Lake Macquarie City on the map.

Transcription

1 B u s i n e s s Lake Macquarie City Council Business Newsletter Edition 26 - April Help us put Lake Macquarie City on the map Chambers of Commerce, businesses, and Lake Macquarie City Council (LMCC) are working in partnership to put Lake Macquarie City on the map. At the April launch of the new city brand and Live the Life, Love the Lake campaign, Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper MP, said the campaign will encourage economic development in the city while promoting a quality lifestyle and work-life balance. There are many reasons why people choose to work and live in the city, which are encapsulated in the photos and testimonials from many of our business leaders, Mayor Piper said. I am inviting any business, community group, or organisation, based in Lake Macquarie, to adopt the city brand and help us put Lake Macquarie City on the map. To ensure consistent usage of the brand and positioning statement, LMCC has prepared a Style Guide, which is clear and simple to use. The Guide can be found at See inside for: Recycling makes business cents Results of the Centre Study 2009 And more...

2 Help us put Lake Macquarie City on the map...cont Swansea Recreational Tourism report In April 2009, council published the Economic Development Opportunities in the Swansea Area report, which suggested further investigation of recreational tourism potential in the Swansea area. Thanks to funding assistance from Industry & Investment NSW, the Stockland Group, Coal & Allied Community Trust, and the Department of Lands, Jenny Roberts of Castlecrest Consultants has identified a range of options for tourism activity areas in the recently completed Swansea Recreational Tourism report. Council s Economic Development Manager, Graeme Hooper, said a key recommendation of the report is to continue work to establish a small marina at Blacksmiths, adjacent to the Pacific Highway. This site would provide a catalyst for oceanside activity, including fishing, dolphin watching, and as a base for ocean-going yachts and motor launches that have difficulty crossing the Swansea drop over, Mr Hooper said. The site also has spectacular views offering a natural setting for café s and other maritime activity. The report suggests a partnership approach between all levels of government and industry professionals, giving prospective visitors information on activities in the area. Building on the successful walking trails guides, the report recommends developing kayaking, fishing, scuba diving, and snorkelling guides. The report will be released at a breakfast in Swansea in early June. 2 Lake Business Lake Macquarie City Council Business Newsletter

3 Combined Chambers of Commerce Town Centre Program Partnership Delivering City Wide Projects The Town Centre Program is a partnership between council and seven town centres across the city: Belmont, Toronto, Warners Bay, Cardiff, Morisset, Charlestown, and Swansea. Town Centre Program Coordinator, Jane Milne, said each chamber of commerce is currently tackling a range of town centre projects, prioritised by the community. Projects include graffiti removal, street beautification, building façade improvement, local shopping promotions, web site upgrades, business workshops, and a range of newsletters and events to support the business community, Ms Milne said. The program is also delivering city wide projects including the Centre Study 2009, which is available on the city website and the Lake Macquarie LGA Branding Strategy project. Council s recently released banner policy supports placement of banners in appropriate locations throughout the town centres. In 2010, the chambers and council will update the Centre Study and the new city branding will be widely used, putting Lake Macquarie City on the map. hosts Lakefest In March 2010, Belmont Chamber of Commerce staged Lakefest, with the inaugural event raising over $2,000 for Belmont Hospital and the Belmont division of the Australian Red Cross. Town Centre Coordinator, Jenny Barrie, said the three-day event was packed with activities and entertainment. Belmont came to life during the event, and a highlight was a spectacular fireworks display by Ka-boom Fireworks that was enjoyed by residents around the lake, Ms Barrie said. Thanks to the many sponsors, event participants, and volunteer groups, Lakefest has brought a new focus and excitement to Belmont, a beautiful town on the shores of Lake Macquarie. Further beautification of the town centre is underway, with new rubbish bins and planters installed in the main street, and façade upgrades by property owners. Lakefest 2010 (image courtesy of Printworks Publications) Second Tuesday of the month Belmont Chamber of Commerce meeting Date: Tuesday 11 May between 5.30pm and 6.30pm Venue: Belmont Library, 19 Ernest Street, Belmont Contact: Town Centre Coordinator, Jenny Barrie, on or President, Sue Price, on F u n d e d b y L a k e M a c q u a r i e C i t y C o u n c i l 3

