and political backflips the largest superannuation reform legislation in almost 10 years finally passed both houses of parliament on 22 November 2016.

Though these superannuation changes have been marketed by the government as some kind of Robin Hood approach to a seemingly flawed system, the impact and significance of these changes will be felt by all those saving for retirement especially the wider middle class Australians and not just those considered wealthy.

A Bit of Background

The Government’s superannuation reforms were first unveiled by Treasurer Scott Morrison in the May budget amid a wave of uproar from experts, the superannuation industry and the general public alike due to the extent and timeline for the introduction of the reforms.

The legislation has undergone a number of changes since the original proposals, the Government finally settling on a watered down version as a compromise to ensure they were passed through parliament.

The Governments changes are aimed at making Australia’s superannuation system “fairer and sustainable” in the long term by reducing the benefits of superannuation to high wealth individuals.

The Key Changes

1. Concessional Contribution cap reduced from $30,000-$35,000 to $25,000

The cap on concessional contributions will no longer be determined by age and instead will be $25,000 for everyone.

2. Removal of 10% income test on deductible personal contributions

The requirement that less than 10% of taxable income must come from wages/salaries has been removed and now anyone can claim a personal deduction for contributions subject to the above caps.

3. Div 293 Tax Income Threshold reduced from $300,000 to $250,000

Taxpayers with personal taxable income in excess of $250,000 will now need to pay an additional 15% in contribution tax on their concessional contributions.

4. Ability to catch-up on concessional super contributions for those with balances less than $500,000

Individuals will be able to make additional concessional contributions where they have not used up their cap in the previous 5 years if their balance does not exceed $500,000.

5. Ability to make non-concessional super contributions limited to those with balances less than $1.6 mil

Individuals can no longer make non-concessional contributions once their balance exceeds $1.6 mil.

6. Non-concessional contribution cap lowered from $180,000 to $100,000

The ability to bring forward the cap of an additional 2 years worth of non-concessional contributions will still be available to those under the age of 65.

Those who trigger their bring forward rules in the 2016 or 2017 years and not use up the existing cap by 30 June 2017 will have the remaining cap adjusted down inline with the new cap.

7. Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset available to those with low individual taxable income

The current low income super contribution will be replaced with a tax offset for the same amount to those with personal taxable income of less than $37,001.

8. Removal of tax-free exemption of earnings from transition to retirement pensions

There will now be no tax benefit to starting a transition to retirement pension.

9. $1.6 mil cap on amounts transferred into an account based pension

A $1.6 million pension cap will be introduced, earnings on this cap will remain tax free the balance will be left in accumulation phase and the earnings taxed at 15%.

10. Temporary CGT relief available to funds where there is a gain resulting from the $1.6 mil cap

Assets that are moved into accumulation due to the new $1.6 mil cap will be able to have their costbase reset to their 1 July 2017 value to reduce CGT implications in the future.

What should you be doing?

A few things worth thinking about before 1 July 2017 rolls around and most of the changes come into effect are:

Utilising the $540,000 bring forward non-concessional cap before it drops to only $300,000,
Starting a transition to retirement pension for the remainder of 2017 financial year while earnings on them are tax free
Obtaining market valuations on various assets to have their costbase reset and thus benefit from the CGT relief

These changes whilst wide reaching do provide opportunities but only if you act before 30 June 2017. CIB Accountants & Advisers will be holding free seminars in March to further explain the ramifications of these changes. If you are interested in attending the seminar please contact Krystina Wildman on (02) 9683 5999.

Western Sydney Making Spaces Initiative

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 06:06:53 GMT

The Western Sydney Making Spaces Initiative will provide funding to enable professional artists and arts organisations to create their work in new studios, artists’ residencies and rehearsal spaces in Western Sydney.

The Western Sydney Making Spaces Initiative seeks to open up new and innovative arts sites across Western Sydney to increase the footprint of arts making and arts participation across the region. It is designed to encourage property owners or managers to offer new or unused spaces for making and programming art works in 2017/18 and 2018/19.

The information on this page is a guide only. Before you apply, please read the Western Sydney Making Spaces Initiative Guidelines for more comprehensive information, including special eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for this funding category.

Applications close: 6 March 2017 (5pm, AEST – Sydney time)

Who can apply?

Professional artists, creative partnerships, cultural groups and arts organisations based in NSW
Community groups, unincorporated entities and non-government organisations based in NSW
Government property owners managers based in NSW.

Term

Projects must commence on or after 1 July 2017 but can run until 30 June 2019.

Funding range

$10,000 to $60,000 per application.

Objectives

Develop new spaces or venues in Western Sydney outside the spaces currently funded for arts activities
Support new creative hubs to build capacity and sustainability of arts practice in Western Sydney
Increase visibility of arts and cultural practice across Western Sydney particularly in new areas in the region.

Assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed against the Assessment Criteria outlined in the Western Sydney Making Spaces Initiative Guidelines. Applicants are required to review the guidelines before submitting an application.

Application process

To apply, you must submit a completed online application form and the required support material. Applications must be submitted through the Arts NSW online application system available from 25 January.

Contact Us

Augusta Supple, Western Sydney Project Officer, Strategic Initiatives
Phone: 02 9995 0533
Email: augusta.supple@arts.nsw.gov.au

Arts NSW is committed to supporting applicants with disability. Information can be provided in alternative formats upon request (i.e. large print or electronic). If you require assistance with your application please contact Arts NSW on the details provided below.

To make a National Relay Service call:

TTY users phone 133677 then ask for (02) 9995 0646
Speak and Listen users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for (02) 9995 0646.

Women in Sports Long Lunch

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 05:22:34 GMT

Supporting the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Saturday 11 March - Grand Pavilion, Rosehill Gardens.

This event is a celebration of Women in Sport and will feature a host of Sydney and Australia’s best sporting talent. Enjoy an unforgettable race day from the top floor of the Grand Pavilion adjacent to the Winning Post whilst supporting the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. With superb food, a selected beverage package, outstanding service and the best views on course overlooking the 2,000m start, this is a popular corporate hub.

The Women in Sport Long Lunch includes:

General admission and access to the Grand Pavilion
Three-course lunch
Beverage package
MC and special guest speakers
Gift bag
Racebook
Access to private betting and bookmaking facilities
Complimentary infield parking via Unwin Street
Complimentary transport on Sydney trains included with ticket

Book your seat today

Wanderers bring international football to Campbelltown

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 06:00:00 GMT

Local football fans are in for a treat in coming months, with some of the best teams from across Asia set to take to the turf at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, as part of the AFC Champions League.

The Western Sydney Wanderers became the first Australian team to win the competition in 2014, and will this year play their three group stage games at the stadium, bringing world-class football to Campbelltown’s doorstep.

The Red & Black will take on Japanese football giants – the Urawa Red Diamonds – on 21 February with kick off at 8pm.

Click here for further information or to book your tickets.

Top 50 Small Business Leaders Launch

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:45:02 GMT

Together with Servcorp, national business magazine Inside Small Business is launching their Top 50 Small Business Leaders - as judged by successful Australian business entrepreneurs – at events across Australia.

The Western Sydney launch will take place on Wednesday 8 February from 5.30pm at Deloitte, Parramatta.

Join the winners of the top 50, other small-business owners and the judges, and become inspired for 2017.

Learn what it takes to grow your business and deal with challenges running a business throws up from entrepreneurs who have started their own enterprises with a vision to make the world a better place. Canapes and drinks will follow.

Click here to book your free place now.

Judges:

NSW Jack Delosa, Founder, The Entourage

NSW Jackie Attard, Founder, Acquired Audience

VIC Andrew Pearce, Founder, Vixier

VIC Tim Ladhams, Editor, Inside Small Business

QLD Stephen Tait, CEO, CCIQ

SA Karen Raffen, CEO, Brands South Australia

WA Chris Smoje, Founder, DIME Customer Service

NSW/ACT Joel Symmans, Director - Sales, eWAY

Raising the Stakes in Event Catering

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 05:26:26 GMT

Events by ATC are recent winners of the 2016 Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence NSW – Events Caterer.

With a $178 million dollar refurbishment of Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick, Events by ATC welcome the opportunity to show you through their venues and discuss your event requirements.

Book and hold your next event before December 2017 to receive a complimentary upgrade to your conference or gala dinner package at either Royal Randwick or Rosehill Gardens.*

Contact their sales team:

E: info@eventsbyatc.com.au

P: 1300 729 668

W: www.eventsbyatc.com.au

2017 Blue & Gold Army Festival

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 02:31:35 GMT

The Parramatta Eels are excited to invite you and your family to the 2017 Blue & Gold Army Festival!

The festival is open to everyone (free entry) but 2017 Members DO get special Member benefits on the day! Become a Member today to reap the rewards!

Members get priority entry to the day, with an extra 1.5 hours with the entire full 2017 NRL playing squad, allowing great opportunities for time with the players and signatures!

WHEN: Sunday, 19 February 2017

WHERE: Bella Vista Farm - Norwest Blvd & Elizabeth MacArthur Drive, Bella Vista NSW 2153

TIMES: 2:00 pm – 3:30pm (Eels Members Priority Access)

3:30pm – 6:00pm (General Public)

The Blue & Gold Army Festival will be the last opportunity for Eels Members and fans to mingle with the players, hear from NRL Head Coach Brad Arthur and Eels players along with meeting members of the Parramatta Eels Cheerleaders ahead of the start of the 2017 season.

There are plenty of activities for the kids including a Kid’s Zone with jumping castles, face painting, interactive rides, a petting zoo, Sparky and Sparkles and a NRL youth clinic with plenty of rugby league drills.

Also check out the Chill Out Zone, set up for Blue & Gold Members and fans to kick back, relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

Come and visit the Junior Rugby League Club marquee on the day to find out how you can get involved in the game plus enjoy the food area featuring plenty of food trucks, drinks and plenty more catering options available for purchase.

Don’t forget to visit the Membership team to join the Blue & Gold Army and visit our Merchandise team to check out the latest 2017 70th Anniversary Club merchandise and plenty more Blue and Gold apparel on the day!

Please note: Parking is available on site. Pets are not permitted at the Blue & Gold Army Festival.

Tropfest to Premiere at Parramatta Park on Feb 11

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 22:37:48 GMT

Tropfest, the world's largest short film festival, is making its premiere at Parramatta Park, February 11 2017.

Here’s your chance to experience the best of Aussie film and cutting edge culture with Tropfest’s corporate hospitality packages located in the most premium locations of the park.

Tropfest offers the perfect opportunity to reward staff, entertain clients or indulge yourself with family and friends.

The 25th Anniversary event is set to be bigger and better than ever.

Register now for XVenture Campbelltown

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 02:30:00 GMT

Get ready for a business networking and learning experience like no other!

In collaboration with Campbelltown Catholic Club and the Western Sydney Business Connection (WSBC), Campbelltown City Council are hosting a not to be missed XVenture Experience on Friday 24 March 2017 – and we want your team involved!

Led by world-class leaders in experiential learning, XVenture, this is the ultimate team, leadership and dynamic networking experience. Teams of six will take on a series of exciting challenges, designed to test all aspects of teamwork, leadership and strategy development. The winning team won’t be the fittest, fastest or strongest – it will be the team which works together and stays together.

This is a unique experience to engage with Council, local businesses and those from further afield, as well as showcase Campbelltown City. It is not an obstacle course – the event focuses on important elements of high performing teams like leadership, communication, decision making under pressure, creativity, strategy and risk taking.

Are you up for the challenge?

If we’ve got your interest, check out the video: https://vimeo.com/191106995

Registration is easy – just click on the link and follow the prompts: https://xvcampelltown.eventbrite.com.au

Cost: $900 (+ GST) for a team of six

Contact XVenture for more information:

Phone: (02) 9922 1622

Email: experience@xventure.com.au

Women of the West Award Nominations Now Open

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 03:29:23 GMT

Celebrate the achievements of women in Western Sydney – women from business and local industry, education, health, charity and community groups – who are committed to improving our local community and the lives of others.

Nominate these inspirational women for the 2017 Women of the West Awards.

The awards were established by the University to recognise the significant contributions and achievements of women from the Greater Western Sydney region.

There are three categories in the Women of the West program:

Women of the West – Business
Women of the West – Community
Young Women of the West (aged 18 to 28 years).

The winner of each category receives a grant of $5,000, nominees highly commended receive a grant of $1,000, and nominees commended for each category receive a grant of $500, to further progress their leadership and advocacy work in their local community.

Entries close 10 February 2017.

The winners will be publicly announced at Western Sydney University’s International Women's Day celebrations in March next year.

For further information or to submit a nomination, please visit www.westernsydney.edu.au/womenofthewest

Help Shape the Campbelltown City of the Future - Have Your Say!

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 00:20:23 GMT

The City of Campbelltown is set to experience a period of extensive growth and change, and by 2036, it is anticipated that our population will rise to around 270,000 residents.

Having been identified by the State Government as a priority growth area, it is important that we, as your local Council, plan now for this future growth in order to build a resilient city that remains distinctive and provides a desirable lifestyle.

We need your help.

We are starting a conversation that we want you to be involved in. As a community partner, we know that you will have ideas that you can share with us, and thoughts about issues that need addressing within our community.

Campbelltown City Council is in the process of developing a new Community Strategic Plan that will support Council as an organisation, along with you and the rest of our community, to articulate our aspirations for Campbelltown City into the future. The Community Strategic Plan provides a 10 year forecast, and addresses issues such as lifestyle, the environment, roads and connectivity, the local economy and the responsible leadership of Council.

As part of the process of developing the new plan, we’ll be seeking the input of the wider Campbelltown community through a range of initiatives, the first of which is an online survey which aims to help us understand the positive aspects of life in Campbelltown City, and to identify opportunity areas as seen through the eyes of our residents, ratepayers, business owners, investors, students and visitors.

For more information on the Community Strategic Plan and a link to the online survey, click here .

Doin’ It For The Kids – Sydney Santa Spectacular Launches 2016 Christmas Appeal

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 21:55:43 GMT

The gift of giving for children in need was twinkling for all to see when Australia’s biggest Christmas festival – the Sydney Santa Spectacular, in conjunction with Events by ATC, launched its charity Christmas appeal last night at Rosehill Gardens.

The appeal proudly supports the kids and families of Camp Quality and Sydney Children’s Hospital with event organisers inviting attendees throughout the 19-day festival to donate gifts under a towering 15 mere Christmas tree – one of the tallest charity trees in Australia.

"Events by ATC welcome the Sydney Santa Spectacular after a successful inaugural event last year. The Spectacular is a fantastic event for the whole family and we are proud to be partnering again to raise much needed funds and support Camp Quality and the Sydney Children’s’ Hospital", said Angela Simic, Commercial Marketing Executive at the Australian Turf Club.

Pop up stores sold Camp Quality Christmas Crackers with funny and meaningful jokes inside written by Camp Quality kids who are undergoing a cancer journey, with all proceeds going directly to Camp Quality. With seasonal smorgasbord of North Pole experiences for Christmas-lovers of all ages, Australia’s largest open-air ice-skating rink, toboggan slides, Australia’s only double decker carousel and much more, the Sydney Santa Spectacular lit up Rosehill Gardens for a worthy cause.

The event will run until the 27th December, tickets can be purchased at http://www.sydneysantaspectacular.com

Lunch with Aussie Cricketers in Support of Children and Adults with Disability

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 20:49:11 GMT

Northcott’s 21st Annual Cricket Legends Lunch will be held on Friday 17 February 2017 in the Noble Dining Room at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Enjoy a legendary lunch and lively panel discussion from cricketing greats, with ABC radio personality Adam Spencer as Master of Ceremonies.

With the support of the Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust, we are delighted to announce that pre-lunch drinks will be held on the hallowed turf of the SCG.

Proudly supported by our charity partner Cricket NSW, Northcott’s Cricket Legends Lunch has raised more than $1.5 million for children and adults with disability – a remarkable achievement that would not have been possible without our wonderful supporters!

Click below to book your tickets or contact Annette Sneyd on 02 9890 0131 for more information or to learn about sponsorship opportunities.

The Details

Date:

Friday 17 February 2017

Time:

12:00 – 13:00

Pre-lunch drinks on the hallowed turf of the SCG

13:00 – 16:00

Lunch in the Noble Dining Room

Where:

Sydney Cricket Ground

Moore Park Road

Moore Park

NSW 2021

Parking:

Entertainment Quarter Car Park

Expressions Of Interest Open For Destination Ambassadors

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 02:52:35 GMT

City of Parramatta is calling for Expressions of Interest from residents and workers who would like to help promote the City at major events and festivals as part of a new ambassador program being implemented by Council.

The Destination Ambassador initiative will extend and support the City’s existing Host & Guide visitor services. The program has been established in partnership with TAFE NSW, which will provide accredited training to participants.

“We are looking for local volunteers who are community minded, friendly and outgoing, to promote Parramatta as a leading tourism destination,” City of Parramatta Administrator Amanda Chadwick said.

“This is a unique opportunity for participants to meet new people, share their local knowledge and ensure visitors have a memorable experience in our beautiful city.”

Destination Ambassadors will share their passion for Parramatta with visitors to Council’s major events and festivals, strengthening the City’s status as a leading leisure destination.

“The rate of growth in visitor numbers to Parramatta over the next five years will surpass most major destinations in NSW. We want to ensure we are well placed to meet the needs of visitors to our City by tapping into one of the best resources we have, our community,” Ms Chadwick said.

The two-day accredited course for Destination Ambassadors will be held at TAFE NSW Ultimo campus from 20-21 January 2017 and tailored to provide participants with formal and practical knowledge which could help them pursue future employment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Once qualified, Destination Ambassadors will be involved with key events such as Australia Day and Tropfest, and other major community initiatives across the City.

Expressions of Interest close at 5pm on Thursday 8 December 2016. For more information visit www.parracity.nsw.gov.au

TAFE Western Sydney - Providing Solutions For Businesses

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 01:55:36 GMT

Training specialists from TAFE Western Sydney delivered a four-day training program with the customer service team from Kingloc Commercial Equipment at Minchinbury.

The staff at the local refrigeration and storage distribution group participated in classroom activities which were setup onsite at the business. The aim of the training was to improve customer service delivery - assisting with the overall sales outcomes of the company.

Delivery of first-class service to customers is a cornerstone of every successful business. Offering a smooth and enjoyable transactional experience boosts customer loyalty, encourages repeat business and improves public perception of the company brand.

Every business and customer base is unique, and the TAFE Western Sydney Customer Service Training Course is designed to identify the individual customer service requirements of not only your team, but your customers as well. We offer the essential skills, techniques and leading industry practices to improve your delivery of service, generate more business and increase profit.

TAFE Western Sydney Customer Service Training will:

Analyse your current business offerings to customers and advise where we can assist you in achieving goals and milestones

Evaluate and train your service team in key elements of customer service excellence and best industry practices

Create a positive customer service experience, enhance your brand increase awareness

Advise on appropriate behavioural techniques for interaction situations unique to your business

Identify methods of promoting your brand with marketing techniques

Resolve and review situations where customer expectations have not been met

Review past performances and plan for continual improvement of customer service delivery.

Some reviews from our participants:

“It was good to get a better understanding of opening and closing an enquiry”.

“Great learning strategies to look after each other, especially in a call centre environment”.

TAFE Western Sydney provides businesses with solutions that improve productivity through increased skills development. We offer a tailored approach to your business - taking your systems, procedures, culture, and work practices into account and building on the strengths of your business – we offer a solution that’s right for you.

If your organisation could benefit from a staff training program please call TAFE Western Sydney on 131 870 for a business training consultation.

5 Tips For A More Profitable New Year In 2017

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 01:04:41 GMT

With the festive season upon us, we will likely close the year out on a high. But what about planning proactively for 2017? If you’re hoping the next 12 months are more profitable than the last, here are some simple ideas that could make that happen sooner.

Ideally you want to increase revenue without also increasing expenses by the same amount. And that starts with putting your revenue under the microscope.

1. Get smarter with pricing

“We talk about seeking ‘positive jaws’ on the profit and loss – where revenue is up but expenses are down,” explains Rob Hayward, Head of Client Solutions, Virtual Adviser Network with Macquarie Wealth Management. “Ideally you want to increase revenue without also increasing expenses by the same amount. And that starts with putting your revenue under the microscope.”

This may be as simple as putting your prices up. “Our benchmarking consistently demonstrates the profitable firms are the ones who increase their fees. One of my clients was nervous about increasing client fees by 10 per cent – yet he didn’t really get any push back.”

Consistency is just as important – it’s a good idea to check everyone in the firm is charging the same rates. “You’d be surprised,” Hayward comments. “Some may be more prone to doing ‘deals’ for their preferred clients, and that can add up. For example, we often see financial planning firms who tell us they charge clients a 1% advice fee across the board dipping to an average of 0.8% because of this.”

He says he is also seeing some accountancy practices shift some of their client engagement models to a retainer or monthly payments.

“They may scope out the work for the year, and agree an upfront monthly or quarterly charge. This completely transforms their revenue model: it’s predictable cash flow, less time chasing invoices, and you can forecast your year with much greater accuracy. Many firms start this process by changing how they charge for SMSFs from annually to monthly from the SMSF cash account.”

Another attractive and longer-term benefit of this is the potential to increase the value of your business.

2. Check your expenses

The other ingredient for ‘positive jaws’ is lean expense management. Collecting cash monthly is one way to trim expenses – you’ll reduce admin hours following up as well as cash flow loan interest payments.

Hayward also suggests checking for ‘subscription creep’ with licensing arrangements or technology plans. “You may have upgraded your software in the past, for example, but now you have fewer users or no longer need all the features. They might have a more cost-effective plan you can switch to.”

He says it’s not uncommon for firms to still be paying for mobile phone plans and other subscriptions for ex-employees. “When you’re looking at your bottom line, look for those lazy expenses.”

3. Let your unprofitable clients go

Another hidden factor that could be unintentionally eroding your profits? Some of your customers.

It’s commonly understood the Pareto rule applies to business – for example, around 80 per cent of your revenue is derived from 20 per cent of your client base. But did you know a small percentage of your client base is actually costing you money?

Intuitively you probably know who these clients are – the ones that waste your staff’s time, expect more than what they’re prepared to pay for and distract you from more profitable customers. Those high maintenance clients may also be damaging staff morale and performance.

But before you rush to let them go, do some analysis to check just how much they cost to service by tracking time-based activities on each client or project. Then work out why they are unprofitable. It may be that they need to shift to a different pricing model or service package. And if they don't want to, it’s time to suggest they try a different provider. You’ll see the impact on your bottom line almost immediately.

Some businesses identify and increase the fees for unprofitable clients and often find that many of these clients stay with the business.

4. Don’t just grow market share - grow the overall market

If your growth strategy revolves around generating new customer leads and referrals, you may be able to win some market share from your competitors. But what if you could also grow the overall pie? For example, 2015 research found that just 16 per cent of working Australians use a financial planner. Meanwhile, according to TAL’s research just 33 to 37 per cent of Australians aged 18 to 69 hold life insurance and the Insurance Council of Australia suggests only 63 per cent of Australian small to medium sized businesses have enough business insurance.

So could there be room to grow the overall market for planners and brokers? Potentially. And the same could apply for other service sectors – think about which audience groups are not using (or are completely unaware of) your services. Are there new products, services or platforms you could create to reach them profitably?

5. Be tax-effective with your strategy

Finally, make sure you make the most of any possible tax benefits within your New Year plan.

First, a word of caution from Hayward. “For example, while the $20,000 instant asset tax write off sounds attractive for small business owners, the reality is it doesn’t really change the dial on your bottom line unless you actually need the asset to generate revenue.”

Other opportunities include a Research and Development (R&D) tax incentive to help cover the costs of developing new products or processes to meet the unmet needs of that missing market share, or financial incentives to hire older workers.

Ready to kick start your New Year strategy? It’s a good idea to get your team on board first – so January might be the perfect time to start.

...........................................................................

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Sam McCarthy at our Parramatta office on 0417 518 724 and be connected with one of our banking specialists in your region.

Superannuation Reforms Pass Through Parliament

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 00:56:10 GMT

On Wednesday 23 November 2016, both Houses of Parliament passed two superannuation bills which included the proposed superannuation reforms outlined in the 2016 Federal Budget and subsequent changes released in September 2016.

Click here to view William Buck's full summary of the changes.

The changes may impact individuals in a number of different ways. In some cases, new planning opportunities may be available, in others doors may be closed.

In either case you may be required to take action prior to 30 June 2017, particularly in the following situations:

You have more than $1.6M in superannuation

You plan to make a large once-off contributions into superannuation within the next 12 months;

You currently (or are planning to) draw a Transition to Retirement Income Stream;

You currently (or are planning to) draw a Defined Benefit Income Stream.

To discuss the changes and potential strategies that may be available for you, please contact your local William Buck advisor.

IVF and Frozen Embryos - What Happens When Couples Separate

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 00:28:33 GMT

It is a natural way of life, when in a relationship to think long term and make plans together. Whether it’s buying a house, new car or having a baby. Those are the things that many look forward to and dream of. We all know what happens to the house and the fancy new car when couples separate. We also know what happens to children. What we are still trying to understand is what happens when couples who plan to have children via IVF separate and still have frozen embryos stored.

This topic caught the attention of many when Sofia Vegara, an actress well known for her role in the American television series ‘Modern Families’ found herself in dispute with her former partner over their frozen embryos. Whilst in a relationship with Nick Loeb, the couple underwent IVF. As part of the procedure, embryos were frozen and stored. Following separation, Vegara wanted the embroys destroyed whilst Loeb did not. Vegara relied on the contract which was signed by the parties allowing the destruction of the eggs. Will they be destroyed or not? Can a party claim ownership? These questions remain unanswered as the dispute between the pair continues and is yet to be decided by a Court.

The Family Court of Western Australia was recently faced with determining similar issues in the case of G and G (1). The matter came before Penny J and was heard in November 2006 with judgement being delivered on 22 June 2007.

The parties in the case commenced living together in 1998 until separation in March 2005. Mr G was 38 years and Mrs G was 35 years. The parties underwent an IVF procedure due to Mrs G’s long history of endometriosis and ovarian cysts (2). As Mrs G was not ready to have children, after fertilization of the eggs the embryos were frozen for future use. The parties consented to this and signed all necessary documents (3).

In March 2004 the parties signed a form/agreement for storage of the embryo’s and made a nomination for the embryo to be discarded in the event of separation (4). Six embryos were frozen and stored. The agreement time for storage by the parties was three years (5).

In March 2005 the parties separated. Mr G commenced property proceedings and sought property settlement orders which included that the embryos be transferred to him (6). Mrs G sought orders for property settlement in response to that of Mr G. She also sought an order for the embryos to be discarded in accordance with the agreement entered into between the parties in March 2004.

The Court referred to the Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 which required a court order to be made in the event parties are unable to resolve a dispute about use or continued storage of an embryo (7). It was found that the Family Court had jurisdiction to determine the matter and make an order given the circumstances arising out of the party’s marital relationship (8).

Having considered the relevant sections of the Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 in particular the sections which require consent of parties for carrying out of IVF procedures, together with the agreement signed by the parties for the embryo’s to be discarded on separation, the Court ordered that the embryos be discarded.

At paragraph 61 Penny J found “the parties have now separated and can no longer achieve the purpose for which they consented to create and use the embroys” (9).

Phone: (02) 9635 7966

E-mail: info@matthewsfolbigg.com.au

Website: www.matthewsfolbigg.com.au

(1) [2007] FCWA 80

(2) Ibid para 2

(3) Ibid para 3

(4) Ibid para 4

(5) Ibid para 5

(6) Ibid para 8

(7) Ibid para 51

(8) Ibid.

(9) Ibid para 61

Nickaz Celebrates 20 Years of Success and Transformation

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 22:59:50 GMT

Australian award winning company, Nickaz Commercial Interiors, located in the world class Norwest Business Park, celebrates 20 years of business success and its transformation to the centre of Sydney.

Founder and director, Kazan Hadden is still awe-struck by the company’s rise from an inauspicious start. Launching the business from a cramped household garage in the Hills district 20 years ago, the business is now a multi-million dollar company, with local and global brands and businesses among its customers.

With a vision of offering the industry fresh and innovative solutions, Kazan set out with a steely determination to work hard and build a business renowned for providing highly personalised service, developing unique and flexible client spaces. Fast forward 20 years, and it’s these same principles which underpin everything Nickaz does.

“With consistent hard work, heart and soul, Nickaz Commercial Interiors have transformed from a small business into a global, awarding winning company located in Sydney’s north-west. And we’re excited to announce our expansion into the Sydney central business district,” Kazan said.

“Our 20th Anniversary celebrations and relaunch fits strategically with our next chapter and future direction for the business growth. Distinctive service has always been paramount, the epitome and major point of difference for Nickaz, and we are now accessible from locations in both Sydney’s north-west and central business district.

“It is with enormous pride that we celebrate 20 years and thank everyone who has been involved in helping Nickaz become the business it is today. True partnerships with our customers and staff are a driving force behind our success. We look towards the next 20 years, our next chapter, with complete positivity and determination to deliver on the promises the business was founded on. And our Norwest office will continue to remain a constant reminder of our humble beginnings,” Kazan said.

Nickaz 20th Anniversary and relaunch was officially celebrated on Thursday 10 November in style at The Loft, Dolton House, Jones Bay Warf, with The Hills Shire Mayor, Councillor Yvonne Keane, special guest speaker, Paralympian John Maclean, members of parliament and more than 150 guests including senior industry figures, clients and staff.

The Hills Shire Mayor, Councillor Yvonne Keane, congratulated Nickaz Commercial Interiors for 20 years of service to The Hills community. “The story behind Nickaz is truly inspirational. Kazan Hadden began operating his business from his very own garage. After 20 years of hard work and dedication, Mr Hadden has successfully built his company into an industry leader in interior fitouts," Mayor Keane said.

"I am simply in awe of the designs, the endless imagination and skill of Mr Hadden and his team. And, with 80 per cent of Norwest Business Park and surrounding suburbs sporting Nickaz creations, I'm sure that I'm not the only who shares these fond sentiments. I am thankful for their work and can't wait to see what's next from the Nickaz team," Mayor Keane added.

Over the years, as much has been invested into Nickaz as a company as has been invested in giving back. Nickaz are involved in many charities including, Ride to Conquer Cancer, The World’s Greatest Shave, the annual Property Industry Foundation charity for homeless children, the City2Surf, Steve Waugh Foundation Ride and more recently Kazan has been working closely with John Maclean and his foundation, which assists children in wheelchairs and their families.

At the most recent Hills Building and Design Awards, Nickaz was awarded two prestigious awards – Best Interior Fitout and The People’s Choice awards. These awards celebrate those who push new boundaries in interior design, landscape and architecture.

Address: Suite 101, 22 Brookhollow Avenue, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

Phone: 02 9659 3387

Email: info@nickaz.com.au

Wesbite: www.nickaz.com.au

Instagram: @nickaz_constructions

Planning Collaboration Best For Blacktown

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 06:32:23 GMT

Blacktown’s growth needs careful planning and the Greater Sydney Commission’s approach is a breath of fresh air, Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali said.

“Being part of an overarching plan and not a planner’s afterthought is an important change of approach, “he said.

“The Greater Sydney Commission has produced a very high quality plan in a relatively short period of time, yet has found the time to collaborate with Blacktown to ensure the planning is right.

‘There is a lesson for others to learn from this and Blacktown City Council looks forward to continued collaboration with the Greater Sydney Commission to ensure Blacktown has the services it needs to meet future growth.

“Chief Commissioner Lucy Turnbull and her team are to be congratulated on their approach and we will watch its implementation with some eagerness.

“We call for a long term infrastructure plan with an annual implementation review.

It is essential that there is active oversight to make sure the infrastructure plans are implemented and not put on the back burner.

Mayor Bali said that the provision of jobs in Western Sydney, the need to provide more railway stations, and create a series of “mini cities” is vital.

“When you look at where the railway stations are in Western Sydney, they mostly are the ones that were built when the rail line went through in the 1800s.

“But a modern city needs something better than the infrastructure that was designed for half the population we have now.

“We support the concept of an Annual Infrastructure Priority List and know it will bring benefits to Blacktown.

“Blacktown will soon be a city of half a million and the work on making sure it will be a liveable city needs to start now.

“We are glad there is now a very clear focus on what should be taking place to make sure Western Sydney is able to reach its full potential.

Next February, Swap Roses and Chocolates For a Truly bigHEARTED Gesture

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 23:37:02 GMT

In February 2016, My Westmead launched the inaugural bigHEARTED online fundraising campaign to support heart research and clinical cardiology at Westmead. Thanks to the generosity of the community, businesses and individuals over $25,000 were raised.

Every day highly specialised researchers at Westmead work hard to find new ways to beat the diseases that affect our community alongside dedicated medical staff providing patients with the latest innovations in clinical care.

Next February, we invite you and your business to be part of the bigHEARTED MONTH and swap roses, cards and chocolates for a donation that shows your truly bigHEARTED gesture by supporting medical research and care at Westmead.

This is an opportunity for you, your colleagues, clients and suppliers to get involved and help put common diseases like cancer and diabetes to the history books, where they belong!

We know there are enough bigHEARTED businesses and individuals out there who will join us to do something really special this February. Stay tuned for further details about this exciting campaign.

Market Update: Trump defies all odds

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 05:30:00 GMT

Donald Trump’s unexpected victory in the recent U.S. elections has the potential to cause profound impacts on the global economy and investment markets. In this update, we provide an overview of Trump’s main policy proposals and our preliminary views on their potential implications.

Key proposals

Individuals

Lowering marginal tax rates for individuals including replacing the current seven personal income tax brackets with three and reducing the top marginal rate from 39.6% to 25%.
Taxing capital gains and dividends at a 20% maximum rate.
Eliminating federal estate and gift taxes.
Eliminating the tax on investment income of high-income households.
Limiting the value of itemised deductions, except for charitable contributions and mortgage interest payments.

Corporates

Reducing the corporate tax rate to 15% from its current 35%.
One-time repatriation tax of 10% of corporate profits held overseas.
Foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies pay taxes on profits in the year they are earned.

Border Protection

Remove 11.3 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S., making up about 5% of the labour force.
Triple the number of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers from 5,000 to 15,000.
Build a permanent wall on the Mexican border to stop the movement of illegal immigrants. The cost of this project has been estimated at between $15 and $25 billion. This does not include the ongoing cost of maintaining the wall and associated security requirements.

Trade

Trump has argued that a number of trade arrangements are not in the best interest of the U.S. and should be renegotiated. These include the North American Free Trade Agreement, China’s entry into the World Trade Organisation’s trade framework in the early 2000s, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.
Trump has argued that the Chinese are keeping their currency artificially low relative to the U.S. dollar in an effort to run big trade surpluses with the U.S. In response, he has proposed that a 45% tariff be imposed on Chinese imports to the U.S. until China allows its currency to freely float.
In retaliation for illegal immigrants crossing the U.S. border, Trump has argued for a 35% tariff on products imported from companies that outsource U.S. jobs to Mexico and for Mexico to pay for the wall between the two countries.

Defence

Proposes to significantly expand spending on veterans and the military.

Infrastructure

In his victory speech, Trump talked about his desire to rebuild America by significantly updating outdated infrastructure. Details of specific projects and associated costings have not been released at the date of writing.

Economic Impacts

In his victory speech Trump spoke of his desire to put in place policies that would double the rate of growth in the United States. Certainly his rhetoric about rebuilding America by updating infrastructure (roads, tunnels, bridges etc) has the potential to be positive for growth. Especially if the infrastructure spending helps increase the productive capacity of the economy by more than the cost. Additionally, his proposed tax cuts for business and individuals would equally be positive for growth. However, proposals to cut taxes and potentially significantly increase government spending can only be financed by an increase in government debt (which is already very high).

Larger budget deficits and ballooning debt cause an increase in demand for funds, which is likely to increase interest rates. In many ways, this will be a short term positive as it will help stave off the deflationary forces that have suppressed global demand in recent years. However, rising interest rates will equally have negative medium term impacts as households and business adjust to a higher proportion of their earnings being consumed by interest payments, which in turn will feed through to lower investment and consumption decisions.

The proposed crackdown on illegal workers, estimated at about 5% of the labor force, is likely to increase labor costs, given the already low levels of unemployment. This would add further pressure to inflation and interest rates.

In regard to Trump’s trade proposals, the U.S. imports nearly $500 billion in goods a year from China, and another almost $300 billion from Mexico, accounting for approximately 35% of total U.S. imports (excluding oil). The U.S. exports over $100 billion in products a year to China, and almost $250 billion to Mexico. Adding a tariff to imports would significantly increase prices and give China cause to retaliate with sanctions of its own. Under this scenario, demand for exports from both the US and China would fall. In other words, any trade war would be negative for global growth.

Conclusion

Trump’s victory speech was rather conciliatory and gives rise to hope that his policies may not be as divisive and destructive as first feared. In any event, many of his policies may well encounter stiff opposition from within his own party and may never get implemented. Nevertheless, we remain wary of any policy that may impact trade with China. This has the potential to be particularly negative for Australia given our strong reliance on China’s demand for our natural resources and rising demand for other goods and services. We will be watching further foreign policy developments with interest. For now, we believe it is appropriate to be alert but not alarmed.

Views by Martin Fowler

Contact

Martin Fowler

Partner, Wealth Management

+61 2 8236 7776

martin.fowler@pitcher.com.au

pitcher.com.au

Part 2: Work Ethic VS Brains

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 05:24:00 GMT

Readers may recall in Part 1 of Work Ethic VS Brains, Nickaz Commercial Interior Director, Kazan Hadden reflected on his own childhood and upbringing and asked the question "In business, what's more important...Work Ethic or Brains"? Here is Part 2 of his story.

Another big thing with me and something I feel is a huge part of the ingredient of success is thinking.

I have always been a big thinker. For as far back as I can remember I always had internal conversations with myself. I was always thinking, day and night. And as I got older all that happened was I thought more, which makes sense right?

As you think, your mind grows, so you constantly grow your capacity to take on more. I don't think this ever stops. So the more you think the more you/ your mind/ brain can handle and you just keep growing or keep getting smarter I guess?

The same thing happens with work ethic. If you push yourself close to your limit you start to learn your capabilities right? So next time you push yourself you already know you are capable of reaching, "say A" so if you try hard again next time you should be able to get back to “A” easily so on you go to “B”. The great thing is the alphabet is pretty long so you could probably spend a life time trying to reach your true work ethic potential.

This is how the Life of Nickaz started, and I think in the early days Nickaz survived mostly on pure work ethic.

So how has Nickaz Been so successful with a multi-million dollar turn over year after year without someone with a good education driving it?

For me the BRAINS part came naturally through "hidden learning" and in the form of my ability to tap into my internal feelings and dialogue about things like "How did I feel", decision making (which most people struggle with), a strong belief in right from wrong, ethics, perfection, doing the right thing, making myself learn what I needed to know, etc.

Maybe all that is street smarts? For me HERE IS THE ANSWER:

I believe you can be really smart, a Rhodes scholar, have a university degree - the works, but if you don't have work ethic, it's like driving the best car and then running out of petrol. YOU JUST WONT GET TO WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.

I think any exceptions to this are few and far between.

In my working life I’ve met some extremely smart people - much smarter than me - some very successful, some not, some of them I’ve employed and some I still do.

All the successful people I’ve met though, no matter how smart, have all been extremely hard working and all the employees that have succeeded with me all have first and foremost had great work ethic.

You need to be smart as well, and the more of the two you combine the better the outcome should be.

However, I'm convinced that success is a by-product of hard work, perseverance, consistency, being relentless in reaching your goals and maintaining or exceeding your standards.

I’ve always lived by this rule.

If everything is going wrong no matter how bad the situation, there is one thing nobody can take from you....THAT’S YOUR HEART.

Author

Kazan Hadden

Director

0416 024 369

kazan@nickaz.com.au

Board Member, The John Maclean Foundation, jmf.com.au

www.linkedin.com/in/kazan-hadden-nickaz

Address: Suite 101, 22 Brookhollow Avenue, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

Phone: 02 9659 3387

Email: info@nickaz.com.au

Wesbite: www.nickaz.com.au

Instagram: @nickaz_constructions

Celebrate this Christmas with your team

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 05:17:43 GMT

Don’t have time to plan a big staff Christmas party?

350 Restaurant and Lounge at the Novotel Sydney Parramatta have cooked up a festive Christmas menu. Designed for you and your team to get together for a lunch or dinner and celebrate the end of year with all the Christmas trimmings!

Enjoy a range of options for each course starting from $39 per person, including secure on-site parking.

To book your table email h8787-fb@accor.com or speak to our friendly reservations team call (02) 9630 4999.

Click here for further information.

Blacktown Sun: Keep Your Business Strong

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 04:49:22 GMT

Author: Katrina Vo

Click here to view online article

As Australian small businesses brace themselves for the impending Christmas period, Business Life Australia (BLA) – a recently formed business support charity – has launched and is here to help.

“Running a small business can be stressful enough at the best of times, but the Christmas period can be a particularly trying time for small business owners, who struggle to meet increased demand but also contend with the higher emotional and social pressures of the season,” Business Life Australia director, Koos Kruger said.

“The health of the business can strongly affect the health of the business owner in a myriad of ways – mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually, socially – and these issues can have a flow-on effect onto the owner’s family and even their wider community.

“It was this reason that inspired us to found Australia’s very first non-profit organisation set up to help small and micro business owners navigate the more difficult times in a business lifecycle,” he added.

In Australia more than 60 per cent of businesses fail in their first three years, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

For the thousands of small businesses operating in western Sydney, a failure could have devastating effects on the owner, their family, their staff, and their creditors.

“Western Sydney is the fastest growing economy in the country. Research shows the SME sector is vital to the growth and future of the Australian economy, with an annual turnover of $230 million,” Brendan Noney, president of Western Sydney Business Connect said.

Advisers from BLA help small business owners to identify their personal pain points, and understand the most stressful or urgent issues affecting operations.

BLA assists businesses in returning to profitability, or to dismantle it in a manner that results in the least fallout possible for the owner.

New Driving Force at KPMG!

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 06:48:06 GMT

Wayne Pearson recently joined KPMG’s Western Sydney Office as National Leader of KPMG Motor Industry Services.

Many of you will know Wayne as something of a legend in the industry. After more than 30 years in accounting and running/advising car dealerships, he offers unparalleled experience. His career highlights include setting up the first luxury car dealerships in Shanghai and Beijing and acting as a strategy consultant to many car dealership CEOs back in Australia. As Greater Western Sydney continues to grow, this is an exciting time for him to be joining KPMG.

Wayne’s mission at KPMG is simple: to focus on clients and their needs.

“Give to receive”, he says. “The key to enduring and multi-functional relationships is putting the needs and goals of your client first. By helping clients achieve their goals, whatever they might be, the KPMG team will earn the right to be a trusted advisor across all offerings.” Wayne also believes it’s important to deliver on promises and he leads a team with the highest level of skill and competency who get the job done on time, on budget and above expectations. A simple set of promises, certainly, but they are the glue that keeps lifelong relationships together.

“It’s also important to a friend as well as an advisor,” he adds. “This is the hallmark of my lifetime of service in one industry. Clients need to work with someone they can rely on and where good outcomes happen seamlessly. Whatever your role in the auto industry, dealer, distributor or supplier, just give me a call. Our team has over 90 years’ experience between us, so there’s little we haven’t seen or done!”

Wayne Pearson

National Leader, Motor Industry Services

KPMG Enterprise

T: +61 2 9335 8679

E: wpearson1@kpmg.com.au

Western metro service a major win for Parramatta

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:40:04 GMT

City of Parramatta has welcomed the State Government’s announcement that it will build a new western metro line as part of an integrated transport plan centred on Parramatta which includes the Parramatta light rail project.

The announcement of the Sydney Metro West reaffirms Parramatta’s position as Sydney’s Central City and acknowledges the need for improved transport links to the City, which is set to undergo a major transformation over the next five years underpinned by unprecedented levels of public and private investment.

The underground line will become the new spine of Sydney’s public transport system. It will effectively double rail capacity between the Eastern and Central CBDs and take pressure off the busy western railway line.

Sydney Metro West will be able to move 40,000 people an hour in each direction between the CBDs of Parramatta and Sydney, running via the Bays Precinct and Olympic Park and servicing a rapidly growing population and employment base along that corridor.

Council looks forward to working with the Government during the planning phase of the Sydney Metro West project to identify possible locations for underground stations in the Parramatta LGA, including new stations at Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park.

City of Parramatta is encouraged by the Government’s statement that it will investigate innovative ways to reduce travel times between the Parramatta and Sydney CBDs.

Council has previously argued the case for a fast rail line linking the Parramatta CBD with the Eastern CBD and the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek.

A joint Federal and State Government scoping study of western Sydney rail needs, including a possible fast rail service linking Parramatta and Western Sydney Airport, is due for release before July 2017. The Sydney Metro West line is forecast to be operational in the second half of the 2020s.

2016 Christmas Food & Gift Appeal

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 05:14:03 GMT

Parramatta Mission need your help to make Christmas special.

They are preparing for their 2016 Christmas Food and Gift Appeal. Last year, they provided around 1100 hampers to individuals and families who may have been homeless, at risk of homelessness, facing crisis or in need of our assistance. This was more than ever before.

Help make 2016 an even bigger and better Christmas for more people in our community by donating or volunteering this year.

What can you do?

1. Donate to sponsor an individual or family

For a donation of $50 you can supply a hamper to an individual, or for a family $100. Donate here or send your donation to Locked Bag 5360, Parramatta NSW 2124

2. Donate food items for our hampers

Donate individual items or collect as a group with your family, friends or colleagues. Click here to view a list of ideal Christmas hamper items.

3. Donate gifts

Gifts are needed for all ages and interests. Toys and games for younger children (no battery operated toys), linen, toiletry packs, backpacks and bags, sunglasses, watches, wallets, books. No second hand gifts please.

4. Volunteer your time

Help sort, pack and distribute hampers during November. You can volunteer individually or in a group, for a few hours or a whole day. Please contact Parramatta Mission Volunteer Coordinator Rena by phone 02 9891 2277 or email volunteer@parramattamission.org.au

Part 2: Flexible Work Arrangements

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 05:00:37 GMT

Readers will recall that we (succinctly) addressed the issue of returning to work after childbirth in our last article and briefly mentioned the issue of flexible work arrangements which we examine in more detail in this article.

Who qualifies?

Employees can request flexible work arrangements in certain circumstances if they have been working at their place of employment for at least 12 months, or if they are a long term casual with reasonable expectations of ongoing employment on a regular basis.

Employees that may qualify for flexible work arrangements are:

parents to children of school age or younger
carers (as defined in s5 of the Carer Recognition Act 2010)
individuals with a disability
individuals 55 years or older
individuals experiencing family violence
individuals providing care and support to a member of their immediate family or household as a result of violence from the member's family

Making the request

The request must be in writing, with an explanation of the proposed changes and reasons for them. Suggestions might be made in the request which demonstrate an attempt to accommodate the needs of both the employer and the employee with the proposed arrangements. An invitation to discuss the request may also be proffered.

What's in it for the employer?

It will usually be helpful on making a request to consider how the proposed changes may benefit the business in the long run. Flexible work arrangements can increase staff retention or even enable clients to contact the employee outside of business hours. Perhaps the changes will also increase the employee's productivity and job satisfaction.

A discussion with the human resources department might help to engender ideas around how the changes can benefit both parties, taking into account the particular needs of the business and the employee's personal circumstances.

Can an employer refuse a request for flexible work arrangements?

The employer has 21 days within which to respond in writing to the request.

If refused, the response must include reasons for the refusal which are based on 'reasonable business grounds' – including, but not limited to, financial limitations, impracticality for the business, incapacity to make other arrangements and loss of efficiency or productivity.

It is illegal for an employer to take any adverse action against their employee because of a request for flexible work arrangements.

Can I challenge my employer’s refusal of a request for flexible work arrangements?

The Fair Work Act provides no mechanism by which employees can challenge the employer's refusal and no remedy is available where the refusal is not based on reasonable business grounds.

However, there are very limited circumstances in which employees can seek to challenge a refusal by making an application to the Fair Work Commission to deal with that dispute.

Circumstances may be different if an employee is employed pursuant to an enterprise agreement or enterprise award or has relevant rights under their employment agreement or a company policy.

Do I have other options?

Employees may also be able to seek remedies under other federal or state anti-discrimination legislation which prohibits unlawful discrimination (including on the ground of family or carer's responsibilities).

An employer's refusal of a request for flexible working arrangement in New South Wales may be considered unlawful discrimination where there are no reasonable operational reasons for the refusal and accommodating the request would not cause the employer unjustifiable hardship.

Is there anything else I should know?

In our experience, communication is the key. If you have a good working relationship with open and honest communication, then any issues around flexible working relationships can generally be worked through so that a mutually agreeable outcome is reached.

Questions/Assistance

Parramatta Endorsed as Sydney’s Central City

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 03:15:39 GMT

City of Parramatta has applauded the Greater Sydney Commission’s (GSC) vision for a thriving economic corridor from Olympic Park to Westmead which recognises the crucial part Parramatta will play in the future growth of Global Sydney.

Greater Sydney Chief Commissioner Lucy Turnbull has outlined a plan to create a three city strategy for Sydney with Greater Parramatta and the Olympic Peninsula (GPOP) to be delivered as the Central City.

GSC’s report identifies Parramatta as the “connected, unifying heart” of Global Sydney.

“The Commission has worked closely with City of Parramatta and other stakeholders to create a unified vision for what is a very critical economic corridor, which will be underpinned by the new Parramatta Light Rail,” City of Parramatta Council Administrator Amanda Chadwick said.

“There is a significant amount of investment flowing in to the GPOP corridor and having an agreed vision will ensure a coordinated approach to planning and infrastructure delivery.

“Crucial to this vision will be the delivery of key cultural and transport infrastructure such as Parramatta Light Rail, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) and a fast rail connecting the Eastern City and Parramatta with the new Western Sydney Airport.”

The Commission has outlined four distinct zones within GPOP including: Parramatta CBD and Westmead Health and Education Super Precinct; Next Generation Living from Camellia to Carlingford; Essential Urban Services, Advanced Technology and Knowledge Sectors in Camellia, Rydalmere, Silverwater and Auburn; and Olympic Park Lifestyle Super Precinct.

The report highlights the importance of the 4,000 hectare economic corridor and the opportunities to create jobs, housing and transport connections to facilitate significant population growth in the region.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver Sydney a central city that offers lifestyle, employment, arts and culture and world-class transport infrastructure. The Parramatta CBD is at the core of this vision and needs to be interconnected to the north, south, east and west in order to create a highly liveable city,” Ms Chadwick said.

Council’s recent ‘Parramatta 2021’ report by PricewaterhouseCoopers shows that Parramatta will benefit from more than $10 billion worth of investment during the next five years. Economic growth is expected to double and the City’s economy will be worth $30 billion.

“There is already significant investment momentum and work underway to deliver on the vision for GPOP. City of Parramatta Council will continue to work with the Commission and other stakeholders to ensure all these opportunities are realised for the community.”

Superannuation Update

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 21:42:42 GMT

In the May 2016 Federal Budget the Government announced a raft of proposals to change the superannuation rules. Since that time there has been considerable debate, consultation and political negotiation. In September and October 2016 exposure draft legislation was released, providing additional detail of the changes.

It is likely to be months before we see final legislation passed by Parliament and for some people there will be a short timeframe in which to take action to avoid penalty or adverse outcomes. Advice should therefore be sought sooner rather than later to ensure that you are ready for the changes.

Summary of proposed changes

The proposed changes include:

Reduction in the concessional contribution cap from $30,000 or $35,000 to $25,000 per annum

Reduction in the non-concessional contribution cap from $180,000 to $100,000 per annum and ban on further non-concessional contributions where super balance already exceeds $1.6 million

Introduction of a $1.6 million cap on the amount that can be held in superannuation pension accounts

Transition to retirement pensions will no longer attract tax concessions in a superannuation fund

Allowing over 65s to make personal super contributions and removal of the “10% test”, allowing anyone up to age of 75 to claim a tax deduction for concessional contributions

Ability to “catch-up” unused concessional contribution caps over 5 year period where super balance is below $500,000

Extending the tax offset for low income spouses

Start date

The start date for most of proposed changes is 1 July 2017. The catch-up of concessional contributions will commence from 1 July 2018.

Planning opportunities

Business owners will need to be aware of the changes, particularly where business assets are held in self-managed superannuation funds. The new measures may adversely impact succession plans and also the ability to continue to fund limited recourse borrowing arrangements.

The 2016/17 financial year represents the final opportunity for people with available funds to make large super contributions before the lower limits start to apply. If the three year “bring forward” limit for non-concessional contributions has not already been utilised, a contribution of up to $540,000 can be made, even if the current balance exceeds $1.6 million. A contribution can be made in cash, a transfer of listed shares or business real property.

The small business CGT cap of up to $1.415 million continues to apply and this represents a significant opportunity for eligible people to top up their super savings in addition to the standard caps. The small business CGT concessions apply to the disposal of active business assets.

Anyone with current super pensions exceeding the proposed $1.6 million “transfer balance cap” will need to make some decisions prior to 30 June 2017 and will be required to roll some of their super back into an accumulation account. Superannuation death benefit nominations and estate plans will need to be revised as reversionary pensions are adversely affected by these proposals.

Transition to retirement pensions may no longer be worthwhile for some people as the tax exemption on associated earnings is proposed to be removed from 1 July 2017. This will affect anyone who started a superannuation pension before retirement, or reaching age 65.

It is important to obtain personal advice to understand how these proposals will affect you and what planning opportunities may be available, particularly in the lead up to 30 June 2017. For further information, please contact your Pitcher Partners representative.

Author

Louise Meijer

Partner, Private Clients

Pitcher Partners Sydney

T: +61 2 8236 7748

E: louise.meijer@pitcher.com.au

W: www.pitcher.com.au

Introducing Events By ATC

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 21:23:27 GMT

Events by ATC at Royal Randwick and the newly refurbished Rosehill Gardens are excited to officially launch their brand new website and rebrand.

Over the past 5 years both Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens have undergone a $178million redevelopment and now offer some of Sydney’s most exciting event spaces for functions, conferences and special events. Premium venues along with the experienced Events by ATC team, ensures a stress-free and enjoyable experience for both organiser and guest.

“In order for event planners and clients to fully understand the range of venues that Events by ATC can offer, we wanted to create an online destination that would not only showcase our event venues, but also show how we can help to make their events a success. The new branding is reflective of our professional team of industry specialists and approach to delivering successful events” said Jimmy Busteed, General Manager Function & Event Sales

The new website www.eventsbyatc.com.au has been designed to make finding the perfect venue suitable for events ranging from 100 to 50,000 as easy as possible. With clear images, precise venue information, floor plans and menus, event planners and clients will find it easy to choose the best venue for their next event.

Rosehill welcomes new addition to their premier event precinct

The recent refurbishment of the J.R Fleming Grandstand at Rosehill Gardens is now complete and sees the introduction of a brand new venue called The Hive.

