Home>Newsletter>Archive>2007 05 14

NEWSLETTER

Monday 14th May 2007.

EVENTS:

Members General Meeting - Tuesday 15th May. – Nowra Golf Club 6.30pm.

Shoalhaven Business Chamber – Website. "Spotlight on Business" – Novus Capital Limited.

Beta testing of Shoalhaven Business Chamber website – some members have been selected at random to provide information about their businesses to be listed on the new Shoalhaven business website. As members of SBC your website listing will be free as part of the service provided with your membership. Each member will be able to have a full page including, contact details, written information and pictures of your business and your product. The website is designed to provide a dynamic vibrant portal to Shoalhaven business. The Beta presentation will demonstrate the unique attributes available to the entire Shoalhaven business community through this website. RSVP Today!

"Stars of the Shoalhaven" - 10th Industry Dinner - Worrigee Reception Centre.

You and your partner are cordially invited to join Shoalhaven Business Chamber at the 'Stars of the Shoalhaven" 10th Anniversary Industry Dinner to be held at the Worrigee Reception Centre, on Wednesday 16th May 2007 at 6.45 pm. The Awards Dinner is coordinated by the Shoalhaven Area Consultative Committee, and we are pleased to inform you The SBC has nominated Dynamic Business and Training Solutions Pty Ltd (Ulladulla), to receive a Stars Award. Guests of honour for the evening will be His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs Marlena Jeffery. The cost of $77.00 per head includes excellent food, local wines and hospitality. Dress: Lounge Suit. Please R.S.V.P immediately to Alan Mulley 44229011.

NOWRA CENTRAL PROMOTIONS: Lifestyle Expo. Saturday 2nd June 2007.

In partnership with the "Shoalhaven Bashers" and the Variety club Nowra Central Promotions are hosting a carnival day in Nowra CBD. Junction Street will be closed to traffic for this event from 9.00am until 2.00pm. There will be static displays including: Bob the Builder, Police lotus car and highway patrol car, Ned's ambulance, mobile liberty swing, Albatross giant fire truck, super Hubert, bandage bullet truck and variety bash cars. The CBD will come alive with all day entertainment in Junction court. The SES will be organizing a sausage sizzle. Free face painting and clowns to entertain for the children.

Nowra CBD Gift vouchers:

Nowra Central Promotions have for sale the ultimate answer to your dilemma with giving the gift where every recipient will receive exactly what they need, want or desire. These vouchers are ideal for family, friends, employees or work colleagues. They are available in various denominations and can be spent in any of the 150 businesses listed (in the attached participating businesses flyer). For further details or to purchase the vouchers please call our office on 44218408 or email cbd@shoalhaven.net.au .

Careers Expo and Jobs Drive– An Exciting Careers Expo for Students and Businesses. Wednesday 27th June 2007

Have trouble finding staff?Got jobs you want to fill?Should kids know about your business?Should kids know what training you want them to have to enter your business?Do you care about developing your community?Then think - CAREERS EXPO & JOBS DRIVE 2007

A new and exciting addition to the expo in 2007 is the Jobs Drive through which employers can advertise job vacancies. An afternoon session will also be held to encourage more parents, career changers and job seekers to take advantage of the careers information on offer on the day. Sites at this event are available at no cost. If you wish your business or organisation To exhibit at this important Shoalhaven event call Evelyn O'Neile on 4422 0988 or ev@sswlp.org.au  at Student Workplace Learning Program. Further information is available from Evelyn 4422 0988 or 0406 572 882.

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

South East Community College

Art of Networking: How to promote yourself & your business  Jennifer Harwood is back! An event to bring your friends to!  Friday 1st June 2007 - 9.00am – 12.00noon  Light lunch and Networking practice! - following the workshop!  Nowra Golf Club, Fairway Dr, NorthNowra

• LEARN how to 'work the room' and meet the people you want to meet
• DEVELOP your ability to start conversations and get your message across
• GROW your confidence to promote YOU – with or without a business card!

From this seminar, you walk away with renewed energy, inspiration and skills to promote yourself, your ideas and your business $35 per person. So bring your friends, this is an event to come to. Tickets available at the door for $40 per person Call Tanya at South East Community College to Register (02) 44230351 Flyer attached.

WorkCover: Asbestos license changes

The threshold for removing bonded asbestos is reducing. The limit is currently 200 square meters. From 1 July 2007, you will need a WorkCover license to remove 50 square meters or more of bonded asbestos or fibro. By 1 January 2008, this limit will be further reduced to 10 square meters.

