WSBA February 2020

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS

FEBRUARY Y 20 2020 • ISSUE 106

VOICE OF THE REGION REG I ON

BLACKTOWN FACILITY GOES AHEAD PAGE 2

GUIDE TO BETTER BANKING OPTIONS PAGE 19

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Medi-tourism boom from Teo Centre  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM LACKTOWN will become the centre of world-wide medical attention with universally renowned neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo to head a $1 billion state-ofthe-art facility in the heart of the CBD. It will be Australia’s first world class Brain and Spinal Institute and will provide a major economic benefit to Western Sydney and Blacktown City.

The project will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs and deliver through an expected influx of interstate and international medi-tourism visitors.

Blacktown Brain and Spinal Institute (BBSI) is the Group behind the world class located in the Blacktown City centre, strategically located between the Westmead, Blacktown and Nepean medical precincts.

Dr Teo has announced plans to build and operate the five-star institute “that doesn't feel like a hospital.” “I want a place that feels pleasant, almost like a vacation.”

He told media outlets he chose Blacktown as the proposed site because he wanted to offer the community “hope, health and success.”

The precinct, if approved, will be based at the current Blacktown Council Administration Centre.

Dr Teo has partnered with Sydney developers Mr Leny Manassa and Mr Carlo Logiudice as well as Dr Michael Sughrue, a brain surgeon from America.

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Artist impressions of the new centre.

He said building would be completed by 2024.

Dr Teo is currently director of the Centre for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery at Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick.

The doctor has garnered international media attention for his reputation to take o inoperable or high-risk cases

Patients will feel like they are on vacation.”

- Dr Charlie Teo.

Patient wellness

• A new private hospital, designed by surgeons for their patients • A Five-star Medical Hotel with rehabilitation facilities with the family in mind • A master-planned precinct of retail, residential and commercial space.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale told media Blacktown City Council was behind the project.

“It will be a wonderful addition to our city and Western Sydney and we are so proud to be a part of that.

“We are a City of Talent, and BBSI perfectly matches our key themes of opportunity and economic benefit to Western Sydney residents through attracting innovation and investment.

“We will not just be looking at the brain and spine, but at the overall wellness of the patient, “Dr Teo said.

“This will transform the way we look at and experience patient care and Blacktown will be the home to global excellence in providing world class health to all Australians.

“This iconic landmark will locate Western Sydney on a global scale for the hope, health and success of the community.”

He said it would also be a learning centre of excellence to train brain trauma specialists.

The planned development will not only include the Blacktown Brain and Spinal Institute but will also include:

CONTENTS

COVER: Shows renowned neurosurgeon, Dr Charlie Teo against an artist impression image background of the Brain and Spinal Institute at Blacktown.

Regional Round-Up News Fire Recovery Bank Switch Women In Business Business Profile Property Update Family Business Cumberland Business Travel Childscene

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WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS

FEBRUARY 2020 EDITION ` INSPIRATION & WELLBEING

“We have a strong public health presence in our city and this development will add to Council’s collaboration with the Australian Catholic University, that was officially entered into in October this year.

“ACU is Australia’s leading educator of allied health professionals. The ACU Blacktown campus will commence courses in 2021 and will grow to host 5000 students.”

Mayor Bleasdale said the development of the medical facility would be made possible in Blacktown through the purchase by BBSI of the current Blacktown Council Administration Centre site.

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WOMEN BUSINESS SS

WORK - LIFE BALANCE 4 AMAZING WOMEN UP FOR AWARDS WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE Survey reveals what they really want

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News Regional Round-Up

with RED DWYER

$3B build so far

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YDNEY Olympic Park has seen more than $3 billion worth of construction since the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to the 2018-2019 annual report.

New chamber manager

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LUE Mountains local Stacey Randell (pictured) is the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce’s member services manager, Ms Randell performed similar roles with the Manly Business Chamber as well as the NSW Business Chamber

NORTH WEST $470M project approval GOODMAN Group and Brickworks recently received DA approval for a $470M development in the wider $3B Oakdale Industrial Estate, a major new industrial estate in Kemps Creek which will offer more than 1800 jobs.

Ausblue leases space AUSBLUE Pty Ltd has leased an 1809-square-metre office and warehouse, at 192-220 Forrester Road, St Marys, from a private investor, at a gross rental of $136 a square metre net.

Artist impression of a future SOP.

Cool Breeze leases

Sydney market entry

AIR conditioning business Cool Breeze rentals has leased a 1537-square-metre officer and warehouse facility, at Bessemer Street, Blacktown, for $130 a square metre net for four years with four-year option.

MELBOURNE-based Cadence Property Group has entered the Sydney market to build an $80 million, 50,000-square-metre warehouse next to the existing O-I manufacturing facility in Penrith, allowing O-I to expand operations The US based glass maker produces more than 4 million bottles and jars a day for breweries, wineries and food operators

SOUTH WEST $400M civic works

Kennards leases

AN agreement between Liverpool City Council and Built, a national construction company, has been signed for works on the $400 million Liverpool Civic Place, at 52 Scott Street, in the CBD. The masterplan DA highlights a 24-storey tower including a ninelevel hotel, student accommodation, commercial, retail, and education facilities.

KENNARDS Self Storage has bought a 3000-square-metre site, at 62/3 Kelso Crescent, Moorebank, foe $2.4 million, from receivers Korda Mentha

Australia Post leases AUSTRALI Post corporation has leased a 534-square-metre office and warehouse, at 8

Dumpster Place, Prestons, from Bruno Inzitari for $147 a square metre gross for three years plus two three options.

CENTRAL WEST Acoustic Box leases ACOUSTIC Box Pty Ltd has leased a 952-square-metre industrial site at 6 Carolyn Street, Silverwater, from Swetha International for $181 a square metres gross , for three years.

Sold for $7.9M ERVIN Nadel has sold a 2595-square-metre warehouse and office, 11-18 Rhodes Street, West Ryde, to Seymour Building Supplies, for $7.9 million.

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West’s key role in fire recovery  DALLS SHERRINGHAM TEAM of medical experts from Western Sydney Local Heath District are playing a major role in bushfire disaster recovery programs.

The heroic clinicians have ventured into bushfire affected towns to provide medical assistance.

The support offered by WSLHD is part of a state-wide response co-ordinated by the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre and the NSW Health Emergency Management Unit, which has deployed Australian Medical Assistance Teams (AUSMAT) including doctors, nurses, paramedics, radiographers, mental health clinicians and pharmacists to disaster zones.

WSLHD disaster manager Caren Friend played a key role with the co-ordination of local clinicians to visit Batemans Bay. “Three WSLHD emergency department clinicians are providing support in Batemans Bay and are fully prepared to handle any difficult situations,” Ms Friend said.

“We also have six mental health clinicians on the

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way to provide counselling and support for families, carers and anyone who needs their help.

“I’m proud to be associated with AUSMAT and WSLHD who are ensuring trained experts can help people whose lives have been traumatised by these fierce fires.”

WSLHD acting chief executive Emma McCahon thanked all WSLHD employees who have volunteered their time to support the fires since the start of the bushfire season.

“Thank you to our staff who have contributed in any way to the community response to the bushfire emergency,” she said.

“I know we have staff who have supported the Rural Fire Service on the ground and others who are organising collections to support the community.

“It is heart-warming to see the WSLHD community supporting fellow Aussies who need our help right now.”

For community members wishing to support communities affected by the fires, consider making a monetary donation to the Rural Fire Service or the Australian Red Cross bushfire appeals.

WSLHD emergency department clinicians Dr Tracey Brown, Dr Kavita Varshney and Dr Evan Ferdous at Batemans Ba

How businesses are recovering: page 16.

Helicopter charter business refused HE application by FlyBlue Management Pty Ltd for charter helicopter flights from Katoomba Airfield to boost tourism has been knocked back by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment “In direct response to feedback from the community, the department has declined the application by FlyBlue to lease Katoomba Airfield at Medlow Bath to use as a recreational aviation hub,” said the department’s deputy secretary of Crown Lands, Anne Skewes.

“Among concerns raised were noise

T Appliocants, Derek and Floyd Larsen at the airfeild.

Photo by David Hill, Deep Hill Media..

pollution, preserving the appeal of the Blue Mountains as a peaceful environment, potential pollution of water supplies, and protecting Aboriginal heritage interests.

“We’ve heard loud and clear that proposal shouldn’t go ahead and we are working with FlyBlue to determine the future use of the site.”

The publicly exhibited lease attracted 1582 submissions, with more than 85 per cent opposing the application and only 13 per cent in support or offering conditional support.

SkyBlue’s current interim licence, granted

to Derek and Floyd Larsen, Poll Hereford cattle breeders, from the Capertee Valley, north of Lithgow, will cease on 28 February 2020 and a new interim licence will be issued that prohibits helicopter flights.

The airfield will remain open to emergency services and Skycrane helicopters for bushfire-fighting duties.

The 36-hectare Katoomba Airfield is located on Crown land on Grand Canyon Road, 4 kilometres east of Medlow Bath and 5 kilometres north of Katoomba.

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Accountants should volunteer, says expert OMMUNITY volunteer work should be “essential” for budding accountants according to an expert in the field.

Leading CPA accountant Coco Hou believes volunteering should be a pivotal element of an accountant’s career and schedule.

She believes that accountants are uniquely trained to add value as volunteers to charities, community organisations, business networks and startups.

Ms Hou is the CEO of Platinum Professional Training, one of Australia’s largest accounting training and internship providers with offices across all major Australian cities.

“I tell every young accountant to think about volunteering. It’s an absolute must for anyone who wants a successful and fulfilling career as an accountant.

“Accountants make the best volunteers

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because they offer a skill that very few people have, and that very few people are willing to give away for free,” Ms Hou said.

She believes that accountants, using their extremely unique skillset, have a lot to offer charitable and community organisations.

“There are thousands of community organisations out there that either lack the capacity to hire an accountant, or don’t see the need Coco Hou. for one. As a budding accountant or even one with decades of experience, the value you could add is immeasurable,” Ms Hou said.

“There is an overwhelming need for people with accounting expertise across the community and by volunteering your time, trained accountants can fundamentally change

how a community organisation is run. Not only that, they can improve the efficiency of charitable organisations that do amazing work for people in need.”

According to Ms Hou, even professional accountants who have worked in the accounting industry for a long time, are ideally placed to volunteer their time. The ability to give back through one’s expertise is a valuable way to contribute to the community.

“Volunteering is typically something we assume young people do to ‘get ahead’. But even more senior accountants can make volunteering part of their routine,” Ms Hou said.

“Community organisations and charities have boards and committees that need

volunteers and helpers. They will jump at the opportunity to have an accountant as a board member.”

According to Ms Hou, volunteering is more than just an ethical thing to do, it can also give you valuable experiences that you can use to further your accounting career.

“Employers will always look favorably upon a candidate who has donated their time and accounting skills to community organisations, charities, startups and business associations. Being the treasurer of a society or club at university helps as well!

Ms Hou is critical of the way many universities teach accounting, in particular their lack of focus on practical skills and software training.

Visit: www.cocohou.com.au

Anxiety in business is worse than we think NXIETY in the boardroom is a key component in crippling many businesses according to an expert on corporate leader-

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ship.

Dr Louise Mahler says anxiety is not just destroying confidence and stalling potential in Australian’s personal lives – it is crippling those in business.

A highly respected corporate leadership expert, commentator and author, Dr Mahler said contradictory current US research was misconceived and underestimated the reality in Australia.

“While the real statistics are hidden behind a shield of shame, the

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reality is that more like four in five corporate executives experience regular boardroom performance anxiety that stops them from expressing themselves and their opinion. And it’s worse for women,” she said.

“I see people come to me literally frozen with fear, unable to breath or speak with panic. As a result, they avoid media, delegate stake holder engagements to others and generally sabotage their influence and potential.

“It is professionally, financially and personally debilitating and yet many so-called successful professionals are reluctant to do something about it.

“This is heartbreaking as there are easy strategies and skills I can teach these people to not only get their confidence back in track but their careers too. The solution is in their grasp. You just have to know how.”

Having 20 years experience working with Australia’s top corporate leaders, Dr Mahler said she had noticed a dangerous focus on solutions that were actually adding to the problem.

“Taking a deep breath and relaxing is a catastrophe for someone in immediate panic. I help people understand that this is a disaster and that the answer is actually to breathe out.

“In this way, you are moving energy from the upper body to the lower body, thus freeing the ability to speak and breathe. This is just one tactic I know absolutely works. I have so many more.”

Dr Mahler’s tactics include: • Move: The body freezes if you have performance anxiety. You must move – it is imperative!

• Breathe out: Don’t just puff.

Actually, blow air out. This acts like a computer reset by kicking the diaphragm back into action.

• Gesture: Moving the arms wide off the body releases the diaphragm.

Dr Louise Mahler.

• Adopt a neutral position: This is a safe space to regather thought.

• Use a mantra: The panicked mind easily moves to negatives. A mantra such as “this is a great opportunity” helps bring it back.

For details and to contact Dr Mahler www. louisemahler.com.au

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BRIEFS

Why happiness is key to workplace success

Agreements signed WESTERN Sydney Airport and the surrounding aerotropolis is to become a hub for advanced manufacturing, with agreements finalised between the NSW government and global industrial firms.

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

SuperCharge leases HE legendary song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” is the perfect anthem for career aspirants seeking success in the workplace.

The song made Bobby McFerrin famous worldwide, but it also sparked a new attitude to life for many Babyboomers striving to enjoy life while carving out a career.

Now the “happiness” message is back with experts claiming it is the key to success in the 21st century.

While many people believe that career success will result in happiness and that having strong ambitions in our careers Happy people = successful workplace. leads to fulfillment, psychological studies have shown that workers may have this the wrong “The importance of meaningfulness in driving way around. job selection has grown steadily, particularly for Insights from the author of “The Happiness Millennials, who are searching for jobs that offer Advantage” Shawn Achor argue that while we a sense of meaning and provide work life balance, may think success will bring us happiness, the not just a pay-check. lab-verified reality is that happiness brings us more “It can be easy to see your career has a numsuccess. ber of checkboxes according to various levels of aspiration, but this approach to the workplace can Deriving meaning result in burn-out and ultimately a lack of direction because there isn’t any room left for finding meanRecruitment expert Ineke McMahon said ing or happiness. basing career satisfaction on ambition and status “There is nothing wrong with having ambition, purely for the sake of it might work for some, but it it’s a key step in obtaining goals, but it’s the reasons had been proven that happiness in the workplace behind that ambition that are so important. was a key component to career progression and “More and more workers, particularly younger career longevity. workers, are realising that work-life balance and “Happiness and deriving meaning from our happiness are just as important, if not more imporprofessional and personal actions has significant tant than that next promotion.” positive effects on our productivity and motivaA study by the Harvard Business Review has tion,” Ms McMahon said.

