Western Sydney Business Access - May 2022 by Access News Australia (ANA)

BUSINESS | LIFESTYLE MAY 2022 | EDITION 132 www.accessnews.com.au

HOME WORK?

Flexible hours a farce for many Aussie dads  DALLAS SHERINGHAM

F you are one of those dads who is stuck at work every day for hours on end when the family really needs you, then you are one of the 99% who are similarly tied down by work. And bosses don’t help, with 98% of organisations not setting targets to improve

men’s participation in flexible work. It seems workplace culture and masculine norms are keeping fathers from asking for flexible working hours, including paid parental leave and it is harming family life and careers according to an expert. More page 15.

Are you an entrepreneur? New study reveals the personality traits that determine success: 18

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MAY 2022 | EDITION 132 MA READ THE DIGITAL EDITION

Contractor selected for M12

Land the perfect job

90% of space committed Amazon’s new warehouse

Audi launches Q5 35

Parramatta’s new PHIVE

We’re all Zoomed out

Virgon’s adults-only cruises

Secure your AU name

Connect with us HOW to get ACCESS facebook.com/AccessNewsAustralia WSBA is available free at 280 youtube.com/AccessNewsAustralia strategic distribution points linkedin.com/company/3278807 and online at www.wsba.com.au twitter.com/AccessNewsAus See website for distribution locations. Western Sydney Business Access (WSBA) ACCESS NEWS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD ABN 39 600 436 799 Publisher/editor: Michael Walls WESTERN SYDNEY M: 0407 783 413. E: michael@wsba.com.au MEDIA ALLIANCE Associate Editor: Dallas Sherringham Journalists: Di Bartok. Account Managers: Julie Jackson: 0447 291 780 Contributors: Adam Simpson, Jacob Richardson, John Mellor. Printer: New Age Printing Design: Design2Pro, Words and Pixels. General enquiries: info@wsba.com.au Phone: 02 4572 2336 We pay respect to the Traditional Custodians and First Peoples of our region and acknowledge their continued connection to their country and culture. DISCLAIMER: The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights in respect of the copyright of their work. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form without the written consent of the publisher. No person or organisation should in any way act on the information and content of Western Sydney Business Access or www.wsba.com.au without first seeking professional advice. The publisher, contributors and agents accept no responsibility for any actions that may arise from the contents of this newspaper or website www.wsba.com.au. The opinions and views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Advertisements are published in accordance with WSBA terms and conditions published in the media kit downloadable at www.wsba.com.au. Advertisers agree to indemnify the publisher and his agents for any actions that may arise as a result of published advertisements or contributions. Advertisers agree to abide by the terms of trade outlined by the publisher.

Western Sydney health hub ready

Opening of the new health hub.

SCALATING demand has seen the Nepean Health Hub open its doors with over 90% of space committed As population growth — and with it the demand for healthcare — continues to escalate in Western Sydney, the Nepean community has welcomed the official opening of Cornerstone Healthcare Property Fund’s (CHP Fund) Nepean Health Hub, bringing a range of healthcare services to the region. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics*, Penrith City’s population grew to 219,173, an increase of 1.35 per cent in the 12 months to 30 June 2021 — in direct contrast to Greater Sydney’s population which declined by 0.10 per cent over the same period. Simon Heazlewood, a Director of the Manager of CHP Fund, said Penrith’s population would escalate by another 52.3 per cent in the next 15 years**, which made the Nepean Health Hub a welcome addition for the community. “We will see significant pressure on the local health system for many years to come — not only due to population growth but also due to the percentage of those aged over 65 increasing from 12 to 15 per cent over the next two decades,” said Mr Heazlewood. “We also anticipate that the Nepean Health Hub will see an influx of patients from the Blue Mountains LGA which will see 29 per cent of its population over the age of 65 by 2040, according to Health Projects International.” “We are therefore delighted to celebrate the opening of Nepean Health Hub as our vision to bring the local community convenient, integrated healthcare under one roof becomes a reality, while generating an additional 100 full-time healthcare jobs. “The $50M hub includes integrated GP centre Octa Medical, Castlereagh Imaging, a future pharmacy, pathology services, various medical specialists and The Fertility Centre, offering affordable IVF options close to

home for some of the one in six Australian couples who struggle to have babies.” Dr Rabia Shaikh, Clinical Director at The Fertility Centre (TFC) Nepean said her team is celebrating being able to bring accessible fertility care to support the people of Western Sydney. “Virtus Health is delighted to be able to offer a new fertility service in the Penrith area,” said Dr Shaikh. “The Fertility Centre, Nepean, will allow more people to become parents closer to home. We are excited to bring the latest IVF technology together with an established group of local specialists to provide the very highest level of fertility care in the heart of the Nepean Health Precinct.” The Fertility Centre, Nepean is part of the Virtus Health network and is the first lab in the Southern Hemisphere to be built using their OneLab methodology. OneLab was created after drawing on the collective experience of all Virtus Health’s IVF clinics and their global expertise of laboratory design and aims to deliver significant improvements in technology, safety and IVF science to help increase pregnancy success rates. The Nepean Health Hub is located adjacent to the Nepean Public and Private Hospitals transforming the healthcare experience for many local patients, as well as complementing the planned $1B investment into the hospital precinct.

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St Marys a key airport link T Marys will become the key link for the new Aerotropolis rail line into the main Sydney network when the Western Sydney Airport opens in 2026. This means the future of the multicultural city halfway between Blacktown and Penrith on the Great Western Line is looking very bright indeed. And it also means the time has come to draw up a detailed plan for the future of

St Marys, using input from the community and Penrith City Council. Penrith City Council is embarking on a strategic plan to guide the future of St Marys, Penrith’s second largest town centre. St Marys is undergoing major transformation coinciding with the delivery of the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport rail line connecting St Marys directly to the Western Sydney Airport from 2026.

Artist impression of Western Sydney Airport.

Contractor selected for M12 Fund sells its Smith St building IMIC Group company CPB Contractors, as part of a joint venture, has been selected by the NSW Government to deliver the western section of the M12 Motorway. The contract, funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments, will generate revenue of approximately $245M for CPB Contractors. The joint venture is made up of CPB Contractors and the Georgiou Group. The M12 Motorway will provide direct access to the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and connect the airport to Sydney’s motorway network. CIMIC Group Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Juan Santamaria said: “This is an exciting time for Western Sydney and CPB Contractors is applying its expertise on projects across the region. We are very pleased to have another opportunity to deliver an important part of the infrastructure required to support the new airport.” CPB Contractors Managing Director Jason Spears said: “CPB Contractors will ensure that this project creates opportunities for local suppliers and sub-contractors. Our teams are experienced in safely delivering major road projects in Sydney and will deliver this road according to

A Artist impression of ther M12.

schedule, ensuring it is available before the Western Sydney International Airport opens.” The M12 is an east-west motorway, running between the M7 Motorway at Cecil Hills and The Northern Road at Luddenham, and is being delivered in three sections. The western section package involves the construction of 6.1 kilometres of motorway including 11 bridges. Work will commence this year and is scheduled to be completed in late 2025.

USTRALIAN Unity’s $615M Diversified Property Fund has sold a further asset at a premium to book value in line with the portfolio’s re-positioning strategy. On April 26, the Fund exchanged binding contracts of sale for 20 Smith St, Parramatta, NSW, an eight-storey office building of 7,352 metres2 for $87.251 million, a premium of circa. 4.5% against its December 2021 book value. This follows the sale of an industrial property at 19 Corporate Avenue, Rowville, Victoria in December 2021 for $27.85M, at a 26% premium against the book value prior to the sale. Jonathon Senior, Fund Manager for the Australian Unity Diversified Property Fund said both sales demonstrate effective management

of the portfolio and are in line with the Fund’s stated re-positioning strategy to recycle capital into significant development projects at neighbourhood shopping centres in Blackburn, Victoria and Busselton, Western Australia. “The sale of 20 Smith St Parramatta increases the Fund’s weighted average lease expiry to 8.4 years from 7.5 years with sale proceeds ultimately being used to fund the two key development projects through to completion,” said Jonathon Senior, Fund Manager for the Australian Unity Diversified Property Fund. Investors will receive a special distribution following the disposal of 19 Corporate Avenue, Rowville and of 20 Smith St, Parramatta on June 30, 2022 which will be in addition to the Fund’s regular income distribution payment.

