Member of the Legislative Council

THE GREENS NSW

A Sustainable Transport Master Plan – Community Workshop

Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre

1 – 3pm, Monday 16 April, 22 Earl St, Coffs Harbour

Your invitation

The NSW government will be releasing a draft Transport Master Plan in June this year with its vision for transport for NSW for the next 20 years. Members of the community are being consulted as part of that process.

As the Greens transport spokeswoman I am undertaking consultation with the community in an effort to ensure as many voices and views are heard as possible throughout this process. I aim to collate ideas from these workshops and feed them into the government’s draft plan to ensure NSW gets a sustainable and community-focused transport master plan.

I will be talking to communities in regional NSW and broader Sydney in an effort to ensure genuine solutions for sustainable transport in local areas are considered. There is a danger that the some people’s voices will be ignored during the government’s process and this is my attempt to ensure that this doesn’t happen.

There will be a workshop in Coffs Harbour on Monday, 16 April 2012, from 1-3pm at the Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre at 22 Earl St Coffs Harbour via Harbour Drive and the Pacific Hwy.

I am looking forward to hearing your considered views and ask you to extend this invitation to your contacts.

To confirm your attendance at the workshop please contact Gail Broadbent in Cate Faehrmann’s office by (12 April 2012) gail.broadbent@parliament.nsw.gov.au

I look forward to seeing you there,

CATE FAEHRMANN MLC

Local businesses to have a voice at Jobs Forum

The Mid North Coast region will have a voice at the Federal Government’s Jobs Forum next week after lobbying by the Mid North Coast NSW Business Chamber for regional businesses to be represented at the Forum.

Mid North Coast NSW Business Chamber wrote to local Federal MP, Rob Oakeshott, calling for regional business communities to have a voice at the Jobs Forum. As a result, Mr Oakeshott will be accompanied to the Jobs Forum by representatives from Industry Mid North Coast.

“When the Jobs Form was announced the Chamber was adamant that the Forum will need representatives from regional areas of Australia to ensure all voices and ideas are heard – I’m pleased to see that our local MP has secured a local voice at the Forum,” said Kellon Beard, Mid North Coast NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager.

“The Jobs Forum is a great opportunity to come up with solutions to the challenges that are facing important segment of the Australian economy – we have a booming mining sector that requires more skilled workers while at the same time the retail and manufacturing sectors are facing pressures of lower customer spending confidence, higher dollar and international competition.”

Mr Beard said he hoped that the Jobs Forum would not become another Federal Government talkfest but a vehicle to deliver economic reform and jobs growth.

Mr Beard said the Future Jobs Forum should identify solutions to the challenges facing Australian businesses including:

• The future of manufacturing – how will manufacturers cope with a high Australian dollar, carbon tax and international competition?
• Fair Work Act – is the Act working the way it was intended to and what reforms are required to support job creation, innovation and productivity growth?
• Challenges facing retailers – what does the increasing popularity of online retailing mean for the future of brick and mortar retailers?
• Carbon Tax – does Australia’s ‘go it alone’ approach to climate change increase pressure on Australian businesses and place them in an unfair and uncompetitive position?
• Taxation – are the current settings for the carbon tax, company tax, GST and payroll tax appropriate to encourage job creation?
• Skills shortages – what long term impact will the multi speed economy and ageing population have on skills shortages?
• Youth unemployment – how do we improve the school to work transition for young people?
• Funding for universities – are financial incentives driving the right number and type of graduates?

“Everything needs to be on the table at the Future Jobs Forum. Employers have serious reservations about what effects the Fair Work Act, the Carbon Tax and the high Australian dollar are having on Australia’s competitive edge. These should all be discussed in a frank and open debate.”

Media Contact: Kellon Beard 0427 767 246

Kellon Beard

Regional Manager

Mid North Coast NSW Business Chamber &

New England NSW Business Chamber

146-148 Gordon Street Port Macquarie NSW 2444

Tel: +612 6584 0910 | Mob: 0427 767 246 | Fax: 02 6584 0930

Web: www.nswbusinesschamber.com.au

MEDIA RELEASE 12 September 2011

Business welcomes Future Jobs Forum.

