Novotel Sydney Parramatta was proud last week to officially unveil and launch the completion of their recent mega refurbishment to all 11 multi-purpose conference and event spaces.

 

Following the accommodation rooms refurbishment last year, this conference refurbishment sees a complete overhaul including installation of new wall panels, carpeting, state of the art AV equipment, banquet tables and furnishings across two levels of conference and event spaces that open into the sunlit atrium.

Michael Daviss, General Manager of Novotel Sydney Parramatta said, "I am looking forward to being able to deliver a fantastic new meeting and events product to our loyal client base and new business partners.” 

Cr Scott Lloyd, Lord Mayor of Parramatta said, “These refurbished conference facilities reflect the growing importance of Parramatta as a business destination. It cements Parramatta’s role within Sydney as a viable alternative for business functions. Novotel Sydney Parramatta has also refurbished its rooms to make it more attractive to stay and experience the many other activities such as Eat Street, Riverside Theatre, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, heritage and sporting events that Parramatta and Western Sydney offers.”

The official launch on Thursday 4 December was graced by Cr Lloyd as well as local Member of Parliament Dr Geoff Lee. Other guests include representatives from Parramatta City Council, Western Sydney Business Connection, Parramatta Chamber of Commerce, NSW Business Chamber, Riverside Theatre, Ronald McDonald House Westmead and Western Sydney Business Access. 

More photographs of the event at:

 

http://www.novotelparramatta.com.au/gallery-en.html

 

 

 

Sydney Showground is proud to have played a major part in November’s IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) World Parks Congress 2014. This once in every ten years event showcased Sydney Olympic Park’s extensive sustainability credentials.

 

The international forum on environmental conservation saw delegates from 170 countries, including five Heads of State and one Vice President, converge on Sydney Olympic Park’s 430 hectares of parklands gathering to share knowledge and set the agenda for conserving the world’s natural heritage. 

The main collective outcome of the Congress is referred to as the Promise of Sydney – a four pillared approach, including a vision, approach, solutions and promises, to solve some of the world’s most elusive sustainability challenges and create a promising future for generations to come.

“Since undergoing its land regeneration project from a former brickworks, abattoir and rubbish dump to prepare for the ‘Green Games’ in 2000, Sydney Olympic Park has remained committed to a sustainable approach. Today, Sydney Olympic Park is home to 400 native plants, 200 native animal species and a range of alternative energy generation, waste and water recycling and sustainability solutions,” said Alan Marsh, CEO Sydney Olympic Park Authority.

IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 Quick Stats:

• More than 6000 participants
  
• Five heads of state, one Vice President
  
• 170 countries
  
• 15 international environment ministers
  
• 7 heads of United Nations organisations
  
• 6 Australian ministers and Senators
  
• 320 delegates registered to participate in Sydney Olympic Park specialist delegate excursions / technical tours.
  
• Total of 2670 room nights at Accor hotels at Sydney Olympic Park
  
• An estimated $34.2m of economic activity injected into NSW
  

Furthermore, Sydney Showground ensured that all napkins, cups, plates, bowls and cutlery were all made from recycled products and once used, put into specific re-cycling bins at the end of each day. On top of this, each Delegate was informed they must reduce the amount of printing material and to only use recycled products for the Congress – there was no hard copy program created for the event; there were also bicycles for hire to get around the venue to help cut down on the use of fossil fuels.

With Christmas fast approaching it is useful to remember that the Fringe Benefits Tax (“FBT”) minor benefits exemption threshold remains at $300. With this in mind, the value of minor and infrequent rewards and gifts that can be provided to your employees without you as the employer incurring any FBT liability is quite significant.

How much can I spend at our next Christmas party without incurring any FBT liability? 
 

Employee	299
Employee spouse	299
Gift - employee	299
Gift - spouse	299
Total	1,196

 

 

 

 

 

The provision of a gift at the Christmas party, while treated as an associated benefit of the dinner, is considered separately in determining whether the minor exemption threshold applies. If the value of the Christmas party and the gift to the employee is less than $300 each, then both are considered to be exempt benefits.

