Central Coast Business Access - October - November 2020 by Access News Australia (ANA)

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS THE AWARDS PAPER Central Coast Local Business Awards special feature insde.

CCBA October - November 2020 | Issue 31 | www.coastba.com.au

What went wrong at Central Coast Council?

THE BIG CRASH

n Handbrakes and Accelerators. Exclusive Analysis comment by leading businessman and Councillor Bruce McLachlan will shock many. SEE PAGE 7

n Minister slams inept management. - “They’ve done nothing but write letters, issue media releases and set up a finance committee.”

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CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

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$400M should be used to accelerate business digital connectivity

High-Tech Coast: our opportunity  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM CCBA EDITOR HE Central Coast has been urged to use the latest $400M Jobs and Infrastructure Acceleration Fund release to turn the region into a major hub for hi-tech industries. The state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW, said the addition of $400M to the already allocated $3B Jobs and Infrastructure acceleration Fund should be accessed by the Coast to accelerate business digital connectivity. The call comes after the Premier announced additional funding for the Jobs and Infrastructure Acceleration Fund. The Coast for years has discussed its potential to be the next ‘Silicon Valley’, serving Hi-tech projects and businesses, but it has not happened because of lack of funding and planning. It is one thing to come with a great idea and a name, but the hard part is actually making it happen. “The focus on building the capability of regions is a timely boost for the Central Coast as the region experiences unprecedented

rates of locals accessing JobSeeker with nearly 22,000 locals receiving benefits,” Regional Director Business NSW Paula Martin said.

“Job creation on the Coast should be our number one priority and funding like this is our chance to accelerate projects that help

to expand our local industry or attract new industry to the region. “Digital connectivity has long been talked about as a way to develop high tech industry, professional services and advanced health on the Coast, but we have fallen short of achieving this goal. “The Coast is uniquely primed to create an environment that can offer rapid tech start-ups and high-profile technology companies a workforce, education pathways and a growing educated population – all we need is the digital connectivity. “Investment in digital connectivity will mean we can attract high tech jobs in health, data and intelligence, creative arts and advanced food innovation. These jobs would be offered in a region that has a lifestyle second to none. “Let’s showcase to the world that we are a smart region and are investing into the future of business. In turn our young people will see career pathways for jobs of the future and not leave the Central Coast for jobs elsewhere,” Ms Martin said. Access urges Council to press forward with this project urgently and grasp this unique opportunity.

New era for the Coast

N exciting new era for Central Coast business and commuters has begun with the official opening of the long awaited NorthConnex tunnel linking the M1 with the M2 and M7.

The new tunnel cuts a massive amount of time off the road trip between the CBD Western Sydney and the Coast, boosting tourism and business.. The twin 9km NorthConnex tunnels

officially open to traffic in the early hours of Saturday, October 31. The tunnel eliminates the need to battle 22 sets of lights along the notorious Pennant Hills Rd.

CONTENTS

 COVER: THE broken and broke Central Coast Council has made its ﬁnal submission to save itself from being sacked. See page 7.

News Emma McBride Adam Crouch Technology Auto Travel COVID 19 Report Fanmily Business Games Trends

3 6 8 11 29 30 32 34 35 36

Central Coast

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 CCBA enables readers

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Exciting times for Copacabana  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM OPACABANA has been seen as “the long-lost beach” amongst the Coast’s glittering array or tourist beaches, but that might be all about to change. Central Coast Council is developing Susan Fahey Park into an innovative district sized playspace which was designed from community consultation. Council’s Director of Environment and Planning Scott Cox said this new inclusive playspace and redeveloped park would have something for everyone. And this means it will become a favorite with parents and grandparents looking to give youngsters a day out. In turn businesses will receive a boost in a marketplace which struggles compared to Terrigal, Avoca and The Entrance. “These improvement works and new playspace will enhance the features of the existing park creating an engaging hub for the community to meet, socialise and undertake play and recreational activities,” Mr Cox said. “The redeveloped community space will provide a wide variety of opportunities for a range of ages and abilities for both the local community and the high volume of seasonal visitors to the area.” The design includes: • A concrete outdoor ping pong table. • An outdoor chess table. • Adult fitness equipment. • Drink bottle refill station. • Connecting wheelchair accessible pathways. • Accessible BBQ’s. • New picnic shelter and tables • An inclusive play unit. • Accessible spinner, accessible see saw and unique rope swing. • The existing basket swing which will be made more accessible for all to use with rubber softfall. The play area will also boast a bespoke

Copacabana Beach.

timber ‘peek a boo’ wall with informational highlights about the surrounding bushland and natural elements of Copacabana complete with braille buttons. • The existing toilets which previously serviced the tennis courts, which will now be opened to the public. This project is jointly funded by Central Coast Council with grant funding from the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play

Program – a collaborative initiative to create guidelines to ensure new and upgraded playspaces are inclusive and accessible for everyone. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the NSW Government was committed to delivering high-quality playspaces across the Coast. “The jointly-funded $500,000 major upgrade of Susan Fahey Park is one of multiple playspaces that the NSW Government

and Central Coast Council are delivering together,” Mr Crouch said. “The playspace is designed for people of all ages and abilities, with traditional swings and new basket-style swings, plus a ground-level carousel so that children in wheelchairs can join their friends. Construction is due for completion by the end of October. For more information visit www.yourvoiceourcoast. com/Susan-Fahey-playspace

Gosford school set for expansion, 40 new jobs created

$2.8M project to relocate the ET Australia Secondary College in Gosford is the latest to be approved under the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program. The existing school, which provides training and schooling to Year 7 to 10 secondary college students, will be relocated nearby within the Imperial Shopping Centre, while a new Year 11 and 12 campus is built at 125 Donnison Street.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the new development will increase capacity from 170 to 280 students across two campuses, create opportunities for 40 new jobs and inject $2.8M into the local economy. “We’re using every lever at our disposal to keep the NSW economy ticking throughout the pandemic, and I’m very happy to see another shovel-ready project being given the green light,” Mr Stokes said.

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“A bigger ET Australia Secondary College will cater for more students, provide more jobs and help breathe new life into the Gosford CBD.” “The relocation of the existing school could also allow for the development of Gosford’s proposed regional library, which is earmarked for that location.” Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said it was a good example of unused commercial premises being trans-

formed for new and improved purposes. “The development is now ready to get underway and will create 26 much-needed construction jobs and an additional 14 operational jobs once completed – on top of the existing 35 jobs that will be retained,” Mr Crouch said. To date the program has seen 91 projects determined, creating opportunities for more than 50,000 new jobs, and generated more than $25B of economic investment for the NSW economy.

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Top female law firm opens on Coast HEN searching for top tier legal representation, you cannot beat experience and knowledge. Three renowned female lawyers are making waves with their high-value approach to representing clients on the Central Coast. Karim + Nicol Lawyers was founded by Michelle Karim, Carrie Nicol and Nadia Karim. The women established their busy criminal law firm in 2019, bringing with them impressive reputations, meaningful networks and top results. The team is highly regarded amongst the legal fraternity, having been ranked in the 2020 Doyle’s Guide for ‘Leading Criminal Defence Law Firms in NSW’ for the second year running. They are known for their level of care, their many wins, and their fixed and affordable fees. Michelle Karim, a Central Coast local,

The Karim + Nicol Lawyers team.

is an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist. She is known to be a fierce advocate and for breaking gender boundaries. Most recently she volunteered her time to chair the NSW Rugby League Judiciary.

Carrie Nicol and Nadia Karim were both recognised by fellow members of the profession as Recommended Criminal Defence Lawyers in the 2020 Doyle’s Guide for ‘Leading Criminal Defence Lawyers’ Guide’. The trio has a passion for servicing the Coast community in all criminal law matters, and they go beyond what is expected to achieve positive results and a just outcome. They pride themselves on providing skilled, passionate and tailored legal services. “At Karim + Nicol we certainly go the extra mile to fight for the best outcome for our clients,” Michelle said. “We are commit-

ted to providing exceptional representation at an affordable cost. We understand that the court process can be daunting and we are dedicated to guiding and supporting you through the legal system. We use our knowledge, experience and reputation to make all the difference.” “Our clients know that we are dependable, courageous and results driven,” Michelle said. With offices on the Central Coast, Manly and Sydney’s CBD, the team at Karim + Nicol Lawyers is growing due to the response to their high-quality representation and more than reasonable cost. Updates are given on their Instagram and Facebook pages, and legal guidance is offered on their website. The team also offer a free initial consultation on all inquiries.

Tuggerah complex design by locals HE stunning Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex at Tuggerah is being praised by civic leaders and was designed by leading Central Coastbased architect firm, CKDS. The man heading the design of the project is CKDS director Caine King. Mr King has welcomed the recent announcement of stimulus funding to build the second stage. The complex, under its design plans, will soon be expanded to include a multi-use indoor sport, recreation and event facility, bringing much-needed jobs and investment to the region. Mr King said the project was a highlight for his company because it was a first-of-itskind facility for the Central Coast.

“CKDS is truly dedicated to encouraging developments on the Coast and seeing the region further develop and expand its offerings.” The design features of the include baseline Environmental Sustainable Design principles of cross ventilation, natural light and thermal mass. “This will reduce the need for additional running costs and ultimately reducing the carbon footprint of the complex. “Good architectural design is about gaining maximum benefit within a given space, with the current design of the complex, there are opportunities for solar installations and water tank collection points from the roof to be added at a later point.

“The CKDS team is constantly focused on getting the balance right between innovative design, commercial considerations and sustainability, which this site truly achieves” Mr King said. “With a multipurpose space such as the Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex, there most definitely had to be a balance between a venue that can facilitate regional and state-level sporting events and a venue that can entertain and seat 1700 visitors,” Mr King said. Other projects on the Coast which CKDS has designed include Rockpool Apartments at Terrigal, Sé in Terrigal and Bonython Tower in Gosford with more projects for the region to come.

CKDS director Caine King.