Regional areas should have a voice at Forum

Mid North Coast NSW Business Chamber has welcomed the initiative of the Federal Government to bring together representatives from business, unions, government and academia for a Future Jobs Forum next month but said regional areas should have a voice at the Forum.

“The Australian economy is facing a new industrial revolution. New technologies, international competition, a high exchange rate, and greater expectations from customers are combining to place new pressures on Australian businesses to adapt or go under,” said Kellon Beard, Mid North Coast NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager.

“The Future Jobs Forum comes at an opportune time to debate the key challenges to the Australian economy’s existing industry mix and where they will be positioned in the next decade and beyond.

“The Forum should engage with representatives from regional areas of Australia to ensure all voices and ideas are heard – what works in the city, doesn’t necessarily work in the regions.

“This needs to be a constructive forum, not just a way for the Government to tick the box on the community’s concerns about jobs and the future of the national economy.”

Mr Beard said the Future Jobs Forum should identify solutions to the challenges facing Australian businesses including:

The future of manufacturing – how will manufacturers cope with a high Australian dollar, carbon tax and international competition?

Fair Work Act – is the Act working the way it was intended to and what reforms are required to support job creation, innovation and productivity growth?

Challenges facing retailers – what does the increasing popularity of online retailing mean for the future of brick and mortar retailers?

Carbon Tax – does Australia’s ‘go it alone’ approach to climate change increase pressure on Australian businesses and place them in an unfair and uncompetitive position?

Taxation – are the current settings for the carbon tax, company tax, GST and payroll tax appropriate to encourage job creation?

Skills shortages – what long term impact will the multi speed economy and ageing population have on skills shortages?

Youth unemployment – how do we improve the school to work transition for young people?

Funding for universities – are financial incentives driving the right number and type of graduates?

“Everything needs to be on the table at the Future Jobs Forum. Employers have serious reservations about what effects the Fair Work Act, the Carbon Tax and the high Australian dollar are having on Australia’s competitive edge. These should all be discussed in a frank and open debate.”

Kellon Beard

Regional Manager

Mid North Coast NSW Business Chamber &

New England NSW Business Chamber

146-148 Gordon Street Port Macquarie NSW 2444

Tel: +612 6584 0910 | Mob: 0427 767 246 | Fax: 02 6584 0930

Web:www.nswbusinesschamber.com.au

Dear Colleagues,

Knowing your market, their needs and wants is paramount to operating a successful business. Bellingen and Coffs Harbour Council, recently, in conjunction with Tourism NSW, Tourism Research Australia conducted a Visitor Satisfaction and Profile Research survey. We would like to share these results with you.

We look forward to seeing you at the presentation.

Best wishes

Stuart Allardice

Coffs Harbour City Council and Bellingen Shire Council

invite you to attend an

INDUSTRY FORUM

to explore the findings of the recent

COFFS COAST VISITOR SATISFACTION and PROFILE RESEARCH

and determine the next steps from it.

Craig Evesson, consultant to Tourism Research Australia, will explain the research and its meaning.

ALSO ON THE AGENDA FOR THE FORUM:

Amanda Coghlan, Strategic Insights Analyst from Tourism NSW, will be presenting on the latest domestic tourism trends with a specific focus on Coffs Coast.

Bill Mabey, Business Development Manager & Tourism Specialist from the Dpt of Industry and Investment, will discuss progress on the Coffs Coast Rally.

Where:

The Centre (Coffs Coast Beach School), 226 Bonville Station Road, Bonville

See map here. Take Old Pacific Hwy to Bonville and turn east into Bonville Station Rd over new highway.

It is opposite the Coffs Harbour Christian Community School.

When:

Thursday 16 June, 5pm to 7:30pm.

RSVP:

to Brian Stokes

E: brian.stokes@chcc.nsw.gov.au

P: 6648 4088

by 5pm Tuesday 14 June.

Light refreshments will be served.

We look forward to seeing you there.