This event space is designed with their guests in mind. A multi-purpose function venue located on the top level of the J.R. Fleming Grandstand with spectacular views of the racecourse, the flexibility of The Hive can facilitate functions and events for intimate groups or large scale groups of up to 300 guests.

Venue features include:

Floor to ceiling windows trackside with racecourse views
Public address sound system
Wall mounted LCD screens
Air conditioned
Existing bars and café outlets
Amenities
Natural light and carpeted floor

For further information contact the ATC sales team on 1300 729 668 or email info@eventsbyatc.com.au.

Sprout: Growing ideas for the Parramatta North Heritage Precinct

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 05:32:15 GMT

On the 10th and 11th November Urban Growth invite you to participate in panel discussions, working sessions, inspirational presentations, site tours and displays to help grow ideas for the Parramatta North heritage precinct.

Day one of Sprout will provide you with an opportunity to get a good understanding of the site, with tours and displays.

On day two Urban Growth will ask everyone to roll up their sleeves and put pen to paper. You will hear from community leaders, business owners, innovators, designers, artists, heritage experts, university students and academics to help inspire your thinking.

There will also be an opportunity for you to present your own ideas.

When, what and where:

Thursday 10 November 10:00am – 3:00pm

Site tours, displays, incubator showcase, NBN Sky Muster.

Friday 11 November 8:00am – 5:00pm

Presentations, panel discussions, workshop, displays, incubator showcase, NBN Sky Muster.

Friday 11 November 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Join us in the evening at Sprout, to view presentations, displays and videos, participate in a workshop, and provide your feedback.

Where: The Chapel, Norma Parker Centre, 1 Fleet Street, North Parramatta NSW 2145

Travel: The site is a pleasant 2km walk from Parramatta or Westmead Station. Alternatively, take bus 549, 601 or M54 or the free shuttle bus from Parramatta Station. Limited parking is available on site.

Contact: For more information please contact:

Sara Wilson on 0419 815 087

Website: http://www.urbangrowth.nsw.gov.au/parramattanorth

Sprout is free to attend, however pre-registration is required, as there is limited space. Click here to register.

Sydney Santa Spectacular

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 22:41:26 GMT

After experiencing huge success in 2015, Sydney’s largest family spectacular is back at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse this December.

The Sydney Santa Spectacular is set to be a fun filled family extravaganza with lots of rides, ice skating, 100's and 1000's of decorations that will dazzle your senses, and the ever popular North Pole experience which is sure to provide amusement and entertainment for every child and for the inner child of every mum and dad as well.

There will be limited tickets for each of the three hour sessions so book your tickets early to confirm a place for your family.

What does the ticket price include?

Your ticket gives you access to unlimited rides and the gorgeous interactive walk-through enchanted snow forest where snow falls daily*, interactive attractions including:

Gingerbread Land where you can custom decorate your own cookie

Little elves craft workshop where you can can create your favourite Christmas character!

Snow World's ice skating on The North Pole's spectacular ice skate rink...one of Australia's largest portable ice skate rinks

Toboggan snow slide double lane, larger then last year

Christmas Fairy reading time and Snow Queen stage entertainment

Roaming meet and greet characters

Free parking

Santa Express Train

A magical walk through Enchanted Christmas Forest

Family amusement rides and attractions

Stage entertainment at 'North Pole's Main Stage'

Australia's only enchanting Double Decker Carousel

Spectacular Snow Castle and Christmas theme inflatable world

And much much more!

Click here for further information or to book your tickets.

*Please Note: Snow falling in the event is artificial snow from snow machines

Part 1: Work Ethic vs Brains

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 22:19:57 GMT

In business, what's more important…Work ethic or brains?

This is a question I have asked myself constantly over my entire business life.

I grew up in a household that paid no respect to education whatsoever.

In my primary school years, aged say 6 to 12, I spent more time working on the small family farm and playing football than learning.

A typical day would be out of bed at 5 - 5:30am.

My 7 brothers and sisters and I would make our way to the warmth of our heater in the dark, cold of the morning (being very careful not to wake our parents) and flick on the TV to watch cartoons.

The old Looney Toons was the go to back then and for me it was my only peace in the day when I didn't have to worry about anything or do anything.

When I say peace, it was always an uneasy peace as in the back of my mind there was always the darkness of what mood my mother would be in and how that would affect my day. Would I be with my friends at school learning and enjoying being a child or would I be working/ cleaning, trying to keep mum in a good mood?

The Looney Toons solitude lasted about an hour before my parents started barking orders and the peace was shattered and the work began.

We all fed ourselves, dressed ourselves, made our own lunch, cleaned up our mess, and often had jobs to do before school.

Our mornings were made easier if our mother was in a good mood, however if she wasn't then those mornings could be thrown into absolute chaos.

To cut a long story short, if my mother felt I should stay home and work then that's what happened, so at least one day out of a normal week I would not be at school.

I never did any homework, EVER.

It just wasn't important at our house.

Afternoons I worked and or trained football and weekends I played my game then worked.

Having friends over or going to someone's house rarely happened. We were too busy working.

We rarely had time to play, or if we did it was often interrupted because we had to work.

You might know (recall?) I went overseas at a very early age to play football, so whatever education I was getting stopped then.

So clearly I lacked a typical education, but all my hidden learning was about work ethic, through my home life, upbringing and my football.

I was always a relentless competitor and still am.

When I was overseas on my own from 14, I'm sure a big part of my hidden learning was becoming street smart.

"Was this where I GREW A BRAIN"?

So, I knew how to work but was I smart?

I think the answer is, I had potential to be smart but hadn't tapped into it yet. One thing is for sure, I needed to be interested in something to learn about it.

When I was in school I was hopeless, really hopeless, and was in all the lowest classes in every subject.

I don't think anyone ever even cared how hopeless I really was or read any of my reports. I think everyone already knew what they contained.

But I think most people just said, ‘don't worry about Kazan, he's going to be a football star!!’

When I eventually gave up football due to multiple serious injuries, and concentrated on building and on my company, I discovered something about myself that I don't think anyone knew, something "I certainly didn't".

And that was that I was interested in something other than football for the first time in my life, and every single thing I learnt, that I was taught or I saw relating to building stuck. Even mathematics came easy to me when I used it in the context of building things, a subject I was clearly interested in now.

So this meant I only needed to be shown or taught something once, and I knew it forever.

The biggest thing was though, because I was so interested, my work ethic, " how hard I tried " went through the roof.

I wouldn't let anyone ever work harder than me, "NO WAY" and I could work literally until I fell asleep with exhaustion, or I finished a job, whatever came first.

For me work ethic wasn't just physical though. It was also the relentless effort and perseverance of the day to day mundane tasks of running a business - making that phone call you just didn't want to make, staying back that extra half hour to finish something properly, making sure your client was always happy with you and your team, arguing your point for what you believed in often against some very intimidating character's in the building game.

Most importantly, the constant coaching of all your team around you how to believe in and maintain your standards hour after hour, day after day, year after year, never dropping the ball… NEVER EVER DROPPING THE BALL.

Author

Kazan Hadden

Director

0416 024 369

kazan@nickaz.com.au

Board Member, The John Maclean Foundation, jmf.com.au

www.linkedin.com/in/kazan-hadden-nickaz

Address: Suite 101, 22 Brookhollow Avenue, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

Phone: 02 9659 3387

Email: info@nickaz.com.au

Wesbite: www.nickaz.com.au

Instagram: @nickaz_constructions

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 21:58:04 GMT

Novotel Sydney Parramatta welcomes all families and friends to celebrate this festive season together with their extravagant Christmas Day Lunch Buffet in 350 Restaurant and Lounge on Sunday 25th December. This Christmas will be one to remember as the hotel’s Atrium is transformed into a dazzling Christmas wonderland!

Enjoy a delicious Christmas Day Lunch Buffet with an abundance of fresh seafood, tantalising carvery selection, delectable Christmas desserts, plus the inclusion of house wine, beer & soft drinks.

Children can delight in a separate buffet just for them and gather around the impressive Christmas tree to receive a special Christmas gift from Mr. Claus! Children under 5 years of age are free.

Bonus offer: Stay from $150 Standard Room for overnight accommodation including buffet breakfast & parking.

Email h8787-sb4@accor.com or call the friendly Novotel reservations team on (02) 9630 4999 for the booking form or for further information.

Help Share The Love This Christmas

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 06:10:58 GMT

Fee Changes Aim To Foster Innovation: IP Australia

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 03:49:09 GMT

SMEs and individual innovators are likely to benefit from recent changes to official trade mark, patent and design fees. Reducing initial costs such as those involved in early stage evaluation of patentability, and up-front application costs for trade marks, are expected to support innovation.

The registration fee for a trade mark has been completely removed, thereby reducing the overall up-front cost to register a trade mark in Australia. There is also a significant reduction in the official fee for undertaking an international type search, which is commonly used for assessing patentability of innovations. These fee changes came into effect on 10 October 2016.

IP Australia is however off-setting the reduction in certain up-front fees by increasing maintenance fees in the latter stages of the term of IP rights, when the rights are likely to be generating more value for their owners.

The changes follow an internal review of IP Australia's cost recovery requirements, and community consultation with stakeholders to canvass suggestions on how fees can be changed in order to foster innovation and benefit IP Australia's customer base. The fee changes are also intended to reduce red tape by streamlining the fee structure and to bring IP Australia more into line with other Patent and Trade mark Offices.

For our full analysis and fee breakdowns, go to https://goo.gl/WiMkuz

Fourth Making Western Sydney Greater Report Released

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 03:29:21 GMT

The fourth report in the Making Western Sydney Greater research is now available.

In this edition, we investigated how the perception of Western Sydney impacts on businesses and what can be done to improve perceptions. Our research also showed that Western Sydney business owners and managers have maintained a strong and positive outlook for their businesses, despite potentially disruptive national and global events, but some variance between different segments and regions was apparent. To download your copy of the research, and find out what’s Making Western Sydney Greater for businesses, click here.

Making Western Sydney Greater is an ongoing effort. Undertaken by national accounting firm William Buck, in partnership with St George, Western Sydney University and Western Sydney Business Connection, our research stems from the long-term commitment to Western Sydney that we share.

The next survey will be undertaken in late 2016. We encourage you to participate, and be part of this unique research which is being used to inform Government policy and programmes.

For further details contact William Buck at research@williambuck.com

Research for Future Development of the Region – Innovation for Manufacturing.

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 02:53:36 GMT

The School of Business, Western Sydney University, would like to invite interested WSBC members to a forthcoming seminar, Research for Future Development of the Region – Innovation for Manufacturing.

The details of the seminar are as follows:

Date: Friday 28th October 2016

Time: 10.00am – 12 Noon (coffee and drinks on arrival at 9.45am, a light lunch will follow the seminar)

Location: Room EA2.14, Parramatta South Campus (Corner of James Ruse Drive and Victoria Road)

The first hour of the seminar will include presentations from academic colleagues on research projects relevant to innovation and manufacturing in the Greater Western Sydney region. The Western Sydney University Launch Pad, through Don Wright, will feature in this first hour identifying how the Launch Pad is working with ideas emerging from the School of Business.

The second hour of the seminar will comprise a wide ranging panel discussion with the panel to assess how they see the projects and the methods they employ contributing to further engagement between the School, industry and the community.

Panellists include:

Ben Artup, Associate Director, Deloitte Access Economics

David Borger, Western Sydney Director, NSW Business Chamber

Tamara Brown, Director, PwC

Julianne Christie, Senior Policy Management, Economic Development, Fairfield City Council

Shaira Ismail, Senior Manager, R&D Incentives, KPMG

Graeme Newell, Professor, School of Business

Registration will be required for the event. To register please go to http://westernsydney.edu.au/business/research_week.

Registered participants will receive a car parking voucher for the morning. There is no charge to attend.

WSBC Snippets: Business Grants; Incubator Support Program

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 08:59:17 GMT

Business Grants Bulletin September 2016

Julie Owens September Business Grants Bulletin includes a number of Government grants that are now available to SME’s businesses.

Applications for some of these grants close soon so you are encouraged to act quickly if these are of interest.

Federal Government Incubator Support Program

The Incubator Support initiative assists new and existing start ups to improve their prospects of achieving commercial success. The initiative provides funding through two components, both of which require matched funding from applicants.

1) Financial support for New and Existing Incubators

2) Expert-in-Residence - access to top quality research, managerial and technical talent through secondments of national or international expert advisers

To check if you are eligible or to learn more visit:

https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/incubator-support

Experience Wanderland at the Sydney Derby

Tracy Dawson — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 00:11:24 GMT

The Western Sydney Wanderers take on Sydney FC in what will be a historic clash at ANZ Stadium as the Sydney Derby is taken to another level.

With the opportunity to break the Hyundai A-League crowd record, teams and fans of both clubs will be doing all they can to create a spectacle and get their season off to the best start possible.

The world class corporate hospitality facilities on offer at ANZ Stadium will allow you to enjoy the famous Wanderland atmosphere from the comfort of your own seat.

Tickets are selling fast; don’t miss your chance to be a part of history.

For more information go to http://www.wanderland.com.au/corporate/ or contact bbowne@wswanderersfc.com.au for more information.

CIty of Parramatta invites you to Parramatta 2021!

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 03:40:42 GMT

You’ve waited, you’ve watched, now is the time.

Parramatta has dominated the headlines over the last 2 years as it transforms with a $14 billion urban renewal and regeneration program to emerge as Australia’s tiger economy. But what will the city look like in 5 years and where will the opportunities be for businesses?

Join City of Parramatta as they present Parramatta 2021 where you’ll gain an insight into how the City and economy will transform into a vibrant cultural centre for growth. Uncover the facts, figures, vision and business case for why Parramatta should be front and centre in your business growth and expansion plans.

The opening address from Lucy Turnbull, Chief Commissioner at the Greater Sydney Commission, will outline why Parramatta holds the key to the future growth of Global Sydney as the economic engine room of the region.

Jeremy Thorpe, Partner at PWC, will illustrate how Parramatta will emerge as a visionary, world class city. A panel discussion will further explore the future of workplaces, 30 minute cities and the new demographics of Western Sydney.

Seats are limited - Click here to register.

When:

Thursday 13th October

3:30pm - 5:30pm

Followed by a VIP Parramatta Lanes Experience @ Jamie's Italian outdoor bar

Where:

Parramatta Town Hall

Centenary Square

182 Church Street, Parramatta

Want more:

Presented as part of Good Food Month, Parramatta Lanes is a food and cultural festival showcasing gourmet street food, pop up bars, live music, art and performances in eight uniquely themed spaces throughout the City including The Burger Project by Neil Perry, Archie Rose & more. Relax into the evening and experience Parramatta's hidden spaces brought to life. Click here for more details.

Getting there:

Only 25 mins from Central by train or less than 25kms by car. We strongly encourage you to catch public transport & stay on to enjoy Parramatta Lanes. In support, look out for an exclusive deal from UBER over the coming weeks.

Local Council Amalgamation Judgment handed down

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 08:24:31 GMT

On 20 September 2016, Moore J handed down the Land and Environment Court’s decision following a legal challenge by a number of Local Councils against proposed amalgamations by the NSW Government. In May and June 2016, the Court heard simultaneously five cases which challenged the legitimacy of proposed amalgamations. The Local Council’s involved were Hunter’s Hill Council, Lane Cove Council, Mosman Municipal Council, North Sydney Council and Strathfield Municipal Council.

Council lawyers attended the Land and Environment Court and received a judgment that outlined that some local councils were able to prove that part of the amalgamation process was flawed. The judgment stated that process involved in the proposed Hunter’s Hill, Lane Cove and Ryde amalgamation was legitimate and the proceedings of Hunter’s Hill Council and Lane Cove Council were dismissed.

The Court found in its judgment however that the proposed Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby amalgamation was not legitimate under the Local Government Act 1993 because the report furnished by the Delegate was not a valid report. In respect of the Burwood, Canada Bay and Strathfield amalgamation, the Minister and other Respondent’s had conceded that the report furnished by the Delegate was not valid and therefore the amalgamation was also not legitimate.

For a full copy of the judgment, click on the following link:- https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/57df5763e4b0e71e17f54344

Matthews Folbigg Lawyers, Parramatta, are specialist local government lawyers who are able to advise in relation to all matters relating to governance, planning and environmental law. Call an expert environmental lawyer today on 1800 300 308.

Decision in North Sydney Council v Minister for Local Government [2016] NSWLEC 124

The Land and Environment Court has determined that at the present time there is no proper statutory function for the proposed amalgamation of Mosman Municipal Council, North Sydney Council and Willoughby City Council.

Matthews Folbigg’s Local Government lawyers represented North Sydney Council in a legal challenge against the proposed amalgamation of the Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby local government areas. On 20 September 2016 the Land and Environment Court handed down its judgment which highlighted that North Sydney Council sufficiently established that the Delegate who had been assigned the task of inquiring into and reporting on the proposed amalgamation had failed to have regard to an aspect mandated by s263(3) of the Local Government Act 1993. As part of his inquiring and reporting into the proposed amalgamation the Delegate was to have regard to the opinions of each of the diverse communities of the resulting areas under s263(3)(e5). The Court found the Delegate did not do so, thus at the present time the Delegate has not completed the task to which he was appointed and the proposed amalgamation remains in the hands of the Delegate.

For a full copy of the judgment, click on the following link:- https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/57df5763e4b0e71e17f54344

Eat Drink & Be Merry at Novotel Sydney Parramatta

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 08:07:20 GMT

Host your end of year Christmas party in one of the 11 great event spaces at the Novotel Sydney Parramatta. The hotel features Western Sydney’s largest pillar-less hotel ballroom which can cater for up to 550 people. Each event space has access to state of the art audio visual equipment and the popular Lennox Ballroom has customised ceiling lighting to set the festive mood at your Christmas party.

Novotel Sydney Parramatta has 194 accommodation rooms and suites for all to rest their heads after a big end of year celebration and on-site undercover secure parking.

Our professional event planning and catering teams can help make your Christmas party a memorable event for all. With a range of packages and inclusions, Novotel Sydney Parramatta can cater to suit all budgets.

Enquire now to receive complimentary chair covers & upgrade to a premium beverage package*.

Email h8787-sb4@accor.com or call our friendly reservations team on (02) 9630 4999 to book your Christmas party or for further information.

*Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability at time of booking.

Comfort Zone

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 07:49:37 GMT

“Does getting out of your comfort zone have an impact on success?”

This is the question I often ask myself.

Right from my earliest memories, through early childhood, into my teens, as a young adult and even now, I have consistently been forced or gone willingly out of my comfort zone.

As a young child my upbringing was less than ideal. Growing up with 4 sisters and 3 brothers our lives were filled with challenges. With physical and emotional abuse we spent our lives walking on egg shells until we were able to leave home, for most of us we didn’t stay under the family roof much past our 16th birthdays.

I was a reasonably talented footballer and had an opportunity to go overseas at the age of 14, going to both England and Argentina allowed me to “get out”.

The thing is, at home I was forced out of my comfort zone daily - in fact I don’t think a comfort zone even existed, so I jumped out of one non-comfort zone into another and spent a long time dealing with life, loneliness, being a teenager and struggling to be a professional footballer in foreign countries where I couldn’t even speak the language.

On my return to Australia I spent years trying to resurrect a football career, trying to become a young adult without any guidance from a father or a mother or a mentor. I made mistakes, lots of them; I got myself into my fair share of trouble.

So as far back as I can remember I was always in and out of my comfort zone, “it was almost normal” complete with all the gut wrenching feelings that come along with it. For me this is one of the biggest contributing factors in my success as a businessman and in some ways, I would be afraid of it being any different in case it altered who I am today.

When you are out of your comfort zone you often feel anxious and scared - scared of failure, of what people will think of you, of how you’ll perform, of what decisions you will make, if you will be liked…Lots of emotions and negativity that go on within the conversation you have with yourself in your own mind.

In the words of the great John Maclean, “you need to change the conversation” - that internal dialog that goes on in your head that tells you “NO you can’t” when you need it to say YES I can. When this happens I really believe we start to work out what we are really capable of and success will start to flow in all parts of your life.

In recent times, two of my four sons, Jacob and Campbell, have experienced being out of their comfort zones. Jacob was playing div 3 football and was scoring 60+ goals a season, clearly in his comfort zone. He had an opportunity to trial for an elite football club, the conversation in his head was a clear NO - there was no way he was going to go! It was going to take him way out of his comfort zone and he was going to have to prove his ability. Would he be good enough? Would he fail? Would he be liked?... some of the questions he didn’t want to know the answers to. Well, he went to the trial very distressed, trialled, played well, got selected and walked off with a massive smile on his face.

He had just found out a little bit more of what he is capable of.

One of my most loyal and trusted staff members, who is now an integral partner in Nickaz and its future, started with me as an 18 year old fresh out of school answering my phones.

Alison Meurant’s journey has taken her through every role within our company and as soon as she looked comfortable in a role I challenged her again in a brand new one, in her first 8 years she has rarely been in her comfort zone here at Nickaz.

I think this is the reason she is already, at the age of 26, so respected by all our clients, the construction industry and anyone who has the pleasure of doing business with her. Again it’s clear to me that a big part of Alison’s hidden learning has been learnt out of her comfort zone.

So for us in business, WHAT ARE WE CAPABLE OF and HOW DO WE FIND OUT?

I’m convinced that if we don’t put ourselves out there, take some risks we will never know.

Kazan Hadden

Director

0416 024 369

kazan@nickaz.com.au

Board Member, The John Maclean Foundation, jmf.com.au

www.linkedin.com/in/kazan-hadden-nickaz

Address: Suite 101, 22 Brookhollow Avenue, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

Phone: 02 9659 3387

Email: info@nickaz.com.au

Wesbite: www.nickaz.com.au (currently under construction)

Instagram: @nickaz_constructions

Campbelltown Sports and Health Centre of Excellence

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 07:23:43 GMT

The Federal Government has recently announced funding, along with contributions from Campbelltown City Council, Western Sydney University, UrbanGrowth NSW and AFL, to establish the Campbelltown Sports and Health Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus.

The CoE will co-locate facilities for elite sports training, administration and operational spaces, as well as sports and recreational areas for the community. The CoE will address the unmet need in South West Sydney for quality sporting facilities and will accommodate a range of elite training and sports science research activities, and include specialist equipment such as an altitude training centre and a hydrotherapy pool, which can be used for rehabilitative purposes.

The CoE will also include multiple gymnasiums, indoor courts, and training and playing fields. In addition to providing aspiring athletes a pathway to elite sport, the CoE will provide a myriad of health facilities providing individual and inter-professional health and medical services and be a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in service provision and clinical training across many of the Western Sydney University disciplines.

It is estimated that the precinct will have major economic benefits for Campbelltown, contributing between $22 million and $27 million worth of value to the community over the next 10 years.

Celebrate Christmas the PARKROYAL Way

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 06:33:14 GMT

Round off the year with PARKROYAL Hotels & Resorts and let us take care of your Christmas function for you. A selection of versatile function rooms and restaurants are available to suit festivities of all sizes.

With enticing treats plated with seasonal flair and complemented with expert attention to detail, our experienced team will ensure a truly memorable occasion.

From cocktail packages, to three-course sit down dinners, all Christmas packages can be tailored to suit your event size and requirements. All packages will be themed with Christmas decorations including table centrepieces and bon bons.

Click here for further information or to book.

Part 1: Returning to Work After Childbirth

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 07:17:31 GMT

Women are sometimes surprised to learn that they play a very important role in driving the economy and increasing workforce participation when they return to work after a period of parental leave.

However, despite the fact that it is now the “norm” for a woman to return to work after the birth of a child, Australia's female participation rate still tracks lower than that in other similar countries such as New Zealand and Canada and women continue to face challenges when balancing work and family commitments.

So what rights do new mothers have when returning to the workforce after childbirth?

Returning to Work

The National Employment Standards (NES) in the Fair Work Act provide the statutory framework for the majority of women returning to work after childbirth.

Generally, a new mother will be returning to work after having taken a period of parental leave under the NES of up to 12 months (or up to 24 months if an extension was granted).

During that time, the employee may have maintained contact with her workplace via “keeping in touch days” and visits to introduce the new baby.

Importantly, a new mother returning to work has a statutory right to return to her pre-parental leave position or, if that position no longer exists, to an available position for which the employee is qualified and that is nearest in status and pay to the previous position.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Amongst other things, the NES provide employees who are parents of, or who have responsibility for the care of, a child who is of school age or younger, with a right to request a change in working arrangements.

The changes can include a request to work part time, a request to change the patterns of work and a request to change to the work location (e.g. to perform some work from home).

While this statutory right exists for employees, employers also have the right to refuse a request for flexible working arrangements when there are reasonable business grounds for doing so.

Nonetheless, the employer must genuinely consider the request and respond in writing.

What are the formal requirements to make a request?

To make a request for flexible working arrangements, an employee must have at least 12 months of continuous service. If an employee is a casual then they must be a long term casual with a reasonable expectation of continuing employment on a regular and systematic basis.

The request for flexible working arrangements must be made in writing, and set out the details of the change sought and reasons for the change.

Once a written request has been received, the employer must provide a written response within 21 days, which states whether the request is approved or refused. Employers can only refuse a request on “reasonable business grounds” and must provide their reasons for the refusal in writing.

Next Article

In our next article we will examine in more detail the issue of flexible work arrangements.

Questions/Assistance

If you have any questions or would like any assistance, please feel free to speak with or email a member of our Matthews Folbigg Workplace Solutions team on (02) 9635 7966 or info@matthewsfolbigg.com.au

And The Winner Is....

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 06:20:40 GMT

The Australian Turf Club has taken top honours at the 2016 Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence – NSW in the category of Events Caterer.

The ATC beat out seven finalists to take home the award, recognising the hard work and talent of our Rosehill functions and catering team at the 60th Running of the Golden Slipper event.

With a recent $28million dollar refurbishment at Rosehill Gardens and rebrand of our events business, Events by ATC, The Australian Turf Club is proud to be showcasing and promoting its functions which are a reflection of our professional team of industry specialists. The award was accepted by General Manager, Function & Event Sales, Jimmy Busteed.

The Australian Turf Club will progress to the nationals held in Sydney on the 24th October 2016.

For function/event enquiries please contact The ATC team:

E: info@eventsbyatc.com.au

P: 1300 729 668

Parramatta & Holroyd Sun: Engine Room Of The Nation

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 04:00:59 GMT

Food For Thought Seminar

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 01:40:36 GMT

Parramatta Advertiser: Premier Mike Baird Talks Up Investment His Government Has Given To Western Sydney

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 05:18:43 GMT

Author: Kylie Adoranti, Parramatta Advertiser

Click here to view online article

PREMIER Mike Baird has talked up the level of investment and attention his government has given to western Sydney while addressing 600 of the region’s business leaders.

Mr Baird today delivered his third State of the Region speech at the Western Sydney Business Connection at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse and boasted about the Liberal Government’s key projects and achievements for the region and the state.

“Starting with the economy, there has been real progress. The numbers came out yesterday for NSW as the fastest growing economy in the country ... It is the 22nd largest economy in the world.”

The Premier said there was good news regarding western Sydney’s growing housing market.

“Every weekend there are more than 500 new homes that are coming on the market. It is happening in a very significant way.”

He said Westconnex was just one of the important pieces of infrastructure the region needed.

“From Parramatta to the airport, you can get there 40 minutes quicker.”

Mr Baird said he believed moving the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta would boost livability and attraction to “the great parts of western Sydney”.

Infrastructure was also a big part of the Premier’s address. He said the government was spending more on infrastructure in the next four years than any state government had spent in the history of the country.

“We are giving opportunities to the future generation of workers,” he said.

In terms of health, Mr Baird said it was “a difficult area” but the health system was doing “an incredible job” and that he was proud of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the significant amount of money going towards the disability sector.

The government’s work with the environment was briefly mentioned, with Mr Baird saying he believed the introduction of the container deposit scheme would have a huge impact on reducing litter across the state.

The Hon Mike Baird MP, Premier of NSW - State Of The Region Address

Mon, 29 Aug 2016 06:39:26 GMT

Western Sydney Business Connection (WSBC) is pleased to welcome The Hon Mike Baird MP, Premier of NSW to the heart of Sydney for his annual State of the Region Address at Rosehill Gardens, 8 September, 2016.

This year’s event will deliver another bumper crowd with the Premier addressing over 600 of Western Sydney’s business leaders to share the NSW Government’s progress and future plans for shaping the state’s economic engine room.

The Premier will provide insights on the government's key initiatives to grow jobs in the west and to create cities with a liveability focus through continued investment in transport, health, education and the cultural economy.

Ticky Fullerton from ABC’s ‘The Business’ program will provide additional analysis of the region's challenges and opportunities and facilitate a panel discussion with four of Western Sydney’s key business leaders including:

Danny Rezek, Managing Partner, Deloitte Western Sydney

Duncan Ellis, Commercial Business Director, TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute

Ross Jones, Vice President, Eastern Region, Jacobs

Jake Burgess, Managing Director, Sydney Zoo

Event Details

Date:

Thursday 8 September, 2016

Time:

11.30-2.00pm

Location:

Rosehill Gardens Racecourse

Grand Pavilion (Level 2)

James Ruse Drive

Rosehill NSW 2142

Tesla Motors: IP Drives International Success

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 06:42:55 GMT

Tesla Motors is barely a decade old and enjoys a worldwide reputation and financial success. It started from scratch with a bright idea, like most start-ups and small businesses, and much can be gleaned from the way Tesla has managed its ideas.

Pre-orders for the latest Tesla Motors "Model 3" have exceeded US$14 billion in future sales and are testimony to the transformational effect it is having on the automotive industry. Intellectual capital, in the form of intellectual property (IP) rights, has helped steer the company from engineers in a garage to success on the commercial highway.

Here are three examples of how Tesla Motors was able to use IP rights to fuel its growth (without ever having to enforce them!).

1. Start up phase: attracting investment

To date, Tesla owns approximately 900 patents worldwide. But during early stages, Tesla focused only on protecting a few key solutions to problems faced by electric vehicles at that time. One of their earliest patents filed was simply for a method and apparatus for mounting, cooling, connecting and protecting batteries (see US patent application 2007/0009787).

Owning IP rights, however, enabled Tesla to approach the likes of angel and venture capital investors to attract the necessary funding for developing the Roadster model with British car manufacturer Lotus, and growing the business.

In exchange for providing the money to build and market your products, investors want to know that your point of difference cannot be easily replicated, and that the business has legal assets to protect it, in the hope that these will grow in value with the success of the firm.

2. Gaining momentum: protection is leverage

The Tesla Roadster was launched in 2008 with a string of IP rights behind its proprietary technology. These related to numerous improvements to the electric vehicle, including the battery life being extended to a range of 394 km per charge and the ability to supercharge without detriment to battery lifespan. For the first time, electric cars were both more feasible and attractive to a commercial market.

A small business with a well-protected idea or brand is in a much stronger position to negotiate with a large corporate - even more so if their idea has proven commercial market interest. Most competitors and organisations are all too eager to avoid the threat of infringement, which carries real legal, financial and reputational risks, in favour of either doing a deal with the rights owner or staying out of the market completely.

3. Reinventing the wheel: brand enhancement

In 2012, Tesla Motors launched the Model S and subsequently entered a more mature era of production, with sales exceeding 50,000 vehicles on the road. This level of success spurred Tesla Motors to continue using its IP rights to further growth.

Telsa’s CEO, Elon Musk, used the company’s early success from its patent rights to increase the value of its goodwill and trade mark rights (brand). Yes, you heard right. Musk made an unprecedented announcement in 2014 that anyone could use Tesla's portfolio of patent rights.

He was thereby supporting the development of the technology to help grow the mainstream market size for electric vehicles, while cementing Tesla's reputation amongst buyers as an innovator in the field of electric vehicles.

The ultimate end-goal for many businesses is to build a powerful and valuable brand that can be used as a competitive edge to distinguish present and future products and services in the market.

By protecting your ideas – your intellectual property rights – you have powerful tools at disposal that can be utilised in different ways according to the needs of each business stage.

Author: Jack Shan, Patent Attorney at DCC

Nickaz Commercial Interiors Gives Back

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 00:59:33 GMT

Over the years, as much has been invested into Nickaz as a company as has been invested in giving back.

We have been involved in a lot of charities; Ride to Conquer Cancer, hosting The World’s Greatest Shave, the PIF annually to raise money for homeless children, the City2Surf, the Steve Waugh Foundation Ride and more recently Kazan has been working closely with John Maclean and his foundation.

Then there’s everything behind the scenes - Kazan and Nicole don’t bat an eyelid to jump in and help out people in need directly - financially, with resources or connecting people to create a supportive network. I’ve never witnessed any consideration to receive acknowledgement or repayment.

It’s rare to meet individuals so adamantly open to giving, over and over … how are people that genuine shaped? I asked Kazan what it meant to him;

‘For many people that have been successful in business – do you know how many at some point in life have been told “How lucky” they are when someone gets a glimpse of their wealth?

The last time someone told me how lucky I was I thought to myself, isn’t luck when you win the lotto or Keno or find fifty bucks on the ground???

I wish that person was around when I had nothing. Living in a shed with my wife and three young kids, holes in the floors and walls, and in the bitter cold of winters and the searing heat of endless summers…when people I employed often earned more than me. Getting out of bed in the morning at 4:30, working on the tools till 12pm, changing into nice clothes to visit clients in the afternoon, getting home to see the family and help put the kids to bed, then working on designs and quotes until midnight before starting all over again.

Day after day. Year after year.

Or the times I had to do all-nighters…being so tired that I fell asleep on the floor of an office building with a cordless drill in my hand and a screw half in the wall.

NO, for me there is no “luck”, just hard work, perseverance, work ethic and many other things you need to get you to where you need to go.

One of the greatest things I have learned though - through my experiences and coming from a humble beginning having to work my way up - is a deep understanding of what people less fortunate than me now can go through.

As I get older and as I enjoy some of the success of years of hard work, it only deepens my sense and need to give back.

As a business owner and as I’m seen more and more as a leader in my field and the wider community, the idea strengthens that all of us who enjoy success for whatever reason should think about the people who need our help and try in some way, whether it be time or maybe financially but we should all try in some way to PAY BACK!!’

Kazan Hadden

Director

0416 024 369

kazan@nickaz.com.au

Board Member, The John Maclean Foundation jmf.com.au

www.linkedin.com/in/kazan-hadden-nickaz

Alison Meurant

Director of Sales and Operations

0450 608 804

alison@nickaz.com.au

www.linkedin.com/in/alison-meurant-nickaz

Address: Suite 101, 22 Brookhollow Avenue, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

Phone: 02 9659 3387

Email: info@nickaz.com.au

Wesbite: www.nickaz.com.au (currently under construction)

Instagram: @nickaz_constructions

Facebook: Nickaz Commercial Interiors

Enhancing Workplaces in Western Sydney

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 06:33:30 GMT

THE leaders of the NSW office of Davidson collectively have more than 70 years’ experience in recruitment, technology and HR consulting.

Given their extensive experience in enhancing workplaces in Western Sydney, it seemed only fitting for the team to be a sponsoring supporting partner for WSBC’s State of the Region address luncheon on September 8.

Davidson is one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading recruitment and HR consulting companies with offices in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland.

Their Sydney office focuses on recruitment in Projects & Operations, Executive, Technology and Project Technology and HR Consulting services.

The teams are led by Davidson’s state general managers, including:

• Tracy McClenaghan is the new General Manager of Davidson’s NSW Executive team. Over the past 11 years, Tracy has developed a strong reputation in executive recruitment across director, executive and board level and is proud to be on the NSW government panel.

• Amanda Sheard is the NSW General Manager for Davidson Consulting & HR Solutions and brings her combined expertise over 20 years in career coaching, leadership performance, organisational and learning development, consulting and leadership advisory to the role.

• With more than 17 years’ experience in recruitment, Gareth Broadrick is the General Manager of Davidson’s NSW Projects & Operations team. Gareth has worked extensively in property, construction, mining and engineering sectors across England, Australia and PNG.

• Roger Brant is the NSW General Manager for Davidson Technology and has worked in technology recruitment for more than 18 years. He has worked with many leading enterprise, technology companies along with numerous SMEs in finding their hard-to-find talent and leads the way in contractor care.

• Nathan Ierano is the Practice Leader (Project Services), which provides Cloud Services, Technology and Delivery Consulting, Project and Program Delivery and Professional Services for Monitor Consulting’s clients across Australia.

Between them, each team has years of experience within their field and have worked with some of the world’s leading brands to achieve more for, and with, their people to deliver real business outcomes.

We are dedicated to working with top talent in the market, as we understand that the right people can drive your productivity, build culture and enhance workplace performance.

Our micro-specialists possess in-depth knowledge in their fields to provide strategic business advice or career development expertise. With a strong and respected presence in their sectors and communities, our micro-specialists have particular experience working with key clients in Western Sydney and further.

Whether you need to find talent, develop or engage them, or set up the strategy, structures and processes to support them – we’ll help you achieve sustainable results through your people.

For more information call (02) 8093 0600 or visit www.davidsonwp.com.

Parramatta welcomes world’s largest short film festival

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 04:30:19 GMT

Parramatta will be the focus of the global film industry next February when Tropfest relocates to its new home in Parramatta Park.

The move coincides with the 25th anniversary of Australia’s most prestigious short film festival, which is the largest event of its kind in the world. It will give the festival an opportunity to expand and make it more accessible for film lovers from across Sydney and beyond.

“Great cities have great festivals and this is a chance for the Parramatta community to be part of one of the world’s best-loved film festivals. Council is proud to partner with the Western Sydney Parklands Trust and the organisers of Tropfest to bring this world-class event to Parramatta,” City of Parramatta Administrator Amanda Chadwick said.

Moving Tropfest to Parramatta places the event at the heart of Global Sydney, and adds to the city’s growing reputation as a thriving centre for arts and culture.

It is expected that more than 50,000 people will attend the event, providing major tourism benefits for Parramatta and injecting at least $2 million into the local economy.

“Parramatta is a true events destination and I’m sure Tropfest will find a happy home in our city. Bringing Tropfest to Parramatta Park will give the event room to grow and prosper and will enable a whole new audience to discover the future stars of Australian film,” Ms Chadwick said.

Founder of Tropfest, John Polson said: “It’s difficult to put into words how excited I am about our move to Parramatta. As soon as I laid eyes on beautiful Parramatta Park, I knew we’d found our new home.

“Seeing the support and enthusiasm from our new partners at Parramatta only confirmed that belief. For me, this is an amazing opportunity to bring our loyal Tropfest audience with us as we embark on a new journey with new film lovers - and filmmakers - at our beautiful new home,” Mr Polson said.

The 25th annual Tropfest will be held in Parramatta Park on Saturday 11 February 2017. Entries for the festival open in September and the Tropfest Signature Item for 2017 will be ‘Pineapple’.

To find out more visit www.tropfest.com.au

Building a Great Place to Work

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 07:00:00 GMT

Research shows that more than 70% of employees in Australia are not engaged at work, which means they’re not working to their full capacity. This is costing your business BIG TIME. The research is also clear that no-one affects an employee’s engagement as much as their immediate manager or supervisor.

Management and leadership drive culture, which drives your organisation’s performance. And your workplace culture shapes leadership too.

So, culture is the glue that holds an organisation together. It’s your organisational DNA.

In the Great Managers® Program, we say culture is everything we think, everything we say, everything we do in our workplaces. It is the expression of who we are together. Language, behaviour and relationships at work are the biggest influencers of your culture.

Culture is the force that determines how people behave when no one is looking—it strengthens a workplace and can provide immense competitive advantage. Think Google or Apple - world renowned for their culture. People line up for job opportunities with them… and for their next product release.

The wrong culture, however, can be toxic and erode the confidence and effectiveness of people. Results can still be achieved but at a much higher cost and effort.

Improving your culture can deliver huge benefits to your business:

• Financial – the better the culture and employee engagement the better the bottom line results

• You’re more likely to attract and retain talented staff

• Morale is higher – staff are more energetic & enthusiastic

• Responsiveness to change is better

• There is more co-operation and teamwork

• Productivity is higher

• Physical and emotional safety improves - there tends to be fewer workers compensation claims and less grievances

• Reduced staff turnover and absenteeism

There are 2 ways that culture forms: Accidentally or Deliberately. You can be sure that Google’s culture did not form accidentally!

Culture happens – for better or for worse. Every organisation has a culture. Proactively choosing to create your culture in a deliberate and intentional way can build a high performing workplace – a great place to work!

At Great Managers® we have developed a 6 Step System for Deliberately Creating Your Culture and one of these crucial steps is to Bring Your Organisation’s Values to Life. Values are your standards of what is acceptable and unacceptable. People connect to values. They have intrinsic value... only IF you bring them to life.

They come to life through discussions, interpretations, and your team being able to make the values meaningful and connect them to your context.

As a leader, the challenge is to “unfreeze” established behaviours in your team that aren’t in alignment with your values and create the motivation to change so that employees can learn new productive behaviours. Then “refreeze” those behaviours over time through feedback and rewards. And most importantly, never tolerate behaviour outside your values!

I am coaching our members on this 6 Step Culture Building System in detail via a Great Managers® MasterClass. If you would like VIP access to one of these sessions, which are held monthly via webinar, please contact the team at info@greatmanagers.com.

Sandra Wood

Founder & Managing Director

W: www.greatmanagers.com

E: info@greatmanagers.com

P: (02) 9501 1457

Blacktown is Building the Best

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 06:03:34 GMT

Blacktown City Council is a multi-award winning council, having received 13 national and state awards so far this year.

“Blacktown City Council has never won so many awards in such a short period of time," said the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Mayor Bali.

“It shows how much of a change the council has made in the way it operates.

“We have a long tradition of winning awards, but this last six months has seen a virtual avalanche,” he said.

“The one that I am probably the most proud of is the 2016 NSW/ACT Parks and Leisure Australia Award of Excellence that was won by Mount Druitt Swimming Centre.

“At one stage the plan was to close the Centre, yet within a couple of years it has become an award winning recreational centre for the entire community.

“Even in winter it is popular, with the family fish-in drawing once again booked to capacity,” he said.

Blacktown City Council’s award for the way it planned recreational spaces in the north west growth was another outstanding achievement, he said.

The Council also won awards for its 2015 Annual Report, Community Report and Community Calendar, the White Ribbon accreditation campaign, the restoration of Melrose House and the innovative way its stormwater planning led to better use of water that would otherwise run down drains, Mayor Bali said.

The complete list of awards:

RH Dougherty Award for the 2015 Sustainable September Eco Festival

Urban Design Institute’s Excellence in Government Leadership award for Blacktown City Council’s portfolio of Community Hubs won.

Mount Druitt Swimming Centre won the 2016 NSW/ACT Parks and Leisure Australia Award of Excellence for ‘Inclusive and Connected Communities’

The state Parks and Leisure Awards of Excellence, for its approach to planning the open spaces being created in the North West (and now in contention for a national award).

Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope was awarded the AH Pierce 2016 Facility of the Year at the Aquatic and Recreation Institute Awards. Mount Druitt Swimming Centre was also named as a finalist

Blacktown City’s Stormwater Education Program won the Stormwater NSW Excellence Award in the Excellence in Policy or Education category for its project titled Expanding the Reach of Stormwater Education in Blacktown City.

NSW Local Govt Excellence Award (Special Project Initiative) for the White Ribbon accreditation project.

RH Dougherty Award (Highly Commended) in the Excellence in Communication category for its White Ribbon accreditation campaign

RH Dougherty Award (Highly Commended) Reporting to your Community category for the “Sporting City” themed 2015 Annual Report, Community Report and Community Calendar.

The Conservation Commendation for Heritage Architects from the Australian Institute of Architects (Restoration of Melrose House)

Commendation award from the Australian Property Institute (Restoration of Melrose House)

Blacktown City Council’s 2015 annual report was awarded a bronze award at the Australasian Reporting Awards in June 2016.

Peel Reserve at The Ponds was awarded a high commendation in the Playspace: Major (>$0.5m) category at the 2016 Parks and Leisure Australia (NSW/ACT) Awards of Excellence

Erby Place Pocket Park transformation begins

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 06:00:00 GMT

The public open space at the corner of Erby Place and Phillip Street in the City’s popular Eat Street precinct will be upgraded to provide a more relaxed urban refuge for workers and restaurant goers.

The shaded open space, known as Erby Place Pocket Park, adjoins the Eat Street car park and is a high traffic area for pedestrians and vehicles accessing the car park and nearby restaurants.

“The project will include the installation of high quality granite paving, new floral plantings, an integrated lighting and music system, landscaping, and improved seating and drainage. New power outlets will also be installed to allow workers to recharge their phones and laptops. The popular, established jacaranda trees will be retained as part of the upgrades,” City of Parramatta Administrator Amanda Chadwick said.

“Erby Place Pocket Park will be a more open and inviting area. The upgrades will provide a much needed rejuvenation of the public space, enhancing the amenity of the area and ensuring its continued use as a popular thoroughfare and city centre refuge for workers and visitors.

“The changes will also enable better use of the space for events such as the Parramatta Lanes festival.”

Work on the $600,000 Erby Place Park project started last week and is expected to be completed before Parramatta Lanes in October.

Exclusive Conference & Meeting Offer

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 05:51:35 GMT

Novotel Sydney Parramatta is giving free wireless internet to every conference delegate for the rest of 2016! Simply book your meeting between now and 31st December 2016 and receive our discounted $65.00 day delegate package with complimentary wireless internet.

Novotel Sydney Parramatta has the right conference space for you with 11 newly refurbished event venues featuring state-of-the-art audio visual equipment and convenient undercover secure parking. You can plan your meeting with Novotel Sydney Parramatta’s professional event planning and catering teams.

To book your event please contact our conference and events team on h8787-sb4@accor.com

Local youth week program takes top gong at awards

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 05:17:36 GMT

(L-R) Minister for Local Government, The Hon Paul Toole MP, Patrick Keough (YERG), Dave Ramas (CCC), Sebastian Houbert (CYN),

Michele Mullineaux (CCC), Campbelltown Mayor, Cr Paul Hawker

Campbelltown City’s Youth Week program has taken out top honours at the 2016 Local Government Week Awards, receiving the Youth Week Award for the best local program.

Each year, the Minister responsible for youth affairs, in conjunction with the Department of Family and Community Services and Local Government NSW, present awards acknowledging the role played by local councils in helping young people to plan and coordinate Youth Week programs and activities.

Council’s 2016 Youth Week program was awarded joint winner of the Best Local Youth Week Program category with Cessnock City Council, in recognition of the level of youth participation in the planning and attendance of Youth Week activities, the capacity provided by Youth Week activities for young people to showcase their skills and talents and raise issues of concern to them, and activities which highlight the positive contribution young people make to the community.

Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Paul Hawker, said the award was reflective of Council’s commitment to providing a range of activities and opportunities for local young people, both during Youth Week and throughout the year.

“Council's youth development programs, including our annual Youth Week initiatives, offer free or low cost options for local young people to enjoy safe, healthy activities in their local area.”

“They also provide opportunities for local young people to develop leadership skills, be exposed to the music and events industries, and gain knowledge and skills in technical/operational support, event management and marketing roles,” Cr Hawker said.

“I congratulate those involved in this year’s Youth Week program on this significant acknowledgement of their efforts and commitment, and I encourage other local young people to get involved and share their ideas for future programs, events and initiatives in Campbelltown City by joining our Youth Entertainment Reference Group or the Campbelltown Youth Network,” Cr Hawker added.

Volunteers involved in Council’s Youth Entertainment Reference Group (YERG) and the Campbelltown Youth Network (CYN) actively assist in the development, facilitation and evaluation of local youth activities, youth forums and all ages music events throughout the year. For more information on how to be involved, contact Council's Youth Project Officer on 4645 4816 or email youth@campbelltown.nsw.gov.au

To keep up-to-date with local youth initiatives, follow facebook.com/ctownyouth or visit Council’s website.

Building the love for a bigger Ronald McDonald House Westmead

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 01:16:27 GMT

The land has been cleared and the builders have now moved on site, ready to start building our new 'home away from home' to ensure that over 400 families that we turned away last year have a safe and comfortable place to stay while their seriously ill child is being treated at The Children's Hospital Westmead.

Mike Thomas, Ronald McDonald House Westmead Executive Officer, said research has shown that there are better outcomes for our seriously ill young patients and their families when they are together and the new House will provide this home, support and one less worry during difficult times.

"We are incredibly excited to see site preparation underway following years of planning and support from both the NSW Government and the corporate sector," Mr Thomas said.

"Spearheaded by the NSW Government, Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia, Channel Seven and numerous corporate and community supporters, we are working towards our target of $33 million, but we still aren't there yet".

"We still need everyone's help to reach our goal - we need another $8m to ensure that this home is completed by the end of 2017".

"This really has been a dream in the making and with the initial construction just about to begin it can't come soon enough."

For more information on how you can build the love, click here.

Every dollar you donate makes a real difference in the lives of seriously ill children and their families.

Visit the Gallery to see our latest site photos

Show people with disability they matter to you – join Walk With Me

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 06:49:58 GMT

Northcott, with support from the City of Parramatta, is proud to be hosting Walk With Me through Parramatta’s CBD on Wednesday 21 September.

Walk with Me is a short community walk that aims to advocate for inclusion and raise awareness about disability and the potential of every individual.

The walk commences at the corner of Market and Church Streets, Parramatta and follows Church Street to Centenary Square and Parramatta Town Hall. Sections of Church Street will be closed to traffic for this special event. At the finish line in Centenary Square, a street party featuring live music, other entertainment, food and information stalls will be held.

Show children and adults with disability that they matter to you by registering for Walk With Me today at http://bit.ly/wwm_2016.

Bring your work colleagues, family and friends. In 2015, close to 1,000 children and adults joined in the fun – let’s make a new record this year!

Event details:

Date: Wednesday 21 September

Start: Corner of Market and Church Streets, Parramatta

Finish: Centenary Square, Parramatta with entertainment, food and information stands

Time: 11am-2pm

For enquiries, or to see how you can support Walk With Me, please email:

E: Jodie.wilkins@northcott.com.au.

Celebrate with our new Platinum Partner, Rosehill Gardens

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 05:11:10 GMT

Book your end of year celebration with Events by ATC by the 31st October and you will receive *6 bottles of Moet & Chandon and all guests will each receive two complimentary passes to a race day of their choice *non-carnival.

Royal Randwick and the recent $28 million dollar refurbished Rosehill Gardens offer premier multipurpose venues, award winning catering and beverage options to suit any function. Our stellar team of event professionals will finesse every event detail to ensure your end of year is a night to remember!

Events by ATC welcome the opportunity to show you through our impressive venues and discuss further, contact the sales team today for more details:

E: events@australianturfclub.com.au

P: 1300 729 668

*Not to be used during the event

*Non carnival race day Autumn and Spring

Type 1 Diabetes Free Community Seminar

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 04:46:37 GMT

Westmead Medical Research Foundation are offering free My Westmead Community Seminars throughout the year featuring medical professionals who will present the latest information on a variety of health topics. Each seminar includes a Q&A session with the presenter and is followed by either morning or afternoon tea.

The next My Westmead Community Seminar will be held on September 8 and will

discuss new and novel treatments of Type 1 Diabetes.

The event details are as follows:

Speaker: Associate Professor Wayne Hawthorne

When: Thursday 8 September 2016

Time: 2:00pm

Where: The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead

RSVP: 1800 639 037 or click here to register online

Registration is required for all seminars so please RSVP early.

Beware: Directors/Managers Personally Liable!

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 22:46:57 GMT

WARNING: Personal Liability

People such as directors, executives and managers must be aware that they could be exposed to personal liability for their involvement in breaches of the Fair Work Act and other industrial instruments.

As time goes by we are seeing an increase in the number of prosecutions by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO).

Involvement

Specifically a person who is “involved” in an employer’s contravention of a civil remedy provision (such as a breach of the Fair Work Act or a breach of a Modern Award/enterprise agreement), is also taken to have contravened that provision.

The word “involved” includes both active involvement with actual knowledge, through to involvement where the individual does not know or appreciate that the conduct is unlawful.

Where a person is named as a respondent to contravention proceedings, they are also personally exposed to penalty and compensation orders.

Case Illustration

In the recent decision of Fair Work Ombudsman v Step Ahead Security Services Pty Ltd & Anor [2016] FCCA 1482, the court ordered:

the employer and the sole director be jointly and severally liable for the underpayment of $22,779 to employees

$257,000 fine for the employer

$51,400 fine for the director

The penalties were very high in this case because the director was a repeat-offender (and therefore knew his obligations), he showed no contrition, the underpayments were deliberate and no steps were taken to rectify the underpayment for the employees.

Implications

The orders in this case (and in similar cases) clearly demonstrate:

people involved in a contravention cannot hide behind their company

people involved in a contravention may be prosecuted

people can be held liable to make payment of underpayments

people can receive heavy fines

people can still be liable even if their company enters into administration/liquidation

Questions/Assistance

FFA Cup debut at Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 07:30:00 GMT

Campbelltown Sports Stadium is set to ignite when it welcomes the Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday 2 August for their much-anticipated Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 clash.

The Wanderers will take on fellow Hyundai A-League club Wellington Phoenix in the national knockout tournament, which is run by Football Federation Australia in conjunction with every state and territory member federation across the country. In only its third season, the Westfield FFA Cup has earned a reputation as one of the country’s most inclusive sporting events, involving more than 700 professional, semi-professional and amateur clubs.

The Wanderers last played a competition match at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in 2013 against the Newcastle Jets, and are set to return to the ground in January 2017 for an A-League reunion match, in the hope of repeating the convincing win against the Jets almost three years ago. The FFA Cup match will be a fantastic precursor to the A-League fixture, giving fans an early taste of the electric atmosphere that the Wanderers are renowned for.

Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Paul Hawker, said the game was another fantastic opportunity to showcase our city’s premier sporting venue.

“This latest coup for Campbelltown City is the result of Council’s ongoing relationship building with a range of sporting codes, and highlights the versatility of Campbelltown Sports Stadium as a sporting and entertainment venue, boasting easy public transport access and ample parking,” Cr Hawker said.

“The local FFA Cup fixture will be a great opportunity for residents across the Macarthur region to enjoy elite level competition of one of Australia’s most popular sports, and experience the game day atmosphere that only Campbelltown Sports Stadium can offer,” Cr Hawker added.

Ticket prices for the Western Sydney Wanderers v Wellington Phoenix match range from $10 for juniors through to $49 for family passes, and will be on sale through Ticketmaster from Wednesday 20 July. Gates open from 7pm, with an 8pm kickoff.

Celebrate Melbourne Cup in Style at Table:30

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 07:00:00 GMT

Dress to impress and gather a group for an extravagant Melbourne Cup lunch at PARKROYAL Parramatta's TABLE:30 restaurant on Tuesday 1 November 2016, from 12.30pm - 4.00pm.

Seafood lovers can indulge in the freshest locally sourced, succulent seafood buﬀet with fresh Sydney rock oysters, Australian tiger prawns, poached whole ocean trout, mouth-watering mussels, local Balmain bugs and blue swimmer crabs. A variety of enticing hot dishes, salads and a live cooking station with a range of decadent desserts are also on oﬀer.