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Coast boom areas predicted  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM E may officially be in a recession, but the booming construction industry is expected to keep the southern half of the Central Coast powering along for years into the foreseeable future. Downtown Gosford has become a construction “hot spot” in NSW, joining Parramatta, Chatswood, Liverpool and Blacktown as key opportunities for developers and investors. Warnervale and the Lisarow Ourimbah area will be the next areas to undergo massive changes in the 2020s. And developers have managed to finally

beat the restrictive height limits on new buildings imposed by the environmentally driven Central Coast Council which has been battling to keep a lid on Gosford soaring upwards and disrupting views of ridgelines. Sydney-based developer St Hilliers has gained approval from the Independent Planning Commission for a $150M three tower complex on the site of the old Gosford Public School. The mixed-use Central Coast Quarter project comprises 295 residential apartments across two towers, a 183-room hotel as well as commercial and retail space on the lower levels. The 8884sqm site at 32 Mann St opposite the Ray Maher Rugby League field also

has frontage on Baker St. The three DKO Architecture-designed towers, between 16 and 17-storeys, or up to 85m in height, will be developed in three stages with completion expected in 2025. St Hilliers has already constructed the $50M commercial building on the site in 2019, anchored by NSW Department of Finance, Services and Innovation. Gosford Public School was demolished in 2014 for the state government to create a business precinct. Meanwhile, Lisarow is becoming the new distribution “hot spot” with final plans revealed for a major warehouse, distribution centre which is already under construction. The 20m tall building will have a ground

Virtual Memory Walk and Jog 2020 HE Grant McBride Memory Walk and Jog was inspired by Emma McBride’s father, the late Grant McBride, who was diagnosed with Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Disease when he was only 63 years old. It was launched in 2018 and has been held during Dementia Awareness Month for the last three years to raise vital funds for Dementia Australia. To raise awareness and reduce stigma for those living with dementia and those who care for them on the Coast. This year, due to COVID-19 the walk had to be held virtually to comply

Australians living with dementia by 2058, according to Dementia Australia,” Ms McBride said. “Sadly, dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia and there is no cure.” “Dementia is not a normal part of ageing and affects younger people too. Approximately 5,938 Australians with dementia were diagnosed under the age of 65, like my father,” Ms McBride said.

with health guidelines and ensure the safety of the community. Despite this setback, the walk raised over $5,500 for Dementia Australia. “If there is no medical breakthrough there will be over one million

For more information go to: https://www.dementia.org.au/ If you or a loved one live with Younger Onset Dementia on the Coast, support is available by engaging with the Younger Onset Dementia Social Supportgroup, YODSS. They can be found on Facebook athttps://www. facebook.com/yodsscc/

floor area of 15,000sm, making it one of the biggest projects on the Coast, costing $19M. The warehouse is being built by Sydney-based developer Livingstone Properties (NSW) Pty Ltd, which plans to lease out three warehouse units and ancillary offices by the end of the year. The company is reported to have purchased the former citrus orchard site from the neighboring McCain Foods for $2.5M in 2017. The warehouse will include 16 loading docks at the rear of the site accessed via the western side and a heavy vehicle driveway which will be splayed so 19m articulated trucks can turn left onto Railway Cr without encroaching across the centre-line.

New gas essential for NSW: Chamber

HE state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW, says the approval to add much-needed gas supply to the NSW market will be a welcome boost for businesses in NSW. “In its report Running on Empty, Business NSW backed a program of pipeline and infrastructure upgrades to expand capacity, as part of its Gas Road Map to bolster the NSW gas market,” said Business NSW Regional Director Paula Martin. “At least 300,000 jobs in NSW, including 250,000 in manufacturing industries, depend on adequate and affordable gas,” Ms Martin said. “Our analysis found a commercial bakery on the Central Coast would pay a premium of $26,400 a year over an equivalent business in Queensland, a galvaniser $66,000 more, and a tomato processor a staggering $369,000 in gas transportation costs alone.”

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CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

My Coast with Emma McBride

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Our community needs overlooked  EMMA MCBRIDE HAT is alarming about the 2020 Budget is that, despite the size of the deficit and the resulting debt so many needs important in our local community have been overlooked. Many people on the Coast are fearful of what the future will bring as support through Jobseeker and JobKeeper is wound back and there is little of substance to take its place. There is no proper jobs plan. While JobMaker will provide some support for businesses taking on younger staff, everyone over 35 will be excluded. In a competitive job market on the Coast with an older population and 20 job seekers for every vacancy (as of August 2020) too many people will be left behind. Labor has been pushing for investment in manufacturing for years and our plan was outlined by Anthony Albanese in the Budget reply. The Government has promised investment in food manufacturing-an important industry on the Coast and I will be pushing to make sure the Coast gets its fair share. There have been no major infrastructure projects for the Coast funded in the Budget which is extremely disappointing as we have again been overlooked by this Government. Some additional funding for local roads has been announced and again I will be pushing to make sure the northern suburbs of the Coast get their fair share of this funding. There are clear winners and losers in this Budget, and I was disappointed not to see: • Greater investment in repairing existing social housing and building new social housing, to provide

“

There have been no major infrastructure projects for the Coast funded in the Budget which is extremely disappointing as we have again been overlooked by this Government.” – Emma McBride. “Tradies could be ordering from suppliers today,

jobs for local builders, plumbers, electricians and other trades and improve the quality of life of our neighbours. Tradies could be ordering from suppliers today, and on-site tomorrow. • A plan to make early childhood education affordable for all families. A barrier to Working for many people, particularly women is the cost of childcare. Right now, instead of childcare supporting families where both parents want to work, the costs and tax system, actively discourage it.

• Increased funding for home care packages for older Australians-23,000 new packages over four years, while welcome will not substantially reduce the current waiting list of over 100,000 or be of much comfort to the 1226 older people waiting on the Coast. This is a missed opportunity to create good local jobs and look after our seniors • More support for carers. Carers have faced greater responsibilities and costs during the pandemic. Formal support has fallen away,

but carers have received little by way of additional support. The additional $500 over six months announced-less than $20 a week-is not enough to meet the extra costs they have faced. As Anthony Albanese said in the Budget reply: “If we’re going to come out of this recession stronger and fairer, then our country needs a plan to ensure no-one is left behind, and no-one is held back. Our plan to take Australia from recession to recovery is this: “Rehire our workers, rewire our economy, recharge workforce participation of women and rebuild our nation.” Emma McBride is Federal Member for Dobell.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

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Handbrakes and Accelerators WHAT WENT WRONG AT CCC  EXCLUSIVE COMMENT BY CR BRUCE MCLACHLAN ENTRAL coast may have previously lost the Super Cars bid to Newcastle, but the losses didn’t stop there. The Central Coast should be coming out of the bocks with all cylinders firing as a new Regional Council status, taking advantage of new scale and economy. Using the increased political influence of Region of 330,000 residents as the second largest Council in NSW and the 6th largest in Australia. Finally given the opportunity to come out behind the curtain of North Sydney or the Hunter, and be a standalone Region, pursuing increased Grants funding in our own right. Instead the newly amalgamated Central Coast Regional Council hit the political speed bumps, with majority block Labor Council pulling on the handbrakes, hellbent on derailing the NSW Liberal initiative of merging the two lesser Councils. Fast forward three years on, the new Regional Council Is potentially facing the largest losses in Local Government History and staring down the barrel of being placed back in Administration.

“

So why bother amalgamate in the first place? Well most people would agree as a Region, the Central Coast compared to other

“

We were the forgotten coast as John Singleton described it, and unable to attract major industry and government funding.” – Bruce McLachlan.

JohnSingleton.

Bruce McLachlan.

competing Regions, had stagnated, and was being left behind. Gosford had become almost ghetto like after decades of inaction and neither Councils were performing at a Regional level. We were the “Forgotten Coast “ as John Singleton described it, and unable to attract major industry and government funding. In some Departments, if the Hunter or Nth Sydney received government grants, then that was ticked off against funding for the Central Coast. So a new Hornsby Police Station, or roadworks in the Hunter, would be considered as funding for the Central Coast. Something had to change, Gosford CBD was decaying, the Coast was becoming an increasingly litter strewn, dumping ground of Sydney’s affordability issues. Our unemployment and low income social and economic problems were growing. So the NSW Liberal Government decided to finally inject major economic support into the Region, with the new Gosford Medical Precinct, and backed it up with appointment of the NSW Gosford Architect, and CBD Revitalisation program. With that it merged the two lesser Councils, in order to bring a Regional approach to the Central Coast. The Coast was finally moving forward, and we now after decades of stagnation, we saw cranes in the sky in Gosford. An Administrator was appointed and the Councils came together to start the lengthy (approx eight years) process of merging the two organisations, to try and

bring savings and efficiencies and remove the duplications. Despite the loss of Councilors, your bins were still emptied, and water still flowed from your taps under the Administration, under a new Central Coast Council blue dot logo. In reality the Central Coast doesn’t need two Council administrations. Two CEOs on 500,000 PA each, two Mayors on 130kpa plus vehicle and expenses, and five extra councilors. We don’t need two Council Chambers, two IT systems, duplicated Council depots. We still mow same amount of parks and gardens, empty same amount of bins, regardless what logo is on the Council truck. Our water services were already shared, we don’t need a duplication of admin, whilst potholes grow and roadside verges remain overgrown. A well run Regional Council can bring status and pride to the area, yet still recognise our differing local villages amenities. However it needs Clrs to want that to happen, and not just do the bidding of their party, who may not benefit if the Central Coast was to progress.

So what went wrong? Well from outset the same party politics that have crippled the Coast for decades took hold. As it was a NSW Liberal amalgamation, so Labor in opposition must pull it apart. Regardless of any benefits the amalgamation could bring or the massive tear up costs to the community of going backwards.

DA approvals that should have been passed we sent off to Land and Environment Court, including a well landscaped Killcare Colour bond fence, that cost the community 30k, and still stands today.” – Bruce McLachlan. Instead of bringing the Central Coast together, it was to impede progress at any opportunity, with the view to run a divisive demerger campaign. Except Labor councilors were not telling the community that any demerge must be paid by a Special Levy Rate Rise. An absolute tear up of ratepayer monies, to simply go back to where we were. So why would Labor be opposed to a Regional Council? Well it has the potential to bring change and prosperity, an improved local economy, and a lift in household incomes. With a change in economic standing, brings about a change in voter demographics. Labor benefits politically from the low socio-economic economy with high percentage of welfare voters. If the Coasts economy progresses, with more local jobs, then it becomes aspirational voters, and that welfare vote decreases. It’s just not in Labor’s political interests to see the Coast economy improve. Next minute Toukley will be voting like Terrigal and Labor seats would fall to the conservatives. Continued on page 9

Council battles to save itself from itself  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

HE broken and broke Central Coast Council has made its final submission to save itself from being sacked after two Liberal councillors sensationally resigned at Monday night’s meeting. Cr Troy Marquart and Cr Rebecca Gale have consistently battled to get council on track financially but were regularly voted down by the alliance of ALP and Independent councillors led by Mayor Lis Mathews and Deputy Mayor Jane Smith. It has been three years of bitter fighting between the five ALP and three independent councillors versus four Liberal and three independent councillors. Cr Greg Best has led the charge of the minority brigade with regular calls for better fiscal responsibility from staff. In short, Council has massive assets of $9.6B but in an accounting disaster found itself unable to pay its $3.5M staff last

week and had to be bailed out by the State Government. It is a complex situation, with noone able to point to why council ended up $89M in debt, raiding restricted developer accounts and with no cashflow. A forensic analysis by auditors will discover where it all went wrong. The Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock finally had enough of the shenanigans and gave council seven days to show cause why it shouldn’t be sacked. In scenes befitting of the Titanic on Monday night and with two councillors missing, the band played on discussing and passing grand schemes of Affordable Housing and dismissing a plan to create potentially hundreds of jobs at the new Kangy Angy rail facility. Meanwhile, to ensure Council’s workers were paid, the NSW Government advanced Council $6.2M to meet payroll expenses and overdue payments to suppliers.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

Minister Hancock said given Council’s abject failure to address the consequences of its own financial mismanagement, the Government had no alternative but to arrange for funds to be paid to meet these urgent expenses. “It’s hard to think of a more fundamental failing of a Council than to pay its own staff,” Ms Hancock said. “The local community is sick of excuses from Council. In the two weeks since Council’s financial dire straits came to light, all Council has done is write letters, issue media releases and set up a finance committee. “Council reached a new low last night by deciding once again to approach the Government for a bailout at the risk of council staff not being paid. “To use its own staff as bargaining chips is reprehensible from a governing body that has failed to address its own financial failings. “There is no question that Council

needs to be held responsible for these failures. That’s why today I will begin the process of suspending the Mayor and councillors for their role in this sorry state of affairs.” Minister Hancock issued Council with a notice of intention to suspend it and appoint an interim administrator. Under the Local Government Act, the Minister is required to provide the Council with the opportunity to make any submission before making a final determination on suspension. The Council had seven days to make a submission as to why it should not be suspended and an independent administrator appointed. By law the Minister must consider any submission before making a final decision. Suspension would apply to the Mayor and councillors. It would not affect council staff and daily operations. An interim administrator would perform the functions of the Mayor and councillors.