WorkCover is running free seminars during May and June to explain the changes in a town near you. Flyers attached with more details:

The presentations are aimed at the general public, the builder and home renovator in particular, as well as local governments, water and electricity authorities.

ITeC Illawarra:

Patent Research Workshop for Inventors & Innovators

• Wednesday, 16 May, 2007 – 10.30am-1.00pm – free – morning tea included
• Training Room, Illawarra ITeC, 2/4 Nowra Lane, Nowra

Shoalhaven Innovation Inc is holding a free, practical, hands-on workshop on how to research a patent and protect your ideas, so you can reap the rewards rather than lose them to others! Bookings essential!

Flyer attached.

New Business Clubs – Nowra.

Nowra: Friday, 25 May, 2007 – 7.30-9.00am – the rear meeting room, 81 North St, Nowra (entry via first lane off Graham St– there will be a sign at 81 North St)  Cost: Free, with a light breakfast provided. If you would like to attend please contact Lyn Eckersley Small Business Field Officer Shoalhaven Area Consultative Committee Inc. Ph: (02) 4422 5402 or Email: lyn@sacc.com.au  

"Sales & Selling" will be the topic for both New Business Club meetings this month, and we will have Greg Woodley of Selling and Persuasion Techniques talking to us. Greg has an extensive background in sales and is happy to share with us some ideas on addressing attitude and the language to use when selling, which should be very helpful! So if you are not confident in selling your product/service and are wanting to learn more about actually closing the sale, this will be a valuable meeting for you!

Work Life Balance for Home - Based Business.

Are you a home-based or a small business owner who would like to cope better with the pressure of working from home? Come and join us for an interesting look at what causes you to lose balance, what drains your energies and how to achieve a better work life balance. We are holding a series of free seminar/workshops addressing work/life balance issues. They will be conducted by Liz Bellette-Stubbs from Training Masters, who will cover the following:  We will be holding these seminar/workshops in three locations:

• Nowra – Worrigee House, Worrigee Rd, Worrigee – Tuesday, 22 May 2007
• Coffee/tea on arrival at 8.30am for a 9am start, conclusion at midday
• Huskisson – Huskisson RSL Club Boardroom, Owen St, Huskisson – Tuesday, ay 22 May 2007
• Coffee/tea on arrival at 1.00pm for a 1.30pm start, conclusion at 4.30pm
• Mollymook – Mollymook Golf Club, Golf Ave, Mollymook – Wednesday, 23 May 2007
• Coffee/tea on arrival at 8.30am for a 9am start, conclusion at midday.

Morning/afternoon tea will be served and a workbook will be provided. Please book your place early so you don't miss out on this great networking and information opportunity!  Lyn Eckersley Small Business Field Officer Shoalhaven Area Consultative Committee Inc. Ph: (02) 4422 5402 or Email: lyn@sacc.com.au  

Tourism - Destination Development Workshops:

Tourism New South Wales in conjunction with Regional Tourism Organisations will be holding a Destination Development workshop in the Shoalhaven on Tuesday 22nd May, 2007, at the Nowra Golf Club, commencing at 8.30 am. Some objectives of the program are Increase industry understanding of consumer needs. Provide industry understanding of tourism planning and partnership opportunities. Expand Tourism New South Wales destination knowledge of key experiences and products on offer. If you are interested in attending this workshop please register your interest with Mrs. Carolyn Haigh Telephone: 4429 3248.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS:

Australian Technical College – ATC Illawarra.

NEWS FOR MEMBERS:

Snapshot of 2007/08 Federal Budget:

Budget surplus of $10.3 billion in 2007/08.

• $31.5 billion in tax cuts over next four years – from 1 July 2007 30% threshold will be raised from $25,000 to $30,000
• Increase of GST threshold from $50,000 to $75,000.
• Strong education and training focus in Budget – additional payments for apprentices and the establishment of a $5 billion Higher Education Endowment Fund.

Small Business:

The Government will cut tax on small business by $540 million over four years and increase advisory services and reduce compliance costs.  From 1 July 2007, businesses with turnover below $75,000 need not register for the GST. Those who voluntarily register will have the option of reporting and paying GST annually. In addition, from 1 July 2008, taxpayers who voluntarily register for GST and choose to report and pay GST annually may also pay theirPAYG installments annually. Such taxpayers would only need to lodge a Business Activity Statement once a year.