BATTERY operator SuperCharge has eased a 4991-square-metre office and warehouse facility, at 31-39 Stuart Street, Smithfield, at $105 per square-metre gross for four years with a four-year option.

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WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

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shown that inspired employees are almost three times more productive than dissatisfied employees.

“Annually evaluating your own decision making matrix and figuring out what’s important to you is a form of career self-care, because it can be easy to fall prey to our human programming that suggests – ‘when I get that promotion’, ‘when I lose weight’, ‘when I marry that person’ then I will be happy,” Ms McMahon said.

“Happiness and career progression are not mutually exclusive. When we look for work that sparks Happiness, whether we desire work that is stimulating, benefits communities or centres around creative thinking, the outflowing benefits occur in more than just our professional lives.

For more information on Path to Promotion, visit: www. pathtopromotioncourse.com

THE Parramatta CBD (80 per cent), Harris Park (26 per cent and Sydney Olympic Park (26 per cent) were the most popular eating sites by 80 per cent, 26 per cent and 26 per cent respectively of respondents to a City of Parramatta survey

WSU surplus site THE Western Sydney University has decided that the 6.3-hectare Parramatta North Campus is surplus to requirements and the value created by this proposal would be invested in the university’s core purpose of education and research and in furthering the Western Growth Strategy.

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Workers fear robot takeover

Survey shows Australians want jobs guarantee  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM F you are worried about a robot making your job redundant in the next few years, you are not alone.

A new survey shows Australians want a Federal jobs guarantee to prevent robots destroying their jobs It shows an overwhelming majority of Australians are worried about the rise of job-destroying robots and believe the Federal Government could combat the trend with a jobs guarantee and a ban on unpaid overtime for people earning less than $100,000.

The survey of 1075 Australians was conducted by YouGov and commissioned

by Unions NSW. It found an overwhelming expectation robots will decimate jobs, with 81% of respondents believing automation will replace much of the work now done by humans within 30 years.

More than half of those surveyed said the

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type of work they currently do would be done by robots or computers within 30 years.

However, Australians also believe Government can and should step in, both to help distribute work and act as an employer of last resort.

Two-thirds of respondents agreed it should be illegal for employers to require employees to work unpaid overtime for jobs paying less than $100,000 Slightly more, 67%, backed the concept of “job guarantee”, where the government would provide jobs paid at least at the minimum wage to people who could not find one in the private sector.

The research found less support for a universal basic income - a fixed payment made to all adult individuals that allows people to meet their basic needs.

Half of all respondents supported a universal basic income. When asked if they prefer a jobs guarantee or a universal basic income, 56% cent opted for a jobs guarantee, while 32% preferred a universal basic income.

Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey said the research demonstrated deep anxiety about automation, and a hunger for governments to intervene and help.

“Australians have lost faith in the promises of trickle-down economists and small government ideologies. They know a robot army is about to invade the labor market and they want to know the government has a plan to secure their future,” he said.

“The OECD estimates more than onein-three jobs will disappear within 15 to20 years. Without a plan, this will unleash social turmoil.

“Technology must serve people, not the other way around. This research shows that Australians support bold measures, such as a Federal jobs guarantee and a ban on unpaid overtime. Political debate in this country is decades behind community sentiment.”

Relocation of an education icon  RED DWYER HE controversial relocation of an icon of education in NSW has been halted to become an integral part of the NSW government’s new model of “excellence” in agricultural studies.

The government announced plans in 2015 to move the selective Hurlstone Agricultural High School, at Glenfield, in Sydney’s south west, to a new purpose-built $35M building

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on the University of Western Sydney campus, at Richmond, in the north west.

Some of the school’s farmland of about 150 hectares, on a prime site adjacent to Glenfield station, would be controversially sold off as part of the Glenfield Priority Precinct Plan, which aimed to build at least 11,000 homes in the area.

Work on the UWS site was due to begin early this year for a 2021 opening.

NSW Government plans to establish a new Centre of Excellence in Agriculture Edu-

cation and embed it within the Hawkesbury campus “AgriPark” agricultural precinct.

The model includes an upgrade to Richmond High School facilities to deliver upgraded facilities focused on the delivery of agricultural education and a new partially selective student intake.

The Hurlstone Agricultural High School would stay at its current Glenfield site as an academically selective, boarding, agricultural high school, keeping its name and receiving an upgrade to boarding facilities.

“This new approach will not just strengthen agricultural education opportunities, it will also foster industry engagement, create broader educational pathways with Western Sydney University and TAFE, and support teacher education in the areas of agriculture and STEM,” said Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell.

Hurlstone Agricultural High School was established in 1907 in the inner-Sydney suburb of Summer Hill and moved to Glenfield, near Campbelltown, in 1926.

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MEMBER BENEFITS Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce Membership Packages Silver Gold Platinum Anniversary Membership Inc. GST $295 $795 $1,995    Connection    Attend networking events member rates    Paired with a “Chamber Buddy” to facilitate valuable introductions    Membership of Private Facebook group 1 2 4 Complimentary tickets to Chamber Connect event 2 4 Complimentary tickets to Business Breakfast or Luncheon 1 1 Complimentary ticket to annual member cocktail event    Priority Seating at PVCC events    Promotion    Welcome profile on PVCC social media    Self-managed profile on website (optimising your SEO)    Share exclusive offers through website    Access to advertising on website    Opportunity to provide lucky door prize at events    Exclusive use of PVCC member logo    Opportunity to host events    Opportunity to sponsor events    Share posts through PVCC Facebook page   Logo placement in fortnightly newsletter    Complimentary corporate photo   Bring pull up banner to display at PVCC events   “Shout Out” at PVCC events    Rotating banner on PVCC website   Logo displayed on PowerPoint slide at events  1 4 Exclusive mailouts to PVCC database Education    Receive monthly e-newsletter    Training and business education seminars   Opportunity to present a lunchtime educational to members     Advocacy    Representation at Local, State and Federal Government levels    Participate in member surveys to determine key advocacy issues    Other Benefits    Access to member discounts and offers    Use of our Member Success Plan    Diagnostic session from Western Sydney Business Centre    Affiliate Membership of NSW Business Chamber

UPCOMING EVENTS Our events and opportunities to connect are as diverse as our membership base. We invite you to come and see what we’re all about.

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The Penrith Valley Chamber of Conmmerce exists to promote and support Penrith's growing and dynamic business community. It is only through our collective efforts that we are able to drive positive outcomes for the benefit of all.

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Light Rail works start at Parramatta ITY of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer has welcomed the commencement of major works on the Parramatta Light Rail project following an official sod turning at Rydalmere this morning.

“It is great to see this critical infrastructure project moving one step closer to becoming a reality with the initial phases of construction underway,” Cr Dwyer said.

“While we appreciate this period of construction will cause some disruption, we will reap the long-term benefits of having a light rail network that will better connect our City and serve the needs of the community well into the future.”

“In the meantime, together with the State Government, Council will keep doing all it can to help support businesses and residents during this period of construction.”

“As Parramatta grows and develops, projects such as this are more important than ever, providing a link to and through our City for our many thousands of residents, workers and visitors.”

In October 2019, City of Parramatta Council announced that it would waive the outdoor dining fees for cafes, restaurants and bars along Parramatta’s iconic ‘Eat Street’ during construction of the Parramatta Light Rail.

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Images above: preparation work being carried out along the route.

Images above and below: Artist impressions of various aspects of the completed project.

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Penrith Progress

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Approval for Toga’s Penrith project ROPERTYY group, TOGA has announced that the development application for the first stage of Penway Place has been approved.

The new residential community is set to commence first stage construction in 2020 with completion expected by mid-2022.

Penway Place is located on the corner of Union Place and High Street, marking the new gateway to Penrith CBD. Penway Place will offer a range of exceptional lifestyle features including a vibrant public plaza and retail precinct for residents and the community to enjoy.

Propelled by the proposed Western Sydney Airport and Aerotropolis and Sydney’s north-south growth arc, Penrith presents a significant opportunity for buyers looking to invest or live.

The area will benefit from significant government investment in infrastructure including a $1B upgrade to Nepean Hospital and an expected 42,000 to 55,000 extra jobs created by 2031*. Set to become the New Wes’, Penrith is fast transforming into Sydney’s third CBD.

fastest-growing cities. With over 60,000 new residents expected in Penrith by 2031, we are proud to deliver on the demand for new housing in the area and build a highly sought-after community at Penway Place.

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Affordable area

Artist impression of the project.

TOGA CEO, Fabrizio Perilli said: “We’ve reached an exciting milestone for Penway Place as we will start to see the development take shape as construction commences.

“Penrith presented a unique opportunity for TOGA to contribute to one of NSW’s

“It’s an affordable area and ideal location, which is experiencing an investment in surrounding infrastructure. These combining factors will drive growth and make Penway Place an excellent opportunity for first-home buyers, downsizers and investors alike.”

SJB Architects and their design partner Architect Prineas were commissioned to bring to life their winning design concept for the site, which includes a new urban residential and mixed-use precinct with a bustling public plaza.

The first stage of the larger masterplan for Penway Place will comprise two residential towers rising above a three-storey podium, featuring ground level retail and three levels of car parking.

Penway Place will offer a range of engaging spaces for residents, including a private landscaped podium with BBQ and seating areas, a community garden, gym, multipurpose / kids’ playroom and an outdoor dog park. It will also feature a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with several them enjoying views to the Nepean River and neighbouring Blue Mountains.

Penway Place is on the doorstep of a major Westfield shopping centre, a few minutes’ walk to the newly upgraded Penrith train station and down the road from the Penrith Panthers Leagues Club.

Construction on Penway Place is set to start in mid-late 2020, with completion estimated for early 2022.

Sales are open at Penway Place.

Visit www.penwayplace.com.au

How residents can influence change at Regatta Park ENRITH City Council is calling on the local community to have their say on the design of the playground as part of the $24M enhancement of Regatta Park.

Council is calling on Penrith residents to tell them what they would like to see included in the new playground through the Your Say Penrith online portal before 21 February 2020.

The preliminary design shows how Council will transform the current site into a beautiful open space that will bring extensive

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benefits to residents and visitors to Penrith through the delivery of a large green recreational space with improved access to the Nepean River for the community to enjoy.

The project is jointly funded with $15M from the NSW and Australian Governments as part of the Western Sydney City Deal’s Livability Program and $9M from Council.

The enhanced Regatta Park will feature an outdoor fitness park, picnic spaces, river terraces and a large playground for children

with expansive views of the Nepean River.

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM said the park enhancements were identified during extensive community consultation on the Our River Masterplan in 2013, and Council is asking the community to have their say on the playground that is included in the design.

“Council has been working for many years to enhance Regatta Park after the community told us that they wanted an enhanced, green recreational space close to the river during

an extensive consultation process on the Our River Masterplan,” Councillor Fowler said.

Cr Fowler said that the development of Regatta Park coincides with a number of other major projects in Penrith, including the recently announced $12M City Park, the design of which is also being informed by community consultation.

Go to www.yoursaypenrith.com.au to comment on the Regatta Park design before 21 February 2020.

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HOW HARD IS IT TO scramble Rubik’s Cube?  TIM GARONI  PEAKER GUO  ZONGZHENG ZHOU UBIK’S Cube has been one of the world’s favourite puzzles for 40 years. Several different methods have been devised for solving it, as explained in countless books. Expert “speedcubers” can solve it in a matter of seconds.

In addition to such feats of astounding dexterity, there are many fascinating mathematical questions related to Rubik’s Cube. A move of the cube consists of rotating one of the six faces by either 90, 180, or 270 degrees.

A staggering 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 possible states can be obtained by applying sequences of moves to the solved state.

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“

A staggering 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 possible states can be obtained by applying sequences of moves to the solved state. “

Rubik’s Cube in the solved state. Mike Gonzalez (TheCoffee)

Despite this complexity, it was shown in 2010 that Rubik’s Cube can always be solved in 20 moves or fewer, regardless of the initial state. This number is referred to as “God’s number”, as all known solution methods used by humans typically use significantly more moves than this optimal value.

But what about the opposite question: how many moves are required to scramble a solved cube? At first glance, this sounds like a much easier question than computing God’s number. After all, unlike solving a cube, scrambling one takes no skill whatsoever.

Similar questions have been answered successfully for card shuffling. A famous example is the 1990 study of the “riffle shuffle” by mathematicians Dave Bayer and Perci Diaconis.

A deck of cards is defined as “mixed” if its ordering is random, with each possible order having the same probability of appearing. Bayer and Diaconis showed that seven riffle shuffles are necessary and sufficient to approximately mix a standard deck of playing cards.

Last year, mathematicians published a similar study of the 15 puzzle, which consists of a 4x4 square filled with 15 sliding tiles and one empty space.

What does it mean for a cube to be scrambled?

A typical person trying to scramble a Rubik’s Cube would repeatedly perform random moves on it. The resulting random sequence of states is a special case of what mathematicians call a Markov chain.

The key property is that given the current

state, the probability of what the next state will be does not depend on any of the previous states.

Applying the theory of Markov chains to cube scrambling, it follows that as the number of random moves increases, the probability of being in any particular one of the possible states becomes closer and closer to 1/43,252,003,274,489,856,000.

Mathematicians call this a “uniform probability distribution”, as each possible state occurs with the same probability.

After any given number of random moves, the state of the cube will be random, but its probability distribution will not be exactly uniform; some states will be more likely to occur than others.

Let d(t) describe how much the probability distribution after t random moves differs from the uniform probability distribution. As the number of random moves (t) increases, the value of d(t) will decrease. The cube being scrambled corresponds to d(t) being small.

Markov-chain Monte Carlo In the theory of Markov chains, this decrease in d(t) is called “mixing”. Besides card shuffling and puzzle scrambling, the theory of Markov chain mixing also has very serious practical applications.

One of the most important computational tools in modern science and engineering is the Monte Carlo method.

This method, like the famous casino after which it is named, relies fundamentally on chance. It attempts to approximately solve hard mathematical problems using multiple random guesses.

In practice, Markov chains are often used to produce these random states. To understand the accuracy of these Markov-chain Monte Carlo methods, the key task is to estimate how quickly d(t) decreases as t increases.

Pocket cube in a scrambled state. Mike Gonzalez (TheCoffee)

becomes quite manageable if we turn our attention to a smaller 2x2x2 version, called the pocket cube.

In this cube, the edge and centre pieces are absent and only the corner pieces remain.

The pocket cube has only 3,674,160 possible states, and its God’s number is only 11.