]]> http://bellingenchamber.com/tourism-industry-forum-what-next-with-visitor-satisfaction-research/feed 0 http://bellingenchamber.com/invitation-to-a-regional-business-excellence-forum-tuesday-17-may http://bellingenchamber.com/invitation-to-a-regional-business-excellence-forum-tuesday-17-may#comments Sun, 15 May 2011 23:33:12 +0000 susan http://bellingenchamber.com/?p=3351 Message from Louise Potter, Business Development Officer, State & Regional Development and Tourism, Industry & Investment NSW

Afternoon All,

AusIndustry and Manufacture Coffs Coast invite you to a Regional Business Excellence Forum being held on Tuesday 17 May (commencing at 4.30pm @ Bonville International Golf Club) live from Coffs Harbour and via webcast from Newcastle and Wollongong.

The event will showcase a range of businesses who have had major success in various areas of operation(see attached invitation for details).   INVITATION Regional BusinessExcellence Forum

Please register your interest in attending as soon as possible as per RSVP details on the attachment.

Kind regards,

Louise

Louise Potter | Business Development Officer | State & Regional Development and Tourism

Industry & Investment NSW | Level 1 City Square | Harbour Drive | Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 |

PO Box 1028 | Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

T: 02 6650 3141| F: 02 6658 0303

E: louise.potter@business.nsw.gov.au

W: www.industry.nsw.gov.au |www.business.nsw.gov.au | www.sydney.com | www.visitnsw.com

Hi

Re: YOUth LEADing Australia Community Forum

Please find enclosed your invitation to YOUth LEADing Australia Community Forum that will take place 1-3pm November 25th at Coffs Harbour Showground. YLA CH Forum Invite

Over the past 18 years OzGREEN has built a national and international network of thousands of Youth LEADers who are now leading change in their own communities and beyond.

In November 2009 OzGREEN launched YOUth LEADing Australia (YLA), a three day congress uniting 500 young people, aged 10 – 30, simultaneously, in 7 locations across Australia. Together they learnt about the environmental challenges we all face such as climate change and the sustainability of food, energy, biodiversity and water.

They met local sustainability champions, shared inspiring stories and planned actions through digital media and social networking technology.

This year we are very excited that YLA has more than doubled it’s reach and plans to link 15 regions across Australia and 5 international youth leadership groups.

The theme this year is ‘Walking Together’ and the emphasis of the congress is -

Personal responsibility to live sustainably;

Creating community change;

Connecting change makers nationally and internationally.

It is important that our young people feel they have a voice, that they are ‘listened to’, Our youth have enormous energy and talent to offer our communities and to take us forward into a sustainable future. With this in mind, we are inviting the current leaders in our communities to be part of the Forum on day 3 of the Congress, to hear what concerns our youth and the actions they would like to take to reduce their personal eco-footprint and that of our towns and communities.

If you know of other community leaders who would like to attend please pass this information on or contact us.

We look forward with much anticipation to this dynamic youth event and hope you are able make the time to attend. RSVP by 16th November to Susan E: shaworth@ozgreen.org.au

Kind regards

Sue Lennox

Co-Founder/CEO

OzGREEN

PO Box 301 Bellingen NSW 2454

Ph: 02 6655 2180 Web: www.ozgreen.org E: shaworth@ozgreen.org.au

Participants were briefed with a summary of the first forum in which the threats and impacts of climate change and peak oil were discussed, and the community’s strengths and opportunities assessed. The group then developed an impressive list of ideas and strategies to put the Bellingen business community at the forefront of this response.

This was following by information from Sue Lennox of OzGreen on the global effects of climate change and the urgency needed to respond to this challenge. Images of the break up of polar ice caps gave a sobering sense of the scale of the problem.

Jen St Clair spoke on the Bellingen Shire Transition Towns Initiative and associatedprojects including the Food Futures Alliance, Seed Savers Network, and their swap market which has now morphed into a ‘Free Market’. The group is working to build a groundswell of grassroots support as its visioning process leads to new projects towards the end of the year.

Jan also reported the evolution of ‘slow talk’, a recognition of the need to talk ideas through and reflect on varying perspectives. Four business operators then gave an overview of their approaches to sustainable business practice.

Kevin Doye from Kombu Wholefoods explained an ongoing process of improving sustainable practices from the first easy step of switching to 100% green power to theirsupport for the local food network.

Alice Fisher spoke from the perspective of a home-based business on the challenges of tracing sustainability through supply lines, as well as addressing the importance ofsupport for local producers.

