Fitness & Wellbeing
Solar farm powering City operations and revenue
City of Newcastle’s solar farm has exceeded expectations in its first six months of operation, generating almost twice the revenue it was expected to make annually.
2020 Hunter Manufacturing Awards are ‘celebrating our resilience’
The Board of the Hunter Manufacturing Awards Inc (HMA) have confirmed that the Awards will go ahead in 2020! HMA Chair, Steven Smith, said that it is even more important during this time of uncertainty to celebrate our Region’s manufacturers, to promote and profile their ability to innovate and adapt during the COVID-19 situation and…
Newcastle back in business and ready to host events
Newcastle is ready to accommodate an influx of new event bookings as the City reopens the doors for functions at its key venues.
Official opening for Scone saleyards
Communities in the Upper Hunter and across the New England are set to benefit from improved stock selling capacity with the official opening of the $7 million upgrade of Scone Regional Livestock Selling Centre.
Let it flow – Murrurundi water pipeline opens
The Murrurundi water pipeline opened on 29 May and the town’s water restrictions have been eased to level 2.
Venture capitalist blown away by University-born small wind turbine startup
Compact, yet offering the highest energy output in its class, a small wind turbine innovation is attracting large commercial investment in a bid to improve remote and emergency telecommunication access.
Jetstar returns to Newcastle Airport with Melbourne services recommencing from late June
Newcastle Airport is pleased to welcome back Jetstar flights from late June, with the region connected to Melbourne via services recommencing on 17 June.
SW Government names Williamtown as location for new Special Activation Precinct
The Hunter Region and Northern NSW are set to reap significant benefits after the NSW Government today announced Williamtown as its latest Special Activation Precinct (SAP).
Electric vehicle chargers installed portside
City of Newcastle has teamed up with Port of Newcastle to deliver a new electric vehicle charging station on Wharf Road to add to the city’s growing network.
New shipment signals new opportunities for the Hunter
For the first time since 2013, a roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) vessel made call at Port of Newcastle with a commercial cargo.
Sweet boost for visiting seafarers
While the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the way we live and work, our region’s critical export activities continue, although very differently
Canstar Awards 5-Star Rating to The Mutual Bank’s Retirement Account
The Mutual Bank is proud to have been recognised again by Australia’s largest financial comparison site, Canstar, by being awarded a 5-Star Rating in the categories ‘Senior Saver’ and ‘Senior Transactor’ for its Retirement Account.
Major development approval for proposed $120million seniors living village & conference centre in Newcastle
Merewether Golf Club (MGC) is on track to be the home of a brand new $120million Golf Club & Seniors Living precinct within the Merewether Golf Course in Newcastle.
Munibung Road extension now open
Drivers will experience a smoother journey through north-west Lake Macquarie with the extension to Munibung Road now complete.
Opportunities soar for Cessnock Airport with $6.6 million grant
On 27 April Cessnock City Council welcomed the announcement by the NSW Government that will see $6.6 million invested into the Cessnock Airport.
New intercity trains ramp up testing
Testing is ramping up on the New Intercity Fleet with the first two new trains now travelling on the network under their own power.
Newcastle company launches game changing, Australian manufactured, load sensing washer
Newcastle headquartered firm Visyload has launched its new load sensing washer that it says will be a game changing, money saving, device for mines, the construction sector and other industries.
Hunter recruiter helps out as it receives 300% more resumes
Forsythes Recruitment & HR has received triple the number of resumes in the past few weeks as the impact of COVID-19 hits the region.
Library bands together with hospital to assist health care workers on the coronavirus frontline
Staff at Singleton Public Library have answered the call from local doctors, harnessing cutting-edge printing technology to create bands to help make wearing face masks more comfortable for healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council’s small business helpline supports COVID-19 affected
Local businesses in need of support and advice as a result of COVID-19 (coronavirus) now have access to a new resource
The future of Singleton as a centre for sustainability, culture and tourism shaped in new plan
As well as offering the combination of city conveniences and a rural heartbeat with character-filled villages, Singleton is poised to be a leader in sustainability, post-mining land use and a diverse tourism centre with vibrant cultural spaces celebrating art, sport and culture according to the draft Singleton Local Strategic Planning Statement 2040 (LSPS), now on public exhibition.