Bookings are essential. Speak with the friendly staff at PARKROYAL Parramatta on 02 9685 0377 or email dining.prsyp@parkroyalhotels.com

Prices start from $99 per person.

Nickaz Commercial Interiors Relaunch

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 06:19:22 GMT

Nickaz Commercial Interiors is an Interior Office Fitout company that has been operating and helping businesses to build their space in Western Sydney for over 25 years. Continuously discovering new and innovative ways to deliver creative, efficient and cutting edge solutions in fitouts, Nickaz is currently under-going its very own retransformation to redemonstrate itself as one of Australia’s leading fitout companies and to implement additional forward thinking means of delivering services, news and ideas.

Joining the Western Sydney Business Connection is just one of the many exciting moves Nickaz is making to help rejuvenate the position of heading the frontline of originality and solution solving for all clients.

Ideas and results start at the very beginning, by understanding and assimilating into each business’ individual requirements and aspirations, both functionally and aesthetically, to then navigate our clients through design, council, finishes, pricing and finally the construction phase. We partner with clients step by step to not only remove the stress of fitting out a new space but to make the experience fun and enjoyable.

Working in Norwest Business Park from its inception, Nickaz quickly grew into a frontrunner in Western Sydney in the fitout industry, completing over 80% of the fitouts in the park and surrounding commercial and industrial areas. Continued growth and on-going, long term relationships with clients lead to further fitout opportunities in the CBD and surrounds, across the state and country wide.

From small start-up businesses to global companies, Nickaz has worked with a multitude of diverse business leaders and across all industries, gaining and continuing to grow an extensive range of knowledge of critical key components important across different professions. This has not only helped Nickaz to understand what is essential to clients, but to position us as a guide to explore things that they may not have considered before.

In the coming months Kazan Hadden and the Nickaz team look forward to sharing with the WSBC our transformation experience as we strive to further our position as leaders in our industry. The goal is with hope that through knowledge, great design of working spaces and environments we can also help like-minded business leaders navigate the transition and rejuvenation of their business; the by-product resulting in greater industry perception, better market share and a stronger ability to attract and retain top staff.

Nickaz specialises in Design and Construction of Office Fitout, Hospitality Fitout, Educational Fitout, Medical Fitouts, Make Goods, Refurbishments, Alterations, Refit, Custom Joinery and Furniture.

Kazan Hadden

Director

0416 024 369

kazan@nickaz.com.au

Board Member, The John Maclean Foundation www.johnmaclean.com.au

www.linkedin.com/in/kazan-hadden-nickaz

Alison Meurant

Director of Sales and Operations

0450 608 804

alison@nickaz.com.au

www.linkedin.com/in/alison-meurant-nickaz

Address: Suite 101, 22 Brookhollow Avenue, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

Phone: 02 9659 3387

Email: info@nickaz.com.au
Wesbite: www.nickaz.com.au (currently under reconstruction)

Instagram: @nickaz_constructions

Early Reindeer Offer

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 06:11:04 GMT

Secure your corporate Christmas party now at Novotel Sydney Parramatta and receive complimentary chair covers and upgrade to a premium beverage package.

With 11 great event spaces to choose from including a large, modern pillarless ballroom, the team at Novotel Sydney Parramatta will help make your Christmas celebration a memorable evening.

With great packages and inclusions to suit all budgets, your guests will eat, drink and be merry!

Click here for further information or call the friendly Novotel Parramatta events team on 02 9630 4999

Economic and Market Outlook - July 2016

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 01:16:53 GMT

Welcome to the July 2016 edition of our Economic and Market Outlook, brought to you by Pitcher Partners Sydney Wealth Management.

This edition provides commentary on the following topics:

· International economy

· Australian economy

· Australian equities

· International equities

To read the full version of the Economic and Market Outlook July 2016, please click here.

Should you have any queries in relation to the above, please do not hesitate to contact the author or your Pitcher Partners relationship partner.

Contact

Martin Fowler
Partner, Wealth Management
Pitcher Partners Sydney
T: +61 2 8236 7776
E: martin.fowler@pitcher.com.au

Novotel Sydney Parramatta Serves Up Sunday Classic

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 06:16:43 GMT

Winter is here and 350 Restaurant and Lounge at Novotel Parramatta are prepared with the launch of a new Winter warming ‘Sunday Roast Buffet’ dinner. Take this opportunity to gather your family and friends and share a hearty meal around the table. A traditional Sunday Roast Buffet at 350 Restaurant and Lounge is the perfect way to finish your weekend.

Every Sunday night at 350 Restaurant and lounge, you can indulge in succulent roast beef and chicken with a warm variety of mixed Winter root vegetables, a selection of sides including pasta, soup and assorted salads, then finish with delicious seasonal fruit and dessert.

350 Restaurant and lounge invites everyone to celebrate the introduction of Sunday Roast Buffet with the opening night on Sunday 24th July from 6pm with a ‘Christmas in July’ theme.

To book a table contact Dave on 02 9890 0882 or email H8787-FB@accor.com.

CareFlight Celebrating 30 Caring Years

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 00:38:31 GMT

2016 marks 30 years of CareFlight saving lives. To commemorate this special occasion CareFlight will hold a major fundraising Gala Ball to mark their achievements over the last three decades.

Saturday 17 September will be the pinnacle fundraising event of 2016 with the 30^th Anniversary Gala Ball being held at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney.

The 30th Anniversary Gala Ball will be hosted by respected author, broadcaster and journalist Juanita Phillips. The evening will feature dynamic entertainment, special guests, with a live and silent auction full of exclusive items.

Tickets are $250 each with tables of 10 also available. To purchase tickets contact Natalina on (02) 9843 5176 or email gala@careflight.org

Promotional opportunities are also available by donating items for our exclusive live and silent auctions to be held on the evening. Please contact Natalina at gala@careflight.org for more information or to receive a benefits package.

Council confirms tender for West Epping Park upgrade

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 00:33:40 GMT

Plans for a major redevelopment of sport and leisure facilities at West Epping Park have taken a significant step forward with City of Parramatta Council endorsing an $8.7 million tender for the works.

Council has confirmed Haslin Constructions as the successful tenderer for the project which will see the creation of synthetic football and cricket fields, cricket practice nets, play areas, picnic facilities, open lawns areas and sports field lighting. It will also involve improvements to traffic and parking arrangements at the park.

The tender for the project was previously awarded by Hornsby Shire Council in the days before the State Government issued its amalgamation Proclamation on 12 May, after which West Epping Park was incorporated into the new Parramatta LGA.

“City of Parramatta is very happy to confirm this decision and continue this important project, and we thank Hornsby Shire Council for prioritising redevelopment of the park,” City of Parramatta Administrator Amanda Chadwick said.

“Epping is currently experiencing a boom in residential development and this project, along with others being undertaken in the area by City of Parramatta, will help ensure there is adequate green space for the rapidly growing population to enjoy.”

In total, the redevelopment of West Epping Park is an $11.3 million project. It has been included in Council’s Draft Operational Plan for 2016/17 which is currently on public exhibition.

The project is being funded by Section 94 developer contributions collected from the Epping area by Hornsby Shire Council, and $1.6 million in funds from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, pledged to assist with public domain improvements in Epping.

It is expected work will begin at West Epping Park in early August 2016.

Ronald McDonald House Westmead is Heading to Spring Carnival

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 06:07:31 GMT

Please join us on Saturday 24th September for the Ronald McDonald House Westmead Golden Pendant where we’ll once again be enjoying a VIP function in the Grand Pavilion at Rosehill Gardens – overlooking the finish line.

This year we are very excited to be the Charity Gold Partner of the Australian Turf Club and have teamed with the Women in Racing Luncheon. Purchase your event tickets online now.

When ordering, be sure to enter “RMHW” in the occasion field so we can ensure you are treated as our VIP!

Tickets are $2000 for a table of 10 (or $200pp) with your race day experience including:

VIP function in the Grand Pavilion at Rosehill Gardens – overlooking the finish line
5 hour beverage package, including beer, wine, sparkling & soft drink
3 course luncheon
Guest speakers
Access to private betting and bookmaking facilities
Live and Silent Auctions/ Raffles
An opportunity to mingle and network with a high calibre of attendees from the racing and corporate industries
Race book to keep track of the days racing action.

As you are aware, corporate and community support is instrumental to ensure families stay close and support one another, so ladies and gentlemen, grab your colleagues or friends and join us for a fun-filled day.

We will keep you updated as we get closer to being trackside – but you need to book your tickets as this is a must attend event in the Spring Carnival calendar.

In the meantime, if you need any assistance or further information, do not hesitate to contact Michelle Burman on 02 9845 0600 or michelleb@rmhwestmead.org.au.

Local Advertising Delivers More

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 04:41:28 GMT

Advertising in your leading local papers attract more customers to your brand and business – it gives you the opportunity to:

• be a part of the local conversation

• be a preferred local choice

• be top of mind with consumers in your local area

Did you know?

• 73% of our local newspaper audience think their local paper is the community voice

• 57% say the local newspaper is their #1 media for local community news

• 76% say ads in their local newspaper introduce them to businesses in their local community

• 57% use their local newspaper as their main source of information and ideas for local products and services

For a limited time, we’re offering a 30% discount to all NEW businesses. Please contact Hayden Reed, Area Manager West - 0414 684 828.

Don’t miss the chance to connect with your local consumers.

Source: 'Be A Local Voice' Study, Julie Dang & Associates, 2015. Filter: NewsLocal Distribution. (n=202)

Making Western Sydney Greater - Be part of the conversation

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 03:35:16 GMT

The latest “Making Western Sydney Greater” survey, targeted to Western Sydney business owners and managers, is now live for you to complete.

Led by William Buck, and supported by Western Sydney Business Connection, St. George and Western Sydney University, the results are used to contribute to and influence discussions on NSW Government policy regarding workforce skill and employee training. Our aim is to achieve positive changes for businesses in Greater Western Sydney.

In this edition, we're looking into:

Whether Western Sydney businesses still expect to achieve above average growth for the coming 6 months?

Is the outcome of the Federal Election a positive or negative for business and Western Sydney?

How can business help improve the perception of Western Sydney?

Join the conversation and be part of Making Western Sydney Greater.

If you missed the release of our third Making Western Sydney Greater report earlier this year, you can download a copy here:

Making Western Sydney Greater Report

Your Invitation to the Max Potential Showcase

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:16:57 GMT

Mentors Wanted

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 01:16:05 GMT

Would you welcome a new and fulfilling opportunity which would enable you to give back to a worthy community organisation and strengthen your skills?

Northcott is seeking mature and experienced managers to guide and nurture our management team as they deal with the challenges the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will bring to the disability services industry.

The NDIS is an Australian Government scheme that gives people with disability the opportunity to develop their own goals and make decisions about their supports, including who will provide them. Northcott is registered to provide supports for NDIS participants. The rollout of the NDIS has now commenced and we want your help to support our managers through this change.

We want to hear from leaders in your organisation who:

Have experience in senior management roles
Have managed during periods of great change
Are excellent communicators and sensitive to the needs of others
Can commit to volunteering 1 hour per month over a full year
Are keen to give back to the community

For more information or to register your interest, contact: Melanie Hughes via:

P: 9890 0505

E: melanie.hughes@northcott.com.au

What every employer MUST know for 1 July 2016

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 22:30:00 GMT

With the commencement of a new financial year, it brings with it important changes and new rates which will apply from 1 July 2016.

NEW! High Income Threshold (HIT)

With the HIT:

it increases to $138,900

it impacts:

(a) who can make a claim for unfair dismissal (for those not covered by a Modern Award or to whom an enterprise agreement does not apply)

(b) the maximum amount of compensation payable in an unfair dismissal claim

NEW! Modern Award Increases

With Modern Awards (including enterprise awards):

minimum wages increase by 2.4% (starting on the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2016)

absorption of wage increases into over-award payments is permissible (subject to the terms of the relevant employment agreement and what other amounts are being absorbed into any annualised salary)

increases to the minimum wages of junior workers, apprentices, trainees, piece workers and employees on the supported wage system will occur

expense-related allowances in Modern Awards will increase as set out in the Modern Award (eg, by the applicable CPI index figure)

annualised salaries will need to be checked to ensure they can still properly absorb/include all relevant minimum Modern Award amounts and that they continue to meet the technical requirements of the Modern Award

NEW! National Minimum Wage (NMW)

With the NMW:

this is applicable to employees to whom neither a Modern Award or enterprise agreement applies

the NMW increases by 2.4% to become $672.70 per week or $17.70 per hour

in addition:

(a) two special NMW orders exist (relating to those with a disability)

(b) the minimum casual loading remains unchanged at 25%

NEW! Impact on Enterprise Agreements

With enterprise agreements:

they must always meet or exceed the minimum wage of:

(a) the relevant Modern Award (ie, the Modern Award that would have applied had the enterprise agreement not been in existence)

(b) the NMW (ie, where a Modern Award would not apply even if the enterprise agreement was not in existence)

thus, pay rates in enterprise agreements may need to be increased (even if the enterprise agreement has its own wage increase regime)

NEW! The Sting

Be mindful that wage increases have flow-on effects such as increasing:

the value of leave loading, penalty rates, overtime and superannuation contributions

the value of accrued leave entitlements

the cost of wage related expenses such as payroll tax and workers compensation premiums

NEW! Redundancy

The tax-free component of a genuine redundancy payment increases to be:

base limit of $9,936

additional amount for each completed year of service of $4,969

NEW! Superannuation Contributions Base

With superannuation:

the maximum superannuation contribution base increases to $51,620 per quarter ($206,480 per annum)

an employer is not required to make superannuation contributions on behalf of employees on earnings in excess of that maximum contribution base

Questions/Assistance

The excitement is building

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 00:20:27 GMT

The excitement is building in Western Sydney as PARKROYAL Parramatta is set to bring a new level of accommodation, dining and meeting and event experiences to the heart of Sydney’s dual CBD this August 2016, following a AUD25 million extension.

With 13 flexible meeting and event rooms, including five new rooms, all with the latest in audio-visual technology, PARKROYAL Parramatta is setting the benchmark for conferencing in Western Sydney.

Be one of the first to experience our new premium facilities and take advantage of a AUD72* Day Delegate package and the following extras when you book and hold your next event by 30 September 2016 :

- Complimentary Wi-Fi

- Complimentary data projector and screen

The Day Delegate package also includes full day catering with a sit-down buffet lunch, room hire, stationery and an onsite paging system linking you directly to your conference concierge. Half Day Delegate packages are also available.

Looking for accommodation? Speak to a dedicated events specialist from the Meetings and Events team today about our Residential Meeting Packages.

To request a quote or site visit, please speak with us today on 02 9685 0391 or email events.prsyp@parkroyalhotels.com.

Council and TAFE NSW to establish Parramatta Skills Exchange

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 02:58:48 GMT

City of Parramatta will work with TAFE NSW to establish the Parramatta Skills Exchange (PSX) to provide industry-based opportunities for young, unemployed and under-employed workers.

The initiative will form a key part of a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will be signed on 1 July to strengthen local jobs growth and foster a closer partnership between City of Parramatta and TAFE NSW.

“The MoU will see Council work more closely with TAFE NSW to provide opportunities for those in the community who are unemployed or under-employed. The Parramatta Skills Exchange is a pre-employment program that will provide opportunities to work on some of the biggest developments in the city,” City of Parramatta Administrator Amanda Chadwick said.

“The PSX is based on the award-winning Barangaroo Skills Exchange (BSX) and we are aiming to replicate the success of that program in Parramatta. Participants will have the opportunity to work on development sites with values in excess of $50 million and receive on the job training as they go. Already, approximately 10,000 people have received training through the BSX including 700 apprentices.

“Parramatta is becoming the Smart City for education with a number of providers now offering the highest quality learning opportunities. This latest MoU comes on the back of other existing agreements with Western Sydney University (WSU) and the University of New England (UNE).”

TAFE Western Sydney Director Robin Shreeve said he is excited to be partnering with City of Parramatta Council to deliver these important initiatives.

“As Sydney’s second CBD and pivotal to the growth of New South Wales, Parramatta needs a forward-thinking skills model that focuses on the jobs of the future. This partnership will ensure Parramatta has the training, skills and capability which will enable it to become Australia’s leading ‘Smart City’,” Mr Shreeve said.

City of Parramatta and TAFE NSW will work together to identify a suitable site for the PSX over the coming months with the aim of having the facility fully operational in 2017.

Top 5 Global Workforce Trends That are Redefining Workplaces

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 06:34:11 GMT

Being an employee in the present day is quite different from what it was just a few decades ago. Workplaces are becoming more diverse, and a strict 9 to 5 schedule no longer applies to an increasingly wired workforce. Human capital is moving across borders and workers are picking up new skills in a time of intense change. Here are the top five global workforce trends all businesses need to be cognisant of.

Global demographic shifts

As some economies have matured and others grown and developed, we are seeing dramatic demographic shifts on a global scale. In developed societies, ageing populations have caused skills shortages to many industries specifically; health, education and engineering sectors.

According to the 2015 Intergenerational Report, the number of people aged 15 to 64 for every 1 person aged 65 and over, has fallen from 7.3 people in 1975 to an estimated 4.5 people today. By 2054, this is projected to nearly halve again to 2.7 people for every 1 person over 65 years of age. Given these statistics, there is a substantial gap between baby boomers retiring and the number of Generation X available to fill their shoes, putting immense pressure on employers’ ability to find the right talent.

On the other hand, developing countries, most notably China and India, are supplying huge numbers of workers skilled in areas where developed countries are facing shortages. According to the Wall Street Journal, businesses in the US are clamouring to obtain visas for skilled workers from overseas. It was reported that the April 2015 round of applications for H-1B visas exceeded the annual limit within the first week.

Workplaces are becoming more multicultural and more diverse, and Generation Y workers are redefining the way things are done. Despite the influx of younger workers, many baby boomers still continue to work beyond retirement age. This has produced a vibrant multigenerational workforce. It is not uncommon to have at least three generations working together in the modern workplace bringing with it some challenges but also many advantages.

Mobility programmes

Workers are much more mobile than before, and relocating to another city or even another country is now a common career move. Businesses are realising the need to groom talented employees with international experience, and mobility programmes that enable workers to gain global exposure are becoming increasingly popular.

Mobility in the financial services sector is extremely common. For instance, Credit Suisse are great proponents of internal mobility, and employees are encouraged to apply for positions in other regional offices. In 2014, 4,600 of their employees made an internal move, while 42% of their global vacancies were filled through internal transfers.

PwC's Survey of Global Mobility Policies found that 46% of the participating employers offered permanent transfer policies in 2012, up from 29% in 2002. Clearly, employees have more opportunities than ever to broaden their horizons.

Equality in the workforce

While women, ethnic minorities and disabled people still earn less and face discrimination in the workplace in modern society, we are slowly creeping towards greater equality in the workforce.

Many developed societies have enacted laws against discrimination on the basis of gender, ethnicity or disability, and awareness of the need for equality in the workplace is rising every day. The enactment of a slew of legislation targeting discrimination over the past 30 years seems to have helped to boost equality in the workforce and shaped Australians attitudes towards discrimination in general.

While the gender pay gap in Australia stands at 17.1% according to the Australian government, a recent survey showed that employers were cognisant of the need to pay their staff fairly, and many planned to undertake their own gender gap analyses to ensure they were not guilty of discrimination.

According to statistics released by the Australian government, the unemployment rate for 15 to 65 year olds in Australia with disabilities decreased from 17.8% to 9.4% from 1993 to 2012. This suggests that significant strides have been made in equal opportunity employment as far as it concerns those with disabilities.

Casualisation in the workforce

Working the traditional 40 hour week is no longer standard protocol in many professional businesses. Organisations are engaging with workers in many ways, such as, permanent part-time, fixed-term contracts, casual employees, via recruitment agencies and as independent contractors. For the worker, these options are fast becoming acceptable ways of earning a living.

While the advantages and disadvantages of such work arrangements can vary greatly depending on the circumstances, research published in the Guardian shows that a significant proportion of people working under casual arrangements in Australia do so out of choice. Further to that, Entity Solutions’ IPro Index indicates that over 80% of contractors surveyed are very satisfied with working as a contractor.

The wider range of working arrangements on offer can be a boon to a workforce with differing lifestyle needs.

Attraction and retention

Thanks to increasing worker mobility and the rise of the global marketplace, there are more opportunities than ever for young, ambitious workers. Businesses are seeing a marked change in employee ideals and are scrambling to put in place retention strategies that can encourage workers to stay for the long haul.

Employers are discovering that Generation Y employees don't just want a stable job -they're looking for opportunities for growth, flexibility and a cause they care about. The savviest employers are able to adjust their retention strategies to help young workers find meaning and satisfaction in their work.

For instance, Richard Branson has increased the amount of paid paternity leave at Virgin to a full year. Google provides employees with free on-site medical care, travel insurance on their personal vacations and even free legal advice. It's no wonder that Virgin and Google are two of the most sought after employers today.

Workplaces all over the world continue to evolve, and in a few decades we can expect workplaces that are radically different from those of today. While we can't predict with certainty what the future holds, the trends of today give us a hint of what is to come. Businesses need to start thinking about workforce issues on a global scale, and deciding how they are going to deal with the sea change that awaits.

Community Groups to benefit from Grants

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 00:46:28 GMT

City of Parramatta will award 40 community groups with funding grants worth more than $410,000 at a ceremony on Wednesday 29 June, 2016.

The annual grants will be awarded to local not-for-profit community, recreation and sporting groups, local services, social enterprises and individuals across eight funding categories.

“Investing money back into programs that assist the community encourages and supports the creation of new and innovative projects that will make a positive difference to people’s lives,” City of Parramatta Administrator Amanda Chadwick said.

“Council supports a wide range of services and activities that contribute to our strategic objectives and help local communities. The recipients will also be allocated a staff member within Council to ensure ongoing collaboration and support for their projects.”

Among the programs that have received funding are cultural and creative projects, local school sports initiatives, a multicultural healthy cooking program and a music therapy program for deaf and hearing impaired children and their families.

“This is the 10th year that Council has run the Community Grants program in this form and I am pleased to support so many important services and initiatives.”

Small Grants, Parramatta Sport and Recreation Grants, and Representative Sport Grants are open year round. Updates on community funding rounds for 2016/17 will be provided at www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/grants.

For a full list of successful applicants click here.

Sponsoring Ronald McDonald House Westmead is a hole in one!

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 23:18:24 GMT

The 18th Annual Ronald McDonald House Westmead Charity Golf Classic is coming up on Tuesday 9 August and we need your support.

Gold Hole Sponsorship is a fantastic opportunity for any organisation looking to help us provide a ‘home away from home’ for families with seriously ill children. Plus, you get to play on a world-class championship course which has been recognised as one of the Top 100 courses in Australia.

GOLD HOLE SPONSORSHIP - $2,000

Includes:

Registration and entry for team of 4 including carts
Prominent corporate signage and opportunity for brand activations at sponsored hole
Logo displayed in the Golf Day Program and Presentation
Logo displayed on the Ronald McDonald House Westmead social media platforms
Photograph opportunities on the day
Opportunity for a branded item in the player gift bag
Invitation for private tour of RMH Westmead for organisation and key stakeholders
Certificate of Recognition for your support

Activities on the day include:

A day of Ambrose golf at Castle Hill Country Club
Great prizes plus fun and games at various holes on the course
BBQ breakfast
Delicious meal in Members Lounge after golf
Live and silent auctions
Great opportunity to network with over 100 other corporate attendees

To discuss sponsorship opportunities or to donate prizes, please contact our Event Coordinator, Michelle Burman on 02 9845 0600 or email michelleb@rmhwestmead.org.au

Using boundaries to better manage employees after disclosure of a mental illness

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 23:11:12 GMT

Boundaries are a common area of thought, professional debate and clinical intervention in professions which work with individuals dealing with mental illness. In counselling settings the invitation that is made to clients to alter the normal boundary around what information they share with others and how much of themselves they can openly reveal clearly has to be matched with very clearly defined and understood boundaries that puts a professional shape to that relationship.

However similar boundaries are found all over the workplace, in HR policy and Key Performance Indicator documents, in employment contracts, legislation, return to work plans and performance meetings. Anywhere that an agreement has been reached about what is typical and expected behavior for a given situation, and even sometimes only in the unspoken assumptions of individuals, there exists a boundary such as the helping professions would define one.

However they are expressed, boundaries, when clearly articulated and reached in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, can be the way we come to understand and assess our own sense of achievement, competence, self-worth and of our alignment with the others in our lives, personally or professionally.

Within the workplace, boundaries are often expressed as policy documents, KPIs and performance expectations, codes of conduct and even simple elements such as shift times and meeting start times. It goes without saying that when clearly articulated, collaboratively designed, well promoted and maintained with regular and equitable implementation across a business, these workplace boundaries can contribute to a psychologically healthy workplace.

Naturally, in providing a response to an employee’s disclosure of mental illness, and its potential impact on their participation in the workplace, it is these kinds of boundaries that require review to ensure that support is provide to the employee of a nature which is appropriate to their individual needs and their required performance.

It is in the definition of appropriate support and required performance that lie the challenges for workplaces, individuals and health professionals alike. Employees facing new or changing experiences of mental illness are already likely to be sensitive and perhaps less resilient in the face of changes in workplace expectations.

Clearly stated expectations, identified via professional assessment of functional capacity over time in the workplace, collaboratively developed and closely resembling the typical expectations for the employee are the most likely to maintain the employees function throughout and beyond recovery.

It may be obvious that a blaming, stigmatizing or inflexible approach to changing employee needs contributes to poor outcomes. However, even well intentioned offers of flexibility, relaxation of performance expectations and open ended support time frames can impact outcomes negatively if the boundaries around the changed role and expectations are vague in the minds of stakeholders.

The structure and clarity that is a necessary component of a well-functioning workplace can serve as a strongly protective and stable influence in the lives of employees with experiences of mental illness. The tools and processes which provide this stability are the very ones managers of all stripes use every day, however are also ones which they are the most likely to begin to dilute in the face of an unfamiliar mental illness disclosure by employees.

If you would like to find out more about Injury Treatment’s Optimise Corporate Health Services please contact us on 1300 622 734.

Bringing innovation to life at Client Innovation Day

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 02:38:32 GMT

The words ‘disruption’ and ‘change’ are uttered daily these days, as organisations of all kinds seek to keep pace with never-ending challenges and transformations to the way they do business. The question is – how can businesses effectively adapt and innovate in the face of constant change?

This question was at the core of DibbsBarker’s Client Innovation Day, recently hosted in the firm’s Sydney office. From morning until night, clients mixed and mingled with DibbsBarker staff at a series of thought-provoking sessions that pulled everyone out of the day-to-day, immersing them in creative thinking and inspiring discussion.

The day kicked off with a breakfast panel featuring Angela Mentis, Group Executive, Business Banking at NAB, speaking about the changing world of banking and how her organisation is harnessing the power of those changes to move forward. Angela was joined by Christine Middap, Editor of The Weekend Australian Magazine, as well as Fay Calderone from DibbsBarker’s People & Workplace team.

In a second stand-out session, Dr Gerald Khoury facilitated an enlightening discussion over lunch about the value of creativity as a leadership trait, the connection between creativity and innovation, and the secret to creating industry-changing innovation and disruption.

DibbsBarker’s own presenters included restructuring specialist Macaire Bromley, intellectual property experts Stuart Green and Catherine Boxhall, property specialist Andrew Flannery and corporate / M&A specialist Lis Boyce.

David Carter, the DibbsBarker partner who spear-headed Client Innovation Day, said: “We wanted to give both our clients and our staff an opportunity to take a step away from their desks and participate in something different – something that would engage and inspire them to think about what it really means to be ‘innovative’, which we all need to be in a climate of so much change. It was a great day and we were privileged to have such exceptional guest speakers leading and participating in the fun.”

DibbsBarker has plans to host a similar Client Innovation Day in its Brisbane office, following the resounding success of the Sydney event.

For more about DibbsBarker, visit the firm website or LinkedIn page.

BREED's Free Bottom Line Series Seminars

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 02:09:21 GMT

BREED would like to invite you to their next Bottom Line Series seminar for 2016: Unfair Terms in Contracts and Small Business.

This free seminar will cover contracts used in small business and the unfair terms that can go along with them. Bring your questions!

The event details are as follows:

Presenter: Steve Brown - Etienne Lawyers

Date: Wednesday 20th July, 2016

Time: 5:15pm for 5:30pm

Address: Nirimba Education Precinct, Building T2A, Warawara Circuit, Quakers Hill NSW 2763

RSVP: As numbers are limited, bookings are essential - Register here

Cost: Free

For more information, visit breed.org.au or contact Naomi Pikse:

P: 9853 3200

E: info@breed.org.au

The Supply Chain’s Connected to the Manufacturing Line, the Manufacturing Line’s Connected to the Sale’s Line.

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 01:11:57 GMT

I was sure the problem was in my knee. It hurt when I walked, it hurt when I stood up, it hurt whenever I straightened it. I definitely had a problem with my knee.

But no, my doctor diagnosed a hamstring strain. After a week of following his instructions it was a good as new.

So what led my doctor to look away from my obvious pain point?

He was armed with the results of a raft of tests. He drew on his experience with clients with similar complaints. He had his own expertise and had access to an array of specialists and their knowledge. In short, he had built up knowledge that led him to take a more holistic view. He understood how everything fit, how all the parts worked together.

Running a business is similar. Understanding how all the parts of the business interact is the key. Intelligence is the fuel that runs the business. How do you know if a downturn in sales is due to seasonality or a parts shortage or the loss of a major client? Business intelligence is the answer and the key to business intelligence is the business management system on which the organization is run.

What sort of system do you want? You want a system that is simple to use. Ideally, you would like something that looks familiar and is easy to learn. You want a system that will grow with the business. You don’t want to have to move to a new system and move any data across. You want a system that will manage all aspects of the business. You want a system that adapts and grows and may be customised to your industry.

The good news is that KPMG’s Microsoft Dynamics practice provides an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution that meets these requirements. It’s a solution designed to help businesses make smarter decisions with real time insights. It is a system that understands how all the parts work together.

If you would like further information contact me:

Greg Hunt

KPMG

M: 0412 402 464

E: ghunt4@kpmg.com.au

The Best Bet for Melbourne Cup

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 00:29:22 GMT

What’s the best bet for Melbourne Cup? Novotel Sydney Norwest.

Celebrate the race that stops the nation with our Melbourne Cup Luncheon.

$98.00 per person
Tuesday 1st November 2016
Grand Ballroom
12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Package Inclusive of:

· Sumptuous buffet

· Large screen coverage of the day

· 4 hour beverage package

· Lucky door prizes

· Entertainment

· Sweepstakes

· Complimentary car parking

Bookings Essential

Simply call (02) 9634 9634 or email meetings@novotelnorwest.com.au

*Terms and conditions apply. Tables of 10 people

Dine In Style While Raising Funds For Diabetes Research And Care

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 23:45:35 GMT

On Saturday 6 August 2016, multi award-winning Loxley on Bellbird Hill will welcome over 100 guests for an important fundraising degustation dinner and a night filled with fabulous entertainment, great prizes, gifts for attendees and more. Funds raised from this inaugural event will help My Westmead support Diabetes research and care.

My Westmead is the charity arm for Westmead Hospital and The Westmead Institute for Medical Research. These institutions work together to provide ‘bench to bedside’ treatment and care for everyone in Western Sydney. Breakthroughs and discoveries made by researchers are translated into actual outcomes for patients being treated locally.

The inaugural ‘Dine In Style’ event will take place on Saturday, 6 August 2016 and is the brainchild of Loxley owner Paul Maher. The venue specialises in weddings, conferences, accommodation and private dining. Located in Kurrajong Hills, the original land grant dates back to 1833, one of the oldest grants in Australia and has since been developed into the scenic 30 acre estate that stands today. Loxley on Bellbird Hill is one of Western Sydney’s most elegant and romantic destinations and is situated at Kurrajong Hills, the gateway to the world heritage listed Blue Mountains.

Paul Maher and Loxley on Bellbird Hill have been long term supporters of My Westmead. They are true examples of positivity and advocacy for Western Sydney and their generosity over many years has helped My Westmead with multiple events and fundraising campaigns. Paul is a dedicated ambassador for businesses in Western Sydney and the potential of what can be achieved by supporting each other.

Paul has a personal connection with Westmead, both his parents were treated at Westmead Hospital and his son was in intensive care at Westmead’s ICU after a major motorcycle accident.

Associate Professor Wayne Hawthorne, who will be a guest speaker at the event, leads a specialised team of professionals committed to providing patients with the best possible treatments for Type 1 diabetes. They are working to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes and to help patients that suffer from secondary complications such as renal failure.

For more information about the ‘Dine In Style’ event at Loxley on Bellbird Hill or how you or your business can support health care and research, contact My Westmead on 1800 639 037 or visit mywestmead.com.au

ARC has huge success at Western Sydney Careers Expo!

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 23:38:01 GMT

ARC makes career development easy. We specialise in placing school leavers into 12 month business traineeships in many varied industries and run government funded training courses in five key industries (business, retail, warehousing and logistics, process manufacturing and community services).

From exhibiting at the Western Sydney Careers Expo across four days, we have over 1,000 students interested in a traineeship and the Interview Skills Bootcamp, a great achievement for our team and one that we are extremely proud of!

ARC was able to present our traineeship program to school leavers and widen the career options for many young adults leaving school.

With National Skills Week (August 29th-September 4th) and the end of the school year rapidly approaching, we took this opportunity to introduce an Interview Skills Bootcamp and our ARC Pathway program – an intensive ‘job ready’ course.

Our success at this event has prompted us to exhibit at other various Conferences and Expos later this year. To see our success in action, visit our Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/arcgrouparcies/ .

New location for Parramatta CBD Pool

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 23:32:39 GMT

City of Parramatta has welcomed the State Government’s commitment to investigate locating a new aquatic centre on the site of the former Golf Course in Parramatta Park.

The State Government has confirmed the Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Centre will be closed to make way for the $350 million Parramatta Stadium redevelopment.

“Council has been working closely with the State Government to identify a new site for an aquatic centre near the heart of the CBD, which will service the immediate Parramatta area and beyond. While losing a much loved community asset, the building of a new centre presents an opportunity to design a swimming facility for the future,” City of Parramatta Administrator Amanda Chadwick said.

“The former golf course site, which is situated on Parramatta Park Trust land, will now be the subject of a State Government feasibility study and masterplan to determine its suitability and to provide greater clarity about the costs of developing the facility.

“Selecting a site for the new aquatic centre is an important first step in the process. Council will now continue to work with the State Government to explore funding options to ensure the vision for the swimming facility is realised.

“The pool is a very popular community asset with an average of 160,000 visitations per year. It has been serving the community since it opened in 1959 and we understand that many people have fond memories of the pool.

“Interim arrangements are being developed to reduce the inconveniences that we know the pool patrons, including the Parramatta Memorial Swimming Club, will experience. We will do what we can to help ensure important social, health and swim safety services continue during the construction period.

“We are working with the Government to investigate and negotiate arrangements for swim school users and other swimmers to access other facilities in the area.

“There will be short-term inconveniences for pool users, which we regret. However, in time Parramatta will be home to a world-class sports stadium and a modern aquatic facility.”

Council currently leases the land that the Parramatta Swimming Centre occupies from the Parramatta Park Trust on a month-by-month basis.

The State Government has indicated that the current Centre will be able to remain open throughout the 2016/17 summer season until the end of March 2017.

4 Top Tips for a Spectacular Gala Dinner

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 06:08:50 GMT

Use these 4 easy tips to transform your next corporate event into a spectacular Gala Dinner.

Tip 1 – Make a great first impression

From the moment they arrive, your guests should know they are in for a fun, spectacular evening so choose decorations that create the WOW factor.

These days, event decorations are more than table centrepieces and chair sashes. They can include floral walls, trellised archways, plants and flowers suspended from the ceiling, chandeliers, candelabras, even tropical fish tanks and faux sand castles if they match the theme.

If you are hosting a themed Gala Dinner, the room decorations should immediately transport your guests. For example, if your theme is Under the Big Top, the décor should take your guests to the circus.

Tip 2 – A balanced mix of entertainment & conversation

Keep the WOW factor coming with carefully selected, jaw dropping entertainment. If your venue allows, consider aerial performers (they require high ceilings), acrobats, contortionists, fire eaters, stilt walkers and dancers. Hiring a comedian is another option to add fun and humour to your event.

Mix it up a little with a dance floor and music to keep your guests moving and energised. Depending on your budget, live musicians are always popular – especially if their music matches the theme of your Gala. Alternatively, hiring a DJ is a cost effective option and s/he will be able to play a variety of music to suit the tastes of your guests.

Try to balance all of this excitement with quieter periods so your guests can chat with each other and mingle between tables. Also allow time for speeches and presentations if required.

With many components to the entertainment, it’s a good idea to hire an experienced MC for the night. His or her role will be to direct your guests’ attention by introducing the entertainment and speakers as well as keeping the whole event flowing and on schedule.

Tip 3 – Choice of food and drinks

The food you serve your guests can make or break the success of a Gala Dinner so don’t skimp on the quality of the food served.

Table service is the norm, however some organisers choose dessert buffets as a way to get guests away from their table and mingling with each other.

Provide plenty of soft drinks to ensure each designated driver has plenty of non-alcoholic options. Soft drinks are also important for those guests who love to dance. They usually need a lot of rehydration.

Tip 4 – Ask for help

Gala Dinners require a great deal of organisation so ask for help from a committee or the venue itself.

WatervieW in Bicentennial Park provides a range of options for organisations wanting to hold a Gala Dinner. In addition, their experienced corporate event managers have the contacts to help you source anything you desire.

Enquire online for more information or call 02 9764 9900.

Five Australian businesses each win $25,000 grants from St.George to kick-start their start-up

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 04:29:26 GMT

St.George Bank today announced the five Australian businesses that have each received $25,000 cash grants to help turn their business idea into reality. The winners were awarded the grants after each delivering a ‘fast pitch’ at this week’s TEDxSydney conference held at the Sydney Opera House.

The winners of this year’s St.George Bank Kick Start Your Start-Up Grants program are:

• Sleepy Bub: SLEEPY BUB is a new business launching mid-2016 to bring sleep back into the family home, with a core product designed to help babies sleep safer and remain swaddled all night long.

• AirBuddy: AirBuddy provides the freedom to dive whenever you want without the hassle or the restrictive bulk of SCUBA gear. AirBuddy doesn't require any air tanks, yet still offers 45 minutes of diving time at a depth of up to 12 meters (40 ft).

• Conweigh: Conweigh is a new on demand, on site mobile container weighing service that provides shippers with the perfect balance of convenience, efficiency and affordability.

• Iridium Dynamics: Iridium Dynamics are developing a novel, highly-efficient unmanned aircraft specifically for the agriculture industry.

• BRiN: BRiN is a smart-phone app that uses the power of Artificial Intelligence to provide human-like support to millions of business owners simultaneously.

Cathy Yuncken, General Manager Business Banking, St.George Banking Group, congratulated each of the winning entrepreneurs, as well as all of this year’s finalists, for their innovative ideas and engaging pitches at TEDxSydney.

“The quality of all of this year’s entrants, and especially the five winning businesses, has been outstanding. The ideas presented cover varied industry sectors, from agriculture to business advice, and they highlight some of the incredible innovation alive among Australian small businesses,” Cathy Yuncken said.

“TEDxSydney is such a fantastic showcase of ideas and innovation and St.George is delighted to have given these Australian entrepreneurs a platform at this event to help get their creative concepts noticed.

“At St.George, we’re committed to helping our customers start something and turn their ideas into reality. The winners of our Kick Start program now have a terrific cash boost to help take their business idea to the next level.”

Each finalist received pre-event presentation training from the TEDxSydney team to prepare for their pitch. The five winning businesses were selected by a panel of industry experts including: General Manager Business Banking, St.George Banking Group, Cathy Yuncken; TEDxSydney Founder and Licensee Remo Giuffré; and Founder and CEO of The Entourage, Jack Delosa.

Since 2014, the St.George Kick Start program has helped small business owners by providing a total of $200,000 in grants to back great Australian ideas. In 2016, St.George increased its grants from $10,000 to $25,000 to a total of $125,000 as part of its continued commitment to Australian small businesses.

For further information on all of this year’s finalists visit: www.stgeorge.com.au/kickstart

Business Power Lunches

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 03:53:11 GMT

Drawing off the vibrant energy of the bustling Parramatta district, Novotel Sydney Parramatta’s 350 Restaurant & Lounge is a favourite among Western Sydney’s “Eat Street” restaurants. Savour modern Australian fusion cuisine combined in the new heart warming winter menus which include pre and post theatre options, Pintxo Wednesdays and all day dining.

For the ideal corporate lunch meeting, 350 Restaurant & Lounge have just launched business 'Power Lunches' which include a delicious 2 course menu for $19.00 or 3 courses for $29.00. Complimentary onsite parking is also included.

Click here for further information or to make a reservation.

Campbelltown City: Right Place, Right Time, Right Now

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 01:04:50 GMT

Campbelltown, located less than an hour south west of Sydney, is at the centre of one of the most significant current and future growth corridors in NSW.

As one of only three Regional City Centres outside of Sydney CBD and Parramatta, Campbelltown is a major economic and social entity, with the ability to attract a range of new business, government, health, cultural, retail and recreational opportunities to support the growing population of Macarthur and Greater Sydney.

Campbelltown is a changing city, experiencing a hive of new activity. The city has unlimited opportunities for people who are looking for a community where they can live, work, play and invest – all in the one area.

Click here to find out why it is the new destination of choice through our special feature…

Shop Till You Drop

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 22 May 2016 23:35:06 GMT

Book your next event with Novotel Sydney Norwest and go shopping.

When you hold a conference, business meeting or special event with us from May 2016 to August 2016, we’ll be pleased to reward you with a Myer Gift Card to the following value:

Your Event Value	Myer Gift Card Received
$1,500 to $3,000	You receive a $100 Myer Gift Card
$3,001 to $7,500	You receive a $250 Myer Gift Card
$7,501 to $10,000	You receive a $375 Myer Gift Card
$10,001 to $15,000	You receive a $550 Myer Gift Card
$15,001 and above	You receive a $750 Myer Gift Card

Talk to a member of our Meetings & Events team today to find out more about booking your next business or social event.

Phone: 02 9634 9661

Email: meetings@novotelnorwest.com.au

Terms and conditions apply

TAFE NSW WSI To Partner Apprenticeship & Traineeship Expo

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 May 2016 08:26:15 GMT

TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute is proud to be the principal partner of the Western Sydney Apprenticeship and Traineeship Expo 2016.

The expo will be held at the Penrith Panthers Exhibition Marquee, Mulgoa Road, Penrith on Tuesday 6 September 2016 from 3.00pm – 8.00pm. Entry is free to the public.

The expo will provide the perfect opportunity for students and job seekers to talk with over 100 potential employers and training providers.

Click here for further information.

Unfair Contract Terms: Protection Extended To Small Businesses

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 May 2016 06:01:00 GMT

Since 2010, consumers who enter into contracts with businesses have received the benefit of protection against unfair contract terms.

From 12 November 2016 that protection will be extended to protect small businesses as well, with the Small Business and Unfair Contract Terms Act 2015 (Cth) (Act) having now received royal assent.

This article provides an overview of the changes that are set to take effect later this year, and the steps that businesses should take sooner rather than later to make sure they are properly prepared.

What changes are introduced by the new legislation?

The Act amends two pieces of legislation which have provided consumers with protection against unfair contract terms for some time, being the:

1. Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth) for contracts relating to financial services or products (such as loan agreements, leases, hire-purchase agreements and debt factoring agreements)

2. Australian Consumer Law provision of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) for other contracts.

The Act extends the unfair contract terms protection in these Acts to standard form contracts that meet the following criteria:

at the time the contract is made or renewed (whether renewed automatically or by negotiation), one or more of the parties to the contract is a business that employs fewer than 20 people (counting full time employees, part time employees and casual employees who work on a regular and systematic basis);

the upfront price payable under the contract does not exceed:

- $300,000 for contracts lasting up to one year; or

- $1,000,000 for contracts lasting more than one year; and

the contract is for:

- the supply of goods or services; or

- the sale or grant of an interest in land; or

- a financial product; or

- the supply of financial services.

In addition, a small business contract that is covered by an industry code prescribed under the Competition and Consumer Act, such as the Franchising Code, will also be subject to the unfair contract terms law. However, if a contract term is required or expressly permitted by the applicable code, the unfair contract term provisions will not apply to that particular term.

There are three key questions to consider in determining whether a standard contract term might be considered unfair under the Act.

What is a ‘standard form contract’?

This term is not defined in the Act.

A court or tribunal will make its own assessment about what constitutes a standard form contract. The factors that will be taken into account include:

the bargaining power of the parties;

whether the contract was pre-prepared or pro-forma;

whether the contract was subject to negotiation or, alternatively, offered as a ‘take it or leave it’ contract; and

whether the contract took into account specific characteristics of the parties or the transaction.

What is the ‘upfront price’ of a contract?

The ‘upfront price’ of a contract is the consideration payable for the product or service supplied, and disclosed at or before the contract is entered into.

The upfront price does not include any consideration that is contingent on the occurrence or non occurrence of a particular event (for example, early exit fees or break costs).

Payments that are not referable to the product or service supplied are not part of the upfront price payable.

If credit is provided under the contract, the upfront price should be calculated by including the principal amount and disregarding the interest payable under the contract.

What is an ‘unfair’ term?

There are no prescribed or defined unfair terms.

Legislation provides that for a contract term to be unfair, the term must:

cause a significant imbalance in the parties’ rights and obligations;

not be reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate interest of the party advantaged by the term; and

cause financial or other detriment (such as delay) to a party if it were relied on.

The types of terms in standard form contracts which may be affected, and thus considered unfair, include:

unilateral variation terms

terms which require an amount to be repayable on demand;

automatic rollover provisions;

cross default provisions;

broad indemnities;

terms relating to the seizure of goods.

When will the changes take effect?

The changes will come into effect on 12 November 2016.

It is important to note that the new provisions will not apply to contracts that were entered into before this date. However:

if a contract is renewed after the changes commence, the provisions will apply to the renewed contract; and

if a contractual term is varied after the changes commence, the provisions will apply to the term as varied.

What will happen if a contract contains an unfair term?

If a contract term is deemed to be unfair, it will be void and therefore unenforceable.

However, the contract will continue to bind the parties if it can operate without the unfair term(s).

What should you do to prepare for the changes?

Although we are still in the early days of 2016 and it may seem that there is a long time to prepare for the changes before they take effect in November, it is likely that some (or many) standard form contracts will need to be amended. It is a good idea for all businesses to take the following steps sooner rather than later:

Review your customer base and categories of customers to get an understanding of how frequently you enter into agreements with businesses that employ fewer than 20 people.

Review your standard form B2B contracts (whether these are contracts with suppliers, customers or independent contractors) which might be used in transactions involving businesses that employ fewer than 20 people, to determine whether they contain terms that could be considered unfair.

When reviewing your standard form B2B contracts, don’t forget to consider agreements that are already on foot but may be renewed or varied at a later date.

Consider whether, and if so how, your standard form contracts might need to be amended before November 2016.

David Carter

Partner

D +61 2 8233 9550

M +61 418 472 189

E david.carter@dibbsbarker.com

The information in this document, broadcast or communication is provided for general guidance only. It is not legal advice, and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional legal or other advisors. No warranty is given to the correctness of the information contained in this document, broadcast or communication or its suitability for use by you. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted by DibbsBarker for any statement or opinion, or for an error or omission or for any loss or damage suffered as a result of reliance on or use by any person of any material in the document, broadcast or communication.

This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, it may only be reproduced for internal business purposes, and may not otherwise be copied, adapted, amended, published, communicated or otherwise made available to third parties, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of DibbsBarker.

Helping Manufacturers & Wholesalers Continue To Build Australia

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 May 2016 05:47:31 GMT

At St.George we are committed to helping manufacturers and wholesalers continue to help build Australia.

Since our foundation, we have helped manufacturers and wholesalers grow. Whether it’s through our strong understanding of the supply chain, sharing our knowledge of how to optimise working capital, or by providing specialist advice around foreign exchange and interest rate movements.

Local quality and service

Businesses and end customers are looking to Australian manufacturers and wholesalers for fast delivery of high quality goods that can be tailored to their needs. This requires our industry to stay at the forefront of innovation, workflow management, and expanding staff expertise.

At St.George, our focus is to help you grow and build wealth by connecting you with our network of specialists. Whether you are planning to expand around your core input or up or down the value chain, domestically or internationally, we have a range of banking products and services to release additional cash flow and combat against adverse market movements. We could also help you upgrade your equipment and facilities, become more energy efficient, and help prepare your business succession plan.

Connecting you with manufacturing and wholesale banking professionals

Working with business banking professionals who have a strong working knowledge of manufacturing and wholesale, could make the difference in the day-to-day running and future of your business. For more information, please contact Matthew Kelly, from our Manufacturing and Wholesale Banking team.

Matthew Kelly

M 0412 265 197

E kellyma@stgeorge.com.au

Things you should know: Credit criteria applies. Terms and conditions available on application. Please consider whether a product is suitable for you. St.George Bank a division of Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714. STG 01154 05/16

Making A Difference

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 May 2016 03:58:22 GMT

Matthews Folbigg Lawyers, a long time Platinum Partner of the WSBC, has re-committed itself to Making a Difference for its clients and staff, including with a new website and logo.

Jeff Brown, Chairman of Matthews Folbigg Lawyers, explained the change this way:

"The Principals of the firm have thought long and hard about the type of firm we are building together. We have spent a lot of time in discussion with our staff to get a handle on what it means to them to work at our firm. We have asked key stakeholders about their perceptions of us. The new logo is really just a symbol of the fresh thinking, both about the legal services market and us as key providers, that has come out of that process. I love the new logo, but I am even more proud of the core values we arrived at as a firm.

We Exist to Make a Difference. We do that in the following ways:

We do not accept the obvious
We employ, develop and harness talent
We work harder
We take it personally
We collaborate as a whole to deliver the best outcome

We believe living these values out makes us different to our competitors."

Why not explore the difference for yourself at www.matthewsfolbigg.com.au

Western Sydney Procurement Project

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 May 2016 03:45:10 GMT

Get Involved & Drive The Western Sydney Economy

I am pleased to advise that WSBC is working in partnership with the Department of Industry on a Western Sydney procurement project as part of a steering committee of major stakeholders in Western Sydney seeking to harness procurement opportunities in the region.

We are reaching out for your assistance.

Outlined below I have included a bit of background on the project and how the project will work towards sustainable procurement for the sustainability of local business. We want to encourage a higher percentage of company procurement funds to be spent in Western Sydney with local suppliers and in turn grow the Western Sydney economy.

The first part of the project is to create a directory of companies that procure products and services in excess of $5m with some detail on their procurement needs. This directory will then assist Western Sydney businesses when pitching for these goods/services. It will also increase awareness by large organisations of local SMEs and their capabilities, and ultimately create a Western Sydney supply chain where appropriate. (A similar project in the Hunter Region was extremely successful and we hope to better this in Western Sydney!).

WSBC and the Department of Industry would like to know if you are able to participate or if you could recommend companies based in Western Sydney that would complete a quick 10 min survey.

We will keep you informed of stage two in the process, which will include a series of procurement workshops and master classes.

The project will work on many levels and benefit both large organisations and SMEs. Ultimately your involvement will assist us in developing future programs to enhance the Western Sydney economy and future jobs growth.

I personally hope you are able to get involved and very much look forward to hearing from you.

If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Michael Sugg

CEO I WSBC

P: 8896 6045

E: msugg@wsbc.org.au

Increase In Bankruptcies, & Proposed Reforms To The Law Will Impact Business

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 May 2016 03:32:35 GMT

The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) has released its personal insolvency figures for the March quarter 2016. They show a fourth consecutive rise in personal insolvencies - the first time that there have been four consecutive rises in quarterly figures since 2009. Increased collections activity from the Australian Taxation Office and tough economic conditions have certainly had an impact on the rate of insolvencies nationwide.

At the same time the Federal Government has released a discussion paper recommending that there be a reduction in the current default bankruptcy period from 3 years to 1 year. The Federal Government's proposal paper suggests that reducing the duration of bankruptcy “…will encourage entrepreneurial endeavour and reduce associated stigma”.

Whilst it may be that making bankruptcy a less disruptive event for individuals will encourage entrepreneurship, it will also make prudent businesses more cautious in their dealings with customers and suppliers.

A key supplier entering into insolvency can have a disastrous impact on work flows, particularly when orders remain undelivered. The loss of a key customer due to insolvency has the obvious effect of reducing the market in the short term. Many businesses are unaware that it can also give rise to a lead to a “clawback” of payments made by the customer for as much as six months prior to their being made bankrupt.

The Insolvency and Restructuring team at Matthews Folbigg Lawyers are seeing an increasing number of businesses seeking assistance from us on the impact of bankruptcy, whether it is personal financial difficulties or the impact of a bankrupt customer or supplier.

Strengthening your terms of trade is a proactive step that can dramatically reduce the adverse consequences of a customer or supplier going broke. The effectiveness of any strategy to minimise the impact of insolvency is greater when advice is sought and change implemented early.

Newborns At Westmead Hospital Beneficiaries Of Challenge

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 May 2016 01:08:18 GMT

Will you run, ride or walk to give back to the community by supporting organisations making a difference to the lives of families in Western Sydney?

On its fourth year, the Coleman Greig Challenge is getting bigger and better and in 2016 My Westmead is set to be one of the beneficiaries of the challenge with funds raised to support newborn care.

This challenge provides businesses with the opportunity to join fellow participants for a friendly competition, give back to the community, raise company profiles and promote fitness in the workplace, all this while having lots of fun!

My Westmead has joined St Gabriel’s School, which supports children with hearing impairment and intellectual disabilities, and the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) as the official beneficiaries of funds raised through the Coleman Greig Challenge being held at Parramatta Park on Friday, October 21st 2016.

With over 5,200 babies born at the Hospital annually, your support – via sponsorship or through the registration of participants – means our newest members of the community receive the best possible start to life.

You can find more information or register as a team or individually at

Coleman Greig Challenge – Corporate for Community.

ARC Moves To George Street

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 May 2016 00:43:23 GMT

We are pleased to announce that we recently moved to a new office location on April 18 2016. Our new office is Level 9, 79 George St Parramatta NSW 2150, where we will continue to hold various training courses (business, community services, retail, manufacturing, logistics and warehousing), interview potential ARCies and meet our clients. This relocation is a result of continued business growth and an increase in staff. Our new premises are a short walk from the train station and local landmarks, retaining our commitment to the city of Parramatta and maintaining a central location on which to support our growing list of clients.

Our office number has remained the same – 1300 799 793.

Our new, larger office was professionally designed and constructed by Jeff Grimshaw and his team from CODA Commercial Interiors.

Should you have any questions on our relocation, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to seeing and serving you at our new spacious, light filled surroundings.

China Calls For Australian Made

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 May 2016 00:34:16 GMT

As China’s middle class continues to grow rapidly so does their taste for high quality, Australian made products. As a result, Sebel Furniture has returned some of our offshore manufacturing back to Western Sydney to support the increase in demand and export sales.