4 wins grant Northlakes Chamber of Commerce can actively promote Cardiff in the future thanks to a grant from Industry & Investment NSW. Funding for the marketing and branding project is timely, as the Woolworths development is nearing completion, and Cardiff businesses are poised to take advantage of new trade in the town centre. Town Centre Coordinator, Jacinta Mackey, said the project will deliver many positive outcomes for Cardiff, raising awareness among locals and visitors of what the town has to offer. A new town logo, positioning statement, style guide, and marketing plan will guide marketing activity, Ms Mackey said. We will produce a welcome pack for new residents and business, develop a website and business directory, and keep business up to date through a regular newsletter and e-news. Cardiff businesses getting into the swing of the new look CBD EVENT Second Tuesday of the month Northlakes Chamber of Commerce incorporating Cardiff Business and Industry Group meeting Date: Tuesday 11 May at 5.30pm Venue: Op Shop Heaven, 298 Main Road, Cardiff Contact: Town Centre Coordinator, Jacinta Mackey, on to get free Wi-Fi Visitors to the Charlestown business precinct will soon have free wireless internet access, thanks to a grant from the state government. Member for Charlestown, Matthew Morris MP, announced the funding at a recent Lake Macquarie Business Club lunch, and said free internet access will give local businesses a significant marketing advantage. Charlestown is leading by example, being the first Lake Macquarie City town centre to offer a free Wi-Fi service to business, residents, and visitors, Mr Morris said. Having fast-tracked major construction stages, GPT s Charlestown Square development is due for completion in October 2010, attracting new business back into the CBD area. Free Wi-Fi to come to Charlestown s Second Wednesday of the month Business Charlestown Meeting Date: Wednesday 12 May at 5.30pm Venue: Mattara Hotel, 333 Charlestown Rd, Charlestown (upstairs) Info: Contact: Town Centre Coordinator, Jenny Barrie, on Third Monday of the month Lake Macquarie Business Club Lunch Date: Monday 17 May between 12.30pm 2pm Venue: The Quality Hotel Apollo International, 290 Pacific Highway, Charlestown Cost: $35 members, $40 non-members Contact: Narelle Redman on or credit card payments via Sticky Tickets or Jenny Barrie on Lake Business Lake Macquarie City Council Business Newsletter F u n d e d b y L a k e M a c q u a r i e C i t y C o u n c i l

5 benefits from Morisset rejuvenation Morisset main street is enjoying a development boom with private and government projects underway. A new Woolworths shopping complex will open in August featuring 16 speciality shops, along with the new Morisset bus/rail interchange that includes the upgrade and expansion of commuter and town centre carparks. Southlake Business Chamber and Community Alliance is extending this renewal program, offering chamber members who upgrade their façade awnings or signage, 20% incentive payments. Town Centre Coordinator, Rosmairi Okeno, said the program is a great way for building or business owners to ease the cost of upgrades. We are also offering business owners marketing workshops covering business appearance, merchandising, and marketing, Ms Okeno said. In addition, five lucky businesses will receive one-on-one diagnostic sessions. Future Morisset Town Square as depicted in the Morisset Town Centre Area Plan Third Tuesday of the month Southlake Business Chamber and Community Alliance networking meeting Date: Tuesday 18 May at 6pm Venue: Lake Macquarie Hotel, Dora Street, Morisset RSVP: For post-meeting networking nibbles by Friday 14 May Cost: $15 members, $18 non-members Contact: Town Centre Coordinator, Rosmairi Okeno, on or façade upgrade Swansea, the southern gateway to Lake Macquarie City, will undergo a facelift over the coming months as the Swansea Chamber of Commerce undertakes a shop front façade upgrade project. Town Centre Coordinator, Larraine Russell, said the exciting new Woolworths development has already awakened the sleepy end of town. The Chamber will work with premises owners to upgrade their shop fronts, improving the image of the whole town centre, while the major retailers continue to upgrade their stores, Ms Russell said. Carols by Candlelight and New Year s Eve festivities went off with a bang in 2009, and record crowds enjoyed live music, free entertainment, and spectacular fireworks. Woolworths development and speciality shops First Monday of the month 2281 Business & Community Network Meeting Date: Monday 3 May at 5.45pm Venue: Swansea RSL, Bridge Street, Swansea (upstairs) Info: Contact: Town Centre Coordinator, Larraine Russell, on Networking Business wit F u n d e d b y L a k e M a c q u a r i e C i t y C o u n c i l the Community 5

