Environmental Sustainability
2014 Hunter Investment Prospectus launched
The Hon George Souris MP, Minister for Tourism, Major Events
and Hospitality, Minister for the Arts and Minister for the Hunter
officially launched the 2014 edition of the Hunter Investment
Prospectus at Fort Scratchley on 20 February in the presence of
around 120 Hunter business representatives.
Works commence at Huntlee
In a ceremony held on site on 25 February, the
Mayors of Cessnock and Singleton join withed the
Board of Directors for Huntlee to celebrate the
commencement of works on the Hunter’s first new
town in more than 50 years.
FROM THE EDITOR
You may not have thought about it, but we are in the midst of
historical times – a period that will be viewed as the information
revolution and the accompanying globalisation revolution.
Five workouts to get you financially fit in 2014.
Did you make a New Year’s resolution to get you or your business financially fitter?
EDA conference comes to the Hunter
The Hunter is host to its first ever Economic Development Australia Conference this month.
Funny Business
A new manager spends a week at his new office with the manager he is replacing. On the last day the departing manager tells him, “I have left three numbered envelopes in the desk drawer. Open an envelope if you encounter a crisis you can’t solve.” Three months down the track there is major drama,…
Mobile audio, drug and alcohol testing services
Local firm Hayden Recruitment has introduced a new organisation, Hayden Workplace Testing, to provide a mobile audio, drug and alcohol testing service.
Why is diet and exercise so hard?
The most common error in thinking is that there is a wonder drug, a wonder food or a wonder exercise that will change body shape, reduce fat permanently without changing a bunch of habits.
Mental health research at the coal face
An innovative and timely research project funded under
the Australian Coal Association Research Program is
examining mental health and well-being in the coal mining
industry across New South Wales and Queensland.
Three common pains and their simple solutions
Pain and injury can limit our ability to keep fit as well as impact on our home and work life.
Business activity improves bottom line
If recent forecasts of economists are right employees and employers will face significant challenges in the near future.
Inadequate retirement savings adversely affected by the GFC will see mature workers consider if they work past their chosen date of retirement.
New medical centre and revamped squash courts for Cardiff
The corner of Ada and Macquarie Roads Cardiff is set to receive a facelift shortly designed to create an “integrated one stop health centre”.
Local workplace heroes recognised
Workplace stress can have a devastating impact on relationships, families, friendships, workplaces and communities.
Vaccinate early – it could save your business time and money
With the long summer days continuing it may seem that the flu season is something we won’t have to think about for months, however research suggests that early vaccinations can make a big difference.
Businesses profit by promoting a positive attitude to mental health
One in five Australians will experience mental illness in any given year and around 45% of Australians between the ages of 16 and 85 will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime, so it makes sense that businesses have a mental health plan in place, and that they understand the importance of the mental health and wellbeing of their employees.
How is your New Year resolution going?
It is New Year’s Day. It is a public holiday and you have a rare opportunity to relax. Your thoughts wander to the coming year.
Healthy workers = happy (and productive) workers
We all know that regular exercise, foods of various colours
and goodness, and limiting alcohol and other activities that
could pose health risks, makes us feel better, live longer,
and just generally happier.
New website guides for would-be real estate agents
Few people buy a house so often that they know
all consumer, legal and investment elements of the
transaction.
Strong property investment forecast
A recent survey by Newcastle Financial Planning revealed
that nearly a third (28.75%) of respondents plan on making
a property transaction in the next 12 months.
Newcastle Property Market Report
According to the latest Property Market Report for
Newcastle from the Property Council, the Newcastle
CBD commercial office market is living up to
Newcastle’s moniker of “See Change”.
Why the property bubble doesn’t actually “burst”
In recent times I’ve heard about how the property bubble
is about to burst.
SMEs not capitalising on smart printing to reduce carbon footprint
The pressure on businesses to go green is huge. While
the majority of businesses are doing something to reduce
their impact on the environment, new data
shows they are missing a cost effective
solution.
Seven tips your web developer won’t tell you
If you’re shopping for a new website for your business
by looking for a website developer – then you’re probably
looking in the wrong place.
Death of the password inevitable
An alarming number of people still use login credentials
that are extremely easy to hack, such as “password” and
“123456”, putting them at serious risk of identity theft, an
Australian security expert warned following new research.
ON THE MOVE
NEWCASTLE FIN. PLANNING Matthew McCabe has joined Newcastle Financial. Matthew recently relocated from Sydney and his role at OnePath Financial Planning. Matthew has 10 years’ experience in financial planning and enjoys working with clients across all areas of wealth creation, wealth protection, superannuation, Centrelink, age care and estate planning. HUNTER BUSINESS REVIEW Jon Novoselec has…
Removing the state of confusion
What is your definition of strategy? And what is your
strategy for your company?
Ownership is no longer king – new Act highlights importance of ‘perfecting’ assets
The introduction of the Personal Properties and Securities
Act 2009 (PPSA) requires businesses and individuals to
now register their security interests on the new Personal
Property Securities Register (PPSR) to avoid exposing their
assets.
UON Slingshot Accelerator Program
The UON Slingshot Accelerator Program, an initiative to
identify high potential start-ups and nurture innovation in
the Hunter, was officially launched on 23 January.
Australian engineering first
One of the Hunter’s leading engineering firms has
completed a project that sets new standards in the highly
specialised engine reconditioning market.
JSA starts the New Year strongly with new people and a new division
Hunter-based financial services firm JSA has commenced
2014 strongly with new staff, the establishment of a new
division and the expansion of another division into Sydney.
Construction commences on new car dealership
Construction has started on a new car dealership on an
iconic site bringing jobs and investment into Newcastle’s
West end.
Blue Heeler Film Festival 2014
The Blue Heeler Film Festival is on again from 13-16 April
2014, and this time the short film competition is open to
entries from all over the Upper Hunter.
Harris Wheeler lawyer achieves accreditation
Local solicitor Micah Jenkins recently achieved
accreditation, through the Law Society of NSW, as a
business law specialist.
2014 Lake Macquarie International Children’s Games
Lake Macquarie City Council welcomed the President of
the International Children’s Games, Torsten Rasch, and the
Secretary General, Richard Smith, for the signing of the
official ‘Host City Agreement’ between the International
Children’s Games and the City of Lake Macquarie in a
ceremony on Friday 10 January at the Council Chambers.
ICAL launches in China
Raymond Terrace based ICAL International Customs &
Logistics has opened a new office in Shanghai, China.
Anglican Care announces strategic partnership with APP Corporation
Leading not-for-profit Aged Care and Retirement Living
provider Anglican Care has appointed national property
and infrastructure services consultancy APP Corporation
as their long term Project Management partner for the
management and delivery of their capital works and
property development portfolio.
Lifeline region merge
Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter and Lifeline Central Coast
recently joined forces in a formal merger.