Collective pitches in to Help Hunter business
A collective that was inspired by the team at Newcastle creative agency Out of the Square (OOTS), will provide a suite of free guides to help local business navigate the current Covid-19 crisis.
Draft pricing confirms increased investment and affordable water bills
Hunter Water customers will benefit from increased investment in the region’s water and wastewater infrastructure, while gaining more control over their water bills, following the release of a Draft Determination of prices from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
Future Leaders Scholarship 2020 awarded
HunterNet has announced the recipient of the Kristen Keegan Future Leaders Scholarship 2020 is Sharni Campbell, Recruitment Consultant Specialist from Chandler MacLeod.
Students receive $36,000 boost for studies
A total of $36,000 has been awarded to 18 talented and inspiring students as part of the 2020 Port Stephens Mayoral Academic Scholarships, thanks to the financial support of local businesses.
Lake Mac moves towards electric future
Lake Macquarie City Council has flicked the switch on a new EV charging strategy, with four new fully electric fleet cars indicating a move towards the City’s electric future.
The Station landscaping moves full steam ahead
Landscaping works around The Station are moving full steam ahead, with works started end of March.
MARCH 2020
The 2020 March issue of the Hunter Business Review can be viewed in hard copy or online.
This issue featured the Leadership & HR and Mining & Energy Update. Every issue of HBR includes general news and advice for the Hunter business community.
Stop boiling – Murrurundi and Scone water is safe to drink
Upper Hunter Shire Council has lifted the Boil Water Advisory for Scone and Murrurundi, as recommended by NSW Health based on the results of daily water quality tests. Tap water is safe to drink and use in food preparation.
F/A-18 disposal provides Hunter region jobs
Workers at RAAF Base Williamtown will service and prepare up to 46 retired F/A-18 Classic Hornet aircraft that will be sold to air combat training company Air USA.
Port of Newcastle a powerful link for renewable energy in NSW
Newcastle has again demonstrated its role as a critical trade gateway for Australia’s take-up of renewable energy technology, with the latest batch of wind farm components arriving in March.
Westside achieves NSW rehabilitation first
Glencore’s Westside open cut coal site in the Lower Hunter has received Government certification for a section of its rehabilitated mined land, a first for the State’s coal industry under contemporary mine rehabilitation criteria.
A free online Women in Business mentoring program
TAFE NSW will run the $7 million Women in Business program.
Hunter United merger with IMB Bank
Chair of the locally based Hunter United Employees’ Credit
Union, Jann Gardner, says its members and the broader
community will benefit from its merger with customer-owned
IMB Bank.
45 students receive Educational Scholarships
Through the support of Mentor Support Network and local businesses, scholarships were presented to 45 students from the lower Hunter, bringing the total number of students supported to 251 since 2008. Those 251 scholarships are valued at almost $550,000.
NSW Minerals Council and Regional Development Australia Hunter launch new partnership to build awareness of mining sector career opportunities
On Wednesday 12th February, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Hunter and NSW Minerals Council (NSWMC) launched their new partnership, PRIME (Pathways to Resource Industry and Mining Employment).
Work to start on the University of Newcastle’s new home for innovation and creative endeavour
On 21 February Taylor Martin MLC joined University of Newcastle Vice Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky, AO, to announce construction is set to begin on the first building within the University’s Honeysuckle City Campus.
How to protect your estate from family provision claims
In the past decade, disputes about wills and estates increased
by 80%. The majority of these dispute arise from wills involving
blended or estranged families.
Impact of the Banking Royal Commission on commercial property debt
There have been a plethora of headlines and opinions provided
on the Banking Royal Commission or “The Royal Commission
into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial
Services”. Not many of these have provided any real attention to
the commercial property debt markets to date.
Cameron Park Plaza to open mid-2020
The much-anticipated Cameron Park Plaza shopping centre
will open mid-2020. The $40+ million investment in the local
community is anticipated to be a premier convenience shopping
destination with retail space of over 7,500 sqm.