Council is currently seeking community input on a proposed Orbital Road for Port Macquarie. This proposed road is an important long-term solution to reducing traffic congestion and addressing our region’s future transport needs.
The proposed Orbital Road consists of the collective East-West Link (Ocean Drive to Oxley Highway), the North-South Link (Oxley Highway to Boundary Street) and the flood-free Primary Airport Access Road. It is a new approach to improving the road network in and around Port Macquarie and will improve connectivity to key destinations including the Health and Education Precinct, the Airport and the Regional Sports Stadium.
Session 1 – Saturday 2 March, 11am – 2pm - Westport Club – Hastings Room
Session 2 – Tuesday 5 March, 11am – 2pm - Emerald Downs Community Centre
Session 3 – Tuesday 5 March, 5:30pm – 8:30pm - Westport Club – Hastings Room
Session 4 – Saturday 9 March, 11am – 2pm - Emerald Downs Community Centre
Session 5 – Tuesday 12 March, 11am – 2pm - Westport Club – Hastings Room
Session 6 – Tuesday 12 March, 5:30pm – 8:30pm - Westport Club – Hastings Room
You can attend the drop-in sessions at any time during the set three-hour period to learn more about the project and meet with our technical and community engagement teams’, who will be available to answer questions.
If you are unable to attend one of the drop in sessions, you can learn more about the Orbital Road project on our website at haveyoursay.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/orbital-road. Here you will find a range of project information including the proposed Orbital Road Feasibility Study, frequently asked questions, maps, fact sheets and a project information brochure.
We also encourage you to complete our online survey and to submit any feedback via the website.
Your feedback is important to help us make the best possible decisions about the next steps for this important project that will support our growing community.
For more information and to complete the online survey visit haveyoursay.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/orbital-road
Holiday Coast Credit Union take your financial security seriously. SCAMS come in all shapes and sizes and as identified by the ACCC ‘the best way to protect yourself is through awareness and education’.
The Little Black Book of Scams is recognised internationally as an important tool for consumers and small businesses to learn about scams including:
Download ACCC's "The Little Black Book of Scams" (PDF 469.2KB)
Large and small business owners are invited to have their say on Commonwealth Government’s new business payments reporting scheme to encourage fairer and faster payment times for small businesses.
The Department of Jobs and Small Business is undertaking a national consultation process, and an online workshop for small business stakeholders. The workshops will be held in Perth (19 February) Sydney (20 February), and Melbourne (21 February), from 9am – 11am each morning.
Online consultation for small businesses: small businesses, including those in regional areas, can join an online consultation workshop from 6pm – 9pm on the 21st of February. Participation will take approximately one hour, and businesses can join at any time in the three hour period.
Business owners and others interested in the reporting scheme are invited to share their views on how the framework would best work. The Department of Jobs and Small Business is particularly interested in hearing from large and small businesses in regional areas, and data users such as business software providers and credit reporting agencies, because this feedback will help develop the best possible reporting scheme to encourage fairer relationships between large and small business.
To register for updates on the consultation process or to view the discussion paper on the Payment Times Reporting Framework, please visit www.jobs.gov.au/PaymentTimes or email PaymentTimes@jobs.gov.au.
A discussion paper on the options for how the payments information will be collected and reported each year is available at www.jobs.gov.au/PaymentTimes.
Australia Day is a day for all Australians, no matter where our personal stories began. It’s the day to celebrate our diversity and the values that we share as the Australian community.
We've planned a day of celebrations across the region this Australia Day with a number of family friendly activities happening in Port Macquarie, Wauchope and the Camden Haven.
Laurieton, North Brother Mountain, from 7.30am
View the Program of Events here
Wauchope Showground, from 8.00am
Port Macquarie, Town Green, from 8.00am
For more information visit pmhc.nsw.gov.au/AustraliaDay
Want to see how well you know your Aussie Slang? Have a crack at the ultimate Australia Day Quiz at australiaday.com.au
The state’s peak business organisation, the NSW Business Chamber, believes proposed regulations being introduced by the Federal Government to prevent ‘double dipping’ by casual workers will be met with relief by business owners across the country.
“I commend the Government for addressing the absurd situation where employees can double dip by receiving a casual loading in lieu of annual and personal leave, and then receive those exact same paid leave entitlements as well,” said NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Kellon Beard.