As China’s economy continues to grow, more of the country’s workers are earning a better income and joining the middle class. These working consumers are increasingly willing to pay a premium for higher quality, international brands like Sebel.

To capture the full potential of this attractive market segment, many Chinese companies are looking to differentiate themselves from local “copycat” products by selling Australian-made products such as Sebel’s hugely popular Postura Max chair. Designed and manufactured right here in Western Sydney, our Postura is loved by over 7.7 million people worldwide, and is now generating interest in the Chinese market due to its superior design and engineering.

Sebel’s 60 year heritage and commitment to rigorous product research, design and testing qualities has resonated with the emerging and affluent Chinese middle class. Our Design Led Innovation approach has lead to breakthroughs in the way we work with educators and this has helped us secure our first shipment to China. As a result, we have since appointed the Chinese company Beijing Kangai Healthcare Furniture Co Ltd (Kangai) as our exclusive distributor for our education range of furniture for China. Kangai are planning to launch Sebel to the market in May 2016. Their marketing campaigns are directly aimed at the middle class and promote messages of quality, durability, health, safety and good posture.

This partnership is just one of our exciting future growth plans and we look forward to further partnerships that will increase our export sales and dealer channels worldwide.

For more information on Sebel products, please visit www.sebelfurniture.com

The Western Sydney Student Recruitment Service

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 16 May 2016 02:29:22 GMT

Western Sydney University has launched a Student Recruitment Service that assists employers to link with current students and recent graduates to work on a part time or full time basis for a casual or ongoing position.

What do you get?

Efficient service
Targeted access to students and recent graduates with the skills you need

How does it work?

We take care of the whole recruitment process. All you need to do is to complete a short recruitment form and we will promote the opportunity to our students, shortlist applications and schedule interviews!

What are the benefits for you?

Links to suitable candidates
Stress-free recruitment
Quick turnaround

Cost

$350 (+GST) per position

Introductory Offer

As an exclusive offer to WSBC Members, employ a student through our recruitment service and receive two movie tickets*.

Don’t miss out! This limited offer is only available until 30 June, 2016.

*Terms & Conditions Apply

Contact

Click here to complete the Recruitment Request Form or contact:

Judy Holman

Business Partnership Facilitator

Western Sydney University Careers

j.holman@westernsydney.edu.au

4736 0388

Preparing your workforce for Industry 4.0

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 16 May 2016 01:08:56 GMT

The world is at the beginning of the Fourth Industrial revolution which, in conjunction with the New Digital Age, is the catalyst for rapid change in all industries and is presenting a multitude of challenges. A major issue facing businesses is having access to a global talent pool with the right skill sets needed to take the organisation into the era of digital transformation.

Entity Solutions CIO, Kamran Channa says, ‘digital is ubiquitous; successful businesses must connect, interact and transact with their customers how they want to and where they want to’. Most businesses have been investing in digital technologies and carrying out research in this area already, however according to experts, the pace of change is about to surge dramatically in the years ahead. Now, more than ever, a highly skilled workforce is imperative and skills which haven’t even been taught yet in schools and universities will be in great demand.

So how will this affect your workforce?

According to the World Economic Forum report The Future of Jobs: Employment, Skills and Workforce Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution which was released in January 2016, “On average, by 2020, more than a third of the desired core skill sets of most occupations will be comprised of skills that are not yet considered crucial to the job today”. We need to anticipate possible skill requirements of the future and prepare our workforces as best we can for the times ahead. Although it is difficult to predict which skills will be necessary when the job titles have not yet been conceived, we have to look at factors that research tells us will likely pose problems in the coming years.

In the Energy and ICT sectors, the report identified one of the greatest factors impacting their workforces is ‘disruptive innovation’, the process of designing a new technology which as a consequence outdates another. This will enable businesses to rise to the evolving demands of their customers; however will present workforce challenges as they eradicate some job titles, whilst creating new ones.

What’s the solution?

With the advancement of technology upon us and specialist skills already in short supply, companies have been prompted to re-evaluate their human resources models. A major influence of this change is the drive towards project based work assignments and flexible working arrangements. Utilising contingent workers in specialised areas to address bespoke business requirements provides the crucial benefit to up or downscale as the market dictates.

The subsequent phase is to build and effectively manage your organisation's talent pool in a proactive way to reduce future project lead times and respond quickly to customer demands. Further consideration should also be given to sourcing overseas expertise on a short-term basis. A global talent pool can offer an organisation a competitor advantage and the complexities that surround migration law should not be a deterrent. Having access to the best of bread talent will elevate innovation initiatives and organically encourage upskilling of staff.

Businesses will need to adapt to emerging technology promptly and planning ways to upskill existing staff will help to fill the skills gap. It has already been recognised that skills such as cognitive abilities, critical thinking and complex problem solving will be in high demand across all sectors. For organisations wanting immediate impact, Independent Professionals (IPros), entrepreneurial by nature, take responsibility for their own professional development. These highly skilled professionals are at the forefront of technologies relating to their field and have a willing desire to stay up to date with the latest training.

Ensuring you have a workforce that can engage effectively with new technology is crucial to the delivery of services customers now expect. Consider taking a proactive approach and thinking ahead to the skills your business will need in the future. Focusing on building strong talent pools with these skills, whilst accepting that these candidates may expect flexible working arrangements, will be the key to creating a more resilient workforce that will be ready for the future of work.

For more advice around managing a contingent workforce or assistance with migration solutions please contact Entity Solutions.

New City of Parramatta to drive growth of Western Sydney

Thu, 12 May 2016 06:36:50 GMT

A new Parramatta council to be known as the ‘City of Parramatta’ has assured new and existing residents and ratepayers that it will be business as usual when accessing local community services and facilities.

Centred on the former Parramatta City Council, the boundaries for the new Local Government Area incorporate most of the former Parramatta LGA, with the exclusion of the Woodville Ward, along with parts of the Hills, Hornsby and Auburn council areas, and a small section of the Holroyd LGA.

The boundaries have been confirmed as part of the ‘Fit for the Future’ local government reform process and encompass the economic hubs of the Westmead health precinct, the Parramatta CBD, the whole of the Epping town Centre and Sydney Olympic Park, as well as Wentworth Point.

The new LGA is primarily bordered by the natural boundaries of the M2 Motorway in the north, and the M4 Motorway in the south and creates a strong economic corridor centred on Global Sydney’s dual CBD.

Parramatta City Council’s former Woodville Ward has been merged with parts of the Auburn and Holroyd LGAs to form a new Local Government Area called Cumberland Council.

Greg Dyer, formerly the CEO of Parramatta City Council has been appointed as the Interim General Manager of the new City of Parramatta Council. Mr Dyer says council staff have been working behind the scenes with neighbouring councils to achieve a seamless transition to ensure there is no interruption to local services.

“We are very happy to welcome our new residents into the new City of Parramatta and I want to assure everyone that all services provided under their previous councils will continue as normal,” Mr Dyer said.

“This means that residents of Hornsby, the Hills, Auburn and Holroyd who are now part of the new City of Parramatta will continue to have the same waste collection arrangements and access to local services such as libraries, child care and seniors support.”

The boundary changes announced by the State Government will see Parramatta’s population increase immediately by about 20,000 to more than 216,000.

As a result of the NSW Government’s proclamation of the new boundaries, the Lord Mayor and Councillors no longer hold their roles but can seek re-election at the next local government elections, proposed to be held in September 2017.

In the interim the NSW Government has appointed Amanda Chadwick as Administrator who will perform the civic duties and responsibilities of Councillors. Ms Chadwick’s extensive experience includes numerous NSW State Government appointments at an executive level, most recently as the Executive Director of Policy & Economics at NSW Trade & Investment.

Mr Dyer said the expanded LGA will bring the economic corridor between Westmead, the Parramatta CBD and Sydney Olympic Park under the control of one council and will strengthen Parramatta’s position as Sydney’s dual CBD.

“It will allow for the streamlining of planning processes around the Western Sydney light rail network, which will fall entirely within the new LGA, and will enable improved connectivity with communities which have traditionally accessed employment, education and community services in the Parramatta CBD.

“Bringing the key economic centres of Westmead, Epping, the Parramatta CBD and Sydney Olympic Park under the one council banner creates an economic powerhouse that will drive the future growth of Western Sydney.

“It gives the City of Parramatta a stronger rate base which will help us deliver improved and increased services for residents across the entire LGA, while getting on with the job of building Australia’s next great city here in the heart of Global Sydney.

“The creation of a new, larger Parramatta council improves our ability to be a true partner with the State Government on important projects such as the light rail network and the development of the new Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. It will better enable Parramatta to fulfil its role as Sydney’s dual CBD, as outlined by the Government in its 2014 Metropolitan Strategy,” Mr Dyer said.

Residents wanting more information about the changes and council services are encouraged to visit Council’s website www.parracity.nsw.gov.au or contact Council’s Customer Service centre on 1300 617 058.

Dealmakers: Mid-Market M&A in Australia 2016

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 12 May 2016 01:35:28 GMT

Pitcher Partners has a strong leadership position within the middle market around Australia.

With the recent merger of Pitcher Partners Sydney and Moore Stephens Sydney, the combined expertise and resources means that nationally we are well positioned to share our understandings of what makes many middle market companies so successful.

Partnering with MergerMarket again this year, we have developed the enclosed report. The report delves into deal activity across sectors, delivering analysis and insights into the untold story of the middle market which makes up 73% of Australia’s M&A activity.

Key highlights of the report include:

Mid-market volumes have slipped by 19% compared to the prior year.
Deal activity was impacted by significant reductions in energy and mining together with a retreat in foreign capital and private equity.
M&A activity was concentrated in the leisure, energy, mining and utilities, business services, and consumer sectors.
While representing less than 10% of overall activity, agriculture and construction were the only sectors to report increased activity on 2014.
The benefits of pre-sale preparation and being sale ready in Australia’s mid-market.
Projections on hot sectors and deal drivers to watch for in 2016.

I trust you will find this report both informative and thought provoking and welcome the opportunity to discuss it with you further.

To read our Dealmakers: Mid-Market M&A in Australia 2016 please click here.

For further information, please contact your Pitcher Partners representative.

Simon Johnson

Principal – Corporate Finance

Pitcher Partners Sydney

+61 2 9228 2261

simon.johnson@pitcher.com.au

Information Sessions - $2000 Small Business Grant

Wed, 11 May 2016 23:37:47 GMT

The NSW State Government’s Small Business Grant provides small businesses with a grant of up to $2000 for every new employee.

The Office of State Revenue is running a free information session for small business owners and their representatives. Register now to learn more about the Grant. Seating is limited.

Location	Date	Time	Address
Campbelltown	16 May	6-7:00 pm	Campbelltown Catholic Club, 20-22 Camden Rd, Campbelltown
Blacktown	17 May	6-7:00 pm	Blacktown Workers Club, 55 Campbell St, Blacktown
Penrith	17 May	6-7:00 pm	Penrith RSL, 8 Tindale Street, Penrith
Parramatta	18 May	6-7:00 pm	Parramatta RSL, Cnr O'Connell and Macquarie St, Parramatta
Picton	18 May	6-7:00 pm	Picton Bowling Club, 10 Cliffe St, Picton
Bankstown	19 May	6-7:00 pm	Bankstown Sports Club, 8 Greenfield Pde, Bankstown
Castle Hill	19 May	6-7:00 pm	Castle Hill RSL, 77 Castle St, Castle Hill
Smeaton Grange	23 May	6-7:00 pm	South West Sydney Business Enterprise Centre, 1st floor Unit 12, 70 Topham Rd, Smeaton Grange
Liverpool	23 May	6-7:00 pm	Liverpool Council Chambers, Level 5, 33 Moore St Liverpool
Richmond	24 May	6-7:00 pm	Richmond Club, Cnr East Market and Francis St, Richmond
Fairfield	24 May	6-7:00 pm	Fairfield RSL Club, 14 Anzac Ave, Fairfield
Belmore	25 May	6-7:00 pm	Canterbury Leagues Club, 26 Bridge Rd, Belmore
Merrylands	25 May	6-7:00 pm	Merrylands Bowling Club, Cnr Oxford and Newman St, Merrylands
Lidcombe	26 May	6-7:00 pm	Dooleys - Lidcombe Catholic Club, 24/28 John St, Lidcombe
Mount Pritchard	26 May	6-7:00 pm	Mounties, 101 Meadows Rd, Mount Pritchard

If you have any questions about the information sessions, please contact our Client Education Team on 02 9689 6138 or client.education@osr.nsw.gov.au

For more information about the Grant, read the information below.

CareFlight Celebrating 30 Caring Years

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 11 May 2016 01:55:12 GMT

2016 marks 30 years of CareFlight saving lives. To commemorate this special occasion CareFlight will hold a major fundraising Gala Ball to mark their achievements over the last three decades.

Saturday 17 September will be the pinnacle fundraising event of 2016 with the 30^th Anniversary Gala Ball being held at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. The evening will be a spectacular Blue Tie event featuring dynamic entertainment, special guests, with a live and silent auction full of exclusive items.

Tickets are $250 each with tables of 10 also available. To purchase tickets contact Natalina on (02) 9843 5176 or email gala@careflight.org

Western Sydney Business Access: Benefits Of Private Equity Funding

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 02 May 2016 04:08:16 GMT

Where the Wild and Innovative Things Are

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 02 May 2016 03:00:00 GMT

Imagine visiting a zoo and not having to view the wildlife through wired fences or glass windows; or not having to plan ahead to ensure you make the ‘feeding times’ of your favourite animal; or not straining to hear the zookeeper from a distance introduce the animal under their care.

Jake Burgess, CEO of Sydney Zoo, did imagine this and, together with Western Sydney University (WSU), are seeking to deliver his vision for a fully immersed, on-safari, whole of family experience to Australia.

Through WSU’s Launch Pad innovation program, a zoo hackathon was held (on Friday 8th April 2016) aimed at bringing together people across various disciplines (including engineering, industrial design, science, zoology, business, communications, and information technology) to crowdsource ideas for the creation of the world’s most technologically advanced zoo.

Some ideas generated involved virtual reality technology, advanced multi-touch robust displays, live in-field discreet surveillance streaming, gamified educational applications, sensorised cageless enclosures, and bio-metric diagnostic monitoring tools for data collation and analytics. The winning idea will be announced in the next few weeks.

By partnering with WSU Launch Pad, Sydney Zoo is able to engage with its resident emerging tech startups, university scientists and researchers, and corporate sponsors, such as KPMG, who assisted with the facilitation of the zoo hackathon.

KPMG is committed to and seeks to support innovative ecosystems throughout Australia by sharing its industry knowledge and experience, and providing access to leading thinkers in the innovation space, to achieve commercial success, including:

General innovation consulting services to identify opportunities and create strategies that drive innovative initiatives and capabilities

Advice and assistance with R&D tax and grants

elevate61: together with Advance, deliver a rapid growth entrepreneur program for Australian start-ups to expand their market and funding to the US

Alliance with Artesian Venture Capital Fund to support the growth of Australian startups, and

Sponsorship of the Australian Fintech hub Stone & Chalk.

Article published by Tricia Liew, Manager, KPMG Innovate & elevate61

Get Your Injured Employee Moving with ViMove!

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 02 May 2016 02:45:23 GMT

Did you know that according to the most recent available WorkCover statistical bulletin back injuries accounted for 23% of the 6089 major injuries in NSW?

As the most common type of injury experienced by NSW employees it is important that you, as an employer, are able to provide the correct intervention to ensure your back-injured employee recovers and returns to productivity quickly. Injury Treatment, through their team of Physiotherapists, is pleased to be able to offer employers access to a state of the art intervention known as ViMove. Under the intervention ViMove sensors are used to record your employee’s low back movement, postures and muscle activation over the course of a work day.

Using the data collected the ViMove Physiotherapist will analyse the movement patterns of your injured employee at work. Activities and postures that might be contributing to symptom are identified and tailored advice provided regarding manual handling, task design and suitable duties. The result is that your employee is less likely to experience hiccups with their recovery and return to work!

If you would like to find out more about how ViMove, or other workplace based Physiotherapy interventions, can help your employees return to or continue at work please contact Injury Treatment on 1300 622 734.

Parisa hits the ground running at Novotel Sydney Parramatta

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 02 May 2016 02:28:06 GMT

Parisa Rad joins the team at Novotel Sydney Parramatta as Business Development Executive for Conference and Events and has already hit the ground running. With a strong background in hotel operations, Parisa’s personal experience and determination makes her a great addition to the team.

Parisa returns to Novotel Sydney Parramatta, having previously worked at the hotel in Front Office before she headed to Sydney Olympic Park hotels and Novotel Rooty Hill to gain more experience. She is excited to be back in Parramatta having observed it's continued growth as Sydney's second CBD. With this comes the possibility of working with great companies, many whom have already been very welcoming of Parisa into the area.

Parisa shows enthusiasm for working in hotels, enjoying the day to day interaction with people and being able to change a person’s day or feelings through genuine hospitality. She says of working for Accor, that everyone feels welcome, like family, and that every individual is encouraged to develop their personal growth.

With a passionate personality, Parisa is a real people person and enjoys social time with her family and friends over great food and drinks. Currently studying her Bachelor in Business and Commerce, Parisa has the character to succeed within the business world.

For a chat or assistance in organising your next conference or event with Novotel Sydney Parramatta in one of their great versatile spaces, feel free to contact Parisa directly on:

P: 02 9630 4999

E: h8787-sb@accor.com

Visit www.novotelparramatta.com.au for all their fantastic offers.

Analyse That! The Ins and Outs of Task Analysis

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 02 May 2016 02:06:05 GMT

Anyone who deals with injury management knows the value of having a medical certificate issued that matches the injured worker’s capacity to the duties available in the workplace. Equally important is the issue of a final certificate when the worker’s capacity matches that of his/her pre-injury duties. But what information is provided to the treating doctor to make this call? Do you have a workplace representative attend the first medical appointment with the injured worker and if so, are they equipped with adequate documentation to assist with negotiation of an appropriate medical certificate?

Task analysis reports that detail the physical, cognitive and environmental demands of suitable and/or pre-injury duties are invaluable in providing objective information to the doctor. If the doctor has a breakdown of tasks that includes weights to be lifted, working heights, bending, standing required etc. they are more likely to set meaningful restrictions that enable an early return to work.

Job task analysis reports can also be used to develop functional assessments for pre-employment/ internal redeployment screening or assessments of a worker’s ongoing capacity to remain at work. The analysis conducted during the job task assessment can also form the basis from which tailored manual handling training can be developed. A good place to start!

If you would like to know more about Injury Treatment’s tailored job task analysis service, or any of our injury prevention services, please contact Judy Jankovics, Manager Training and Corporate Health on 02 8746 3314.

Mentors Wanted

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 02 May 2016 02:00:00 GMT

Would you welcome a new and fulfilling opportunity which would enable you to give back to a worthy community organisation and strengthen your skills?

The NDIS is an Australian Government scheme that will give people with disability the opportunity to develop their own goals and make decisions about their supports, including who will provide them. Northcott is registered to provide supports for NDIS participants. The rollout of the NDIS will commence in July 2016 and we want your help to support our managers through this change.

We want to hear from leaders in your organisation who:

Have experience in senior management roles
Have managed during periods of great change
Are excellent communicators and sensitive to the needs of others
Can commit to volunteering 1 hour per month over a full year
Are keen to give back to the community

For more information or to register your interest, contact: Melanie Hughes by May 20 via:

P: 9890 0505

E: melanie.hughes@northcott.com.au

Will the May Budget deliver on promises of innovation?

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 02 May 2016 01:59:19 GMT

The upcoming release of the 2016/2017 Australian Federal Budget has the nation abuzz with speculation of many changes, including possible tax concessions to businesses. However, one policy focus getting particular attention is “the Ideas Boom”– the government’s proposal of investment in innovation across all sectors. One of the key areas in discussion is to provide easier pathways to funding for Universities and businesses to collaborate in industry based research. So what does this mean for the economy?

Currently, Australia is trailing behind many other countries in the world when it comes to innovation. Europe, Israel and the U.S have been investing in this area for a lot longer and the results are evident. Our great resources boom is scaling down and now we need the next big thing to keep the economy going. If we have businesses collaborating with researchers, the research will be conducted in the areas which are most vital to the industry and those which will help propel that particular industry into the future.

The National Innovation and Science Agenda website explains plans to fast track the project funding process, meaning a shorter lag time between research and development of products and services and those being used in industry. The increase in project-based work will produce a transferrable workforce with added emphasis on more flexible working arrangements, where workers can move more easily from project to project.

The Turnbull government has also recognised the need to attract the best of the world’s talent to Australia and to be able to retain the talent we have. As we move into the New World of Work, the emphasis has shifted to the value of human talent, and in order to produce this valuable commodity, it is necessary to invest in research and innovation. According to CEDA’s 2016 Economic and Political Overview report, Universities and Business working together will:

Enable businesses to focus on research and development in a more targeted, intensive way
Result in organisations spending less money and time in this area
Produce talent that is relevant, more aligned to business needs and job ready by involving university students in research and development

In combining our talent in these areas, we are increasing our competitive advantage on a global scale. The National Innovation and Science Agenda states that “Innovative firms are more competitive, more able to capture increased market share and more likely to increase employment than their competitors.” It can be argued that this is a case of too little, too late for the government to be pushing such an agenda and that the private sector has been fuelling this for a lot longer, but the fact remains that we can only benefit from investment in these areas.

If the government is able to deliver on these policies as promised, it would provide a much-needed boost for the education and business sectors. It will also help shape the growing contingent workforce into the fluid asset our economy now demands.

Disruption in the workforce

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 02 May 2016 01:52:14 GMT

More than just a buzz word, disruption is what we are seeing all around us and its impact on the workplace is undeniable. From major technological developments like Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things, to the rise of the ‘next generation’ workforce, there is no doubt that the way we work is changing.

In the video interview below, Fay Calderone from DibbsBarker's People & Workplace team speaks with BRR Media about some of the things employers should think about as they start to create more agile workforces and innovative workplaces to keep pace in an era of unrelenting change.

Click here to view the video

There’s still time to join Northcott Fit For Funds!

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 02 May 2016 01:45:45 GMT

There’s still time to take that yoga class you’ve been thinking about.

There’s still time to go for a swim on Sunday mornings.

There’s still time to quit smoking.

There’s still time to get fit for Northcott!

Throughout May, disability service provider Northcott is encouraging people of all abilities to get active and make a real difference to the lives of people with disability.

It’s really easy to join up – just head to Northcott’s Everyday Hero page and get started!

Government and landowners unite for Western Sydney Rail 'Missing Link'

Fri, 22 Apr 2016 02:43:35 GMT

Western Sydney’s councils, major landowners and advocacy groups have joined forces to campaign for Sydney’s missing rail link – a ‘north/south spine’ through Badgerys Creek Airport that links major regional residential and employment zones.

The Western Sydney Rail Alliance comprising of Campbelltown, Liverpool and Penrith Councils, Sydney University, south-west and north-west landowners, and the Committee for Sydney and Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue are united in their calls for a rail connection along the north-south corridor, stretching from Campbelltown/Camden in the South West through to Marsden Park in the North West.

Known as the ‘innovation corridor’ which was the focus for WSBC Platinum Partner Western Sydney University's report and WSBC event last year, the route would link Western Sydney’s massive growth areas, as well as Badgerys Creek Airport, the Sydney Science Park and major tertiary institutions.

The Alliance has been established to respond to the Joint NSW/Federal Government Investigation into Rail Options for Western Sydney, and has appointed WSBC Platinum Partner Deloitte and Arup to prepare a detailed submission, analysing the opportunities and challenges that exist in the corridor and how improved transport links will unlock the jobs, homes and education of the future. Importantly, the study will also examine the ‘value capture’ potential of this corridor, to help meet the costs of construction.

“The one critical thing missing in Sydney’s transport network is the north-south spine, a connection that links to all of the key growth and employment areas. Make no mistake, this is not just about leveraging the once in a lifetime opportunities that come with the Western Sydney Airport, but about connecting Western Sydney with Western Sydney,” Convenor of the Western Sydney Rail Alliance, Christopher Brown said.

“We see a rail connection along the innovation corridor as the catalyst that will drive the smart jobs of tomorrow and when integrated with current metro and heavy rail and light rail plans, will form a complete orbital transport network that works for all of Sydney.”

“There are a lot of urgers touting their own fast train projects from Badgerys Creek to the city but we all need to recognise that this is not Sydney’s second airport, it’s our first airport, and our link to global jobs of the future. Before we get carried away with rail lines to Circular Quay, we first need to ensure the people of Penrith, Liverpool, Blacktown, Parramatta and Campbelltown can get to and from Sydney West Airport.”

Tim Williams, CEO, Committee for Sydney added:

“Public transport is vital for Western Sydney’s future. When combined with Badgerys Creek Airport, and fast rail connections between Parramatta and the CBD, it is a game-changer for the region,” he said.

“Western Sydney has lacked equitable access to public transport for too long and effective links across the region will drive productivity and boost the creation of knowledge economy precincts.

Liverpool, Mayor, Cr Ned Mannoun:

“Improving transport is a major dynamic to opening up the Great South West to more employment and investment,” Cr Mannoun said.

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown:

“To maximise Western Sydney’s productivity and realise the region’s potential there needs to be more connection between the North West and South West Growth Centres. Rail will re-shape the region and be followed by new town centres that are thick with jobs of the future.”

Campbelltown Mayor, Cr Paul Hawker:

“Our area is growing at a rapid rate, and supporting this growth with suitable infrastructure that facilitates efficient movement of people and goods between the North West and South West Growth Centres will help to ensure that the liveability and business potential of the Macarthur region is maximised,” Cr Hawker said.

Prize site in Council’s cultural and entertainment precinct on Parramatta River released for development

Fri, 22 Apr 2016 02:34:45 GMT

Parramatta City Council is releasing for development the first parcel of property in its landmark $1.2 billion cultural and entertainment precinct on the Parramatta River.

At completion, the 20,000 square metre Riverbank mixed-use precinct will provide an optimal blend of residential, dining, retail, heritage and cultural facilities including flexible open space that will attract residents and visitors to the rejuvenated waterfront location.

Council will run an Expressions of Interest campaign throughout March and April for a 5,150 square metre parcel of land on the Riverbank site that is prime for residential and retail development.

Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard said the redeveloped Riverbank precinct will be a compelling all-hours entertainment and cultural destination that will connect with and complement the $2 billion Parramatta Square business district.

“Council has a development blueprint for Riverbank that proposes up to 1,200 apartments, 6,000 square metres of retail, and 10,000 square metres of open space. It includes the preservation of local heritage and the possibility of an iconic cultural asset to distinguish Riverbank as the cultural heart of Australia’s next great city,” Cr Garrard said.

“The first parcel of land for sale sits on the western side of the precinct. It offers an enviable waterfront location prime for a high-quality development including residential, retail and dining spaces that can set the precedent for a vibrant Riverbank precinct.”

Cr Garrard said the 5,150 square metre western site could yield up to 680 apartments in a 74-storey mixed-use tower, subject to Council approval.

“We are offering this site without a development application as we want to give a developer the flexibility to achieve design excellence for the residential tower and retail space to complement Council’s vision for Riverbank,” he said.

“The successful proponent will be required to carry out a design competition and obtain all necessary approvals.”

Expressions of Interest will close in early May.

WSBC Gold member, The NSW Department of Industry, in conjunction with WSBC Platinum Partner Western Sydney University invite you to "Bridging the Innovation Gap" manufacturing showcase.

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 23:46:04 GMT

The Bridging Innovation Gap Advanced Manufacturing Showcase event will deliver a series of real life case studies showing how manufacturing based SME's have partnered with Universities, TAFE, CSIRO and other institutions to achieve a competitive advantage in their industries.

If you or any of your clients are manufacturing based SMEs in Western Sydney, this event is critical for the future of their business and we urge you to encourage them to attend. Held at Western Sydney University's Launch Pad, Kingswood on the 6 May we hope to see you there.

Registration is free via this link and space is limited.

Developing Greater Western Sydney Conference

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 02:41:10 GMT

With $35 billion worth of infrastructure in the pipeline, Western Sydney is finding its momentum.

However, there is still a long way to go.

Infrastructure projects recently given the green light, such as the Parramatta Light Rail and Western Sydney airport, will generate jobs. But how do we ensure long-term employment opportunities? And how do we connect people to these opportunities?

By 2021, 52% of Sydney’s population is forecast to be in Western Sydney, but only 38% of jobs will be in the region. Currently, some 300,000 workers commute east every day for work. Official projections indicate that by 2041, 140,000 more commuters will be using the region’s already congested transport links to the city.

The jobs deficit is one source of inequity between east and west, but the lack of connectivity between jobs and homes, in particular north/south transport links, also plays a role. Infrastructure projects and transport upgrades such as Sydney Metro Northwest and WestConnex aim to address the worsening congestion on the routes spanning radially out of the CBD. But according to Deloitte Access Economics research, to meet increasing transport demand, it is predicted that 19 new freeways, six new train lines or 1,700 more buses would be required to transport workers to jobs in the east.

Perhaps a more realistic solution would be to create more jobs in the west.

Deloitte’s Shaping Future Cities: Designing Western Sydney, launched by NSW Premier Baird in December last year, is a blueprint to do just that. Putting forward 133 recommendations, grouped into 25 strategies, the blueprint sets out a three-stage process to build platforms for jobs growth, create jobs in specific industries and connect local people to those jobs.

Shaping Future Cities not only highlights Western Sydney’s new found momentum, but also its potential. Spanning over 9,000 square kilometres, Western Sydney is Australia’s third largest economy.

“There is so much multiculturalism in Western Sydney and its young, entrepreneurial population makes it a vibrant and exciting place to be. We’ve recently seen NSW take the lead as the economic powerhouse of the nation and there are a number of industries calling Western Sydney home that will be the country’s key economic drivers for the next one to two decades,” said Deloitte Western Sydney Managing Partner, Danny Rezek.

“We’re also seeing significant investment in infrastructure by the NSW government as well as a commitment to tangible job creation outcomes - the development of the Parramatta Light Rail and the decision to locate the Greater Sydney Commission in Parramatta to name but two. You can already see these initiatives having a positive impact and contributing to Western Sydney’s momentum.

“It’s important that we maximise these opportunities. To this end Deloitte is collaborating with the 25 Shaping Future Cities Champions – business and community leaders from across Greater Sydney – emphasising Western Sydney’s competitive advantages and implementing the recommendations in the blueprint,” said Rezek.

One of the 25 strategy champions is WSBC’s CEO, Michael Sugg, who is responsible for the Plus One strategy, which asks, ‘what if every business in Western Sydney was empowered to hire one more employee? How can we challenge businesses to grow, and in doing so, create more jobs in Western Sydney?’

“The Plus One strategy is essential to the overall success of the Shaping Future Cities blueprint,” said Sugg. “Major infrastructure projects around road, rail, light-rail and the new airport are a fantastic boost for the region. But these projects on their own will not maximise long-term employment opportunities. We need to build an enduring jobs legacy, and to achieve this, every single business in Western Sydney – some 150,000 across the region – needs to be engaged and made aware of the growth opportunities Western Sydney can offer, in turn creating long-term employment opportunities. Local business chambers and associations, like WSBC, can assist those businesses looking to grow by connecting them with the plethora of resources available that will help them identify and act on growth opportunities,” Sugg concluded.

As part of Deloitte’s continued commitment to delivering against the Shaping Future Cities blueprint, Danny Rezek will be chairing the second day of the upcoming Developing Greater Western Sydney conference, taking place in early June. “I am delighted to be actively involved in this conference. The more we recognise and leverage Western Sydney’s strengths – as well as address its challenges – the more we can plan and manage longer term growth.

“Sydney needs to embrace its future as a polycentric city, with Parramatta the dual CBD and growth centres including Liverpool, Penrith, Campbelltown and Bankstown. The conference is an opportunity to think about how the significant infrastructure pipeline will be delivered, how it will integrate with the regional planning to be undertaken by the Greater Sydney Commission and how it will shape the future of the west,” Rezek concluded.

Celebrate the season at Novotel Sydney Norwest

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 02:05:08 GMT

Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle this Christmas. Book early!

Novotel Sydney Norwest is the perfect place to host your festive celebration with beautiful menu selections and festive favourites to please everyone. Unwind and enjoy our outstanding dining, impeccable service and traditional Christmas trimmings.

Enjoy a delicious buffet or set menu along with an all inclusive beverage package.

All packages inclusive of table centre pieces, bon bons, dance floor and private room hire.

Christmas Party Packages

from $67 per person

Christmas Day Celebrations

$150 per adult

$100 per teenager (13-17yrs)

$50 per child (4-12yrs)

Children aged 3 & under are free

For more information, please contact the Events team on:

P: 02 9634 9661

E: meetings@novotelnorwest.com.au

A new world-class museum for Parramatta

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 01:18:32 GMT

WSBC Platinum Partner, Parramatta City Council has welcomed the State Government’s selection of the Parramatta River foreshore as the site for the new Powerhouse Museum and hailed the move as a major win for arts and culture in Global Sydney.

Premier Mike Baird and Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant today announced the Riverbank site as the chosen location for the new Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) promising a state-of-the-art institution that will be a major drawcard for local and international visitors.

“We are thrilled with this decision and we look forward to partnering with the State Government during the design process to deliver the people of Parramatta and Western Sydney the world-class cultural institution they have long deserved,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard said.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to build the world’s next great museum here in Parramatta. We will work closely with the Government, in consultation with the community, to ensure that design excellence is achieved and that Parramatta’s Powerhouse is a landmark building for all of Sydney.”

“Importantly the Museum will be integrated as part of the wider Riverbank precinct and will form part of Council’s vision to deliver a world-class cultural, entertainment, retail and residential hub that the community will enjoy for decades to come.”

“The new Powerhouse Museum will significantly boost tourism to Parramatta, helping to invigorate our local economy. Once established the Museum has the potential to draw up to a million visitors a year to Parramatta and will be a source of inspiration for tens-of-thousands of school students who will be able to more easily access one of the best museum collections in the world.”

“The Museum’s focus on design, technology and innovation aligns with Parramatta’s ambition to be Australia’s leading Smart City.”

The Museum site on the Parramatta River sits on the doorstep of Parramatta’s thriving CBD offering easy access for pedestrians and close proximity to a variety of public transport options.

21st century design chosen for Parramatta Square’s iconic civic building

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 08:34:14 GMT

A cutting-edge glass construction featuring a wave-shaped façade of crystalline blocks has been selected as the winning design for Parramatta Square’s landmark civic and community building.

The design has been endorsed by Parramatta City Council after a jury voted unanimously to award the international design competition to a consortium of French firm Manuelle Gautrand Architecture and Australian firms DesignInc and Lacoste + Stevenson.

The eye-catching design encapsulates and extends above the historic Town Hall with a cantilevered structure providing a platform for the Council Chambers.

Core to the building design is a stack of transparent glass that gradually rises to the north-east with a large LED screen for public art projections.

The $50 million project will cover six-storeys with a Gross Floor Area (GFA) of approximately 8000sq m.

Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard congratulated Manuelle Gautrand Architecture, DesignInc and Lacoste + Stevenson on producing a spectacular winning design.

“The jury was tasked with selecting an iconic design and they have certainly fulfilled that brief. The architects have produced a contemporary and thought-provoking design that is sure to become a must-see destination for visitors to Parramatta,” Cr Garrard said.

“This design truly cements 5 Parramatta Square as the civic heart of our City. The transparency of the glass façade makes the building inviting and open for the community to explore the library of the future, public roof garden, customer contact centre, visitor experience centre, community meeting rooms and technology hub.”

“All this is within a building that is designed to achieve at least a 5- Star Green Star rating.”

Built into the entire lower levels of the southern façade will be a LED screen for multimedia projections, which will be able to display images such as public art and event programs.

The upper levels of the southern façade will also be able to be used for projections of public art.

“This will be a building that defines Parramatta as a Smart City. The interactive nature of the building and library of the future will be something that locals and visitors will be able to enjoy for decades to come. It has also been cleverly designed to pay respect to heritage and merge together the past, present and future,” Cr Garrard said.

David Stevenson from Lacoste + Stevenson said the design team worked hard to ensure that public art was an essential component of the design.

“The design team’s vision for public art at 5 Parramatta Square was to make Council’s civic facilities a canvas for artistic expression in a way we haven’t seen before in a public building in Australia,” Mr Stevenson said.

“The building creates the opportunity to be transformed into an interactive public art display through shading devices that also serve as projection screens. This is truly a building for the 21st century.”

The design jury was made up of NSW Government Architect Office Director of Design Excellence Olivia Hyde, National Architects Principal Bob Nation, Parramatta City Architect Kim Crestani and Council’s Director of Property and Significant Assets Barry Mann.

In announcing its decision the jury said: “The winning scheme is an exemplary architectural masterpiece that delivers a 21^st century solution within Parramatta City Council’s modern smart-city metropolis.”

The concept designs will undergo detailed analysis before a Development Application (DA) is lodged, which is expected to be by the end of 2016. The designs will be placed on public exhibition as part of the DA process.

For artist’s impressions and a fly-through of the concept design click here.

IPro Index 2015

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 23:03:14 GMT

Contingent workforce specialist, Entity Solutions has released the seventh annual research project conducted by Monash University, the IPro Index 2015.

The world of work is a changing global phenomenon with an ongoing fundamental shift in the global market towards assignment and project based work. There are many factors that are contributing to this shift. These factors are not challenges but opportunities for organisations to improve upon productivity and profitability.

Each year we hear from many global experts that have provided us with extensive research focusing on workforce trends. These reports capture insights from top level industry leaders of large global organisations.

Recently Deloitte released their annual Human Capital Trends report, which highlights the role of the contingent workforce saying, 70% of Executives and HR leaders ranked the contingent workforce as important to very important.

The 2015 Manpower Contingent Workforce Index reports that Australia has one of the largest most educated local contingent workforces around the world. It is this growing contingent workforce that we need to understand, integrate and leverage a competitive advantage.

The IPro Index is a landmark research study conducted by Monash University in partnership with Entity Solutions, the index measures key areas around attitudes, drivers and challenges facing white collar contractors (Independent Professionals/IPros). The IPro Index for 2015 was sent out to over 10,000 IPros across Australia. The data was gathered at the end of 2015 via an online questionnaire.

Since its launch in 2009, the research was aimed at helping corporate Australia to gain a better understanding of contracting experiences, issues and wellbeing from an IPro’s perspective. More recently, we’ve started to receive global attention as organisations in the UK and Europe are replicating our study and research methodologies – demonstrating that there is a widespread and global desire to better understand this powerful and burgeoning sector of the workforce.

Making the most of the contingent workforce starts with insight. Download here.

Deloitte Releases 2016 IPO Report - IPOs remained the stock market darlings in 2015.

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 07:02:22 GMT

"Had you invested in every private equity-backed float from the start of 2013, including some of the poorer performers, you would today be sitting on a portfolio return of 48%."

Deloitte recently released their 2016 IPO Report, produced in collaboration with mergers & acquisitions (M&A) intelligence provider, Mergermarket. The report surveys that the 2015 IPO market saw:

· 97 ASX IPO listings (up 33% over 2014), with a market capitalisation of $17.6 billion and capital raised in excess of $8.6 billion

· Market capitalisation down by 32% (2014 included Medibank Private, the third largest listing globally)

· Average gains of 18%, weighted by market capitalisation

· Extended gains for 2014 listings, which closed the year 37% above their 2014 listing price.

Deloitte Corporate Finance partner David Hagger, who leads the firms’ Transaction Services team in Parramatta, notes that “Volatility in China and falling commodity prices have created an unsettling environment for equity investors. However, IPOs remained stock market darlings in 2015, dominated by the technology and financial services sectors”.

Funding growth objectives was the theme common to the majority of listings, and the numbers tell the story. From the list of the top performing IPOs for the year, the majority are small and mid-cap growth stocks; largely in the technology and related sectors, which raised less than $50 million of capital.

“We saw a significant number of private vendors selling into the deals but still retaining substantial holdings, demonstrating their commitment to the post-listing growth of their businesses. The majority of non-private equity vendors are floating their businesses to raise capital for future growth and to achieve liquidity; rather than electing to realise their investment at IPO”, Hagger said.

Paul Childers is the partner who runs Deloitte’s M&A Advisory practice in Western Sydney. “I believe that the results of private equity-backed listings are far more positive than popular media suggests. Had you invested in every private equity-backed float from the start of 2013, including some of the poorer performers, you would today be sitting on a portfolio return of 48%. The results really speak for themselves.”

As for 2016, the outlook remains positive, although there is a heightened focus on the quality of the companies coming to the Exchange; in particular, on their growth strategies and the strength of the management team in place for the IPO.

From a Western Sydney perspective, there continues to be strong interest from the investor market in gaining exposure to the engine room of the NSW economy; with a focus on businesses generating sustainable operating cash flows and re-investing in research and development and enhancing their local capability.

Deloitte’s recently launched economic blueprint, Shaping Future Cities: Designing Western Sydney, identified some of the key strategies that local business should be employing to position their business for growth and these same factors would play well to fund managers looking at IPO: For example, leveraging links with offshore regions like China and India, focusing on innovation in health, education and more advanced manufacturing.

TAFE NSW WSi Delivering and Thinking Differently

Mon, 21 Mar 2016 13:09:40 GMT

WSBC Platinum Partner TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute's Director of Commercial Business, Duncan Ellis, recently sat down with events company, Marcus Evans Summits, for an insightful interview ahead of the Marcus Evans 2016 Health Summit. Here’s what Duncan had to say…

“TAFE Western Sydney is leading the way in Vocational Training to help organisations deliver step change with skills development across a whole range of organisational approaches. We assist clients to map succession planning and leadership development to help achieve both short and long term growth goals. We like to think we are helping HR teams achieve greater productivity through training and improving workforce skill sets from the cleaner to the CEO,” says Duncan Ellis, Director, Commercial Business, TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute.

Why do organisations need a customised training programme?

We perform a skills gap analysis for our clients and build a dedicated programme around filling the specific requirements they need to improve. Our client’s workforce skill development is then aligned to the goals and targets set by the company, while the employee acquires the skills for the job, a recognised qualification and increased job satisfaction. A win-win for everyone.

What if the organisation is unaware of a skills gap?

A lot of our work at the moment is around organic growth within a business to help them achieve targets. Our research shows skill gaps often occur for organisations where organic growth has been a driver of management appointments. A person promoted for their skill and in-depth technical knowledge may not necessarily have the breadth of skills to be the best leader. For example, the best salesperson is promoted to manager, but their management skills need to improve so the team can benefit. We focus on what the role requires and the skills needed to do their job effectively, while acknowledging the great skills they already have. We build a bespoke programme for the company, utilise government funds where possible and map back to a qualification using recognised prior learning and on-the-job training. We want to help organisations achieve their year-on-year growth goals.

Our research also found that many companies felt that younger people were lacking in “soft skills”: teamwork, time management and communication skills. We are working to bridge the gap between the company’s expectations and the worker’s skills. Another key area of focus for us is to ensure a future-ready organisation.

Tell us about your relationship with Barangaroo.

Barangaroo is an AUD 6 billion construction project managed by Lendlease in Sydney, the largest in Australia. We manage all of the training on site and we developed the Skills Exchange, an onsite college to deliver the training. We have trained more than 10,000 employees in under three years with close to 700 apprenticeships and 30,000 training outcomes. These are unprecedented numbers for work-based training anywhere in the world. We have since rolled out the Skills Exchange model on Darling Harbour, with plans for more. We have backing from Local, State and Federal Government to continue the model. In essence we are an aggregator for best-of-breed training solutions, incorporating private providers and TAFE to deliver the best outcomes.

The Barangaroo Skills Exchange is a partnership between TAFE NSW and Lendlease. We worked with government funds, employer and employee contributions to look at how we could change the industry and create a sustainable skills legacy.

We focused on the basic skills of language, literacy and numeracy (LLN), and created training around specific job requirements and skills needed on-site. The impact to the project and the workers has been immense. To give you an idea, a 55-year old construction worker learned to read and write for the first time. Now, 12 months later, he is retraining to become a work cover assessor. We looked at how he could improve his technical job skills, we embedded communication and LLN skills whilst monitoring his succession planning.

How can the HR department better retain staff? What do employees value?

Our success on Barangaroo shows that investment in knowledge across the whole organisation leads to sustainable step change. To further embed retention, reward and recognition is critical. Giving staff the opportunity to train, develop their skills and the confidence to flourish gives a feeling of achievement. We try to map all of our training to a qualification, so at the end the business can measure success and the employee walks away with a tangible result.

Our experience shows leading by example is critical to success. Invest in your frontline management with the skills they need to deliver and they will be able to execute the vision of the senior management team. Through effective mentoring, coaching and leading by example the whole organisation benefits not just the entry level, leading to measurable step change.

Further information on the skills gap analysis and the WSBC/TAFE skills barometer can be obtained by emailing us at WSBC.

To learn more about TAFE NSW go to: https://www.tafensw.edu.au/

NDIS to increase jobs and services across NSW, especially in Western Sydney

Mon, 21 Mar 2016 07:50:43 GMT

Data released from the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) NSW Market Position Statement indicates the NDIS will:

deliver support across NSW to around 64,000 more people with disability
generate up to 28,930 extra jobs
double the size of the disability services market to $6.8 billion

Western Sydney will see the highest growth in NSW, with an estimated 8,000 more people with disability getting support, an additional $400 million in funding for disability services and up to 3,300 more jobs being created.

NSW Minister for Disability Services, John Ajaka said the statement reflected the benefits everyone in NSW, particularly people with disability, will share from the NDIS.

“We are on the verge of a disability services boom in NSW, with the biggest winners being people and business in Western Sydney. Put simply, the NDIS means more money, more people getting support, more jobs and more growth,” Mr Ajaka said.

It is the first time there has been confirmation around how many jobs and business opportunities would be created in any region across Australia due to the NDIS.

It is expected that by 2019, the NSW disabilities market will support almost double the number of people currently supported, to 142,000. This will bring an increased demand for new products and technologies, increased jobs and strong economic growth right across the state.

For more information about the statement, visit the National Disability Insurance Agency website.

Add a touch of fun to your next team meeting

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 22:35:21 GMT

We’ve all experienced it. The collective grumbling of staff when the day-long team meeting is announced. Instead of embracing the opportunity to get together to collaborate and share ideas, it’s often greeted with dread -closely followed by reasons why they cannot dedicate an entire day to attend.

So how do you overcome the team meeting grumbles?

Eliminate distractions

Holding half or full-day team meetings on-site is never successful because there are too many distractions to disrupt the meeting. Participants will be called away to deal with issues that can usually wait. As a result, they miss important components of the meeting or return late after each break.

By holding team meetings off-site, you are emphasising the importance of the meeting and stressing you require everyone’s full participation.

Set a tight agenda

One of the most common complaints for attending any meeting is that it is a waste of time. By setting an agenda and circulating it before the meeting, you are establishing the meeting will be beneficial and important to the organisation’s future success. An agenda will also provide participants with the opportunity to prepare for each topic so they can actively participate.

Add some fun

If your aim is to boost energy levels and maintain the focus of participants throughout the meeting, you need to provide plenty of breaks and activities to get them moving.

Playing games or participating in facilitated team building activities is popular because they have the additional benefits of generating conversation and building new relationships between participants. They also add novelty and create memories which are guaranteed to change future perceptions of the value of this type of event.

Easy options for your next business event

Your next business event is only a phone call away with WatervieW’s all-inclusive business event packages. For example, our Team Building Package includes a delicious working lunch, morning and afternoon tea and a choice of 3 fun-filled team building activities facilitated by professionals.

For more information, enquire online or call (02) 9764 9900 to speak to one of our business event managers.

Making Western Sydney Greater – New report released

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 22:14:22 GMT

The third report in the Making Western Sydney Greater research is now available. In this edition, we asked Western Sydney business owners and managers the greatest benefits and impediments of being a business in Western Sydney. The results are sure to spark debate.

Business sentiment, employment intentions, financial performance and growth plans are some of the other topics we explore.

To download your copy of the research, and find out what’s Making Western Sydney Greater for businesses, click here.

Experience Pintxo at Novotel Sydney Parramatta

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 22:00:00 GMT

Grab the team and head to Novotel Sydney Parramatta's 350 Restaurant & Lounge for a Pintxo experience.

Enjoy Pintxo every Wednesday from 5.30pm.

As a special offer for WSBC members, book a table of 4 or more & receive a complimentary bottle of Shiraz or Sauvignon Blanc.

To book: email h8787-fb@accor.com or phone 02 9890 0882.

Deloitte Congratulates Western Sydney Winners

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 02:52:46 GMT

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull presented the inaugural Pemulway prize to Bankstown Poetry Slam at the Deloitte-supported Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue’s ‘Out There’ Summit held on Friday at Western Sydney University’s Parramatta Campus.

Named after a revered Indigenous warrior and leader, the Pemulway prize honours an outstanding contribution to the region. Bankstown Poetry Slam was one of six Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Award recipients, celebrating contributions from business and community to the advancement of Western Sydney.

Deloitte was amongst the winners, presented with the Business Leadership award for the firm’s Shaping Future Cities – Designing Western Sydney initiative; an economic blueprint setting out recommendations to generate 200,000 great new jobs for Western Sydney.

Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Chair, Christopher Brown, AM said: “Shaping Future Cities is considered one of the most significant public policy contributions by a private company in Australian history. We are delighted to honour the leadership of Deloitte in developing the report, which is a game-changer for Western Sydney.”

Deloitte Western Sydney Managing Partner, Danny Rezek, said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised for our work on Shaping Future Cities, and congratulate all award winners who, in different ways, are committed to advancing the region and ensuring it has a strong future.

Shaping Future Cities was the result of the collective efforts of over 400 business, government and community leaders in the region, and has been endorsed by the NSW Premier.

“We are already seeing the positive impact of the blueprint, with a number of recommendations implemented or in the pipeline, including the establishment of a Western Sydney University campus at Olympic Park and the Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) being located in Parramatta.”

Western Sydney Leadership Award winners were:

· Business Leadership – Deloitte: Shaping Future Cities

· Regional Advocacy – News Corp/Daily Telegraph: Fair Go for the West Campaign

· Corporate Philanthropy – Crown Resorts Foundation: Western Sydney Arts Initiative & Sydney Training College

· Community Engagement – Bankstown Poetry Slam

· Productive Partnerships – Lendlease/TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute: Barangaroo Skills Exchange (BSX)

· Brand Champion – Western Sydney University

For more on the prize winners go to: www.westernsydney.org.au

Raise Your Pulse to Raise Funds for Northcott this May!

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 02:04:09 GMT

Been thinking of getting fit and losing a few kilos? Now is the time to do it by joining Northcott’s Fit for Funds program! Not only will you get fit, but your efforts will raise money for Northcott so we can make a real difference to the lives of people with disability.

People with all kinds of abilities are encouraged to participate in Fit for Funds by pursuing activities that suit their lifestyle. You can walk, run, swim, dance, join a wheelchair basketball match, ride, roll or play your favourite sport, give up smoking or change your eating habits. Try a new activity like yoga classes, boccia, golf, go for strolls on the beach or run your first ½ Marathon!

How can I join Northcott Fit for Funds?

Just follow these simple steps:

First, head to https://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/fitforfunds and click ‘Join Now’. Within minutes you can set up an everydayhero account and start building and customising your very own fundraising page.

Then simply pick any activity you enjoy and set your goals. Next, start to upload your activity record using the Strava or MapMyFitness apps. If you don’t use these apps you can still be part of Fit For Funds – just post photos and messages of your progress on your fundraising page.

What will my efforts achieve for people with disability?

$15 will help us run our unique and inclusive sporting carnivals, giving children with disability an opportunity to compete with their peers.

$30 will help enable a child to participate in a ‘Skills 4 Wheelies’ workshop, learning the safest way to use their wheelchair.

$60 will help us run workshops to empower young adults, providing them with skills to live a more independent life.

Spread the word!

Use social media to get your message out and don’t forget to add #NorthcottFitForFunds to all your Instagram photos and Facebook posts about your activities.

Ready, set, go!

See you in May!

Experience Parkroyal Parramatta's Seafood Buffet with this Special Member Offer

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 02:00:00 GMT

Dine at TABLE:30 before the end of April 2016 and you and a guest can enjoy their seafood buffet for only AUD110*.

Seafood lovers can delight in a succulent spread, with a delicious variety of fresh Sydney rock oysters, Australian tiger prawns, poached whole ocean trout, mouth-watering mussels, local Balmain bugs and blue swimmer crabs. Complement your fresh catch with an enticing array of hot dishes, salads, a live cooking station and a selection of delectable desserts.

This offer is available on Saturdays from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

Bookings are essential. For dining reservations and enquiries, speak with the friendly staff at Parkroyal Parramatta today:

P: 02 9685 0377

E: dining.prsyp@parkroyalhotels.com

*Terms & conditions apply. Offer price is based on two people.

Workplace Rehabilitation Reduces Premiums

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 01:18:46 GMT

Want to know how investing in Workplace Rehabilitation can help to reduce your Worker’s Compensation Premium Costs?

You may not be aware, but partnering with a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider with a proven record of facilitating safe and timely return to work is the best way to ensure that your staff are returned to work rapidly with a minimum of premium impacting lost wages. There are many benefits for NSW Employers who maintain a safe workplace and support early return to work after injury occurs.

New scheme reforms were introduced in August 2015 whereby high performing employers can achieve a performance discount of between 5-20% off their premiums. About 70% of employers currently perform better than the scheme average. These employers have achieved low workers compensation claim costs through good safety systems and proactive support of injured workers resulting in early return to suitable work after an injury. (See insurancereforms.nsw.gov.au)

Under the reforms, premiums continue to be calculated based on claims costs however the medical and rehabilitation claims costs are now excluded from the calculation. The intent of this change is to ensure that workers are given rapid access to the medical and rehabilitation interventions that will support recovery and return to work. The flipside of this is that the claims costs associated with weekly payments now impact more heavily than before, with the wages bill being recouped up to three times in the premium calculation.

What does this mean for the way NSW employers manage injuries?

The core message of these reforms for employers is to promote safe workplaces through injury prevention strategies. By minimising the quantity and nature of workplace injuries, NSW employers can demonstrate improved performance against the scheme average. This message is reinforced through:

1. The automatic application of the Employer Safety Incentive (ESI) which provides a 10% discount off the premium with the value of this discount only being recouped in instances of a claim that results in more than 4 weeks off work.

2. Access to an additional 5% discount, through the Employer Safety Reward (ESR), if you are a medium to large employer and are claims free for 4 years.

What if I have a claim or several claims, what should I do?

The second intent of these reforms is to promote recovery through early access to rehabilitation and return to work. Early provision of workplace or vocational rehabilitation support with clear objectives around return to work is a great way to ensure that you qualify for the additional Return to Work Incentive (RTWI). The RTWI provides a further 5-15% off your premium where return to work has been achieved by 13, 26 or 52 weeks.

Infographic from insurancereforms.nsw.gov.au

If you’d like to discuss how partnering with a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider can assist you to improve your systems to prevent injuries and minimise premium costs, Injury Treatment will be happy to help!