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How to land the perfect job

Become your own personal brand  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM F you are looking to land the perfect job or swap careers, you could look at becoming your own ‘brand’ according to the experts. That’s right, becoming the ‘Louis Vuitton’ or ‘Giovani Versace’ of you own career field could land you the perfect job. And launching an online presence was the quickest way to get your brand known, Deakin University Head of Talent, Development and Recruitment Services Faculty Jane Hahn said “Show your knowledge by creating a simple blog or website, using your full name in the URL if possible,” she said. “The site outlines your experience, links to your CV and lists contact information. “You can start publishing articles on a blog or through LinkedIn to position yourself as a thought leader in your field. “Use your social media accounts to showcase your professional passions. For example, a nutrition student might post images to Instagram of the dishes they create, while a journalism student can share blog posts and articles on Twitter and Facebook.”

Creative ways to stand out Ms Hahn said sometimes you needed to follow the precise requirements of a job application, but where it’s appropriate, consider creative ways to ensure you stand out for a job. “This might mean creating a custom application with wow-factor, or going the extra mile and producing a piece of work to showcase your skills.

“Take for example US-based graphic designer April Hansen who created custom chocolate bars that looked like Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign logos to send with her application or hand out during interviews. ‘Sometimes a well-crafted CV and cover letter is the most powerful statement you can make though. Do your research on the company and its culture. “It will help you to identify a suitable tone and approach. Get someone else to read your application and give you feedback before you send it to see if any improvements can be made.

Don’t forget to shake on it Finally, Ms Hahn said there were some simple tools to use in networking and interviews that could place you firmly at the front of a prospective employer’s mind. ‘‘Practice and perfect a strong handshake ensuring it’s not underwhelming or overpowering. When wrapping up conversations or meetings, exchanging business cards is a great way for people to remember you and makes it easier for them to contact you later,” she said.

“If you do get offered a job interview, ensure you prepare thoroughly and carefully consider how to present yourself. No matter how good your digital personal brand presence is, face-to-face skills and good old-fashioned manners are still essential in every career.” You can take the next step in boosting your personal brand with the free two week course available on FutureLearn, ‘Becoming Career Smart: How to Sell Yourself ’. Source: Deakin University

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Our Brand The Academy’s brand has become synonymous with quality - both in the standard of talented young athletes we deal with, and the quality of our program content. Western Sydney Academy of Sport graduates include numerous athletes who have competed at a national and international level: Jessica Fox OAM - triple Olympian (2012, 2016, 2021) and World Champion - Canoe/Kayak (Slalom); Taylah Tsitsikronis - Olympian (2021) - Softball Rachel Lack - Olympian (2021) - Softball Paige Hadley - Australian Diamonds Netball Squad and Captain of the NSW Swifts; Kim Ravaillion - Australian Diamonds Netball Squad; Amanda Spratt - Olympian (2012, 2021) - Cycling; Ian Borrows - Olympian (2016) - Canoe Slalom. Regional Academies of Sport across NSW contribute significantly to both the economic and social value of local communities. Western Sydney Academy of Sport currently contributes to the regional economy through: Supporting over 200 sub elite athletes across a range of 11 sport programs; Facilitating over 4,150 volunteer hours which equates to 16 full time jobs; Creation of $4.9m in economic & social value for the region.

About Us The Western Sydney Academy of Sport is a non-profit community based sporting organisation that assists western Sydney’s talented young athletes achieve their sporting goals, through the provision of quality development programs. Academy programs provide localised training and development opportunities not only for the young athletes of the region, but also for coaches and administrators. The Academy’s programs have established benchmark standards and value in the officially recognised development pathway for athletes in sport. The Academy collaborates with State Sporting Organisations, the NSW Institute of Sport, professional sporting clubs and local Associations to ensure our programs are fully endorsed and provide an integrated step in the pathway for talented athlete development. The Academy’s holistic programs provide not only on field development opportunities, they also focus on educational and personal development of the athlete. Aside from laying the foundations for athletes to become better within their sport, foundations are also laid for the athletes to become better citizens within their communities. The Academy receives funding from the NSW Government, but is not purely a government funded organisation. The Academy relies on the support of its major business partners, community partners and the partners aligned with each of the sport programs to continue to further develop and ensure the best possible service is provided to each and every young athlete, coach, official and administrator who progress through the organisation.

Penrith Stadium, 143 Station Street, Penrith NSW @WesternSydneyAcademyOfSport

Partner With Us The Academy strives to align with strong business partners and supporters who share the same common vision and core values. We are in a fortunate position to receive support from a number of partners who provide generous contributions toward the overall operations and success of the Academy. Each of our individual sport programs are supported by their own unique group of partners, who have a keen interest and involvement in that particular sport. Our growing list of official suppliers ensure that we can continually offer the best possible products and services to our athletes, coaches, officials and administrators with preferred pricing and discounted purchases. Without our highly valued major business partners, sport program partners, official venues and suppliers, we would not be able to continue to deliver our services to the talented young athletes of Western Sydney. The Academy offers a wide range of opportunities for all levels of partnership. All partnership opportunities have a genuine community focus and allow your business to be aligned with a business committed to making a difference to the young athletes of western Sydney. Just like your business, we appreciate that your objectives are unique. We can tailor any of the following partnerships to meet your specific requirements.

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Parramatta’s signature building

PHIVE, a symbol of transformation YDNEY has the Opera House, Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York has the Empire State Building, and soon Parramatta will have Phive. With its vibrant red and orange roof now installed, the iconic new – and instantly recognisable – community, cultural and civic building in the heart of Parramatta’s CBD is rapidly taking shape and nearing completion. Designed by a team led by internationally acclaimed and award-winning French architect Manuelle Gautraud, Phive (5 Parramatta Square) is Gautrand’s first Australian commission. The $136M community facility joins her prestigious international designs including Citroën’s Flagship Showroom on the Champs-Elysées in Paris and Louis Vuitton Maison in Seoul, South Korea. “Phive is the centrepiece of Parramatta Square’s $2.7B transformation – a landmark addition placing Parramatta on the world stage,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Donna Davis said. “It will be a state-of-the-art community and cultural centre for everyone to come together, chat, learn and be inspired. “We were delighted to welcome Ms Gautrand to Parramatta earlier this month as our vision for Phive becomes reality. In a few short months, it will be unveiled as the pièce de résistance for our City and will represent and serve our vibrant and growing community.” As part of its cutting-edge design, Phive boasts a unique smart mixed-mode ventilation system that allows its giant louvres to respond to weather conditions, includ-

Parramatta’s PHIVE building.

Parramatrta Lord Mayor, Donna Davis with the PHIVE in the background.

ing heat, wind and humidity. The louvres automatically open and fill the building with fresh air and natural light as needed. Phive was designed by a team comprising Ms Gautrand’s French firm and Australian firms DesignInc and Lacoste+Stevenson, represented by Richard Does and Thierry Lacoste. The design won an international Design Excellence competition in 2016. Ms Gautrand is internationally renowned for her exceptional designs and was the winner of the acclaimed 2017 European Prize for Architecture. Constructed by Australian group Built, the building extends over the original, heritage-listed Parramatta Town Hall, creating a modern interface with Parramatta’s rich history. The building’s suite of smart tech features includes an automated library

book-sorting machine, self-checkout kiosks and self-return library shelves alongside smart furniture with in-built power and data charging points for visitors. More than 549 unique tessellated façade panels in five vibrant colours across the roof, along with a programmable digital lighting system, create a unique and striking building. Phive will feature: • A world-class public library at the forefront of technology, offering an extensive book collection, digital resources, 24/7 book return facility and dedicated study areas; • Discovery Space and cultural heritage displays, and an Aboriginal Keeping Place for the storage and care of local Indigenous cultural objects;

• Heritage research services providing community access to Council’s cultural collection, archives and cultural heritage programs; • Ground-floor foyer (the ‘Urban Living Room’) with concierge, visitor information, Council customer services and a cafe, as well as spaces for live performances and cultural activities; • Community collaboration and creative spaces where the public can create, experiment, study, work, meet, exercise, play, and engage with purpose-built maker and wellness spaces; • New state-of-the-art City of Parramatta Council Chambers. Phive is scheduled to open in mid2022.

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WSROC President, Clr Barry Calvert.

Typical Australian house.