My Coast with Adam Crouch

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Carriageworks of the 21st century  ADAM CROUCH major milestone was marked in the life of the Kangy Angy Maintenance Facility this month, with the first ever New Intercity Fleet train travelling from Sydney and arriving at the Maintenance Facility. Over time, a total of 55 10-car trains will be rolled out. Each of these will be based at Kangy Angy for decades to come, which has led many to describe the Maintenance Facility as the Carriageworks of the 21st century! The Kangy Angy Maintenance Facility is a $200 million purpose-built investment for the New Intercity Fleet. It is where the trains will be washed, repaired, maintained and serviced. The Facility is close to 500,000 square metres in size, has about six kilometres of electric rail lines, a new rail bridge, sound proofing around the site, and offices and amenities for staff. 90 new jobs are on offer at the Facility, with positions in Engineering, Supply Chain, Supervision, Planning, Quality, and Asset Management currently being recruited. UGL Rail has been appointed to operate the Maintenance Facility and recruitment for other roles, including Stores People, Trade Qualified Maintainers and Non-Trade Qualified Maintainers, will begin in late 2020. The New Intercity Fleet is currently undergoing the testing phase across the rail network. Pending successful completion of the testing, New Intercity Fleet trains will be introduced progressively in late 2020. I am absolutely delighted that the NSW Government is prioritising our community by ensuring the Central Coast and Newcastle Line will be first to receive the new trains, followed by the Blue Mountains and South Coast lines.

heating and air conditioning, digital screens and announcements, and dedicated spaces for luggage, prams and bicycles for train customers to utilise. Automatic Selective Door Operation, obstruction detection and traction interlocking are just some of the safety features on these new trains.

Each state-of-the-art train is built for the 21st century with spacious two-by-two seating, mobile device charging ports, modern

Each train will be fully accessible for less mobile customers, building upon the NSW Government’s commitment to help make public transport a first-choice option for people living in regional areas, including the Central Coast. The trains will deliver safer, more accessible and comfortable journeys to train customers. Adam Crouch is State Member for Terrigal and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast

KEEP YOURSELF AND OUR COMMUNITY SAFE FROM COVID-19 Stay safe by following the “four lines of defence” against COVID-19

Maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others

Wash your hands well and often

Stay home if you’re sick and get tested as soon as you have any symptoms

Wear a face mask in situations where social distancing cannot be followed

Adam CROUCH MP Member for Terrigal

02 4365 1906 adamcrouchmp

terrigal@parliament.nsw.gov.au adamcrouchmp

adamcrouchmp.com.au

Authorised by Adam Crouch MP, Shop 3 Fountain Plaza, 148-158 The Entrance Road, Erina NSW 2250, produced using parliamentary entitlements.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

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Handbrakes and accelerators: how Council derailed Continued from page 7

So there is a desperate attempt by Labor to hold the Coast back. Meanwhile residents oblivious to the underlying politics, just wonder why nothing ever happens and other regions move forward, whilst the Coast remained a backwater politically and economically. So with that underlying agenda, right from the start the tear up was on. Instead of moving forward on major employment initiatives like $450,000 Deloitte Airport Masterplan, Labor and the green leaning Independents Mayor Smith and Clr Greenaway used their numbers trash the plan, bin the 450k report, and set about tearing up existing aviation leases, that cost ratepayers millions in damages. No consideration to the costs to the community or the fact a Council was actually paying to send badly needed jobs away from the Coast. From there on almost every staff recommendation for planning reports, DAs and projects were delayed, amended or voted down, at massive cost to the community. DA approvals that should have been passed we sent off to Land and Environment Court, including a well landscaped Killcare Colour bond fence, that cost the community 30k, and still stands today. No doubt in my opinion, that frivolous case would have been a deciding factor in Central Coast Council being stripped of its planning powers. We saw the Labor majority Council oppose almost every initiative the NSW government tried to bring forward, including the Gosford Revitalisation project, and the three hundred jobs at the major Kangy Rail Centre. The party driven politics persisted. Expensive policy initiatives on non-core State

and Federal responsibilities such as Climate Change, Affordable Housing, Sister City Partnerships, Social Inclusion Policies etc. dominated the Council debate. Clrs virtue signally to the electorate and their party, but delivering very little on the ground for Ratepayers. Meanwhile local issues like the Lakes and Entrance Channel were not addressed, flood warnings ignored, until finally locals like Ben Webber took the issue in their own hands with backhoes in an attempt to save their flooded homes. These same hard line divisive party driven politics that ground the Ettalong Ferry to a halt in political impasse on dredging, saw Labor tear up the Coasts largest Tourism Grant cheque at Winney Bay. A 4.6m grants cheque’s that took one million dollars and years and years of staff time to win the competitive grants submission tender, just torn up. Key stakeholders, such as 5 Lands Walk, the disabled community, and the Darkinjung Land Council told their input was not wanted or allowed, despite community surveys showing residents were majority in favour, just to stick it up the local Liberal member Adam Crouch and the NSW Government. All done in the guise of Environmental concern.

The Winney Bay saga epitomises everything that was wrong with the politics of the new Council. Party Interests came first, the community a long way second. Just like the airport, the majority public opinion surveys was ignored, and good governance went out the window. It caused major reputation damage and we are the only region to ever hand back a major Tourism Grants cheque, which would obviously not assist the Central Coast in future funds application. Originally promised $400M from the sale of the Snowy Hydro

scheme we were then told it was to go to other regions, which left a funding hole. It ignored our MOU with the Darkinjung as recognised cultural custodians, and flew in face of the spirit of reconciliation of the 5 Lands Walk Committee, all while pandering to the noisy minority interest that had populated Council committees. The bloody minded politics became worse with Labor using numbers to ignore any sensible business recommendations, such a Clr Best and myself request for independent audit of the Performing Arts Centre business plan, now blown out to $171M dollars and finally scrapped, costing ratepayers millions in failed plans. Opportunity to acquire Old Sydney Town in public / private partnership with local businessman Tony Denny was rejected out of hand, and the opportunity for a game changing adventure tourism precinct next to the Reptile Park was squandered and now overseas Chinese interest own the site. Council’s failure to move forward on the Lakes issues despite calls for action of flood risk and to lease/ buy a decent dredge as far back as Feb 2108. Now in 2020 Council faces a class action from hundreds of angry flood victims and probably similar from Wamberal residents, that have been trying to resolve their damaged homes since 2016 So whilst Clrs have been tearing through ratepayer funds like a personal piggy bank, behind the scenes we have had four CFO and three Director of Governances changes. The audits raised serious issues, yet Clrs ignored any requests to have the financials reviewed, even voting down NOM on ballooning staff numbers and casual contractors earning $1300 per day. Clr Best in particular has been consistently warning Council it is falling of a financial cliff, only to be ignored by fellow Clrs.

To add insult to financial injury, Clrs voted for themselves to receive a pay rise whilst the economic performance deteriorated. Whilst the amalgamation has been an expensive exercise, it alone cannot be blamed for the poor financial management. The new Regional Council was handed $64M from the Administrator in 2017, and is now facing accumulative losses totaling $194M over this term. This year alone Council is facing an $89M loss, however amalgamation costs account for only $18M of the $89M loss. For these reasons myself and Clrs Best, Pilon, and Marquet some weeks ago have lodged a formal complaint to the Office of Local Government, requesting an investigation into Councils finances and requesting a Financial Controller be appointed. Now the CEO has come out publicly and advised of the serious cashflow issues and Council finances are being forensically examined by the OLG. Whether Council survives and avoids Administration, is yet to be seen. However the public are the losers with increased rates and cuts in service, whilst adding a further $100M borrowing just to pay staff and keep basic services running. Instead of Clrs getting on with the job they were elected to do, all this petty political point scoring of Labor opposition to the NSW amalgamation process, will be felt by the ratepayers pockets for years to come. Yet we see no contrition or accepting responsibility from Labor Clrs for the deliberate impediment and waste of ratepayer funds, in pursuit of their Party’s political agenda. Instead we will see a litany of excuses as to why it’s the amalgamation, not the Clr’s fault. Cr McLachlan is a leading businessman and lifelong resident who was voted the Most Influential Person in the region in a media survey.

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Entertainment

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The Angels.

Tickets on sale for hundreds of Great Southern Nights Gigs ORE than 2,500 artists and 300-plus live music venues across NSW are primed for the Australian-first music event, Great Southern Nights, with tickets for over 900 gigs now on sale. A NSW Government initiative, Great Southern Nights has been created to kickstart the recovery of the live music, hospitality and tourism industries in a COVID-safe environment. Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Great Southern Nights would provide music lovers from across the country many reasons to get out in NSW this November. “NSW will come alive with great Australian music in November with gigs taking place in many of the state’s best music venues, pubs, bars, bowling clubs and wineries,” Minister Ayres said. “With 2,500 artists performing in 300plus venues across Sydney and more than 130 NSW towns, there is a gig spanning every genre and destination – check out the gig guide for details, book your tickets and start planning your Great Southern Nights adventure now.

“Shows range from Jimmy Barnes playing The Sydney Coliseum in Western Sydney, Tones And I performing at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle, Ian Moss at Lizotte’s Restaurant, Matt Corby embracing the North Coast vibe at Brunswick Heads and Shannon Noll rocking out in Deniliquin. “The NSW Government is proud to be getting artists, roadies, venues, hospitality staff and tourism businesses back to work through this ambitious initiative and now it’s over to the public to show their support by booking tickets to a gig or two, or more.”

Top line up of artists Joining the feature artist line-up are Lime Cordiale, Jessica Mauboy, Vera Blue, Hoodoo Gurus and Ruel, keeping company among Australian music champions Kasey Chambers and Troy Cassar-Daley, The Angels, Thirsty Merc and Kate Ceberano. Great Southern Nights will comprise 1,000 individual COVID-safe gigs across NSW during Australian Music Month in November.

Sneaky Sound System.

Alex the Astronaut.

Music lovers can book tickets to a show via the gig guide at www.greatsouthernnights.com.au. Tickets are now on sale for over 900 gigs with more coming online daily. Great Southern Nights is delivered by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). ARIA CEO Dan Rosen said the Great Southern Nights program was coming at a critical time for the industry. “This is an extremely important moment for the Australian music industry,” Mr Rosen said. “Great Southern Nights is an innovative and effective way of getting artists back on stages safely and ensuring money starts flowing back through the live music ecosystem – to artists, venues, agents, tour managers and sound and lighting crew. “We can’t wait to see the shows getting underway from November 5.” See the gig guide and buy tickets at www.greatsouthernnights.com.au

Richard Clapton.