“These new regulations are a victory for common sense,” Mr. Beard said.
“It is disappointing that the Government was not able to obtain bi-partisan support for a legislative solution to address all of the problems arising from the recent Workpac v Skene decision.
“Without the new regulations, we are left with Fair Work laws that are not fair and do not align with the reality of casual employment in the modern workforce.
“Many employers engage casuals to meet operational demands of their business, and many employees choose to be engaged as casuals so that they receive their 25% casual loading. Many of these consensual arrangements, which have operated in practice for decades, now carry the risk of landing employers with a double whammy.
“It’s why the NSW Business Chamber recently proposed the idea of introducing a new category of worker, a perma-flexi, which allows casual employees to be engaged on the same flexible basis as they always have been, but with leave entitlements being provided in exchange for the payment of a 10% loading.
“It is staggering that the ACTU continues to argue against the proposed flexible category of employment, when the Chamber’s proposal gives casuals the option of obtaining the employment security and benefits that the ACTU has been publicly calling for,” Mr. Beard said.
As both a key decision maker in your industry, and a valued Chamber member, we would greatly appreciate your participation in this important survey.
We do apologise if you are receiving this email and have already completed the survey previously.
What is Business Conditions Survey about?
The survey aims to provide an honest and comprehensive analysis of economic trends, opportunities and challenges for NSW businesses.
Your responses help the Chamber to advocate for a better operating environment for businesses in NSW. If you'd like to see what the work and efforts of the Chamber, armed with your feedback, have delivered for business in 2018, please click here.
Your participation will also give you the chance to win an Apple iPad.
or paste this URL into your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bcsdec2018
First prize: You will be entered into the draw to win an Apple iPad Wi-Fi (32gb) valued at $469.
Runner-up prizes: You will also have the chance to win one of three $50 Eftpos gift cards.
Survey close date: Please complete the survey before 5:00pm AEST Monday 17 December 2018.
Previous survey results: Past Business Conditions Survey results can be found on the NSW Business Chamber website.
For further information please contact Laurence Redaelli, Policy Analyst on (02) 9458 7913
Share - Please forward this email to your colleagues and business associates so they can also make their opinions count.
Privacy - Responses will be reported in aggregate and no contact details will be made available to any third party, although we may contact respondents that agree to be contacted for media responses. Terms and Conditions are included below.
Terms and Conditions: The prizes consist of one major prize (1 X Apple iPad Wi-Fi 32GB model valued at $469) and three runner-up prizes (3 X $50 eftpos gift cards). Instructions relating to gift card activation will be provided to the winner. There is no extra cost in claiming the prize. The prize is not transferable. The prize is not redeemable for cash. The participant must be over 18 to be eligible. The draw is limited to one entry per client. Closing date for receipt of entries is 5:00 pm AEST Monday 17 December 2018. The judge's decision is final. The winners will be drawn on Monday 14 January 2019, at 4:00pm at NSW Business Chamber's premises on Level 15, 140 Arthur Street, North Sydney NSW 2060. The winners will be notified by NSW Business Chamber by email. The winner’s names will be published on www.nswbusinesschamber.com.au. The prizes must be claimed by Monday 21 January 2019. If the prizes are not claimed, a second chance draw will be drawn on Tuesday 22 January 2019 at 4:00pm. The prize is offered by NSW Business Chamber, 140 Arthur Street, North Sydney NSW 2060.
Call us on 13 26 96
It is time to mark the calendar and invite family and friends for an evening of entertainment at the annual Wauchope community Christmas in Bain Park presented by Holiday Coast Credit Union.
The event will be held on Saturday December 15 from 5pm at Bain Park in Wauchope.
Wauchope Chamber of Commerce and Industry are delighted to host the event, now in its eighth year. The evening offers local talent, the Sing Australia Choir and a visit from Santa, Prime Possum and Kenny Koala on stage along with children’s activities, food and market stalls.
There is plenty to do with the Party Professional jumping castles, Sand Wizard stall, win a ham at the Apex Tombola, find the perfect gift at one of the market stalls, enjoy a bite to eat from one of the food stalls or local eateries and much more.
