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| Put your questions to the NSW Shadow Cabinet | ||
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Chamber’s 23 March meeting will be a working lunch, rather than the usual early evening event. In addition to the long-awaited launch of the new Chamber logo, members and guests will have the opportunity to hear the views of and put questions to members of the NSW Shadow Cabinet who will be visiting Port Macquarie on that day. Chamber Executive Officer, Liesa Davies, said “This is a change from our usual meeting time, but an exceptional opportunity for local business to question the State Opposition’s strategy for our region and their views on issues affecting local business. Make sure it goes into your diaries now.” Further details on the event will be released in the near future. |
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| Calling all Industrial Area Businesses and Land Owners | ||
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Chamber’s Industrial Sub-Committee has released an on-line survey for business and land owners in our local industrial areas (Port Macquarie Industrial Area and Hastings River Drive Area, Wauchope Industrial Area and Sancrox area). Sub-Committee Chair, Kellon Beard, said “We had around 50 business and property owners attend our Industrial Open Forum late last year. There were quite a few prominent issues and common themes emerging at the forum and we’d like to quantify the broader business views. We have some great businesses in our local industrial areas and they make a significant contribution to the local economy. The survey results will better inform our discussions with key stakeholders, allow us to represent the broader business viewpoint and to maximize business opportunities.” Some of the issues considered in the survey include Council service standards, zoning matters, adequacy of existing road networks and exposure of industrial businesses in the broader community. To participate in the survey, follow the link on the Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce website (www.portchamber.com.au). The survey will close on Wed 10 March. |
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| On exhibition: draft Local Environmental Plan | ||
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The Port Macquarie Hastings Council’s new draft LEP will be released on 8 March for a six week exhibition period. The LEP has been prepared using the State Government’s standard LEP template which, according to NSW Planning Minister, Tony Kelly, “provides a consistent framework for the layout, zone names and definitions in new council-wide LEPs across the State, making them easier to implement and to understand. At the same time, councils still have the flexibility to incorporate local planning strategies and address issues specific to the local area.” Chamber’s Industrial Sub-Committee continues to follow this matter with a keen interest in the new LEP’s implications for zoning in and around our Industrial Areas. In addition to Council-planned ‘Open Days’ in Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Laurieton (allowing one-on-one discussions with Council planners), Chamber has sought a specific discussion session for our members. To provide your views on the draft LEP, or feedback on specific issues for our discussion session with Council, please e-mail executive@portchamber.com.au. |
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| Chamber's John McGrath Boardroom Lunch | ||
 Chamber was very pleased to host its second Boardroom lunch on Wed 3rd March, with key speaker, John McGrath, Chief Executive McGrath Estate Agents. Our thanks to the team at Moisture Cure, our event sponsor, and to our local McGrath Estate Agents for helping link John with Chamber. Around 80 chamber members and guests attended and, by all accounts, thoroughly enjoyed John’s insights, anecdotes and business advice. Having visited a number of local McGrath property listings prior to the lunch, John commented on the incredible value for money in our local property market. His main focus for our event, however, was advice for all businesses on how to “Redesign for future growth”. Speaking about McGrath Estate Agents, he referred to waking every day and thinking how to be the best business on the planet – to provide great service, employ great people and achieve outstanding results. For all businesses, his advice was to serve the needs of your “communities or villages” in a way they want to be served; create a work environment that attracts good people; focus on dollar productive work (i.e. that which generates activity and revenue); and embrace change. Chamber looks forward to bringing more great speakers to Port Macquarie through our Boardroom lunch series. Any members with suggested speakers or sponsors should contact the Chamber office on tel 02 6583 4412. |
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| Feb Chamber night wrap-up | ||
 Members and guests at our 23 February Information and Networking Evening enjoyed a change of scenery and a better understanding of our local tertiary education environment and the issues under the microscope of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Futures and Opportunities Boards. Dr Sandy McColl, Head of the University of New South Wales Rural Clinical School and host for the evening, spoke of the unrivalled experience on offer to medical students at rural clinical schools such as Port Macquarie’s. “We are seeing great success with the program, with most students returning to rural settings for their post-graduate internships. Some of the new directions being taken by the Rural Clinical School include health research projects such as cardiovascular screening – this allows us to give back to the local community and local businesses, if they would like to be involved,” he said. Trevor Sargeant and Wayne Graham from the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Economic Development Team contributed to discussions, presenting detail on our current workforce and tertiary participation levels and how these compare with other regional centres, state and national averages. The context was where we are now and where we have the potential to be in 2030, and importantly, the opportunities that need to be realized between now and then. These opportunities (and challenges) are key elements of the work being undertaken by Council’s Futures and Opportunities Boards and the local Education and Skills Forum. Chamber President, Robert Turner summed up by saying, “The evening demonstrated that we do have some educational institutions in our community who are doing great work to contribute to our current and future workforce. But it also showed that with our high population growth, we have a desperate need for a significant university presence and lot more that needs to happen to meet our future needs – in terms of our workforce and more broadly.” |
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| Nominate Now - 2010 Key Business Development Program | ||
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Under the Key Business Development Program, the Port Macquarie Hastings Council provides intensive assistance to business owners that:
The 12-month (minimum) program includes individual business health checks, work plans, monthly workshops networking and collaboration with fellow participants. This includes ongoing support from Council’s Economic Development team and the program consultants, Economic Gardeners Pty Ltd. To find out more, or express your interest in the 2010 program please contact: Trevor Sargeant, Economic Development Manager, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council on (02) 6581 8660 or email trevor.sargeant@pmhc.nsw.gov.au. |
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| Chamber Board | ||
| Robert Turner (President) | Kellon Beard | Peter Buckland | Bob Gillroy | Stuart Goodfellow | Mike Graver | Janette Hyde | Daniel Jordan | Scott Leis | Bill Linney | Hadyn Oriti | Anthony Wilson | ||
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Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce Suite 5, Level 1 Garrison Building Cnr Hay & Clarence Streets, Port Macquarie 2444 Ph: (02) 6583 4412 F: (02) 6583 2766 Email: executive@portchamber.com.au Web: www.portchamber.com.au DISCLAIMER: the views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. All contents are protected by copyright and cannot be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. |