6 Home Web Links FAQ News Feeds The News Typography Contact Us launches website Thanks to Lake Macquarie City Council funding, on 28 April Toronto businesses went online, when the Toronto Chamber of Commerce launched their new website The site will be managed by Town Centre Coordinator, Keryl Fedrick, who said the launch would coincide with a $20,000 prize give away via a social media connection, thanks to generous donations from local businesses. Toronto already has its own Facebook page, with ongoing developments to include live links, and opinion and photo uploads, Ms Fedrick said. Chamber members receive a free listing on the website, a profile page with additional images, a pin and business information on a custom Google map, a link to their home page, year round promotions, and timely marketing information. In March, the Regatta Walk Foreshore Reserve at Toronto was officially launched after undergoing a $1.44 million facelift. Works include a new amenities block, café and outdoor seating, environmental protection works to the lake foreshore, improvements to the jetty, and a walkway-cycle route through the reserve. Latest News Home News Feeds Whats On Busienss Directory Contact Us Toronto Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. - All Rights Reserved 2010 Website by Walsh Technology New website design for Toronto Chamber of Commerce First Wednesday of the month Toronto Chamber of Commerce and Industry meeting Date: Wednesday 5 May at 5.30pm Venue: Royal Motor Yacht Club, Arnott Street, Toronto Contact: Toronto Chamber of Commerce on or [email protected] supports business Warners Bay is a popular lakeside suburb boasting over 450 businesses, plenty of parking, and a host of lifestyle activities, services, and community organisations. The foreshore features a popular restaurant and café scene, numerous speciality shops, and a Coles supermarket. A large bulky goods, homemaker, and light industrial precinct on Hillsborough Road is home to many local and national retailers. Town Centre Coordinator, Rhonda Campbell, said retaining and attracting business to the town centre is achieved through a partnership between the Warners Bay Chamber of Commerce and the business community. The chamber encourages networking and buy local campaigns, is working to upgrade the chamber website thanks to the Town Centre Program, and is offering IT workshops to ensure a web presence for local business, Ms Campbell said. Warners Bay hosts many lakeside events Third Tuesday of the month Warners Bay Chamber of Commerce meeting Date: Tuesday 18 May between 7am am Venue: Lena s Lakeside Café, The Esplanade, Warners Bay Cost: $10 per person (incl GST) Contact: Town Centre Coordinator, Rhonda Campbell, on or or [email protected] 6 Lake Business Lake Macquarie City Council Business Newsletter F u n d e d b y L a k e M a c q u a r i e C i t y C o u n c i l

7 working for local business Centre Study 2009 In 1997, Lake Macquarie City Council undertook a comprehensive survey of the major retail centres, collecting data on business mix, floor space, and employment for the town centres. The data was updated in 2002,, and In 2009, key outcomes of the Centre Study include: 1. A substantial increase in floor area providing retail and commercial space. Charlestown continues to grow with several new commercial, apartment, and retail buildings. The current $350m major upgrade of Charlestown Square will double the amount of floor space within the centre. Stockland Glendale has undergone two extensions, and Aldi, Coles, and Woolworths have also upgraded and expanded supermarket development over the 12 year study period. 2. An upward trend in vacant space. Vacancy rates have risen from a low of 2% in 1997 to a high of 12% in Influencing factors include the impact of the global financial crisis, variations in data collection over the reporting periods, and the addition of considerable new floor space. With the completion of Charlestown Square, 2010 should see a large rise in small business, reducing vacancy rates substantially. 3. A fairly steady rise in the number of businesses. There is a strong diversity of business throughout the commercial centres, with Goods Related Service Industries dominating most centres except Cardiff, which has strong Goods Producing Industries. Knowledge Based Service Industries and Person Based Service Industries feature in each commercial centre. LMCC Economic Development Manager, Graeme Hooper, said Lake Macquarie City is successful because of the strong, vibrant town centres. Each town centre has unique characteristics, but all share a diverse mix of retail and professional services, Mr Hooper said. For a copy of the Centre Study report, visit Business Publications. Recycling makes business cents Lake Macquarie City Council s business recycling service can save your company money. Recycling will also enhance your green credentials, ensuring you stand out from your competitors. LMCC Sustainability Project Coordinator, Rosa Lohrisch, said using the recycling service could deliver annual cost savings of around $340 per bin. This is an easy cost saving to make if your business has more than one council-serviced general waste bin, Ms Lohrisch said. The service is flexible in terms of the number and type of bins. You can choose a split bin (similar to domestic services) or an undivided bin for paper and cardboard only. If you would like to register your business for this service, call or visit lakemac p r i n t printing design digital colour copying black/white copying plan printing binding Trade Book Deals Dup. Trip. 4 Books $130 $170 6 Books $170 $210 8 Books $210 $ Books $250 $290 Prices include GST & delivery tel fax [email protected] 7