Jimmay Barnes.

Ian Moss.

Birds of Tokyo.

Jack River.

The Veronicas.

Jessica Mauboy. CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

News Tehnology Success

www.coastba.com.au

Does your current IT services provider put SECURITY first?  DARRYL MCALLISTER OT all IT service providers stress security as much as they need to. This not only leaves their own firm at risk – it can leave their customers at risk as

well. The old adage: “The cobbler’s kids must have the best shoes” comes into play when you choose someone to trust with your information security. If your IT provider is making cybersecurity a top priority in the way they conduct business, then you know that when they handle your technology services, you’re going to be among the best-protected of Sydney businesses. What risks are involved with choosing the wrong IT Support Provider that doesn’t stress security? NetCare subscribe on an ongoing basis to the resources of TruMethods – the leading US-based company providing cybersecurity advice to IT Services Providers – and their recent survey revealed the following alarming results: • 74% of IT Support Providers have been the victim of a cyber-attack. • 67% of IT Support Providers don’t feel fully confident in their ability to defend customers against an attack. • 92% of SMBs see cybersecurity as a priority and will pay more for it. • 74% of SMBs that use an IT Support Provider would take legal action against them in the event of an attack. At NetCare, we take cybersecurity very seriously – in fact, the essence of our business is to be a Security-First IT Services Provider. We understand that how securely we run our own technology infrastructure has a direct impact on our customers' cybersecurity posture.

In 2018, a large-scale hack by two foreign nationals stole intellectual property from multiple American organisations. However, they didn’t do it by hacking into those companies, they did it by infiltrating their IT Service Providers. Once the providers had been breached, the hackers were able to move within their network of customers, secretly exfiltrating data over the course of several months. Does your current IT Support Provider put security first? Do they believe that security is a journey, not a destination?

Keep Up to Date on Cyber Security News In early August of this year, the Prime Minister of Australia announced the country's 2020 Cyber Security Strategy. This includes an investment of AU$1.67 billion to build new cybersecurity and law enforcement capabilities. The strategy also stresses that “cyber security is a fundamental part of everyday life.” This is an example of the types of industry news and events related to IT security that we keep track of so we can better inform and service our clients. Indeed, we're a registered Partner of the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), a department within the Australian Signals Directorate. A few of the features of this new Government strategy are: • Expand efforts to raise awareness of cybersecurity threats and drive uptake of safe and secure online behaviors across the community. • Expand 24/7 cyber security advice hotline for families and older Australians. • Increase funding for victim support. • Introduce a voluntary Internet of Things Code of Practice to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.

Implement NIST Cybersecurity Best Practices The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is our primary security focus in our NetCare Technology Success process. This includes following the guidelines of the US National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These guidelines are designed for Security-First IT Service Providers to improve their own cybersecurity as well as the cybersecurity of their customers. The NIST Cybersecurity Framework incorporates a set of core IT security functions with categories and sub-categories of activities to follow for each one. It takes a layered approach to reduce risk by implementing multiple protections together. The five core areas of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework include: • Identify: Activities in this area include developing an understanding of organisa-

tional risk and creating systems to mitigate the risk and prioritise IT security strategies. • Protect: This includes the development of protective safeguards, including things like data security, awareness training, identity management, and more. • Detect: The detect area of the NIST Framework includes activities designed to identify the occurrence of a cybersecurity event. This can include continuous monitoring and software that is designed to seek out anomalies. • Respond: Functions such as disaster recovery, communications, and response planning are included in this area of the Framework. • Recover: The recovery area includes the ability to remain resilient in the aftermath of a cyberattack and can include recovery planning and ongoing improvements. By basing our own IT security as well as that of our customers on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, we ensure that no stone is left unturned when it comes to continually improving our cybersecurity defence strategy on behalf of our customers.

Learn More About Improving Your IT Security Is your IT support provider using the NIST Cybersecurity Framework? Or are they one of those 67% that lack confidence that they can defend customers from an attack? Sleep easier at night by working with an IT Services Provider that puts security first. Darryl McAllister is MD at Netwcare. Visit www. netcare.net.au

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS

CCBA

JUNE-JULY 2020 ISSUE 29

AUGUST SEPTEMBER 2020 ISSUE 29

Central Coast's most sought-after business

e DOWNSIZERS FEAR UNCERTAINTY: 2

sid

LAKES EXPERTS READY TO ADVISE: 4

LEAGUES CLUB FIELD TRANSFORMED: 5

publication NEW: ACCESS TRAVEL SECTION: 12

Central Coast's most sought-after business

COVID-10 TESTING AT ERINA: 21

Central Coast’s most

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publication

MARINERS FOR SALE Future uncertain as the owner bales: 2

TOWER WORK STARTS Historic Union Hotel site transformed: 3

AWARDS KEEP GIVING How Steve Loe built an awards institution: 7

ACCESS TRAVEL Special Sapphire Coast feature: 13

sought-after business publication Motorway Complete on the M1 Pacific Motorway to deliver safer and more efficient journeys THE final project in a suite of upgrades Tuggerah and Doyalson opening to SEE PAGE 5. is now complete, with the last section between three lanes at 110 kilometres per hour.

Image by Bryce Weick Photography.

www.coastba.com.au www.facebook.com/AccessNewsAustralia

WAMBER-WALL but the team at the site is sea wall at Wamberal is well underway, URGENT work on the construction of the next they battle to get it finished before the SEE PAGE 4 keeping one eye on the weather maps as East Coast Low.

www.linkedin.com/company/access-news-australia CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

Feature

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CENTRAL COAST

2020 CENTRAL COAST Local Business Awards Special feature 1 - check out these local businesses

www.thebusinessawards.com.au | www.accessnews.com.au 12

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

News 2020 Central Coast Local Business awards

www.coastba.com.au

402 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty NSW2261

L BUSINE A C

402 The Entrance Rd

2020 2 020

(02) 4326 1317 or Enquire Online

ARDS

FINALIST CENTRAL COAST

Your specialist floating floor supplier. Local experts bringing you the very best in Timber, Laminate & Bamboo Flooring. We don't compromise on quality.

ALL OUR FLOORS COME WITH FREE ON SITE DELIVERY! Prompt, Reliable & Friendly

Central Coast Service

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

15+ Years Experience

Quality Workmanship

News

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GEORGE’S FRUIT BARN TERRIGAL 45 Years supplying the highest quality FRESH Fruit & vegetables George’s Fruit Barn specialises in selling the best quality fresh fruit and vegetables at the best prices. We offer a broad range of groceries to suit a wide variety of growing consumer needs, both local and imported that are hard to find on the Central Coast. We put our customers first by assisting them with their needs and providing them with only the highest quality produce hand selected by us. We also support local farm growers in the area by selling their farm fresh produce directly to our customers. We also support local suppliers and small businesses around the area and their prod-

ucts such as homemade jams, spices, honey, eggs, baked goods and more. George’s Fruit Barn has been in business for over 45 years. Our range of products includes a wide array of groceries including flowers, continental delicatessen and other imported cuisines. We also offer plenty of organic, gluten-free, keto, paleo, vegan and vegetarian products to cater to a broad range of consumer needs. George’s Fruit Barn maintains high standards in customer service and strives to exceed customer expectations on quality and service to ensure a positive consumer experience. We con-

tinually search for and introduce new products for our local and multi-cultural customers. George’s Fruit Barn are proud once again to be a finalist and Marie George the owner is equally proud to be nominated as a finalist for Business Person of The Year. We offer a wide variety of products and groceries both local and imported that aren’t easily found on the Central Coast, to complement our fruit and vegetables produce. As they say, “If you can’t find it anywhere, GO TO GEORGE’S!”

georgesterrigal@gmail.com

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

News 2020 Central Coast Local Business awards

www.coastba.com.au

Milk & Honey Hair and Beauty – strive for excellence Milk & Honey Hair and Beauty are award-winning salons located on the Central Coast. The business owners Belinda & Danielle along with their staff have an undeniable passion for their profession. The team is guided to attend training courses, keeping up to date with the ever growing trends in a competitive fashion forward industry.

Gosford Milk & Honey Hair and Beauty Shop 1, 110 Erina St Gosford 4324 6886 E: milkandhoneyhair@outlook.com www.milkandhoneyhairandbeauty.com.au Follow us on Facebook: Milk & Honey Hair and Beauty Central Coast Instagram: milkandhoneyhair_beauty

The newly renovated Gosford salon is a full service salon that offers a wide range of services. Milk & Honey is consistently providing high customer service satisfaction by rendering excellent luxury products for all clients. Milk and Honey provide hair services to around 175 clients each week.

Milk & Honey Hair and Beauty is a winner based on our top 10 factors. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

The client recommendations and 5 star reviews on google & social media platforms. The boutique modern style salon located in the heart of Gosford. Long term staff employment with the average staff member 2-4 years. The salon training program for all staff. Luxurious professional products we stock and use. Sharing our professional knowledge with clients. Our transparency with regards to pricing for all client services. Our community relationships including local sporting sponsorships and fundraising events. Our reputation in the hair and beauty industry including gold AHC accreditation. The recent awards top 10 brides choice award, Local business awards winner outstanding beauty services, Three best rated hair salons for the Central Coast.

NATIONWIDE AUTO SERVICE CENTRE

WINNER FOR OUTSTANDING MECHANICAL SERVICES 2019

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Nationwide Auto Service Centre 5/401 Manns Rd West Gosford 4325 7133 nationwideauto@bigpond.com CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

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Follow us on Facebook: Nationwide Auto Service Centre West Gosford Instagram: nationwideauto_westgosford www.nationwideauto.repcoservice.net 15

News

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YOUR CHOICE YOUR WAY YOUR HOME

We are a locally owned and operated business that has been providing care and supports to the Central Coast Community for over 34 years. Our dedicated and professional team of Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses and Certificate 3 support workers will provide services that have a personal touch and are tailored to meet your needs. Services that we can provide for you are: - Personal Care - Domestic - Transport - Socialisation - Clinical care such as wound care, catheter care - Palliative Care - Shopping - Medication prompting or administration - Meal Preparation - In home respite

We care about who you are, we will listen to you and provide quality services that are affordable and easy to access, working with you to maximise independence. Call our administration team on

4396 1838 for more information

www.allcarenursing.com.au

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

News

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TOTAL CARE

Hearing Services Helping you to hear and communicate better with loved ones

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News 2020 Central Coast Local Business awards

www.coastba.com.au

Unrivalled Location, Food & Service Open 7 days per week from 6 am Positioned right on beautiful, Shelly Beach Voted the best cafe on the coast at the Central Coast Local Business Awards

Family owned and operated business Breakfast, lunch and takeaway served daily Seniors & Kids menu Proudly supporting many local business by sourcing local ingredients and produce

Munchas Cafe overlooking beautiful Shelly Beach

Getting behind NSW farmers by sourcing our milk directly from The Little Big Dairy Co

Munchas Café & Catering, Ground Floor, Shelly Beach Surf Club 0243 338 197. Email: info@munchascafe.com.au Website - www.munchascafe.com.au

L BUSINE CA

Adri’s Gingerbread is an award-winning family business located on The Central Coast of NSW manufacturing European Style Gingerbreads that are lovingly hand crafted and hand iced with royal icing.