Our first heat resilience rating tool HE Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), in collaboration with the Greater Sydney Commission and Resilient Sydney, have launched Australia’s first rating tool for heat resilient urban development – Cool Suburbs. WSROC President, Clr Barry Calvert, said: “Time and time again, heat has been identified as Sydney’s number one natural hazard risk with major impacts for public health, essential infrastructure, economy, and the environment. “With projections for longer, hotter, more frequent extreme weather, it is critical we design our cities to keep residents comfortable and safe – however guidance on how to do this well has been limited. “The Cool Suburbs Tool is the first

comprehensive place-based rating system to assess the heat resilience delivered by urban designs at various development scales – from lot to community masterplan. “Developed in partnership with a panel of leading scientists, Cool Suburbs translates what we know about heat, climate and the built environment, into a practical tool to guide on-ground decision making,” said Clr Calvert. Project partner and Resilient Sydney’s Chief Resilience Officer, Beck Dawson, said: “This is the first time we’ve had a practical tool that we can use as a city to help us build in a way that cools rather than cooks our communities”. Cool Suburbs outlines measures to maximise urban cooling including orientation, airflow, permeability, shading, open

space, and water; and provides clear design guidance for how each measure can be achieved. The tool also outlines further measures to support community heat resilience including provision of drinking water, backup power for community hubs, and community information and signage. Greater Sydney Commission’s Environment Commissioner, Meg McDonald, said “Developing heat resilient cities would positively impact people’s lives and improve liveability across the region. Developments are awarded credits for the measures they implement, culminating in a Cool Suburbs score that represents how well they have delivered heat-resilient design. Clr Calvert said: “The Cool Suburbs

Tool can be used for all scales and types of development. Different credits are switched on or off depending on whether you are building a residential home, building on an industrial site, or if you are developing a master planned community. “This first iteration of Cool Suburbs is a prototype applicable to Western Sydney only. The Tool has been piloted with several government and industry partners, and over the coming 12 months we will be road testing the Tool across a far greater range of development types and are calling for collaborators to get involved. Ultimately, we aim for Cool Suburbs to become a national rating tool for heat resilience.” The Cool Suburbs Tool is free to use under licence www.coolsuburbs.com.au.

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Office is the place for creativity, says study

Because we’re all zoomed out... ing the broad, expansive process of idea generation. The face-to-face pairs produced more ideas and more creative ideas, compared to the virtual pairs At the beginning of the idea generation task, ideas generated by in-person and virtual pairs were similarly connected to past ideas generated by each pair.

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM OUNCING ideas off each in an office environment is more creative than working from home on Zoom according to a new study. While many employees argue that working from home is more productive, when comes to brainstorming, the office environment is better. The study by Columbia University found that working from home via Zoom was bad for brainstorming and leads to fewer creative ideas than in-person meetings. Researchers put 1500 people into pairs over either a video call or in-person. Face to face meetings. They found face-to-face pairs produced more creative ideas than the virtual pairs. However, video call pairs were no less effective at selecting the best idea. It is claimed the findings could help inform and refine the design of remote work policies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of employees were required to work from home and collaborate virtually using

Forward flow of ideas

videoconferencing technologies such as Zoom. The study suggests this shift away from in-person interactions could also have a negative effect on people’s employees creative contributions. However, when selecting which idea to pursue, video call pairs were no less effective. The authors of the study suggest that video calls focus communication on a screen, narrowing people’s focus and hinder-

However, by the 11th idea, the ideas generated by in-person pairs began to exhibit significantly more forward flow compared to those of virtual pairs To investigate how using video calls may affect the generation of collaborative ideas, the researchers recruited 490 people across five national sites of a telecom infrastructure company. The participants were randomly paired, either face-to-face or via video call and asked to create product ideas for an hour, before choosing one to submit as a future product innovation for the company.

Nominations open for export awards

OMINATIONS are now open for the 2022 Premier’s NSW Export Awards recognising outstanding success and resilience of exporters across NSW. Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said NSW exporters have played a fundamental role in supporting the NSW economy over

the past 12 months. Winners of the national award categories will automatically progress as national finalists to the Australian Export Awards. Nominations will close June 10, 2022. For more information or to nominate your business please visit the 2022 Premier’s NSW Export Awards website.

The engineers who worked on the task virtually generated an average of 7.43 in the hour, while those in in-person pairs generated an average of 8.58 ideas. This pattern was replicated at all five sites. “There are many important advantages to working from home (WFH) and virtual interaction more generally, such as access to a larger talent pool, less commute time and increased employee flexibility,” Professor Melanie Brucks, co-author of the paper, told media. “There are also many potential disadvantages to WFH, perhaps most importantly, less community. “This paper only documents a cognitive disadvantage of videoconferencing when it comes to idea generation and our findings are just one additional factor for employers to consider when determining the extent to which their office will be remote. “That being said, the future of work is hybrid and we should be strategic about which tasks we do when working in-person versus remotely. “‘Our findings suggest that you should consider specifically prioritising idea generation during in-person time.” NOTE: In the experiment, half of the pairs worked together in person and the other half worked together in separate, identical rooms using videoconferencing. The pairs in the virtual condition interacted with a real-time video of their partner’s face displayed on a 15-inch retina-display screen with no self-view. SOURCE: MailOnline

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Labor leader visits Blacktown SW Labor Leader Chris Minns MP visited the Australian Catholic University (ACU) Blacktown Campus with a delegation of shadow ministers and local parliamentarians to see the advanced technology driven facilities on offer for students and discuss future collaboration of ACU in the local community. Mr Minns welcomed ACU establishing a new campus in one of the fastest growing population centres in Australia. “ACU’s courses are directly relevant to the needs and aspirations of a growing region, offering the skills people need for the jobs of the future. Nursing, allied health, sports science, social work, teaching and businesses courses help equip the local workforce to meet local employment opportunities,” Mr Minns said. ACU Vice-Chancellor and President (VC) Professor Zlatko Skrbis proudly led a tour of the new nursing facilities as students learn important life-saving skills on realistic mannequins with real world scenarios. ACU VC Professor Zlatko Skrbis and NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns MP hosted a round-table ideas forum with business, community, and educational leaders. Mr Minns MP said: “The clear message from the forum is that Blacktown is not getting its fair share of investment and resources. Blacktown City is growing at rate equivalent to Mudgee every year and will pass Tasmania’s population by 2037. The NSW Government must provide the physical and social infrastructure to support another 200,000 expected to arrive in the next 20 years. “Roads, schools, housing, hospitals, sporting and community facilities as well

Hugh McDermott MP (Prospect); Stephen Bali MP (Blacktown); Chris Minns MP (NSW Labor Leader); ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis; Ryan Park MP (Shadow Minister for Health); and Edmond Atalla MP (Mt Druitt).

NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns MP with ACU nursing students in a simulated hospital situation.

as social services such as mental health, domestic violence, youth services need to match population growth. Blacktown needs a comprehensive plan to support its booming community and to address

collaboration through student placement, research and supporting services. “Together, we can provide wonderful opportunities for Blacktown City residents to strive to achieve their full potential.”

years of under resourcing,” Mr Minns said. ACU VC Prof. Skrbis said, “ACU is working with the community by providing cutting-edge courses and as well as

Car seat diversion drives forward

GROUND-breaking proof of concept aimed at keeping children safe in cars is helping to divert families away from fines and toward greater safety on NSW roads. The Car Seat Diversion proof of concept is a collaboration between NSW Police and Revenue NSW, trialled across Macarthur, Bankstown, Blacktown, Wagga Wagga

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and Dubbo Local Government Areas. Deputy Premier and MinisterG for Police Paul Toole said NSW-licensed drivers who have inadequately restrained children in their cars when pulled over by police are given the option of taking up a diversion to install the appropriate seating and avoid an initial fine.

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Flexible working hours are still a farce for Aussie dads  DALLAS SHERINGHAM F you are one of those dads who is stuck at work every day for hours on end when the family really needs you, then you are one of the 99% who are similarly tied down by work. And bosses don’t help, with 98% of organisations not setting targets to improve men’s participation in flexible work. It seems workplace culture and masculine norms are keeping fathers from asking for flexible working hours, including paid parental leave and it is harming family life and careers according to an expert. University of South Australia researcher Dr Ashlee Borgkvist has been researching exactly why dads don’t apply for their entitlements. Investigating barriers and facilitators for men to access and use flexible work arrangements, she found that many fathers felt pressure from their organisations not to use flexibility for family reasons, with this sentiment also echoed across society. In fact, Australia has one of the lowest rates of fathers taking paid parental leave with fewer than one in every hundred recipients being a man. Dr Borgkvist said the low uptake of formal flexible working arrangements by Australian fathers was primarily due to a perceived and quite often objective, lack of support from workplace managers and colleagues alike. “Workplace flexibility is typically accepted as an option for mothers, but when

Researcher, Dr Ashlee Borgkvist.

it comes to dads, flexibility is unlikely to be as readily accepted – and in some cases not even considered,” Dr Borgkvist said. “Workplace and societal norms play a big role in the lack of flexibility for dads, with many men feeling pressure to conform to stereotypical concepts of the male ‘breadwinner’ – they’re applauded for earning the dollars to support their family but frowned upon if they consider flexibility to do the same.