In the graph below, we plot d(t) for the pocket cube. After 11 moves, d(t) is still very large, at 0.695.

The first value of t that yields a d(t) value below 0.25 (often called “the mixing time” in Markov chain theory) is 19. After 25 moves d(t) is 0.092; after 50 moves it is 0.0012; and after 100 moves it is 0.00000017.

Distance of the pocket cube distribution from uniform after t moves. Eric Zhou So how many moves should you use to fully scramble a pocket cube?

The answer depends on how small you would like d(t) to be. However, it is certainly true that God’s number of moves is insufficient. As a bare minimum, one should not use fewer than 19 moves.

And of course, once you’ve scrambled your cube, all that’s left to do is solve it again.

Tim Garoni is Associate Professor, School of Mathematics, Monash University. Peaker Guo is Honours student, Faculty of IT, Monash University.

Zongzheng Zhou is Research fellow, School of Mathematics, Monash University.

This article was first published at www.theconversation.com.au

The pocket cube Studying the scrambling problem for the standard 3x3x3 Rubik’s Cube is currently a fascinating unsolved challenge. However, it

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Distance of the pocket cube distribution from uniform after t moves. Eric Zhou

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News

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New laws target dodgy developments ODGY developments will be a thing of the past under NSW Government plans that will see the implementation of ratings systems for professionals in the building industry.

The changes see strong new powers to prevent occupation certificates from being issued on suspect developments.

The new rating system will help the building regulator determine who the risky players are in the industry and prevent dodgy apartments from being sold to unexpecting buyers.

The changes form part of the NSW Building Commissioner’s work plan which, for the first time, outlines publicly how the government plans to overhaul the building and construction industry in NSW under Six Reform Pillars.

Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said the reforms will improve transparency, accountability and quality of work within the industry.

“These reforms are a complete game changer for consumers, the government and the building industry as a whole,” Mr Anderson said.

“Simply put, customers need better built buildings, and our reforms will deliver that.

Anyone who doesn’t want to get on board with that concept will get left behind.”

The six reform pillars cover legislation and regulations changes, ratings systems, improving skills within the industry, ensuring contracts help meet standards, digitising the industry and establishing NSW as a leader in modern construction methods.

NSW Building Commissioner, David Chandler said the old days of being reactionary to problems in the industry can’t continue.

“The government has a great deal of resources available, including inspectors, which

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is why we need to make sure we’re using those resources in the best way possible to protect consumers from major defects,” Mr Chandler said.

Mr Anderson said passing the Design and Building Practitioners Bill, which is currently held up in the NSW Upper House, is crucial to the progression of building reforms.

“We asking the opposition and the cross bench to put consumers ahead of politics and let us get on with the building reforms, every day these reforms are delayed is another day homeowners go without the necessary protections,” Mr Anderson said.

The NSW Upper House will resume debate on the Design and Building Practitioners Bill in the last week of February.

Water needs multi-tasking, says Dialogue

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GREATER Western Sydney group has called for a water recycling boost to match desalination expansion in the region.

The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue has welcomed the State Government’s announcement that it will fast-track the doubling of Sydney’s desalination capacity, while urging a significant increase in water recycling to further enhance metropolitan water resilience.

Responding to Water Minister Melinda Pavey’s announcement that she had

directed Sydney Desalination Plant to start the expansion three years earlier than anticipated, Dialogue Chairman Christopher Brown said Western Sydney must also address water efficiency.

“While acknowledging that boosting desalination capacity is a sensible step at a time when dam levels are dropping at unprecedented rates, it’s equally critical to address water efficiency,” he said, “Sydney Water boasts the world’s best recycling experts.

As a city, we can walk and chew gum at the same time and

Western Sydney needs us to multi-task on water.”

Mr Brown said he was heartened by reports that Ms Pavey was now actively considering recycling options, such as recycling water from toilets for use in public spaces, parks and gardens.

“In the long run it will be no use improving our options for supplying ourselves with drinkable water if we simply go on wasting so much it, via the current network which uses a huge amount for non-drinking purposes and flushes most of it out to sea after a single use.”

Chris Brown.

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Fire Recovery

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Businesses dealing with fire recovery  ELIZABETH FRIAS OSH Pilkington sells meat pies along the Bells Line of Road while Michael Sperling hosts farm-stay tourists on his idyllic 10 acres in Bilpin, a popular route for sweet apples two hours west of Sydney.

Both businessmen lost significant incomes since raging bushfires from Gosper’s Mountain and Grose River Valley jumped to their small town of about 1000 razing to the ground a café and orchards.

The road to Bilpin from Richmond in the northwest and Mt Victoria in the west has been off-limits to tourists since Christmas last year for safety precautions.

Rains finally came in January and businesses hoped for two things to save themselves: customers and cash flow.

“Cash flow is not coming right now in Katoomba and the lack of it is going to be a huge problem for every business owner,” Mr Sperling said.

“Business either have a cash reserve and if there is none, then they will struggle tremendously without immediate government support.”

As Bilpin Country Lodge’s owner, Mr Sperling knows how it goes in the industry being the executive officer of the Blue Mountains Accommodation and Tourism Association (BMATA).

The association’s 140 members scattered in the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains are rallying for feasible plans to encourage people to spend and support bushfire-hit towns.

He decried the flow-on effect on small business chains such as the butcher, grocery store, travel agents, car mechanics, restaurants, take-away shops and those relying on flourishing tourism industry that employs and drives the economy in regions.

“I am not yet affected by cash flow matters but cafes have told me they can only go on up to two months,” Mr Sperling.

And after that? “That’s four to eight weeks to recover or business shuts down,” he said. “This bushfire is a serious economic and business emergency. It’s affected us since November it can go on until later and that

“

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I am not yet affected by cash flow matters but cafes have told me they can only go on up to two months.”

"Back to Bilpin" is the ingenuity of these locals - Hawkesbury Councillor Sarah Richards, Lionel Buckett of Wollemi Wilderness Cabin, Michael Sperling of Bilpin Country Lodge, and resident Michael Hughes. (Photo courtesy of Back to Bilpin and Ms Richards)

length of time is causing big income problem.”

Ninety percent of visitor’s bookings were already lost or cancelled as fires ripped through the Blue Mountains especially in Bilpin, which was isolated from passing trade by roadblocks, Mr Sperling said.

Locals can’t wait Prior to the bushfires, Destination NSW’s latest survey showed the Blue Mountains region picked up 8.3 percent of the 1.3 million visitors to NSW from July 2018 to June 2019.

Nearly 10 percent of these tourists stayed two and a half days in the region spending a minimum $155 each.

About 116,000 international visitors came contributing nearly $49M last year. The region is the 4th most visited in NSW. Mr Pilkington said he hoped visitors would “spend a bit” on coffee and pies at his roadside eatery and other businesses in Bilpin to help make a difference.

The locals couldn't wait to do something so Mr Sperling said they started the “Back to Bilpin” campaign because they thought “we’ve got to get people visiting us again.”

The campaign was planned with Hawkesbury councillor Sarah Richards who coined

the hashtag and made them visible in social media, Lionel Buckett of Wollemi Wilderness Cabins and locals Michael and Jane Hughes.

On Facebook, the apple town raked thousands of likes, with Mr Pilkington’s pies among the popular posts, particularly in his local MP, Robyn Preston’s social page.

“They’ve helped us so we’ve been busy since Boxing Day as people come up from the city and it’s nice because it shows they support us,” he said.

Visitors also come in hordes curious to see the destruction wrought by the fires – burnt apple trees, plums, fences, flower gardens and properties unrecognisable in ashes.

Mr Sperling said the Morrison government's announcement of $76m funding grant for small tourism business was a good start for the bushfire recovery and rebuilding of their town.

Up to $50,000 grant can be accessed by small tourism operators and loans up to $500,000 for big businesses has been announced for regions severely destroyed by the bushfires.

The funding can also be spent on regional tourism marketing campaigns and hosting of events to promote tourist destinations affected by the bushfires.

- Michael Sperling.

Meet Me At The Mountains

The Blue Mountains Accommodation and Tourism Association, a large group of tourism operators in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Penrith, Lithgow and Oberon, has launched on Facebook and Instagram another grassroots campaign, “Meet me @ the Blue Mountains”, showcasing a myriad of places, events and activities to see and do in their towns after the bushfires had subsided. “’Meet me @ the Blue Mountains’ grew at the back of ‘Back to Bilpin’ campaign so now the whole community, Councils, business chambers and businesses in these towns are working together to let the whole world know that we are welcoming them back,” BMATA Executive Officer Michael Sperling said.

Premier announces independent fire inquiry

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REMIER Gladys Berejiklian has announced an independent expert inquiry into the 2019-20 bushfire season to provide input to NSW ahead of the next bushfire season.

Dave Owens, former Deputy Commissioner of NSW Police, and Professor Mary O’Kane AC, Independent Planning Commission Chair and former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, will lead the six-month inquiry, which will review the causes of, preparation for and response to the 2019-20 bushfires.

“Professor O’Kane and Mr Owens have an

extraordinary breadth and depth of experience into the matters they will be examining. I am confident their inquiry will be comprehensive and robust,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“NSW is incredibly proud of the efforts of all our emergency services personnel and volunteers throughout this ongoing bushfire season, but the scale of these fires has been unprecedented, and we must leave no stone unturned.

“This inquiry will allow NSW to learn from this season and the catastrophic conditions we’ve faced and apply these learnings for the future.”

Ms Berejiklian said recovery efforts are ongoing and remain the NSW Government’s focus, as we work to ensure communities are supported as they begin to rebuild.

“Unfortunately, the fire season is not over.

Whilst we are focussed on the rebuilding process we are mindful of the remaining fire threats,” Ms Berejiklian said.

The inquiry will commence within days and accept submissions from the public.

A report will be submitted to the Premier at its conclusion.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

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Future Work

AI the way to go in 2020 LinkedIn’s 2020 Emerging Jobs Report reveals top jobs  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM RTIFICIAL Intelligence was a major threat to jobs in years gone by, but it is the biggest of booming careers in 2020.

As automation changes the way people live and work every day, jobs in AI are proving to be some of the biggest career opportunities of our time.

LinkedIn’s 2020 Emerging Jobs Report for the USA names artificial intelligence specialist as the job that saw the most growth in the past five years. The renowned career site looked at each job’s growth rate in hiring every year, averaged over the past five years, to determine the emerging jobs list.

For example, hiring growth for AI specialists, which pays a national average of $136,000 per year in the USA, according to LinkedIn salary data, has grown 74% each year, on average, since 2015. These jobs are primarily concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, Boston, Seattle and Los Angeles.

Artificial intelligence is a subset of automation and refers to machines learning to use judgment and logic to complete tasks that require planning, reasoning, problem-solving and predicting.

While AI specialists tend to work in the tech industry, the report notes that many also work in higher education. One reason why: There is a so-called tech talent shortage in the U.S., so schools may be seeking out more AI experts to teach these skills.

Workers also have been trying to learn AI skills online, leading to fast growth in the multibillion-dollar e-learning industry. As a result, online learning platforms may have also hired AI experts to teach their students.

“At this stage, most of the workforce doesn’t work in the emerging field of artificial intelligence, but that doesn’t mean it won’t impact everyone,” LinkedIn’s principal economist Mr Guy Berger said in the report.

“Artificial intelligence will require the entire workforce to learn new skills, whether it’s to keep up to date with an existing role or pursuing a new career as a result of automation.”

Here are the top 15 emerging jobs of 2020, what they pay and where the most jobs are, according to LinkedIn.

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15. Product owner Average annual growth rate since 2015: 24% Average pay: $100,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Information technology and services, financial services, computer software, insurance, hospitals and health care

14. JavaScript developer Average annual growth rate since 2015: 25% Average pay: $83,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Computer software, information technology and services, internet, financial services, marketing and advertising

13. Cloud engineer

10. Cybersecurity specialist

3. Data scientist

Average annual growth rate since 2015: 30% Average pay: $103,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Information technology and services, defense and space, computer network and security, management consulting, financial services

Average annual growth rate since 2015: 37% Average pay: $143,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Information technology and services, computer software, internet, financial services, higher education

9. Behavioral health technician

2. Robotics engineer

Average annual growth rate since 2015: 32% Average pay: $33,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Mental health care, hospital and health care, individual and family services, education management, health, wellness and fitness

Average annual growth rate since 2015: 40% Average pay: $85,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Information technology and services, industrial automation, computer software, financial services, automotive

8. Data engineer

1. Artificial intelligence specialist

Average annual growth rate since 2015: 33% Average pay: $100,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Information technology and services, internet, computer software, financial services, hospital and health care

Average annual growth rate since 2015: 74% Average pay: $136,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Computer software, internet, information technology and services, higher education, consumer electronics Overall, more than half of the roles on LinkedIn’s emerging jobs list are within the technology, engineering and data science spaces.

Even those that aren’t more traditional tech jobs — like customer success specialist, sales development representative or product

7. Sales development representative Average annual growth rate since 2015: 34% Average pay: $60,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Computer software, internet, information technology and services, marketing and advertising, computer and network security

Source: LinkedIn’s Emerging Jobs Report 2020

6. Customer success specialist

Average annual growth rate since 2015: 27% Average pay: $100,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Information technology and services, computer software, financial services, internet, telecommunications

Average annual growth rate since 2015: 34% Average pay: $90,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Computer software, internet, information technology and services, marketing and advertising, financial services

12. Chief revenue officer

5. Site reliability engineer

Average annual growth rate since 2015: 28% Average pay: $330,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Computer software, information technology and services, marketing and advertising, internet, financial services

Average annual growth rate since 2015: 34% Average pay: $130,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Internet, computer software, information technology and services, financial services, consumer electronics

11. Back end developer

4. Full stack engineer

Average annual growth rate since 2015: 30% Average pay: $88,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Computer software, internet, information technology and services, marketing and advertising, financial services

Average annual growth rate since 2015: 35% Average pay: $82,000 per year Top industries hiring for this role: Computer software, information technology and services, internet, financial services, higher education

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owner — are growing in demand because they are needed within technology organizations.

With an average annual salary of $330,000 a year, chief revenue officers are the highestpaid emerging job of 2020. The report notes this is a relatively new type of job “born out of the need to better understand the roles both sales and marketing play in making a company money.”

While this is a more traditional sales and marketing position, the top industries hiring for this executive role include computer software, information and technology services, internet and financial services, along with marketing and advertising companies.

The one fast-growing job on the list that doesn’t fall within tech is No. 9 behavioral health technician, which has likely grown thanks to increased health insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment in recent years, according to the LinkedIn report.