Injury Treatment is a national clinical consulting firm employing approximately 300 staff nationally, including; Senior Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, Psychologists, Rehabilitation Counsellors and Employment Consultants.

Contact us on 1300 622 734 and talk to our customer team today.

We can provide you with consultation around safety systems, risk assessment and implementation of appropriate risk controls too.

To best understand the full extent of how these reforms apply to your individual business, contact WorkCover NSW on Ph.13 10 50.

Gallop Management Launches A Sleek New Website

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT

The new site for Gallop Management has gone live and we are thrilled to share it with you.

Check out who we are, what we do and the success of our clients. Let us know what you think!

http://www.gallopmanagement.com/

Gallop Management is a Gallop Solutions Company

Western Sydney Procurement Survey - Be a part of it!

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 05:54:45 GMT

The Western Sydney Business Connection is proud to be a part of the NSW Department of Industry's procurement project and encourages you to get involved in a key piece of research.

A valuable procurement toolkit is being developed for Western Sydney and we welcome your company's involvement.

The initial part of the project aims to identify and research the needs of companies that procure products and services based in Western Sydney. This information will be used to produce a printed toolkit guide for SMEs to use.

If your organisation procures products and services in Western Sydney and you want to be part of this groundbreaking research, please contact WSBC CEO Michael Sugg to express your interest and participation in this short survey.

The Procurement Toolkit will:

introduce local, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to large organisations (government and commercial) operating in Western Sydney that are procuring products and services in Western Sydney.

increase awareness by large organisations operating in the region of local SMEs and their capabilities which can assist them to diversify their supplier base and/or increase their local spend.

encourage local SMEs to develop a better understanding of what large organisations require in terms of the tendering process.

assist SMEs to develop their capabilities to a level where they are confident to approach companies or industry sectors that they have not previously considered supplying.

encourage collaboration between SMEs to form joint ventures or informal alliances.

provide opportunity to work collaboratively with all levels of government, industry and industry associations.

This initiative is being driven by the NSW Department of Industry, in conjunction with WSBC, AIG, ICN, NSWBC, NSW Transport and RDA Sydney.

Get Involved now and be part of creating this valuable procurement tool kit!

Fair Work Act Changes: What You Need to Know

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 03:22:35 GMT

Fair Work Act Changes

In November 2015, laws were passed that amended the Fair Work Act (Act) and below is a recap for employers of the main changes as these laws are now in operation.

Greenfields Agreement

These are enterprise agreements that are made in relation to new enterprises (ie, before employees are actually employed) and are typically negotiated between the employer and relevant trade unions.

NEW: the Act now provides employers with relief where an agreement with unions cannot be reached – after six months of negotiation, employers can go directly to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to have their Greenfields Agreement approved

NEW: the FWC must approve the Greenfields Agreement if, on an overall basis, it provides for pay and conditions that are consistent with the prevailing pay and conditions within the relevant industry for equivalent work

NEW: provided the FWC approves the Greenfields Agreement, it is taken to have been made on the date when the application for approval was lodged with the FWC

Unpaid Parental Leave

Employees who qualify for unpaid parental leave are entitled to request up to an additional 12 months of unpaid parental leave (ie, in addition to the usual 12 month unpaid parental leave period) and an employer can only refuse the request on reasonable business grounds.

NEW: the employer must not refuse the request unless the employer has given the employee a reasonable opportunity to discuss the request

Protected Industrial Action

Protected industrial action is simply industrial action engaged in pursuant to the provisions of the Act (as a tactic in enterprise agreement negotiations).

NEW: unions and other employee associations are now prevented from taking protected industrial action to force an employer to agree to bargain

NEW: in order for unions and other employee associations to apply to the FWC for a Protected Action Ballot Order (ie, requiring a protected action ballot to be conducted to determine whether employees wish to engage in particular protected industrial action for the agreement), one of the following must occur:

(a) the employer agrees to bargain, or initiates bargaining, for the agreement;

(b) a majority support determination in relation to the agreement comes into operation;

(d) a low‑paid authorisation in relation to the agreement that specifies the employer comes into operation.

On the Horizon….

Further changes to the Act may be coming so stay tuned for updates in due course!

Questions/Assistance

If you have any questions or would like any assistance, please feel free to speak with or email a member of our Matthews Folbigg Workplace Solutions team on (02) 9635 7966 or info@matthewsfolbigg.com.au

The Innovation Ideas Boom - Tax Incentives for New Business Practices

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 00:48:03 GMT

‘There has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian’ is the very first sentence of the well publicised innovation statement released by the Turnbull Government on 7 December, 2015. The purpose of this bold statement is to demonstrate a firm belief by the Government in the innovation potential of Australia and a commitment to the cause of promoting a post-mining era ‘ideas boom’ through initiatives worth $1.1 billion over four years. The statement is focused on four pillars: culture and capital, collaboration, talent and skills, and “government as an exemplar” with an overarching long-term goal of encouraging ‘a culture that backs good ideas and learns from taking risks and making mistakes.’

A key government measure to promote ideas at their root stage is the R&D Tax Incentive, which is a broad based program that provides a tax offset to eligible companies at a rate over and above that of a normal tax deduction. The Incentive can see eligible businesses obtain tax offsets of up to 45% of R&D spend, with some of this potentially refundable in cash for businesses with grouped annual turnover of less than $20 million.

R&D activities can involve design and development of new products, processes, platforms or services, or those that are above and beyond the capabilities of their predecessors. Expenses that are eligible for the R&D tax offset include cost incurred on salary and wages, direct prototype costs, travel, contractor costs and other business overheads applicable to the registered R&D activities.

In order to apply for the R&D Tax Incentive, companies are required to lodge an R&D Application within 10 months of their financial year end. Therefore, a company that undertook eligible R&D activities at any stage during the 2015 financial year is able to access the tax offset through lodging an Application form by 30 April 2016. We assist over 1000 companies nationally with this, with over 300 of these out of the Sydney area.

Further to the R&D Tax Incentive, the statement references a desire to introduction of tax breaks for early stage (angel) investors in order to promote investment in innovative start-ups with high growth potential. These tax breaks include: a 20% non-refundable tax offset on investments (capped at $200,000 per investor per year) and a 10 year exemption on capital gains tax, provided investments are held for three years. The new arrangements are not yet officially law but, if passed as such, are expected to commence from 1 July 2016.

For further information please contact:

Mitch Eady

PwC R&D Manager

P: 02 8266 4991

E: mitch.eady@au.pwc.com

Aaron LePoidevin

PwC R&D Partner

P: 02 8266 0215

E: aaron.lepoidevin@au.pwc.com

The Rise and Rise of Parramatta

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 02:59:22 GMT

The Parramatta CBD skyline will change forever with more than $8 billion being invested in building and construction opportunities.

Already a major transport hub, dining and shopping precinct and sporting and events destination, this investment will accelerate Parramatta's journey to become Australia’s Next Great City. The State Government has identified Parramatta to join the City of Sydney as the dual CBDs that will drive the state economy.

The $2 billion Parramatta Square development is underway with the Western Sydney University city campus set to host 3,500 students daily when it opens in 2017. Add to that a $1 billion dollar light rail, a $900 million investment in Westmead bio-medical precinct, relocation of the Powerhouse Museum and a new $300 million 30,000-seat stadium, scheduled to be completed by 2019.

Click on the video below for more...

Featuring interviews with NSW Premier Mike Baird; Danny Rezek, Partner, Deloitte Australia; Tara Cheesman, Smart City Project Officer, Parramatta City Council; and Wally Scales, Director, Knight Frank.

Utilise the Innovation in Your Business – Parramatta Breakfast Event

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 04:07:16 GMT

With all eyes on utilising innovation to grow your business, it’s time to learn how.

Davies Collison Cave and Western Sydney Business Access invite you to a special ‘Innovation’ breakfast, where you will be provided with practical techniques and insights to help you develop your business or enterprise.

Damon Henshaw from Davies Collison Cave will provide insight into finding value through various forms of intellectual property in your business, such as trade marks, patents and designs, and will offer strategies for how to best leverage this.

Other speakers include:

Paul van Bergen from KPMG, presenting on capturing your R&D knowledge and utilising tax incentives and funding to maximise commercial value;
David Newton from Telstra, on the benefits and tools to make the most of cloud technologies and cloud security;
Dr Andy Marks from Western Sydney University, on innovation and collaboration in action;
Adjunct Professor Jim Taggart will MC the event.

When and Where?

When: Thursday 3 March 2017

8am for 8.30am start, presentations to finish 11.30am
Breakfast and refreshments provided

An optional lunch and networking will follow

Where: Parramatta Leagues Club, 13-15 O’Connell Street, Parramatta

How do I sign up?

If you are interested in attending, please register here.

How To Fall Back In Love With Your Business

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 03:53:26 GMT

Let’s face it, sometimes it happens. Your drive and love for your own business begins to fade. Much like personal relationships, in the early days everything is amazing and fun. Over time, and with relentless demands, the love dilutes and soon becomes replaced by stress and pressure.

This loss of love in your business begins to impact your ability as a leader to perform and direct your team. We then begin to ask ourselves “Is it really worth it? “

Take some time out to go on a date with your business and consider how you can implement the following three suggestions to improve the relationship.

1. Define your vision and map your direction

The first step to falling back in love with your business is to define your purpose and vision. Investing in your ‘why’ will make the hard work required to get things back on track easier. When you have a reason, hard work doesn’t seem so hard.

Document your vision and map the steps required to get there. Share this with the team so they become unified: one team with one dream.

2. Get the right people in your business so you can delegate and elevate

How are you going to achieve your vision if you have the wrong people in your business? As a business owner it is easy to blame staff for poor performance. With the right people you can achieve the impossible.

To effectively delegate and elevate yourself as a business leader you need to have the right people in your business. This will give you more time in the captains’ seat working on the activities you are good at and driving the direction of the business forward.

Consider creating a staff matrix of everybody in the business - you included. Outline their roles, current key performance indicators, and their alignment to your business values. Consider who is performing and who is not.

3. Create a clear business structure and set goals across your business to measure your progress and keep you motivated

Create a clear and documented divisional structure across your business. Specifically outline each division’s key performance metrics and lines of communication.

Untangle the wires and assign responsibilities, so your team clearly knows their role in the newly implemented business structure, and what is expected of them. All good loving relationships have clear responsibilities, communication lines and expectations.

By defining your vision, aligning the right team to you direction, and creating clear structure in your business you will begin to feel the love again.

To find out more on HOW to fall back in love with your business, join us at a Gallop Discovery seminar at Leichhardt. WSBC members can be eligible for complimentary tickets.

Contact Roger Vertannes to be qualified:

M: 0488 335 589

E: rvertannes@gallopsolutions.com

www.gallopsolutions.com

Righting Solar’s Big Business Mistake

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 03:41:09 GMT

Imagine that you can buy electricity up to 40% cheaper than what’s on offer from the electricity retailers. At a fixed rate for 25 years – protecting your business from inevitable electricity price hikes.

And just think about all the acres of existing roof space – offices, factories, warehouses – stretching across the country that could be utilised to provide energy at the point of demand for business. Clean, solar energy.

By now, I’m sure you’re thinking that there must be a catch – you have to go through the hassle of finding someone reputable to install the panels, pay for the installation and the ongoing maintenance of the panels for a pay-back that’s at least a decade away. It’s the reason so few large-scale solar projects exist in Australia.

And it’s the very problem that inspired me to look at doing solar differently. Enter SolarCloud – it’s solar as it should be. No capex required, no ongoing maintenance.

You would be hard pressed to find anyone who truly believes solar electricity is a bad idea.

It’s free to generate, produces zero emissions and Australia has an abundance of the raw materials. And yet only 1.1% of Australia’s electrical energy is produced using solar PV technology.

Three years ago I started working on a concept where anyone, anywhere could share solar energy – regardless of whether they lived in a rental apartment or owned their own house.

There was no model for how I wanted it to work, so I decided to invent one.

I thought about the way telcos do business – offer the hardware at no cost and charge for the service – and how this could translate to the solar market.

With SolarCloud, in return for being able to use your rooftops to generate energy, SolarCloud will conduct a free energy audit of your business and provide and install LEDs and solar panels which SolarCloud will maintain for the life of the panel.

This style of arrangement - called a Power Purchase Agreement - has been working effectively in the US market for some time. Global business innovators such as Google and Apple have been investing heavily in these arrangements because they see the long-term financial and environmental benefits.

Our first installation of panels will be at Australian Technology Park in the heart of Sydney, and we are geared up to expand quickly.

We’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in being a part of this innovative and disruptive way to produce and purchase power.

Call us directly on (02) 8579 2008 or click here for more information and to register your interest.

John Kennedy is the founder and CEO of SolarCloud. The SolarCloud scheme is ASIC registered and complies with all Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) regulations.

Celebrate Mother's Day at Novotel Sydney Norwest with an Exclusive Member Offer

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 03:01:36 GMT

Treat Mum on Mother's Day to something special with breakfast or lunch at Rebellion Bar & Grill – Novotel Sydney Norwest.

As a special gift, each Mum will receive a box of chocolates courtesy of Novotel Sydney Norwest.

This year there is no better way to say…”Thanks Mum!”

Our lunch buffet will delight her, offering gourmet delights including prawns, a variety of hot dishes, a selection of salads & delicious desserts.

Sunday 8^th May 2016

Lunch Buffet: 12:30pm - 3:30pm

$68.00 per person: (16yrs +)

$30.00 per child: (5yrs to 15yrs)

Under 4 years of age: Complimentary

Members Offer: For all Western Sydney Business Connection members, receive a FREE glass of bubbles for mum with lunch bookings. Mention this offer when booking.

Reservations Essential

For reservations, please contact:

P: 02 9634 9600

E: REBELLION@novotelnorwest.com.au

*Accor Plus benefits not applicable

New WSBC Gold Member Injury Treatment selected as one of the NSW Government providers of new workplace health service - Get Healthy at Work.

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 03:00:00 GMT

New WSBC Gold Member Injury Treatment is delighted to announce that we have been selected as one of the providers, contracted by the NSW Government, to support workplaces to get healthy through a FREE workplace health service called Get Healthy at Work.

This $12 million NSW Government initiative makes it easy for workplaces to support workers in making healthier food choices, becoming more physically active, maintaining a healthy body weight, quit smoking or reduce harmful alcohol use.

Get Healthy at Work provides businesses with the opportunity to work with an accredited workplace health provider, such as Injury Treatment, to help identify their needs and then set some health goals supported by a simple action plan to run your workplace health and wellbeing program.

As part of the service, workers at participating businesses are offered a confidential fifteen minute health check that assesses their risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. At-risk individuals are then provided with advice and referrals to set them on the path to better health. In addition, Get Healthy at Work’s website also provides interactive training tutorials, informative resources and user-friendly tools and templates to guide you through the program.

For more information on Get Healthy at Work visit www.gethealthyatwork.com.au

If you would like Injury Treatment to assist your business with its Get Healthy at Work registration, health checks and workplace health program please contact Judy Jankovics, Manager – Training and Corporate Health on 02 8746 3314.

You can also select Injury Treatment as your service provider during the registration process by quoting our service provider ID: SPINJ3654.

As a new Gold Member of the Western Sydney Business Connection, Injury Treatment are pleased to extend an invitation to our WSBC membership colleagues to come and meet our team in our new offices in Parramatta!

Now a Western Sydney success story, consistent growth over the past 11 years has seen operations expand and we are now right in the heart of the Western Sydney neighbourhood with a brand new office located in Parramatta.

Please join us on Tuesday 8^th March for a breakfast presentation on “Managing Psychological Barriers During a Return to Work”. The presentation will focus on psychological barriers which may adversely affect workers with physical or psychological injuries when returning to their pre-injury role.

Please see the attached invitation: GWS Office Opening.pdf

RSVPs to events@injurytreatment.com.au.

Injury Treatment is one of the innovative leaders within the occupational rehabilitation industry. We have an outstanding reputation and offer a broad range of services delivering exceptional and efficient outcomes.

http://www.gethealthyatwork.com.au

PM Week Launch A Success

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 02:00:00 GMT

PM Week, aimed at informing the community on issues surrounding poverty, homelessness and mental illness, billed a huge success.

WSBC Charity Partner Parramatta Mission held a series of conferences, seminars, workshops and other events across Western Sydney in early February to launch their inaugural event, PM Week.

At the centre of PM Week was Ash Wednesday, thus seeing the launch of Parramatta Mission’s Lenten appeal. The appeal hopes to raise funds to feed the hungry, via Meal Plus – a food service which provides over 120,000 meals each year.

The PM Week campaign will continue to accept donations until Easter. If you would like to make a donation, please click here.

Parramatta Mission would like to thank our partners, donors and stakeholders, who participated throughout the week. A special thanks to Grill’d and Baxter for making donations, and to Julie Owens MP for attending, providing the vote of thanks and closing PM Week.

Reverend Keith Hamilton thanks Grill'd for their donation during PM Week

Parramatta Mission thank Baxter for their $25,000 donation.

Macarthur Clinical School Takes Shape

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 01:54:13 GMT

Construction of the $21 million, four-level Macarthur Clinical School is underway, and is set to transform training for local medical students from Western Sydney University and the staff at Campbelltown Hospital.

The new state-of-the-art facility is a joint project of South Western Sydney Local Health District and Western Sydney University. It features a simulation laboratory, lecture theatre, offices, teaching spaces and a new patient clinic.

Professor Annemarie Hennessy AM, Dean of the School of Medicine, said the facility will provide innovative training opportunities for the future and current health workforce.

“Campbelltown is already a major training centre for doctors with the School of Medicine on the university campus, as well as the Schools of Health and Science and Nursing and Midwifery, and the new Macarthur Clinical School is only going to build on this already solid engagement”, said Prof Hennessy.

“We have been working closely on this project with Campbelltown City Council and we look forward to sharing the benefits of the school with the wider community.”

Campbelltown City Council General Manager, Lindy Deitz, said it was an exciting time for

the partnership between Council and the university.

“We really value the contribution Western Sydney University makes to Campbelltown and

the wider Macarthur region, and I’m pleased to see that what were once just plans on paper is now coming to life,” Mrs Deitz said.

“Campbelltown is the hub of health and education services for south west Sydney, and we

will continue to work alongside the university and hospital to further expand this reputation

as our city continues to grow as an important metropolitan centre.”

It is anticipated that the clinical school will be ready for the beginning of the 2017 academic year.

NewsLocal - The Hero Brand

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 01:31:02 GMT

WSBC Platinum Partner NewsLocal offer some advice on their readership demographics to assist your business in connecting with the Western Sydney Community.

NewsLocal has formed a deep connection with our readers – in some cases, for over 100 years. Our trusted brands are an essential part of community life. We keep residents “in the know”, from where to shop, work, play, eat and socialise close to home. Local is at the heart of how we gather news, write our stories and inform our communities.

NewsLocal is starting more local conversations every day about matters that affect and change the community. Each brand is proud to provide a sense of belonging for the communities they serve, connect readers to their neighbours and help celebrate the diversity around them.

Our readers say advertising is one of the most important content in their local paper - they look to your advertising for solutions to help their busy lives.

Every month, more than two million people stay connected with our local content across Sydney and the Central Coast – whether that’s reading the print publication delivered to their homes and businesses, online or through our active social media updates.

Our readers are a collective of passionate locals that rely on our local brands to keep them connected to their community.

They are a wide demographic of singles, young couples, families, to empty nesters.

NewsLocal is their trusted source for local news, information and issues that matter to them most.

Reader Demo

Singles, No Kids (18-44)

Without the responsibility and expense of kids, our single readers have a higher disposable income to spend.

They are less price-conscious, are early adopters of new technologies and products, seek quality in their purchases, drink and eat out more and use social media and digital platforms to get their info.

They shop often and are more likely to be looking to buy a new home, but still love spending money on entertainment, going out and heading overseas.

Couples, No Kids (18-44)

Career-focused, these readers are motivated and passionate. They care about their appearance, what they wear and are focused on their health.

They shop often and are more likely to be looking to buy a new place to live, but still love spending money on entertainment, going out and heading overseas. This group is all about their lifestyle.

Some are studying but most are career-driven and concentrating on their full-time jobs.

Parents With Kids Under 18 Living At Home

Parents keen to stay connected with their community. These readers spend their dual income on childcare, baby goods and clothing, groceries and education.

This group are more likely to be established and price-conscious, they most likely have a mortgage and are continually striving to buy or change an existing home to better suit their family.

Parents With Kids Over 18 Living At Home

The kids may be grown-up, but these readers are still supporting them. They are interested in reading about council news and feel a sense of belonging in the community. They spend money on entertainment and, as proud homeowners, will invest in their property.

They can afford to buy what they want, but are still price-conscious. And as they look forward to living without children under their roof, they plan towards bigger holidays.

Empty Nesters Or Retirees

With the kids out of the house, this group deeply value keeping connected with their community and are passionate about local issues.

They are more likely to be grandparents concerned about security and are quality-conscious. They are loyal to their brands, and expect better customer service and value for money. They’re more conservative shoppers than the younger age groups, though they are happy to spend on holidays and vehicles.

They may not be as tech savvy, but they still go online on a regular basis.

Workforce Trends Defining The ‘New World of Work’

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 01:21:09 GMT

Working with the contingent workforce since 1999, WSBC Gold Member Entity Solutions has seen firsthand the fundamental shift in the local and global market towards project based work.

The workforce in Australia and around the world is evolving. Workplaces are becoming more diverse, and a strict 9 to 5 employment schedule no longer applies to an increasingly wired workforce.

If we challenge convention, what would happen?

Entity Solutions infographic below captures the contributing factors for the ‘New World of Work’.

New Word of Work Infographic.pdf

BREED Announces Bottom Line Series Seminars for 2016

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 00:34:59 GMT

BREED is pleased to announce its Bottom Line Series Business Seminars are back again for 2016.

This year we will be collaborating with various business professionals who will be delivering seminars for small to medium and home-based businesses.

All seminars will focus on key topics to help you grow your business and focus on a range of business related issues.

To see the full program and download the calendar click here: 2016 BLS Calendar.pdf

For more information, please contact BREED on 9853 3200 or www.breed.org.au

Novotel Sydney Parramatta Offers Conference Winter Warmer

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 00:09:02 GMT

Novotel Sydney Parramatta is giving free wireless internet to every delegate in 2016!

Simply book your meeting or event between 1 May 2016 and 30 September 2016 and

receive discounted $65.00 day delegate package with complimentary wireless internet!*

*Terms and conditions apply

Contact our friendly conference and events team on 02 9630 4999 or email

h8787-sb4@accor.com to find out more.

Click here for more Novotel Sydney Parramatta offers.

The NSW Department of Industry to host free workshops for Supervisors of Apprentices and Trainees

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 01:01:37 GMT

The NSW Department of Industry is holding free four-hour workshops for Supervisors of Apprentices and Trainees at their office in Parramatta.

Workshop dates are as follows:

Thursday 10th of March 2016: Supervisor_Workshop_Flyer_10Mar2016.pdf

Friday 11th of March 2016: Supervisor_Workshop_Flyer_11Mar2016.pdf

The Supervising your apprentice or trainee workshop program has been designed to assist workplace supervisors in their role of supporting NSW apprentices and trainees to successfully complete their training and gain a nationally recognised qualification.

This purpose of this program is to:

Achieve higher completion rates for apprentices and trainees
Enhance skills and knowledge of workplace supervisors and/or employers
Reduce occurrences of bullying and harassment
Ensure safe work practices for apprentices or trainees, which impact on successful completion of apprenticeships and traineeships
Foster development of productive relationships in the workplace between a supervisor and their apprentice or trainee.

This workshop will provide participants with increased knowledge and skills to enhance their role as supervisors and/or employers of apprentices and trainees through their ability to:

Discuss on and off-the-job apprenticeship and traineeship regulations and training in NSW
Identify the role and responsibilities of a workplace supervisor
Articulate their expectations of their apprentice or trainee
Understand support mechanisms that are available for apprentices or trainee, workplace supervisors and employers
Identify the components of a comprehensive induction program
Build on current knowledge of key generational characteristics and identify actions to overcome challenges in the workplace
Establish ground rules for building a solid understanding between supervisors and apprentices or trainees of what is expected
Use an effective on-the-job coaching model for informal training in the workplace
Build awareness of harassment and bullying and what actions can and should be taken to address issues.

You can register your interest for the upcoming workshops with Fiona Buhler:

E: fiona.buhler@industry.nsw.gov.au

M: 0417 412 795

Places are limited for these workshops, so please ensure you register your interest by 3rd March. In the event that the workshops are full, the NSW Department of Industry will arrange for subsequent workshops to be held.

The Grass is Greener at Lynwood for Brendan

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 00:42:33 GMT

It hasn’t taken long for Brendan Mimis, who has an intellectual disability, to see “the grass is greener on the other side” at Lynwood Country Club.

The 20-year-old from South Windsor is a graduate of NOVA Employment’s Transition to Work program, which enables trainees to participate in a nationally recognised training program and provides them with exposure to a wide range of employment options.

Brendan’s employment forms part of an industry-wide initiative with clubs partnering with the NSW Government’s Department of Family and Community Services to develop positive community attitudes, inclusiveness and meaningful employment opportunities for people living with a disability.

Lynwood Country Club, in Sydney’s North West, employed Brendan through NOVA in search of a groundsman.

Matthew Bailey, Brendan’s supervisor from Lynwood Country Club, said that employing a person with disability has been great for team morale.

“Employing Brendan has been a really positive experience for the work shed and the boys are proud of giving a young man a go who might not otherwise have been given a chance,” he said.

“As soon as we found jobs that Brendan could do well, his confidence increased and he became a valued member of our team.

“From my experience, employers just have to be flexible and make sure you identify the roles the person can do and NOVA is always there to help.”

Castle Hill RSL Group CEO, Mr David O’Neil said that staff with disabilities bring a great range of skills, qualifications, talent and experience.

“We greatly value our inclusive employment strategies through our venues in the Hills, Parramatta and Hawkesbury local government areas that are reflective of our communities,” he said.

Brendan, works 20 hours a week over five days and his tasks include collecting driving-range balls and setting up the golf course.

For Brendan, his new role at the picturesque Lynwood golf course makes him feel more confident and responsible.

“My life is so much better now because I am doing something every day and I love my job outside because I couldn’t be cramped up in an office,” he said.

Minister for Disability Services, The Hon. John Ajaka MLC, said that clubs have an important role to play to help find meaningful employment opportunities for people living with a disability.

“Clubs can help change attitudes and behaviours around people living with a disability to ensure they are made to feel included in the community,” he said.

“The relationships clubs share with their local groups help enhances the quality of life for those living with a disability through social interaction and inclusion, and it is this support that raises community awareness and education.

“We look forward to working with ClubsNSW to build and strengthen the ways clubs across the state engage and reflect the needs of people living with a disability in their communities.”

Dominic Perrottet MP, local Member for Hawkesbury, commended NOVA and local clubs for their important work and congratulated Brendan on a job well done.

“I’m pleased to hear that Brendan has found meaningful and enjoyable work and has excelled at his job,” he said. “Thanks to the efforts of NOVA and local clubs Brendan and other people with disability are able to experience the confidence, dignity, and independence that come with work.”

Image: L to R

Martin Wren CEO Nova Employment

David O’Neil CEO Castle Hill RSL Group

Dominic Perrottet Member for Hawskesbury, Minister for Finance, Services & Property NSW

Anthony Ball CEO Clubs NSW

Brendan Mimis Lynwood Country Club

Innovating the incentive

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 01:44:09 GMT

Amidst the talk of Australia’s pending ideas boom, and the recently released National Innovation and Science Agenda, it was inevitable that the R&D tax regime would get yet another review. As Australia’s primary and ongoing innovation driver, the R&D tax incentive regime is once again being reviewed to identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness and integrity of the regime.

The scheme’s transformation from the R&D Tax Concession to the Incentive in 2011/2012 was the first stage in targeting it to organisations that most needed the assistance to innovate their products, technologies and services. The $100M R&D Expenditure cap introduced in 2014/2015 for larger claimants assisted in weighting the incentive in favour of small to medium enterprises. The current review will look to focus the incentive towards funding additionality in organisation’s R&D.

The review is seeking input on its Issues Paper released on 10 February 2016 with input due by 29 February 2016.

The review considers the following key areas:

· Rates and thresholds: the tax offset rates are intended to encourage R&D investment by lowering the price of R&D with a focus on helping smaller companies. The review is considering restrictions to the types of eligible R&D expenditure

· Definition of eligible R&D: the definition is intended to filter ‘genuine’ R&D projects that are likely to deliver benefits to the broader Australian economy

· Timing of administration: because companies register their R&D and claim the benefit after the decision to undertake the R&D project, the registration process may have a smaller impact on R&D project investment decisions and additionality than would otherwise be the case. Pre-registration is contemplated as a method of increasing additionality.

The reviews focus areas are a consequence of:

- The increasing costs of the regime,

- Feedback from a recent AusIndustry survey issued to R&D tax claimants, and

- Feedback from R&D tax advisors.

Given the Government’s fiscal constraints, the increasing cost of the regime is a key driver of the review. With the consultation process, the Government is effectively seeking a more cost-effective process to encourage a culture of innovation that delivers benefits to the Australian economy in terms of revenue, jobs and long-term stability through a diversified economy.

The timeframe for responses to the Issues Paper is short. However, it is imperative that claimants contribute their thoughts and experiences with the R&D tax scheme to enable the Government to make changes based on a complete view of the current R&D tax incentive regime.

KPMG will provide specific feedback to the review and will welcome suggestions from claimants if they wish to have input into the review without directly making submissions.

The review expects to report to Government in April 2016, which implies a new incentive model may be presented at the May Federal Budget.

Reference

Review and Issues Paper – Department of Industry, Innovation and Science website – http://www.business.gov.au

Contact
Shaira Ismail, R&D Tax Senior Manager, KPMG

P: +61 2 9335 7725

E: shairaismail@kpmg.com.au

Novotel Sydney Parramatta refreshed and ready to take on 2016

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 23:51:29 GMT

Novotel Sydney Parramatta is set and ready to take on 2016 with all force after recently completing a refresh to their accommodation rooms in December, launching their new 350 Restaurant & Lounge in October and refurbishment to all conference and events areas.

From the moment you step into the lobby of Novotel, you experience the welcoming atmosphere from the new lobby and restaurant furnishings which continues through to the accommodation rooms. The revamp of all 194 accommodation rooms, including the Executive and Spa Suites was completed in December 2015 and includes the addition of new red furnishings that complement the vibrant splashbacks in every guest bathroom.

Guests can enjoy the comfort of either large arm chairs or chaise lounges in their rooms that add a modern and glorious escape.

Stephen Wills, General Manager of Novotel Sydney Parramatta, says we have received great feedback on the fresh new look of the accommodation rooms and guests are really enjoying the comfort of the new furnishings. These quality finishes create a comfortable and modern escape for corporate and leisure travellers alike.

Novotel invites everyone to come and experience their new areas and while you are there grab a bite from their new mouth – watering menus in the 350 Restaurant & Lounge with friends after work or before heading to a show at Riverside Theatres. Novotel has big plans for the year ahead, with involvement in major events with Parramatta Council, Riverside Theatres, Pirtek Stadium and other partners in Western Sydney.

Visit www.novotelparramatta.com.au to explore the rooms and new menu and restaurant further.

DibbsBarker Launches People & Workplace - ideas to change your world!

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 23:28:42 GMT

DibbsBarker is delighted to officially launch its National “People & Workplace” team, playing host to both industry experts and in-house Counsel, HR & business leaders for cocktails at newly renovated CBD offices on 24 February 2016.

The evening is set to go off with a bang, with keynote TedX Speaker, Clare Madden. As many will know, Clare is highly regarded in her insights on emerging trends including “next-gen” workforce, collaborative innovation & intergenerational engagement.

Dibbs People & Workplace focuses on this emerging area of law, understanding that the rising mobility of people and changing patterns of work have an impact on organisational structure and culture.

Organisations need innovative solutions for their most valuable asset – their people. To fully seize the opportunity presented by an evolving world, organisations will require radically new thinking about how to survive and thrive in a new era of business.

Employment law and how best to use it as a solution and a risk avoidance tool is gaining momentum in the boardroom. The DibbsBarker People & Workplace team can help you pursue cultural excellence, make the most of your talent and create magnetism.

We will redefine your risk and help you to differentiate your organisation through your people experience.

For more information on our DibbsBarker People & Workplace team visit us on: http://www.dibbsbarker.com/service/People_and_Workplace/default.aspx

As an introduction to our practices refreshing new approach, following is a link to recent blogs published by one of our People & Workplace partners @FayCalderone:

https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/author/posts#published?trk=mp-reader-h

We look forward to joining the @WestSydConnect conversation and collaborating with WSBC members and guests at upcoming events.

St.George backs entrepreneurs and start-ups with $100,000 cash injection

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 04:39:33 GMT

Applications for the 2016 St.George Kick Start Your Start-Up Grants program are now open
For the first time, four grant recipients will be provided with $25,000 each to kick start their business
12 finalists will pitch their business idea at TEDxSydney

St.George Bank is inviting local businesses around Australia to take part in its annual Kick Start Your Start-Up Grants program, with a total of $100,000 to be awarded to entrepreneurs to help turn their business dreams into reality.

For the first time, St.George is extending the value of the grants to $25,000 each so four grant recipients have more funds to put behind their business. The grants will specifically focus on small businesses and start-ups that are passionate about innovation and have been running for less than three years or are yet to start.

Cathy Yuncken, General Manager Business Banking, St.George Banking Group says the Bank has a long, proud history of supporting small businesses and start-ups.

“Since inception in 2014, the St.George kick start program has helped small business owners by providing $200,000 in grants to back great Australian ideas. We are absolutely committed to small business and I’m thrilled to announce that in 2016 we will increase our grants from $10,000 to $25,000 to enable entrepreneurs to access the capital they need to start and grow their business.”

“We’re calling on passionate entrepreneurs who are ready to take the plunge with interesting and new concepts, or even ground-breaking products and services to apply.”

As part of St.George’s partnership with TEDxSydney, the 12 finalists will have the opportunity to bring their business ideas to life with an elevator pitch at TEDxSydney in front of judges and a live audience on May 25.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to hone their pitching skills and put their most innovative and creative ideas forward – the program includes pre-event presentation training from the TedX team to prepare each entrepreneur for a winning pitch,” Cathy added.

TEDxSydney Director and Licensee Remo Giuffré, said "I was really happy to hear of the decision by our Principal Partners at St.George Bank up the ante this year for the Kick Start grants. $25,000 is a significant amount of money for a start up at the early stage. I look forward to seeing what ideas get pitched at the Sydney Opera House within the creative maelstrom of TEDxSydney 2016."

Applications are open to businesses across NSW, QLD, WA and ACT and will be judged by a panel of St.George business managers and external industry experts.

Applications are open until 11.59pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on Tuesday 29 March 2016. The top 11 finalists will be announced on 17 April 2016 and will deliver their elevator pitches at TEDxSydney on 25 May 2016 at the Sydney Opera House.

To check grant eligibility criteria and apply, please visit: www.stgeorge.com.au/kickstart

Ronald McDonald House Westmead team up with the Wanderers for an opportunity of a lifetime!

Thu, 11 Feb 2016 02:00:00 GMT

Ronald McDonald House Westmead is teaming up with the Western Sydney Wanderers FC to bring you and a group of your mates the opportunity of a lifetime!

RMH Westmead are giving one lucky fan the opportunity to take their team to the next level and WIN an exclusive money can’t buy training clinic with Western Sydney Wanderers FC striker, Brendon Santalab!

Major Prize:

Training Clinic with Western Sydney Wanderers FC Striker Brendon Santalab!

2nd Prize:

4 tickets to Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs Central Coast Mariners on 1st April, 2016 at Pirtek Stadium.

3rd Prize:

Signed & Framed Official Western Sydney Wanderers FC Team Print

4th Prize:

Diamondback Mountain Bike - Black & Red of course!

Simply click here to DONATE NOW for your chance to WIN!

For every $5 donated, you will receive 1 entry into the draw.

With all funds raised going to Ronald McDonald House Westmead, your entries will also be helping to make a difference in the lives of seriously ill children.

Don’t miss the opportunity to train with one of the games elite!

Terms and Conditions Apply:

To enter the competition you must donate online to Ronald McDonald House Westmead's WSW Donate to Win Campaign via Everyday Hero. For every $5 donated you will receive one entry into the draw. The more you donate the more entries you receive into the draw.

Competition will commence on the 4/2/2016 and close at 2pm on 24/3/2016.

1st prize consists of a training session with Brendon Santalab. Training session is for one hour duration and limited to a maximum of 15 participants with the date and Sydney Metropolitan location to be mutually acceptable according to Brendon Santalab's schedule. 2nd prize consists of 4 tickets to the Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs Central Coast Mariners Game on the 1st April, 2016 at Pirtek Stadium. 3rd prize is one Signed & Framed Official Western Sydney Wanderers FC Team Print. 4th prize is one 'Red & Black' Diamondback Mountain Bike. All prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash. Winners will be notified by the phone number provided through the Everyday Hero donation.

Random draw will take place at 3pm EDST on Thursday 24th March 2016 at Ronald McDonald House Westmead. All funds raised go to Ronald McDonald House Westmead.

Designing Western Sydney Steering Committee already delivering jobs growth in 2016

Thu, 04 Feb 2016 07:28:38 GMT

Newly established Steering Committee developing action plan to deliver against economic blueprint for Western Sydney
Steering Committee to work with Strategy Champions, business and government leaders to drive the region’s jobs growth over the next five years

The Designing Western Sydney Steering Committee is meeting for the first time on Tuesday 2nd February, coming together with the Strategy Champions (including the WSBC CEO, Michael Sugg), announced by the Hon. Stuart Ayres, MP at a 400 strong business and community event in Western Sydney at the end of last year. This inaugural leadership workshop marks the start of an unprecedented collaboration and commitment to deliver 200,000 great new jobs for Western Sydney by 2020.

The Deloitte authored report Shaping Future Cities: Designing Western Sydney was endorsed and launched by the NSW Premier, the Hon Mike Baird MP, at Rosehill Gardens in Parramatta in December 2015. This economic blueprint examines Western Sydney’s comparative strengths and provides a roadmap to help businesses, communities and local councils capitalise on these strengths at a time when Western Sydney is booming.

The Steering Committee, comprised of business and government leaders, including the Hon. Stuart Ayres, MP, will guide and support the Champions as they lead the blueprint’s 25 strategies and progress implementation of associated recommendations throughout 2016.

The impact of the blueprint is already delivering positive results, with a number of recommendations being put into effect, including the establishment of a Western Sydney University campus at Olympic Park. The NSW Government’s decision to locate the Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) in Parramatta, and move the Department of Education there, highlights its commitment to bringing jobs to the West. The importance of connectivity has also been recognised through the NSW Government’s recent announcement around the Parramatta Light Rail, with its commitment to implement this new infrastructure through value sharing further demonstrating its backing of the Designing Western Sydney blueprint.

“It’s fantastic to see such progress at this early stage and with the Steering Committee meeting and being connected with the Champions for the first time today, we will start to see much more,” said Danny Rezek, Deloitte Western Sydney Managing Partner and co-author of the blueprint.

“With the calibre of leaders we are working with and their unwavering commitment to delivering the blueprint recommendations, we are excited about achieving the vision we have set out for Western Sydney,” he went on to say.

The Steering Committee will meet monthly, with Champions regularly reporting on progress against the 25 strategies. The Steering Committee itself will provide updates to the now up and running Greater Sydney Commission, led by Chief Commissioner and Western Sydney advocate Lucy Turnbull, AO, as well as the heads of several key State Government Agencies.

Deloitte partner and blueprint author, Theo Psychogios, said: “We will continue to involve our 400+ stakeholders throughout the year and share our progress. But the real measure of success will be our annual report card, which will evaluate progress against the delivery of the blueprint recommendations and be shared with the community at the end of the year.

“Accountability is key to our success in delivering jobs for Western Sydney and enabling the region to become the NSW economic powerhouse it has the potential to be. We have the backing of the NSW Government and importantly the support of the NSW Premier and Minister Ayres, as demonstrated by their presence at the launch of the blueprint and Minister Ayres’ ongoing commitment to his role on the Steering Committee.

“The Steering Committee and Champions are not simply figureheads but are on the ground, working together and with business, government and the community to build platforms for jobs growth, to create jobs and to connect local people with these jobs.

“We’re keen to build on the current momentum and early successes. Following today’s initial meeting and leadership workshop we look forward to making further announcements on progress around areas including healthcare and education, tourism and skills development, so watch this space,” commented Psychogios.

WSBC Charity Partner RMH Westmead's Update

Thu, 04 Feb 2016 06:33:03 GMT

It was in February (actually on Valentine’s Day) last year that we launched our Building Love Campaign to raise awareness and $31M in funds to build the new Ronald McDonald House Westmead.

As we stand today, we’re over $22M towards our target, we’ve started the construction, and we’re confident of occupying the new House in 18 months or so. In the meantime however, we’re still in our current House and given the fact that it’s now over 20 years old and accommodates hundreds and hundreds of people each year, maintenance and upkeep is one of our key daily challenges.

We want to provide the very best for the families staying with us. It’s our Home and we’re proud of it. Maybe you can help us?

Can I ask you to think about whether you have any time (and skills) to help us in this area, or maybe you know someone who would love to help us out if only they were asked? Maybe you’re a Tradie and can spare a couple of hours every so often to help us when things do go wrong.

Please do get in touch if this is the case.

Regards,

Mike

Tel: (02) 9845 0600

Email: rmh@rmhwestmead.org.au

WSBC Gold Member WatervieW in Bicentennial Park to Host 'Celebrate the West'

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 02:40:01 GMT

You are invited to an exclusive business lunch and afternoon of entertainment with Bryan Brown and some of the Greater West's most prominent individuals, including live entertainment throughout the afternoon with highly acclaimed special guest artists and a comedy-filled auction.

Venue: WatervieW in Bicentennial Park

Date: Friday 12.00pm, 11 March 2016

RSVP: Friday 26 February 2016 via:

Online: visit www.boystown.com.au/celebratethewest

E-mail: Complete the form below and e-mail to sanmiguel@boystown.com.au

Celebrate the West will treat you to a fantastic afternoon of superb food, entertainment and inspiring stories. The day includes entertainment by the legendary Daryl Braithwaite, a not-to-be-missed selection of raffle items and a comedy-filled auction by Vince Sorrenti and Richard Callendar. Hosted by Bryan Brown, it will be a day to remember.

Platinum Partner Parramatta City Council launch free energy saving workshops for local Parramatta businesses.

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 01:02:32 GMT

Energy costs form a significant proportion of business operating costs. The Parramatta City Council is offering free workshops to help local businesses reduce their energy costs.

Attendees will receive expert independent advice on energy saving and solar opportunities and will be eligible to register for a free energy assessment for their business.

Reducing energy costs for businesses through solar panels or solar hot water systems

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

7:30 am for a light breakfast with the workshop running from 8 am to 10 am.

Rydalmere Bowling Club, 6 Park Road, Rydalmere

Learn about:

· Basics of solar systems including installations

· Solar panels and storage technologies

· Costs savings generated

· Innovative financing options such as Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs)

· Free advice from independent experts

To register visit www.pccbusiness-solar.eventbrite.com.au

For further information please contact Kartik Madhira, Parramatta City Council on 9806 8291.

Improve business performance through energy efficiency

Thursday, 25 February 2016

7:30 am for a light breakfast with the workshop running from 8 am to 10 am

Rydalmere Bowling Club, 6 Park Road, Rydalmere

Learn about:

· No cost and low cost energy saving opportunities

· Financial benefits of energy efficiency

· Innovative financing options such as Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs)

· Free advice from independent experts

To register visit www.pccbusiness-energy.eventbrite.com.au

How can you lend a helping hand in 2016?

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 01:31:11 GMT

Interested in an unforgettable experience that will make a real difference in the lives of seriously ill children and their families?

Join WSBC Charity Partner Ronald McDonald House Westmead and lend a helping hand in 2016 through their Corporate Volunteering Program.

Your team will assist in a variety of tasks ranging from administrative support to housekeeping, gardening and maintenance and will also have the opportunity to interact with the families, staff and volunteers.

Support families when they need it most and help make Ronald McDonald House Westmead a ‘home away from home’ for seriously ill children and their families.

Interested? Then contact Michelle Burman at Ronald McDonald House Westmead on 02 9845 0600 or michelleb@rmhwestemad.org.au

A note from Deloitte's Managing Partner Western Sydney re the launch of their Shaping Future Cities blueprint launch

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 07:26:26 GMT

" Thank you to those businesses that were able to for attending the formal launch of Shaping Future Cities: Designing Western Sydney at Rosehill Gardens last week.

I’m sure that you share with me the immense sense of pride in what we have achieved together to date. To have the NSW Premier, the Hon. Mike Baird MP, formally launching the economic blueprint with an endorsement from his Government that this blueprint is not only important in achieving the future economic and social success of Western Sydney, but also as the engine room of Sydney and NSW’s success, was a true reflection of what we can achieve by working together as a region.

i hope you had an opportunity to sign the Charter at the launch. If you didn’t have a chance to, and would like to add your name to the charter, please review the charter by clicking here and send a scanned copy with your signature attached to vmulcahy@deloitte.com.au.

How can you help?

As you are no doubt aware, 200,000 great new jobs will not suddenly materialise in Western Sydney. And the hard work of creating the conditions and opportunities to achieve this ambitious goal starts in earnest from today!

Deloitte is proud to continue to lead the conversations and bring stakeholders across Western Sydney together to discuss the issues and formulate the strategies to achieve our goals. The 25 strategies featured in the blueprint provide a fantastic structure to address the opportunities that we have identified over the past few months of discussion within our workshops, focus groups and summits. Please contact me or any Deloitte Partner if you are interested in participating in activities focused on any of the 25 strategic recommendations

I encourage you to maintain the conversation with Deloitte and our Shaping Future Cities: Designing Western Sydney community. Please click here to access some suggested Tweets that you can share with your social media networks.

In addition to the hard-copy of the blueprint and the infographic scroll you would have received last week, I have enclosed a link to :

a PDF copy of the Shaping Future Cities: Designing Western Sydney blueprint
a PDF of the infographic scroll
the Shaping Future Cities: Designing Western Sydney webpage, where we will post all new and updated information.

On behalf of Deloitte and the Steering Committee of Shaping Future Cities: Designing Western Sydney, I sincerely thank you for your continued commitment to achieving our vision of creating 200,000 great new jobs by 2020. "

Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Industry Growth Centre launched

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 07:18:58 GMT

Is your business part of the Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals industry?

A new Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Growth Centre has been launched to help the sector improve productivity and competitiveness.

What are Industry Growth Centres?

Industry Growth Centres are not-for-profit organisations that work with their industry to develop strategies to:

reduce regulatory burden
collaborate with researchers and increase commercialisation
engage with international markets and global supply chains
enhance management and workforce skills.

The Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Growth Centre will be led by a small group of industry experts. It will work with the sector, CSIRO, Cooperative Research Centres, universities and other research institutes to encourage research outcomes that meet the needs of the sector.

Other Growth Centres

The Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Growth Centre is part of the Industry Growth Centres Initiative.

The Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre and Mining Equipment, Technology and Services Growth Centre are now operating.

The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre has been approved and will begin operating shortly.

Growth Centres are also being established for the sectors of:

Oil, Gas and Energy Resources - proposal has been finalised.
Cyber Security - announced as part of the National Innovation and Science Agenda on 7 December 2015, and expected to be operational by mid-2016.

Find out more...

Check out the Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Growth Centre page for more information on the newly launched Growth Centre.
Find out more about Industry Growth Centres.

Multi-million dollar investment boosts community infrastructure

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 07:02:16 GMT

Dozens of new community infrastructure projects will be carried out across the Parramatta LGA after Council finalised details of the works to be funded from its Special Ward Reserve.

Seven million dollars has been allocated to the Reserve for the completion of community projects, over and above Council’s regular works program. The funds have been allocated from the proceeds of the sale of former Council land on Victoria Road.

“Ensuring that these funds are spent on improvements in our suburbs is an important investment in our community and it will help make Parramatta a more liveable and loveable city for all of its residents,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard said.

After consultation between Councillors and Council staff, a number of projects have been identified in each of Parramatta’s five wards. Among the projects endorsed by Council is the upgrade of facilities at Lake Parramatta, upgrades at a number of parks and reserves, infrastructure to improve pedestrian safety, and footpath improvements in various locations.

The largest projects to be undertaken will be the construction of a Regional Playground at Fred Spurway Reserve, Carlingford and additional works at Boronia Park, Epping.

“These projects have all been identified as being of benefit to the wider community and will provide the people of Parramatta with access to first-rate facilities to enjoy across our suburbs,” Cr Garrard said.

“As we build Australia’s next great city here in Parramatta, Council is also focussed on the needs of our wider community. We have dedicated 2016 as the year of ‘Our Community, the People We Serve’, and by targeting investment in the areas where people live we can foster a stronger sense of ‘neighbourhood’ in our city and increase people’s involvement in their local communities.”

The works will now be individually assessed by Council and completed on a project by project basis.

The list of approved projects is as follows:

Arthur Phillip Ward
Lake Parramatta	Upgrades including multi-functional picnic and BBQ areas; improved swimming area access; planting
CBD	Upgrades to nominated sections of CBD footpath

Caroline Chisholm Ward
Hospital Farm Reserve, Northmead	Continue walking track to link Redbank Rd and Bevan/Balfour Sts
Klein’s and Hammer Rds, Northmead	Pedestrian safety upgrade at existing roundabout
Various locations	Installation of additional street trees
Caroline Chisholm Dr	Refuge Island remedial works
Vidilini Lane, Northmead	Installation of two speed humps
Reynolds Park, Toongabbie	Development of Park Masterplan
Reynolds Park, Toongabbie	Refresh existing basketball half court
Timbergetters Tennis Courts	Improvements and upgrades to facilities
Ballandella Rd at Toongabbie West Public School	Increase height of existing raised pedestrian crossing
Binalong Rd	Bench at bus stop near Fitzwilliam Junction and Toongabbie Public School
Ancona Ave, Toongabbie car park	Ongoing works

Elizabeth Macarthur Ward
Fred Robertson Reserve, Dundas	Works including playground replacement and picnic shelters
Homelands Reserve, Telopea	Installation of adult exercise equipment, spectator seating and storeroom
Bells Rd Shops, Oatlands	Streetscape upgrade
New Settlers Reserve, Oatlands	New entry wall, improved seating and pathway
Barton Park, North Parramatta	Adult exercise equipment
Upjohn Park, Rydalmere	Adult exercise equipment
Doyle Ground, North Parramatta	Awning for clubhouse
Eric Primrose Reserve (foreshore), Rydalmere	Works including picnic shelters, BBQs, seating and landscaping
Sturt Park, Telopea	Expanded skate park with seating, picnic facilities, replace cricket nets and sport posts

Lachlan Macquarie Ward
Fred Spurway Reserve, Carlingford	Regional playground
Loftus Square, Epping	Basketball court extension and additional play equipment
Terry’s Creek Walk, Carlingford	Public art work and entry signage
Duncan Park, Epping	Picnic shelter; works to preserve and protect existing creek line; landscaping
Boronia Park, Epping	Works including extension of terraced seating, adult exercise equipment, additional bridge crossing, picnic shelter, and amenities upgrade
James Hoskin Reserve, Carlingford	Improvements to Reserve
Bartlett St Shops and Thomas Wemyss Reserve, Ermington	Improve connectivity to reserve, including refuge island and improve reserve entry

Woodville Ward
Guildford Park	Park Masterplan; demolition and rebuild of amenities
Granville Park	Adult exercise equipment and replacement of electric BBQ
Ray Marshall Reserve, Wellington Rd	Complete fence around playing fields 1 and 2
Mountford Ave, Guilford	Reversing of priorities at intersections in Mountford Ave
Various locations	Footpath construction

Property acquisitions herald key step in realising Parramatta’s River vision

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 07:00:57 GMT

Parramatta City Council is moving to realise its vision of a revitalised and world-class river foreshore after acquiring properties critical to the success of its River Strategy.

Council has now finalised the purchase of four sites along Phillip Street – the historic Willow Grove, St Georges Terrace and other commercial buildings – at a total cost of $35.5 million. The acquisitions open the way for Council to improve the CBD’s connection to Parramatta River.

"These purchases will allow Council to provide a critical civic link within the City from Parramatta Square through to Riverbank and the foreshore. It allows Council to be more flexible in its activation and rejuvenation of a core precinct in our CBD," Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard said.

“Prudent negotiations mean Council was able to achieve the best possible purchase prices in a competitive market in order to achieve its vision for Riverbank. Council is making a smart investment in the River Strategy that will deliver cultural and social benefits and another economic injection into the city.

“Historic Willow Grove will be included in our plans to activate the Riverbank precinct which is a crucial part of Council’s River Strategy adopted earlier this year.”

Council has also resumed control of the former David Jones car park site, which together with the four key purchases will create an 18,000sq m foreshore site that will become a lively mixed-used precinct featuring a variety of social, cultural and community assets as well as apartments.

The River Strategy sets out plans to revitalise the foreshore between Gasworks Bridge and Rings Bridge, O’Connell Street. New and improved spaces will be created for walking, cycling, picnicking, outdoor dining and hosting major events such as New Year’s Eve and Loy Krathong.

The $200 million River Strategy project will be completed in stages over a 20-year timeframe with funding from a range of sources including Council, the State Government and the private sector.

“These acquisitions are just another example of Council’s commitment to moving forward with its vision for Parramatta as Australia's Next Great City,” Cr Garrard said.

“The development of the $2 billion Parramatta Square and our visionary River Strategy will ensure our City remains vibrant while celebrating our unique cultural, historical and economic credentials.”

A blueprint for the Riverbank is currently being considered by Council.

Parramatta Council to absorb Sydney Olympic Park in amalgamation boundary reshuffle

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 06:55:15 GMT

PARRAMATTA Council looks set to win the tussle for Sydney Olympic Park with the long-awaited State Government decision on amalgamations expected to be released this week.

The announcement could see the number of metropolitan councils reduced from 41 to about 20.

Parramatta is likely to absorb Sydney Olympic Park from Auburn Council and its boundaries redrawn to include suburbs that will receive the light rail — from Westmead to Parramatta and on to the sporting hub.

The new council will be touted as the new economic precinct for western Sydney and matches up with the government’s metropolitan strategy for Sydney’s growth and economic future.

Under this plan, Parramatta Council could lose some territory to the newly amalgamated councils of Auburn and Holroyd, including Lord Mayor Paul Garrard’s electorate of Woodville. Woodville takes in the suburbs of South Granville, Chester Hill, and parts of Guildford, Merrylands and Granville.

Several sources have told The Advertiser it made sense to have one local government authority manage the light rail.

Cr Garrard said he would not be pleased if the government removed his ward and added it to another council area.

“I would be very disappointed if that happened and I would think it would be a very average result for Parramatta. But I don’t want to speculate on that until I have more information,” he said.

Sydney Business Chamber of Commerce Western Sydney director David Borger said the chamber was excited at the opportunities for building strong local government.