2020 2 020

ARDS

FINALIST CENTRAL COAST

GOLD MEDAL Winner in The Biscuit class at the 2018 Australian Food Awards

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0413-515-187 advancebuildingservices.com.au CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

News 2020 Central Coast Local Business awards

L BUSINE CA

www.coastba.com.au

2020 2 020

ARDS

FINALIST CENTRAL COAST

Contact Person: Ashleigh Rudder Phone Number: 0408 882 278 Class Venues: Halekulani Hall. Noela PI. Budgewoi Blue Haven Public School. 37 Colorado Dr. Blue Haven

BOUTIQUE BLONDES BUDGEWOI

Blue Orchid Accounting

Toni Baines Accountant & Registered Tax Agent mobile: 041 779 4137 email: toni@accountant.com PO Box 4299 LAKE HAVEN NSW 2263 CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

CONTACT DETAILS:

43305263 or Natasha on

0432631527 19

News 2020 Central Coast Local Business awards

www.coastba.com.au

Boasting over 90 flavours of cupcakes in our range, we have you covered from the ever popular traditional flavours, right through to our own mind blowing creations. Our most popular flavours are offered daily, but you will have to watch our socials to find out when our specials will appear!

5/2 WATT ST GOSFORD NSW 2250

MON-FRI 8am - 4pm SAT 9am - 12pm SUN - CLOSED

0405 104 770 Brisbane Waters Private is pleased to be named a Finalist in the Central Coast Local Business Awards Brisbane Waters Private Hospital located on the beautiful Brisbane Waters Peninsula, NSW is well located with facilities that are second to none. Boasting 109 beds, 4 theatres, and the largest Hydrotherapy pool on the Central Coast, we cater for surgical, medical, geriatric, rehabilitation and mental health patients, with day program and outpatient services. The Central Coast Clinic, offers discreet, private inpatient mental health services specialising in Addictive Disorders, Anxiety / Depression, Personality Disorders, Veterans & Emergency (PTSD) and Young Adult services.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS

Congratulations

Surgical Services include: • Bariatric & Weight Loss • Ear, Nose & Throat • General Surgery • Neurosurgery • Orthopaedics • Gastroenterology and Colorectal

• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery • Urology and Dental Surgery

Provider of

program 21 Vidler Avenue Woy Woy NSW, 2256 Phone: 02 4341 9522 brisbanewatersprivate.com.au

CENTRAL COAST

Central Coast Business Access is proud to be the official media partner for the 2020 Local Business Awards. We congratulate all finalists on the effort and talent it takes to be a successful local business.

See all digital editions of our awards features here: www.issuu.com/accessnews www.accessnews.com.au CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

News 2020 Central Coast Local Business awards

www.coastba.com.au

From humble beginnings at our single hoist workshop in Charmhaven, DC Tuning has expanded it’s expertise in Performance Upgrades to vehicles for road and race. We offer Custom Tuning for performance and street driven vehicles. We have extended our knowledge in this field, bringing on-sight ECU-Remapping to the 4X4 World. No more fuel chips or sending tune files overseas, we customise in house on our Mainline Dyno. DC Tuning specialise in Aftermarket ECU installation and calibration including Haltech, Nistune, Adaptronic, Link, Microtech, Unichip and ECUFlash. We also modify Fuel and Exhaust systems, install Turbochargers, Superchargers and parts for all engine performance upgrades.

$BS 3FNPWBM 6OXBOUFE 4DSBQ $BST 3PBEXPSUIZ $BST

Denture & Mouthguard Studio is owned and operated by a registered Dental Prosthetist and a fully qualified Dental Technician. We pride ourselves in producing high quality customfitted mouthguards at an affordable price for our local community. At Denture & Mouthguard Studio, we offer a wide range of colours and custom designs including contact number/name and team logos to be placed on the mouthguard. We also provide a service for children and orthodontic patients allowing room in the mouthguard for teeth movement and development.

at 1/10 Prosperity close, Morisset NSW 2264 or call us on 02) 4330 0085 See all our socials for performance results and package details.

Wholesale & Retail Specialists Gourmet Groceries Glutenfree Range

L CA

We now also offer in-chair teeth whitening service with our teeth whitening technician to remove any stained teeth to create a brighter and whiter smile.

0481 128 712 www.mouthguardstudio.com mouthguardstudio @mouthguardstudio CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

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We offer mobile services to sporting clubs for registration days and training sessions, to make it more convenient for the parents and the players.

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2020

ARDS

FINALIST CENTRAL COAST

6/258 Wallarah Rd Kanwal NSW 2259 21

News 2020 Central Coast Local Business awards

www.coastba.com.au

Fast & Fresh Flower Delivery From Your Local Florist. Order Online Today! THE CENTRAL COAST EXPERTS IN FLOOR SANDING, POLISHING AND INSTALLATION With over 25 years combined experience in the industry. The team at Floor Sure can handle any of your flooring needs

FLOOR SANDING

FLOOR INSTALLATION

More than simply running a sander over your floorboards, we ensure it is completely ready for floor polishing

Are you thinking about installing a new timber floor in your home or business? Floor Sure can help, contact us today

L BUSINE CA

Flower Delivery - Bateau Bay, NSW & Nearby We're Your Local Florist You can rely on The Flower Barn to hand-deliver fresh flowers and plants to all the major suburbs, hospitals, churches, funeral homes, and nursing homes in the Bateau Bay, NSW area. We can send your flowers same-day delivery and next-day delivery to Bateau Bay and surrounding areas. Select Designer’s Choice for our freshest flowers, hand-arranged by The Flower Barn. Please let us know if you have a special request for any of delivery areas we service. As a local Bateau Bay florist, The Flower Barn offers a wide variety of flower arrangements, including Native Australian Flowers. Have a special event or wedding in the Bateau Bay area?

Give us a call! 02 4332 9377

James Carroll 2020 2 020

p. 0431 088 147

FINALIST

Servicing the Central Coast and surrounding area.

CENTRAL COAST

L CA

Gorgeous Hair At Gorokan was opened on March 23rd 2010 bу Danielle Drake, and now consists of а team of 8 lосаІ coasties Our team is passionate about making you feel confident & loving your hair. lf you’re looking for а new salon but have questions, book а free consult for us to chat to you about your hair and what we can suggest for you :) We offer all our guests 10% off any haircut or Colour service on their first appointment

JEN'S FLOWERS 661 MEDOWIE ROAD | MEDOWIE

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Booking an Appointment Phone: (02) 43 93 0030 Online: www.gorgeoushairgorokan.com.au Please note: lf you cannot find the time you are after online, please message us on facebook, or call us on 43930030, We will wait list your appointment and contact you as soon as а suitable Appointment time becomes available. mySALON app: From both the play and apple stores, it will ask for the salon name Gorgeous Hair@Gorokan

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News 2020 Central Coast Local Business awards

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Have you tried many times to lose weight on empty promises? Have you had children or surgery and the side effect was weight gain that you have not been able to lose? Why not try a program that offers you a coach that has gone through this themselves and has the results to prove it works.

Nutrition Healthy Living Learn how to enjoy those indulgences whilst maintaining a well balanced nutritional eating plan. You will be guided through eating plans that suit you and your family to get everyone back to a healthier lifestyle without restrictive measures and through easy recipes that the whole family will love.

Wellness Service Health Begins Here Self care is very important too. Why not ask us what is on offer with connections to this business. Visit a Life Coach to help with your mind, in mental health and visualisation. Visit a Yoga Class to learn how to meditate, stretch and be centred.

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Professional window cleaning,

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EYE LINER — TOP 1 hrs $499 356A The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty, New South Wales, 2261 E: kayla@iheartcosmetic.com.au Tel: 0416 231 662 Monday - Sunday: 7am - 8pm

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Kick Glass Cleaning @kickglasswindowclean

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KOHA Cosmetic Clinic is an exclusive boutique clinic specialising in Advanced Skin Treatments. Facials, eyebrows, all skin treatments. 'MPVOEFS 3E &UUBMPOH #FBDI /48

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Shop 2-3 189 Ocean View Road Ettalong Beach NSW 2257 Phone: 02 43089447 Opened: Wednesday-Friday 10-2 pm Saturday- Sunday 9-4pm

From Gosford to Tascott and Koolewong, from Umina and Pearl Beach to Patonga and Killcare, and from Copacobana to Avoca and Terrigal, our Woy Woy store proudly services clients from all areas and all walks of life on the Central Coast. We have over 40 years of combined retail experience and unlike large bulky goods stores, our success is directly related to the attention we pay to our customer’s needs. When you visit Lifestyle Mattress and Bedding you’ll discover a level of personalised service, you’ve rarely experienced before.

LJ Hooker Budgewoi consists of a team of committed and professional sales, property management and marketing consultants and support staff who have accumulated many years of experience and service in the Real Estate industry. Our sales team have an unrivalled knowledge of the area and it's real estate market, together with it's trends and values. Listening and understanding both sellers and buyers needs is our job. When you decide to place your trust in LJ Hooker Budgewoi, we make it our commitment to fulfil your needs and market your property to achieve the best possible result. Research says we're Australia's #1 real estate brand. That's fantastic and we're delighted. Why? Because it means that you thought of us first for your real estate needs. But we're not going to rest. We will just keep doing what we can to help you realise your real estate dreams and take care of the #1 that matters most to us. You. Let the team at LJ Hooker Budgewoi help you realise your real estate dreams.

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LJ Hooker Budgewoi 85-87 Scenic Drive, Budgewoi 4390 5555 budgewoi@ljh.com.au CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

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For coffee lovers and those who enjoy fresh quality food

Northlakes Shopping Centre 17-21 Pacific Highway San Remo, NSW, Australia 2262

4330 0319 Hours - 6:00AM - 8:00 PM

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If you are located in the central Coast area and are in the market for a new inground ﬁbreglass swimming pool, contact us at Narellan Pools Central Coast to organise a free pool consultation and quote.

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Swimming is a gift for life WE OFFER • Parent & Baby lessons • Pre School classes • School aged learn to swim • Stroke Correction • Squads • Aqua Fitness Classes • Gift vouchers • We accept active kids vouchers • We are registered with Swim Australia • Family discounts and term payment discounts available Fun, family orientated swim centre oﬀering quality lessons at aﬀordable prices with kind, caring teachers. 14 Ocean Street Budgewoi, NSW, Australia 2262 Family owned and operated by Amy, Owen and there 5 kids. With Over 20 years experience in Aquatics.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

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L BUSINE CA

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ABOUT US Reef and Rural Plumbing is a family run business servicing the Central Coast and Hunter Region. We are the local plumber you can trust and depend on.