It’s also the only job that doesn’t require a four-year degree, but rather a certificate or associate’s degree, which could encourage professionals from many different educational backgrounds to pursue a career in the field.

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Western Sydney

BANK SWITCH Heritage boosts Western Sydney presence Second branch opens with mobile lenders

Castle Hill (L-R): Heritage Bank CEO Peter Lock with Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne and Federal Member for Mitchell Alex Hawke cutting the ribbon to officially declare Heritage’s Castle Hill branch open.

ERITAGE Bank has further boosted its presence in Greater Western Sydney, opening its second branch and introducing a team of mobile lending specialists.

Last year Heritage extended its network outside Queensland for the first time when it opened a branch in the Castle Towers Shopping Centre on October 31 2019.

This was closely followed by a new branch at Westfield Parramatta Shopping Centre on 9 December.

The bank has since kept up the momentum, launching a new mobile lending service throughout Western Sydney. The service sees a team of specialist lenders taking to the road to meet clients directly at a time and place convenient to them.

Heritage’s mobile lending team can manage all home loan transactions from consultation through to settlement.

They can also assist with queries about business loans, or any other products and services offered by Heritage.

CEO Peter Lock said Heritage was proud to strengthen its “people first” approach via the new branches and additional face-to-face mobile lending services.

“We’re proud to be a customerowned bank known for providing outstanding value and service,” Mr Lock said.

“A big part of this is making sure we are out on the ground engaging with, and understanding, our customers and their needs. That’s why we see real value in investing in a physical presence to provide that personal connection.

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Heritage Bank Area Branch Manager Corey Warwick (centre) with Heritage Bank Mobile Lenders Ryan Ferguson (left) and Deepak Gyawali.

People more informed “People like the reassurance of being able to visit a branch or sit down face-to-face with an actual person to talk about their financial decisions, particular those that will have a significant impact on their lives.”

Mr Lock said Heritage was also expanding its operations to bring its personalised service to more business customers.

“While Heritage is primarily known for personal banking, we also offer a full suite of business banking products and services.

“Our experienced team of specialist mobile lenders can meet directly with business owners throughout Greater Western Sydney to discuss their particular needs.”

Aside from offering a diverse range of products and services, Mr Lock said Heritage’s genuine passion for helping people was a result of its customer-owned status.

“Following the findings of the banking Royal Commision, many people are placing a greater focus on becoming more informed on who they choose to bank with,” Mr Lock said.

“As a customer-owned bank, we're independent – owned by our customers, not shareholders.

Unlike the big banks, so we don’t have to make large profits to pay out dividends to investors.

“The profits we make stay within Heritage, and we use it for the benefit of our customers through the rates we offer and to fund the investment needed to keep improving our products and services.

“We exist solely to deliver great value to our customers and put their needs first.”

CONTACT: Castle Hill: 02 8862 7310, Parramatta: 02 8862 7320, www.heritage.com.au/business WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

Heritage Bank Parramatta team.

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Committed to traditional service, values  IN THEIR OWN WORDS NITY Bank is a Member owned bank that offers a wide range of financial products and services to our Members and their families Australia wide.

Our organisation originally started in 1970 as Waterside Workers’ of Australia Credit Union when a group of dedicated people from the maritime industry got together and decided to form a mutual financial institution for the benefit of all maritime workers and their families. Become a MemberTalk to us Since then it has expanded and now includes members in the mining and power industries, their families and the local communities.

Today, thanks to the loyalty and support from our members, we have grown into a strong and healthy financial institution that has remained member owned and focused.

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Banking with a difference We are a member owned organisation that focuses on delivering value to our Members.

We are different to the investor Big Four banks whose main interests are to generate profits so they can deliver dividends for shareholders.

Unity Bank is a member-owned financial institution that is focused on the people we serve.

There are no external shareholders to influence the course of our activities. This means that any surplus is returned to Members in the form of better interest rates, products and services.

We are supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) to maintain operational standards which ensures security of our member’s funds. APRA is the same body that supervises the major banks.

Unity Bank is governed by its Board of Directors who are elected by our Members.

Our Vision

Proudly Mutual

The lifelong financial prosperity, security and dignity of our Members.

Mutuality cuts to the heart of why we do business and how we do it, each day. It is a way of life for everyone here. We are proudly mutual and endeavour each day to serve our members better.

As an independent financial mutual organisation we are owned by all our members on equal footing, with the same right to vote at our AGM and an identical say in how we are run.

Our staff personally know our members, many of whom are from loyal families whose relationship with us has lasted for generations.

Our Mission Unity Bank is member owned. We are committed to our embers…workers, their families and the communities we serve. Our values are built on the principles of cooperation, mutuality and unity of purpose, carrying forward the vision of our Founders. We always stand by our Members.

We are proud of the history and what we have become, a modern ethical business and home loan specialist that offers competitive, yet easy to understand products across Australia.

What hasn't changed is our commitment to traditional service of the highest quality and our desire to give back to the communities we serve.

Contact Darren Hooper, general manager, 02 4350 5255. www.unitybank.com.au

– A N A DV E RTO R I A L F O R U N I T Y B A N K –

MAKE A CHANGE IN THE WAY

you bank

The bank with heart and the personal touch

T

here was a day when the bank manager was held in the same regard as the doctor.

But with growing incentives to put profit above all else, sadly they lost their way.

Today, thanks to the loyalty and support of our Members, we‘ve grown into a stronger and healthier member-owned financial institution.

Bottom line is, life needs a financial solution, but you don’t want a bank that acts like one.

We never lost our way.

Our name, Unity Bank, reflects where we come from, what we stand for and where we’re headed as we serve the community of Central Coast.

If you’re not already a Member of Unity Bank, we’d love for you to join us.

As a Member Owned bank, we offer a banking alternative to the big banks. No external shareholders, means any surplus is returned to Members as better interest rates, products and services.

Give Darren Hooper, our General Manager, a call on 02 4350 5255. www.unitybank.com.au

Home & Personal Loans Savings | Term Deposits Business Banking Business Loans Insurance | Banking Apps

Unity Bank Limited ABN 11 087 650 315 | AFSL / Australian Credit Licence 240399.

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WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

We’ve been helping Australian businesses realise their full potential since 1875.

Castle Hill and Parramatta branches now open to help with your: • Business Loans • Overdrafts and Line of Credit • Business Accounts and Term Deposits • Business Netbanking

Talk to your local branch or Mobile Lending Specialist today.

Castle Hill: 02 8862 7310 Parramatta: 02 8862 7320 heritage.com.au/business The information provided is intended as general information only and has been prepared ZLWKRXW WDNLQJ LQWR DFFRXQW \RXU REMHFWLYHV Ä?QDQFLDO VLWXDWLRQ RU QHHGV %HFDXVH RI WKLV you should, before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness having regards WR \RXU REMHFWLYHV Ä?QDQFLDO VLWXDWLRQ RU QHHGV 3OHDVH FRQVLGHU WKH UHOHYDQW 3URGXFW Disclosure Statement (available in-branch, or at www.heritage.com.au) before you decide whether a product is right for you. All loans and credit cards are subject to application and approval. Conditions, criteria and fees apply. Information correct at 2 February 2020 and subject to change without notice. Heritage Bank Limited. ABN 32 087 652 024. AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 240984.

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

21

2 bed 2 bath 1 car

2 bed 2 bath 1 car

3 bed 2 bath 2 car

Gosford 6/127 Georgiana Terrace

Gosford 75/6-16 Hargraves Street

Gosford 29/92 John Whiteway Drive

Situated in Broadwater Apartments Estimated rental return is $350 per week

SKYE Apartments – due for completion by end of 2019 Estimated rental return is $400 per week

Penthouse apartment in Quay North Estimated rental return is $450 per week

Sale $390,000 - $410,000

Sale $436,500

Sale $500,000 - $540,000

2 bed 2 bath 1 car

3 bed 3 bath 2 car

4 bed 2 bath 3 car

Gosford 443/80 John Whiteway Drive

Gosford 202/20 Kendall Street

West Gosford 20/13-15 Moore Street

Situated in Sanctuary Apartments Estimated rental return is $430 per week

Situated in VUE Apartments Estimated rental return is $420 per week

Penthouse apartment in The Atrium Estimated rental return is $650 per week

Sale $430,000 - $450,000

Sale $495,000 - $530,000

Sale $750,000

Gosford 18 Hargraves Street Crestview – due for completion in 2022 Estimated rental return is $390 - $500 per week Sale $415,000 - $600,000

2 bed 2 bath 1 car

Wyoming 87-89 Glennie Street Eight townhouses due for completion in mid-2021 Estimated rental return is $480 per week 2 bed 2 bath 1 car

Sale $575,000 - $620,000

Gosford 277-279 Mann Street Gosford Central – due for completion in mid-2020 Estimated rental return is $420 - $450 per week 3 bed 2 bath 2 car

Sale $495,000 - $535,000

For all enquiries please contact Richard Faulkner 22

P: 0414 960 479

E: richardf@gittoes.com.au

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

News

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS

FEBRUARY 2020 EDITION ` INSPIRATION & WELLBEING

in

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WOMEN BUSINESS

WORK - LIFE BALANCE 4 AMAZING WOMEN UP FOR AWARDS WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE Survey reveals what they really want

We’ve got Western Sydney covered

Read all editions online www.wsba.com.au

Western Sydney Business Access – the region’s only independent media covering business, progress, development and lifestyle.

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WOMEN News BUSINESS

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Managing a high-performance lifestyle by NATURAL MEANS

“

It is essential to get the basics of your diet and lifestyle in check first; without these basic building blocks energy and performance will only be short lived whether through caffeine or supplements.”

– Rachael Aldridge.

 RACHEL ALDRIDGE T might be February but a lot of us start the year at full speed – lots of projects either on the go or getting ready to kick off.

It can be hard to get back into the swing of things, we are either still in holiday mode or worked/celebrated too hard in the lead up to Christmas that we haven’t really had time to recover.

To keep our energy going we often add in an extra coffee or a sneaky energy drink. This might work for a few days or a week but what usually happens is we start adding in more and more things to keep our energy “going” that at the end of the day are going to have the opposite effect.

We increase caffeine, snack on sugary foods for a quick hit, skip lunch, drop off any exercise or relaxation and our sleep is horrible thanks to everything kicking in to stimulate us when it’s time to go to sleep at night.

Sound familiar? So can we keep performing at a high level and maintain optimal wellbeing at the same time?

Yes, you can! What foods you eat (and when) is important, what you drink, how you move, what you do for relaxation and nutrients all can play a role in you achieving this.

I

The right feel Fuelling your body with the RIGHT FOODS at the RIGHT TIME is essential for long lasting energy throughout the day.

Every single cell, organ and body system requires energy to carry out their roles. This energy ultimately comes from the foods we eat however, how long this energy lasts for and how it affects our cells and organs comes down to what type of food it is.

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The first meal of the day determines what your energy peaks and lows are and how often they occur.

Having a breakfast that is based on simple carbohydrates such as sugary cereals, bread or toast will cause an immediate high surge in blood sugar levels which then triggers insulin to be released.

This insulin draws the glucose sugars out of the blood and turns excess sugar into fat. This whole high and low in sugars also creates a high and low in energy lasting up to two hours and leaving you craving more carbs to trigger the whole cycle all over again.

Skipping breakfast has a similar effect on your body.

The best way to set yourself up for energy success is to start the day with a breakfast that is high in healthy fats and protein.

This not only provides a lot more nutrients than the processed foods that are high in carbohydrates but will also give you sustained energy without increasing the blood sugar and insulin levels. This also means that cravings for carbohydrate/sugary foods and hunger are reduced.

Hydrate your brain Around 50-80% of our bodies are made up of water. We need water for most bodily processes and unlike food where we can survive a few weeks without, being without water for just a few days can kill us.

When dehydrated, even if it is only mild, your blood pressure can drop, causing reduced blood flow throughout the body and less oxygen to the brain making you feel sleepier.

Dehydration can also affect your quality of sleep – both through the impact it has on your breathing (a similar affect to sleep apena) as well as the altering the production of melatonin – the hormone that promotes sleep.

A calm gut Gut health also plays a huge role. When we eat in a stressed state, both the physical and chemical functions of digestion aren’t occurring properly right from the start. You are effectively forcing food down through the digestive tract partly digested, can cause symptoms such as reflux and heartburn.

Doing this all the time means that your ability to get most of the good stuff from your food will be reduced, your tummy will be feeling sore or bloated and can ultimately lead to bigger gut issues such as IBS or leaky gut.

It also change your gut flora affecting serotonin production (your feel good hormone), the immune system, the skin and brain function.

The best way to support your gut and get the most from your food is to eat in a more relaxed state – so no more throwing down lunch quickly at your desk while you try to answer more emails!

Exercise your body and brain Exercise has a lot more going for it that just trying to shift some weight – regular movement (and it doesn't need to be high intensity) offers many benefits in supporting our mojo. These include increasing energy, supporting brain health and memory, lets you sleep better and improves mood.

The other type of exercise you need to be considering is strengthening your brain through meditation and mindfulness.

A survey into the stress and wellbeing of Australians revealed that just over 70% reported that current stress was having at least some impact on physical health, with almost 20% said that current stress was having a strong to very-strong impact on physical health.

Wow! Mindful-based practices productively impact mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. And it’s not "all in the mind" – MRIs have

shown a change in the grey matter of the brain of those that regularly meditate.

Meditation comes in all different forms – classes are excellent, there are some good books out there as well, but I encourage people to check out some of the great guided meditation apps out there like Calm and SmilingMind.

Supplement when needed Now whilst I don’t want you to run out and grab every supplement you see that says “stress support” or “energy booster” when we are pushing ourselves often our food isn’t enough to give us the right balance of all of nutrients all of the time.

This is where I see good quality nutrients and herbal medicine come into play to help give us the boost we may need for optimal health. Some key nutrients that may support this include magnesium, CoQ10, B vitamins, iron, vitamin C, high quality fish oils, and probiotics.

And herbal medicine can also be an excellent addition – Licorice, Siberian Ginseng, Withania, Magnolia, Rhodiola, Panax Ginseng and Cordyceps are some that I love and use often. Remember just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s right for you so please always get advice from a qualified naturopath.

At the end of the day you have many options to consider when it comes to natural ways to really support yourself to keep performing at a high level.

It is essential to get the basics of your diet and lifestyle in check first; without these basic building blocks energy and performance will only be short lived whether through caffeine or supplements!

Rachel Aldridge is a Naturopath at In Natures Hands. www.innatureshands.com.au www.facebook.com/innatureshands

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

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WOMEN News BUSINESS

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Four amazing women for NSW awards OUR outstanding Western Sydney are amongst the artists, academics, entrepreneurs, entertainers, scientists and social advocates who are the finalists for the 2020 NSW Women of the Year Awards.