Note: the exemption only applies to employers who adopt the actual method of accounting for entertainment expenditure for the FBT year, which requires actual costs of the provision of the entertainment to be recorded.

Note: These rules do not apply to tax exempt bodies.

What if I haven’t kept sufficient records to use the actual method?

It isn’t too late to implement policies and procedures to enable you to capture your entertainment expenditure so that you have alternative methods to determine your FBT liability at 31 March 2015. The 12-week register method allows you to determine a ‘register percentage’ to be applied against your total entertainment expense for the year.

How can Moore Stephens help?

Moore Stephens assists with procedures and tools you need to efficiently capture your entertainment expenditure.

Should you have any queries in relation to this matter, please do not hesitate to contact:

 

 

Stephen O’Flynn Partner, Taxation Moore Stephens Melbourne +61 3 8635 1800 soflynn@moorestephens.com.au

Allan Mortel Partner, Taxation Moore Stephens Sydney +61 2 8236 7725 amortel@moorestephens.com.au

Remember when you were in high school?  How impossible it seemed to juggle assignments, homework, hobbies, family, friends and maybe even a part time job?  Wouldn’t it have been great to have someone who was prepared to give you their undivided attention to help you learn how to manage everything and make life less stressful?

 

You may not have had that opportunity, but thanks to the Castle Hill RSL Club, young adults will have that opportunity in 2015 through the Max Potential personal leadership program. Now in its 7th year in the Hills District, we are inviting members of the community and businesses to join this dynamic and life-changing program. We are currently looking for professionals, community leaders and others interested in making a difference in the life of a young adult – to be trained as a leadership community coach.

 

Max Potential is focused on personal leadership development and is an innovative program considered a best practice in developing young leaders of the future and is gaining momentum in communities all around NSW. Max Potential runs over 22 weeks between March and August where year 11 students from local High Schools across the Hills District are awarded Club and corporate partner scholarships. 

 

The program is unique in that it matches business professionals, service providers and community leaders that have a heart to make a difference and a young adult.  Coaches put in time and energy into helping their young adult gain a sense of achievement and a taste of what is like to help others through leadership.   

 

Young adults and coaches have 8 face to face coaching sessions (at school) and attend 3 group workshops held at the Club.  Over the 22 weeks, they work with their coach on setting and achieving goals, learning how the 10 MAXIMISERS™ principles for success can help them achieve their goals. Each young adult identifies a need in the community and with the help of their coach, brainstorms ideas to create an action plan to help meet that need.  Each young adult then leads their Community Service Project through to completion.  

 

The program concludes with a Showcase event that allows the young adults to set up a display stand of what they have learned throughout their journey and to talk to VIPs and guests about their Community Service Plan.

 

We are inviting members of the community who would like to invest in the next generation (Yr 11 Young Adults) whilst learning and gaining key skills in being a Coach to apply to be a Community Coach in 2015. 

 

If you would like to apply or would like further information please contact Melanie Morson (Group Marketing Manager CHRSL) on:

 

P: 8858 4818

W: www.max-potential.com.au and click on http://www.castlehillrsl.com.au/about/max-potential

 

 

Christmas is giving.

 

Newslocal and Castle Hill RSL have joined forces this Christmas to brighten the lives of the kids in the Children’s Hospital Westmead.

 

A hospital spokesperson said, “We are delighted that Castle Hill RSL is so generously running this toy drive for our patients at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Spending Christmas in hospital is tough but we know that these gifts will help put a smile on the children’s faces. From all of us here at the hospital, we’d like to say a warm thank you in advance to everyone who supports this toy drive and to the staff at the club as well.”

 

Massive toy boxes have been installed in the foyer at Castle Hill RSL with a beautiful children’s themed Christmas Tree donated by the Christmas Tree Company for new unwrapped toy donations to be placed up to Sunday 14th December.

 

Don’t forget to take a snap and use the hashtag #CHRISTMASISGIVING when you drop off your toy donation (or email morsonm@castlehillrsl.com.au and we can take a snap) - the campaign is being shared on social media and all businesses will be acknowledged.