Dads need to prove their connectivity to their job “Concerningly, many new fathers feel they need to prove their commitment to the job by purposely avoiding flexibility, or in some instances, taking on more hours when they become a new father. They may also take on more hours because they are feeling financial pressures.” Dr Borgkvist said while Australia’s national Paid Parental Leave scheme was gen-

der neutral and so could be used by mums or dads, the stigma of asking for flexibility, along with the need for mothers to utilise the whole Paid Parental Leave period, was limiting it’s uptake by dads. “This can have a flow on effect where dads don’t feel like they should be using flexibility as their children grow either.” “Some fathers are trying to be more flexible – say, for example, by coming into work late after dropping the kids at school – but they’re also very aware of the need to visibly minimise their time away from paid work. “Of course, this can depend on the workplace, but even where workplaces have flexibility policies there is often an unspoken, or cultural, discouragement of dads taking time away from work for family reasons,” Dr Borgkvist said. “So, while the desire and need for flexible work hours is there, it’s being squashed by restrictive workplace cultures. As you can imagine, these ideas around flexible work also have impacts for how women who use flexibility are perceived within workplaces.”

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Seven councils benefit from funds boost

Investment unlocks home boom  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM EVEN booming Western Sydney Councils where investment in vital infrastructure will be ramped up with a major funding boost The NSW Government is increasing its investment in infrastructure to support the delivery of more than 30,000 new homes in areas of Western Sydney that are experiencing record growth. The seven councils in the latest round of major funding are Blacktown, The Hills, Hawkesbury, Penrith, Liverpool, Camden and Campbelltown. Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts announced 24 council-led projects had been selected for funding through the second round of the NSW Government’s Accelerated Infrastructure Fund (AIF). “We are supporting growing communities with a $139M investment to speed up the delivery of important local infrastructure plans, including upgrades to roads and drainage systems, expanding public spaces and creating new sports facilities,’ Mr Perrottet said. “This is about State Government working with local government to unlock land, build critical infrastructure and ultimately deliver thousands of homes across Western Sydney.”

Infrastructure construction a priority in Western Sydney.

Strong economic management “Our strong economic management means we can invest more in communities and build what matters. This is how we’re securing a brighter future for NSW families.” The proposals selected – worth more than half a billion dollars in total – are being delivered by the seven councils, following the expansion of the AIF to include the high-growth councils. Mr Roberts said combined, the projects would create up to 2200 construction jobs

as well as unlocking 570ha of employment land dedicated to creating more jobs closer to home. “We know people want to live in these areas and that’s why we’re focused on getting homes built, with the right infrastructure in place from the get-go. “In supporting councils to deliver these projects, we’re also giving industry greater certainty for investment into Western Sydney. It’s a win-win,” Mr Roberts said. He said construction was well underway

on the 14 projects from the first round of the AIF, with some projects nearing completion including the Balmoral Road Reserve in Bella Vista and the upgrade of Railway Terrace in Schofields. “It’s wonderful to see these projects progress and I look forward to that momentum continuing as we work to meet the growing demand for new homes in the west.” For further details and the complete list of projects visit the AIF webpage.

52 sets of traffic lights by-passed HE WestConnex which will shave 40 minutes between Parramatta and Sydney Airport by bypassing up to 52 sets of traffic lights is entering the final stages of construction. It will also ease the infamous traffic congestion on Parramatta Rd and other Western Sydney roads. In a major milestone, the new road surface has been laid on the WestConnex M4-M5 Link Tunnels paving the way for the completion of the 7.5km motorway. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the missing link between Haberfield and St Peters would slash travel times and provide more reliable journey times for motorists. “With the road paving, excavation and tunnel breakthroughs complete, the last of the Roadheaders have packed up and left the M4-M5 Link Tunnels site, allowing us to move into the final stages of construction before we open to traffic,” Mr Perrottet said. “This critical project will help transform Sydney’s road network helping more people get to where they need faster and take the pressure off our local roads with the new link having capacity for up to 100,000 vehicles a day.” Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the completion of the ‘missing link’ in the WestConnex would significantly reduce traffic and heavy

Construction of the WestConnex.

vehicles on congested local streets like Parramatta Rd. “WestConnex is one of the most significant road infrastructure projects in the country, and it’s already having an impact on the lives of Sydneysiders by improving connections across the city,” Mr Fletcher said. “More than 10,000 workers have been involved in the M4-M5 Link Tunnels so far, with around 40% of them from Western Sydney. “The Federal Government continues to work closely with the NSW Government to deliver city shaping infrastructure projects like WestConnex – the last stage of which will be completed next year. “What this will mean for the people of Sydney is less time spent in traffic and more

Cybersecurity for the defence of Australia EFENCE is inviting start-up companies to share their ideas with leaders in defence, academia, business and industry at the inaugural Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research (ADSTAR) Summit in Sydney and online from July 20-22 July. A unique opportunity exists for start-ups to participate and pitch

your ready-to-go innovation to Defence and summit delegates at the ‘Start-Up Alley’. ‘We want to hear from startups that have an idea or innovation that could enhance our defence force’s capabilities or help to keep our defence personnel safe,’ says Professor Tanya Monro, Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist Visit www.adstarsummit.com.au

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS MAY 2022

time with loved ones, and the ability to move around the city more easily for work, which has a positive economic and productivity impact.” Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the NSW Government was committed to transforming the way we move around Sydney. “Our motorways play a vital role in getting commuters where they need to be, with a quicker and more reliable journey,” Ms Ward said. “The M4-M5 Link Tunnels form a critical aspect of our transport planning, taking the pressure off local roads and helping commuters spend less time behind the wheel and more time with their loved ones.

“Now we are entering the next exciting stage, fitting out the tunnels and getting them ready for drivers, who will be able to experience the full benefits of WestConnex when the project is completed next year.” The countdown is now on to delivering the final piece of the 33km world-class motorway, with work also continuing on the Rozelle Interchange. Transurban Group Executive for WestConnex, Andrew Head, said the first stages of WestConnex were already reducing travel times and improving safety and liveability. The M4-M5 Link Tunnels remain on track to open in 2023. For details: https://www.westconnex.com.au/ roads-projects/m4-m5-link-tunnels

Support for women’s refuge OMEN and children escaping domestic and family violence will soon receive greater support, with expressions of interest opening next week for funding to set up and operate the first new model of women’s refuges in NSW. Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Vio-

lence Natalie Ward said the NSW Government’s $426M commitment over four years to establish new refuges is the single largest investment in the state’s history to address domestic abuse. Minister Ward will host a roundtable with domestic violence advocacy groups, specialist homelessness services and peak bodies to discuss the roll out.

PROPERTY SHOWCASE WESTERN SYDNEY

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Amazon opens robotics fulfilment centre

Largest warehouse ever built -COMMERCE giant Amazon has officially opened its first robotics fulfilment centre in western Sydney – the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and at 200,000 sqm the largest warehouse ever built in Australia. With a federal election announcement imminent, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was on hand to cut the ribbon alongside NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres. The Kemps Creek facility, located within Goodman Group’s Oakdale West Industrial Estate, will create more than 1,500 jobs. Floor space across the four-level building is equal to the land size of Taronga Zoo or 24 rugby league fields, and can house up to 20 million of the smaller items sold on Amazon.com.au including jewellery, books, electronics, pantry items and toys. It is Amazon’s second fulfilment in western Sydney, and sixth in Australia. Robotic drives move pods of inventory to employees, reducing the time and effort that would otherwise be required to stow items for sale or pick them for new customer orders. They also allow up to 40% more items to be stowed, allowing for increased product selection. “The opening of our first robotics fulfilment centre is a huge milestone for Amazon Australia, marking our continuous

growth and investment in this country,” said Craig Fuller, director of operations, Amazon Australia. Since launching down under in 2017, more than 11,000 Australian businesses are selling through Amazon, and have sold more than 25 million units across its Australian and international stores in the past year. Amazon last month announced it would open its first dedicated Australian sorting centre in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Craigieburn, which will be able to process 300,000 parcels every day. That 15,600 sqm centre will be built in the Amaroo Business Park, further extending Amazon’s relationship with Goodman. The ASX-listed industrial and logistics giant considers Amazon its biggest customer and has also delivered Amazon a fulfilment centre in Brisbane. The Craigieburn centre will be Amazon’s fifth facility in Melbourne, where the company made its Australian debut with a 24,000 sqm warehouse in Dandenong South. The pandemic has turbo-charged the growth of online shopping in Australia. Online sales accounted for 9.2% of all sales at the beginning of 2020, and now make up 14.7%, according to NAB. SOURCE: Australian Property Journal.