They include Woman of the Year Finalists Professor Clara Chow and lawyer Amani Haydar.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor named and congratulated the 26 finalists who have

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been nominated across seven diverse categories.

The Premier’s Award for NSW Woman of the Year finalists are: artist, lawyer and writer Amani Haydar, cardiologist Professor Clara Chow and cancer researcher Professor Maria Kavallaris. he awards will be announced on March 5.

Western Sydney Business Access is proud to be able to profile four of our leading contenders:

LYNETTE BRIGHT

For 29 years she has been an innovator, developing countless resources and training manuals to better equip community drivers with information on the specific medical and cultural needs of their clients.

Lynette's professionalism and integrity are well known. In an industry where "change" is about the only constant factor, Lynette deals with today while always thinking about the future and how SWCT can adapt and thrive in new environments.

(Lifetime Achievement Award finalist) STARTING in 1982 with two vehicles and three volunteers, Lynette has grown South West Community Transport (SWCT) to a fleet of 32 vehicles, 62 paid staff and 65 amazing volunteers.

Under Lynette’s leadership the organisation now provides 400 to 600 trips every day.

SWCT has provided services to over 8,000 clients, 20 percent of whom speak a language other than English at home.

Lynette is passionate about advocating for community transport to ensure disadvantaged people can participate in their local communities.

CLARA CHOW (NSW Premier's Woman of the Year Award finalist) PROFESSOR of Medicine and cardiologist, Clara Chow is a pioneer in clinical practice and research. Clara is passionate about preventing poor outcomes from cardiovascular disease.

In 2015, she led the development of a new model of care in Australia that enables rapid cardiologist-led review of patients suspected to have cardiac disease. The model has been shown to reduce unnecessary hospital admission.

During the last five years, as Academic Director of the Westmead Applied Research Centre, Clara has attracted more than $130m in research funding.

In 2016, she won the Google Impact Challenge award, which supports innovative ideas with potential for global impact, to develop a text-message based education and support program for patients with coronary heart disease.

In 2019 she was awarded a further $1m to develop a customised digital program to continue her research in reducing the risk of heart disease – the biggest cause of death globally.

Clara is the first female president to be elected to the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand.

CHRISTINE STRACHAN (Lifetime Achievement Award finalist) TAKING the reins of the Burwood Information and Aid Centre over 40 years ago, Christine has grown this service from Meals on Wheels into the large charity Burwood Community Welfare Services.

In 1982 Christine met a woman who was terrified of seeing her husband when applying for an AVO. Christine accompanied her to court and sat with her as her support.

This was the beginning of the Women's Domestic Violence Advocacy Service.

Today this service, funded

by Legal Aid, employs 11

staff who attend court every Thursday, where they support approximately 100 domestic violence survivors each week.

Christine also developed a Specialist Migrant Placement Program, which advocates for female migrant professionals such as doctors, lawyers and engineers to have their qualifications accredited in Australia. Many of these women rebuilt their careers and went on to make valuable contributions to Australian society.

Under her tireless leadership Christine has developed numerous other multifaceted

services, staffed primarily by professionally trained volunteers, providing quality practical and emotional support to disadvantaged members of Sydney’s Inner West community.

AMANI HAYDAR (NSW Premier's Woman of the Year Award finalist) AMANI is an artist, lawyer and writer.

She lost her mum, Salwa Haydar, to domestic violence in March 2015. Amani’s father was convicted of murder in 2017.

Since the loss of her mother and her father's conviction, Amani has used her legal and creative skills to address violence against women. Amani was a finalist in the 2018 Archibald Prize for her self-portrait titled Insert ‘Headline Here’, which tells the story of three generations of women in her family.

In 2019 she received the Law Society of NSW Just Art Artists’ Choice Award and produced three exhibitions. Amani’s latest exhibition highlights the number of women who lost their lives to violence in 2019.

Amani believes lived experience is an important catalyst for change. She runs talks and workshops, drawing on personal experience depicted in her artworks to engage audiences and discuss the impact of violence on women’s lives.

Amani serves as an executive board member at Bankstown Women’s Health Centre on a volunteer basis. She advocates for legal reform on a variety of issues from homicide sentencing procedures, to paid parental leave for pregnant women affected by violence.

WSU announces architecture scholarship for women ESTERN Sydney University has announced the launch of a $60,000 Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation) scholarship for women, supported by Frasers Property Australia.

The award-winning property group will sponsor the scholarship, which is designed to encourage growth in female participation in architecture, underpinning Frasers Property’s commitment to diversity and gender equity and further opportunities for women in architecture.

“Frasers Property is proud to be the inaugural partner for this region-shaping Masters program,” said Lisa McCutchion, General Manager Innovation, Communication & Sustainability at Frasers Property Australia.

“We’re a company of passionate advocates for the environmental, commercial and social value of great architecture, so it makes sense for us to invest in the next generation of female architects right here in Western Sydney.”

Western Sydney University’s Master of Architecture, led by Professor Peter Poulet, is the only course of its kind in Western Sydney and offers students access to real-world learning opportunities, including Australia’s once-in-ageneration infrastructure projects, such as the Aerotropolis.

“Partnering with Frasers Property on this outstanding woman-targeted scholarship signals the beginning of a collaborative and fruitful relationship with an industry leader.

This opportunity will shape our future female western Sydney architects,” said Professor Kerry London, Dean, School of Built Environment, Western Sydney University.

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Western Sydney University’s School of Built Environment is home to the primary disciplines of architecture, construction management and industrial design and professional areas of project management, design management, quantity surveying, building surveying, fire safety and emerging areas such as construction informatics, architectural computing and urban design.

The Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation) scholarship is worth $30,000 per year, across the two-year Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation) course and available to full-time and part-time students who have completed undergraduate studies in architecture.

Applications are now open and close midnight March 20, 2020. For more information, please visit the Western Sydney University scholarships website.

About Western Sydney University Western Sydney University (WSU) prides itself on challenging the traditional notion of what a university should be. WSU put students at the heart of everything they do and the university is deeply embedded in the community and region it serves, which is Australia’s fastest growing economy and the focus of the nation’s largest infrastructure projects.

WSU has a network of sites across Greater Western Sydney and beyond – including 10 teaching campuses, many embedded in CBD locations. Celebrating our 30th anniversary in 2019, Western Sydney University has grown to more than 48,000 students, 3,000 staff, and a strong cohort – both locally and globally – of more than 190,000 alumni.

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

About Frasers Property Australia Frasers Property Australia Pty Limited is one of Australia's leading diversified property groups and is the Australian division of Frasers Property Limited. The company has over 90 years’ heritage in Australia with activities covering the development of residential land, housing and apartments, commercial, retail and industrial properties, investment property ownership and management, and property management.

Being part of a multi-national company opens up a world of opportunities for custom-

ers. Frasers Property Australia appreciates its customers and rewards their loyalty through Prosperity, a national customer care and loyalty program providing residential customers with generous purchase and referral rewards, plus benefits at Frasers Hospitality’s serviced hotel residences and boutiqe lifestyle hotels around the For more information about Frasers Property Australia, visit www.frasersproperty.com.au.

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WOMEN News BUSINESS

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What women want in 2020  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM OMEN have their own set of working priorities in 2020 and they could be the key to prosperity for businesses willing to accept them and build upon them.

These priorities include flexible working opportunities, diverse senior leadership teams, clear policies, company purpose beyond the dollars and leadership trumped networks.

They also include more social activities and, not surprisingly, free lunches.

The results came from the Leadership Institute’s study of more than 800 working women.

CEO of The Leadership Institute and creator of the annual Women In Leadership Summit Dana Lightbody said the results were predictable given her experience of women in the workplace.

“It’s really no surprise to me that flexible working opportunities came out as the number one issue facing women at work today,” Ms Lightbody said.

“As a single mother by choice of young twin toddlers, I know how difficult it is to find flexibility and balance in my work and home life - and I own the business!

“This year, 2020, has a lot of high expectations for us all, including me,” she said.

Ms Lightbody shared her top five tips to get what you want in 2020: 1. Reassess your priorities. Are you where you want to be? If not, how are you going to get there? Any goal needs a plan of action; 2. Don’t leave anyone wondering where you want to go - make your intentions and desires clear to everyone around you; 3. Ambition is not a dirty word;

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“

4. Flexibility is not career suicide – great companies recognise that work productivity rather than hours at a desk is what matters.

You can work from anywhere that’s the point of technology; 5. Education is not something that stops when you graduate, make professional development your 2020 goal.

The Leadership Institute has confirmed that the Women In Leadership Summit will return this year.

Keynote speakers confirmed to date include Former Group CEO and First Female CEO of a Big Four Bank, Westpac, Gail Kelly; CEO of Sportsgirl Colleen Callander; CEO, Australian Red Cross Judy Slayter and Founder of 42 Below Justine Troy.

Konnect Learning are the minds behind The Leadership Institute and the highly anticipated Women In

Ass a single mother A by choice of young twin toddlers, I know how difficult it is to find flexibility and balance in my work and home life - and I own the business.”

- Dana Lightbody.

Leadership Summit. Details: theleadershipinstitute.com.au

Hills Wellness Expo a collaboration in health

VIEW AND DOWNLOAD ALL EDITIONS ONLINE 24/7

SUNDAY 1ST MARCH 2020 9AM TO 4PM CASTLE HILL RSL

A FREE community event that connects over 40 health & wellness professionals of the Hills District to you.

www.wsba.com.au 26

For more information please head to: www.hillswellnessexpo.com.au

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

Stand alongside communities affected by bushfires The Salvation Army is on the ground in disaster zones.

Support bushfire evacuees and emergency personnel now and for as long as it takes to recover.

Donate online at salvationarmy.org.au/disasterappeal

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

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Western Sydney

BUSINESS PROFILE Passion that drives brand MURAZZO Blacktown master jeweller Michael Muratore tells how he almost gave up as a young apprentice but the made a career of it

“

We are breaking into the online market and getting the attention of buyers who prefer other ways of buying other than the conventional way of a shop window.”

– Michael Muratore.  ELIZABTH FRIAS UT of a neat workshop near Blacktown, Michael Muratore, 35, handcrafts elegant and classic jewellery that mark sentimental milestones in a customer’s life.

“This engagement ring with a 2-carat diamond in the centre takes me a week to make” said Mr Muratore, holding a dainty white gold piece for a bride-to-be.

“The process to make this ring involves rolling, filing, drilling holes and setting diamonds. Using these handmade techniques produces a quality that cannot be replicated in mass produced products”.

Next, he shows a groom’s wedding band.

“Feel the weight of this 18-carat gold ring. I made it solid because my pieces of jewellery are designed to last.

“I tell my clients the quality and integrity of my rings will be like your grandmother’s, lasting through a lifetime of memories and sitting on her hand 80 years later.”

Mr Muratore’s passion for making jewellery began at 15 after leaving High School. He enrolled into TAFE to study Jewellery Design and Manufacturing.

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Continued on page 29

Michael Muratore has worked hard to create his Murazzo brand.

We’ve got Western Sydney covered Western Sydney Business Access – the region’s only independent media covering business, progress, development and lifestyle.

PDF editions viewable online www.wsba.com.au • Video archives | Updated daily

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WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

News Business Profile

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Continued from page 28

However, he struggled to secure an apprenticeship to complete the practical component of his studies. He knocked on the door of every jewellery shop around Sydney CBD to seek an apprenticeship but was continuously turned down.

“It became very frustrating and I was ready to give up. I thought I’d look for something else because I couldn’t get into the industry, I want to be in.”

Lucky Break Luck came when his older brother working at Harvey Norman in Blacktown met Greg Hartnett, one of Sydney’s prestigious diamond setters who offered a spot at his workshop in Picton NSW. It was this lucky break that allowed Mr Muratore to complete his apprenticeship.

When he moved jobs, Mr Muratore received further training from another master jeweller, Paul Jacobs, a second-generation jewellery maker who learnt the craft from his artistic father. Both prominent mentors are actively working in the industry.

“I didn’t realise at the time I was learning from one of the best diamond setters in the country and some of the best masters of the craft. Greg was doing all the high-end settings for big stores in the city. Between Paul and his Dad, they had 90 years of experience and I’ve learnt from these men who are valued by the industry.”

With the experience from these previous workplaces, Mr Muratore was given the opportunity to be the workshop Manager for York Jewellers at Westfield Penrith.

This role further developed his knowledge and expertise in the industry, helping him gain the confidence to follow his lifelong dream of establishing his own Jewellery brand.

This was the beginning of Murazzo, the latest name in handmade jewellery in Australia.

With the support of his wife, Mr Muratore set up a workshop at the garage of their Blacktown home. He sold his handmade pieces online and met prospective clients in a rented office space in Parramatta.

“Buyers admired my designs on social media and I’d arrange to meet them in my office. They would show up and expect to see a jewellery store, not an office space. It was hard to make sales in a setting that wasn’t a traditional shopfront, but we had to make do in order to build the name and reputation from the ground up. It definitely wasn’t easy starting out on my own,” Mr Muratore said.

In 2018, after three years of being in business, Murazzo moved into a showroom and workshop space. The new location is in a modern building on Picrite Close in Pemulwuy, a suburb in Blacktown which was once part of Prospect. The Murazzo business has gone from strength to strength.

Michael Muratore proudly working his craft at his Western Sydney shiowroom. Images: Ian Barnes.

Heart of the Space The workshop is decked out with every tool you could imagine. With a range of traditional combined with the latest jewellery equipment, the workshop is the heart of the space. Mr Muratore takes great pride and excitement explaining the details of each tool and how they work.

The showroom showcases delicate, one of a kind pieces that come in pleasing colours – pink, blue, yellow and green – and a new series of styles are coming soon. He uses a range of raw materials sourced from Australian suppliers.

Mr Muratore said Australia produces some of the best gemstones such as opal, but global jewellers are also admiring the quality of Australian sapphires.

Another part of the space includes a consultation room to meet one on one with customers. Mr Muratore is excited and passionate about providing a high level of customer service.

“Every client is treated like they are part of the Murazzo family and I will go above and beyond to ensure their jewellery needs are met and they are satisfied every single time”.

Despite being one of the oldest trades, the jewellery industry is changing with many retailers setting up online shops. The industry consists of 650 outlets in the membership list of the Jewellers Association of Australia formed in 1931.

“We are breaking into the online market and getting the attention of buyers who prefer other ways of buying other than the conventional way of a shop window.”

Mr Muratore said jewellery is often bespoke to suit the style of the individual buyer, but the quality, integrity and standard of craftsmanship are trademarks he vows to keep for every customer that comes through his door.

