“Our community has yet another chance to ensure local issues are heard and I’m asking all residents to view the Planning Review Issues Paper and send submissions before the closing date of February 17, 2012, ” Mr Stoner said.

See full details in pdf  161211PlanningReview

Hi all,

During the Regional Leadership Conference in Port Macquarie on Friday 18th November, Dr Tim Williams launched the Mid North Coast Regional Digital Strategy. Details on the strategy are available below.

RDA Mid North Coast are seeking feedback on the strategy and are asking the community to provide comments by 16th December 2011.

Please utilise the information and links below to consider what this strategy means to you and have your say.

The opportunity to provide feedback is open to all in the community, so please feel free to forward this email to those you consider might be interested or have something to contribute.

My apologies to those who may have already received this.

Thanks and regards

Mark Almond

Employment Project Coordinator

Building Australia’s Future Workforce – Mid North Coast Region

Australian Government Dept of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

3rd Floor, 3 Hopetoun Street (PO Box 627) CHARLESTOWN NSW 2290

Phone–(02) 4940 1707 Mobile-0412 834 590 Fax-(02) 6204 2368

As part of RDA Mid North Coast’s commitment to ensuring that our region is broadband ready, “Making Connections, Filling the Gaps – Towards a Digital Region” is the first regional digital strategy in the country and was launched at the Strategic Regional Leadership Conference in Port Macquarie.

RDA Mid North Coast commissioned Dr Tim Williams to prepare a strategy that provides direction for stakeholders and communities of the Mid North Coast to leverage the competitive advantage that currently exists within our region. Dr Williams has produced a highly relevant and exciting strategy for all tiers of government, education/health providers, SME’s and communities of the Mid North Coast to benefit from.

The aim of the strategy is to exploit three key linked opportunities in the region that comprise;

• The advent of high speed broadband
• The fast-growing shift to online public services and engagement with citizens at local government, federal and state level
• The emergence of a digital economy and clusters of manufacturing, creative, health and knowledge based industries in the region.

The strategy is open for comment until Friday 16 December 2011. Comments will be collated and published as an appendix. We look forward to your comments and your willingness to identify how you may assist in the creation of a digital region on the Mid North Coast.

Download the strategy here

INAUGURAL CHAMBERS DAY FOR THE MID NORTH COAST REGION 14TH NOVEMBER 2011

On Monday I attended the meeting on behalf of our Chamber.

Representatives from Coff’s Harbour, Port Macquarie and Kempsey were also present.

Two guest speakers gave presentations- Chris Denny from Observatory Managed Apartments and Daniel Jordan from Joyer Consulting.

Chris explored the idea of what is meant by good customer service and the importance of the customer experience, suggesting that this is a guiding principle that should be incorporated into every facet of the business’s operation. He has developed an impressive array of strategies in an attempt to quantify to what extent customers expectations are met and identify where improvements could be made.

We had a brief discussion on sustainability. He saw it first and foremost as a marketing tool and was certainly not ideologically driven. To be able to claim to be carbon neutral would entail the purchase of carbon offsets and I was left with the impression that he was not quite sure whether it was worth it!

I suspect that claims of carbon neutrality might get a bit clichéd before too long.

Daniel Jordan provided an oversight of the various components of social media and how they could be best utilised in marketing and promotion. He stressed the importance of setting clear goals for what you want to achieve and identifying the avenue that would best reach your target market.

There are apparently 17,000 facebook users within 80 kms of Port Macquarie

That done we moved on to an open discussion of the development of the alliance of chambers on the mid north coast and how it could best benefit individual members.

I believe there are real benefits in being associated with a larger organisation. Apart from the obvious strength in numbers, the State Chamber website provides a valuable resource where you can access a wide range of advice and information on many aspects of small business operation.

If you’ve got a problem you can be sure someone else out there is having the same difficulties.

If you haven’t already checked out the NSW Chamber of Commerce website have a look at the home page to see what’s on offer. (NSW Business Chamber)

One of the primary functions of the State Chamber is to lobby for members. Whilst local issues (trouble with councils etc.) are best dealt with by the responsible chamber, they will take up issues with the relevant politicians that are seen to be of regional/state significance.

Finally we discussed the relevance of a regional meeting and all present agreed it was a useful exercise. Port Macquarie is prepared to continue to host, and pay for, the meetings.

Initially suggested that they should be annual but I think they should be at least every 6 months to maintain traction.

The aim of the survey is to access the economic impacts of Rally Australia 2011 as experienced by local businesses.  In particular to examine business preparedness, post event outcomes and identify possible increases in short term employment due to the event.

This will be important information for future events and everyone is encouraged to take the time to complete the survey.

Link for the survey:https://scutourism.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_7QG5E52mSRxlz0g

MEDIA RELEASE 21 October 2011

BUSINESS COMMUNITY WELCOMES NSW GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO PACIFIC HIGHWAY REPORT CARDS

Mid North Coast NSW Business Chamber has welcomed the commitment by the NSW Government to providing six-monthly report cards detailing the progress of the Pacific Highway upgrade towards targeted milestones and the final completion date.

Roads Minister Duncan Gay announced today that the O’Farrell/Stoner Government will provide six-monthly report card updates to the NSW North Coast communities on the upgrade.

NSW Business Chamber has campaigned for the last three years on the proposal for six-monthly report cards for the Pacific Highway upgrade that would be signed off by the Premier of NSW and Prime Minister providing a new level of accountability and transparency on the overdue project. The proposal for report cards was also one of the 10 Big Ideas to Grow the Mid North Coast.

“The Pacific Highway upgrade has been an ongoing saga for the past two decades with no clear end in sight – that’s what we want this report card proposal to deliver,” said Kellon Beard Murray, Mid North Coast NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager.

“The Roads Minister, Duncan Gay, understands the importance of getting this project finished – especially in terms of saving lives and providing economic opportunities for communities along the NSW North Coast.

“The Minister’s enthusiasm to provide a new reporting mechanism should provide a new level of accountability and transparency in the delivery of the Pacific Highway upgrade.

“The Chamber would also like to acknowledge the tireless work of local MP and Deputy Premier, Andrew Stoner, in pursuing a better outcome on the Pacific Highway upgrade.

“We are looking forward to working with the NSW Government in developing the report cards. We would encourage the Federal Government to sign on to this initiative.

“These report cards will hold both Governments to account to the community in completing this vital project.”

Media Contact: Kellon Beard 0419 260 220

Kellon Beard

Regional Manager | 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

Our purpose: We inspire, influence, inform and invigorate business and its environment.

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

RDA Mid North Coast will be conducting workshops on the Mid North Coast with Dr Tim Williams to inform the region’s digital strategy. To view invitation click here

Dear Regional Managers

As you may know, the NSW Government announced in July it will review the planning regime, which will be a significant process over the next 18 months and may impact upon our members.

The Government is undertaking a significant consultation process across the state. Please find attached a timetable for this consultation process which may be of interest to some members. Planning Consultation Timetable Sheet1

They have also set up a website specifically for the review: http://www.planningreview.nsw.gov.au/ which provides some more detail on the review

Please feel free to contact me if you have any further queries.

Kind regards

Larissa

Larissa Cassidy

Policy Adviser – Infrastructure

NSW Business Chamber | 140 Arthur St North Sydney 2062

Tel: 02 9458 7359 | Web: www.nswbusinesschamber.com.au