Prime Minister Scoltt Morrison visits the new facility.

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BUY NOW PAY LATER How Aussies are taking to the new plan: 2

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Why finding staff is the biggest concern: 5

Our favourite charities in two years of COVID: 10

POWERHOUSE Parramatta CEO Lisa Havilah is more interested in the flood of excitement over the controversial $920M project than any flood-waters that may lap at its riverside approach. After the recent devastating rains that saw Parramatta River break its banks between the ferry wharf and the site of the museum, Ms Havilah is adamant that the building and its exhibits will not be affected.

LINES

FULL STORY PAGE 10

Here’s how business traditions will change

RETAIL BOUNCES BACK -T HE ecommerce craze shows no signs of abating with a new generation of young entrepreneurs

swapping traditional jobs for selling everything Фf^ ÌÓ æ â î î±Ë æ ® þ Ì î® îÓó©® æî ÓÌ EÓÿ â î ±Å âæ ® þ â þ Å î® æÓÅóî±ÓÌæ Ì from pet food to high end clothing online. They â Óâ ¨Óâ w æî âÌ ^ą Ì ąФæ У â± Âæ Ì ËÓâî âФ æóßßÓâî Ë æóâ æ Ì ¨Óâ î® ±Ì óæîâą ÓóÌ are part of the revolution which has seen a large proâ î ±Å ±Ì óæîâąϻ óî î®±æ æ îÓâ ® æ ßâÓó Â î®±æ ą â Ì ąÓÌ Ϻ portion of Aussies continue to earn a living from home, relocate out of cities and take precautions to reduce ®±æîÓâą Ó¨ ÓóÌ ±Ì© Â ¨âÓË î® ® â æî Ó¨ î±Ë æϺ FULL STORY PAGE 5 their risk of viral infections. There will be some blurring between what we wear to bed or lounge around in at

TALE OF TWO POOLS SAS CHALLENGE A Parramatta Olympian THIS EDITION

INSIDE

S Special ttribute tto local b business w winners

AUTO: SsangYong's mid-life update: 30 BUSINESS: Retailers reveal solutions: 34 TRENDS: Is love passing you by?: 36

home de and what we wear out. The forecasts come from si in Davie Fogarty, Founder and CEO of Davie Group, the

fast-growing company behind brands The Oodie, Calming Blankets and Pupnaps. More page 20.

World class health care

New suburb named BradÀeld

Govy ofÀcially names high tech city at Aerotropolis: 6

Minister pushing for more women on Parramatta Council: 3

BEST GIFT SINCE THE OPERA HOUSE

BLURRED

Westmead Hospital’s new clinical tower oepns: 2

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ISSUE 9 | April 2021

Family business in COVID

How many leveraged patience capital during COVID: 12

How hope really works

Feature on the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal: 15

SALOVS: How hope really happens: 19

FTER a few hot summers rather than refurbish it. After a bit of for swimmers who æ óĖ îÿ Ì W ââ Ë îî ÓóÌ ±Å loved Parramatta and and the NSW Government on who w ÌîÿÓâî®þ±ÅÅ ßÓÓÅæ Ì æóđ â would pay for its replacement, an during their closures, relief is on the agreement was reached on funding way. Just a day apart, the refurbished for the state-of-the-art aquatic Wentworthville pool opened and centre. And in Wentworthville, a î® Ĝâæî æÓ ÿ æ îóâÌ ÓÌ î® concerted community campaign and ARRAMATTA’S four-time Olympian Melissa Wu has well and truly dived in the deep end as aParramatta contestant onAquatic the blockbuster SAS Show on Channelsaved 7 andthe 7plus. spectacular theAustralia Cumberland Council, And the Olympic diver won’t diminutive stand in her way While as she Centre. Both communities havebe letting her beloved poolsize with an upgrade. takeswithout on a hot field of sporting andthe celebrity contestants the top rating program. After been a pool since 2017, Parramattainresidents wait two years all, she won four Commonwealth Games goldfor medals wasthey full ofare determination Parramatta Memorial Pool demolished theirand pool, welcome toin an peek of the 2022 season of SASdive Australia, which started on February 21 on toall-new makesneak way for Bankwest Stadium to Wenty. Channel 7 and 7plus. More page 6. and the previous Holroyd Council FULL STORY PAGE 6 wanting to close the tired Wenty pool

faces her toughest test

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GAME TIME

MICHELLE ROWLAND

Inside the bank of mum and dad: 16

B Blacktown FC is ready to go: 31

How Afghan women typify our diversity: 18

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Youth Needs Our Support VITAL youth service in Blacktown is set to close after missing out on important State Government funding. The Blacktown Youth Support Association’s Youth HQ program helps young people at risk - those who have

been in trouble with the law or those who may be headed that way. But the service was told at the end of last year by the Department of Communities and Justice that they had missed out on funding, in favour of more “targeted” youth

programs. A letter from the Minister for Families and Communities Gareth Ward suggested that the BYSA seeks funding from other government departments such as education and sport. FULL STORY 10

WELCOME to the Blacktown NEWS

Grant owes his life to mate Echo W ELCOME to Blacktown's NEW LOCAL media The News will be distributed across 110 strategic disAs one of the state’s fastest growing cities, Blacktown voice, The Blacktown News (BN). tribution points in the LGA. has undergone a signiĜcant transformation. The Blacktown News is the much-anticipated It's population is set to rise from 400,000 to 540,000 Published in digital and print editions the Blacktown Hews has amedia great reason to be inseparable And we all know the healing newRANT newspaper and digital brand that residents by 2036. power of an animal, a News ođers maximum impact other. for targeted advertising covers Blacktown local news written by experi-Echo The Blacktown News is the printThe and digital media opportunities and reach to Blacktown's popula- never fromLGA hiswith best mate and savior, the Maltese powerdiverse that should be underestimated. heartenced journalists. resource that connects residents and visitors to the city’s tion. Terrier. You see, Echo saved heoffell warming story in late December when Grant was The Blacktown News is Blacktown's ONLY printedGrant’s life diverse community, its progress, business opportunities Withwhen a mission championing community and begins newspaper and is independently managed and lifestyle. business the BN is a proud media partner of theCOVID-19 into a diabetic owned comaand and when Grant wasissues, admitted diagnosed with and other underlying health locally by a management team that has been working in We value your feedback. Go to www.greaterblackGreater Blacktown Chamber of Commerce, the Blacktown to Blacktown each issuesFC.at the hospital.townnews.com.au More: page 6. Blacktown for almosthospital, 20 years. the pair were lost without to share your story. Local Business Awards and Blacktown

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Community Migrant Resource Centre (CMRC) is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation established in 1996. CMRC is a leader in the provision of specialised support services to newly arrived migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants. CMRC works within a community capacity building framework to encourage individuals and multicultural communities to identify and address their own issues. It works in collaborative partnerships with a great number of agencies to provide services which have both an immediate and long-term benefit for the community. CMRC employs multi-lingual staff who can assist with specialised settlement information and referral to services.

Services provided include: • Settlement services that assist new arrivals to build self-reliance and integrate into the local community • Youth support services • Employment and training that assists the target group to understand and access the Australian labour market programs • Social enterprise and career-based opportunities • Family support initiatives that address some of the social and cultural challenges for new entrants to Australia. • Business advice for small business operators from certain target groups • Multicultural support workers program providing language and cultural assistance to DCJ and Brighter Future service providers • Cultural competency training and consultancy services • Community engagement and urban activation programs

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BEST PERFORMERS ARE BUILDERS, NOT OPERATORS

Key finding of a study of ENTREPRENEUR SUCCESS  CHRIS GOLIS N interesting post called Here are the personality traits of the self-made millionaire recently appeared in my mailbox. The blog describes a German study that compared two groups of people: rich defined as having a net worth > 1 million euro and non-rich with a net worth < 800,000 euro. They also categorised participants as “self-made” if their wealth came primarily from self-employment or entrepreneurship; “inheritor” if their wealth came from gifts or inheritances; or “mixed” if they fell somewhere in the middle. All the groups were given a Five-Factor personality test, plus another test that measured your propensity for risk-taking. The self-made rich participants (by definition successful entrepreneurs) were more risk-tolerant, and were more open, extraverted and conscientious, but less neurotic. In my book “The Humm Handbook: Lifting Your Level of Emotional Intelligence” there is a chapter on leadership that defines and discusses the three necessary core emotional drives of the successful leader. For those familiar with the Humm, great leaders have high H, M and P drives. President Bill Clinton is a good example of such a personality. One innovation I introduced in my 23 years as a venture capitalist was to obtain a psychographic profile of our prospective entrepreneurs. Initially we were seeking mini-Bill Clintons. Unfortunately, over time we discovered that while these people are great at running large organisations, they were poor entrepreneurs. We had forgotten that critical piece of Australian advice: “A good builder of a mine is rarely a good operator of one”. On the other hand, when we looked at the profiles of entrepreneurs who had generated the best returns for our VC funds, we discovered that we were seeking the wrong people. Our best performers were builders rather than operators.