The all new limited edition Corolla RZ has arrived at Lander Toyota. Packed with a number of extra features including unique black alloys, unique black garnish and decals, satellite navigation, RZ branded front floor mats and metallic paint as standard, this special edition Corolla is sure to pack a punch.

 

Call 8884 4888 to book a test drive.

 

Hurry in this month for our end of year stock clearance on 2014 plated stock. You’ll find great deals across the range including Camry Altise & Hybrid, FJ Cruiser and HiLux SR5.

 

Go to www.landertoyota.com.au/promotions/special-offers/2137/super-specials for more information.

 

Land a better deal at Lander Toyota!

Leading independent Australian law firm HWL Ebsworth Lawyers has announced that it will launch two Northern Territory based offices on 1 February 2015.

 

The partners, lawyers and support staff of Cridlands MB will join HWL Ebsworth to form the firm's new Darwin and Alice Springs offices.

The partners joining HWL Ebsworth will be Graeme Buckley, Tony Morgan, Richard Giles, Charlie Martel and Chris McDuff.

The current and past partners of Cridlands MB have served the Northern Territory community for over 50 years.

Cridlands MB offers commercial and government clients a broad range of legal services, including in the areas of Banking and Finance, Commercial and Corporate, Construction, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Energy and Resources, Insurance and Workers Compensation, Intellectual Property, Native Title, Property and Restructuring, Insolvency and Debt Recovery.

Tony Morgan, Partner of Cridlands MB, said "Our success in developing one of the Northern Territory's premier legal practices can be attributed to our resolute focus on our clients' interests and delivering high quality tailored advice. By joining HWL Ebsworth, we will be in a position to offer our commercial and government clients an even broader range of services at a value that is unmatched in this country. We are delighted to have reached a stage in our development that Australia's fastest growing national law firm has identified that we can enhance their national and our local offering."

Juan Martinez, HWL Ebsworth's Managing Partner, said "As can be seen from our unrelenting growth over the last decade, and our expansion into the Australian Capital Territory in 2011, Western Australia in 2013 and South Australia in 2014, we have been determined to build Australia's only fully integrated national law firm. Our expansion into the Northern Territory ensures that we are the sole law firm in Australia to have a permanent presence in every mainland capital city."

"We are particularly excited about the growth prospects on offer in the Northern Territory. With the Territory's strong focus on infrastructure development and its ever strengthening economic links to Asia, we believe that our new offices will be of significant benefit to our clients across Australia and overseas" added Juan.

"We are very pleased to welcome the team from Cridlands MB and we are looking forward to introducing them to our many clients active in the Northern Territory. As has been the case with our other expansion offices, we will look to further enhance our offering in this region with the recruitment of additional leading partners in key areas of law of importance to our client base" said Juan.

AccessOne gives you extra extra connections at no extra charge

Soon our metro edition tablet apps will re-launch offering rich audience engagement and a more edition based news experience with intuitive navigation and interactive features.

Now you can connect with our growing audiences across print and our new tablet editions at no extra charge.

What is AccessOne?

AccessOne is the new app bundle that allows a one transaction, automatic ad lift from the print edition of our four metro mastheads and The Australian to the tablet edition for the same day, providing combined reach across both editions at no extra charge.

Access One offers an enhanced, inviting experience for consumers of all content and allows advertisers to tell their brand stories in fresh and innovative ways.

So, how does it work?

It’s simple; book an eligible print ad size in any of our metro print editions and we’ll automatically lift your advertising from the print edition to our daily tablet editions at no extra charge. 

Eligible ad sizes include:

Metro Mastheads	The Australian/The Weekend Australian
Platinum wrap	Platinum wrap
Double page spread	Double page spread
Full page	Full page
Half page horizontal	Half page horizontal
Half page vertical	Quarter page
Portrait	Portrait
Dominant	Large strip
	Half page vertical

Want extra? 

For an extra charge, we can make your message even more engaging, with rich media enhancements including video, interactive product carousel, click through and click to purchase. This means your customers can go from interest to purchase on just one platform.

In June 2014, the Government announced Rebuilding NSW – a new plan to turbocharge NSW. This will release $20 billion in capital from leasing the State’s electricity businesses for investment in new productive infrastructure - meaning critical projects can get moving now, rather than years into the future.