“A bigger Parramatta means it will become a more strategic council but it’s important we don’t set council boundaries based on political outcome. We need to make sure boundaries are set for the right reason,” Mr Borger said.

As part of its submission to the Fit for the Future report, Auburn Council requested it merge with Burwood and Canada Bay councils under the banner of Sydney Olympic Park Council, however this plan now seems unlikely.

Redrawn boundaries would have to be looked at by the Boundaries Commission before going back to Local Government Minister Paul Toole for consideration.

Holroyd has been a strong opponent of forced amalgamations, constantly stating it did not want to join with Parramatta.

As a person of influence we encourage you to get involved now!

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 07:01:33 GMT

MAKING WESTERN SYDNEY GREATER

Achieve positive change for Western Sydney businesses!

Only a few weeks left to influence Government policy and Western Sydney economic and social strategy.

We know it's a busy time of year, yet we also know that over 250 business leaders have already contributed to our ever growing piece of research and we encourage you to do the same.

Our biannual research is already used by local and State Government to shape their strategy and its results have recently featured in Deloitte's 'Shaping Future Cities' economic strategy for Western Sydney. This research is delivering and achieving positive impact from people of influence like you!

Be part of achieving positive change for Western Sydney businesses and click the link below.

Join the conversation and over 250 businesses already contributing to

Making Western Sydney Greater.

Led by William Buck, and supported by Western Sydney Business Connection, St. George Bank and Western Sydney University, the results are used to contribute to and influence discussions on NSW Government policy. Our aim is to achieve positive changes for businesses in Greater Western Sydney.

In this edition, we're looking into:

the benefits and issues of being a Western Sydney business
access to Government support
trends in business sentiment
international trade
and the collaboration between industry and education

Be a person of influence and click the link below.

Join the conversation and over 250 businesses already contributing to

Making Western Sydney Greater.

If you missed the release of our second Making Western Sydney Greater report please follow the link.

Submissions period for the Western Sydney Airport draft Airport Plan and draft EIS closes Friday 18 December

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 07:00:17 GMT

Announcement!

The exhibition period for the Western Sydney Airport draft Airport Plan and draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will close soon, with submissions being called for by Friday 18 December 2015.

The community consultation on draft Airport Plan and draft EIS provide the opportunity to find out more about the project and your say by making a submission. Submissions received will be taken into account in finalising the Airport Plan and EIS.

For more information, to view the draft Airport Plan and draft EIS, or to make a submission, visit www.westernsydneyairport.gov.au.

Parramatta Light Rail Premier's Announcement

Tue, 08 Dec 2015 06:53:38 GMT

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Transport Minister Andrew Constance today announced the preferred network for light rail in Parramatta. This will run between Westmead and Camellia through Parramatta CBD, branching to Strathfield via Sydney Olympic Park and out to Carlingford, maximizing transport connections, jobs growth and urban revitalisation.

The spine of the network, which could be the core of a future wider light rail network, will link areas that are being transformed through significant Government and private investment, including Westmead Health Precinct, Parramatta North renewal area and Pirtek Stadium. It will serve a revitalised Camellia and allow students at Western Sydney University’s Rydalmere campus to catch light rail from the CBD. Light rail will also serve a new technology and education precinct at Rydalmere, creating jobs in Sydney’s growing knowledge economy.

A branch will continue to Strathfield via Sydney Olympic Park, which is already a premier destination for sporting and entertainment events and is set to grow further as a new town centre surrounded by quality parkland. Another branch between Camellia and Carlingford will provide users with more frequent services than the current train line provides, serving the growing precincts of Telopea and Dundas.

The NSW Government will continue to identify opportunities for future light rail and bus rapid transit corridors in parallel with development of the preferred network. This will include looking at ways to strengthen transport links between Carlingford and Epping.

More information about the preferred network is available on the Transport for NSW website at http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/lightrail-program/parramatta-light-rail.

The NSW Government has already set aside $1 billion for the light rail network. Early estimates indicate that further funding is needed to deliver the entire new network. The Government will now work closely with businesses and councils to look at new funding models to meet the total cost of this crucial infrastructure.

From early in 2016, the project team will be contacting key stakeholders to arrange meetings. These discussions will help determine the detailed design of the preferred network which will be taken to the Cabinet in the middle of the year. We would then commence engagement with the wider community to ensure that Parramatta Light Rail best meets the needs of local communities.

Parramatta City Council - Parramatta to become the new Central as Light Rail Network is unveiled

Tue, 08 Dec 2015 06:47:46 GMT

Parramatta City Council has welcomed the State Government’s commitment to develop light rail routes to Carlingford and Strathfield as the first stages of a wider Western Sydney network.

Premier Mike Baird confirmed today that a Light Rail line will be built from Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and North Parramatta. The line will connect Sydney’s largest health precinct and the $2 billion Parramatta Square urban renewal project, which includes a new Western Sydney University campus.

A line will also be built from Parramatta to Strathfield via Sydney Olympic Park, which Council had identified as a future growth corridor for the network.

Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard said building the two routes as the first stage made financial sense and would provide the best chance of success for an expanded network.

“These routes will be the first step in a wider Western Sydney Light Rail Network that will completely revolutionise public transport and transform not only Parramatta, but western and north-western Sydney,” Cr Garrard said.

“I am pleased that Premier Baird has left open the prospect of extending the network to other growth centres which could potentially include Epping, which was part of Council’s preferred route option.

“Residents, workers, students and visitors will all benefit from an integrated Light Rail Network that connects economic, education, health, residential and sporting hubs, allowing faster and more efficient travel.

“We are delighted that Council’s long-standing vision for this project is becoming a reality.

Parramatta is central to both of the identified routes and having light rail centred in the heart of our CBD will transform the city for locals, visitors and workers. It will go a long way in helping Parramatta to secure its future as Sydney’s dual CBD.”

“I also welcome the Premier’s commitment to relocate more than 1800 Department of Education employees to Parramatta. It further demonstrates the State Government’s commitment to Western Sydney and their firm belief in the future of this region.”

The National Innovation and Science Agenda

Mon, 07 Dec 2015 23:56:34 GMT

The National Innovation and Science Agenda has just been launched!

What is the National Innovation and Science Agenda?

The National Innovation and Science Agenda includes a number of initiatives designed to boost business capability, enable innovation and embrace new ideas.

The Agenda acknowledges that technology is changing the way business is done around the world, and ensures that Australia doesn’t fall behind.

Four key themes

The Agenda focuses on four key themes:

Taking the leap - backing Australian entrepreneurs by helping them access finance and having fewer penalties for failure.
Initiatives include:
- tax incentives for investors
- changes to venture capital partnerships
- reforms to insolvency laws
- boosts to business incubators.
Working together - increasing collaboration to help solve real world problems and create jobs.
Initiatives include:
- using business solutions for critical government policy and service delivery challenges
- implementing a Global Innovation Strategy for international collaboration between business and researchers
- expanding the Entrepreneur’s Programme
- speeding up grant applications for innovations.
Best and brightest - developing and attracting world-class talent for the jobs of the future.
Initiatives include:
- upskilling youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for the digital-based economy
- a new Entrepreneur’s visa to attract critical skills to Australia
- addressing gender inequity to improve female participation in STEM study and careers.
Leading by example - government will lead by example by embracing innovation and agility in the way we do business.
Initiatives include:
- data analytics training for businesses
- releasing more non-sensitive data for private sector innovation
- opening up government procurement spends to smaller innovative companies, especially for IT procurement spends.

For more information head to www.innovation.gov.au

Australian Industry Report 2015 released

Mon, 07 Dec 2015 23:44:50 GMT

Are you interested in Australia’s recent economic performance? Or maybe you’re keen on finding out about Australia’s development from an industry perspective?
It’s all there in the Australian Industry Report for 2015!

About the Australian Industry Report 2015

The Australian Industry Report 2015 looks at:

Australia’s economic response to the end of the mining investment boom and how it’s transitioning into its current economic state.
How Australia is creating an economy that encourages future innovation and entrepreneurship while also being resilient and adaptable.

The report also looks at the importance of:

Regulation - in improving productivity and competiveness while still meeting social objectives.
The enabling services sector - in helping businesses get their products to market. For example, transport companies, accountants, and information technology firms all help other businesses produce their final products.
Research and development activity - in supporting long-term economic growth.

The Australian Industry Report 2015 is the second report in the series from business.gov.au

Your Brand, Our Team: Dyldam Parramatta Eels Apparel Partnership Opportunities

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 05:48:28 GMT

The Dyldam Parramatta Eels are offering unique opportunities for Apparel Partnerships in 2016. A partnership with the Eels provides an ideal platform to drive key business objectives and expose your brand.

Stand-alone opportunities and tailored commercial packages are available.

For further information contact:

Ryan Holloway

E: ryan.holloway@parraeels.com.au

M: 0438 823 903

Joseph Marrone

E: joseph.marrone@parraeels.com.au

M: 0401 672 055

Pre-employment Program Wins 2015 Premier's Award

Mon, 23 Nov 2015 07:01:19 GMT

A training program which has achieved great outcomes for unemployed people in Western Sydney was recognised at the 2015 Premier’s Awards for Public Service.

The Sydney Metro Northwest Pre-employment Program was awarded the Premier’s Award in the category of Making NSW a better place to live.

A partnership between a number of parties, the pre-employment program has achieved outstanding training and employment outcomes for long term unemployed people.

The program is an initiative Sydney Metro Northwest - Australia’s biggest public transport project, with training delivered by TAFE Western Sydney. Other program partners include Transport for NSW, Breakthru People Solutions, Global Skills, Salini Impregilo JV, Workforce International, Thiess, John Holland and Dragados, and the NSW Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development.

TAFE Western Sydney Institute Director Robin Shreeve said that the award recognised a collaborative program which has changed lives.

“This has been a life-changing program for many participants,” Mr Shreeve said.

“Participants have been set up for success by gaining confidence, personal skills, relevant job skills and workplace experience.”

Sydney Metro Program Director Rodd Staples said: “The Sydney Metro Delivery Office is extremely proud with the success of the program in achieving employment outcomes for long term unemployed people. We look forward to the ongoing implementation of the Sydney Metro Pre-employment program.”

The Sydney Metro Northwest Pre-employment Program commenced in 2014. Five groups of participants have now completed the program.

About the Premier’s Public Sector Awards

The Premier’s Public Sector Awards recognise outstanding performance and achievements in the NSW public sector, comprising six award categories which link to the strategies set out in NSW 2021, the Government’s agenda for change in NSW. The Making NSW a better place to live award category recognises those who make outstanding contributions to the environment and development of infrastructure in NSW. Both individuals and teams are eligible to be nominated for this award.

Is your team up to speed on sales?

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 01:56:29 GMT

We live in a constantly changing business environment and Western Sydney is becoming a focal point for this change. Successful organisations need to focus on initiatives that matter.

The Skills Barometer 2015 highlighted some future needs for Western Sydney.

One highlight was an identified skills deficit in the area of sales. The report stated that 18% of jobs filled in the survey period were listed as ‘sales workers’ and 20% of vacancies listed were sales related. The problem is, though, that 52% of sales worker jobs in Western Sydney are receiving under-qualified applicants. If nothing is done, then we could see up to 7 out of 10 businesses experiencing technical skills shortages in sales skills in the future.

We know that sales do not miraculously happen. They come from skills that are developed and from accumulated knowledge.

At ARC Training we have developed a program designed for sales representatives who sell to businesses. It dispels the myth that good sales people are born to it. Everyone can improve their sales skills.

The course is located in Parramatta and it offers either day-time or night-time classes to fit busy lifestyles. Another focus of the program is on improving how we present to others: making sure each participant looks and feels like a professional.

This course is suitable for people wanting to develop a career as a sales representative and for those who want to update and get recognition for existing skills.

NSW Government funding is available for qualifying individuals.

Call 1300 793 146 or go to www.arcgroup.com.au

Utilising Skills Recognition to Fast Track Your MBA

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 04:29:24 GMT

Get Qualified Australia can truly fast track your Master of Business Administration (MBA) dream.

We are Australia’s leader in Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and skills recognition services. Effectively we specialise in the facilitation of the above process to help our customer fast track a range of qualifications that span across over 30 Australian industries.

RPL was first introduced by the Australian Government in the late 1990’s. It was designed to deliver Nationally Recognised Qualifications to individuals who’ve acquired defined skills and competencies via a sustained and successful career within their given sector.

It rewards those individuals who develop an evidence portfolio around the skills they are claiming to legitimately achieve their targeted qualification within weeks. In most instances the qualification demanded can be achieved without stepping foot in a classroom or online learning environment.

Therefore if you’re a professional with enough ambition, drive and managerial experience our RPL qualification pathway might be the perfect way to save both time and money in achieving your MBA dream.

As we know completion of an MBA gets put to the backburner for a variety of reasons. Family commitments, expense, business travel, workload and personal pursuits all must be sacrificed to realise your MBA dream.

However by completing our 100% RPL specific Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership, you can within weeks receive up to 6 credit exemptions against an MBA of your choice. This means that you’ll walk away with two executive qualifications, while saving around $15,000 and an entire year of study.

Finally we also have an exciting partnership in place with a high profile business institution that actually guarantees you the full 6 module exemption in advance of any commitment to us. Just call us to find out more, it goes live in January 2016.

Interested to find out more about fact tracking your MBA? Call us on 133 775 to visit www.gqaustralia.com.au/fast-track-your-mba

Novotel Sydney Parramatta Introduces New Director of Sales and Marketing

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 23:44:13 GMT

The team at Novotel Sydney Parramatta are delighted to have bubbly and energetic Nikki Olsen in their team as Director of Sales & Marketing. Nikki joins the team with a wealth of knowledge in Western Sydney markets and an extensive sales pedigree.

Originally from Western Sydney, Nikki began her hospitality career in Parramatta and returns after working four years in Accor’s Sydney Olympic Park hotels. Nikki started with AccorHotels in 2008 as Business Development Manager for Brisbane’s Mercure and Ibis Hotels, before opening Novotel Brisbane Airport.

Nikki is looking forward to her time at Novotel Parramatta and the opportunity of working with local business partners and individuals in the ever changing landscape that is Western Sydney. Novotel is a landmark building in the heart of Parramatta which will continue to grow with the evolution of Parramatta’s CBD and the team are excited to be a part of it all.

Nikki enjoys her time in hospitality sales and being able to create long lasting business and personal relationships with like-minded people. She feels working in Parramatta is a more relaxed environment allowing the chance to build stronger local partnerships with businesses that are always happy to assist in making Western Sydney a stronger destination.

Nikki says that returning to Parramatta ‘feels like home to me’ and being able to work with an inspirational and experienced team that feel like family is an added bonus. General Manager of Novotel Sydney Parramatta, Stephen Wills says that having Nikki as part of the team is wonderful and her extensive knowledge of the area and industry is handy to have on board.

When not at work, Nikki spends time keeping fit by running and time spent at the gym. Her days are also spent with her gorgeous young daughter, who keeps her busy during her downtime. To meet the friendly Nikki Olsen or for a chance to explore their recently refurbished conference areas, just pop by the lobby at Novotel Sydney Parramatta.

For all your festive celebrations, check out www.novotelparramatta.com.au for their fabulous Christmas party deals and indulgent Christmas Day Lunch offerings.

How Two Construction Companies are Thriving off The Western Sydney Construction Boom

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 05:37:38 GMT

A construction boom has taken over Sydney’s West and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. With an abundance of construction companies ready to cash in, what sets one apart from the rest?

It has been shown that structured and well managed businesses have the advantage. The construction industry is renowned for having staff who lack a sense of responsibility and commitment. Often business owners are at the mercy of team members who don’t have buy-in to the vision for the company and the team culture is virtually non-existent. Two of Sydney’s fastest growing construction companies, Next Constructions and Empower Construction, don’t have these issues as they’ve gone against the norm and have implemented a management system to ensure this isn’t the case; this has become a point of difference for them and drives their success.

Gallop Solutions specialises in empowering business owners to structure and grow their business with the help of our exclusive tools. As Gallop Solutions clients, both Next Constructions and Empower Construction have been able to put in place a simple management structure that clearly defines roles and responsibilities in their team, accountable metrics to measure performance with and culture tools that enable everyone on the team to stay on the same page.

Next Constructions placed 77 on this year’s BRW Fast 100 list. They’ve shown that in order to see growth of 54.7% in one year you have to be forward thinking, energetic and thrive on exceeding customers’ expectations. The success of their projects comes down to their collaborative approach and commitment to understanding their client’s key objectives, and this ensures that new clients become repeat clients. Managing Director, Joseph Di Girolamo, had a desire to “Own a business that does not own me” and the management framework that Gallop Solutions has given him has enabled Joseph to work his way out of the day-to-day operations and start working on the business in a broader strategic sense.

Empower Construction is another company who stands out by focusing on the integrity of their service and outstanding quality of their products; this has seen them become the leader of lightweight construction installation and services in NSW. Founder, Ryan Steyn, has managed to grow the company exponentially over the last 8 years, making the BRW Fast 100 list for the second year in a row, this year coming in at 78 with a growth rate of 54.6%. Empower Construction have proven that even the smallest of start-ups can become a contender for substantial growth and profitability in the saturated construction industry with the right leader daring to be different.

Next Constructions and Empower Construction have embraced the importance of having the right management structure in place and this has attributed to them being able to get their team off the ground and running. They are repeatedly smashing forecasted yearly revenue targets and are constantly leveraging from the construction opportunities that lie around them.

About Gallop Solutions

Over the last 4 years we have worked with hundreds of companies; with teams of 5 - 150 staff and turnover ranging from $2m to $120m across multiple sectors including construction, IT services, professional services, childcare, health services, resources and manufacturing.

For more information or to get in contact with one of our New Client Managers to see how we can work with you, please email our Marketing Supervisor, Linda Tim at ltim@gallopsolutions.com or call our office on (02) 9560 0035.

Eat, Drink & Be Merry at Novotel Sydney Parramatta

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 04:21:17 GMT

Leave the turkey stuffing and pudding making to the experts and join us on Christmas Day for an indulgent festive feast of seafood, carvery, desserts and more!

A separate kid's buffet will be available on the day and each child will receive a special gift from Santa.

Includes complimentary parking.

To book contact our events team on:

E: h8787-sb4@accor.com

P: 02 9630 4999

Want more Christmas cheer? Check out all of Novotel Sydney Parramatta's Christmas offers below or click here for more information.

Gold Member Australian Turf Club's Sydney Santa Spectacular

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 04:00:00 GMT

If you love all things Christmas and entertainment, don’t miss the Sydney Santa Spectacular at Rosehill Gardens from 9-30 December.

From only $35 pp, the ticket price includes an array of pop up shows, ice skating rinks, toboggans, and all amusement rides for the family to enjoy plus FREE PARKING!

Magic coming alive this December!

Yes, it's going to be the much awaited family day out during the upcoming Christmas season - 2015, which will see your whole family enjoy rides and a Magical Winter Wonderland, during the three hour session of the event. There will be limited tickets for each of the session so go get your tickets at the earliest, to confirm a place for your family at the spectacular event this December at Rosehill Racecourse Gardens!!

Best Christmas Event In Sydney

Sydney Santa Spectacular will be a complete fun filled extravaganza with lots of rides and North Pole Experience, for the amusement and entertainment of every child and for the inner child of every mum and dad as well. All this happiness for an affordable flat entry ticket, which will include ALL RIDES AND ACTIVITIES - and of course FREE PARKING!!

Your Ticket Price Includes

Festive Fairground with Unlimited Amusement Rides, including Australia's Only Double Decker Carousel and the Worlds Biggest and Best Slide, plus many more rides to enjoy

Gingerbread Decorating, Snow World Ice Skating, Enchanting Winter Forest where snow falls daily, to let you go through a complete North Pole walk through extravaganza

Little Elves Craft Workshop

Taboggan Snow Slip and Slide, Build your own Snowman in Snowman's Adventure Land

Free Small Gift from Santa, Christmas Fairy Read-a-long and Sing-a-long, Full award winning circus stage entertainment

Santa's Express Train

Winter Wonderland and Inflatable World, Roaming 'Meet and Greet' Santa and Friends Characters

Click here for further information or to book your tickets.

Corporate partners raise funds for Westmead Medical Research Foundation

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 03:28:07 GMT

Westmead Medical Research Foundation’s (WMRF) corporate partners have been proactive in organising fundraising initiatives to support research, new equipment and innovative health care.

At its inaugural Charity Golf Day held recently at the Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club, Arab Bank Australia (ABA) raised $27,000 towards heart disease treatment and research. Supported by over a hundred attendees from the business community and well-wishers, ABA Chief Executive Joe Rizk OAM, teed off the event. At the luncheon that followed, guest speaker Dr Eddy Kizana, Westmead Hospital cardiologist and researcher presented an update on gene research into heart rhythm disorder. Attendees were thanked for their participation and generous donations.

“People don’t think much about medical research or necessarily support it, but when you understand the gains, you realise how essential it is,” stated Mr Rizk. “We’re a bank that wants to be part of the community and the whole Westmead precinct is such an important part of this community”. Arab Bank Australia has been a strong supporter of the Foundation for over 20 years and is one of its most engaged corporate partners.

“We are grateful to our corporate partners for their support because proceeds go towards improving the quality of life, increasing access to state-of-the-art technology and finding cures for diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity, as well as many others,” said Susie Saba, Partnerships & Community Officer at WMRF.

Another of our corporate partners, Parramatta-based travel management company Elite Travel is generously donating $100 to WMRF from every international ticket purchase prior to March 31, 2016. Email info@elitetravel.com.au, visit www.elitetravel.com.au or call 1800 627 746 and quote promotion code ‘WMRF15’.

WMRF is the primary fundraising body for Westmead Hospital and Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research (WMI), and can offer tailored solutions towards building a strong corporate social responsibility profile for companies, helping them to raise funds through events, promotions or special initiatives. Call 02 9845 8162 or email susie.saba@wmrf.org.au for more details. To make a donation, call 1800 639 037 or visit wmrf.org.au

WatervieW in Bicentennial Park to host Celebrate the West event

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 03:07:45 GMT

The much anticipated 2016 Celebrate the West function will be held at WatervieW in Bicentennial Park on Friday, 11 March 2016.

Celebrate the West honours the service to the community by San Miguel Family Centre at North Richmond.

In 2016, a new group of champions who have excelled in their field, will be honoured. Some of our past Champions of the West have been Toni Collette, Steve Waugh, Noeline Brown, Lisa Wilkinson, Chris Bath, Ben Quilty and Thomas Kenealy.

Hosted by Bryan Brown, Celebrate the West includes entertainment by internationally acclaimed artists, amazing food, gourmet beverages and silent and live auction items.

Early bird tickets are now available for an afternoon of fun, food and fundraising Westie style!

BREED Awards for Excellence – Presented to Blacktown Region Students and Business

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 02:35:15 GMT

Thirteen of Blacktown Regions' most talented students received awards for excellence in the workplace last night. Tamarah Bradley of Wyndham College was named VET Student of the Year, an awards program set up by BREED, the leading employment and career pathways organisation in the region. Other award categories included: Outstanding Work Placement, School Based Trainee, School Based Apprentice and Participants in the Digital Enterprise Project.

The Awards Dinner, now in its 11th year, took place at the Blacktown City Council’s Nirimba Room and guests included Parents, School Principals, Education, Community and Industry Leaders. The students were nominated by their respective employers for displaying excellence while undertaking their work assignments. This year included awards for Ben Fulwood and Harmony Trotman, two outstanding students of the Digital Enterprise Project, a research project aimed to create pathways to Education and Employment for Young People with Disabilities.

The Awards program also acknowledges Outstanding Employers who provide the work placement positions to the over 4,500 students through-out the year. The Employers are nominated by students, schools and the Blacktown community. The 9 employers receiving awards included: Cumberland Ford, Busways, T & T Built in Wardrobes, Cleanaway, Panarottis Blacktown, Australian PC Distributors, Ability Options Wholesale Nursery, Trade Secret Mt Druitt and Alpha Hotel Eastern Creek.

‘It is important that the Blacktown Region community acknowledges exceptional students for their achievements and encourage them to further strive in their next stage of studies, or career.’ said the Chairperson of BREED, Ms Berice Miller. ‘The work placements are a Partnership between students and the employers and both benefit from such a partnership. Students have the opportunity to experience the world of work. While the employers have the opportunity to identify potential talented employees and give their staff the experience of supervising and mentoring as well as supporting our next generation of employees and business people’.

The Students BREED places in Industry come from 25 High Schools, TAFE WSI and Trade Schools. The student’s courses cover vocational frameworks, each requiring a mandatory work placement component for their HSC studies. Frameworks include: Business Services, Construction, Entertainment, Primary Industries, Information Digital Technology, Metals and Engineering, Retail, Hospitality, Tourism and Events and Automotive.

BREED programs are assisted by funding from the NSW Government and University of SA. For more information about the 2015 Awards, Winners and BREED please contact:

Stephen Frost

P: 9853 3200

or visit www.breed.org.au.

Cricket Legends Unite For Landmark Charity Event

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 01:37:10 GMT

Some of the biggest names in Australia’s sporting history will soon come together for a landmark charity event.

Cricketing greats such as Michael Bevan, Greg Matthews, Frank Misson, Alan Turner, Murray Bennett, Barry Knight and Marshall Rosen will be joined by around 500 of Sydney’s business and community leaders to take part in Northcott’s 20^th Anniversary Cricket Legends Lunch at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Northcott is a not-for-profit disability service provider that hosts the annual event to raise money for children and adults with disabilities.

Since its inception, the event has been attended by cricketing greats including the late Richie Benaud OBE, Allan Border AO, Ian Healy, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Geoff Lawson OAM, Frank Misson, Mark Taylor AO, Doug Walters MBE, Mike Whitney, and the Chappell and Waugh brothers.

In addition, some of our current Australian cricketers – all legends in the making – have also attended. These include Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, David Warner and Australian Captain Steve Smith.

With its event partner Cricket NSW, Northcott’s Cricket Legends Lunch has raised an incredible $1.2 million which has allowed hundreds of children and adults living with disability to take part in a wide range of sporting and social activities through Northcott’s Recreation Service. From ski trips and outdoor adventure programs to annual swimming and athletics carnivals, the money raised at the Cricket Legends Lunch has brought joy to countless families in Western Sydney and made a significant impact within the community.

This year’s special 20^th Anniversary event will take place on Friday 19 February 2016 at the Noble Bradman Stand at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Pre-lunch drinks will commence at 12.00pm on the hallowed turf of the SCG followed by lunch at 1pm in the Noble Bradman Stand.

For enquires or to RSVP your attendance please contact Racquel Sherry on 02 9890 0128 or email racquel.sherry@northcott.com.au.

FREE Energy Saving Advice for Parramatta businesses.

Wed, 18 Nov 2015 00:48:28 GMT

Energy costs form a significant proportion of business operating costs. WSBC Platinum Partner, Parramatta City Council is offering free workshops to help local businesses reduce their energy costs.

Attendees will receive expert independent advice on energy saving and solar opportunities and will be eligible to receive a free energy assessment for their business.

Improve business performance through energy efficiency

Thursday, 25 February 2016

7:30 am for a light breakfast with the workshop running from 8 am to 10 am

Rydalmere Bowling Club, 6 Park Road, Rydalmere

Learn about:

No cost and low cost energy saving opportunities
Financial benefits of energy efficiency
Innovative financing options such as Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs)
Free advice from independent experts

To register visit www.pccbusiness-energy.eventbrite.com.au

Reducing energy costs for businesses through solar panels or solar hot water systems

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

7:30 am for a light breakfast with the workshop running from 8 am to 10 am.

Rydalmere Bowling Club, 6 Park Road, Rydalmere

Learn about:

Basics of solar systems including installations
Solar panels and storage technologies
Costs savings generated
Innovative financing options such as Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs)
Free advice from independent experts

To register visit www.pccbusiness-solar.eventbrite.com.au

For further information please contact Kartik Madhira, Parramatta City Council on 9806 8291.

Greater Sydney Commission Bill 2015 passes through Parliament

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 22:41:07 GMT

The highly anticipated Greater Sydney Commission Bill 2015 has passed through the Legislative Council of Parliament.

The Urban Taskforce supports the commission and hopes that this authority will put an end to the haphazard approach to strategic planning and development assessment which has hindered the growth of Sydney as a global city.

WSBC is interested in hearing your views.

Read the Parliamentary Hansard of the Legislative Council debate here, commencing on page 37 here.

A Parliamentary Research Paper provides an overview of the commission here.

Source: Urban Taskforce Australia

How does Sydney rate in the global city hierarchy?

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 22:38:01 GMT

JLL and UK consulting firm, The Business of Cities, have produced a new report outlining a global hierarchy of cities, which breaks cities into established, emerging and new world cities, informs Urban Taskforce Australia, .

The report, titled Globalisation and Competition: The New World of Cities, states that the global structure of cities is changing, and smaller cities which are lower-down on the global hierarchy are becoming more specialised and becoming ‘niche’ cities, catering to specific markets.

Sydney is the only Australian city to fall into the ‘established’ world city category, with Brisbane and Melbourne in the ‘new’ world city category.

The report notes that in order to maintain a competitive edge, established urban cities such as Sydney will need to implement bold urban transformation plans, and also require a major boost to residential supply in order to attract global investment and address local housing affordability.

See the Full report here.

Source: Urban Taskforce Australia.

The Northern Road Upgrade Stage 4 - Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 22:26:10 GMT

The Australian and NSW Governments are planning to upgrade The Northern Road as part of the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan to improve safety, increase road capacity and to reduce future congestion and travel times.

Stage 4 of the upgrade needs to divert The Northern Road because the existing road is on land required for the western Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek.

In July 2015, Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) presented four route options to the community to divert The Northern Road around the western Sydney airport site and to pass through or around Luddenham.

After carefully assessing four shortlisted route options and consulting with the community, the Eastern Option has been selected.

RMS have prepared a community update newsletter with information about the Eastern Option and the selection process.

You can view a copy on their website: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/

RMS have also prepared a short video that is available on their interactive portal at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/wsip

An Options Report will also be available on their website shortly.

Roads and Maritime will invite the community and stakeholders to provide their feedback on the preliminary design and access strategy in early 2016.

If you have any questions, please contact the team by emailing WSIP@rms.nsw.gov.au or phoning 1800 703 457.

Join over 200 businesses already contributing to Making Western Sydney Greater

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 09:04:09 GMT

Our third “Making Western Sydney Greater” survey, targeted to Western Sydney business owners and managers, is now 'live' for you to complete.

Results from previous surveys, of over 200 business owners and senior management from across the region, have highlighted the challenges that businesses are facing, both in attracting appropriately skilled employees and continuing to train their employees.

Led by William Buck, and supported by Western Sydney Business Connection, St. George Bank and Western Sydney University, the results are used to contribute to and influence discussions on NSW Government policy regarding workforce skill and employee training. Our aim is to achieve positive changes for businesses in Greater Western Sydney.

In this edition, we're looking into the benefits and obstacles of being a business based in Greater Western Sydney.

Join the conversation and over 200 businesses already contributing to Making Western Sydney Greater.

If you missed the release of our second Making Western Sydney Greater report please follow the link.

In releasing the second report, WSBC President, Brendon Noney, comments "The second Making Western Sydney Greater report demonstrates the continued growth and opportunity that lay in Western Sydney and the importance of the Greater Western Sydney economy as a powerhouse of the Australian economy as a whole”.

The key issues identified were employment and training – with businesses identifying this as critical to the region’s development and success. Transport is also a priority, echoing a theme identified in our first survey.

Parramatta looks to the future with Smart City Summit

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 02:01:48 GMT

Parramatta City Council will host a summit of international Smart City experts and local industry leaders aimed at positioning Parramatta as one of the country’s future leaders in the field.

The summit is being held on Tuesday 10 November and will feature speakers from Amsterdam and Chicago exploring leading-edge technologies and innovations that can be incorporated in Parramatta’s future planning.

The conference will be opened by The Hon. Victor Dominello, the State’s first Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, and the Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard.

Guest speakers include Amsterdam’s Smart City Senior Strategy Advisor for Low Carbon and Connected Urban Planning Frans-Anton Vermast, City of Chicago Former Chief Technology Officer and PostivEnergy President John Tolva and Meld Strategies Director Bruce Duyshart.

Council is partnering with Future Cities Collaborative, a strategic policy and research support unit, to host the event which is being held on the same day as the opening of a new technology ‘Launch Pad’ initiative by Western Sydney University and KPMG.

“The Summit is designed to spark discussion about how Parramatta can transform into a globally recognised Smart City where clever design and innovation become part of the fabric of our community,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard said.

“It’s about fostering an environment of collaboration where we can work together to uncover solutions to improve the City’s liveability and to encourage investment into the region.”

John Tolva and Frans-Anton Vermast will also take part in a panel discussion with Baxter Asia Pacific Information Technology Director Marise Hannaford and ParraConnect Chairman Cr Steven Issa, led by Future Cities Collaborative Founder and Chair Professor Ed Blakely.

Parramatta Councillor Steven Issa, who is chairman of the ParraConnect Committee that has been driving a number of smart city projects, said now is the time for Parramatta to plan for a digital future and ensure high-tech initiatives are incorporated in new developments across the City.

“The summit is an important step in our Council’s journey to becoming a Smart City. It is about working collaboratively to solve our City’s ongoing challenges, to make the city more liveable and shape our future identity,” Cr Issa said.

Parramatta City Council adopted a Smart City Masterplan in August this year and appointed a Strategic Smart City Officer to guide the integration of leading-edge technologies and planning across the City, including major urban renewal projects such as the $2 billion Parramatta Square development.

The event is invite only. All media wanting to attend should email media@parracity.nsw.gov.au.

Western Sydney Business Access: Infrastructure Dream Drives Baird

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 03:42:39 GMT

MORE TRAINING CHOICES FOR APPRENTICES AND TRAINEES

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 04:20:01 GMT

The NSW Government is investing up to $100 million to increase training options for employers, which will support over 47,000 training places for apprentices and trainees.

NSW Minister for Skills John Barilaro said a top priority is to give employers more flexibility to choose the training providers who can best deliver government subsidised apprenticeships and traineeships in NSW.

“NSW needs more people working in skilled jobs across the state who can make a significant contribution to our growing economy,” Mr Barilaro said.

“Employers can find the training option that best suits them and their businesses with the construction, automotive, engineering, aviation, finance and insurance sectors to benefit, among others.

“The additional training options are in the areas where there is strong demand, including western and south-western Sydney where there is a skills shortage.

“We are determined to help young people get the skills they need to get the jobs they want,” Mr Barilaro said.

The NSW Government is also investing $10 million to give students who have left school fee-free pre-traineeship and pre-apprenticeship courses – a “try before you buy” model to provide students with the opportunity to start an apprenticeship or traineeship.

The changes form part of a raft of measures to drive skills training in NSW and will help increase apprenticeship completion rates to 65 per cent by 2019.

To find out about training options in any NSW region, visit www.smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au

Employing ADF Reservists Makes Good Business Sense For Global Firm

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 01:49:13 GMT

ONE of the world’s leading business improvement companies has thrown its weight behind the ‘job ready’ skills of Australian Defence Force members, confirming employing a Reservist can positively impact on a business’s bottom line.

BSI (British Standards Institution) is a company that works with businesses to equip them with the necessary solutions to turn standards of best practice into habits of excellence.

With more than 80,000 clients in 172 countries, BSI believes they are an organisation whose standards inspire excellence across the globe.

BSI Group ANZ General Manager Sales & Marketing John Krnel said employing Defence Force Reservists made “good business sense”.

“What we have found over the years is that many of the skills developed within a Defence Force context directly translate to the corporate environment,” Mr Krnel said.

“Defence Force Reservists demonstrate excellent leadership qualities. We find they bring a myriad of skills to the workplace.”

Leadership, initiative and teamwork are just some of the personal attributes Defence Force Reservists bring to the BSI Group ANZ workplace, he said.

Mr Krnel said an excellent example of the benefits of employing a Reservist was BSI Group ANZ Business Development Manager Andrew Moore.

Mr Moore is Squadron Sergeant Major, A Squadron, with the 1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers (1/15 RNSWL) Light Cavalry Regiment located at Parramatta, NSW.

“Andrew applies his Defence leadership skills in managing his team,” Mr Krnel said.

“In return for all of the skills developed in the Defence Force we offer Reservists with flexible working arrangements and support through the BSI Group ANZ Defence Leave Policy.”

Mr Moore said he appreciated the support he received from BSI Group ANZ.

“BSI Group ANZ has a number of mechanisms in place to ensure employees who are Defence Force Reservists are supported,” Mr Moore said.

“Like any employer there has to be give and take, giving BSI as much as possible notice has always helped me in being able to be released to attend courses and training for extend periods of time.

“As well as the leadership benefits employees bring to the workplace, employers of Defence Force Reservists are eligible for a range of benefits provided through the Defence Reserves Support organisation”.

Financial incentives such as the Employer Support Payment Scheme and ‘Reservist Experience’ programs such as Exercise Executive Stretch and Exercise Boss Lift are two examples of support provided to employers.

Earlier this year Mr Krnel got a first-hand taste of military life when he took part in the Defence Reserves Support VIP Challenge held at the Australian Army Recruit Training in Kapooka, NSW.

The aim of the challenge, which is held annually, is to provide employers the opportunity to observe and experience the personal, technical and professional skills Reservists receive as a member of the Navy, Army or Air Force Reserve.

“Activities included leadership and survival skills training as well as team building exercises and physical challenges,” Mr Krnel said.

“It really was a great experience -especially the confidence course.”

Click here to learn more about Defence Reserves Support

John Krnel undertaking the High Ropes Confidence Course at the 2015 Defence Reserves Support Kapooka VIP Challenge

^{Article By FLTLT Nick O’Connor}

Nominations open Monday 2nd November for the 2016 Western Sydney University Women of the West Awards

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 22:57:55 GMT

Nominate these inspirational women for the 2016 Women of the West Awards.

The awards were established by the University to recognise the significant contributions and achievements of women from the Greater Western Sydney region.

Nominations are open for the following categories:

Women of the West
Young Women of the West (specifically for women aged between 18 and 28 years old)

The winner of each category will receive a grant of $5,000 and nominees highly commended for each category will receive a grant of $1,000 to further develop their leadership and advocacy work in their local community.

Entries close Sunday 13 December 2015.

The winners will be publicly announced at Western Sydney University’s International Women's Day celebrations in March next year.

For further information or to submit a nomination, please visit www.westernsydney.edu.au/womenofthewest .

INNOVATION CORRIDOR STRATEGY GAINING MOMENTUM

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 09:17:30 GMT

Today Western Sydney University hosted an "Ideas Lab” event to discuss the Western Sydney Innovation Corridor strategy recently developed and proposed by the University and launched at a joint WSBC WSU event in June earlier this year.

This strategy seeks to optimize State and Commonwealth planning along with infrastructure and investment commitments in Western Sydney by gathering, activating, and promoting the diverse set of new opportunities within the region. Following the arc of the planned M9 ‘Outer Sydney Orbital’, the Corridor links the region’s currently diffused and developing innovation entities into an interconnected span of knowledge-driven commercial hubs.

The event included a presentation from Professor Donald McNeill who has written a discussion paper on the Corridor plan. Professor McNeill delivered an analysis of the opportunities the Corridor plan offers along with observations of the key inputs required to activate the initiative including aspects such as innovation culture and the role of science and technology in Western Sydney and also his reflections from his research on how similar concepts around the world have driven regional based innovation.

A panel discussion followed with experts including: Professor Barney Glover (WSU), Dr Tim Williams (Committee for Sydney), David Borger (Sydney Business Chamber), Lindy Deitz (Campbelltown City Council) and John Vassallo (Celestino). The panel included a lively discussion that covered issues such as how the Corridor should integrate with other innovation activity in Greater Sydney, what role the new Western Sydney Airport will play in activating the corridor and how Western Sydney needs to “maintain the rage” to ensure the region keeps an appropriate level of focus on its ongoing development from State and Federal governments. Much of the discussion centred around Connectivity and ensuring issues such as fast rail between the new Airport, Parramatta and Sydney CBD remain a focus and pressure is maintained on governments to build these types of infrastructure.

In live polls taken during the event, the audience identified, Medtech, Science, Agribusiness and Aeronautical Engineering as future industry opportunities for Western Sydney and also a lack of connectivity and government buy-in / political leadership as the highest level risks to the corridor strategy not being realised.

Western Sydney University "Ideas Labs" are forums to identity and discuss issues affecting the region. A white paper will be released outlining the discussions from the event and outcomes of the Lab to inform policy and act as a practical resource for all stakeholders.

For more information contact Ms Angelique Harslett on 0467 763 428

In the meantime you can view the discussion paper here.

Western Sydney Airport: Community information sessions start this week for business and the Community to provide feedback

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 07:39:08 GMT

Community information sessions for the Western Sydney Airport Draft Airport Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will start this week. This follows the release of the draft Airport Plan and draft EIS by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon Warren Truss MP.

These community information sessions are a great opportunity for you to talk to the project team about the proposed Western Sydney Airport and find out more about the project. There are 12 information sessions scheduled at various locations around Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

This week you will have the opportunity to drop in and talk to the project team at the following locations and times:

Luddenham
Wednesday 28 October
4pm-7pm

Holy Family Primary School

32 Willowdene Avenue, Luddenham

St Marys
Thursday 29 October
4pm-7pm
St Marys Memorial Hall

Corner Great Western Highway and Mamre Road, St Marys

Blaxland
Saturday 31 October
12pm-3pm
Blaxand Community Hall

33 Hope Street, Blaxland

To find out more about future information sessions and to see where you can view a copy of the draft Airport Plan and draft EIS in your local area, visit westernsydneyairport.gov.au or call us on 1800 038 160.

Community members and organisations are also now invited to make a submission on the draft Airport Plan and the draft EIS. The submissions deadline is Friday 18 December 2015. Further information is also available on westernsydneyairport.gov.au or by calling 1800 038 160.

Closure of Civic Place opens new phase of Parramatta Square

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 07:33:54 GMT

The transformation of the Parramatta CBD is entering a new phase with the escalation of works on the $2 billion Parramatta Square project.

Civic Place and Leigh Place will be closed to traffic and pedestrians in preparation for the demolition of the former Council offices, library, shops and Connection Arcade – the sites for Aspire Tower (Stage 2), Stages 5 and 6 and a new world-class public domain.

The closure, from Saturday 7 November, will also facilitate further construction on Stage 3 including an archaeological and Aboriginal heritage excavation, and various construction works including the relocation of key infrastructure assets.

A partial closure of the Civic Place car park was implemented earlier this year to allow the development of the Western Sydney University building leaving 29 parking spots.

“The full closure of Civic Place signals another step towards realising the Parramatta Square vision. Work is well underway on the Western Sydney University campus, which is scheduled for completion by the end of next year and will be ready to receive 10,000 students in 2017,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard said.

“Parramatta Square will give Parramatta residents the world-class CBD centre they deserve. New civic facilities, a state-of-the-art library, premium office space, a residential tower, A-Grade commercial space, and a new public domain are all planned for the three hectare site.”

To ensure pedestrian safety there will also be changes to pedestrian access as the site expands as a construction zone.

Access will be closed between 30 Darcy Street and the Sydney Water building and on the eastern side of the now-vacant library through to Macquarie Street.

The pedestrian access between 12 Darcy Street and the Connection Arcade past the western side of the library through to Macquarie Street will also be closed along with access from Centenary Square past the southern side of the Town Hall and Chambers building through to Macquarie Street.

Pedestrian access to Macquarie Street from Parramatta Station will be via Smith Street and Centenary Square.

Vehicle access to the Council Chambers basement car park and Town Hall courtyard will be by ‘Authorised Vehicles’ only up to and including the last Council Meeting on 14 December.

Nearby parking options include the City Centre car park (Horwood Place) and Parramatta Station car park (Wentworth Street).

A five-minute drop off point will be established adjacent to the entry of the Council Chambers building for people with disabilities and senior citizens who require access to the Council Chambers building.

A combination of ‘No Parking’ and ‘5 Minute Parking’ restrictions have been installed on the south side of Macquarie Street between Church Street and Horwood Place to provide a set-down/pick-up area during the construction period.

According to the road rules, motorists can stop for a maximum of two minutes within the ‘No Parking’ area to set-down and pick-up passengers. A vehicle displaying a mobility parking permit is allowed to stop/park for a maximum of five minutes in the ‘No Parking’ zone and up to 30 minutes in the ‘5 Minute Parking’ area.

There are currently 3,450 Council-owned off-street car park spaces available within the Parramatta CBD and the total number will rise to 3,800 once the new 700 space car park at 189 Macquarie St is built and opened in 2017.

Council meetings will continue to be held at the Council Chambers building until next year when they will be relocated to a site yet to be determined.

$100 donated to Westmead Medical Research Foundation with every international ticket purchase

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 06:58:35 GMT

In a gesture of special generosity, Elite Travel has decided to donate $100 to Westmead Medical Research Foundation (WMRF), from every international ticket purchase prior to March 31, 2016.

Elite Travel has been a long time supporter of WMRF through a range of initiatives which include sponsorship, raffle prizes for flights and accommodation, short trips and other incentives that support its fundraising initiatives.

To take advantage of this generous offer and help WMRF, simply email info@elitetravel.com.au, visit www.elitetravel.com.au or call 1800 627 746 and quote promotion code ‘WMRF15’.

“It is very generous of Elite Travel to support us through this special offer,” said Susie Saba, Partnerships & Community Officer at WMRF. “Proceeds go towards funding innovative care, new medical equipment and critical research, all of which go a long way in improving the quality of life, access to state-of-the-art technology and finding cures for diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and hypertension, among others,” she added.

Supporting Westmead Hospital and Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, WMRF relies on its generous donors to help the people of Western Sydney gain access to the very best of health care services and equipment. Critical breakthroughs and exciting discoveries in research have helped progress towards life-giving solutions and a better, more positive future for people in Australia and globally.

If you’re looking for a partnership with WMRF, call Susie on 9845 8162 or email partnerships@wmrf.org.au We can create special business partnership proposals that will improve visibility of your brand and business within the vast Westmead family. We have access to a diverse range of health, community and business networks, and can help you build a strong corporate social responsibility profile.

You can also make a donation via the website wmrf.org.au, or free call 1800 639 037. You can volunteer, leave a gift in your Will, collect donations in lieu of presents at a celebration, attend a My Westmead Seminar, or partner with WMRF through a community group or business, like the WMRF collaboration with Elite Travel.

Purchase an international ticket from Elite Travel and help WMRF raise funds towards a brighter, better future.

To discuss partnership opportunities, contact Susie Saba on 9845 8162/ 0407 780 787 or email Susie.saba@wmrf.org.au

Organising a Gala Dinner? WatervieW in Bicentennial Park offers 5 great tips to help you

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 06:29:34 GMT

Gala dinners are popular options for business celebrations, awards nights, conferences and fundraisers.

The key components of any gala dinner are fabulous food, eye-popping décor, a fun theme and first-class entertainment. If it is a fundraising gala dinner, it will usually include raffles offering desirable, high-value prizes and auctions offering unique or money-can’t-buy items.

With so much to organise, it is usually recommended that a committee be formed to organise the event. If this isn’t an option, consider selecting a venue that offers gala dinner packages to make the whole event easier to manage.

5 tips to help with planning your gala dinner

1.Start early

Start planning as early as possible to ensure your favourite venue is available on your preferred night.

2.Know your budget

Be clear on your budget. As the name suggests, a gala dinner is a very special occasion so you’ll need the decorations, entertainment and food to reflect this. Know your costs before you have a budget blow-out so people will remember the night for all the right reasons.

3.Technical support

Multimedia presentations, staging and lighting are popular inclusions – especially for awards nights, conferences and business celebrations. Make sure your venue can accommodate all of your specifications.

4.Don’t forget the entertainment

Think about the type of entertainment you want at your gala. While it’s nice to allow attendees time to talk to each other, you should also consider how you will maintain the energy and their interest throughout the night. Providing a dance floor with DJ or live band will get people out of their seats and onto the dance floor. Photo booths and roaming entertainers are also popular choices.

5.Ensure every seat is filled

Make sure the invitations are sent out in plenty of time with information on the dress code for the evening. The current trend is to send “save the date” notices in advance of the invitations to ensure you have every seat filled on the night.

WatervieW in Bicentennial Park has become one of Sydney’s favourite destinations for all types of business events. It offers inclusive packages and an in-house event manager to make it easy for you to organise your business event. In particular, their Gala Dinner packages offer sumptuous food, a comprehensive beverage package, table centre pieces and entertainment.

“We held a gala dinner as part of our Company’s conference event. We chose WatervieW in Bicentennial Park because of their all-inclusive packages and the in-house assistance they provided. The whole night was spectacular. I can’t wait to come back.” - Shelley, a recent client.

For more information on WatervieW’s all-inclusive Gala Dinner packages or to enquire online, visit our Business Events page Or speak to one of our experienced business event managers on 02 9764 9900.

"Management & technical skills in short supply in Western Sydney". How will this affect your business?

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 22:44:46 GMT

The success of major infrastructure plans, new health precincts, the Western Sydney airport AND YOUR business hinges on a ready supply of skilled workers – particularly if Western Sydney businesses are going to benefit or be part of these opportunities.

How can YOU prepare your business for the future?

Attend the WSBC GWS Employment Forum.

Tis the season to be jolly at Novotel Sydney Parramatta

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 04:51:01 GMT

Christmas at Novotel Sydney Parramatta is the gift that keeps on giving.

Let Novotel Sydney Parramatta take the worry out of organising your Christmas party this year. Our friendly events staff will take care of everything from the décor to dinner to the dance floor.

Built on the enviable reputation of consistently surpassing guest expectation through attention to detail and innovation, you can be assured of a successful and seamless event at Novotel Sydney Parramatta.

Reindeer Offer: Complimentary chair covers with sash and upgrade to premium beverage package!*

*Terms and conditions apply.

Turkey stuffing for all....

Leave the turkey stuffing and pudding making to the experts and join us on Christmas Day for an indulgent festive feast of seafood, carvery, desserts and more!

A separate kid's buffet will be available on the day and each child will receive a special gift from Santa.

Includes complimentary parking.

Click here for more information or contact our events team on:

E: h8787-sb4@accor.com

P: 02 9630 4999

Access fully funded training for your new employees and receive $4000

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 04:42:09 GMT

Through ARC Training, you can access government-funded training for employees who have been with your business for less than three months full time or 12 months part time.

On top of this, your business will receive $4000 under Federal Government funding. This is an invaluable investment in the future of your company – your people.

ARC Training is offering Certificate III and Certificate IV qualifications in areas of training such as business, warehousing and logistics, retail, aged care and disability. For the full scope of training available, visit www.arcgroup.com.au

Throughout the traineeship, ARC Training sends a trainer to your business once a month for one-on-one training and assessment sessions with the trainee. Trainers are available in between sessions to answer questions.

Trainees can be school-leavers, people re-entering the workforce or workers simply wishing to change careers.

To be eligible for the funded training, the employee must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident. New entrant traineeships are available to anyone of working age. Applicants cannot hold a previous qualification higher than a Certificate III.

This training is funded by the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program.

For more information one eligibility or enrolment, please call ARC Group Business Development Manager, Rachael Northcott on 1300 793 146.

Pitcher Partners and Moore Stephens Sydney to merge

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 04:36:57 GMT

On 1 November 2015 Moore Stephens Sydney and Pitcher Partners Sydney merge to become a new Pitcher Partners Sydney practice. Both middle market specialists, the combined expertise and resources mean that clients will benefit from greater infrastructure support both locally and nationally through the Pitcher Partners association.

Rob Southwell will lead the new practice as Managing Partner with 26 partners and 240 staff, more than doubling the size of the individual firms. The increased scale brings unlimited potential for growth, with exposure to new service offerings and greater investment in learning and development. All of this translates to significant opportunities for both our clients and staff.

Don Rankin, National Chair of the Pitcher Partners Association said, “This is a tremendously exciting opportunity for Moore Stephens and Pitcher Partners in Sydney and for the entire Pitcher Partners Association. The greater size and strength we will now have in Sydney will improve our competitiveness and provide a platform for growth. It will provide clients with a quality Australian firm with enormous depth that is focussed on the middle market.”

To find out more visit www.pitcher.com.au

Pitcher Partners Sydney

Level 22 MLC Centre,

19 Martin Place, Sydney

NSW 2000

www.pitcher.com.au

Novotel Sydney Parramatta Welcomes Back Business Development Manager

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 02:11:44 GMT

Novotel Sydney Parramatta is the sleek glass landmark amongst the ever changing landscape of Church Street, Parramatta. Someone who has always been close to the action and participating in the Western Sydney Business community is Mary Poulter; Novotel Sydney Parramatta’s Business Development Manager for the meetings and events market.

Mary Poulter returns to Novotel Sydney Parramatta after some time working as a business development manager for various regional properties including Accor’s Mercure Gerringong. Mary says she is excited to be back in Western Sydney, as she is a true believer that Parramatta is the next big CBD and Novotel is a strong supporter in this development.

Mary is familiar with the glass landmark that is Novotel, after originally working at the hotel in its Carlton days then watching it change over to the Sebel before becoming an Accor property. Now when she walks through the glass sliding doors, Mary describes the lobby as vibrant and alive with the new furnishings and carpet that make the entrance inviting along with new 350 Restaurant and Lounge. Mary is further excited by the opportunity to promote the newly refurbished conference and events rooms including the Lennox ballroom, Parramatta’s largest pillarless ballroom.

Having always lived in Western Sydney, being at Novotel allows Mary to be closer to home and spend more time with her three sons and lovely grandchildren. Mary says being back in Parramatta is like returning home, as the Accor and Western Sydney Business community feel like one big friendly family of passionate people. Working in hospitality sales is a real excitement for Mary with the opportunity of making long lasting business relationships and knowing each client’s needs are different but can be easily met with a simple solution.

To meet the wonderful Mary, who is always up for a great chat, or for a tour of Novotel Sydney Parramatta’s newly refurbished areas please contact her directly on 02 9890 0859.

There are still opportunities for any last minute Christmas parties or for their glorious Christmas day Lunch. Visit www.novotelparramatta.com.au for more great specials.

Western Sydney Airport - Stakeholder update

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 07:23:03 GMT

The draft Airport Plan and draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Western Sydney Airport are now available.

Draft Airport Plan

The draft Airport Plan is the primary source of reference for, and companion document to, the draft EIS. It provides detail on Stage 1 of the proposed Western Sydney Airport, along with an overview of its potential long term development.

The draft Airport Plan outlines the concept design for the airport development including the development objectives, indicative flight paths, projected aircraft noise contours and the land use plan for the airport site. Once determined the Airport Plan would authorise the Stage 1 development of the proposed Western Sydney Airport.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The draft EIS is an extensive assessment of both the construction and operation of Stage 1 of the proposed Western Sydney Airport as outlined in the draft Airport Plan. The draft EIS assesses the environmental, social and economic impacts associated with the construction and operation of Stage 1 of the airport. It also outlines potential impacts over the long term by providing a separate strategic, level environmental impact assessment.