They saw building a business as an engineering project and were very task focussed. They wanted to build a business and then sell it. The process was all consuming and they spent a lot of time planning the next steps and closely monitoring the progress. They were extremely task orientated and focused on the technical details. They were into planning and compulsively reading everything they could about a project. Their passion ignited the rest of their team.

High hustler drive We had not picked this factor as being necessary; we were very wrong. Our successful entrepreneurs all had a high Engineer trait. The other common factor was a high Hustler drive. These people were shrewd with people and shrewd with money. They knew it was important to build a team of people in order to get the job done, not just an exercise in team building.

If there were individuals who had joined them at the start but had reached their level of competence, the successful entrepreneurs were able to either keep them in their former positions and temper their expectations or be ruthless enough to fire them. The other interesting discovery was that the successful entrepreneurs had a high level of numeracy. To be successful, entrepreneurs need to be good communicators and everyone we tested had a high verbal IQ. However, the successful entrepreneurs also had a high level of numeracy. Again, we thought we could compensate for the poor numerical IQ of what we thought were outstanding prospects by hiring a good CFO. We were wrong again. In nearly every case a business led by a CEO with a poor understanding of numbers performed below expectations. Unless the entrepreneur has an understanding of the numbers, he or she never has the intense understanding necessary

on how the business actually generates cash. The blog that started this post itself begins with the famous quote “Let me tell you about the very rich,” wrote F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Rich Boy. “They are different from you and me.” With regard to successful entrepreneurs, they certainly are. I still believe a model of temperament like the 7MTF is the secret to lifting your emotional intelligence. If you want to quickly lift your EQ consider doing my practical emotional intelligence courses. Do the basic 7MTF course for an investment of A$25 and 5 hours of your time and you will dramatically increase your EQ competency in days. This article was first published on LinkedIn on 23 April 2022. Chris Golis is a psychologist and an expert in emotional intelligence and success coaching. Visit: www. www. emotionalintelligencecourse.com

Welcome return to normal business  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM HE greatest crisis in the history of Western Sydney is over with the end of COVID isolation requirements officially signaling a return to normal life. The state’s peak business organisation Business NSW has welcomed the decision by the NSW Government to end the isolation requirements for COVID close contacts. Close contacts no longer have to isolate, so long as they comply with stringent guidelines, including undertaking a daily RAT before heading to work. “This is great news for the business community and I commend the Premier for his swift action,” Business NSW Chief Executive Daniel Hunter said. “I joined with my Victorian counterpart in calling for this to happen in the

two largest economies in the nation and both the Victorian and NSW Government have listened to the needs of business,” Mr Hunter said. “This has been a difficult time for many business owners who’ve had to close their doors or operate under reduced conditions because healthy staff have been at home in isolation. “It also made no sense that some industries were exempt from these rules – the unfairness was creating a two-tiered structure and that was damaging to business confidence and future planning. “Small businesses in particular, can plan future production with more confidence knowing that staff are more likely to be available for long periods of time with the relaxation of these rules. “Business fully appreciates the complexity of dealing with the pandemic and the conditions that had to be imposed to

keep the community safe, and the Government has done a stellar job in that regard,” Mr Hunter said. While the loss of life was by far the worst and most visible aspect of the COVID pandemic, the tragedy of lifelong family businesses being lost forever, was also a major aspect. Careers, were ended, fortunes and homes were lost and “shutting up shop for good” was a common theme heard around every suburb and city centre. Life now returns to normal for many, but for many others, life will never be quite the same.

About Business NSW Formerly the NSW Business Chamber, Business NSW is the peak policy and advocacy body which has been representing businesses in NSW since 1826.

Daniel Hunter. WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS MAY 2022

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Audi launches Q5 35 TDI variants theoretical range of over 1400km  MATT BROGAN UDI Australia has expanded its Q5 medium SUV range with the introduction of the ultra-efficient 35 TDI Limited Edition variant. Priced from $68,350 (plus on-road costs), the new entry point to the Q5 range offers a theoretical single-tank driving range of over 1400km. What’s more, Audi Australia says that (also newly introduced) Sport Limited Edition variants offer a significant price advantage when compared with their Sport siblings, with some items – such as the panoramic sunroof and phone box light – omitted due to restricted availability. The Sport Limited Edition variants do, however, receive a generous number of standard inclusions, such as 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels in a 10-Y-spoke design (35 TDI variants), privacy glass, as well as a colour LED interior ambient lighting package. The 21-inch Audi Sport 5-arm polygon design alloy wheels are available optionally from $1250. The Q5 35 TDI Limited Edition, which can be considered a “launch version”, is powered by a mild-hybrid variant of its 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine (120kW/370Nm) thqt drives the Audi’s front wheels via a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission. The new variant is said to dispatch the 0-100km/h dash in 9.0 seconds. Importantly, its fuel consumption is rated at just 4.8 litres per 100km on the combined ADR 81/02 cycle. Externally, the Q5 35 TDI Limited Edition features LED headlights, daytime running lights and taillights, as well as cornering and all-weather lights. Audi convenience key, electric tailgate with gesture control, heated side mirrors, heated washers, heated windscreen and aluminium-finish roof rails are also included.

Inside, the model benefits from leather-appointed upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats (with four-way lumbar support), leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel (with shift paddles and hands-on detection), tri-zone climate control, an auto-dimming frameless rear-view mirror, 40:20:40 split-fold rear seats and floor mats front and rear. On the infotainment front, the Q5 35 TDI is equipped with a 7.0-inch high-resolution instrument display, Audi’s 10.1-inch MMI navigation plus system with Audi

connect plus, Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto (wired) connectivity, digital radio reception (DAB+), an eight-speaker/100W audio system, and dual USB outlets front and rear. Like all Q5 variants, the 35 TDI features numerous standard safety and driver-assistance technologies, such as Audi pre sense city with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) including pedestrian detection, Audi pre sense rear and -basic, active land assist and lane change (blind spot) warning, exit warning, rear cross-traffic assist, cruise control with speed-limiter function, highbeam assist, Audi parking system plus with rear camera, hold assist, hill descent control, tyre-pressure sensors, Audi drive select and eight airbags. Like all Audi vehicles, the Q5 35 TDI

is backed by a five-year warranty. Five-year service plans are available for purchase at any time during the first 12 months of ownership and are priced from $3140. “The Q5 35 TDI offers a new entry point to our most popular SUV model, the iconic Audi Q5,” said Audi Australia general manager of marketing, Nick Reid. “With the introduction of this model and the curation of our two Sport Limited Edition models, we are ensuring that we are bringing the most attractive vehicles possible to the premium market at this time. “Beyond the current Limited Edition offer, we expect that the 35 TDI model will occupy a permanent position in the Q5 range.” The new Q5 35 TDI Limited Edition and Q5 Sport Limited Edition variants are available from Audi dealers now.

2022 Audi Q5 pricing*: 35 TDI Limited Edition (a) 40 TDI quattro S tronic (a) 45 TFSI quattro S tronic (a) 40 TDI Sport Limited Edition (a) 40 TDI quattro S tronic Sport (a) 45 TFSI Sport Limited Edition (a) 45 TFSI quattro S tronic Sport (a) 50 TDI quattro tiptronic S-line (a) SQ5 3.0 TDI quattro (a)

$68,350 (new variant) $72,700 $73,800 $77,600 (new variant) $78,700 $79,400 (new variant) $80,800 $94,900 $110,400

2022 Audi Q5 Sportback pricing*: 40 TDI quattro S line (a) 45 TFSI quattro S line (a) SQ5 3.0 TDI quattro (a) WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS MAY 2022

$82,800 $90,800 $116,400 *Pricing excludes on-road costs.