Call or email us for your free quote or consultation justin.mcdermott@hotmail.com 0421 847 345

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• All makes and models • General service and repairs • Electrical and mechanical work • Warranty services • Log book services • LPG and E-Safety Checks (pink slip regos) • Performance enhancing • 4WD services, accessories and repairs • Recovery equipment • Exhaust repairs • Inboard and outboard marine engine servicing and repairs • Manual Gear Box and Diff repairs • Airconditioning/re-gasing and repairs • Car detailing • Radiator servicing and repairs • Automatic transmission service and repairs • Tyres and wheel replacement • Wheel alignments • Fuel injector service and repairs • Diesel servicing and repairs • New log book servicing – keep your warranty and save money

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News 2020 Central Coast Local Business awards

TO ALL THE FINALISTS!

www.coastba.com.au

Darren Hooper General Manager Central Coast Unity Bank

Central Coast Unity Bank wants to congratulate all the ﬁnalists in the 2020 Central Coast Business Awards. We are a community-based mutual bank and we take pride in recognising and supporting small business within the Central Coast area. Our commitment is to help individuals or businesses grow and improve their ﬁnancial situation. If you would like to discuss your business and see how we can support you, call Darren Hooper on 0418 618 530.

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News Auto

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The new Mini Countryman.

Mini’s new Countryman is here with new styling and more electric range for hybrid  CALLUM HUNTER IVE months after it was debuted to the world, Mini Australia has detailed the pricing and specification levels of its updated Countryman compact SUV line-up with the range now kicking off from $44,500 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Cooper. Marking a $2300 increase in entry price, the new Countryman has been treated to a subtle styling makeover front and rear and gained a few extra bits of standard gear while retaining most of the same engines. We say most because Mini has opted to drop the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder mill in favour of hybrid powertrains as global emissions regulations become increasingly stringent. On the subject of electrification, the all-electric range of the hybrid Countryman – formerly the S E ALL4 PHEV – has been extended from 40km to between 55 and 61km thanks to a new 9.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack (up from 7.6kWh). Back on the styling front, the headlines here are a new radiator grille, new front and rear bumpers along with Union Jack taillights as per the rest of the Mini range. A new 5.5-inch digital instrument cluster leads the charge in terms of interior changes, while Apple CarPlay and an “expanded suite of Mini Connected features” can be accessed via an 8.8-inch infotainment screen. In terms of specific variants, the $44,500 Cooper comes as standard with LED front and rear lighting, leatherette sports seats, comfort access, automatic tailgate, aforementioned digital instrument cluster and infotainment system, Mini Connected services, wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and adaptive cruise control with stop and go function. The whole package then rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels while standard safety gear includes city crash mitigation with pedestrian detection, park distance control with rear camera and reversing assistant as well as dynamic traction control. Power comes courtesy of the same turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine as the outgoing model, still good for some 100kW of power and 220Nm of torque, all of which is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Above the Cooper is the sportier Cooper S ($52,900) which ditches the tiny three-banger in favour of a 141kW/280Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder mill. In addition to the kit included on the regular Cooper, the Cooper S scores three

drive modes – sport, mid and green – piano black headlight surrounds, bezels around rear lights, front grille frame, door handles and badging, 18-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, John Cooper Works steering wheel, leather cross punch sports seats, piano black interior, forward collision warning and braking pre-conditioning. Priced $8000 north of the Cooper S in the range is the Hybrid which boasts virtually all of the same standard kit as its traditionally powered cousin – apart from the black exterior trim. Power in this instance comes from a hybridised version of the base Cooper’s 1.5-litre petrol mill (100kW/220Nm) paired with a 65kW/165Nm electric motor.

Results speak for themselves he other mechanical change of note is the move to a six-speed automatic transmission rather than the seven-speed DCT automatic used in all other variants, with power sent to all four wheels. While Mini does not quote a combined output, the results speak themselves, with the new Hybrid outstripping the Cooper S from 0-100km/h by 0.7s (7.5s vs 6.8s). With an all-electric driving range of up to 61km, Mini claims the Hybrid Countryman will sip 2.4 litres of fuel per 100km and emit just 54g of CO2 per kilometre.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

Sitting at the top of the Countryman range is the John Cooper Works ($67,818) and John Cooper Works Pure ($61,915), a new variant designed to offer all of the performance with only some of the frills found on the absolute flagship – just like parent company BMW does with its M range. Powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine as found in the M135i hot hatch, the JCW duo are good for 225kW of power and 450Nm of torque, resulting in a 0-100km/h time of 5.1 seconds. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed ‘Steptronic’ automatic transmission, also pinched from the M135i. In classic JCW style, the flagship duo is adorned with a chunkier, more aggressive body kit and styling cues including a roof-mounted spoiler, central twin exhaust tips and unique alloy wheels. Standard equipment on the top model largely mirrors that of the Cooper S but adds a few extra goodies here and there including adaptive sports suspension, 19-inch light-alloy wheels, high performance brakes, Anthracite headliner, head-up display and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The Pure meanwhile goes without a few of these features, swapping out the leather cross punch sports seats for leather/Dinamica units and going without the head-up display, adaptive damping, 19-inch wheels or premium sound system.

Instead, the JCW Pure rolls on unique 18-inch alloys. “The arrival of the new Mini Countryman will bolster the strong momentum we’ve enjoyed in Australia thus far in 2020,” Mini Australia and New Zealand general manager Brett Waudby said. “We anticipate strong interest in the new Countryman, a clear favourite in the Mini range, and look forward to delivering signature British charm, go-kart thrills and value-added practicality for our Mini fans.” Mini Australia has sold 584 new Countrymans so far this year ending August, accounting for 5.4 per cent of the $40,000plus small SUV segment.

2021 Mini Countryman pricing* Cooper (a)

$44,500

Cooper S (a)

$52,900

Hybrid (a)

$60,900

JCW Pure (a)

$61,915

JCW (a)

$67,818 *Excludes on-road costs

Travel ACCESS

October 2020 Digital edition: www.issuu.com/accessnews

Edited by DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

We’re in the Business of Travel

Amazing Whitsundays rank with world’s greatest islands  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM Going back to the wonderful Whitsundays is like going back to a special place to meet a long lost friend. I often go the Whitsundays in my dreamtime - sailing sparkling blue waters under warm skies that stretch forever. Once again I explore the pine clad islands that are sprinkled out across the bluest seas, lie on the golden beaches under swaying palms and chat with happy wanderers all sharing the same dream as me. Well, dream no more! Recently it all came true again: I had the chance to go back and spend a week in the Whitsundays as a guest of the best regional tourism organization in Australia. I consider myself an aficionada of islands and I have had the chance to visit most of the world’s great tourist island groups. Let me tell you, nothing quite compares with the Whitsundays for a complete island experience. While Airlie Beach and surrounds is on the mainland, it is the Gateway to the

Whitsundays and has a real island feel about it. I visited with my wife Sharon on a Lets Go Motorhome tour of Queensland and stayed at the Big 4 Whitsunday Adventure Resort at Cannonvale. What a place? It is so good, I am going to devote a section on it in a future edition.

Don’t put the FREEZE on your business meetings. Plan for success this winter. Day Delegate Package

Five “must do” things in the Whitsundays: * Take a day tour out to the Great Barrier Reef with Cruise Whitsunday. You can scuba dive, snorkel, swim or just sunbake and take some photos. The Reef on a sunny Continued on page 31

$60 per person

Winter bonus includes: • FREE WiFi • FREE 30 minute post event drinks in rebellion bar • FREE delicious delight on arrival To book your next event, email: functions_rydgesnorwest@evt.com or call 02 9634 9634 Rydges Norwest Sydney 1 Columbia Court, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 T: 02 9634 9634 F: 02 9634 9660 rydges.com/norwest Terms and Conditions Apply

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

T ravel AC CE SS

News

Continued from page 30

day is nothing else you will ever see in your life. The Cruise Whitsunday had plenty of friendly crew on board and expert assistance is provided during every step of your adventure. * You also have to do a Crocodile Adventure tour on the Proserpine River. This trip was a real shock to me. I had heard rumors of crocs in the area but I saw more big crocs in one day than I saw in all my tours of Kakadu and the Kimberley’s. It included a nice barbecued lunch and friendly hosts, So do yourself a favor and make sure you do this tour. * Have breakfast at the Fat Frog Beach Café at Cannonvale. You are best to book a spot as this café draws in the locals and tourists in their thousands. I was on a health kick,

Amazing Whitsundays

www.coastba.com.au

but discovering a yummy pile of pancakes with ice cream and maple syrupy on the menu, I had to rip up the diet one more time. * Take an overnight trip to one of the resort islands. I stayed on the revamped Daydream Island which was flattened by Cyclone Debbie. While the service still needs tweaking, the resort itself is stunning. An amazing tropical themed atrium and the fascinating walk through aquarium full of big stingrays and reef sharks and fish. *Walk the Bicentenial Boardwalk for 4km from Cannonvale to Airlie Beach. Stop along the way for a snack at the many food outlets. The walk is good any hour of the day, but the sunsets are especially stunning. You can see turtles if you are patient. Details: www.tourismwhitsunday.com.au

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

Sights of the Whitsundays and previous page, journalist, Dallas Sherringham.

News

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REPORT | October - November 2020

New research reveals the ugly truth about worker attitudes

Job security tops COVID symptoms  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM LARMING new figures show 70% of Aussies admit they would still present to work with cold or flu symptoms despite the COVID-19 crisis. The eye opening new research has revealed that, as more people head back to the workplace, the COVID-19 pandemic may surge again in Western Sydney. The findings come from an independent survey of a nationally representative panel of 1000 Australian employees, commissioned by Cleancorp (cleancorp.com) – a specialist Australian anti-viral cleaning company that has helped hundreds of organisations keep their workplaces and communities safe during the pandemic. The Australian Government has told Australians to stay home and get tested for COVID-19 if they feel unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, even mild ones. Even so, research from Cleancorp found that more than half of Aussies would present to work with a headache. Although a stuff y nose, runny nose, sore throat, tingly throat, or fatigue could be early symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu, an equal 38% of respondents said they would still go into the office with these symptoms. And 32% would present to work with a cough, 22% would do so with a stomach ache, and a fifth would go in with muscle or body aches and chills. It seems that under-30s would be more likely to present to work with cold or flu symptoms. Half would do so with a sore or tingly throat, 46% with a runny or stuff y nose, 40% with a cough, 27% with a stomach ache, and 18% with nausea – all higher proportions than the total respondent average. When asked to reveal why they would present to work with these symptoms, the most common answer was that the symptoms were not serious enough to justify taking time off work. Almost half said it was because they would have too much on at work, with no one else available to do their job. And 29% think their employer won’t regard their symptoms as serious enough, while an equal 24% don’t want to use up their sick leave or say they will have pressure from their employer to present to work.

The survey results highlight an issue concerning casual and contract workers, who do not receive payment for sick or annual leave. More than a fifth of survey respondents admit they would present to work with cold or flu symptoms because they cannot afford to not get paid. With more than 2.6 million casual workers in Australia, this indicates that 546,000 casual workers would present to work with symptoms. Casual workers are predominantly employed in retail, social assistance services, construction, health, education and road transport – workplaces that, especially in the current coronavirus climate, are generally difficult to operate with workers in self-isolation.