8 Number of dvalue of development approvals $m Number of d Value of development approvals $m Number of dvalue of development approvals $m For your Q Q Wednesday 845 May Lake Macquarie Business Breakfast 54 9 Q3 Guest & Speaker: 136 Roger Brock, 36 Editor, Newcastle Herald Venue: Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club, The Parade, Belmont Q3 Time: 7.00am am 46 Cost: $32.50 per person (incl GST) RSVP: Monday 993 May (bookings and prepayment essential) Contact: Amanda 78Harvey or Q3 [email protected] Wednesday 8226 May Q Residential Lake Macquarie 83 Business 313 Network Lunch 32 Guest Speaker: Peter Fitzsimons, Columnist, Number of dvalue of development approvals No. $m ex Rugby International and best selling Author Venue: Ducks Crossing, 58 Burton Road, Eleebana Time: 12.00pm 2.00pm Cost: $70.00 per person (incl GST) Q3 RSVP: 9am Monday 24 May (bookings and prepayment essential) Contact: Amanda Harvey or [email protected] Q H Q Wednesday 2 June 2010 Lake Macquarie 54 Business 9 Breakfast Q3 & Guest Speaker: Professor Maree Gleeson, Director, Hunter 85 Medical Research 40 Institute Q Venue: Quality 99 Hotel Apollo 28 International, 290 Pacific Highway, Charlestown Time: 7.00am 8.30am Cost: $32.50 per person (incl GST) Q RSVP: Monday May (bookings and prepayment essential) Contact: Amanda Harvey or Q3 [email protected] Tuesday 29 June 2010 No. Lake Macquarie Combined Chambers meeting Venue: Lake Macquarie City Council Time: 5.45pm pm Contact: Sarah Cook or [email protected] Q H Development Approvals Q3 Q Q Fourth quarter of 2009 (October - December) Q Value of development approvals $m Number of development approvals Value of development approvals $m Number of development approvals Q3 & Value of development 65 approvals 39 $m Number of development approvals Q3 & Q Q Q Q Q Q Q No No Q3 Number 103 of dvalue 64 of development approvals 45 $m 2009 Q Number of dvalue of development 45 approvals $m 50 Q Q H1 172 Q H Q H1 H H H Q3 H Q3 H H H Value of development approvals $m Number of development approvals Q3 H2& H1 Value of development approvals $m Number of development approvals Q3 & H Q Q Q Q Q Q Q No Q Q Q Q H H1 H Q H H H H H H H H Council granted 71 commercial approvals 2009 valued at $26 million Residential Q3 during the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with 69 approvals valued at $31.9 Value of development million approvals during $m the Number third of development quarter of approvals Residential Council granted 573 residential development approvals valued at $73 million during the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with 550 approvals valued 2009 at $74.7 million during the third quarter of H Major planning applications approved H during 181 the fourth quarter of 2009 include: Location Development value Toronto Retirement village $21 million Belmont Mixed use development $8.7 million Charlestown Medical centre and shop $1.7 million Morisset Medical centre $1.3 million No. in Your City Lake Macquarie Business Centre Lake Macquarie Tourism Association Visitor Information Centre For Lake Macquarie Chambers of Commerce details go to and click on Business Lake Macquarie City Council Economic Development and Tourism Team Graeme Hooper Manager Jane Milne Town Centre Program Coordinator Amanda Harvey Administration Officer Sarah Cook Marketing Officer Sharon Walker Visitor Centre Coordinator Bianca Gilmore Senior Tourism Marketing Officer Business Do you have a story to share, a business that has received special recognition or an event worth mentioning? If so please drop us a line at: [email protected] Lake Macquarie City Council phone: fax: web: [email protected] post: Box 1906 HRMC NSW 2310 Produced by Council s Economic Development Department. Designed by Lakemac Print.