FILMS

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with Jacob Richardson

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – 3 Stars An underwhelming and largely unambitious take on the multiverse, that throws opts for jump scares and cameos rather than character development and fresh takes. TTENDING the wedding of his former flame Christine (Rachel McAdams), Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is wrenched into an inter-dimensional conflict when he has to save America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) from a being sent to steal her power. You see, Chavez can travel the multiverse at will, and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) wants that power for herself to travel to a universe in which her children are alive. While Strange, Wong (Benedict Wong) and others try and stop her in our universe, they are all no match for her witchcraft, ultimately leading to Chavez and Strange making a journey across universes to find a mystical book of power, encountering multiple Doctor Strange’s along the way, as well as a few surprises. Directed by Sam Raimi, Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness is a frustratingly unambitious and empty sequel to the most mind-bending hero in Marvel’s pantheon. Frustrating because the first Doctor Strange film was so inventive, exciting and visually spectacular. Here, we’re thrown straight into the action, with Chavez and a pony-tailed Strange in another universe fighting some crazy CGI monster, which is followed by (a) a wedding of a character the Strange in our minds has long outgrown and (b) yet another CGI hurl-fest on the streets of New York.

monic possessions and jump scares increasing as the piece goes forward. The issue is that everything in this movie, aside from one brief fight sequence, feels like a check box exercise. Scarlet Witch popping out from the darkness with overlayed Wilhelm scream? Check. Bad ass line delivered by McAdams with barely any explanation, build up or payoff ? Check. Endless on the nose dialogue that makes no sense but sounds good, like “We’re going to save America”? Check. By the end of the film, you just feel exhausted; exhausted by the endless exercise in bar-clearing that this film is. At some point, this formulaic approach to movie making has to be stopped. Sure, Raimi adds some of his scares, but because they are so shoehorned into this formula, they too feel cliche and formulaic. They should have used Chavez’s multiverse travelling powers to find a universe where this sequel was actually interesting, rather than a hodgepodge of done before, and done before better, ideas. Ultimately, this is a film that will have you leaving the cinema longing for a less disappointing Doctor Strange; one that isn’t quite so exhaustingly, frustratingly boring.

After a quick exposition dump, Strange is off to visit Wanda, who pretty much immediately reveals she is behind it all. Then rapidly to the himalayas, for more undefined magic battles, before we jet across the multiverse with our leading duo as they hunt for a solution. The first half to two-thirds of this movie are paint-by-numbers Marvel; just jumps between big CGI fight scenes with no excitement, involvement or agency. It’s the sort of montage-y filler that makes you detest the formulaic superhero film, and long for greater creativity. That said, the back half to one-third of the picture provide some highlights that are exciting, fresh and new. We get intro-

duced to the Illuminati, an Avengers-style peacekeeping force from another universe, that includes some exciting, crowd pleasing surprises. We get a brutal fight between the Illuminati and Scarlet Witch (albeit, one heavily reminiscent of one done better in the tv show Invincible). Most impressive is a mystical fight between two Strange’s, with weaponised music notes matching a harmonic battle in our eardrums. It’s the sort of inventive action the first Strange film introduced into the universe, and brings a welcome sense of relief–here is the creativity, mind-boggling action we expected! Raimi exerts his horror loving presence increasingly throughout the runtime of the film, with the number of scary creatures, de-

Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com

The Northman – 4 Stars A haunting, homoerotic Shakespearean tragedy couched in the Viking era, that is as bloody as it is weird, beautiful and engaging. HEN King Aurvandil (Ethan Hawke) is brutally murdered by his brother Fjolnir (Claes Bang) in a play for his kingdom, the young Prince Amleth (Oscar Novak as the young version, Alexander Skarsgard as the older) flees for his life. His mother Gudrun (Nicole Kidman) and usurper-uncle believe he is dead, and indeed he grows up letting them believe that; becoming a fearsome, mammoth warrior for another clan under an assumed identity. When he takes a village in the Birch Forest, however, a vision of a Seeress compels him to track down Fjolnir, and extract his revenge. Along for the ride is Olga (Anya Taylor-Joy), a young woman from the village whose allyship with Amleth eventually turns to love. Directed by Robert Eggers, of The Lighthouse fame, The Northman sees another truly unique vision realized, albeit now with added budgetary boons.

As a story, this closely mimics some of the plot threads of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, with a usurper uncle and an all-consuming desire for revenge from the wronged heir (indeed, Amleth sounds quite a bit like Hamlet when spoken in the film). However, there’s just enough difference to make this feel unique, and to throw you off the scent a little bit. Eggers vision is beautifully and wondrously weird at times, with gorgeous sequences showing off classic visual elements of Norse mythology. It can get odd, strange and confronting, and sequences where Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe bark rabidly at the younger Amleth, or where an old seer speaks through the skull of Dafoe’s court jester make you recoil almost as much as the most violent, bloody scenes in the film. Nevertheless, it’s this sense of out there visual identity, a sort of swing-for-the-fences mentality, that defines Eggers work, and

this film; no punches are pulled, and that’s a good thing. Skarsgard and Taylor-Joy are both endlessly watchable, with roles in this piece that give them a great deal of range to play with. Skarsgard’s hulking physique, and his switch between fearless warrior, rage-filled revengaholic, besotted man, and the mewling whimpering son of a spurning mother is effortless, and beautiful to behold. Taylor-Joy has less screen time, but makes an indelible impact, whether she is the conniving spy in Fjolnir’s

camp or the heartbroken mother-to-be on a ship to England. The supporting cast is uniformly strong, with Claes Bang making a particularly stoic, regal impression as Fjolnir. The Northman is the sort of swords and sandals epic we need for our time, and it’s interesting to reflect on the glut of quality historical content we’ve had access to of late. Between The Tragedy of Macbeth, The Green Knight and this film, one thing is clear; films of this ilk need space to breathe, need latitude to take mammoth creative leaps, need a clear tone, and most of all need to look breathtakingly beautiful and strange. The Northman is no different, and its’ gorgeous use of sets, both natural and manmade, is only one of the reasons you should seek this piece out. Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS MAY 2022

TRAVEL

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VIRGIN VOYAGES HEADS DOWN UNDER

With adults-only cruise format  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM IRGIN Voyages will bring its successful “adults only” cruise format to Australia in 2023. The new cruise line is aimed at today’s sophisticated passengers-or Sailors- who enjoy combining adventure, relaxation and action during the day with a great night life. Virgin Voyages is Richard Branson’s award-winning cruise line that hit the high seas in 2021 is now setting its sights on Australia and New Zealand, plans make its new home port in Melbourne in 2023. Resilient Lady, the newest ship in Virgin Voyages’ four-ship fleet will be inviting Aussie adults to experience the glamor and unmatched service and experience synonymous with the Virgin brand. Resilient Lady will make her way on a 44-night trans-continental voyage, giving Aussies the chance to sail the high seas from Athens to Sydney in style. After this epic journey home, the ship will arrive at Station Pier in Port Melbourne, Victoria. Fellow Australian and Virgin Voyages’ President and Chief Experience Officer Nirmal Saverimuttu said: “Australia and New Zealand are without question the most beautiful countries in the world and we know that these destinations, paired with the Virgin Voyages experience, will make it the most incredible holiday for our clients.” “The Virgin brand is known and adored by Australians and New Zealanders and we are committed to delivering a holiday experience you will love and memories that will last a lifetime.”

Exclusively Adult Voyages Exclusively adult, the voyages will take a ‘superyacht style’ that have been imagined by a creative collective of the world’s most renowned interior designers and travel to destinations across Australia including Hobart and Burnie, along with Sydney. New Zealand itineraries feature port stops in Picton, Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson described it as an exciting milestone for the brand. “Australia has a very special place in my heart and we can’t wait for Australians and New Zealanders to meet our Resilient Lady and experience all that she has to offer in true Virgin style,” Sir Richard said. “For more than 50 years, Virgin companies have been innovating and making industries better for our customers. Virgin Voyages is very much charting its own path, offering a fresh perspective on cruise travel with all the elements of the Virgin experience that people love.” Ranging from 2 to 14 nights with a mix of itineraries, Sailors will experience

Michelin starred chef-driven culinary offerings at six signature restaurants and more than 14 other eateries (all included). HIIT and bungee classes are on offer as well as festival-style entertainment. Resilient Lady will sail through Australia and New Zealand from December 11 2023 to March 27 2024. Reservations are now open, and Sailors can save up to 30% off voyage fares. For bookings or for more information on the unique itineraries, go to www.VirginVoyages.com.

