2015 Hunter Business Function Guide
Green shoots emerging in local economy
With the dramatic drop in unleaded petrol prices and a low Australian dollar, the Hunter Research Foundation’s latest Hunter Region Economic Indicators report unearths the greens shoots emerging from a challenging local economy.
AV Chartered Accountants relocate
After almost 20 years in the same location, AV Chartered Accountants is on the move.
New premises for MGA
After solid growth in recent years, the local branch of MGA Insurance Brokers has moved from Booleroo to larger and more modern premises in Charlestown.
Lockheed Martin facility opened at Williamtown
Minister for Defence Kevin Andrews MP formally opened Lockheed Martin Australia’s new facilities at the Williamtown Aerospace Centre on 16 February.
NSW Mining Beyond 2015
Fixing the NSW Planning System, better infrastructure for mining communities and greater protection from illegal access safety risks headline the NSW Minerals Council plan to strengthen NSW mining beyond 2015, launched in the lead up to the state
election.
NSW Government buys back CSG licences
The NSW Government has bought back two large coal seam gas exploration licenses which include parts of the Hunter.
PAC recommendation for continued mining at Mount Thorley Warkworth
The New South Wales Planning Assessment Commission has recommended that approval can be given to continue mining at Mount Thorley Warkworth, subject to strict environmental conditions.
World coal demand forecast to exceed 9 billion tonnes by 2019
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Medium-Term Coal Market Report 2014 forecasts growth and dynamism of international coal markets.
Planning agreement gives boost to community projects
Singleton Council has signed a Voluntary Planning Agreement with Liddell Coal Operations that will contribute $580,000 toward community projects.
New local apprentices at Eraring
Australia’s largest power station has again committed to educating young local workers, with five new apprentices joining the 23 apprentices and trainees already working at Eraring Power Station.
Bengalla mine gains consent until 2038
The future of the Bengalla mine and its 400 employees has been assured following
the NSW Government’s approval of a new Development Consent for mining until 2038.
Community room officially opened
Community groups and organisations now have a new meeting space at their disposal, thanks to the partnership between BHP Billiton Mt Arthur Coal and Muswellbrook Pre School Kindergarten Inc.
Hedweld looking forward to a successful 2015
After what has been a challenging year for the Australian mining industry Hedweld is optimistic about 2015.
Walking the fine line between creative and simple
We all aspire to be a marketing genius who creates the most creative campaigns in the market and is known as a marketing mastermind.
Hosting a client event – giving back to your clients
If you get clear on your purpose for hosting the event, the format right, it really gives you and your clients an opportunity to connect on a more personal level, while also adding additional value to the client’s relationship with you and your business.
Strategic market plans
A well designed market plan articulates the nature of your products, how these products benefit your target market, your strategic branding and competitive position.
Is social media the answer to marketing on a low budget
Social media marketing has revolutionised the corporate world.
The Power of Online Video
We often hear from our customers that their customers “can’t quite get it until they actually see it”.
SOLD
Gateshead sales fetches $2.75 million A property at 135 Bulls Garden Road, Gateshead which was partly occupied by Fox Mining has been sold by Byrne Tran and Jayson Robertson from Colliers International on behalf of Receivers and Managers, Grant Thornton. The property sold for $2.75 million following an Expressions of Interest campaign. The eventual purchaser…
Hunter’s housing deficit to rise by 30,000
The Lower Hunter needs to accelerate housing supply or risk a widening deficit of over 30,000 homes within a decade, according to new figures released by the Property Council of Australia.
Slow upswing for Australian commercial property
Australasian commercial property markets are delivering favourable returns against the global property market, with the industrial sector continuing to lead the recovery, according to the latest Property Council/IPD Australia Index.
Increased new home building in the Hunter
ABS figures on new home building approvals indicate that activity across the Hunter / Central Coast region increased slightly during 2014 according to the Housing Industry Association.
$17 million mine subsidence strategy a major boost for investment in Newcastle
NSW Treasurer Andrew Constance and Liberal candidate for Newcastle Karen Howard have announced one of the major barriers to new job creation in Newcastle’s CBD would be addressed through a mine subsidence remediation strategy.
NEW APPOINTMENTS
GREATER BUILDING SOCIETY Michael King has joined the Greater Building Society as Chief Risk Officer, replacing Scott Morgan who was appointed CEO in late 2014. Michael will lead the Risk, Compliance and Internal Audit teams for the Hunterbased financial institution. He comes well equipped for the role with 35 years of experience. Michael has a…
Record low interest rates mean an acquisition can kick start your growth
I’m sure you’re all familiar with the term “acquisition” but have you ever seriously considered it a viable component of your growth strategy?
Why 63 could be your most valuable age
Decisions made when you are 63 could have a significant impact on your retirement.
Start with WHY
Have you found yourself preparing for a meeting to get a new client and you’re thinking of what your ELEVATOR pitch is?
Eight ways to improve profit in a business
‘How to improve profit in a business’ is a common question. Probably the question to ask first is ‘How do I increase gross profit?’
LET’S TALK WITH…. Sarah-Jane Dunford
What’s your current role? My fulltime role is Director of Riskology Pty Ltd, a safety consultancy, where I help small and large business from all industries cut through the minefield of safety legislation to achieve compliance. I work with some of Australia’s most well known brands right down to the mum and dad businesses and…
BUSINESS ANNIVERSARIES
COMPASS HOUSING 30 YEARS Compass is a Hunter success story built on the back of some very committed people and it has achieved spectacular growth of late because of those foundations. Its first company secretary Chris Dodds went on to become president of the Australian Council for Social Services. Compass started as Newmacq Housing in…
Airport contributes over $1B to Hunter economy
Newcastle Airport’s latest economic impact study has confirmed the Airport’s role as one of the region’s key economic and employment hubs, contributing $1.19 billion annually to the
Hunter’s economy.
Hunter Diversity Awards
People working in the mining, banking, legal and Aboriginal affairs sectors have highlighted what is making the Hunter a fairer and more equitable place to live and work.
Workshopping confidence
Newcastle’s newest collaboration, The Confidence Collective is hosting its very first workshop on Saturday 14th March.
Full program announced for Hunter Coal Festival
A full program of events has been announced for the Hunter Coal Festival, running in the second half of March.
FUNNY BUSINESS
German scientists dug 50 metres underground and discovered small pieces of copper. After studying these pieces for a long time, Germany announced that the ancient Germans 25,000 years ago had a nationwide telephone network. Naturally, the British government was not that easily impressed. They ordered their own scientists to dig even deeper. 100 metres down,…
Funding on offer to charities helping NSW & Gold Coast people
Applications for Greater Charitable Foundation funding open February 23 and close March 20
New Hunter TAFE CEO takes the reins
Christine Warrington has stepped into the role of CEO/Institute Director.
FROM THE EDITOR
The time has well and truly passed for Newcastle to get over its fixation with the removal of the heavy rail line from Wickham and work together to help Newcastle become a modern, prosperous city that we can all be proud of.
Training the builders of the future
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has announced the roll out of the 2015 Build Your Future scholarship program.
HVTC Skills Centre providing specialised training for power industry apprentices
HVTC Skills Centre welcomed 27 new power generation and mining industry apprentices as they began their careers at the custom-built training facility on Monday, 19 January 2015.