Casual workers are a concern Co-Founder and Director at Cleancorp Lisa Macqueen said: “Now that we are facing the genuine threat of a virus ‘double whammy’ – COVID-19 and the flu – it is more important than ever not to go to work when feeling unwell.” “Our findings reveal that many employees come to work when sick because of feelings of guilt or a fear of being judged by their bosses. However, now that we’re in a pandemic, going to work sick because you feel obliged to is no longer acceptable. “As a significant proportion of employees re-enter their workplaces – either partially or fully – organisations must do everything they can to minimise the risks of viruses spreading among their employees, customers, and visitors. “Employers need to understand that shared desks, meeting rooms and breakout spaces may no longer be safe to use and occupy and those old spray-and-wipe principles will also be inadequate for keeping surfaces virus-free. “Instead, using the right equipment, chemicals, and deep-cleaning processes is more important, with a focus on frequently disinfecting ‘shared touchpoints,’ such as door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, and microwaves. “While it is encouraging to see that many of our clients are asking for heavy-duty anti-viral cleans, we need to see a strong shift towards a ‘stay at home if you’re unwell’ mentality to contain the coronavirus successfully.”

Type of symptom

% of workers that would come to work with said symptom, even if they are minor

A mild headache

54%

A sore throat or tingly throat

38%

Runny or stuﬀy nose

38%

Fatigue

38%

A cough

32%

Stomach ache

22%

Muscle or body aches and chills

20%

Nausea

14%

A low-grade fever

10%

Q. What would be your reason for coming to work if you had the above symptoms? I don’t think these symptoms are serious enough to take time oﬀ work

58%

Too much on at work, and no one else available to do my work if I take sick leave

42%

My employer won’t think these symptoms are serious enough to take time oﬀ work

29%

Too much pressure from my employer to come to work

24%

Don’t want to use up my sick leave, or have no sick leave left

24%

I don’t get paid if I take sick leave

21%

Thanks a million: COVID cleaners step up ORE than one million extra cleaning hours have been carried out across the entire public transport network since March to keep customers and staff COVID safe. Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said more than 1,400 extra cleaners have been employed to support the delivery of a COVID safe public transport system. “Six months ago we pledged to keep our customers and staff as safe as possible on

M 32

public transport and support the return to a COVID Safe economy. “Reaching the amazing milestone of one million extra cleaning hours not only shows our commitment to slowing the spread of the virus but our enhanced cleaning regime has provided a lifeline for those who found themselves out of work due to the virus. “Many of our new contract cleaners for Sydney Trains have come from different industries, including hospitality, teaching and engineering, and are not only keeping

the network COVID-safe but are also able to continue working in their local communities and I thank them for all of their hard work,” Mr Constance said. Minister for Regional Transport Paul Toole said the NSW Government’s $250M Cleaning Stimulus has seen cleaning ramped up across the regional bus and train public transport network. “It’s critical that our customers feel safe and that’s why we’ve increased our cleaning regime including rolling out dedicated

cleaners on busy bus routes in Tweed Heads and vehicle sanitisation stations for point to point transport providers in Albury, Dubbo, Newcastle, Tweed Heads, Tamworth and the Central Coast,” Mr Toole said. “From bushfires, to floods, to COVID-19, this has been a very tough time for the people in regional NSW and we thank everyone who has been on the frontline to help keep our communities safe and connected.” VIDEO: www.netwerx.com.au

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

News Coronavirus Report

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War chest to restart events sector HE Federal Government will inject $50M to help restart Australia’s vital business events sector. Businesses will be encouraged to attend events, trade shows and conferences within Australia through grants to help cover the costs associated with exhibiting such as the hire of exhibition spaces, the design and manufacture of displays, travel and accommodation. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s lucrative $36B business events sector had virtually ground to a halt during the COVID-19 crisis. “Getting business events up and running again will be a critical part of the recovery of our tourism industry but will also have huge flow-on effects through the entire economy,” Prime Minister Morrison said. “This is not only about supporting events companies and venues, but will also be a shot in the arm for a broad range of businesses and the people they employ - whether it’s accommodation providers, those who build exhibitions, caterers, cleaners or those offering audio-visual services.” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the program would provide opportunities and encourage businesses from regional Australia to attend events in their own backyard. “With many international trade shows out of reach for the time being, making it less expensive and easier for regional businesses to attend events in Australia will also present new opportunities to connect with and secure new customers,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. “Business events encourage domestic travel and the more events we can lock in, the more people we can get flowing through our airports, on planes and staying in hotels around the country.” Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the sector had been hit

hard during the COVID-19 pandemic with around 95 per cent of business events for 2020 either cancelled or postponed.

Sector doing it tough “Our business events sector is doing it incredibly tough at present and getting events put back into the calendar will help this key part of our tourism industry which supports around 230 000 jobs turn the corner,” Minister Birmingham said. “By incentivising attendance by exhibitors this should give event companies and organisers across Australia the confidence

they need to move ahead with the planning of business events.” Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the investment would also make businesses more resilient. “Many Australian businesses are looking to each other to strengthen their supply chains, to prevent the shocks they experienced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Andrews said. Under the Business Events Exhibitor Grants program, Australian businesses exhibiting at an approved business meeting,

convention, conference and incentives event in 2021 will be able to apply for upfront grants to cover up to 50 per cent of their costs ($10,000 - $250,000). This initiative is part of the Morrison-McCormack Government’s $1B COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund, which is supporting regions, communities and industry sectors severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, go to: www.austrade.gov. au/australian/tourism/tourism-and-business/ grants

Supermarket trading regulations extended UPERMARKETS and pharmacies can continue to trade and receive deliveries 24 hours a day as rules introduced by the NSW Government have been extended until next year. The Government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in March by amending the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 to allow aroundthe-clock trading and delivery hours as well as the extension of café and restaurant take away capabilities. Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the orders will be extend-ed

for another six months until March 25, 2021. “Our quick response to the immediate challenges of the pandemic ensured every-one had access to essential household goods, businesses remained viable and the economy kept ticking,” Mr Stokes said. “Six months down the track it’s obvious we still need this flexibility. The pandemic has taught us that we can be nimble and reduce red tape where necessary. “We have to live with the virus for a little while yet, so we’ve extended these orders and will review them before the new expiry date in March next year.” Mr Stokes added that extended oper-

ating hours for the construction industry, intro-duced to ensure COVID Safe working conditions, will also continue. “The construction industry is a key driver for jobs growth during the recession so we needed to find ways to support it while keeping workers safe from the virus,” he said. Since March, the NSW Government has issued eight Ministerial orders under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to: - Extend retail trading, delivery and waste removal hours; - Allow home businesses to operate 24 hours a day;

- Provide more flexible conditions for takeaway food and beverage facilities, food trucks and ‘dark kitchens’; - Allow construction sites to operate the same hours on weekends and public holi-days as they would on weekdays; - Permit temporary pop up cycleways within the City of Sydney; and - Allow temporary vehicle sanitisation stations to be built to provide professional cleaning for taxis, Ubers and community transport vehicles. Further information on the Planning Ministerial orders can be found here: https://www.planning.nsw. gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/COVID19-response

School, sport, music restrictions relaxed ORE families can attend community sports, music ensembles and school camps can proceed, and a modest increase dancing at weddings is allowed under new COVID-19 safety rules. Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the latest easing of restrictions around school and community life is due to lower case numbers. “While we are by no means out of the woods, low case numbers give health authorities the confidence to allow mums and dads back onto the sideline,” Mr Hazzard said. “NSW Health has also given the green light for up to 20 people in the official Wedding Party to take to the dance floor, where previously only the happy couple were permitted.”

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the updated health advice comes as NSW schools prepare for a two-week break before returning for the final term of 2020. “Everyone is committed to providing a safe environment for children, students and staff and these changes will ensure COVIDsafe celebrations can happen,” she said. “Schools have done an incredible job, and it’s exciting to see things returning closer to normal. However, we need to stay vigilant.” Changes to Term 4 school guidelines include: • Community Languages Schools Program will recommence face to face learning; • Interschool activities can recommence on September 26 where there is a COVID-19 Safety Plan

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in place; • Playing wind instruments, singing and chanting is permitted with strict restrictions; • Year 6 formals and graduations are permitted; • High school formals are permitted from 12 November to limit any HSC disruption; and • Kindergarten orientation, Year 7 transition, excursions and camps can resume with strict guidelines. Musical ensembles can also resume, as long as players keep a 1.5 metre distance from one another, or three metres for players of non-reeded woodwind instruments. Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the changes to community sport will be a welcome relief for parents. “From this weekend, more than one

parent may now attend community sporting activities if physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres can be maintained between people that are not from the same household,” Mr Lee said. “We know the last few months has been hard on families who want to see their kids score a try or kick a goal on the weekend. “I would like to thank all the parents and volunteers in community sport for their commitment to following the guidelines to help keep our community safe.” Accommodation facilities and overnight event organisers should develop and implement a COVID-19 Safety Plan. All carpooling should continue to be avoided. There is no restriction on school holiday travel within NSW for people who live within the State however, anyone who is unwell should defer travel plans and get tested.

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Facing the rise of cyber crime in the COVID era  GORDON ARCHIBALD he COVID-19 pandemic caused the mass relocation of workers from the relative safety of their corporate network to studies, bedrooms and kitchen tables all over the world –expanding the attack surface of organisations exponentially. So, what changes has the office exodus brought to our cyber threat environment. In addition to the cyber-crime challenges before the crisis, more than four in ten organisations (41 percent) have experienced an increase in cyber-security incidents according to the 2020 Harvey Nash/KPMG CIO Survey. Last year’s edition of this research, the largest global survey of technology leaders, suggested a positive trend when it came to cyber-crime. It showed that as the board’s attention to cyber-security grew and investment increased, cyber-attacks had topped out and even started to decrease. In responses collated before the pandemic, major attacks had fallen yet again. Unfortunately, no amount of board attention could have predicted or compensated for the unexpected mass relocation of office workers from corporate networks to home networks. Eighty-six percent of survey respondents moved a significant percentage of their workforce to remote working. The attack surface of organisations expanded exponentially, with IT departments struggling to support and secure the myriad of new, personal devices accessing networks. Overall, three-quarters of respondents indicated the importance and role of cyber-security increased as a result of COVID-19. But how has the attack landscape changed? Globally, the biggest rise was in spear phishing (83 percent) and malware (62 percent), followed by denial-of-service attacks (21 percent). The jump in phishing and malware indicates the growth in risk has come mainly through cyber criminals targeting newly remote-working employees.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, security is now the top technology investment priority, listed by 47 percent of respondents. And, for the first time in this survey’s history, cyber-security expertise has become the most in-demand skill set. As well as remote access from personal devices, the rapid scaling of cloud-based software and the management of vast amounts of data and documents across a complex technology environment all represent new pressures on security and privacy. Customer experience and engagement, the second highest priority tech investment, will rely heavily on a cloud-based digital infrastructure, so cloud security becomes paramount. There are some core activities that organisations can undertake to protect themselves from increased threats:

• Dynamically evaluate risk including the context of the changing operating environment. For example, threats and risks deemed low in a pre-COVID world, may now be high. • Strengthen education and awareness of staff, who may be prone to increased phishing and malware attacks. • Reassess the effectiveness of cyber controls protecting critical systems and data and new delivery platforms. • Re-evaluate controls with your third parties. There have been recent cases of infiltration occurring via third parties, who have had weaker security controls in place.