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS MAY 2022

ABOUT VIRGIN VOYAGES Virgin Voyages is a new lifestyle travel brand focused on delivering irresistible cruise vacations. Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady–the first and second ships in the fleet–were designed to reflect a yacht’s sleek luxury, offering the intimate, elevated experience of a boutique hotel at sea. Featuring spaces designed by some of the top names in contemporary interiors, the Lady Ships are exclusively adult, a sanctuary at sea for the 18+ traveller. A dose of Vitamin Sea is naturally inter-

twined across the entire ship, with well-being, relaxation and rejuvenation at the forefront. The fleet sails to 100 of the world’s most incredible destinations with 25+ unique itineraries across four continents. Each sailing offers alluring entertainment and Michelin-inspired menus served across 20+ world-class eateries. With a modern twist on luxury, coupled with discerning design, Virgin Voyages offers excellent value for its Sailors, including food, essential drinks, WiFi and group fitness classes, all covered in the voyage fare.

CROSSWORDS/GAMES

Solutions page 23

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CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Little jerks 5. Head downtown? 10. Help in a holdup 14. Balming target 15. Beyond partner 16. Screenplay direction 17. T-bone region 18. Medical research goals 19. Every family has one 20. Illuminated 23. Holiday follower? 24. Skiier's challenge 25. Unlike a litterbug 27. Palindromic windmill part 30. End of two state names 33. Scratch, say 36. Better copy? 38. Bahrain bread 39. Passed with ease 41. Genetic info carrier 42. Arboreal abode 43. Things to rattle 45. Fishtail, e.g. 47. Daydreamer's limit? 48. Fit to be fare 50. Killed, as a dragon 53. Tux accessory 54. Prepare for hanging 57. Wrestling area 59. Serving as a diplomat 64. Beer selections 66. Hindu grouping 67. Tat-tat intro 68. Folk facts 69. Pagoda roofing 70. Black cat, some think 71. It may come before "we forget" 72. Failed as a sentry 73. Bird's perch, perhaps

DOWN 1. Chaucer bit 2. They may be clicked on 3. Flu symptom 4. Grad-to-be 5. Bushwhacker's tool 6. Go to the edge of 7. The good olde days 8. Cooking place 9. Transmit anew 10. Back on a battleship 11. Crooners, often 12. Creation location 13. "High School Musical" extra 21. Main mail drop (abbr.) 22. Disconnected, as a phone line 26. Like siblings 28. Chances in Vegas 29. Roller Derby milieus 31. Checklist item 32. Pretentiously stylish 33. Attack deterrent 34. Military sch. 35. Enrolls 37. Barbary ape's lack 40. The red 44. Inner city concern 46. Most absurd 49. Official orders 51. Emotion of the miffed 52. Long and thin 55. Sight from Biscayne Bay 56. Gourmand 57. Shoppers' site 58. Ubiquitous lily relative 60. Place for some polish 61. "Cast Away" setting 62. Manual component 63. A driver may change one 65. Firm or fixed

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS MAY 2022

EDUCATION

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The subject we all loved at school

Geography is now a world-beater  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM EOGRAPHYT has been a favorite subject for generations of Australian students, but it has never been recognised as a viable career path or a vital subject – until now. According to Deakin University, Geography now has huge potential for students who aspire to a career in the field. In fact, if you are interested in pursuing a career in an area that genuinely makes a difference to the world we live in, you well should consider Geography. From understanding everything from how and why volcanos are formed to the impact of overcrowding in urban areas, Geographers are integral to help find solutions to some of the biggest issues in the world, such as climate change, urban over-development and natural disasters. Drawing on many other related disciplines geography offers a broad range of career outcomes and, with the increasing global focus on the issues geographers are equipped to address, employment opportunities are growing exponentially. Professor Louise Johnson from Deakin University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences said there were many reasons why studying Geography could lead to a rewarding and successful career.

More to Geography than you think “Contemporary Geography is much less about where places are, though this is useful knowledge, but the ways in which physical and social processes differentiate the earth. It therefore splits into physical Geography where you learn about geo-physical processes such as plate tectonics, soil formation and climate, and Human Geography where you would consider the ways economies, cultures and societies create very different places. Geography is more than a study of people in their environments, but engages with contemporary problems and issues using an array of skills and a unique spatial perspective,” Ms Johnson said.

Geography is experiencing a boom “Geography was seen as somewhat ‘daggy’, to be overtaken by studies of the environment and sustainability however, these studies are now regarded as somewhat narrow. For example, you cannot understand climate change unless you have a strong understanding of the human dimensions of where and how peo-

ple live. It is not enough to, for example, put in a third pipe for recycled water or install solar panels if the residents of the same area proceed to use far more energy and water resources than elsewhere, leading to extra runoff and greater drain on the grid to make up the shortfall.” “‘Geography is more than a study of people in their environments, but engages with contemporary problems and issues using an array of skills and a unique spatial perspective.”

Employment prospects are vast “Geography graduates can go into a range of occupations and areas of further study. In particular, Human Geography leads directly into urban and regional planning, which can occur within governments but also in the private sector.

Skills acquired in Geography can also be marketed on their own – such as cartographic maps, Geographic Information Systems such as Google maps and data presentation skills – into these same organisations,” Ms Johnson said. “Many Geographers are employed in major consulting firms, conducting innovative social research. They are also training further in urban and regional planning. There is also of course teaching, as the discipline is taught once more in primary and secondary schools. “Physical Geographers, who are also often involved in environmental management/consulting, can and do go into parks and other forms of nature management, as well as advise on climate change adaption in the public and private sectors.’

Geographers truly make a difference “Geography is enormously important because it teaches a spatial perspective that is not available in any other discipline. It is also uniquely synthetic, bringing together the physical dimensions of the environment with the human side of things and, in this exercise, can offer unique and vital solutions to many of the local and more global problems – of uneven development, socio-spatial inequality and building sustainable environments. “There are also tools that are unique to the discipline, such as Geographic Information Systems and cartography, as well as others around “reading” landscapes and data presentation, which make it uniquely placed to assist in analysing and addressing local, regional and global problems.”

Local entertainment Watch locally made films. Stay up to date on infrastructure. Watch profiles of regional leaders. www.netwerx.tv WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS MAY 2022

GAMES SOLUTIONS

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TRENDS

West crazy over online shopping

We’re staying home to buy  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM HE home shopping fans in Western Sydney are expected to become the nation’s leading online buyers soon. Parcel delivery volumes are a good barometer of online shopping volumes and several suburbs in the west are tipped to lead the growth in deliveries. North Kellyville 185%, Edmondson Park 95%, Leppington 85%, Denham Court 81%, Gregory Hills 81% and The Ponds 79% are all in the national top 10 for predicted growth. The figures were released by leading delivery service CP and reflect the way the pandemic and lockdowns have dramatically changed the shopping experience in the west. CP delivers more than 20 million parcels a year to online shoppers throughout Australia for retailers such as Myer, Target and Forever New.

Since early 2020, CP experienced a continuing growth in parcel volumes and in the 2021 December quarter, CP received 30% more parcels than in the 2020 December quarter. CP’s Chief Transformation Officer Jessica Ip released the figures recently. “Even with Australia relaxing pandemic restrictions, our own volumes indicate that, for many, online shopping was a behavior formed during restrictions and will remain.”

Top suburbs named “Research shows that in 2021, 68% of Australians shopped online for non-essentials. Even after the pandemic, 50% plan to use online as their main shopping channel, up from 32% pre-pandemic, while 50% intend to shop in-store, down from 68% pre-pandemic,” Jessica said. The top 10 suburbs for online shopping in Australia in 2021 were mostly from

Melbourne, but will change dramatically this year Based on 2021 parcel delivery volumes, Jessica was able to forecast this year’s top 10 suburbs for online goods purchases. “With Melbourne living through 109 days of lockdown in 2021, it’s no surprise that its suburbs made up eight of the top 10.” “Interestingly, Western Sydney suburbs dominate the 10 highest growth areas for online shopping, where parcel volumes have soared by up to 200% in the last year. “CP forecasts that online shopping growth from these suburbs will continue to dominate other suburbs. “The demographics that dominate the list are high-income earners, aspirational and many of these suburbs have new estates and large houses.” She said the weekly household income in suburbs such as North Kellyville,

Edmondson Park, Gregory Hills and The Ponds, well exceeded Australia’s median household income of $1438. “Most of the suburbs represented in these rankings are in NSW and Victoria, which experienced restrictions and lockdowns for at least half of 2021.”

The 10 Australian suburbs that will see the biggest growth in online shopping. 1. Clyde North (3978) (200% increase in volumes) 2. North Kellyville (2155) (185% increase) 3. Fountain Gate (3805) (184%) 4. Eastgardens (2036) (146%) 5. Belconnen (2617) (99%) 6. Edmondson Park (2174) (95%) 7. Leppington (2179) (87%) 8. Denham Court (2565) (81%) 9. Gregory Hills (2557) (81%) 10. The Ponds (2769) (79%)

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS MAY 2022