For the past 21 years, Mr Muratore estimated he has handcrafted more than 15,000 pieces of jewellery personally ordered by customers.

“Craftmanship is very hard to find these days and I strive to do that. The quality of my jewellery can be passed on to many generations just like an heirloom.

“I feel blessed and lucky to be in the jewellery making business. I have worked hard to build my skills and expertise, which can often be hard to find. My vision is to share these with the future generations of jewellers in the hope to keep the handmade craft alive”.

Visit: www.murazzo.com.au

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

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WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

News Property Update

www.wsba.com.au

Residential slumps, commercial rises  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM ESIDENTIAL land values have slumped in Western Sydney in the past year, but the good news for business is the increase in commercial and industrial land values.

If you bought a factory or shops a year ago, its land value will have increased by 10% during the first 12 months. The bad news is, it means you will be probably paying more rates.

Acting NSW Valuer General Paul Chudleigh has published land values for Sydney West region. The land values reflect the property market at July 12019.

Mr Chudleigh said property sales were the most important factor considered by valuers when determining land values.

“It is important to note that land value is the value of the land only and does not include the value of a home or other structures.”

The movement of residential land values varied across the region, decreasing overall by 5.1%. The strongest decrease was experienced in Campbelltown (-8.4%). A slight decrease was experienced in Penrith (-4.2%) and Liverpool (-1.7%).

Overall, commercial land values increased strongly by 10%. Blacktown LGA experienced the strongest growth at 20.6% attributed to expanding residential population growth in the area during recent years.

Industrial land values in the region increased strongly by 10.6% overall. The Liverpool local government area experienced the strongest increase at 16.8%. Good access to the M5 and M7 motorway network, including good connections from the Moorebank Logistics Park to Port Botany were attributing factors.

The movement of rural land values varied across the region, recording a slight overall

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“

Overall, commercial land values increased strongly by 10%. Blacktown LGA experienced the strongest growth at 20.6% attributed to expanding residential population growth in the area during recent years.”

- Paul Chudleigh. increase of 3.4%. Most land values remained steady, however, strong increases were recorded in Fairfield (14.35%) and Liverpool (9%). Attributing influences were improved road networks, rail infrastructure to the South West Region and Western Sydney Airport, due for completion in 2026.

The land values have been prepared by private contract valuers with expertise in their

local areas working on behalf of the Valuer General, to determine new land values across the region.

Property NSW, part of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, has quality assured the land values for accuracy and consistency.

Mr Chudleigh said councils receive new land values for rating at least every three years

and all councils have been issued with the 2019 land values.

“Land values are one factor used by councils to calculate rates,” Mr Chudleigh said.

“Changes in land value don’t always mean a change in council rates. Each council develops a revenue policy to use when calculating rates to fund services for the community.

Councils make their draft policy available for public comment.”

Landholders will receive a Notice of Valuation showing their land value before it is used by council for rating. This gives landholders time to consider their land value.

Revenue NSW will use the 2019 land values to calculate land tax for the 2020 land tax year. Registered land tax clients will receive a land tax assessment from Revenue NSW from late January. The public can find more information on land tax at www.revenue.nsw.gov.au.

Mr Chudleigh encouraged the public to visit valuergeneral.nsw.gov.au or call Property NSW on 1800 110 038 if they want more information on land values and the valuation system.

“The latest land values for all properties in NSW are available on our website along with information on trends, medians and typical land values for each local government area,” he said.

Total land value for Sydney West region Property type Residential Commercial Industrial Rural Other

July 2018 July 2019 % change Property count $187,176,425,857 $177,547,298,214 -5.1% 361,488 $7,574,770,240 $8,331,768,580 + 10.0% 3,494 $17,583,059,400 $19,443,736,740 +10.6% 5,991 $16,014,381,850 $16,564,049,850 +3.4% 8,851 $6,025,538,473 $6,036,771,977 +0.2% 9,689

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WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

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With David Pring

Welcome to KPMG Family Business feature articles.

If you would like to discuss these articles or how KPMG can help with your business please feel free to contact me on 9455 9996 or davidpring@kpmg.com.au

Welcome Cyber Security Predictions for 2020

scoring services are immature and controls on third parties remain inconsistent or ineffective. There’s a need for a fundamental shift in the security model to one that takes account of the extended enterprise, which characterises business today.

 GORDON ARCHIBALD  KATHERINE ROBINS 019 saw significant increases in privacy breaches, alongside increased legislation impacting banking, financial services and critical infrastructure.

Operating models are changing with business now operating in an “outside-in architecture”.

As organisations continue to digitalise, they’re placing increased trust in third and fourth parties who support critical systems and data – and they need to have confidence in those parties.

The focus is now firmly on the customer, and offering them better service and better protection, particularly with the new paradigm of “everything-as-a-service” – where everything is offered in cloud-based, consumer-based models.

As such, cyber security continues to be top of mind for boards, with tightening regulations a key driver. Growing awareness of consumer data rights, the Privacy Act, and the new Prudential Standard CPS 234 for Information Security impose serious legal and ethical requirements on organisations, not to mention the risk of brand damage and financial loss from cyber-attacks.

Ransomware continues to be one of the fastest growing threats for Australian businesses and there will also be an increase in geopolitical and cyber warfare. The Internet of Things will also see an explosion of incidents in 2020. Continually identifying and patching vulnerabilities in billions of devices will be an immense task. Many organisations will struggle to identify just how many connected devices they have.

Clearly governments and businesses have no choice but to sit up and take notice. But what kind of action will this translate into and how will Australia be affected? We have five predictions for cyber security in Australia in 2020.

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1. Identity as the new firewall With everything moving to ‘as a service’ and less control on applications and network – identity, role based access and the use of UBA (user behaviour analytics) to detect anomalies is the new security frontier. Identity will be at the cornerstone of business strategy and growth agendas this year, converging HR, risk and cyber.

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5. Cyber insurance comes to the forefront

There will be renewed focus on traditional employee identity governance and management, privileged access management, and more importantly customer, student and citizen identity.

2. Protecting the data wherever it resides Data is the ‘currency in security’ and is the core focus of threat actors. Data is critical to business maintaining competitive edge through operational efficiencies and providing better products and services to customers. The volumes of data are increasing exponentially with AI and machine learning.

Along with this is a shift to ‘everything as code’ as organisations continue to digitise and operate with an ‘outside-in architecture’, essentially living on the web. This will lead to renewed focus on data governance and management. Organisations will look to place security on the data so that the data is protected wherever it resides, securely accessible only by people authorised to access it.

3. Need for Resilient Artificial Intelligence (AI) Artificial Intelligence and machine learning are transforming the world of business. But Australian organisations need a comprehen-

sive strategy to ensure intelligent automation does not expose them to financial, operational or reputational risk. Focus will be on how to govern the automation program and identify, monitor and mitigate risk to the business throughout the automation journey.

Cyber criminals are also using AI to manipulate security weaknesses. Traditional security and protection mechanisms may not be sufficient to deal with the next generation of attacks. Investing in cyber security will be part of the innovation budget, part of every digital adoption.

4. Business ecosystem remains a challenge The supplier and partner ecosystem, in which most Australian companies operate, is becoming more complex, more integrated, and more interdependent. The focus is on securing the business ecosystem, given the increased potential for a supplier or partner compromise to disrupt your business.

Customers and regulators can be unforgiving when that leads to a breach of customer data or a failure of your critical business services, even if the breach was not your fault or directly within your organisation.

A tick-box approach to embedding thirdparty assurance will become unworkable. Risk

Cyber security is going to be top of mind for boards. With digital transformation part of everyone’s strategy, cyber security must be treated as a business risk – which means defining a company’s appetite for cyber risk. Some advanced organisations are already looking at it as a risk and governance and defining key metrics for measuring and reporting deviance to cyber risk appetite.

Australian business and boards will increasingly look to the cyber insurance sector as cyber security moves up the value tree, and is no longer seen as “just a matter for the IT department”. The CISO (chief information security officer) will now report directly to the CRO, CFO or CEO, not the CIO, becoming a bridge between business owners and cyber security.

Adroit Market Research has tipped the cyber security insurance market to explode from around $4 billion in premiums globally in 2019 to more than $23 billion by 2025. We also anticipate insurers becoming more selective in just what and who they’re prepared to insure as cyber insurance comes of age.

Actively managing customer trust amidst constant and accelerating digital technological disruption will present Australian organisations with fresh challenges and new revenue opportunities. Trust has become central to customer experience, and businesses are increasingly demonstrating a commitment to trust through their cyber agenda.

But we will still need to focus on the basics. Whilst organisations are investing in cyber many will struggle with good cyber hygiene across their ecosystem, including patching, anti-virus, policy hardening, identity etc. Those failing to implement the Essential Eight of risk mitigations as recommended by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) will be easy targets for threat actors.

First published by Gordon Archibald, Partner, National Lead, Cyber Security Services KPMG Australia and Katherine Robins, Partner, Cyber Security Services KPMG Australia on KPMG Newsroom.

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

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I, (half) Robot: fiction becomes reality  JAMES MABBOTT N The Matrix, genius-level skills could be instantly uploaded into the brain – a fantasy for anyone wanting to become an instant ninja or rocket scientist. Now, science fiction is becoming a reality as a range of advanced technologies are starting to enhance human beings.

Augmented humans are one of the key trends identified in 20 Predictions for the Next 20 years, a new report by KPMG and Australian National University’s 3A Institute. It analyses today’s emerging trends to present a coherent vision of what tomorrow will look like.

Key technologies likely to contribute to human augmentation include:

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1. Paranoid Androids Twenty years on from The Matrix, Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) are already being trialled, with Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Minnesota creating the firstever successfully mind-controlled robotic arm.

BCIs will significantly transform how we communicate – both with other people and with technology. They will be capable of accurately interpreting, storing, actioning and sharing thoughts and emotions.

2. An army of Cybermen Exoskeletons will also become commonplace, with the exoskeleton market predicted to reach $5.8 billion (USD) in 2028 partly driven by military use. Exoskeletons are also assisting in rehabilitation, helping paraplegics to walk, but will eventually support people with their daily tasks. NASA, Boeing, Toyota and GM are among the organisations starting to deploy them. Eventually the technology will go beyond sensory and mobility aids to provide superhuman qualities and strengths.

3. Designer babies Meanwhile the body itself is set to get an upgrade. Gene editing, such as CRISPR, will be used to manipulate our DNA and modify our bodies to live longer and enjoy a superior

quality of life. Although still highly controversial, gene editing on human embryos has been performed in China with Russian scientists also considering the technique. While the initial aim is to eliminate genetic flaws, it could equally be used to change physical appearance and mental ability.

Ethical concerns: risks vs advantages Unsurprisingly, there’s concern around the notion of augmented humans. It’s true that the technology has great potential for abuse, but it could also enhance lives and solve global issues such as disease and famine. An enhanced version of the CRISPR tool, with the potential to correct almost all disease-causing DNA glitches, is already causing excitement among scientists.

Medical nanobots will also be able to extend the immune system leading to longer and healthier lives and helping prevent pandemics.

More productive and resourceful humans will be able to solve problems ranging from cli-

mate change and the lack of natural resources to how to eradicate the majority of diseases.

Game changing disruption for business, society Organisations will need to adapt to accommodate new ways of working and many industries will be profoundly disrupted.

For example, current superannuation and insurance business models will no longer be appropriate as people live longer and healthier lives – and as human biology becomes largely quantifiable and we are able to accurately predict health risks.

There are social issues too, as enhanced humans may be able to carry out the work of multiple regular humans. As with the robotics and automation revolution, the potential for job loss and mass unemployment is significant. Organisations may need to pay a tax on superhumans, like the proposed tax on robots, suggested by tech leaders such as Bill Gates.

Society will change too, as BCIs promote improved connection and understanding

between people through emotion sharing and greater empathy. Indeed, there will be a significant shift in the diversity of humanity as consumers exercise choice over augmentation.

Ultimately for every jurisdiction that regulates against augmented humans, whether by banning gene editing or imposing restrictive rules and taxes on enhanced workers, there will be nations that embrace its potential. The challenge is finding an ethical way to adopt these technologies, such that they result in a greater good to society, rather than harm.

We have already begun the journey to augment our biological capability, but the coming decades will reveal to what extent society will use technology to extend the human potential and evolve homo sapiens into homo superior, a species of augmented “super humans”.

To read more about KPMG’s 20 Predictions for the Next 20 Years, visit www.KPMG.com.au First published by James Mabbott, Partner, National Lead, KPMG Innovate, KPMG Australia on KPMG Newsroom.

4th Quarter Economic Update – January 2020  DR BRENDAN RYNNE HE decade may have changed but the picture for the global economy has not – we seem set for a prolonged period of slow growth.

It is true that as 2019 ended and 2020 started, some of the major uncertainties impacting the world economy in recent months and years appeared to be resolving themselves.

The General Election in the UK returned Boris Johnson’s Conservative Government with a handsome majority and a mandate to implement Brexit. It cannot be understated how the uncertainty associated with the UK’s decision to leave the European Union has impacted the British economy over the past three years latest monthly data suggests likely growth of just 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019; resulting in a tepid annualised GDP growth rate of 1.3 percent for the whole year and down slightly from 1.4 percent in 2018.

But despite welcome clarity emerging from the election there remains considerable ambiguity surrounding how the departure of the UK from the EU – now scheduled for the end of this month will practically impact residents, households, businesses and government on a day-to-day basis.

This year will be spent in negotiations between the UK and EU on the future trading relationship. It would be rash to expect 2020 to see any increase in the growth rate.

After two years of trade tensions between the US and China, a Phase 1 deal aimed at deescalating the long-running trade dispute was signed last week (16 January), which at least, is a start. But there is also a growing recognition that ‘bifurcation’ is occurring in global technology between China backed solutions

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and US backed solutions. This is set to be a key issue for the rest of the decade.

Encouragingly, in this era of increasing protectionism, the renegotiated US, Canada and Mexico free trade deal, which is replace NAFTA, also received approval in the US Congress. Staying in the Americas, a new Government under President Alberto Fernandez has been formed in Argentina with a policy framework of increasing state spending and targeting growth through stimulatory monetary and fiscal policy settings.

Despite these positive outcomes there remains a range of geopolitical and economic issues continuing to create tensions and pressure in various countries and regions, including the increasing divisions regarding the political and economic solutions for responding to climate change; general strikes in France regarding proposed pension reforms by the Macron government; and now escalating tensions in the Middle East between Iran and the US;

Closer to home Closer to home, in Asia, China and India are expected to experience slower growth rates than their average in recent years although Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore are all forecast to continued steady growth.