The NSW Government has reviewed the investment recommendations put forward by Infrastructure NSW, the Government’s expert investment body, and accepts these recommendations.

More than $10 billion for investment to benefit Western Sydney 

With a population of over 2 million people, Western Sydney is now bigger than many of Australia’s capital cities. Rebuilding NSW
invests $10 billion in Western Sydney and presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build the infrastructure that Western Sydney desperately needs.

This includes:

• Sydney Rapid Transit - a $7 billion investment to increase the number of trains accessing the city by 60%
  
• Parramatta Light Rail - a $1 billion investment to transform Parramatta
  
• Western Harbour Tunnel - allowing up to 50,000 cars to bypass the CBD each day.
  

This will ensure Western Sydney not only keeps up with forecast population growth, but thrives, delivering the jobs and economic foundations to become an even better place to work and live.

Parramatta as Sydney’s second CBD

Parramatta is Sydney’s second CBD and it needs the transport connections to support continued growth. The Government has already reserved $400 million for a light rail network in Parramatta. The Government will commit a further $600 million for light rail, bringing the funding commitment to $1 billion.

Confirming Parramatta’s status as Sydney’s second CBD means investing in the cultural and sporting facilities the city deserves. The Government will create a Parramatta Cultural Precinct as a component of current urban renewal activities in the area. Parramatta has a range of cultural and heritage assets that could be better connected and utilised. To complement this, the Government will consider relocating the Powerhouse Museum collection to the new precinct.

A congestion busting plan

As the engine room of our State’s economy, the Government is committed to delivering improved transport infrastructure to the people of Western Sydney, especially for its major roads. 

WestConnex will help bust the city’s congestion and better connecting western and south western Sydney with the Sydney CBD, port and airport.

The Government will build on the benefits of WestConnex by reserving $1.1 billion to invest in the northern and southern extensions and the new Western Harbour Tunnel.

In addition to delivering new motorways, the Government will use our existing roads more effectively. This includes reserving $400 million to implement Smart Motorways technologies,
including on the M4. Investments to address bottlenecks and pinch point upgrades will be targeted to improve traffic flows and reduce congestion in Western Sydney. Our city needs transformative projects like WestConnex, but it also needs these small upgrades to better manage our roads. We will deliver both.

Public transport links to the west

An efficient, reliable, accessible public transport system is critical to the prosperity and quality of life of any city. Rebuilding NSW provides us with the opportunity to extend the benefits of public transport to more communities across Western Sydney. Public transport connects people to jobs and improves the liveability of Western Sydney by providing access to key destinations.

The reliability and frequency of services on the existing passenger rail network will also be improved progressively under Sydney’s Rail Future Stage 2. The Government will reserve $1 billion to deliver this plan for the Western Sydney Rail Upgrade Program which specifically targets the capacity constraints on the T1 Western Line.

Construction of the North West Rail Link is well underway with services planned to commence in 2019. In addition, a $7 billion contribution reserved for Sydney Rapid Transit (SRT), together with funds already earmarked, ensures the project is fully funded, with a mid-range estimated cost of $10.4 billion. The proposed network will include new rapid services at stations in Bankstown,
Punchbowl, Wiley Park, Lakemba, Belmore, Campsie and Canterbury.

The benefits of the SRT will be wider still – it will unlock new rail capacity across the entire rail network. Western Sydney needs more trains, fewer delays and faster connections. We are delivering the upgrades to make this happen.

Better hospitals and schools in Western Sydney

In addition to the Government’s record investment in health and education, Rebuilding NSW presents an opportunity to build the new schools and hospitals Western Sydney needs to accommodate future population growth.

This will include a share of:

> the $700 million Future Focussed Schools Program to deliver new schools in Sydney’s growth areas.
> the $600 million Hospital Growth Program.

Business cases will be developed for hospital investments at places such as Rouse Hill and Campbelltown, as well as for new paediatric capacity in South Western Sydney. 

The Government is also exploring innovative education models. 