“This iconic homegrown event is a wonderful Wauchope Christmas tradition and brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to share in the magic of Christmas,” said Chamber president Gary Rainbow.
“Major sponsor, Holiday Coast Credit Union and other local business generously support the event with both financial and in-kind contributions.”
Neville Parsons, CEO of Holiday Coast Credit Union, welcomes the opportunity to give back to the community.
“Holiday Coast is proud to continue to be the major sponsor of the Wauchope Christmas in Bain Park festivities and in so doing give back to the community that gave all of us our own local financial institution back in 1967,” he said.
“Holiday Coast is proud to continue to make a difference in the financial well-being of our members and this community. As a proud Wauchopian and as CEO, I am delighted to be able to give back to the community through the community asset being Holiday Coast Credit Union.
“From all at Holiday Coast best wishes for a very happy and safe Christmas 2018,” added Neville Parsons.
Port Macquarie Hastings Council Christmas Grants announced last week included funding for the Wauchope Christmas celebrations which are well received by the organizing committee.
“Council Christmas funding is essential to the event to cover the basis event costs. With ongoing support from local business, we aim to add a little magic each year. Last year we decorated and lit a tree in Bain Park – Wauchope’s first Town Christmas Tree,” said Mr Rainbow.
“It was a great addition to the Christmas lights trail. This year we are working to do this again and lights on the figs in Hastings Street also. “
“We invite visitors and residents to come together and enjoy a Wauchope Christmas and hope to bring a little magic to the town over the festive season,” he added.
The Wauchope and Hinterland Community Christmas in Bain Park is inviting entertainers, community groups, schools and stall enquiries. More information can be found on the Chamber website here.
Bring the family, friends, a rug or chair and enjoy a night out celebrating the festive Spirit with your fellow community members. Everyone is welcome and the event is very child friendly!
Be sure to click you are 'going' on the Facebook Event Page to receive updates.
Image: Mayor Peta Pinson and Chamber Treasurer Ann Pereira
The new Wauchope Service NSW Centre is opening at 9am on Friday 30 November 2018 and will be located at Shop 6, 243 High Street Wauchope.
The new centre will replace the existing Wauchope Motor Registry and provide access to over 1,000 different transactions including rego and driver licence renewals, Housing NSW payments, Fair Trading licences, Seniors Card applications, birth certificate applications and many more.
The current motor registry will close at 4pm on Thursday 29 November 2018.
In the meantime, you can complete many transactions online at www.service.nsw.gov.au or via the Service NSW app.
Opening hours for the new Service Centre are 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday.
Outcomes from the 2018 Port Macquarie-Hastings annual Business Confidence Survey are now available. This year over 430 businesses from a wide range of industry sectors participated.
Results indicate that local businesses remain confident and optimistic about their future profitability, and expect growth to continue over the coming year despite an easing of business conditions.
Measuring business confidence helps Council gauge the overall condition of the local economy and helps Council plan for a vibrant economy. Your participation lets us know what’s important to you and your business, and how confident you are feeling about the future.
Council would like to thank local businesses for their participation in the survey.
For further information please contact economic@pmhc.nsw.gov.au
Read Summary Report
Great Signs for Local Economy
Confident businesses and a reduction in the unemployment rate spell great signs for the growth of our local economy. Recent figures released by the Department of Jobs and Small Business also show a reduction in unemployment locally, with the June 2018 quarter reported at 3.7%, down from 6% in 2016.
Council Director Jeffery Sharp said that investment in infrastructure, housing and the expansion of local industry in the region had contributed to this positive outlook.
“Our local economy continues to experience unprecedented growth and investment, with jobs growth expected to increase in the areas of construction, education and training, health care and social assistance.” Mr Sharp said.
For more information on your local economy please read the media release.
Read Media Release
Business Portal - an initiative of The Business Hub to create a great Facebook space for local businesses to connect, share, promote & network.
What We're Up To - An overview of Council’s infrastructure maintenance and construction projects that are in progress, have been delivered or are in the planning stages.
Council business - Port Macquarie-Hastings Council resource for business support and advice.
Port Macquarie destination website - a great resource for Things to See and Do in our local region.
Po Box 270, WAUCHOPE NSW 2446 | wauchopechamber@gmail.com | www.visitwauchope.com.au