• Update and test Business Continuity processes and programs and have confidence in the ability to recover from an incident. With cyber risks increasing, companies will turn to outsourced or managed services to help keep their systems robust against attacks. With every home router now a potential weak point, a security rethink is needed for the new ‘hybrid work’ environment, where significant numbers of workers will remain outside traditional workplaces, part or all the time. First published by Gordon Archibald, Partner, National Lead, Cyber Security Services KPMG Australia and Mark Tims Partner, Technology Risk, KPMG Australia on KPMG Newsroom on 1 October 2020.

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Increasing childcare affordability would boost economy and society  ALISON KITCHEN  GRANT WARDELL-JOHNSON USTRALIA needs a rebound in economic activity, and productivity gains to bring us out of the recession – and a major impediment to driving our economy is unequal gender workforce participation. The COVID lockdown has highlighted just how important childcare provision is to working parents, particularly mothers, who have wrestled with trying to work at home, while looking after pre-school children. KPMG’s own Victoria office has seen an 84 percent rise in carers leave requests during the period of Stage 4 lockdown – a proof point if any were needed on the importance of childcare. Today we publish a report recommending some changes to the funding of the childcare system and we have found that short-term investment now will pay rich economic and social dividends in years to come. The Child Care Subsidy: options for increasing support for caregivers who want to work is the fifth paper in our series examining gender issues in the workforce but is the first since the COVID pandemic – which has added extra urgency to the need for reform, given the economic slowdown has hit lower earners, mostly women, hardest. We have identified two options – a preferred longer-term plan and an interim stage to get there, given the difficult financial position the federal government now faces. The first option outlined is raising the Federal Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to a nearly fully-funded 95 percent, from its current 85 percent, which the study shows would boost the economy annually

by up to $7.4bn, at a cost of $5.4bn in additional CCS expenditure (net of additional income tax receipts that would flow from the increased workforce participation). This, we believe, should be our long-term goal. An additional cumulative benefit to GDP would arise from this option, as parents increased their career-long productivity by being able to strengthen their engagement with work and professional development while their children are very young. Our modelling estimates that over 20 years this could add up to $10bn to GDP. The second option – and a more realistic interim measure given its lower cost – in-

volves the elimination of per-child subsidy caps, and an increase in the maximum subsidy for the lowest income families. We estimate the annual GDP benefit of this policy option is $5.4bn, at a cost of $2.5bn (again, net of additional income tax receipts). Helping the worst-off must be the immediate priority. A major issue explored in the report is how the CCS interacts with the income tax and family tax benefit (FTB) systems – and it highlights how the progressive withdrawal of CCS and FTB and the subsequent increase in marginal tax rates can combine to create large disincentives to a parent working more hours.

This issue we have defined as the Workforce Disincentive Rate (WDR) – and our modelling confirms that while the current CCS has improved the financial position of many families, others continue to face WDRs topping 100 percent – meaning a family can actually be worse off if a parent works additional hours. The WDR problem affects people across the income scale. The interim option we recommend will see the CCS modified to eliminate the ‘cliffs’ inherent in the current system – where just one extra dollar earned could cause a household to lose up to $5,000 of subsidy. Childcare is a barrier we have imposed on our economy and society – we firmly believe that Australia could cross a productivity frontier if we could remove that barrier. The study shows that annually an estimated additional 200,000 extra workdays per week could be unleashed by a near-fully-funded childcare system. This is why it must be our long-term goal, even if we have to get there in stages. We have to start seeing childcare subsidy not so much in the prism of costs (as difficult as that is in the immediate circumstances) but as an investment in the ability of parents, especially mothers – given Australia’s historic ‘1.5 model’, where men work full-time and many women parttime – to maximise their contribution to the economy, according to their needs and preferences. Australia is currently considering various stimulus measures to boost our COVID-impacted economy. Increasing productivity by boosting childcare support should be right up there. First published by Alison Kitchen, National Chairman, KPMG Australia and Grant Wardell-Johnson, Lead Tax Partner, KPMG Economics and Tax Centre, KPMG Australia on KPMG Newsroom on 7 September 2020.

Time to look at strategies for repurposing  PETER LIDDELL ITH closed borders and the resultant fall in demand for Australian fresh produce normally destined for overseas Asian markets now is the time to look at how our national supply chain can be repurposed to address the disruption. The supply chain is a business-to-business story (B2B) starting on the farm, or in the sea, with produce freighted into markets and food outlets. The last mile is a business-to-consumer story (B2C), right into people’s homes using e-commerce/last mile delivery platforms. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, we’re seeing vital supply chain work being done with partners like Foodbank, and the utilisation of government care packages. But there’s also the opportunity for businesses to rethink domestic delivery capacity. Fleets of vehicles currently delivering supply of fresh products such as bread for four hours each morning, could have their capacity reutilised in other key parts of the supply chain. We could think of this as the ‘uberisation’ of transport and logistics. Right now, the market wants fresh fruit and vegetables, seafoods and proteins. Yet at the same time there’s a slowdown of transport as domestic borders limit speed of delivery and the return of assets like trucks and containers. There is also the rising cost of freight. Exports are experiencing limited access to airfreight (and even shipping containers) for fresh produce and excessive

prices from <$1k up to as high as $25/ kg. These prices don’t realistically support exports into Asian markets. On the domestic front, the high demand surge for B2B-filling of retailer’s shelves and B2C-home deliveries for food, sporting and entertainment equipment is changing transport patterns rapidly. That means pivoting and repurposing transport fleets at the same time building in management of the vital aspects of OH&S and regulatory for food handling and dangerous goods. What is the specific solution for the domestic supply chain right now? We need to analyse current failures and choke points driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and build new business continuity planning models. The aim is to put supply chain front and centre in reshaping activities. In other words, identify by critical industry what must change to support Australia as a self-sustaining country. Whilst certain businesses can defer activity like fishing for lobster and other seafoods, other commodities like fruit and vegetables must be harvested or they go to waste. For these commodities, it is time to pivot and re-purpose – moving fresh into frozen products, extracting key properties as inputs into vitamins and supplements or as ingredients into food and beverage manufacturing. These are just a few examples of how businesses must think differently during times when borders and access to traditional markets remain closed. Additionally, we can also look at the flow of inbound and outbound products through the lens of regional and local supply chain

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flows. Wherever possible we must seek to utilise alternative modes of transportation and conduct trade-offs according to criticality, needs, cost, service, and risk scenario analysis of all viable options. How can we understand ‘criticality’? The answer is firstly on type (fresh, perishable) and then supply criticality. We need to create inventory and supply visibility across the end-to-end chain – identifying those critical choke points and reconfiguring flows, storage, and domestic supply chain structures. Supply risk management is based on four key factors: item classification; supplier location (local, interstate, off-shore); alternate supply options, alternatives; available transport routes and lead-times (potential delays across state lines, access to road and rail freight, access to food containers). Pivoting and repurposing also involves mapping the supply chain. That is about enabling better visibility of several tiers of suppliers, as well as the logistics between those suppliers. We need to know where the alternative routes and access points are to be ready when disruption (eg. no freight or container access) hits the supply chain. Businesses need to conduct a value chain assessment of other risk factors that may escalate costs. This includes knowing that transportation shortages may increase cost (as transport companies see an opportunity to raise margins) and impact service and inventory capabilities. It’s essential to take proactive action to address anticipated shortages, such as possibly pre-booking/ consolidating freight for charters with oth-

ers – even competitors! Another intelligent approach is to identify additional supply sources even across other industries, nearshore options and/or identify collaboration opportunities with competitors in the same geographical area. By shifting production closer to the end customer, organisations can offer faster fulfillment at a lower cost and with a smaller carbon footprint. Micro supply chains also mitigate the impact of reverse logistics, the annual cost of which in the U.S. alone is expected to reach $550 billion by 2023. Working within rather than across borders means micro supply chains are far less vulnerable to changes in regulation, interest and exchange rates, wage inflation or tariffs. The ability to manufacture in smaller batches keeps inventory costs and waste to a minimum. Supply chains of the future won’t be driven by products and processes, but by customer needs. They won’t depend on capital-intensive fixed assets and linear flows but on an ecosystem of modular capabilities, delivered through a network of trusted third-parties that can be scaled and recombined as needed. It’s likely too that operators will become managers – and that means new skills will be required and new job roles created. That’s the evolution we’re seeing; pivoting and repurposing now will help us get there. First published by Peter Liddell, Partner, ASPAC Head of Supply Chain, KPMG, on KPMG Newsroom on 15 September 2020.

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Catnap will get you through How a coffee and sleep can improve attention  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM AVING a catnap and a coffee on nightshift can be good for you, according to a new report. Now, we have known about the coffee bit from time immemorial, but the catnap idea was always a “no no” because the general consensus was that it did not help and actually made you sleepier. But it seems now a simple coffee and a quick catnap could be the cure for staying alert on the nightshift as new research from the University of South Australia shows that this unlikely combination can improve attention and reduce sleep inertia. In Australia, more than 1.4 million people are employed in shift work, with more than 200,000 regularly working night or evening shifts. Lead researcher Dr Stephanie Centofanti from UniSA Online and the Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory at UniSA said the finding could help counteract the kind of sleep inertia that is experienced by many shiftworkers. “Shift workers are often chronically sleep-deprived because they have disrupted and irregular sleep patterns,” Dr Centofanti said. “As a result, they commonly use a range of strategies to try to boost their alertness while on the nightshift and these can include taking power naps and drinking coffee – yet it’s important to understand that there are disadvantages for both. “Many workers nap during a night shift because they get so tired. But the downside is that they can experience ‘sleep inertia’ – that grogginess you have just after you wake up – and this can impair

their performance and mood for up to an hour after their nap. Showing a marked improvement “Caffeine is also used by many people to stay awake and alert. But again if you have too much coffee it can harm your overall sleep and health. And, if you use it to perk you up after a nap, it can take a good 20 to 30 minutes to kick in, so there is a significant time delay before you feel the desired effect. “A ‘caffeine-nap’or ‘caff-nap’ could be a viable alternative – by drinking a coffee before taking a nap, shiftworkers can gain the benefits of a 20 to 30-minute nap then the perk of the caffeine when they wake. It’s a win-win.”

The small pilot study tested the impact of 200 mg of caffeine (equivalent to 1-2 regular cups of coffee) consumed by participants just before a 3.30am 30-minute nap, comparing results with a group that took a placebo. Participants taking a ‘caffeine-nap’ showed marked improvements in both performance and alertness, indicating the potential of a ‘caffeine-nap’ to counteract sleep grogginess. Dr Centofanti said this showed a promising fatigue countermeasure for shift workers. She said the next move was to test the new finding on more people.

Dr Stephanie Centofanti.

FOOTNOTE: I have been telling our Editor-in-chief that going to sleep on the job can actually be good for you, but he does not tend to agree during the daylight hours! But he does say: “Have another coffee and keep going”.

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