Hunter Development Corporation 25th Anniversary
The rise of the entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs have come to be defined as those who start a new business. Textbook definitions add that to be truly entrepreneurial, the business must be a ‘new’ type of business (think Uber, Yoghurtland, Subway)
Lets talk with Andrew Fletcher
In a few words tell us about your current role. As NSW Regional Director, Property Council of Australia, my role is focussed on advocacy and public affairs. The main responsibility is to champion the interests of The Hunter in the political arena to deliver regional prosperity, grow jobs and create strong communities. How have you…
Sustainable energy project with global implications
A breakthrough sustainable energy technology at the
University of Newcastle (UON) could help solve the global
challenge of rural electrification in developing countries.
Local media agency highly commended
Newcastle full service creative agency Out of the Square Media (OOTS) received 3 Highly Commended Awards in the much coveted Australasian Catalogue of the Year Awards.
Local accountants strengthen relations with global tourism operator
After being engaged by Viking River Cruises for a few years, Linkara Accountants has been appointed to assist the Los Angeles head quartered tourism operator in its growth in Australia and New Zealand and ensure compliance with the relevant legislative requirements.
Family owned agency awarded top honour
Newcastle and Port Stephens based real estate business Robinson Property has received
significant national recognition from industry peers at the 2015 Real Estate Business Awards.
$800K charity funding from Hunter
Six charities and the people they help will benefit from more than $800,000 in new funding from the foundation of a leading Hunter-based business, Greater Charitable Foundation.
Moving day for OOTS
When Out of the Square Media (OOTS) recently moved from their home of 18 years at 27 Watt St to newly renovated larger premises at 7 / 77 Hunter St Newcastle, they recorded the event for posterity and posted it on Facebook.
National recognition for local training program
A locally designed migrant training and employment program has been announced as a finalist in the 2015 Australian Migration and Settlement Awards in the Business Inclusion category.
Young & Professional Engineer of the Year
The Young Professional Engineer of the Year Award aims to acknowledge and reward young professional engineers who have reached a high level of achievement and involvement in engineering and the community.
$131M Tangara contract for UGL
UGL has announced the awarding of a $131 million contract by Transport for NSW to UGL Unipart Rail Services Pty Limited (UGL Unipart Rail) for the technology upgrade of the Tangara passenger rail fleet.
$19,000 entrepreneur grant for HiveUAV
A local business developing cutting edge unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology to help farmers, miners and emergency services monitor remote locations has been given a kick start from winning the inaugural Hunter Beyond Bank Community Entrepreneur grant.
$2M refurb for historic Maitland town hall
Work to upgrade Maitland’s historic Town Hall has commenced.
TAFE & Knights support Deadly Skills
Hunter TAFE, the Aboriginal Learning Circle and the Newcastle Knights have collaborated on a project designed to encourage Indigenous youth to pursue education as part of their future.
When a “discount” on electricity may actually cost you more
Local businesses are being urged to take a closer look at ‘discounted’ electricity offers before signing up as they don’t always represent the best value for money according to ERM Business Energy, Australia’s fourth largest electricity retailer
Newcastle Law Group triple finalists at national awards
The Fifteenth Annual Australian Law Awards have announced Nexus Law Group as a finalist in three major categories, establishing the Newcastle firm as a major player in the national legal industry. The
Chinese visitors in town for global exchange
In a first for Hunter TAFE, more than 30 Masters students from Ningxia University in China visited Newcastle for an eight week Study Tour during July.
Hunter Business Awards announced
The Hunter Business Awards were announced in August at a gala dinner sponsored by GradSchool. Around 500 business people from across the region attended.
$100M Stockland Glendale expansion approved
The $100 million Stockland Glendale expansion has been approved by Hunter’s Joint Regional Planning Panel.
$2.5M recycled water plant approved
proposal to build a state of the art Recycled Water Centre at Cooranbong has been given the green light by Lake Macquarie City Council.
New website launched for Cessnock businesses
A one-stop online shop for businesses in the Cessnock local government area has been launched.
Australia’s Chief Scientist visits the Hunter
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Hunter played host to Australia’s chief scientist, Professor Ian Chubb AC in August.
$15M hotel opens at Newcastle airport
The newly built Mercure Newcastle Airport was officially opened on August 1st.
New plans for Wickham interchange after feedback
A new design for the transport interchange at Wickham has been released.
From the Editor
The Australian economy is currently in a dangerous position.
Funny Business
An angel appears in a puff of smoke to a man and says to him, “Because you have lived a good and virtuous life, I can offer you a gift: you can be the most handsome man in the world, or you can have infinite wisdom, or you can have limitless wealth.” Reflecting on his…
Austin Engineering joint venture in the Hunter
Austin Engineering has formalised a joint venture with Rutherford based BK Plant Repairs and Maintenance.
DPE recommends approval for Drayton South Project
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) has made a preliminary recommendation that the Drayton South project be approved.
Local company committed to Hunter manufacturing and community
Quarry Mining, locally owned and run for over 33 years, remains committed and passionate about doing their bit in the fight to preserve manufacturing in Australia.
DSI to acquire OneStep mining bolt assets
DYWIDAG-Systems International (DSI) has agreed to acquire intellectual property and manufacturing assets for the OneStep mining bolt from Hilti AG, Schaan/Leichtenstein.
National program to help promote young mining talent
Young professionals working in the resources sector are set to benefit from a new suite of career development tools made available through the Australian Minerals Institute’s (AusIMM) latest career development program.
Newcastle plant ships first load of liquefied gas
The newly opened AGL Energy Limited’s $310m Newcastle Gas Storage Facility (NGSF) at Tomago, has shipped its first consignment of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
$12M agreement reached for T4
Port Waratah Coal and Newcastle Council have entered into a voluntary planning agreement (VPA) for developer contributions relating to the Terminal 4 project.
Bloomfield and Glencore to acquire Integra coal operations in the Hunter
The Bloomfield Group and Glencore Plc have signed binding agreements to acquire the Integra coal mine complex from Vale S.A. and its five joint venture partners.
Record day at Port of Newcastle
Port Waratah Coal Services (PCWS) had a record day for coal loading with 495,000 tonnes
loaded onto ships at Newcastle on Monday 10 August.
AGL commences decommissioning of Hunter Gas Project wells
AGL Energy Limited has commenced the permanent decommissioning of eight gas wells and two seismic monitoring bores in the Hunter Valley.
University of Newcastle wins $290,000 for low emissions coal research
A University of Newcastle research team will continue their exploration of world-leading low emissions coal technologies with a $290,000 grant.
Demand for NSW coal rises
The NSW Minerals Council has reported that the latest NSW coal export results show demand remains strong with total NSW coal export volumes increasing by 3.6% over the last financial year, driven by increased demand from emerging international markets.
Is crowd funding right for your business
Crowdfunding is a relatively attractive business finance option that involves donations from the public funding the development and commercialisation of a business or product.
Navigating alternative finance loans
The Australian SME market is undergoing an exciting change with more options available to business owners looking for alternative finance solutions to the ones offered by the big banks.