Community consultation

The draft Airport Plan and draft EIS are available for public exhibition from 19 October to 18 December 2015. During this period any person, group, corporation or agency can submit comment on the airport proposal. After taking the community's comments into account, the EIS will then be finalised.

More information on public information sessions, how to provide feedback on the draft Airport Plan and draft EIS and where to find these documents on public display can be found at www.westernsydneyairport.gov.au.

Charity Partner news - RMH Official turning of the soil for a new 'Home away from Home'.

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 07:15:53 GMT

The Honorable Jillian Skinner, NSW Minister for Health & Minister for Medical Research joined families and friends of Ronald McDonald House Westmead to ‘officially’ turn the soil and start building a new ‘home away from home’ for families of seriously ill children.

The Building Love campaign is raising funds to build a brand new Ronald McDonald House at Westmead to help meet the demand of families in need of a place to stay whilst their ill child seeks treatment at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. To open the House by early 2017, the House needs to raise $31 million dollars.

Joining Health Minister Skinner to show their support for the campaign were Geoff Lee Member for Parramatta, Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Councillor Scott Lloyd, The Hills Shire Councillor Mark Taylor and Channel 7 personality Mark Ferguson.

Health Minister Skinner along with NSW Premier Mike Baird announced at the launch in February, the NSW Governments support by donating $10 million towards the new Ronald McDonald House at the Children’s Hospital Westmead and was excited to be a part of such a significant day.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner said today: “Ronald McDonald House has long brought comfort and hope to seriously ill children and families across our state - and this wonderful new building will ensure even more families can stay together at times of enormous challenge.”

Seven News anchor and Ronald McDonald House Westmead Building Love Campaign ambassador Mark Ferguson also stated, “Channel Seven is proud to support the building of this much-needed facility in Western Sydney. Ronald McDonald House Westmead already provides exceptional care for seriously ill children and their families when they need it most. The new House will be a home away from home for even more families in need.”

Ronald McDonald House Westmead Executive Officer Mike Thomas was thrilled to be able to official get the new building underway after years of planning.

“We have already had generous support of the NSW Government, Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia, Channel Seven and numerous corporate and community groups, but we still need to raise more funds to reach our final target of $31 million’, he stated.

“In 2014 we were forced to turn away over 400 families from our doors as we just did not have the room. That is nearly one in every two families who came to us during the toughest time of their lives. There is an urgent need to build a new House to accommodate the families of seriously ill children who need to stay together,” said Mr Thomas.

Ronald McDonald House Westmead is an independent charity, primarily relying on donations from the community. Helping provide a much needed ‘home away from home’, every dollar raised from the Building Love campaign will go directly towards the new House and providing support for families so they are able to stay together during one of the most difficult times of their lives.

“We know families are stronger when they are together and our new House will be a place of comfort, love and hope to even more families in need - we look forward to seeing the House that love built open in 2017,” concluded Mike Thomas.

Click here for the photo gallery of the day's event

PRIORITY PRECINCT TO DELIVER MORE JOBS

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 07:26:52 GMT

The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue has commended the State Government on its plans to create a Western Sydney Priority Growth Area around Badgerys Creek, in partnership with Liverpool and Penrith Councils.

The Dialogue paid particular tribute to Planning Minister Rob Stokes and Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun who have championed this unique partnership.

Planning for the 14,000ha Western Sydney Priority Growth Area, which will maximise the economic and strategic benefits that the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek will deliver, is expected to be overseen by the Greater Sydney Commission – as per comments made by Minister Stokes at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) luncheon earlier this month.

The Dialogue has been a strong advocate of the Greater Sydney Commission and its role in overseeing the renewal and development of key parcels of land in Western Sydney. It is this type of integrated planning, using innovative funding partnerships with industry, that will future-proof the region.

"We are looking forward to working with the Department of Planning and Environment on this committee which will shape one of the most significant planning projects of our generation,” Liverpool Mayor, Councillor Ned Mannoun said.

“Penrith Council is committed to realising the opportunities the airport brings. Better roads, rail, employment and new town centres will ensure Penrith benefits from the most exciting project in decades,” said Penrith Mayor, Councillor Karen McKeown.

The Western Sydney Priority Growth Area stretches from Penrith and Blacktown down to Leppington. It is bound by The Northern Rd to the west, Bringelly Rd to the south and the Western Sydney Parklands and the suburbs of Horsley Park and Mount Vernon to the east.

View the Ch7 footage

The Western Sydney Priority Growth Area stretches from Penrith and Blacktown down to

Leppington. It is bound by The Northern Rd to the west, Bringelly Rd to the south and the Western Sydney Parklands and the suburbs of Horsley Park and Mount Vernon to the east.

Calling budding entrepreneurs in the health sector - New healthy ageing grants available

Mon, 12 Oct 2015 03:24:13 GMT

Funding is available for innovative projects that support healthy ageing.

The new Liveable Communities Grants program will provide $4 million dollars over four years for innovative projects that support a range of ideas for new initiatives or platforms focussed on helping older people increase their participation in the community and lead rewarding, active lives.

Minister for Ageing John Ajaka said that liveable communities enabled everyone, regardless of age or ability, to lead active, independent, healthy lives and access their community freely and safely.

The grants are open to non-government organisations, academics, entrepreneurs, small businesses and local councils.

Entries must address one of the following categories:

helping people stay healthy
helping people stay connected
helping people work or contribute
Helping people live where they want to.

Successful entries will be assessed on innovation, understanding of community and the potential for creating sustainable long-term solutions.

More information

Liveable Communities Grants program information

Westmead Hospital design unveiled

Mon, 12 Oct 2015 03:20:19 GMT

Take a look at the new concept for stage 1 of the $900 million redevelopment of Westmead Hospital.

Upgrades include new critical care services, new operating theatres, extra inpatient beds and a new emergency department. The redevelopment will also create more than 1000 construction jobs each year the project runs.

NSW Premier Mike Baird said the redevelopment will deliver world-class health services to Western Sydney’s growing population and help create future job opportunities.

“We want to ensure we use all the skills of Western Sydney local industries so that funding for the project is invested back into the community and the local economy,” Mr Baird said.

More than 12,000 people work and visit Westmead daily and consultation with local staff, clinicians and the community has been a key part of the design process.

ABC News: Shortage Of Skilled Workers And Apprentices Restricting Growth In Western Sydney, Report Finds

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 04:23:32 GMT

Author: Mohamed Taha, ABC News

Click here to view online article

A growing skills shortage in Sydney's west is restricting the growth of businesses in the region, a report has found.

TAFE Western Sydney and Western Sydney Business Connection conducted the Greater Western Sydney Skills Barometer audit in mid-2015, surveying 456 businesses across different industries in the region.

TAFE Western Sydney Institute director Robin Shreeve said one of the key findings was a shortage of "grey collared workers".

"They are people who have deep technical skills who need supervisory skills," he said.

"What employers are looking for in western Sydney are people to lead teams, project managers and people on building sites who can organise a team of workers."

Mr Shreeve said Western Sydney was experiencing a "construction boom" and its economy was changing.

"There is demand for construction workers and we're an ageing population so there's also demand for care workers," he said.

"Manufacturing is still quite big in Western Sydney but we're moving towards a service economy.

"There's actually more white collar jobs in western Sydney than blue collar jobs."

Western Sydney Leadership Diaologue chairman Christopher Brown said TAFE needs a better public relations strategy to attract young people similar to what universities have done.

"We've got to make TAFE sexy again," he said.

"We've got to get tradies back out there and in front.

"We need to make sure that TAFE can provide all of the sort of skill network that makes this economy full of highly trained individuals for the smart jobs of the future."

Mr Brown said key partnerships between TAFE and business, with government support, would help retain trade-qualified workers in Western Sydney.

"We want the tradies who have been flying off to the mines in Western Australia for the past 10 years back and employed in western Sydney," he said.

"This is the infrastructure capital of the world for the next 10 years so it'll be nice to see kids from Mount Druitt, Parramatta and Liverpool filling those jobs."

Company struggles to find apprentices

Matthew Luke is a third year landscape construction apprentice from Hoxton Park in Western Sydney.

The 21-year-old said he decided to start his apprenticeship after attending an expo night in Penrith three years ago.

"I saw of one of their stalls set up and I was always interested in landscaping," he said.

"I approached them and handed a resume in and it led to a job."

Mr Luke said he enjoyed working at Landscape Solutions in Seven Hills as an apprentice.

"We're working on projects, like for example Wet'n'Wild," he said.

"That's something you can put your name to and say you had a part in that."

Mr Luke said whilst he was satisfied with his work, many of his apprentice friends receive poor pay and get bored.

"Some of the wages are low," Mr Luke said.

"If you go to uni you're looked up a bit more but if you do a trade course you're just going to work your a**se out."

Landscape Solutions employs 350 staff, 75 of which are apprentices.

Landscape Solutions recruitment officer Jamie Taylor said the company was struggling to find young apprentices like Mr Luke and trade-qualified staff.

"We're constantly winning work and growing quite rapidly," he said.

"That obviously opens up a lot of gaps internally and not having those apprentices coming up through the ranks makes it difficult.

"We have to source candidates externally and it's a pretty small pool of trades staff to work with."

Mr Taylor said one of the major challenges was getting apprentices interested in the industry.

"School students just don't have the amount of interest in a trade career that they used to a couple of generations ago."

"We need to make it more appealing for the youth."

Key Audit Findings

· 66,000 advertised jobs unable to be filled

· 54 per cent of small businesses cannot fill positions

· 78 per cent of medium to large business cannot fill positions

· Half of job applicants are under-qualified for positions

· Skills shortage expected to affect 7 out of 10 businesses in the future

· Management positions hardest to fill accounting for 30 per cent of unfilled roles

Newly elected Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Cr Paul Garrard, committed to seeing that the City fosters innovative entrepreneurship and collaboration between governments, businesses and local communities.

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 00:01:03 GMT

A special Council meeting has elected long-time Parramatta City Councillor Paul Garrard to the position of Lord Mayor, with Cr Bakous Makari named Deputy Lord Mayor.

Cr Garrard was first elected to represent the Woodville Ward in September 1974 and has been re-elected on ten consecutive occasions. This is his sixth term as Lord Mayor.

“It is a great honour to again have the opportunity to serve the people of Parramatta in the capacity of Lord Mayor. Parramatta is growing at a rapid rate and Council is playing a crucial role in facilitating that growth and ensuring resident’s needs are met along the way,” Cr Garrard said.

“For Parramatta to continue to grow and develop we need to be a ‘Smart City’ driven by intelligent planning and leading-edge innovative technologies that will improve the functionality and liveability of our City, while respecting our rich heritage.

“Having launched Council’s Smart City committee, ParraConnect, five years ago I am committed to seeing that our City fosters innovative entrepreneurship and collaboration between governments, businesses and our local communities.

“I have always been a strong advocate of our neighbourhoods and this term I want to introduce a ‘Neighbourhood focus’ to Council so that we bring our residents with us into the future.

“By redefining our neighbourhoods, we have the opportunity to better focus on service delivery and efficiency, effectively bringing local government closer to the community.

“There are many positive changes taking place in Parramatta, with work set to start on a $300 million redevelopment of Pirtek stadium, plans for the Powerhouse Museum to come to the City and work still underway to determine the first route of the Western Sydney Light Rail.

“We have made great progress on the $2 billion Parramatta Square urban renewal project, which will see a new City heart created for residents, workers and visitors.

“We also stand at the crossroads of how Local Government will be administered for generations to come with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) soon to release its recommendations on the State Government’s ‘Fit for the Future’ reform process. I support Council’s proposal for the creation of a new Parramatta based Council with the scale and capacity to deliver growth and improved services.

“We will continue to work closely with State and Federal Governments to achieve large scale projects to enhance our City and secure Parramatta as Sydney’s dual CBD.

“I would like to congratulate and thank the outgoing Lord Mayor Cr Scott Lloyd and Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Steven Issa who have done a commendable job keeping the City moving forward over the past year. I look forward to continuing the great work that the Council has been achieving.”

Design for world-class centrepiece of Parramatta Square

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 23:09:09 GMT

Parramatta Council seeks your views on the draft concepts for Parramatta Square, a unique opportunity to define the future heart of the City.

A winding stream that changes shape and form, areas of green open space and public art installations are among the features of a concept design for Parramatta Square’s public domain area which is now on public exhibition.

Parramatta City Council last night voted to endorse the Draft Concept Design for a four-week exhibition period to seek feedback from the community and stakeholders.

The $35 million investment by Council is central to the $2 billion Parramatta Square redevelopment that will include commercial, residential, educational and civic buildings.

Key to the concept design is a central fountain and watercourse that winds through the length of the 10,000sqm space. While the final design is still to be determined, the stream could take on a variety of forms including still water, running water, a shallow curtain, mist or spray.

“As a river city, Parramatta has a long and well-established connection with water and this design pays tribute to that, with a water feature that lends itself to a variety of different interpretations,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Scott Lloyd said.

“This is a unique opportunity to define the future heart of our City, to create an engaging space that will be used by thousands of residents, visitors and workers every day. Council and the design team aim to create a world-class public square befitting Sydney’s dual CBD that respects and pays homage to our unique heritage, while creating a versatile, modern and visually appealing space.”

A team of four internationally-acclaimed design firms, including Danish architect Jan Gehl, has worked with Council to celebrate the City’s connection to its riverside location by putting water at the heart of the design.

As well as the iconic water feature and main fountain, the public domain will include digital way finding and public art, a northern lawn and southern plaza, play garden, a new Town Hall lobby, focal artwork and multiple crossing points across the stream.

The draft concept was created by 4² – a design team including award-winning firms James Mather Delaney Design (JMD), Taylor Cullity Lethlean (TCL), Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG) and Gehl Architects, Denmark. The team have won acclaim for their individual and collaborative work both locally and overseas, including projects in New Zealand, the UK and New York’s Time Square and Broadway.

“Water becomes a centrepiece to Parramatta Square and will animate it in many wonderful ways. It will celebrate the great diversity of Parramatta’s community and connect to a range of beautiful civic spaces that allow visitors, residents and workers to promenade, play, meet or be entertained,” 4² spokesman and TCL director Perry Lethlean said.

“The public realm will also include many inviting lawn spaces, display gardens and extensive tree planting to create a memorable setting and a unique Parramatta identity.”

Professor Jan Gehl of Gehl Architects said a great heart of a city is a key condition for a thriving urban community.

"Parramatta Square will become the new urban heart of a diverse and changing face of Parramatta. It will provide many opportunities for people to enjoy urban life in a great city,” Professor Gehl said.

The design team includes Melbourne artist Callum Morton, who will oversee the public art masterplan for the new public space. Callum is Professor of Fine Art at Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA) in Melbourne, and has exhibited his work internationally.

Council recently announced that Walker Corp will be developing and sourcing buyers and tenants for Stages 2 and Stages 5 & 6 of Parramatta Square.

The public domain will be completed in stages to ensure coordination with the construction projects in Parramatta Square including the Western Sydney University high-rise campus, new civic and library facilities and commercial high-end office buildings.

The project will see 20,000sqm of space transformed, including the 10,000sqm, 40 metre-wide and 250 metre-long central area.

More than 1000 comments have already been received from the public through a number of focus groups, three community open days and an online survey. Residents and ratepayers are now being asked to provide their feedback on the draft concept design and can attend a number of open days during the four week exhibition.

Feedback can also be provided:

In person – Hard copies can be viewed at Parramatta City Council administration building at 126 Church St, Parramatta or at Parramatta Central Library at 1-3 Fitzwilliam St, Parramatta
Online - The documents can be viewed at www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/on_exhibition.
Email – Submissions can be emailed to info@parracity.nsw.gov.au
Post – Submissions can be sent to PO Box 32, Parramatta NSW 2124.

All submissions should be marked ‘Parramatta Square Public Space Exhibition’.

For artist’s impressions of the new draft concept design click on the link below:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/50p58da53d15kx2/AABIzE1X5698yA61bfpxmqzPa?dl=0

Gold Member Moore Stephens Spring Wealth Management Update Now Released

Sat, 26 Sep 2015 04:59:31 GMT

Moore Stephens Spring Wealth Management update covers the following:

Equities: The Lost Decade
Superannuation: Nominating a Beneficiary
Model Equity Portfolio Update

Equities: The Lost Decade

On 31 August 2006 the ASX200 closed at 5115. Nine years later - on 31 August 2015 - the ASX200 closed at 5207, barely 2% higher. Investors in equities are supposed to be rewarded for risk, but after almost an entire decade they have seemingly received next to nothing.

We have examined rolling 9 year returns since 1992¹ and found the average index return over the period was 64%. The best period was 164% and the worst period has been the last 9 years ending 31 August at 2%.

Click here to read the full version of our Spring Wealth Management Update 2015.

Should you have any queries in relation to the above, please do not hesitate to contact the author or your Moore Stephens relationship partner.

Contact

Martin Fowler
Partner, Wealth Management
Moore Stephens Sydney
T +61 (0)2 8236 7776
mjfowler@moorestephens.com.au

On the 1st November 2015 Moore Stephens Sydney is merging with Pitcher Partners Sydney creating a new Pitcher Partners Sydney practice. The new practice will be an independent member of the Pitcher Partners Association and Baker Tilly International Network.

Read our Merger – Questions and Answers for further information.

Charity Partner Northcott's 'Walk with Me' – Bigger and better than ever before

Sat, 26 Sep 2015 04:56:59 GMT

This September saw not for profit disability service provider Northcott host several highly successful Walk with Me events around New South Wales with the biggest event in Parramatta attracting a crowd of close to a thousand people and leading to road closures in Market and Church Streets.

Walk with Me is an annual event hosted by Northcott which encourages communities to unite and walk alongside people of all abilities, while encouraging a better understanding of disability and promoting social inclusion.

The Parramatta Walk with Me event commenced at the Riverside Theatre and ended in Centenary Square where the exuberant crowd were then entertained by Australian Idol winners Wes Carr and Damien Leith.

Other Walk with Me events took place in Campbelltown, Wagga Wagga, Moree, Tamworth and Dubbo with several hundred people taking part. For more information see www.northcott.com.au/news.

Gold member ATC’s Award-Winning Catering Continues To Be Recognised

Sat, 26 Sep 2015 04:51:45 GMT

The Australian Turf Club proudly accepted ‘Best Caterer at a Major Event NSW’ at The Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence last night.

Held at the Dockside Pavilion in Darling Harbour Sydney, the Awards for Excellence gala dinner welcomed 750 guests from all around the state who came together to try their luck across five major categories.

The ATC will now battle it out for the national title at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday 26th October.

Continuing our award-winning success, this win comes off the back of the Best NSW Function/Convention Centre Caterer in 2014.

To see a preview of what Royal Randwick has to offer, watch our videos from the John Eales Medal Awards Night and the Hyundai Tucson Launch.

For more information on Events at the ATC, please visit:
http://www.australianturfclub.com.au/royal-randwick/royal-randwick-functions/

Alternatively, please email events@australianturfclub.com.au or call us on (02) 9663 8478.

Gold member KPMG release their Growth Intentions Snapshot 2015.

Sat, 26 Sep 2015 04:47:19 GMT

ACHIEVING GROWTH: PLANNING AND EXECUTION, THE KEYS TO SUCCESS

When it comes to planning for growth, most SMEs are disciplined in developing a plan however the day to day demands, both external and internal, can make it difficult to execute plans in the most effective manner.

KPMG has released the 'Growth Intentions Snapshot 2015' a survey which sought to understand how SMEs plan for and implement initiatives to grow their businesses.

The key findings are as follows:

Almost all SMEs (90 percent) are planning for growth. However the depth of their plans varies with most having performing a SWOT analysis (78 percent), defined their growth objectives (74 percent) and defined their customer segments (72 percent) however only 60 percent had developed a value proposition. However, less than half (47 percent) has completed a competitor analysis.
In contrast to this 73 percent of respondents said that effective marketing strategies had been a key to their success.
The vast majority are developing their growth plans internally, only 28 percent sought external assistance.
Fifty percent of businesses wanted to grow and believed their business had the potential to expand at a rapid rate but were simply not equipped with the right systems and practices to accommodate rapid growth.
Nearly one third of respondents are having difficulty attracting the right talent.
The day to day pressures of running the business take a significant toll on the ability to execute on growth plans with 76 percent saying they were too focused on the operational aspects of the business or running their internal operation to track revenue growth regularly. A further 17 percent were focused on customers and suppliers so didn't have the time to track revenue growth.

Click on the link above to download the report.

Gold Member Regus' Exclusive WSBC Member Offer – Your First Month Free*

Tracy Dawson — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 04:08:53 GMT

Looking for the perfect virtual office for your team?

Here are 7 great reasons to choose Regus:

1. Unlimited business lounge access with free Wifi in over 3000 locations worldwide

2. A dedicated mailbox with forwarding or collection

3. Your own dedicated business number

4. Personalised call answering in your company name – UNLIMITED

5. Boardroom & meeting room access within the whole Regus network

6. The largest selection of prestigious business addresses worldwide to use as your own

7. Your first month is FREE

Choose from 3,000 locations in 120 countries, for space wherever you need to be.

What next?

Talk to one of our advisors, they'll discuss your requirements and will work with you to find the best possible solution.

Our centre phone numbers are:

Blacktown: 02 9854 5500

Parramatta: 02 9891 0000

Liverpool: 02 9600 5200

*Minimum 3 month contract applies. Terms and conditions apply.

Become a volunteer Lifeline Telephone Crisis Supporter!

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 09:09:09 GMT

WSBC Charity Partner Parramatta Mission encourages you to become a volunteer. Full training provided.

Lifeline Western Sydney is one of the largest centres accredited by Lifeline Australia to answer telephone crisis calls to 13 11 14, and is a service of UnitingCareMental Health.

We operate 24/7 and answer over 80,000 crisis calls per year from people of all ages who are in crisis due to a range of issues including:

• Suicidal thoughts

• Relationship difficulties

• Mental illness

• Domestic violence

• Addictive behaviour

• Social isolation

• Disabilities

This service would not be possible without our friendly, caring team of dedicated volunteers. As the demand for the Lifeline telephone crisis service is continuing to grow, we are looking to expand the team.

We run courses throughout the year at our training centre at Parramatta. Thanks to grants, donations and our fundraising events, we offer this course at a greatly subsidised rate of only $890 (actual cost of the course is valued at approximately $3,500).

Because of our investment in students, we ask for a minimum 12 month commitment to doing fortnightly, 4 hour shifts at Lifeline Western Sydney (and we’d love it if you could stay longer!).

We start courses all throughout the year

Contact us on 0427 320 690 or lifeline@ucmh.org.au

Greater Western Sydney businesses indicate strong business outlook

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 08:58:13 GMT

Over 85 percent of large businesses interviewed in the bi-annual Making Western Sydney Greater research expect to grow their business within the coming year, while 66 per cent of SME businesses recorded a similar expectation. An average growth rate of 8.63% is expected over the next 12 months.

Overall business sentiment was also notably positive. The Business Sentiment Index for Western Sydney remained positive, moving slightly from 15.83 (Q4 2014) to 13.49 (Q2 2015).

The Making Western Sydney Greater research is a collaborative project between William Buck, St.George, the University of Western Sydney and Western Sydney Business Connection. The research report drew on responses from over 200 business owners and senior management personnel involved with businesses in Western Sydney.

Greg Travers, Director at William Buck comments, “Overall business sentiment for the Greater Western Sydney region is positive. It is interesting to note that the business sentiment amongst large businesses has improved significantly, and while the SME demographic remains positive, the business sentiment for these businesses has actually decreased.

“Both SME and large businesses are forecasting that they will exceed their revenue and profit targets. Capital expenditure is expected to be maintained for SMEs, and marginally increased for large businesses.”

Employment trends were also very strong and consistent with the positive outlook for economic activity in the region. SME businesses expected to increase the number of full time employees by 1.9 per cent while large businesses expect a 3.3 per cent increase.

According to the Employment Projection Report prepared by the Department of Employment, employment in Greater Western Sydney was projected to grow by approximately 10.7 per cent over the period spanning 2014 to 2019. The research indicates the actual growth in employment should exceed this forecast.

Matthew Kelly, Executive Manager for Western Sydney at St.George said, “Overall, the research indicates a real strength in the Greater Western Sydney economy which reflects what I’ve been hearing from St.George business customers in the region".

“It’s positive to see a big proportion of businesses expecting to grow. Many have taken concrete steps to plan and implement this growth. There are also some businesses that appear to be at the front end of their growth cycle and have not yet planned for future growth - these businesses are facing huge potential to expand their workforce and invest in the future.”

Export markets and new product development are two growth opportunities for Western Sydney businesses that don’t appear to be fully exploited. Less than 25 per cent of SME and large businesses consider increasing their export sales to be a key part of their growth strategy, and only around half considered developing/launching new products or services as key.

Greg observed, “On one hand this indicates further potential growth opportunities for businesses in the region, which is a positive. However, it also raised questions on potential barriers to accessing export markets and inhibitors for innovation and investment in new products and services. These are issues we will be looking to further explore with businesses.”

Warren Day, Director, Engagement at the School of Business at the University of Western Sydney said, “One of the biggest issues identified by all businesses was the challenge in finding employees with the right skills. With a projected upswing in employment in Western Sydney, applying skills development training alongside a local procurement policy are important steps towards developing Western Sydney’s workforce for the future.”

Development of Parramatta CBD

Developing the Parramatta CBD is a central plank of the State Government’s policies for the region. A special focus of the research was on business attitudes towards this strategy.

For businesses based in the Parramatta LGA, almost without exception the redevelopment of Parramatta is seen by business leaders as positive for their own business and also for businesses across the region.

For businesses based outside of the Parramatta LGA, 90% view the redevelopment of Parramatta as valuable for businesses throughout Greater Western Sydney, although only 60% believe it will be valuable for their own business.

Businesses identified three priorities to ensure the success of Parramatta as the second CBD.

Creating improved public transport connections with surrounding Western Sydney centres (Westmead, Rydalmere, Olympic Park and Norwest) was the highest priority identified by businesses across the region as a whole, and the highest priority issue for businesses located outside of the Parramatta LGA.
Increasing the number of financial and professional service businesses with substantial presences in Parramatta was a high priority for business across the region as a whole, and the highest priority issue for businesses in the Parramatta LGA itself.
A third priority was to ensure Parramatta is developed as a “living city” by having an appropriate mix of residential, commercial, entertainment and open space developments.

“Turning the vision of Parramatta as a second CBD into a reality that delivers real benefits for businesses will be challenging, but focusing on these key priority areas is a must. With the right policies and support, Greater Parramatta and the Western Sydney region can drive the future productivity of Sydney and New South Wales,” Greg concluded.

The next Making Western Sydney Greater research will be undertaken in October.

Gold member Grant Thornton release latest benchmark report on Manufacturing growth.

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 08:49:08 GMT

Over the past three years, Australian mid-size manufacturers (MSMs) have experienced declining sales, tighter margins, rising employee costs, and as a consequence - declining profits. However, not all businesses have been impacted in the same way.

Grant Thornton’s latest benchmarking report Manufacturing growth: Benchmarks for Australian mid-size manufacturers demonstrates that several MSMs are bucking the trend. Despite difficult market conditions, these businesses point to a positive correlation between strategic investment and improved profitability.

Manufacturing growth: Benchmarks for Australian mid-size manufacturers is unique in its focus on MSMs – and the information captured is not otherwise available in the Australian marketplace. The full report addresses market and margin growth for MSMs, employee value, the bottom line, optimising operations and financing for growth – specifically, what they may mean for your operations.

If you would like further information on the study and a customised copy of the complete report, please contact Grant Thornton’s Manufacturing team via the details below who will arrange a time to discuss it with you.

Ryan Pollett
NSW Head of Manufacturing, Grant Thornton
E ryan.pollett@au.gt.com
T +61 2 9286 5532

What’s the best bet for Melbourne Cup?

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 08:19:09 GMT

What’s the best bet for Melbourne Cup?
Novotel Sydney Norwest

Celebrate the race that stops the nation with our Melbourne Cup Luncheon.

$98.00 per person

Tuesday 3^rd November 2015

Grand Ballroom

12:00 – 4.00pm

Package Inclusive of

Sumptuous buffet

Large screen coverage on the day

4 hour beverage package

Lucky door prizes

Entertainment

Sweepstakes

Complimentary car parking

Early bird special for all WSBC members:

Take advantage of the early bird special and receive 10% off when you book a table for 10 people. Please note this offer ends on 30^th September 2015.

Simply call (02) 9634 9634 or email SB03@novotelnorwest.com.au

*Terms and conditions apply.

Gold Member Novotel Sydney Parramatta Welcomes New General Manager, Stephen Wills

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 05:04:29 GMT

As always there is exciting movements’ happening at Novotel Sydney Parramatta, this month sees the official launch of 350 Restaurant and Lounge and introduction of their new General Manager, Stephen Wills.

Stephen Wills takes on the reigns as General Manager at Novotel Sydney Parramatta after previous GM Michael Daviss moves to Novotel Sydney Central. Stephen joins the team with a tremendous amount of hospitality experience which started at the age of fourteen when working as a chef in his hometown in England.

After moving to Australia in 1998, Stephen started working with family owned hospitality group; Doherty’s which gave him the opportunity to explore Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales as Executive Assistant Manager across the group’s properties. During his time in Ballarat, Stephen joined the Accor Hotels Group as General Manager for Mercure Ballarat Hotel.

Stephen’s greatest achievement to date is his assistance in the successful operation of Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour following the closure of Sydney Convention and Events Centre. He then went on to lead the hotel’s $6 million refurbishment on its public area and launch of their new restaurant “The Ternary”.

Now at Novotel Sydney Parramatta, Stephen brings his knowledge and expertise in time for the launch of the hotel’s new 350 Restaurant and Lounge. Stephen says he is thrilled to be a part of the new look restaurant and to showcase the new menus designed by Executive Chef Kiki Kiki which has already received great feedback from guests and locals enjoying the new concept and bright, contemporary surrounds.

Stephen says he feels right at home in Parramatta, with the Western Sydney business partners making him feel more than welcome in the community. The team at Novotel have also made his transition to the hotel a lot easier and sees many great opportunities to further the hotel’s success and secure its leading position in the West Sydney market.

Stephen’s bubbly and down to earth personality has made him an easy fit in the existing team at Novotel Sydney Parramatta and they look forward to assisting in his plans for the future. The team describe Stephen as an approachable family man, who enjoys spending time with his three daughters and keeping fit during his downtime.

Pop along to Novotel Sydney Parramatta to meet Stephen, the friendly face often seen greeting guests in the hotel lobby and while you are there make sure to try out their new 350 Restaurant and Lounge.

Visit www.novotelparramatta to explore the new menus.

Protect and Grow seminar: “240 minutes of valuable information”*

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 04:58:31 GMT

The Protect & Grow business seminars kicked off in Seven Hills last week, raising great questions from attendees and tweets on some useful business info to #WSBAgrow. The seminar brings together information on several business aspects relevant to companies of all shapes and sizes.

DCC talks about how to utilise your intellectual property (yes, you have it!) and why it’s important, Telstra talks on utilising the cloud to free up business expenditure and KMPG looks at available grant funding and tax incentives for research and development.

We’ll do it all again in Parramatta on 21 October at the Novotel and 11 November in Penrith, so go to http://www.accessnews.com.au/ for more info!

* Tweet from Yellow Brick Road Blacktown

Corporate Christmas Parties at WatervieW in Bicentennial Park

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 23:14:21 GMT

Before you know it Christmas will be here so it’s time to start organising your company Christmas party. Let WatervieW help you with our easy Corporate Christmas party packages.

Large or small parties are a breeze – all you need to do is choose your date.

Our corporate Christmas party packages include:

4 ½ hour beverage package
Fabulous food
Christmas decorations
Disc jockey and fun photo booth
Ample parking for all your guests
Plus our beautiful parkland location

Dates are filling fast so ask about WatervieW’s company Christmas party packages today.

For more information click here to visit our website.

Parramatta City Council votes to fund airport feasibility study

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 04:33:45 GMT

Parramatta City Council is kick-starting moves to build a fast rail link from the new Badgerys Creek airport to the Sydney CBD via Parramatta by funding a feasibility study into the proposal.

Council will set aside $50,000 from its annual budget for an initial feasibility concept report into the development of a fast rail link, which it believes should be built during construction of Sydney’s second airport.

“Evidence from around the world indicates that cities that have been successful in establishing viable second airports have established fast rail links,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Scott Lloyd said.

“Those comparable airports that don’t have effective fast rail links have experienced significant difficulty encouraging key airlines to relocate their operations due to concerns about traveller access, and we want Badgerys Creek airport to become a true gateway into Sydney’s West,” Cr Lloyd said.

The current commitment by the Federal Government to build Sydney’s second airport makes no immediate provision for rail connections. Instead the Federal and NSW Governments have announced a $3.5 billion package to improve road access to Badgerys Creek.

Council staff will prepare a report on the potential of a fast rail line linking Badgerys Creek to Parramatta and the Sydney CBD and a consultant will be engaged to assist with the preparation of the feasibility report.

It is envisaged that the construction costs of the fast rail link would depend upon existing track capacity, and that some tunnelling for new track and stations would be involved.

Council is aware that a number of transport and property consortiums have floated the idea of developing a fast rail link between the Sydney CBD and Badgerys Creek, with options to extend the line to Canberra.

For more information call 9806 5050

'Get Connected' at the South West Sydney Business Expo

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 00:17:40 GMT

Don’t miss your chance to ‘Get Connected’ with up to 300 other businesses at the South West Sydney Business Expo on Wednesday 14 October (9am–2.30pm) at the Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre.

The Expo will be a one-stop-shop for local business owners to tap into practical business advice and assistance, showcase products and services, meet new customers and suppliers, and participate in a series of business management workshops.

Expert advisors from Business Enterprise Centre Southern Sydney and the Migrant Community Resource Centre will also be on hand to offer support in languages including Arabic, Korean, Mandarin and Vietnamese.

With 45 stallholders already confirmed and a networking breakfast hosted by the Bankstown Business Advisory Service conveniently taking place before the Expo, make sure to register early at www.bankstownbusiness.com.au/getconnected or call Jan Bouhali on 9707 9083.

The Expo is an initiative of Bankstown City Council in partnership with Arab Bank Australia, KPMG, Allied Express, QuickBooks and EzyCollect, and is supported by the NSW Business Chamber, the NSW Small Business Commissioner, the Business Enterprise Centre Southern Sydney, the Australian Arab Business Council and the Community Migrant Resource Centre.

The Greater Western Sydney Skills Audit - 2015 Barometer launch date confirmed

Wed, 02 Sep 2015 05:11:35 GMT

The Greater Western Sydney Skills Barometer is a joint research project undertaken by TAFE Western Sydney in partnership with the Western Sydney Business Connection (WSBC).

The Barometer aims to identify predicted future (3-5 years) gaps in Industry Skills across Greater Western Sydney and beyond.

The report, due to be released in early October, highlights a number of attention areas, one being the importance of both the Vocational Education and Training Sector and Industry Sectors working together to encourage future students to undertake studies and develop careers in skills areas that Industry has identified as being critical for the future, so that businesses of all sizes can continue to actively contribute to the Greater Western Sydney and NSW economies.

Various industry engagement events

have been held via round table discussions where we have discussed the initial key findings of the Barometer.

This included an Industry Breakfast with Minister Barilaro MP on the 19^th of August at Mount Druitt TAFE.

Click on the image to download the initial key findings that were discussed at these events.

All discussions will be integrated into the final report, due to be released in October 2015.

GWS Skills Barometer Key Findings:

There is a significant shortage of skilled and qualified workers in western Sydney, with around half of job applicants under-qualified for the position, according to the Greater Western Sydney Skills Audit.
Management positions are the hardest to fill, accounting for 30% of unfilled roles in GWS and taking an average of nine weeks to fill compared to five weeks for other roles. Skilled and qualified hospitality workers are also in short supply, with 31% of available jobs remaining unfilled.
Businesses are increasingly looking for applicants with superior soft or personal skills, with those cited by business as most important being team work (98%), time management (97%) and communication skills (95%). In addition, 48% of businesses are experiencing a technical skills shortage and this is expected to increase to 68%, or 7 in 10, in the future.

Further details of the report release will be posted soon.

Platinum Partner NewsLocal helping you reach more customers with News Xtend

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 02:50:35 GMT

Are you a small business? Do you want more local customers?

News Xtend is here to help you discover how you can reach more customers online.

We offer a broad range of digital advertising products including Display, Re-targeting, Video, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimisation, Facebook and other social platforms.

Whoever you need to reach we've got you covered across multiple platforms and devices.

Our job is to eliminate the guesswork and build customised local solutions that will deliver leads to your business.

We know each business is truly unique, so we tailor your News Xtend package to suit your individual business requirements and specific digital marketing objectives. We design our solutions to match your needs and work with you to make sure you’re on the right track and hitting the right goals.

It’s a brilliant way to connect with more of your local customers than ever before.

Gold Member Castle Hill RSL to host Charity Golf Day for WSBC Charity Partner Careflight

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 02:11:49 GMT

You're invited to the Careflight Charity Golf Day.

Event Details

Date: Friday October 23rd

Venue: Lynwood Country Club

253 Pitt Town Rd, Pitt Town

www.lynwoodcc.com.au

Format: 18 holes golf (4 ball ambrose)

Catering: Lunch on arrival & dinner

Activities: auctions, raffles & novelty games

RSVP: Friday 2nd October to:

events@careflight.org

(02) 9843 5132

Click here for further information

Gold Member PARKROYAL Parramatta’s exclusive September offer for WSBC Members

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 22:54:59 GMT

Join us at TABLE:30 and indulge in our sensational seafood buffet special!

Seafood lovers can enjoy a succulent spread, with a delicious variety of fresh Sydney rock oysters, Australian tiger prawns, poached whole ocean trout, mouth-watering mussels, local Balmain bugs and blue swimmer crabs. Complement your fresh catch with an enticing array of hot dishes, salads, a live cooking station and a selection of delectable desserts.

Normally $65.00 per person but for all WSBC members we would like to extend a special offer of $59.00 per person.

Bookings are essential and mention WSBC. For bookings please contact us on:

P: 02 9685 0377

E: dining.prsyp@parkroyalhotels.com

Gold Member Westmead Medical Research Foundation's Story

Tracy Dawson — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 00:15:19 GMT

WHO WE ARE

Westmead Medical Research Foundation raises funds for health care and research at Westmead. We believe everyone who is sick deserves access to the best possible treatment and care. To help make this possible we recognise the health problems Australians are facing and search for the best way to help. Generous donations are directed to state of the art medical equipment, life saving research and enhanced services at Westmead Hospital and Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research.

Supporting these organisations that have such huge reach and impact across Australia means our fundraising efforts can reach so many who are sick. One million patients, their families and countless others impacted by the breakthroughs of medical research all over the world.

One donor can make local, regional, national and global impact.

OUR STORY

‘My Westmead’ is our Community campaign that aims to capture the pride in the community for the medical excellence of Westmead as well as bringing people together to share the good stories and ultimately, support the great work.

Why Westmead needs your support?

Westmead is a rare gem, the heart of specialist health care for the 1.9 million of us who call Western Sydney home. Westmead Hospital is entrusted to care for everyone in our local area, and also those further away who are in the most need; newborn intensive care, trauma and emergency services, brain injury, cancer treatment and care, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery and so much more.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Donate or get involved today: www.wmrf.org.au
Become a regular donor through our My Westmead Gem Program
Find out more about Workplace Giving
Hold your own fundraising event
Partner with us through your business or community group
Collect donations in lieu presents at a celebration

To find out more details on how you can get involved contact:

Susie Saba - Partnerships & Community Officer

P: 9845 8162 M: 0407 780 787 E: Susie.saba@wmrf.org.au

Gold Member Parramatta Eels Grand Final Luncheon

Tracy Dawson — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 00:09:50 GMT

350 Restaurant & Lounge, Gold Member Novotel Sydney Parramatta’s new hot spot!

Tracy Dawson — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 00:02:05 GMT

This September, Novotel Sydney Parramatta invites you to try 350 Restaurant and Lounge, their newly revamped food and beverage outlet. This area will be decked out with a new identity from branding to furniture and appearance. With a great atmosphere and friendly staff, 350 Restaurant and Lounge makes the ideal destination for anyone wanting a fantastic dining experience in the heart of ‘Eat Street’ Parramatta.

Executive Chef Kiki and team have created a wonderful new menu to match this new identity that is sure to delight the most discerning palate. Guests have the choice of either casual dining in the lounge area with a cocktail or two, or private dining in the restaurant with many wonderful options to choose.

When dining at 350 Restaurant and Lounge, you will be greeted by a friendly new face, Lucas Lees, Food and Beverage Team Leader who joins with a wealth of knowledge in restaurants and bars. Lucas joins Kristiana Terkes & Adam Jones’ team after working in various restaurants and bars in Sydney and around the world including Chef hatted restaurant, The Cook’s Garden, popular Tetsuya, Jordan’s Seafood and well renowned Pattison’s Patisserie.

Lucas’ bubbly and outgoing personality makes him a perfect fit for the new direction of 350 Restaurant and Lounge. From working in Germany and Canada, Lucas developed a passion for travel and starting in hotels was a natural progression for furthering his hospitality career. Originally from Western Sydney, Lucas sees the future in Parramatta and the direction of hospitality in the region.

Further attracted by the global Accor brand and their people-ology philosophy ‘people want the real deal’ represents his genuine and outgoing customer service and how Lucas leads by example for his team. Combining his personal philosophy of wanting to ‘leave a mark’ fits in with the vision seen for 350 Restaurant and Lounge and where Novotel sees it positioned amongst ‘Eat Street’ Parramatta.

Pop along to 350 Restaurant and Lounge to meet Lucas and try out the new menu or just have a general conversation with him about his other passions, sports and photography.

Visit www.novotelparramatta.com.au to keep up to date with all their offers and upcoming events. Accor Plus members dining discounts welcome, call 02 9630 4999 now to secure your booking.

Gold Member Davies Collison Cave to present at Protect and Grow Seminars

Tracy Dawson — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 23:58:38 GMT

DCC, KPMG and Telstra will be presenting at 3 seminars across Western Sydney over the coming months.

The three half day seminars will be held in Blacktown, Parramatta and Penrith and are aimed at assisting SMEs with practical insights on how to protect and grow their business.

As every business has intellectual property (IP), Damon Henshaw and Will Hird from DCC will talk about exactly what you can and can’t protect, how and when to protect it, and how it can be used strategically as a business asset and gain a competitive advantage in the market.

Dr Jim Taggart will facilitate the seminars, and DCC will be joined by KPMG on how to recoup R&D expenditure through tax incentives and government funding that is available, as well as Telstra presenting on how to leverage working on the cloud.

Tickets are $77 including morning tea and lunch – register at: Protect Grow Prosper

Gold Member Australian Turf Club Finalists in Sydney Catering Awards

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 01:44:22 GMT

Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens have been announced as finalists in the Sydney Metropolitan Catering Awards as “Caterers at a Major Event”.

The judging will take place within a few weeks and the Australian Turf Club is very excited to be considered within this category.

Watch this space for the announcement!

www.australianturfclub.com.au

Platinum Partner Parramatta City Council - Building Australia's Leading Smart City

Tracy Dawson — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 05:55:59 GMT

Parramatta City Council has adopted a Smart City Masterplan which will guide the integration of leading-edge technology and future town planning designs in new developments across the City, including the $2 billion Parramatta Square project.

As part of a commitment to build a world-class Smart City, Council has appointed a dedicated Strategic Project Officer to implement the blueprint and oversee the roll-out of future Smart City initiatives.

“With so much urban renewal taking place across the city, Parramatta City Council is determined to be a leader when it comes to finding innovative solutions,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Scott Lloyd said.

“The Masterplan will position Parramatta to achieve its ambition to become Australia’s next great city, and a world-class Smart City.”

Chairman of the Parraconnect Committee and Deputy Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Steven Issa said council was actively promoting private and public collaboration in the development of Parramatta’s Smart City program.

“Parramatta throughout the ages has been known as a place of major trade and innovation. Our new Smart City program will enable research institutions, businesses, residents and the City Council to collaborate on tech solutions to improve the quality of life and accelerate economic growth in our region,” Cr Issa said.

Previously a strategic partnerships consultant for the National Retailers’ Association and Director of Executive Women Australia, Tara Cheesman is Australia’s first local government appointed Strategic Smart City Officer.

“Parramatta’s Smart City initiatives will enable us to become a well-connected, prosperous and resilient city,” Ms Cheesman said.

“Cities, locally, nationally and abroad, are competing for top talent and trade and they must provide compelling offerings to their investors, employers, employees, patrons and residents.

“Our new Smart City program will provide us with the perfect engagement tools and platforms to source the best ideas and technologies to make it easier for people to connect, share, collaborate, and innovate. Our Smart City program will allow us to evaluate applicable technologies to improve the city’s liveability, sustainability, and develop local attractions.”

Parramatta’s new Smart City Masterplan states: “Parramatta will be a Smart City that leverages the foundations of good urban planning, transparent governance, open data and enabling technologies that will underpin our position as a vibrant, people-centric, connected and economically prosperous city.”

Cr Lloyd said the Masterplan and appointment of a full-time Strategic Project Officer are tangible examples of what Council is doing to position Parramatta as a true city of the 21^st Century.

“We already have convenient public transport and the city’s workforce has easy access to great amenities, shopping, cafes, parks and restaurants – these are all characteristics of a Smart City.

“Parramatta’s Smart City Masterplan and Tara’s role will ensure that Parramatta is competing on a global stage. By joining the global Smart City ISO standards, Parramatta will soon be able to compare its ‘smart’ efforts against Amsterdam, London, Barcelona, Melbourne and Brisbane.

“Potential Smart City initiatives include open data, a state-of-the-art library of the future, a new Discovery Centre, street sign way finders and free public WiFi.”

The Smart City Masterplan has been developed by leading innovation and Building Technology Strategist Bruce Duyshart of Meld Strategies, who previously played a key role as Technology Development Manager for the Barrangaroo South Project.

The Masterplan has provided a work-ready matrix to ensure each project can be assessed against its alignment with the Council’s current strategic planning priorities to 2038.

UWS’s timely move to a vertical campus on Parramatta Square with 10,000 ‘tech-savvy’ students will also enable Council to progress healthy discussions on the future needs of the city.

PCC Smart City Masterplan

Jobs Summit Highlights Western Sydney Growth Areas

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 23:50:03 GMT

"WSBC has been working with Deloitte on Shaping Future Cities: Designing Western Sydney for some months now, and the following, focusing on Health & Education Precincts, is an example of the first findings following a Summit held in Parramatta on 20 August."

Healthcare and education precincts identified as critical growth catalyst.

Over 40 business and government leaders, including the NSW Planning Minister the Hon. Robert Stokes, met today at Deloitte’s Eclipse Tower offices in Parramatta to discuss a draft blueprint to create 200,000 great new jobs in Western Sydney by 2020.

The event is the latest step in a ten month journey, which has brought together for the first time over 300 business, community and government leaders to develop an economic blueprint to maximise the potential of the Western Sydney region.

Through its Shaping Future Cities: Designing Western Sydney initiative, Deloitte has sought to unite multiple business and government perspectives on how to transform and restructure the region and create more local jobs.

Deloitte Western Sydney Managing Partner, Danny Rezek, said: “Western Sydney has huge growth potential, but this brings associated challenges, particularly around retaining jobs in the region. Over the past year, we have reviewed the existing plans and research developed to improve Western Sydney, added analysis from Deloitte Access Economics and canvassed the opinions of leaders across the region to develop a shared economic vision for Western Sydney to reach its full potential.

“Today’s summit gives us the opportunity to road-test our hypotheses on how best to create 200,000 great new jobs by 2020. It’s an ambitious target and the blueprint is intended to set the foundations to create greater clarity, certainty and promotion of our region’s strengths.”

The final blueprint for Shaping Future Cities: Designing Western Sydney is expected to include a series of specific recommendations for business and government to adopt. These recommendations will be based around a strategic framework for jobs creation, and consider platforms for growth, how to create jobs and how to connect the people of Western Sydney to those jobs. The final blueprint will be launched in November 2015.

Building off our strengths

One of the recommendations in the draft blueprint is for business and government to concentrate investment on those industries which give Western Sydney the best opportunity for jobs growth in the next five years and beyond – those industries where the region’s comparative advantages meet global opportunity and demand and which will act as economic drivers to galvanise jobs growth across the region as a whole at above average rates.

Key economic drivers for Western Sydney identified by Deloitte include:

· Health and education

· Advanced manufacturing

· Food manufacturing (including agribusiness supply chains)

· Professional services

· International education

· Tourism, hospitality and leisure

· Cultural and creative industries

The blueprint will explore each of these in terms of barriers to growth, where to invest, future skills required, how business can participate and connecting relevant industry and government policy. Beyond the above industries, the blueprint will look at the role of important enabling industries such as construction, logistics, retail, and other services. These will drive jobs growth indirectly through their linkages to these key sectors.

HEPs key to future jobs growth

· The health and community sector is the number one employer in the Western Sydney region. In addition, Western Sydney has five health and education precincts (HEPs), and together these precincts have seen a 20% increase in jobs growth between 2006 and 2011

· Western Sydney’s five HEPs currently provide 47,000 jobs in the region and this is forecast to increase by a further 20,000 in the next decade

· Combined, health and education represent 21% of all jobs in Western Sydney

· The HEPs are all undergoing enormous infrastructure expansions (totalling c. $5b), particularly around research (e.g. Ingham and Millennium Institute)

· The region has a high prevalence of lifestyle preventable diseases compared to rest of Australia, for example Western Sydney has a 13.2% prevalence of diabetes compared to 4.1% in Australia

· Deloitte is facilitating discussions between Western Sydney’s five health and education precincts (HEPs) to develop a joint HEP growth program, which is expected to consider how to maximise their collective impact and pioneer new models for collaboration in health R&D.

“Healthcare provides an ecosystem of jobs and opportunities for all types of worker, from construction workers, to hospital orderlies, to receptionists, to doctors and teachers,” said Deloitte partner and blueprint author, Theo Psychogios. “Our health and education precincts, such as Westmead, Blacktown and Liverpool are also located in areas of high population growth, providing employers with a ready local base of workers and helping to retain jobs in Western Sydney.

“There’s a collective recognition that if we can identify more productive ways of working together, health and education precincts are one of our best magnets to create and build jobs for the future.”

The Shaping Future Cities initiative is being led by a steering committee to ensure a bi-partisan approach and recognition that Western Sydney’s growth is a key part of Sydney’s and NSW’s overall success. The steering committee members are: Stuart Ayres MP (NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Minister for Sport), Chris Brown (Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue), David Borger (Sydney Business Chamber), Greg Dyer (Parramatta City Council), Professor Barney Glover (University of Western Sydney), Dr Tim Williams (Committee for Sydney) and Danny Rezek, Theo Psychogios and Ben Artup from Deloitte.

Making Western Sydney Greater: Second Survey Report Released

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 07:16:21 GMT

We are pleased to announce the release of our second Making Western Sydney Greater report.

In preparing this, we drew from the responses of over 200 business owners and senior management from across the region, obtaining their insights and ideas to support Making Western Sydney Greater.

In releasing this report, WSBC President, Brendon Noney, comments "The second Making Western Sydney Greater report demonstrates the continued growth and opportunity that lay in Western Sydney and the importance of the Greater Western Sydney economy as a powerhouse of the Australian economy as a whole”.

The biggest change has been the performance of large business, with a significant shift in their expectations.

SMEs are experiencing challenges, but continue to perform well.

Fellow Board member, Janelle Dixon, added “Its refreshing to see a continued injection of full time employment opportunities highlighting Western Sydney as a competitive business district. With the planned mobility investment and continued business interest within the Greater Western Sydney Region it seems that developing capability is well on its way across multiple industries”.

Making Western Sydney Greater is an ongoing effort. Undertaken by national accounting firm William Buck, in partnership with St George, the University of Western Sydney and Western Sydney Business Connection, our research stems from the long-term commitment to Western Sydney that we share.

The next survey will be released in October 2015. We invite you to participate once more, and to continue Making Western Sydney Greater.

Click here to download the second Making Western Sydney Greater report.

WSBC Event partner opportunities going fast with release of new program

Mon, 10 Aug 2015 04:49:11 GMT

Create growth and prosperity for your business in Western Sydney.

WSBC Event partner opportunities are going fast with the release of the new partner program and nearly 50% of opportunities taken already.

Providing an ideal opportunity for businesses to target their core audience, maximise brand exposure and provide high visibility to actively promote products, services and investment opportunities the event partner program certainly delivered results in 2014/15.

"There are many opportunities in 2015/16 to grab a speaking slot and help shape the content of our highly valued events program" stated CEO, Michael Sugg.

Brendon Noney, WSBC President, praised the WSBC team for the tremendous success of last year's events program saying "we are very proud of the team's work in providing a program that is regarded as the 'Best in the West', with many organisations respecting the success we have with the format, attendance and relevance to businesses in the West. Our program for 2015/16 is shaping up really well and we encourage our members to get in quick to secure the opportunities available".

"Last year saw our attendance at our business leader luncheons increase to 250 per event with many selling out" mentioned Sugg. "The State of The Region address saw over 450 attendees and we hope to smash the 500 target this year."

"With nearly 50% of partner opportunities sold already we are seeking interested parties to contact us quickly as we prepare more informative content for businesses in Sydney".

WSBC are seeking partners for their health and infrastructure events as well as only 1 more partner for the State of The Region address in October.

Only 2 partner opportunities remain for the annual WSBC GWS Employment Forum, in conjunction with Newscorp, in November and the WSBC CEO encourages all those interested to contact him ASAP.

For full details of the event program and information on the partner opportunities follow the relevant links.

Badgerys Creek Airport Won't Fly Without Rail Link

Tue, 04 Aug 2015 23:26:18 GMT

We've taken a few extracts from the smh letters page on this very subject and want to hear YOUR views.

Please take a moment to click through and let us know your thoughts -

'Will the lack of a rail link at time of opening, be an impediment to the airport's success?'

From the smh letters page ...

So, Sydney's long-awaited second airport is dead before the first sod is even turned ("No-frills airport is not solution, critics say", August 4). No train link and one runway. Call me cynical, but is it possible the owners of Sydney Airport, who've long argued against the need for a second airport, have influenced the federal government's decision, in effect, to nobble it? As one airline operator put it, "buses from Badgerys Creek to the CBD? Who are you kidding?"

By the NSW government's calculations, Sydney's population will grow by more than a million in the next 20 years. That population has nowhere to go but west. We need another airport.

Can someone please tell me when we will get a government that makes independent, honest and sensible planning and policy decisions for contemporary Australia?

"No wonder Australians have lost faith in their democracy."

"A "no-frills airport" reflects no-frills thinking. Can someone please let the planners know that DC-3 aircraft are no longer the major mode of aviation people-moving. Infrastructure with vision is needed for Badgerys Creek – a high-speed railway link is not a luxury, it is essential."

"A no-frills airport with no rail connection seems a predictable outcome from a situation where the owner of Sydney Airport is only reluctantly being dragged into the picture, and neither state nor federal governments are really interested. Sounds now to be an "overflow" airport with a vast industrial estate attached for the real economic impact."