While the global growth figure for 2019 is not yet known, the ongoing impact of the US-China trade dispute, combined with challenges in various product markets, such car manufacturing, means global industrial production and world trade growth last year is likely to be lower than previously forecast.

This is even though interest rates across many advanced economies have continued at very low levels compared to historical averages.

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

Our forecast for global GDP growth for both 2019 and 2020 has been reduced to 3 percent, which represents the weakest rate of global GDP growth since the GFC. We expect global growth to strengthen a little in late 2020 and into 2021 on the back of a return to growth in emerging economies.

Our medium-term outlook remains one of overall moderate global growth based on a number of pervasive structural factors, including slower credit growth across advanced countries, So what of Australia?

Of course, the story this summer has been one of the worst natural disasters the country has experienced in decades. The raging fires that to date have destroyed nearly 2,000 houses and burnt more than 2 million hectares have come on top of, and caused to a large extent by, the worsening drought conditions that have affected much of rural Australia for the past few years.

It is too early to tell with any degree of accuracy the size of the impact these events will have on the national economy but it will clearly be negative, possibly in 2019 Q4 but very likely in 2020 Q1. Lower consumption and lower business activity may be countered by higher government spending, but the likelihood is the net effect of these two counterbalancing effects will still be negative.

Those impacts, combined with the loss of biological assets and a pause in investment activity as the nation seeks to bring these natural disasters under some level of control, suggests economic activity for Australia at the beginning of the new decade is highly likely to be lower than previously forecast.

Even before this terrible summer the Australian economy had been performing relatively poorly, compared with recent his-

tory. GDP data for 2019 Q3 was weak, recording a lift in annual growth from 1.6 percent to 1.7 percent. While this result still confirms RBA Governor Lowe’s assessment that the economy has reached a “gentle turning point” quarterly growth softened from 0.6 percent q/q in 2019 Q2 to 0.4 percent in 2019 Q3.

Notably domestic final demand remains extremely soft, with consumer spending virtually flat over the quarter as households sought to increase their savings rather than spending the rise they enjoyed in their household disposable income (due to tax cuts as opposed to wages growth). The collective effects of high household debt, low consumer confidence and a soft outlook for the labour market are understandably dampening private spending.

All these factors suggest the RBA will continue with its downwards trajectory for the cash rate early into the new year; most likely with another 25bp reduction in February and another one around the middle of the year.

This would then bring the cash rate into the 0.25 percent territory the RBA’s selfassessed ‘lower bound’ – which is the rate nominated for potential adoption of quantitative easing. KPMG remains sceptical that QE will be implemented by the RBA – we believe it is more likely that this unconventional policy action will be avoided by the thinnest of margins.

While the effect of the fires throws a caveat around any predictions, we will stay with our belief that, by the end of the year, Australian GDP will be growing by 2.3 percent compared to the current low point of 1.9 percent. Stay safe and take care of those around you.

To read the full report, visit www.KPMG.com.au First published by Dr Brendan Rynne, Partner, Chief Economist, KPMG Australia on KPMG Newsroom.

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WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

Cumberland Business

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Things to know about managing energy costs  DANNY THAI  ANGELA HAYNES IKE taxes, energy can be complicated and elicit feelings of disempowerment. Energy prices are a significant area of concern for Western Sydney industrial businesses.

Here we unlock information that is not readily known by those managing energy costs.

There is ‘noise’ in the energy industry: energy bills are complicated and difficult to understand, there are a myriad of solutions and providers, together with skepticism as to whether innovative solutions such as solar photovoltaic cells (Solar PV) deliver the intended savings.

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1. Price comparison services may be free but are they independent?

Energy bills are designed in a way that makes it very hard for businesses to compare energy options, especially for large energy users or if under commercial & industrial contracts.

We frequently hear from businesses that they do not have the expertise, time or resources to explore and compare options.

Enter the energy brokers who can do the ‘heavy lifting’ required to canvas the market, source a better deal and handle the paperwork of changing providers or renegotiating contracts.

The services are predominantly online, and the norm is for them to be free for business.

For instance, Canstar Blue generates its revenue in three ways: license fees from providers marketing their ‘Canstar Awards’; advertising on its website; and sponsorship and referral fees from product providers. https:// www.canstarblue.com.au. Australian Business Energy (ABE) performs a comparison and switching service and is backed by the not for profit, NSW Business Chamber.

ABE engages a subcontractor to deliver services on its behalf and the subcontractor receives introductory fees from energy retailers and then shares a portion of these with Australian Business Energy. https://australianbusinessenergy.com.au. So no, free does not necessarily mean independent.

2. Take the guess work out of reducing energy usage The low hanging fruit of reducing usage and improving energy efficiency can be impactful and yield tangible returns. This may begin with

behavioral change such as switching things off when not in use, upgrading to more efficient equipment (lights, fans, machinery etc) and using automation such as sensors and timers.

Innovation has improved accessibility and affordability of a range of solutions and energy companies have invested in efficiencies with numerous proofs of concept starting to be seen around effective use of emerging technologies.

Sources of advice: The Business Energy Advice Program (BEAP) is funded by the Department of Environment and Energy and aims to help small businesses (between 6 to 20 employees or fewer if adversely affected by drought) to understand their energy saving opportunities, choose the best plan for their business and receive tailored advice on energy efficiency opportunities best suited to their industry.

Step one is to receive a personalized energy consultation which in NSW is delivered by the NSW Business Chamber https://businessenergyadvice.com.au.

Larger businesses can look to engage an Energy Consultant who can work closely with the business to assess options for technology, energy strategy and operational improvement. There are a variety of consultants available as according to Energy Magazine, Energy is the largest consulting sub-market in Australia’s energy and resources sector and was valued at $US465.3m in 2017.

3. Get to know the NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) that financially incentivises business and households to invest in energy saving projects The ESS seeks to reduce energy consumption by creating ‘tradeable’ financial incentives called Energy Saving Certificates (ESC’s) earned by installing, improving or replacing energy savings equipment.

The ESC Lifecycle: 1. Households and businesses invest in better technology to reduce their energy use.

2. Energy savings certificates are generated through the reduction in energy use.

3. Liable parties such as electricity retailers buy energy savings certificates.

4. The value of energy savings certificates is returned to the businesses who generate them.

When businesses invest in reducing energy use, an Accredited Certificate Provider may be able to create energy savings certificates from each notional MWh of energy the investment saves.

Electricity retailers, who are mandatory scheme participants, then buy the energy savings certificates to meet their own legislated targets, as required by law. ESC’s are the 'currency' of the scheme, rather than it being a rebate scheme. https://www.ess.nsw.gov.au

4. Consider an Energy Saver Training courses – many are free!

The program and some courses are funded by the NSW Department of Environment and Heritage. https://energysaver.environment. nsw.gov.au. Here’s the course catalogue: • Business Case: Improve the successrate of your business case proposals for energy efficiency projects.

• Energy Management: Fundamentals and advanced energy management.

• Lighting: Learn how to upgrade your business’s lighting.

• Refrigeration - Identify opportunities to optimise the energy efficiency of commercial refrigeration systems (Free 15-minute online module.)

• Cogeneration - Assess the feasibility of a cogeneration system for your business.

• Voltage optimisation - Learn the basics of voltage optimisation and decide it it’s right for your site (Free 20-minute online module).

• Energy Saving Scheme - Save money by learning if your project is eligible for funding under the ESS and how to access it (Free 20-minute online module).

• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning - Maintaining and optimising your HVAC system.

• Battery storage: Learn about battery storage technology and whether it is right for your business.

• Energy management for facility managers - Innovation in energy management and activities to implement in your organisation.

• Danny Thai is the managing Director of Solar-e (solar-e.com.au) that works with businesses to help cut through the noise and simplify the process of sourcing cheaper energy, improving energy efficiency through solar PV and battery energy storage. Enquire about Solar-e’s free end to end solar PV solutions service. https://solar-e.com.au or 1300 461 905 Angela Haynes is President of the Cumberland Business Chamber and a Director in KPMG’s Deal Advisory team based in Greater Western Sydney. For enquiries about membership or sponsorship of the Chamber, feel free to email Angela at president@cbchamber.com.au or telephone: 0419 444 010

Contact Us

The Coronavirus Effect and supply chain risk for Australian manufacturers The Coronavirus Effect will test how dependent Australian manufacturers are on China's vast factory regions. Join us to hear how high performing manufacturers manage this risk by building resilience into their supply chains. Learn how to balance risks and costs with targeted approaches.

Enjoy the friendly debate - is the Coronavirus a black swan event?

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

Date:

Tuesday 24 March 2020

Time:

5:30pm – 7:30pm

4 Blackstone Street, Wetherill Park NSW 2164 PO Box 2116, Wetherill Park NSW 2164 (02) 9757 4794 or 0419444010 Email: president@cbchamber.com.au

Contact: 02 94318604 or mobile 0419 444 010.

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Travel

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Walking the way to go in Slovenia  DOT WHITTINGTON ND where exactly is Slovenia? My 60-something friend asked when I suggested she join me on a hike through this small central European nation.

While the experience-hungry hordes have been flocking to Croatia, its little northern neighbour is still largely untouched by tourists, although the call of its countryside is growing ever louder.

Europe’s Highway A1. And the walk?

“What better way to see a country,” I say to my friend, before whispering, “It’s about 100km.”

Fully organised by the UK tour company On Foot Holidays, all we have to do is pull on sturdy walking boots, shrug on a backpack, grip a pair of walking poles and we’re off.

Officially the walk is from the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, to Trieste in Italy, although local driver Gregor drops us off at our starting point in Landol, about 60km down the highway.

Armed with lots of innocent enthusiasm, comprehensive maps and blow-by-blow instructions as well as On Foot’s valuable “Blue Book” guide to everything, we set out into the wilds of Slovenia.

The first day is described as a 3½ hour easy to medium walk, although we somehow manage to turn 15km into five hours.

First stop is the magnificent Predjama Castle, the largest cave castle in the world that looks like to has dropped straight from a Harry Potter films. As it turns out, it was used in one film.

From there, it’s on through woods and meadows ablaze with wildflowers, a stop for lunch under an ancient elm in Strane, and on

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Walking the woodland wilds of Slovenia.

Predjama Castle, the largest cave castle in the world.

to the first night’s stop at a mountain-backed tourist farm in Hudivec.

walk through woodland and forest, across scree, and down rocky trails, all the while delivering spectacular views across the valley under the shadow of Nanos.

The last few kilometres, all downhill, are the hardest so it is sheer bliss to cross a pretty little bridge and enter the clean and postcardperfect town of Vipava.

Following the instructions provided, we soon arrive at the arched entry to a courtyard and the day’s reward.

Host Nevenka makes us welcome with a drop of her pear firewater and then, as we sit in her shady courtyard under a big old tree

I survived day one And what a joy it is to see it come into view. I’d survived day one.

Hosts Emilijan and Katya introduce us to the local soup, jota, a delicious mix of sauerkraut, garlic, beans, garlic and ham, followed by the biggest slab of meat I’ve ever seen served with vegetables, and then cream cake.

Next morning our hosts hand us a picnic lunch before we depart for a 16km trek across the lower slopes of Mt Nanos to Vipava.

Even though we decided against taking the high route, it proved to be a strenuous

Continued on page 37

Signpost on the trail under Mt Nanos.

Rydges has checked in to Norwest reservations_rydgesnorwest@evt.com 02 9634 9634 rydges.com

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WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

Travel

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Welcome view entering Vipava.

The hilltop village of Stanjel.

Magnificent views from the Ferrari Gardens.

Continued from page 36

Dinner is in Goce, a tiny village on the next hill where the Mesesnel family delivers a full degustation experience with wines from their own cellar. Despite being off the beaten track, it’s a winner. So far, visitors from 140 countries have been wined and dined in style.

And then it’s the final leg. As always there are shortening options for walkers, so with the heat bearing down as we trudge across the border into Opicina in Italy, we decide to take the recommended bus and cut the walk from 21km to 15km.

We celebrate with a spritz on the Trieste canal front and congratulate ourselves. For two non-walkers without any training or preparation we had succeeded.

Did I say a stroll? No, it was much tougher than that but if someone who had only walked a block to the shops in the months preceding can do it, anyone can.

The Karst Culture and Landscape walk is one of 32 inn-to-inn self-guided walks offered

by On Foot Holidays. This one was easy to medium but there are all ability levels available and a choice of 12 European countries.

dripping with figs, her son delivers a bottle of riesling from his boutique Wipach winery.

The region’s grapes and sweet water make it an excellent drop.

Next morning, breakfast is huge and the table open to pack lunch.

Before setting out on another 16km walk, mostly uphill to Stanjel, we wander around Vipava, which has 25 bridges, flowers blooming from every balcony and path, and streets so clean they appear to have been mopped that morning.

The route is meadows and woodland dotted with villages.

Stanjel, once called St Angel, is a walled hilltop village with quaint narrow streets. Host Marija directs us to the nearby Ferrari Garden, a peaceful place of terraced lawns, a pond, and panoramic views of forest-coated hillsides, mountains and vineyards.

The final leg Fortunately, the next day’s walk is an easier 11km to Tomaj and with picnic lunch on board, we head out across the wooded Karst to the home of the Teran wines, and local prosciutto and pancetta.

By now, the walking is easy – past vineyards, cherry trees loaded with fruit for snacking, and through meadows of wildflowers. It’s a cruise into Nassa Desella, the Tomaj accommodation where, as always, the luggage is waiting.

We will spend two nights here to take time out to see the famous Lipizzaner horses at Lipica, the town which gave them their name.

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

www.onfootholidays.co.uk Words and images: Dot Whittington

Meadows of wildflowers for the walker.

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Wellbeing

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Is the productive wellbeing of older workers all in the mind?

Meditation techniques can lift the health and fulfilment of mature-age employees

“

Mindfulness can help older workers who are having to navigate their way in dealing with younger workers and taking on new roles.”

- TAMMY ALLEN S people are staying healthy and living longer, many older workers, aged 55 and over, have been choosing to continue in employment well into their sixties, seventies and even into their eighties.

Since 2000, the number of men and particularly women remaining in work has been climbing steadily, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Despite this, evidence suggests that businesses aren’t good at supporting their older workers and could be doing a lot more to prevent premature exit from the workforce.

According to Deloitte, this is a missed opportunity. Its Global Human Capital Trends survey, which underlines the benefits to the economy of retaining the knowledge and skills of older workers, describes them as a “proven, committed and diverse set of workers”.

So, what can be done to boost the health and life satisfaction of mature-age employees?