Upgraded stadia and cultural facilities 

Western Sydney also needs an increase of investment in its arts and cultural infrastructure. Families in Western Sydney shouldn’t always have to travel into the Sydney CBD to participate in cultural and sporting activity.

The NSW Government will also engage with Western Sydney councils to identify coinvestment proposals for cultural infrastructure. Engagement will commence immediately.

Western Sydney will also benefit from the $600 million stadia fund. As part of that, the Government will identify the best investments for rectangular stadia at Parramatta/Sydney Olympic Park - investments that will provide world class sporting venues for Western Sydney.

The Government will also look at long term options for the construction of an outer Western Sydney stadium to support expected population growth. 

Planning for future growth

In the long term, land will be reserved for future Western Sydney road corridors, which may include the Outer Sydney Orbital and the Bells Line of Road – Castlereagh Connection to the M7. This will ensure that we are able to deliver infrastructure efficiently and effectively when it is needed. This is part of our strategic long term planning approach to develop Western Sydney.

Rebuilding NSW will deliver a $10 billion windfall to Western Sydney, including in areas such as health and transport, NSW Premier Mike Baird announced today.

 

The revised State Infrastructure Strategy is a 20-year blueprint for NSW that is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turbocharge the state from the long-term lease of 49 per cent of the State’s electricity network businesses.

“In 20 years, every second Sydneysider will live in Greater Western Sydney and that is why more than half of the funding on offer in this Strategy is being spent in a way that will benefit Western Sydney,” Premier Mike Baird said.

“With a population of over two million people, Western Sydney is the engine room of the state – and these funds will transform the area for generations to come.

“We have a plan and a vision, but more than that we have a plan that is funded. That is the difference between my Government and the empty promises that were all the people of NSW ever got from Labor.”

Mr Baird said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government accepted all of the  specific funding recommendations for Western Sydney made by Infrastructure NSW, including:

• $7 billion for Sydney Rapid Transit, including a second Harbour crossing, new CBD stations and the conversion of the Bankstown line to rapid transit. This is on top of the $3.4 billion previously set aside. Based on a mid-range estimate the project will be fully-funded;
  
• $1.1 billion Westconnex/Western Harbour Tunnel
• A Western Sydney Rail Upgrade Program worth $1 billion to improve the current network and provide additional and faster services for the T1 Western Line including Penrith and Parramatta;
  
• $600 million for Parramatta Light Rail, on top of the $400 million already allocated, taking the total allocation to $1 billion; and
  
• $600 million for Western Sydney hospitals, including additional paediatric capacity in South Western Sydney

Western Sydney will also benefit from:

• $400 million for Smart Motorways;
• $600 million for stadiums;
• $700 million for Future Focussed Schools;
• $300 million for pinch points;
• $300 million for Bus Rapid Transit; and
• $100 million for Clearways.

Transport linkages will also be improved with the reservation of land for future Western Sydney road corridors, as well as upgrading road networks to support the Badgerys Creek airport precinct.

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said the funding would permanently change how people moved around the region.

“Sydney Rapid Transit is a game-changer – for this city and for Western Sydney,” she said.

“Public transport connects people to jobs, and these improvements will get workers to their offices faster, and will get mums and dads home quicker.”

She said the additional money for the Parramatta Light Rail will help cement Parramatta as Sydney’s second CBD.

Minister for Health Jillian Skinner welcomed the health projects to match the pace of the population growth.

“These significant investments in Western Sydney’s hospitals are an investment in the health of the community. They will deliver first-class facilities with state-of-the-art equipment,” she said.

Mr Baird said the health and transport infrastructure in Western Sydney will provide a critical framework for the region but added that Rebuilding NSW also recognises the importance of sporting and cultural assets with:

• $600 million for stadiums, focussing in on Moore Park and Western Sydney; and
  
• The creation of a Parramatta Cultural Precinct where CBD-based art and cultural collections can be shared in Parramatta and Western Sydney.
  

 

Mr Baird said the 20-year fully-funded plan, in which all projects will be completed or underway by 2024, was future proofing Western Sydney, ensuring the residents had the very best in services and the region had the capacity to reach its full potential.