"So, no rail link for Badgerys Creek airport. Preferred operator is Sydney Airport. A large part of Sydney Airport's profit is from parking. No rail means more cars. More cars means more parking fees. Simple really. An airport for Sydney or its inhabitants? No, just for more profit."

"No rail link to the new airport? What century are we living in, the 18th?"

"The clear focus of the Abbott government is investor interests, particularly for two Howard-government privatisations – Sydney Airport and Telstra. Like Sydney Airport, public transport to Badgerys Creek is being restricted as it competes with car parking, taxi and minibus operations for which the airport company charges high fees. A "no-frills" airport at commencement also minimises any fees the airport company may be asked to pay while our governments spend $3 billion on roads to serve Badgerys Creek."

Another reason for a "no-frills" airport is airspace conflicts. The technical papers of the 1997 Badgerys Creek study show the selected runway orientation results in conflicts with Sydney Airport that are resolved by creating four layers of airspace across the Sydney Basin. The bottom layer is just 3000 feet (914 metres) above sea level. Airport noise will increase for all Sydneysiders and building heights will be restricted."

"Those who spoke against the governments' plans for Badgerys Creek airport at the aviation conference are not critics, they are logical viewers of correct long-term planning.

Even if the government view that "rail is a longer-term requirement" was correct, it would be much more logical – and much better economically – if the infrastructure was constructed as soon as possible.

It's so disappointing that our state and federal governments of both brands have so regularly failed at making long-term decisions."

"Badgerys Creek 2025 reminds me of Kingsford Smith in 1965. Customs posted me there in September of that year. The International Terminal was a converted TAA hanger. As the prop jets taxied outside the roller-door entries, we were blasted with kerosene. The public transport was limited to the odd bus from Sydenham railway station. I used to park my motorbike inside the terminal until told by Civil Aviation to park it outside.

Heathrow, Hong Kong, Shanghai, among many others, have excellent rail connections. Has nothing been learnt over the past 50 years?"

Gold Member WatervieW give 4 great reasons to plan your staff Christmas party now

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 02:38:52 GMT

It’s July. It’s cold and Christmas seems a long way off. So why start planning the staff

Christmas party now?

Here are 4 great reasons.

1. Less stress and pressure

The pre-Christmas period is a frantic time for everyone. There is so much to do. Work gets busier. There are Christmas catch-ups with friends and if you have children, there are all of their end-of-year commitments as well.

With the staff Christmas party organised and booked now, you’ll have less to do in the lead up to Christmas. Now doesn’t that sound nice?

2. Saves time and money

Leaving your Christmas party booking until November (or later) means it can be hard to find a venue that has room for your group. Ask anyone who has been in this situation. They’ll tell you about the countless phone calls to find a venue and the outrageous prices some opportunistic venues charge desperate businesses.

Booking your staff Christmas party early means you are more likely to get your preferred venue. Plus some venues have special offers for early bird bookings.

3. Secure your preferred day and date

Friday and Saturday nights are the most popular nights for holding fun Christmas parties because no-one has work the next day. This gives staff the opportunity to let their hair down and have a great time. So if you want to reward your staff with a great Christmas party, book early so you can secure your preferred day and date.

4. Securing great entertainment

Like the venue, the best entertainment is quickly booked out. While staff enjoy the opportunity to chat and relax together, providing entertainment helps the party atmosphere last all night. Sadly, booking entertainment is often forgotten in the pre-Christmas panic. By thinking ahead, you will have everything organised so you can be confident everyone will have a great time.

Popular Christmas party entertainment options include a DJ and dance floor, roving magicians, a band, acrobats, photo booths, comedians and caricaturists.

Where business goes to party

WatervieW in Bicentennial Park offers great value Christmas party packages that are available for you to book now. They are suitable for groups of 45 people up to 500 people.

Save yourself hassle and worry by planning your staff Christmas party early.

Click here for more information on our Business Events Christmas parties.

Platinum Partner St.George launches pop-up shops across NSW to support local businesses

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 01:20:20 GMT

Applications now open for St.George in branch pop-up program

St.George is opening its doors to support small businesses across the region with its in branch pop-up initiative, which will allow 10 small business owners across NSW to set up shop in a high-traffic retail space, funded by St.George.

Rolling out in September, the pop-ups offer business owners the opportunity to trial their business for four weeks in St.George branches in Wagga Wagga, Orange, Shellharbour, Port Macquarie, Erina, Parramatta, Kogarah, Sutherland, Wetherill Park and Sydney CBD.

The pop-up program is in its second year and will be extended across the country to support local small businesses in NSW, QLD, ACT and WA, following the success of last year’s pilot launch.

St.George Acting Head of SME, Stuart Zalunardo commented on the importance of supporting the small business community to start, prosper and grow.

“Our pop-up program kicked off last year where we provided start-ups like local Sydney business Nine Lives of Mine, the opportunity to trial their online boutique store in Parramatta Westfield. This round of pop-ups is focused on showcasing our local business champions, and giving them a platform to extend their reach in our very own branches. We’re also excited to broaden the program even further to help small businesses in regional areas.

“We’re encouraging Australia’s local businesses across the region to jump online and enter the pop-up initiative for their chance to win one of 10 retail spaces and showcase their business.

“This is an opportunity for us to recognise those small businesses that are the pillars of local communities all around Australia. Our in store pop-up initiative will help them spread their message and distribution further and provide another avenue to market their business,” Stuart said.

Where can you set up your pop-up shop in NSW?

· St.George Wagga Wagga – 186 Bayliss St, Wagga Wagga

· St.George Orange – 183 Summer St, Orange

· St.George Shellharbour- Shop 5-6, Stockland Mall, Lake Entrance Rd, Shellharbour

· St.George Port Macquarie- 68 Horton St, Port Macquarie

· St.George Erina - Shop T92, Erina Fair, 620-658 Terrigal Dr, Erina

· St.George Parramatta - 244 Church St, Parramatta Mall, Parramatta

· St.George Kogarah - Shop 4, 16 Montgomery St, Kogarah

· St.George Sutherland - 770 Old Princes Hwy, Sutherland

· St.George Wetherill Park - Shop 32, Stockland Mall, Polding St, Wetherill Park

· St.George Sydney CBD - Cnr Castlereagh and Liverpool St, Sydney

What will each pop-up shop include?

· Exclusive use of a pop-up shop within one of our high traffic branches for 4 weeks

· A fit-out for the pop-up shop including personalisation to the winner’s brand

· A half page press advert in the relevant branch’s local newspaper

Applications are now open and will close on 16 August.

Further details on the entry criteria, pop-up locations and the online application form are available at www.stgeorge.com.au/businesschampions

Early Bird Corporate Christmas Parties At WatervieW

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Will your company Christmas party be nasty or nice? Often it depends on getting your preferred date at your ideal venue.

WatervieW in Bicentennial Park is ideal for business Christmas parties with all-inclusive packages for groups of 45 – 500 people.

Take a look at our Christmas Parties package options or call (02) 9764 9900.

Gold Member Novotel Sydney Parramatta Introduces New Human Resources Manager

Tracy Dawson — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 02:23:40 GMT

Novotel Sydney Parramatta would like to introduce you to the newest member of the team, Cheyne Scroggy, their Human Resources manager. Cheyne joins the team at Parramatta with a fountain of Accor knowledge, after starting with the company during a university internship in 2012 at the Sebel Kiama; from here he started work as an Assistant Human resources manager at Quay West and Quay Grand properties.

Cheyne looks forward to his time at Novotel Sydney Parramatta and being able to work with a new team and help deliver the vision General Manager, Michael Daviss has for the hotel and its direction. He feels excited for the ever changing landscape of Parramatta and Western Sydney and feels there are many hidden talents waiting to be discovered. Cheyne likes how Accor values its people and takes time to invest back in the individuals and assist with ongoing training to help their futures.

Cheyne’s passion for hospitality began as a child working in his parent’s seafood restaurant on the south coast of New South Wales, where he developed skills in the kitchen watching the chefs. Cheyne then went on to work as a Chef for six years in a restaurant within Wollongong, cooking many of his favourites including beef ragout.

Another one of Cheyne’s passions and how he spends a lot of his down time is with his enjoyment for fitness. Studying a certificate in personal training, he finds importance in maintaining a healthy body and mind to assist in the challenges of a working week. Cheyne lives by the motto ‘if there’s doubt, there’s no doubt’ and uses this when making decisions towards the future.

To meet Cheyne and his passionate team at Novotel Sydney Parramatta, pop by the Two Forks Lounge where you are likely run into him. Visit www.novotelparramatta.com.au for all the latest!

Gold Member Sydney Showground Sign 10 Year Deal with Sydney Thunder

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 22:49:26 GMT

Sydney Showground is excited to announce that Cricket Australia and the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) have signed a 10 year agreement to host all Sydney Thunder games at Spotless Stadium.

Michael Hussey has re-signed as captain in BBL05, which will be his final season of an illustrious career. The new stadium agreement will see the Thunder based at Spotless until BBL14 in the 2024/25 summer.

“The Spotless Stadium agreement is the culmination of twelve months’ hard work from a number of people at Cricket New South Wales, Cricket Australia and the Royal Agricultural Society,” said Nick Cummins, Sydney Thunder General Manager.

“We believe that we have the best stadium in Australia to watch BBL cricket, and I can’t wait to see Mike and the rest of the team take the field in front of a packed house.”

Sydney Showground General Manger, Peter Thorpe, said, “We’re over the moon that Spotless Stadium has been chosen as home to Sydney Thunder for the next 10 years. As we’ve found with AFL it’s an incredibly family friendly venue with a unique intimate atmosphere creating a great sporting experience for all.

“With both Sydney Thunder and GWS Giants now calling Spotless Stadium home sports fans can access some of the country’s most loved and sought after on field action all year round right here in the geographical heart of Sydney.”

Click here to find out more about Sydney Showground

Sydney Thunder BBL05 Schedule

Thursday, 17 December 2015, 7:40pm v Sydney Sixers - Spotless Stadium

Sunday, 20 December 2015, 7:25pm v Melbourne Stars - MCG

Monday, 28 December 2015, 7:10pm v Adelaide Strikers - Spotless Stadium

Friday, 1 January 2016, 7:10pm v Hobart Hurricanes - Blundstone Arena

Sunday, 3 January 2016, 6:10pm v Brisbane Heat - GABBA

Thursday, 7 January 2016, 7:40pm v Perth Scorchers - Spotless Stadium

Monday, 11 January 2016, 7:40pm v Melbourne Renegades - Spotless Stadium

Saturday, 16 January 2016, 6:10 PM v Sydney Sixers - SCG

Gold Member Davies Collison Cave Opens In Singapore

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 07:53:41 GMT

Asia is the world's fastest growing region in terms of number of IP applications being filed. This is driven both by Asian domiciled companies spending on research and development, and foreign companies looking to Asia as a growth market for their products and services.

Aware of the importance of IP protection in supporting their business plans, many firms are seeking to protect their innovations in Asia.

In July, DCC expanded its Asian footprint by opening a local office in Singapore. Singapore is being positioned as a Hub for IP in South East Asia and the Government of Singapore is supporting this by investing in a master plan to create the conditions and labour force to create a hub for IP transactions and management, IP Filings and IP dispute resolution.

DCC will be well placed to assist its clients to take advantage of the ASEAN Patent Examination Cooperation programme (ASPEC) to streamline the prosecution of patent applications in ASEAN countries. All clients will now be able to benefit from DCC's ability to streamline filing and prosecution of patent and design applications in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Singapore has been chosen as the Asia Pacific Headquarters of many of our clients and is very well connected to other major centres so that we can form close links to the IP community in Asia.

As our clients look to Asia for growth, our presence will ensure we are best placed to protect their innovations in Asia and ensure their IP strategy is aligned with their commercial plans for the entire Asia Pacific region.

Gold Member KPMG on reinventing the customer experience

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 07:32:18 GMT

Everyone's talking about customer centricity. We know it’s critical. We know it's the key to capturing a fickle audience of consumers. And we know we need to invest in it. But I believe Australian organisations need a paradigm shift in their thinking on how they transform the customer experience to create real value.

Historically, most investment in customer centricity has been made in the business-to-consumer (B2C) space. And understandably so. After all, the key to generating loyalty is enriching the online and mobile experience of an increasingly agile and informed consumer base. Organisations focus strongly on customer insights, using analytics to streamline their product offerings and distribution channels, measuring the customer experience and customer-centric design.

"Improvements in the B2C domain driven by digital technologies have helped to set expectations with employees; they now expect a similar level of experience in their working environment."

Guy Holland

Partner in Charge, Digital Consulting Services

These are all powerful areas for directly improving the customer experience and have proven successful for many companies globally and in Australia; the next battleground will be improving business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-employee (B2E) capabilities that indirectly enable a better customer experience. There's so much that happens behind the scenes to enable a great front end B2C experience – if companies don't invest behind the scenes it will seriously inhibit the B2C experience at some point.

Empowering employees to change the customer experience

Regardless of how powerful and impressive your customer-facing front end is, your employees are the most significant factor in determining the customer experience.

Consequently, innovative organisations are investing in how they can make their employees more effective, how they can provide information to employees in real time right across their platforms to enable them to deliver better experiences to the customer. They're putting as much effort into the employee's journey as the customer journey, mapping out pain points, removing barriers and focusing on behavioural design that benefits your team.

This is a very new approach in Australia. Most companies here are only just starting to invest in automation and employee-centric design. But it's so important, because it's the next frontier of competitive advantage. By reducing non-value adding activities, your team has more time to focus on creating value through high touch customer interaction.

Gamification: a tool helping employees deliver a better customer experience

This is where gamification can also be very effective in motivating and rewarding employees to improve the customer experience. We believe that applied appropriately, gamification has a role to play in helping to engage people, encourage behaviours and achieve specific objectives. Gamification essentially uses elements from games in non-game settings to achieve business objectives. It uses both financial and non-financial rewards to build awareness in staff of services and capabilities, close knowledge gaps and test knowledge bases.

Some organisations use gamification with consumers. For example, BBVA, a Spanish bank, is using gamification techniques to teach customers about banking products and drive growth. Others use it internally to drive better behaviours. SAP uses gamification to educate sales representatives to better respond to customer questions.

B2B is as important as B2C

Businesses customers are also demanding the level of service and the seamless fluidity they experience when they have an individual customer experience. If you’re used to Apple and iTunes, you're not likely to be satisfied if your digital business experience is several rungs below that. Those overseeing B2B interactions want the same kind of interaction and the same ease of use as individual consumers. Currently, most large Australian businesses aren't delivering that well on this expectation.

It is a complex challenge, but there's real competitive advantage for organisations that pursue this strategy.

It's time for some lateral thinking on the customer experience, and for organisations to open their eyes to how inextricably linked employees and customers of all types are. The customer experience is a far more nuanced dynamic than many recognise, and those companies that want to excel in the digital age will need to think very broadly about what improving customer experience really means.

Learn more about KPMG

Book your next event with Gold Member Novotel Sydney Norwest and RELAX

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 04:07:42 GMT

Book your next event at Novotel Norwest and RELAX. Win a five night Fijian holiday for two staying at the magnificent Sofitel Fiji.

To enter simply book and hold your conference at Novotel Norwest between April 8th and September 30th 2015 and you could be relaxing by the pool in beautiful Fiji.

Simply call (02) 9634 9634 or email MEETINGS@novotelnorwest.com.au

*Terms and conditions apply. Valid for new conferences booked and held between 8th April to 30th September 2015.

Novotel Sydney Norwest offers 7 versatile function spaces, including a purpose built boardroom and pillar-less ballroom, with the ability to cater for up to 300 people.

Catering for intimate board meetings or a networking dinner for 200 people, our experienced team is on hand to assist in creating a seamless event from start to finish.

Enjoy networking in the large pre-function area or take a break in the hotel’s garden gazebo area to refresh your senses.

Together with our highly skilled culinary team, we can create specifically tailored function and event packages to suit any request.

ARC Group trainee wins at the 2015 Western Sydney Training Awards

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 03:49:46 GMT

New WSBC gold member, ARC Group, was very proud when one of its trainees was awarded Trainee of the Year at the 2015 Western Sydney Training Awards. Amy Adams will now be considered for the NSW Trainee of the Year Award which will be announced in September.

After having finalists in the regional awards for eight years running, ARC Group’s odds of having a winning trainee were high this year with three of the eight regional finalists being ARCies (ARC Group Trainees).

Amy Adams (hosted by NECA Group Training) along with Emily Jennings (hosted by Thinking Ergonomix) and Madison Dodds (hosted at ARC Group) attended the presentation at Rooty Hill RSL Club on Thursday, 18th June.

Cameron Ryan, CEO of ARC Group said “We are very proud of these young ladies, they have all worked extremely hard during their traineeships. Their positive attitudes and strong work ethic have served them well, with each of their host employers offering them full time roles at the completion of their traineeship.”

ARC Group places trainees in almost every industry and business. The structured training and on-the-job mentoring fast-tracks development to give trainees solid work skills and a formal qualification. This in turn dramatically improves the trainee’s value in the job market and increases their output to their host business.

“Traineeships are an effective and exciting way for businesses to introduce young people into the business world. They provide an opportunity for you to mould a new skilled employee specifically for a role in your business,” Mr Ryan said.

“For the trainee, it offers an opportunity to earn while they learn. It doesn’t get much better than that!”

Trainees are often placed in roles in reception, office administration, customer service, call centre, sales/sales support, accounts administration, and IT help desks.

For further information on hosting a trainee click here or call ARC Group on 1300 799 733.

Pictured: The ARC Group team with the three ARCie finalists. (L-R) Cameron Ryan, Madison Dodds, Emily Jennings, Diala Semann, Mercina Markou, Amy Adams and Matt Tanks.

WSBC Charity Partner RMH Westmead's Charity Golf Day Set To Be A Classic!

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 03:38:42 GMT

Come and join us at Castle Hill Country Club on Tuesday 11th August 2015 for the 17th Annual RMH Westmead Charity Golf Classic!

Start the day with a delicious breakfast, play 18 holes at one of Sydney's most beautiful courses, and then relax at the end of the day with dinner in the Members Lounge.

Team of 4 players: $760 or $190 per player.

Gold Hole Sponsorship Packages: $2000 (includes a team of 4 players)

For registration or sponsorship enquiries, please contact our Event Coordinator, Michelle Burman on 02 9845 0600 or email michelleb@rmhwestmead.org.au

Gold Member William Buck Examines Federal Government's Tax Paper

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 02:50:28 GMT

The Federal Government’s recently released Tax Discussion Paper, “Re:think” is an excellent starting point for addressing tax reform. The cost of complying with the tax system, however, still falls disproportionately on SMEs.

SME businesses incur nearly half of the total tax compliance costs, but contribute only one third of company tax payments. Of the 800,000 companies in Australia, the upper 2,000 pay two thirds of the total company income tax. This presents a significant opportunity to simplify the tax system as it applies to the other 798,000 companies, many of which are the SME businesses that are vital to Australia’s ongoing prosperity.

Some of the many examples of where the tax system adds complexity and compliance costs for SME businesses include Division 7A (loans and payments from private companies), the taxation of trusts, the eligibility conditions for various concessions and the plethora of differing definitions of small businesses.

In our opinion, rather than trying to fix broken parts of the tax system, the idea of a special purpose small business entity has real merit,. A properly designed, small business entity should eliminate the need for most businesses to deal with a range of complex tax issues such as Division 7A and trusts. It could also form the basis on which the various concessions available to SME businesses are accessed, overcoming the existing definition issues

The Tax Discussion Paper makes reference to the S-Corp Model used in the United States. While this is the seed of a good idea, it’s important that Australia doesn’t replicate the complexity of the US tax system.

There are numerous other areas where changes could be made to support SME businesses, and develop a fairer and more efficient tax system.

These include:

Having a single tax authority (the Australian Taxation Office). The alternative, giving greater taxing authority to the States, will add significant compliance costs for SME businesses.
Removing small taxes that are ineffective or where the issue can be dealt with appropriately through other more efficient taxes.

FBT is a good example of this. The cost for SME businesses to comply with FBT is high. The majority of the benefits taxed under the FBT regime could be efficiently dealt with under the income tax regime, which is the approach that most other countries have taken.
Target avoidance measures at larger businesses rather than SME taxpayers. This will focus the more complex measures on the most economically significant taxpayers and those with greater resources to deal with the complexity. Any avoidance measures should be as targeted on the avoidance issue as possible.

Overall the government should be congratulated for the discussion paper initiative. It is clear that a lot of thought has gone into it. With political will and constructive input from the broader public, there is a real opportunity for genuine reform of the tax system.

Author: Greg Travers, Original Article

Director, Tax Services

William Buck

Get the information you need to upskill your employees

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 05:44:15 GMT

Thinking of upskilling your staff? Or maybe you're thinking of undertaking some training?

It's now even easier to find information about available vocational education and training (VET) courses through the updated My Skills website.

The My Skills website

The My Skills website is the national directory of VET organisations and courses. You can search for VET courses and training providers by:

industry sector
location of training providers
specific skills you need.

The My Skills website is updated every night to ensure it has the most up-to-date information about courses on offer by registered training organisations (RTOs).

How can the updated My Skills website help my business?

My Skills 3.0 includes a number of new features making it even easier for you to find relevant training courses to upskill yourself and your staff.

These features include:

an updated homepage - to help you quickly search for training organisations near you
a faster and more intuitive search engine - to save you valuable time
tools to help you compare courses and training providers - so you can ensure you're sending your employees on the course most suited to your needs
a VET FEE-HELP calculator - to help you and your employee(s) understand loan obligations if you're using financial assistance for the training career pathways information
information on student outcomes for the most popular courses - to see how courses can relate to occupations in a career stream
identification of sanctioned training providers.

Check out the My Skills website today to find the training you need for your business.

Find out more...

Check out our Skills and training topic for more information on developing the skills of you and your employees.
Before you search for training, identify your skills needs for your business.
Find out more about employing people in your business.

Source: Australian Government, Website

Have your say on Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 05:23:15 GMT

Roads and Maritime Services is seeking feedback on a proposal to upgrade roads in western Sydney, including The Northern Road Upgrade Stages 3 and 4, the M12 Motorway and The Northern Road and Bringelly Road Interchange.

Have your say

Submit your feedback by Friday 14 August to NSW Roads and Maritime Services via email wsip@rms.nsw.gov.au, call 1800 703 457 (during business hours) or post to:

Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan
Roads and Maritime Services
Po Box 973
Parramatta NSW 2124

Phone

Date: Jul. 14 - Aug. 14, 2015
Time: 9:00am — 5:00pm

More Information

wsip@rms.nsw.gov.au
1800 703 457
Agency Website

Source: NSW Government, Website

Gold Member Moore Stephens Economic & Market Outlook – July 2015

Tracy Dawson — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 04:08:25 GMT

Australia has prospered through two decades of economic outperformance, with the level of growth almost twice that of its peers. Much of the platform for growth was laid during the 1980’s when policy frameworks provided efficient and flexible market mechanisms (namely, the floating foreign exchange rate, deregulation of the banking system and productivity reforms in the labour market). Over the last decade or so the main drivers have been episodic, but strong, credit growth and the unprecedented mining boom driven by China’s rapid industrialisation.

The unravelling of the mining boom has led to Australia consistently posting negative terms of trade figures. The April 2015 figure of -$3.9 billion is the largest on record and three times worse than that recorded in March. This has a direct negative effect on national income (there has already been a $52 billion write-down in forecast tax receipts over the four years to 2017-18 since last year’s budget, primarily driven by a halving of the iron ore price and persistently low wage growth).

Click here to read the full version of our Economic & Market Outlook July 2015 for an update on the Australian and International economy.

Should you have any queries in relation to the above, please do not hesitate to contact the author or your Moore Stephens relationship partner.

Contact

Martin Fowler
Partner, Wealth Management
Moore Stephens Sydney
T +61 (0)2 8236 7776
mjfowler@moorestephens.com.au

Celebrate Christmas at the Track with Gold Member Australian Turf Club

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 23:26:13 GMT

We’ve got Christmas all wrapped up! Look no further than Rosehill Gardens or Canterbury Park for a Christmas celebration to remember. Whether it’s on a race day or if an evening event tickles your fancy, enjoy all-inclusive packages and let our award winning team take care of the rest. Get in quick before we sell out.

Check out the options here

WSBC Gold member PwC to double Western Sydney practice

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 23:46:39 GMT

PwC is planning to double the size of its practice in greater Western Sydney over the next two years as the Badgery's Creek Airport development and other state-backed infrastructure projects boost the confidence of local business owners.

The greater Western Sydney business has already doubled in size from 25 to 50 staff since it was established two years ago and now has four partners.

"We've invested in growing our presence in Western Sydney. With significant infrastructure spend in Parramatta about to come online, we want to ensure we are well placed to meet client demand in these emerging economic powerhouses," PwC Australia chief executive Luke Sayers said.

Last week PwC released research showing that one-fifth of the Australia's economic output comes from just 10 locations, with Macquarie Park in greater Western Sydney making the list.

On Monday PwC announced the appointment of 64 new partners from July 1. Among those promoted was Keenan Muir, 31, who shifted from the CBD to the Western Sydney outpost 18 months ago.

"I wanted to make the move out to the greater Western Sydney practice because some of my biggest clients were based here and I saw it as a chance to work with some of the best and brightest people. The government has committed billions of dollars in infrastructure funding for the new airport as well as roads and other projects, and that has delivered quite a confidence boost to the community," Mr Muir said.

The commute from Balmain, where he lives, to the office at Baulkham Hills is worth it for the career opportunities available in the west, he said.

GOING AGAINST THE FLOW

"My future is out here where the opportunities are, and the daily drive is against the traffic anyway. I think there will be a trend for a lot more inner-city professionals to start commuting against the flow".

Another geographic location outside the main hubs of inner-city Sydney and Melbourne exhibiting strong growth for the firm is Brisbane, which gained six new partners.

In terms of business divisions, consulting dominated the 2015 partner intake with more than a quarter of total new appointments. This includes the formal admission of 20 partners who joined the firm through PwC's global acquisition of Booz & Co in 2014, that business has since been re-branded as Strategy&.

Mr Muir is one of six new partners admitted across PwC's growing private clients business. That division last week named BRW Rich-Lister David Smorgon executive chairman of its family business and wealth practice following the acquisition of his consultancy Pointmade.

While at least 30 per cent of new partnerships went to women at the rest of the big four accounting firms in 2015, only 17 per cent of the 64 new partners named by PwC were women.

PwC launched new gender targets for future partner intakes in an attempt to address the imbalance.

"We are absolutely delighted with the talent we have coming through our firm ... However, we are not satisfied with the gender split and we are working very hard to improve this moving forward," Mr Sayers said.

From July 1, the firm will adopt a target to ensure 40 per cent of new partners are women. The firm has also put it in writing that a minimum of 40 per cent of new partnerships must go to men, with the remaining 20 per cent of new partner positions open to both men and women.

The CEO said the firm had taken steps to improve diversity and inclusion, including naming it a strategic priority 12 months ago, instituting a gender pay audit, establishing an all-roles flexible-work policy and appointing an external diversity advisory board.

In a bid to remain competitive in winning work from clients with overseas business interests, the firm has also set targets to improve its cultural diversity. The aim is to ensure 20 per cent of new partners admitted in 2016 identify as coming from another cultural background, rising to 30 per cent by 2020.

Funding secured for Parramasala Festival as a signature event for the launch of Indian Tourism Week in NSW under the banner of Incredible India.

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 08:36:04 GMT

The popular multicultural festival Parramasala will return to Parramatta for a sixth year after a funding agreement was reached with the NSW Government.

Parramatta City Council will provide funding of $200,000, which is in addition to a $400,000 commitment from the State Government and corporate sponsorship in excess of $100,000.

Parramasala 2015 will feature as a signature event for the launch of Indian Tourism Week in NSW under the banner of Incredible India.

“Parramasala is a vibrant and positive festival that brings people of all cultures together. It has become a hugely popular event in Parramatta, drawing in thousands of visitors each year, and we are thrilled that it will return for 2015,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Scott Lloyd said.

“The funding arrangements are of a similar scale to last year’s event, which means the festival’s format will largely remain unchanged and the popular Harris Park component will return.”

The festival, which will be held from 23 October to 25 October, celebrates Indian and South Asian cultures but in recent years has taken on a multicultural flavour. Highlights of the 2015 Festival will include an opening colourful street parade through the Parramatta CBD, the Parramasala festival hub in Prince Alfred Square and the Harris Street ‘block party’ on Saturday 24 October.

Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka said that this year’s festival will be celebrated in conjunction with the inaugural Indian Tourism Week, which was announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Australia last year.

“Now in its sixth year, this year’s event will place greater emphasis on everything we love about India – its customs, cuisines and colours – in one jam-packed weekend,” Mr Ajaka said.

Parramasala Chairman Dr G.K Harinath said he was thrilled that the Government and Parramatta City Council are continuing to support Parramasala this year.

“Parramasala explores and celebrates the rich social fabric of Sydney and has grown to be the best multicultural festival in Australia,” Dr Harinath said.

Festival Director Di Henry said she is looking forward to staging another successful Parramasala Festival in Parramatta and Harris Park.

“Following on from the success of the format of Parramasala in 2014 we are planning more surprises and will work with the wonderful artists and performers of Western Sydney to showcase the diversity and talent of this exciting part of Sydney,” Ms Henry said.

Forgive us for a bit of self promotion!

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 03:31:24 GMT

I would like to take this opportunity at end of financial year and with the recent NSW state budget to provide you with a few figures from WSBC to highlight how we are providing business connections across Western Sydney that generate brand awareness, lead generation, learning and engagement for both the economic and social growth of our members and the region.

Over the past year we have seen a 20% increase in the number of new members joining the WSBC Community. Our business leader luncheons this past year, held right across our region, have seen increases in attendance from 170 to 250 with the last three being sold out.

All this means more new faces and new organisations for you to connect with.

We’ve seen the most growth in our gold membership category and over the past year our gold and platinum members have showcased their thought leaderships, services, products and member offers with over 300 news items via our website, increasing their brand awareness across the region.

All this activity has seen the WSBC community engage with over 3,300 businesses, an increase of 800 new businesses this past year.

In July we launch our new strategies to grow membership and a new focus in the SW region to provide further connections between industry, education and government.

The improved member benefits and value proposition and particularly the way we work with members to understand their needs and utilise the right tools at our disposal to achieve them is now kicking some goals. In the new membership year we hope to see further growth and engagement as WSBC continues to grow as part of our members marketing and BD teams and an extension of their BD strategies.

Also in the year ahead we have our five business leader luncheons, including topics such as health, infrastructure, regional economic development, leadership and our main event of the year The State of The Region address by the Premier of NSW The Hon Mike Baird. A date for your diaries is 6 October. All other dates can be found on our website and look out for the GWS Employment Forum with Newscorp and TAFE WSi due to be confirmed soon. This will address the employment issues businesses in our region face and provide advice for business owners, HR departments and the future of the regions workforce. We have 2 remaining event partner positions available, so get in quick to secure a great platform to promote your business and share your thoughts on this popular subject in our region.

By now I hope you have all managed to review the results of the first piece of research on Making Western Sydney Greater, a research project lead by William Buck in conjunction with WSBC and Platinum partners St George Bank and UWS. The second of this bi-annual research is in progress now and you have until the end of the week to get involved and help shape the future of our regions economy. Please view the website and our twitter feeds for links to the survey. The more organisations contribute the more information we have to advocate on your behalf and take to government at all levels.

Full details of these and more of Western Sydney’s projects, along with articles to assist you in managing and growing your business are located on the WSBC news pages.

WSBC, along with many key stakeholders in the region are also contributing to Deloitte’s Shaping Future Cities Strategies. It is another piece of extensive research that will represent businesses thoughts to government on key projects and strategies on how the region can generate over 200,000 jobs in the region. I believe further news will be ready in Q2 of the financial year and we will of course bring you up to date with all developments.

To be part of this growing and vibrant community please contact us or simply join up straight away. Can your business benefit from up to date information on the region and business connections with over 3,300 businesses? Find out more on how you can benefit from the WSBC Business Development tool.

UWS launch Western Sydney economic development strategy at WSBC collaborative event.

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 03:02:47 GMT

UWS launched their Western Sydney economic development strategy at a WSBC collaborative event in Penrith last week. It was great to see the Australian Government recognising the importance of our region with local Federal MP, Fiona Scott, granted a rare release from the final parliamentary sitting day before recess, directly from the Prime Minister.

The panel discussion with Fiona Scott MP, Prof. Barney Glover, VC of UWS, Dr Tim Williams, CEO Committee for Sydney and Paul Van Bergan, Tax and R&D incentives Partner at KPMG saw a very informative conversation. Many businesses in attendance praised the initiative and the discussions.

The Western Sydney Innovation Corridor is a strategy that is regional in focus and international in context and made up of interconnected knowledge-driven commercial hubs. The attached document provides further information and you can keep up to date with progress via WSBC news pages.

In mid July the University will release a detailed paper by Professor Donald McNeil, to add to the evidence base for the innovation corridor to preview the following key findings:

In fostering innovation across a defined area, competition between firms can be just as important as collaboration.
In this region, skilled jobs will, to a large extent, come via mastering software platforms across different industries rather than just within single sectors.
We need to work together to capture the full benefit of the region’s infrastructure investments, and avoid the ‘splintering’ and ‘bypass’ effects faster connections can bring.
Under its ‘Grand Paris’ strategy, the French Government is positioning a university at the centre of its new orbital transport infrastructure.
We must encourage airlines to plan for high-volume service, by shifting the narrative from, ‘What will the airport bring?’ to instead ask, ‘What can the region bring to the airport?’
Process innovation can be just as valuable as product innovation.

Prof Glover in his presentation highlighted a number of details of the strategy and in closing indicated a number of points to consider if we fail to act on the opportunities presented.

Productivity decline - RBA assessed productivity declines over the past decade worsen.
No airport benefit - The ‘aerotropolis’ fails to materialise along with employment and economic benefits.
Labour market disconnect - Employee skill-sets fail to adapt to, and keep pace with international trends.
Investment goes elsewhere - International investors look elsewhere for product and process innovation.
Intergenerational disadvantage - The decline in the uptake of STEM disciplines in our schools worsens, particularly across Western Sydney.

We encourage you to get involved and look at the opportunities available to your business.

Pop-up and onsite training: WSBC Platinum Partner TAFE WSi takes it to the market

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 01:42:43 GMT

It has been said that change is the only constant in life, but the rate of change seems to have gone into overdrive over the last few years. For large vocational training organisation TAFE Western Sydney, this is evident through new projects which have taken training out of colleges and onto pop-up style training facilities on worksites.

Such projects see the TAFE Institute partnering with organisations to achieve specific outcomes based upon the needs of an organisation and also fulfilling social objectives. The Barangaroo Skills Exchange is one such example where specific targets were set. In just a few years more than 7,000 workers, many of whom would never have stepped into a TAFE college, have completed training onsite. A celebration for the enrolment of the 500^th apprentice and the 50^th Indigenous apprentice onsite was held in late June.

TAFE Western Sydney has also been identified as the prime training provider for a major infrastructure project - Australia’s biggest public transport project, and is looking into how the pop-up college model can be used for other major projects.

“What was only a few years considered innovative is now commonplace so our challenge is to keep adapting. We are finding now that we need to step outside and take our training into the marketplace,” said Robin Shreeve, Institute Director.

“We are always open to conversation with businesses and government organisations to explore more ways of skilling up workers.”

Business case study documents have recently been released by TAFE Western Sydney. Call (02) 9208 9421 for details.

NSW Skills Minister visits rising TAFE SWSi “landmark” technology facility

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 00:28:58 GMT

NSW Minister for Skills John Barilaro visited the construction site of the new engineering and technology centre which is taking shape at TAFE NSW - South Western Sydney Institute’s (TAFE SWSi’s) Wetherill Park College on Friday, 5 June 2015.

Mr Barilaro inspected the site and chatted to construction workers and students who will benefit from the centre’s state-of-the-art facilities.

Mr Barilaro said that the centre wouldprovide a massive boost to training and career opportunities for people in the south western Sydney region where the youth unemployment rate was around 16 percent.

“There’s no question that the investment in this facility will meet the needs of industry, not just for today but, for well into the future,” Mr Barilaro said.

TAFE SWSi Institute Director Peter Roberts, who accompanied the Minister on the visit said the centre was a “landmark facility in the region”.

“We see it underpinning the development of skills in the region of south-western Sydney,” Mr Roberts said.

The 2016 opening of the multi-million dollar TAFE SWSi Transport & Engineering Technology Centre is timed to coincide with an expected spike in demand for courses in automotive transport, engineering, technology and logistics.

The centre will be the largest training facility of its kind in Sydney and will offer an integrated delivery approach to training in transport technology which will meet the needs of students and industry into the future.

The centre will offer students a 21^st century learning environment changing from a traditional teacher-centric model to a learner-centric model that will provide for a better student experience.

TAFE SWSi Manufacturing & Transport Faculty Director Terry Saunby said “flexible learning” was the key to improved educational outcomes for students attending the state-of-the art Centre.

“As automotive technologies continue to rapidly change, the TAFE SWSi Transport & Engineering Technology Centre will have the capacity to adapt learning spaces quickly and efficiently to keep pace,” Mr Saunby said.

“Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the classrooms, workshops and common areas and the integration of proven technologies will allow students to be engaged in workshop projects and activities rather than following a traditional lock step classroom delivery.”

The TAFE SWSi Transport & Engineering Technology Centre will open in 2016 and offer students a number of course options including light vehicle technology, heavy vehicle mechanical technology, plant mechanics, automotive electrical technology, speciality automotive courses and engineering technology courses.

PARKROYAL Parramatta's BAR:30 gets a new temporary home

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 00:05:50 GMT

There's a new temporary home for BAR:30 at PARKROYAL Parramatta, it's just a step to the left!

BAR:30 has relocated to below the hotel's restaurant and there's no better time to come in out of the cold and enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere. Whether you choose to complement your light bites with a soothing hot beverage or a refreshing cocktail, BAR:30 offers you the perfect place to relax with your favourite drink.

The previous home of BAR:30 is currently being extended out to Phillip Street to introduce an alfresco dining element that captures the vibrant "eat street" atmosphere that Parramatta offers. This is part of the PARKROYAL's $25million extension project, due for completion mid-2016, and involves the construction of a new seven-storey tower with a Club Lounge, as well as 40 Club Rooms and 50 Premium Rooms that offer views of the Parramatta skyline and incorporate the use of the latest hotel technology and innovation. Club guests will enjoy priority check-in and check-out as well as complimentary breakfast, laundry services, regular refreshments throughout the day and a new gymnasium with state-of-the-art exercise equipment.

The addition of five meeting rooms will bring PARKROYAL Parramatta's total number of conference and meeting spaces to 13 rooms, making it the largest meetings and events hotel in Parramatta and thus setting a new benchmark of accommodation, facility and service distinction in the area.

Mention you are a WSBC member and receive 2 beverages for the price of one*. (*valid on purchase of first beverages only and subject to availability)

We look forward to updating you next month on what our stunning new rooms will look like!

PARKROYAL Parramatta, bringing a new level of distinction to Parramatta.

PARKROYAL Parramatta Extension.pdf

All New Corolla now at Lander Toyota

Tracy Dawson — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 00:02:27 GMT

The all new Corolla has arrived at Lander Toyota and is ready to test drive! Revamped with a bolder and sportier look, the all new Corolla is more fun than ever before.

Featuring an all new stylish interior surrounded by the latest technology and comforts, you’ll always feel like you’re travelling in style.

To book a test drive or for more information, contact us on 02 8884 4888 or visit our website at www.landertoyota.com.au

Land a better deal at Lander Toyota!

Introducing Gold Member Novotel Sydney Parramatta's General Manager, Michael Daviss.

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 23:53:21 GMT

You have had the chance to meet many members of the team at Novotel Sydney Parramatta, but now they want to introduce you to the General Manager of the hotel, who says he has the greatest team in Western Sydney, that is Michael Daviss.

Michael’s love for hospitality began while playing golf and working in the pro shop and bar at Oxley Golf Club in Brisbane. From here he went on to work in 5 star hotels in his hometown of Queensland starting as a housekeeping followed by concierge until he worked his way up to a Hotel Assistant Manager.

After nearly 9 years in 5 star hotels came the desire to travel more and work outside of Queensland, Michael joined international brand Accor Hotels in 1999 working at the Mercure and Ibis Brisbane as Hotel Assistant Manager before heading to Darwin as Front Office Manager. Over the expansion of sixteen years with Accor, Michael has worked in 15 hotels with 8 city changes across the multiple brands within Accor Hotels from Ibis to the luxurious Sofitel Sydney and even one year spent in French Polynesia for their 4 Sofitel properties.

After numerous General Manager roles, Michael finds his greatest achievement to date, is his time spent at Novotel Sydney Parramatta over the past two years. He describes that it is the feeling of watching the hotel evolve with his great team by his side that helps him get out of bed daily.

Michael finds his passion in the development of the people within the hotel and watching the excitement in his team’s faces when they’ve achieved their goals individually and for the guest and the hotel as a whole. He states that the team is what creates the soul of the hotel and the soul is what gets the hotel through the challenging times as well as the good.

Michael describes that the hotel has gone on an extraordinary and positive journey from rebranding, to changes within the team and moving forward with the ever-changing landscape of Parramatta and Western Sydney. While the City of Parramatta makes changes to be acknowledged as a ‘region for business’ Novotel Sydney Parramatta has kept up with its multi-million dollar conference refurbishment and changes in their restaurant and bar to help make it a destination for all. Not to mention the plans for the next few months that he has up his sleeve. During the changes, Michael has always made a conscious effort to make his team feel like they are a part of the action, and ensure that they feel ownership and pride in where they work.

So how does a General Manager of a busy hotel relax? Well when the suit and tie comes off, Michael finds relaxation in the form of a game of golf, cruising around on boat with close friends or with a corona watching his favourite football team. Michael is described by his team as being more of a friend than a boss and someone they have learnt a lot from within the hotel industry.

To meet Michael Daviss and his friendly team, pop into Novotel Sydney Parramatta any time. For more information on their winter holiday offers go to www.novotelparramatta.com.au

Gold Member Northcott to hold inaugural expo

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 23:45:56 GMT

On Thursday 22 July from 10am to 7pm Northcott will be holding its first ever Expo and will be opening its doors to the public.

If you’ve ever had a question relating to the disability sector now is the time to come along and met with experts in the field and take part in a series of free workshops which will be running all day.

The workshops will cover topics such as:

The NDIS - what you need to know and prepare for the NDIS in 45 minutes

Behaviour Support – Northcott’s approach to Behaviour Support: Person Centred, Positive and Practical

Equipment Maintenance – Basic maintenance tips for equipment

Employment – ‘The Excellent Job Interview – Giving the Employer What They Need’

Transition to Work – ‘Looking to the Future – developing skills for employment’

Person Centred Practice – A snapshot of how you can shape the support and services you receive and work towards your dreams

Apps for Therapy – A demonstration of our favourite apps to help children practice skills for reading, writing and communication

There will also be information stalls from all service streams across Northcott as well as stalls from external organisations such as Headspace, Ability Links and Autism Advisory Support Service.

Demonstrations of Adaptive Cricket for people with disabilities and our new Accessible Vehicle will also take place throughout the day.

Venue: The Northcott Building, 1 Fennell St, North Parramatta, NSW 2151.

Enquires: Sarah Pearce 02 9890 0513 / sarah.pearce@northcott.com.au.

Website: www.northcott.com.au.

Platinum Partner TAFE Western Sydney & Lendlease celebrate 500th Apprentice

Sun, 28 Jun 2015 23:30:14 GMT

TAFE Western Sydney and Lendlease celebrated Friday with The Hon. John Barilaro MP Minister for Skills and over 300 apprentices at the $6 billion Barangaroo South project in Sydney, to celebrate the employment of the site’s 500th apprentice and 50th Indigenous apprentice.

The Minister congratulated TAFE Western Sydney, who manages Barangaroo’s onsite training hub - the Barangaroo Skills Exchange (BSX) on their commitment to the apprenticeship system and developing long-term careers for individuals in the construction industry.

"Barangaroo is the training and skilling powerhouse for apprentices, who will carry their training through to future projects. What is remarkable about Barangaroo is the industry-relevant, highly-customised skills that each apprentice is gaining through the Barangaroo Skills Exchange program" said the Minister.

The BSX provides workers at Barangaroo with an on-site learning space where they receive one-on-one support, attend classes or access computers to study online programs.

Lendlease Managing Director of Barangaroo South, Andrew Wilson, said partnerships between industry and training organisations were an integral component in achieving long-term careers for individuals within the construction industry.

“Lendlease is working closely with TAFE Western Sydney to create genuine career paths for people in the construction sector, right through until retirement. Importantly, the partnership has changed the careers and lives of those who have had the opportunity to train through the BSX,” said Mr Wilson.

Institute Director of TAFE Western Sydney Robin Shreeve said the BSX has redefined the way workplace learning and TAFE training is being delivered in the construction industry.

“The BSX will provide a huge injection of future-skilled workers with real industry experience and training. For the first time we have workers who would never normally attend a TAFE college, visiting the BSX to get support and undertake skilling programs that will improve their futures with new career pathways,” he said.

Since the opening of the BSX in 2012 almost 7,000 Barangaroo workers have undertaken skilling on-site, with 19,000 accredited training outcomes achieved in this time.

The BSX is supported by the Barangaroo Delivery Authority and the Commonwealth Department of Education to develop training programs and deliver outcomes that would not be ordinarily possible within a traditional college setting.

Gold Member TAFE SWSi announces its top student achievers of the year

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 23:28:54 GMT

The best and brightest students from TAFE NSW – South Western Sydney Institute (TAFE SWSi) took centre stage at the 2015 annual TAFE SWSi Student Achievement Awards at the Bankstown Sports Club last night.

Among them was Bankstown resident, Renee McLaren, who took out the top prize, the Institute Medal and also the Business & Finance Faculty Student of the Year award.

Renee was among 22 award winners, three TAFE NSW State Medallists and three Oceania WorldSkills champions who were honoured at TAFE SWSi’s premier event of the year.

TAFE SWSi Director Peter Roberts congratulated all the award winners. “The 21st Student Achievement Awards was a celebration of South Western Sydney’s best and brightest in vocational education and training,” Mr Roberts said.

“I would like to congratulate them all and acknowledge the contribution of her family and Institute staff in supporting her studies.”

The TAFE NSW State Medals, which are presented to students who attain the highest average mark across NSW, went to three TAFE SWSi science students. They were as follows:

Janani Vimalathithen Diploma of Laboratory Technology - Specialising in Chemical and Forensic Testing (MSL50109 – 04V04);

Kesya Bayu the Diploma of Laboratory Technology – Pathology Testing (MSL 50109 – 06V04) and;

Megan Gould for the Diploma of Environmental Monitoring and Technology (MSS50211 -01V01)

The Awards night also paid tribute to TAFE SWSi’s WorldSkills Oceania champions who will be part of the Australian Skillaroos team at the WorldSkills International Competition in Brazil in August. They are Floristry student Jessica Peters; Fashion Technology student Emma Hillier; and Refrigeration & Air Conditioning student Beau Kupris.

The 21^st TAFE SWSi Student Achievement Awards was proudly sponsored by Woodland Metal Spinning (Aust), Fuji Xerox Australia, Interlink Roads, National Electrical and Communication Association (NECA Group Training), University of Western Sydney (UWS), Telstra, Auburn City Council, Bankstown City Council, Country Comfort Hunts Liverpool, Group Training Association of NSW & ACT, Mara Workwear, My Gateway and Revesby Workers’ Club Ltd.

TAFE SWSi is one of Australia’s largest training organisations and has an enviable reputation for providing high quality skills training across a range of disciplines vital to growing the local, regional and state economies.

TAFE SWSi also provides training for more apprentices than any other RTO in NSW and was awarded the 2013 Australian Large Training Provider of the Year at the Australian Training Awards.

For more information about TAFE SWSi courses please visit www.SWSi.edu.au or call 13 79 74.

Forgot your ATM Card? Platinum Partner St.George brings Cardless Cash to Mobile

Tracy Dawson — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 23:22:32 GMT

St.George Banking Group has introduced Cardless Cash, a service that allows customers to withdraw up to $1,000 cash a week, without a card, conveniently and securely from their mobile phone.

From accessing cash when cardless, to helping a family member or friend out if stranded without cash, Cardless Cash puts customers in control of their money and prevents them from being caught short.

Dhiren Kulkarni, St.George’s CIO, said Cardless Cash means customers can always access their money, even if their card is lost, stolen or not with them.

“Our customers never want to be shut off from their cash and they want quick, simple options to access and manage their money. That’s why Cardless Cash is so handy - it takes the fear out of losing or misplacing your card and puts you back in control of your money.”

“Over 50 per cent of our customers use our mobile banking app to make payments and now they can use the app to get cash out too,” Dhiren added.

To access cash, customers simply generate a ‘cash code’ in their mobile banking app and use it at any St.George Group ATM nationwide, including BankSA and Bank of Melbourne, to withdraw cash.

Travis Tyler, St.George’s Head of Mobile, said Cardless Cash also provides customers with the ability to easily share a cash code with someone from within the app via SMS.

“Cardless Cash enables you to help the people you care about during a cash emergency. Whether you’re a parent rescuing a teenage daughter who is stranded in the city and needs a taxi home, or you’re lending some lunch money to a colleague who’s left their wallet back at the office, Cardless Cash will help bail them out with a few taps on your mobile phone.”

How does Cardless Cash work?

Sign into your St.George mobile banking app and select the ‘cardless cash’ feature

Select the account and enter how much you wish to withdraw (you can withdraw up to three times a day and a total of $1,000 per week)

A ‘cash code’ is generated instantly which expires in 3 hours

Go to any St.George Banking Group ATM and select ‘Cardless Withdrawal’ button

Enter the cash code and the agreed amount or less to withdraw your cash

Parramatta Council invite you to have your say on Parramatta Square public space.

Thu, 25 Jun 2015 08:47:11 GMT

Council is interested in understanding what the people, workers and visitors to Parramatta would like to see in the new public domain/open space associated with Parramatta Square.

Parramatta Square is a 3 ha mixed use redevelopment precinct located in Parramatta CBD, bounded by Church, Macquarie, Smith and Darcy Streets and will include, offices, a new University of Western Sydney campus, public library, council offices and the reported 90 storey Aspire building that will include conference facilities, a new hotel and residential apartments.

For the past 4 months Council has been busy preparing the project brief and engaging a dynamic and experienced multi-disciplinary design team to lead the design of the public space. The selected design team is headed by James Mather Delaney + Taylor Cullity Lethlean + Tonkin Zulaikha Greer + Gehl Architects.

To help them design the space you want to see, Council would like to invite you or any of your staff members to have your say on what you would like to see in that space or activities that should be undertaken in that space.

Council is keen to hear your views so please take the opportunity to come to the Parramatta Farmers Market in Centenary Square this Friday, 26 June between 8:00am and 11:00am.

There’s 1 week left to have your say on the issues and opportunities facing your business.

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:32:12 GMT

Have you had your say?

The “Making Western Sydney Greater” survey is targeted to business owners and managers, and supported by WSBC, William Buck, St George and UWS.

We’re focused on driving positive change for the needs you identify. Research from the first survey has already been used in a submission to Government in May 2015. If you want to have your say on the issues affecting you or your business, we encourage you to join the conversation here

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2090112/a9fefc53e471

The survey takes under 10 minutes of your time, and is the most valuable tool we have to advocate on your behalf.

Join the conversation and make Western Sydney Greater.

Download your copy of the first research findings here.

The Expansion Formula – 5 key factors to lead your business to success and in Western Sydney from Gold member Gallop Solutions

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 08:20:29 GMT

Gallop Solutions’ very own CEO, Daniel Davis shared his business success lessons and insights at the last WSBC Business Leaders Luncheon held on Thursday the 28^th of May. The sold out event saw 250 people pack the room to hear how they could ensure they are leading their business to leverage the opportunities presented by the massive growth in Western Sydney.

‘Opportunity’ was the key message of the day; how to grab it and use it to better your business and enhance growth. We heard how Greater Western Sydney is the fastest growing region in the country and how tapping into the +2 million population and more than 240,000 businesses could just be that piece of the puzzle you were looking for. We walked away knowing that seeing holes in the market before anyone else and thinking outside the box were the real secrets to success!

Here are the five key points that we’ve taken away from it and want to share with you:

1. The Expansion Formula – The holy grail of all formulas! In order to grow, move forward and expand, complete these three steps and watch your company prosper:

“Expansion Formula:

1. PROVIDE GOOD POLICY.

2. MAKE IT EASILY KNOWABLE.

3. BE STRENUOUS IN MAKING SURE IT IS FOLLOWED"

In other words, providing good policy is outlining the ‘rules of the game’ and how your business operates. Making it easily knowable is keeping the message simple, visible, and available at all times. Be strenuous with the guidelines by implementing team training, measuring KPIs and regular reporting.

2. The 7 Ingredients of Structure – Structure your business robustly into the 7 Divisions and you’ll have a strong foundation from which to rule the business world. Divide your company into an Executive team, an Establishment team, a Sales and Marketing team, a Finance team, a Delivery team, a Quality assurance team and a team that attracts New Clients and you’ve got a recipe for success! Start by having clear defined roles and then focus on filling them with the right people. You are ‘The Pilot who has the Dream’, it is important that YOU take responsibility for this.

3. Board of Directors – If opportunity is key, then having a Board of Directors helping you run your business is a no brainer. Why not gather together a group of people who have different skill sets and can bring something new to the table? Imagine having the support of a group of professionals who can share experiences you may not have and who have your best interests at heart – the opportunities are endless. This does not mean a paid board necessarily; the key is an Advisory Board of people who are deep in knowledge and generous in their spirit of sharing it.

4. Monitoring Performance – Running your business with statistics enables you to create company performance indicators. Could you drive your car without a dashboard? The same applies in business; statistics for each area ensures you always have your finger on the pulse. Predict when you are at capacity and may need to hire or outsource, monitor how each team is performing, what they are producing and celebrate your successes as you go – not just in retrospect!

5. Be Prepared – In every way possible, have a business plan with clear directions of where you want to go. Live it, breathe it and revisit it as often as possible and adapt it to the changes that will inevitably happen around you. Build a business structure with the numbers (i.e. statistics) behind it, if the numbers don’t work, the business won’t work! How do you do this? Read each of the previous points above and adopt them as your own.

The opportunity to leverage the business growth happening in Western Sydney is now. Research

the market, look for gaps to fill and steer your ship into the path of expansion, prosperity and success! Those gaps may not be product innovation or expensive marketing campaigns; they may just be as simple as providing extraordinary service which clients rave about, keeps them coming back and even makes them refer you to their connections.

To find out more about how Gallop Solutions helps businesses to adopt all of the above and achieve evolution and growth, contact Caroline Gilroy on 0488 335 010 or cgilroy@gallopsolutions.com

You may be eligible for complimentary tickets to one of Gallop Solutions business leader events or seminars!