From 1 July 2007, more small businesses will be able to apply to access a simplified accounting method for calculating their GST. This will generalize the arrangement that has been implemented for food retailers, small restaurants, cafes and caterers. For purchases of $75 or less, businesses will no longer require a tax invoice to claim a GST credit. From 2007-08, small businesses with excise obligations will be able to settle these on a monthly, rather than weekly, basis. To assist new businesses to keep good records and understand their tax requirements, including the GST, the Australian Taxation Office will be provided with $40 million over four years to provide more face-to-face assistance through visits to start-ups.

Workforce Skills:

Vocational and Technical Education Realizing our Potential' Package $3.5 billion over 4 years -

• A $1,000 wage 'top-up for 1st and 2nd year Apprentices, who are under 30 years, in a skill shortage occupation. An annual payment of up to $500 to apprentices in skills shortages occupations, regardless of age, to contribute to the costs of structured training.
• $58.5 million over 4 years to assist Registered Training Organisations to work with industry and local employers to develop and implement 'fast-track apprenticeships'.
• $8.7 million over 4 years to assist people with a disability to access post-school education and training.
• Higher Education $5 billion for the Higher Education Endowment Fund with revenues used for capital works and infrastructure. Additional funding for course delivery in areas of skills need including engineering and science.
• $211.2 million over 4 years to give universities greater flexibility to manage student numbers.

Skilled Migration $85.3 million over four years to support an education and compliance campaign aimed at employers to aid them meet their sponsorship requirements, and fast-track applications from those employers who have a strong and demonstrated record of compliance with the 457 visa program.5000 additional places to be funded under the skilled migration scheme in 2007-08.

Roads:

• $16.8 billion for a second five-year AusLink program (AusLink 2) to fund land transport infrastructure projects on the AusLink National Network including a single integrated network of land transport corridors of strategic national importance.
• $1.8 billion over five years from 2009-10 to provide local governments with funding to refurbish and upgrade local roads
• Additional funding of $250 million in 2006-07 for the AusLink Strategic Regional Program.
• $300 million over five years from 2009-10, to continue the AusLink Strategic Regional Program under AusLink 2, and provide funding for road, rail and intermodal projects in Australia's regions.

Regional Business Development:

A commitment to provide an additional $72.4 million for the Regional Partnerships program, $15.4 million on Sustainable Regions and $17.4 million on the Area Consultative Committee network.

Industry:

$1.4B over 10 years includes

• Creating five Australian Industry Productivity Centers - $352m over 10 years.
• Creating the Global Opportunities program – $254m over 10 years.
• Continuing the Food Innovation Grants (FIG) program - $54.2 million over four years.
• Expanding the mandate of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) to provide financial and insurance services to SME exporters.

Government announces changes to WorkChoices:

On Friday 4th May, the Prime Minister announced changes to the WorkChoices legislation, which will principally affect the making of Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) and collective agreements (CAs). The changes were announced in response to some sections of the community's concerns about the application of AWAs. The changes introduce a new 'fairness test', which will apply to agreements lodged from today, 7 May 2007.Essentially, the fairness test will require that agreements provide 'fair compensation' in return for the trade off of any protected award conditions.If an agreement is found to fail the fairness test, it will need to be varied so as to pass the test or it will become void. There may also be a requirement to provide back pay. Amendments to the legislation will be required to give effect to these changes.It is not known at this stage when the Government plans to introduce the legislation into Parliament, but it is likely to be before the end of the June parliamentary sitting period. This of course has the potential to create uncertainty for members currently in the midst of negotiations.If you do need advice, the NSW Business Chamber member advice line can provide assistance (13 29 59). Naturally, that advice will be confined to what information has been released by government and what still needs to be released. NSW Business Chamber is currently liaising with the Government and its agencies with regard to the changes - we have said to Government that the changes will need to be simple with future AWAs processed in a manner that is timely and responsive to business needs.

All Shoalhaven Business Chamber members who would like to include information about events and activities in their business for 2007 in the weekly newsletter please contact: Celeste @ Shoalhaven Business Chamber Inc. Tel: 44233582. fax: 44215152 Or email sbc@shoalhaven.net.au  

Business after Hours: If you are would like to host a networking evening at your business please email sbc@shoalhaven.net.au  these evening are a unique opportunity to showcase your business to a blend of SBC members and your own client base.

"Spotlight on Business" sessions.

Spotlight your business at the general members meetings. All meeting dates for 2007 have now been filled. If you are interested in spotlighting your business at a members forum in 2008 please contact me to reserve your preferred date by emailing sbc@shoalhaven.net.au .

"Think about being better and then bigger will take care of itself"