Tammy Allen, a professor in the psychology department at the University of South Florida, and visiting scholar in UNSW Business School’s business of diversity program, has a suggestion. Her research has been focusing on the practice of mindfulness and meditation at work – specifically as it impacts on older people’s sense of their own wellbeing.

“We know workplaces can be a source of pain and psychological stress at times. Meditation and mindfulness have the potential to reduce stress and help to self-regulate emotions,” says Allen.

A

Clear some space

“

Competing demands The rapid pace of modern work and the multiple and competing demands made upon employees makes for a stressful cocktail that can affect workers at all levels and all ages.

Anxiety, lack of sleep and an inability to focus are some of the main symptoms that can be helped by practising calming techniques such as mindfulness meditation.

It’s why the study of mindfulness has grown in importance among organisational academics and also why companies such as Apple, Google and Nike now all promote meditation among their staff – with some even employing a mindfulness officer to lead training.

Allen’s previous research has focused on work and family balance and the role mindfulness can play in creating equilibrium between the two.

“People face competing demands being in a work domain but thinking about family and vice versa, and we explored whether mindfulness intervention could be a tool to help people manage that interface.”

Results suggested that it could. It led to a shift in research focus to the impact of mindfulness on an ageing workforce and how it might influence their subjective wellbeing.

Allen and her co-researchers analysed data based on a group of around 2500 in-work

When we talk of diversity, it’s often around sex and race with age diversity largely ignored”.

TAMMY ALLEN people with a median age of 51, evenly spread between men and women. Questions were posed about their physical and psychological health, life satisfaction and whether they already practised mindfulness and if so, to what extent.

Allen says they found that those people who practised mindfulness meditation reported improved vitality and better physical health. And the more frequently they did it, the more positive was the link between age and life satisfaction and psychological health.

This supports a growing body of research from leading institutions, such as Harvard in 2018, pointing to the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation on those suffering depression, chronic pain and anxiety.

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

“Mindfulness is really a way of exercising the brain and training people how to be in the moment rather than letting their mind ruminate about the past or the future. Too often people wind up going from A to B without realising how they got there,” says Allen.

The ubiquity of new technology particularly mobile technology creates distraction and makes that ability to be in the moment with people more difficult, she says.

Allen isn’t suggesting that everyone should be in the present 100% of the time but more “that you have an intention towards what it is that you are doing”.

Another important component to mindfulness is being non-judgmental, says Allen.

It is about being more compassionate with yourself and, if you get aggravated with a co-worker, recognising that feeling, labelling it and moving on from it,” says Allen.

Ideally, businesses will provide a quiet space where employees can practise mindfulness but for small and medium-size companies that’s not always possible. Allen says this isn’t strictly necessary and that people can find ways other than meditation to regulate their emotions and prepare throughout the day.

“It may be that each time a person washes their hands they choose that moment to touch base with themselves and come back to the present. Or walking into a room, people might give themselves cues to reconnect and make sure they clear some space and bring themselves back into the present moment.”

Large global corporations have looked at the science and have been won over. Steve Jobs at Apple was an early adopter, introducing 30-minute meditation breaks for staff. And when Salesforce opened its San Francisco office in 2016, meditation rooms were included on every floor.

For businesses such as these, mindfulness meditation isn’t just another employee perk, it’s something that impacts on their bottom line.

Equal opportunity tool Clearly, if older workers can stay in a better physical and mental health, they can function effectively in the workplace for longer, which is good on lots of levels. One of these is helping to make workplaces more diverse.

When we talk of diversity, it’s often around sex and race with age diversity largely ignored. But mindfulness can have relationship benefits, says Allen. “By helping older workers who are having to navigate their way in dealing with younger workers and taking on new roles”.

While Allen focused on the benefits to mature age workers, she says mindfulness is “an equal opportunity tool that appears to have benefits for a wide variety of individuals, helping reduce psychological strain, selfregulating emotions and simply making work a more enjoyable place to be”.

This article was first published at www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/

41

News

www.wsba.com.au

Making the Internet safer for children ids Helpline and Optus come together on Safer Internet Day to promote the positive power of digital technology and support children to stay safe online.

Safer Internet Day celebrated globally on February 11, across 150 countries, aims to raise awareness around the importance of working together to create a better internet.

This event is led in Australia by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner to encourage parents and caregivers to “start the conversation� about online safety.

K

“

Programs like this are crucial for ensuring children learn about online safety from an early age and most importantly how to reach out for help from adults and services like Kids Helpline when they need it. We believe that early intervention and prevention is key.� – Tracy Adams.

“Safer Internet Day is a way of dealing with internet safety and is something parents, young people and the entire community need to commit to if we are to promote the positive use of technology in our communities, “said

yourtown Chief Executive Officer Tracy Adams.

Ms Adams said Optus Digital Thumbprint with Kids Helpline is a free program for Grades 1-6. It uses Optus technology to

bring qualified Kids Helpline Counsellors into primary school classrooms throughout Australia. It is a great example of this year’s theme Continued on page 43

Your future is awaiting you!

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COMMENCE YOUR STUDIES THIS SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!!!

Tel: 1300 885 508 Email: training@agradetraining.nsw.edu.au

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News

Continued from page 42

of working together – school/s, corporate, service provider and young people.

From January to December 2019 a total of 13,035 Prep to Grade 6 students from 166 schools across Australia have participated in 413 Digital Thumbprint sessions as a national early-intervention and education program.

“This year’s Safer Internet Day will see 18 interactive workshops booked through 13 primary schools to engage over 500 students in fun and interactive workshops facilitated by the Optus Digital Thumbprint with Kids Helpline program.

“The free in-school workshops focus on teaching young people to be safe, responsible and positive online.

“Students are taught how to have safe interactions online and how easily information can spread, enabling their understanding that the same rules of good behaviour and kindness that they are taught in the playground also apply online.

Feeling comfortable “Programs like this are crucial for ensuring children learn about online safety from an early age and most importantly how to reach out for help from adults and services like Kids Helpline when they need it. We believe that early intervention and prevention is key.

“This program aims to normalise helpseeking behaviour and assist children to feel comfortable about seeking support,” said Ms Adams.

Tracy Adams commented, “The internet can be an amazing resource. Used wisely, it can open up a world of information and learning, but as any parent knows, with these benefits come serious and real dangers such as exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and the anxiety that can arise from constantly being connected.”

“Our counsellor-led Optus Digital Thumbprint with Kids Helpline workshops consider big issues for children such as cyberbullying, sharing images, and consent online, in an age-appropriate way. The workshops also promote help-seeking behaviours should things go wrong,” Ms Adams stated.

“Helen Maisano, Director of Group Sustainability for Optus said she is thrilled Optus was able to provide ongoing support for Safer

www.wsba.com.au

Internet Day by bringing the Digital Thumbprint with Kids Helpline program to primary school aged students.

“As a leading provider of internet technology, Optus is passionate about what Safer Internet Day stands for. Our Digital Thumbprint program is aligned to what this day is all about, and has been designed to incorporate an interactive and original approach to educating students on key issues such as how to protect their identity and information online as well as how to build positive and respectful relationships.”

“It’s no secret that we live in an everincreasing digital world, meaning parents, caregivers and teachers all play a vital role in supporting young people to be safe, responsible and positive online. There are many free tools and resources available, including those part of the Optus Digital Thumbprint with Kids Helpline, which teaches students that they don’t have to be an expert at navigating the internet to practice safe habits,” said Ms Maisano.

Since its launch in 2013, Optus Digital Thumbprint with Kids Helpline has reached more than 45,000 students, with Kids Helpline counsellors connecting to primary school classes across Australia delivering sessions via video-conferencing technology. The sessions have been designed to teach students about cyber safety topics including: 1. Apps, Games and Social Media.

2. Cyberbullying.

3. Balancing life and technology.

4. Positive use of technology.

5. Respectful relationships online.

6. Staying safe online.

7. Your digital footprint.

Children and young people can contact Kids Helpline, a service of yourtown, any time and for any reason, via the phone or webchat.

Kids Helpline also works closely with the Office of the eSafety Commissioner to support children and young people who are experiencing online safety issues. Young people can report cyberbullying at www.esafety.gov.au Go to https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/ cyberbullying for more about how parents, carers and others can help.

To find out more see http://kidshelpline.com.au/ schools/sessions/cyberbullying

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS FEBRUARY 2020

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Online

www.wsba.com.au

Recognition for WooTube’s Eddie Woo USTRALIA’S favourite maths teacher, Eddie Woo, has been announced as The Hills Shire Council’s 2020 Australia Day Ambassador.

The father-of-three, who is renowned for making his classroom lessons available on his popular WooTube channel spoke to Australia Day audience at the Hills about what he loves most about being Australian.

Mr Woo said he was delighted to be the 2020 Australia Day Ambassador.

“My parents uprooted their entire lives and moved to Australia in the ‘70s so that my siblings and I could be born into this wonderful country - yet I know that, having lived here my entire life, I often take this ‘land abounding in nature’s gifts’ for granted,” Mr Woo said.

“I don’t want to forget how much there is to be thankful for - Australia Day is a reminder to stop and pay attention to the daily ‘gift’ of being able to call this country my home,” he added.

Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne said Mr Woo is an important influencer whose passion for education is not only ben-

A

efiting students and teachers around Australia, but also around the world.

“Mathematics is a crucial subject in the curriculum of primary and high school students and is also used in our everyday lives, and Mr Woo presents a refreshing approach to teaching this important subject,” Mayor Byrne said.

Mr Woo’s WooTube channel has over 700,000 subscribers worldwide on formulas and solutions within the subject of mathematics. What started as posting for a single student who was sick with cancer and missing school, has now evolved into the goal of destigmatising maths and making the universally dreaded subject fun.

As well as his online tutorial channel and teaching position at Cherrybrook Technology High School, Mr Woo is also the Leader of Mathematics Growth for the NSW Department of Education, the Education Ambassador for the University of Sydney and author of two books, including Woo’s Wonderful World of Maths. Mr Woo was also a TED Talk speaker in 2018 and was named Australia’s Local Hero in the 2018 Australian of the Year Awards.

Gifted teacher, Eddie Woo.

Govt shuts down 500 websites, creates one ORE than 500 NSW Government websites will face the chopping block and be consolidated into a single nsw.gov.au website, to save customers time and money.

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said at least two thirds of the existing 750 websites across Government were outdated and could be consolidated into a singleuse website.

“We are declaring war on unnecessary NSW Government websites in an effort to provide customers with a more user-friendly experience. The new one-stop shop website will save people time and provide taxpayers with value for money

M

by slashing tens of millions of dollars of costs over the next decade,” Mr Dominello said.

“People rightly expect a seamless digital experience when purchasing goods and services. It should be no different when dealing with Government.

“Rather than presiding over a wasteland of redundant websites, we need to be gathering real-time feedback from users and striving to continually refine and improve our digital assets.”

The Department of Customer Service is collaborating closely across government to help agencies get ready to retire little-used sites or merge information to nsw.gov.au which will become the centralised online home of NSW Government.

The nsw.gov.au online home will make it easier for customers to find information and advice on government services and activities and help them find answers to common questions such as school term dates.

A trial version of the refreshed nsw.gov.au website will go live at the end of the month, and will include information on drought relief, bushfire assistance, and births, deaths and marriages.

The website will be progressively upgraded and incorporate customer feedback. It will be closely modelled off the UK’s one-stop shop www.gov.uk website.

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W H AT THEY SA ID...

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“We will not just be looking at the brain and spine, but at the overall wellness of the patient. This will transform the way we look at and experience patient care and Blacktown will be the home to global excellence in providing world class health to all Australians.” – Dr Charlie Teo his proposed Brain and Spinal Institute at Blacktown.

“This will be transformative for the Hills and northwest Sydney.” – Michael O’Brien, MD, Queensland Investment Corporation, on the first $180 million stage of the expansion of Castle Towers shopping centre.

Australia when it comes to structural integrity.” – Nicholas Brown, MD, Icon, following a $31M restoration of the 36-storey apartment building, in Sydney Olympic Park.

“Sydney Olympic Park is a gathering place which plays host to more than 10 million people each year.” – Charles Moore, CEO, Sydney Olympic Perk Authority, in its annual report.

“We’ve started to develop a long term vision and masterplan for the centre to ensure it continues to meet the community’s needs for the next 40 years.” – Trevor Hill, centre manager, Macarthur Square.

“The focus now is to ensure that across Western Parklands City we leverage the airport investment to create a much stronger connectivity between the already established economic zones. I think of it as the golden triangle of Western Sydney – Penrith in the north, Campbelltown in the south, Liverpool in the east and right in the middle of that is now the Western Sydney Airport.”

– Stuart Ayers, Minister for Western Sydney, at Business Council of Australia and Western Sydney Business Chamber function.

“Liverpool is emerging as Sydney’s third CBD and our hardworking residents deserve recreational spaces that match their growing aspirations.” – Wendy Waller, Mayor of Liverpool, congratulating The Paper Mill Food for winning most Outstanding Integrated Development of 2019 at the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue’s Greater Western Sydney Project of the Year Awards.

“An undervalued driver for the Liverpool property market is the Georges River and connecting waterways.” – Eva Frketic, real estate agent, McGrath.

“We believe Opal Tower [in Sydney Olympic Park] is now the safest building in

“Had a Crown lease been issued, short, repetitive helicopter joy flights over the

nearby scenic areas would have followed, driving locals, tourists and conservationists to despair.” – Keith Muir, director of The Colong Foundation , following the government’s rejection of FlyBlue’s application.

“The Western Sydney Aerotropolis will be one of the most dynamic economic precincts in the world and it’s no surprise that the banking and finance industry wants to be part of getting Sydney’s third city off the ground.” – Stuart Ayers, Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney , at a briefing for international banking and financial institutions.

“While acknowledging that boosting desalination capacity is a sensible step at a time when dam levels are dropping at unprecedented rates, it’s equally critical to address water efficiency. Sydney Water boasts the world’s best recycling experts. As a city, we can walk and chew gum at the same time and Western Sydney needs us to multi-task on water.” – Western Sydney Dialogue Chairman Chris Brown.

“Penrith presented a unique opportunity for TOGA to contribute to one of NSW’s fastest-growing cities. With over 60,000 new residents expected in Penrith by 2031, we are proud to deliver on the demand for new housing in the area and build a highly sought-after community at Penway Place.” – Togo CEO, Fabrizio Perilli “At this stage, most of the workforce doesn’t work in the emerging field of artificial intelligence, but that doesn’t mean it won’t impact everyone. Artificial intelligence will require the entire workforce to learn new skills, whether it’s to keep up to date with an existing role or pursuing a new career as a result of automation.” – LinkedIn’s principal economist Mr Guy Berger.

Western Sydney’s best online viewing

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