Brian Sherratt of LilyPily Countryhouse spoke on building sustainability into a new business and promoting this difference to appeal to the market, “It’s really fairly easy and it makes good commercial sense.”

Manager of Bellorana, Sarah Churchyard spoke of their new ozone laundry facilities with cleaner air and less drying time, a change in mindset with staff & residents turning off lights and sharing energy saving ideas, and a request currently before their board for Energy Audits on all 25 facilities in NSW.

Forum participants then grouped to discuss what changes they would like to be reporting if back in the room after five years of positive action to improve practices in the Shire.

Ideas ranged from strong local food production and public planting of fruit trees to large scale energy production and transport networks.

Below is a creative representation of many of these ideas from the perspective of a visiting journalists. It demonstrates bold and ambitious changes through a very well connected and coordinated community.

Bellingen Sustainable Business Alliance (Bellingen Chamber of Commerce, OzGreen,

Bellingen Shire Council and Waterfall Way Centre) would like to thank all participants

and looks forward to further development of ideas discussed through future events.

Forum Visioning Responses

Group 1:

• Business community reallyworking together while promoting each other so that everybody prospers and their footprint is reduced – a change in attitude.
• Local business voucher book
• Education centre for people outside area based on our example of local food production
• Clear idea of what local is –
• whole of Bellingen Shire
• Large green corridors for animals
• and plants in place throughout
• Shire from mountains to the sea
• Sustainable fuels run the Shire
• Bicycle racks and hire
• Tracks for mountain bikes as a
• tourist attraction in a sustainable way – good for environment
• Council Pedestrian and Mobility Plan (incl. Cycling) really implemented – infrastructure really in place based on current plan eg. Tracks need to be lined up
• Lots of bicycles (electric) available
• No dilution any longer of different groups and organisations but one alliance of businesses working together

Group 2:

• Skills Register
• Chemical free cleaning
• Energy efficient power tools
• Local employment and manufacture
• Regional connection
• Farming practices, local produce
• Value adding locally
• Incorporate Dorrigo and use their knowledge
• Local electricity grid
• New composting practices
• Changing the farmers’ mindset
• Lead by example
• Free box for unwanted goods
• Work together and link coast to tablelands
• Provide link and keep everyone informed
• Council set emissions target
• Do not talk alarmist – be smarter about how we use what we have
• Organic farming and form cooperative
• Reducing power
• Community based farming
• Overcome isolation – between three towns
• Share ideas & work it into an economic plan
• Brand Bellingen as a Green Sustainable Community Help with marketing Bellingen Made
• Not alarmist but understand the urgency of the Climate Change situation
• Tourism is a vital plank of economic prosperity
• Ensure that current resources are used as well as possible
• Vision is Bellingen operating on our own power grid

Group 3:

• Local jobs for kids
• Meaningful green jobs
• Local food in abundance
• Food tree ‘capital’
• Honouring elders
• Different kind of profit recognised in business
• Investing ‘profit’ into future

Group 4:

• Places to gather and share skills – ‘craft central’ or ‘men’s shed’ – mentoring
• Collective bulk purchasing of power saving devices, eg. Fluoro starters, solar panels, etc
• Bellingen power collective – generating power or bulk purchasing
• Local food production collective – community gardens
• Clean, light industrial area for food processing, storage
• Drinkable river and waterways (symbol of good wellbeing)
• All sewerage collected and converted for reuse (Ganges example – stock feed, energy, clean water)
• Local superannuation – keep local in fund for green jobs
• Local structure to empower individuals to take action eg. Bulk buy, local super
• Assess power leakages eg. Night use of footy oval
• More advanced carpooling – local support for online system (esp. Coffs, airport) – sms, web, noticeboard
• Mental shift to control of travel, meet challenge of freedom
• Innovation between car & bicycle, lighter transport options
• Buses – govt. link between school bus contracts and public transport i.e. force school bus contractors to run public bus service also
• Smaller (electric) buses to enable above – Coffs –Urunga – Bellingen – Dorrigo route serving visitors
• Commuter train Nambucca – Coffs Glenreagh

Other:

Physical 3D or computer 3D model of Bellingen 2020 as above – project with Bell.  High School

All generations have role to play, particularly older generations in positions of authority and influence –must take responsibility.