Central Coast Business Review March 2021

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March 2021 Published monthly (except January)

O E SS N T H

Brad Worthington Worthington Prestige Dealer Group Administrator announces new CEO for Central Coast Council Warnervale Airport – 25 lost years OneBlink captures the US market from Gosford

Page 8 Edgar Adams’ Editorial 5 Minutes to midnight

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CON T EN TS

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Cover story 4 Brad Worthington - Worthington Prestige Dealer Group

Business news 7 Star Scientific signs world first hydrogen deal with Philippines Government 7 Hunter region chosen as the geographic base for NSW’s Hydrogen Technology Cluster 8 OneBlink captures the US market from Gosford 9 Warnervale Airport – 25 lost years 10 Korean Government to sell interest in Wallarah 2 coal mine 10 Applications close in March; AdviceCo $20,000 Community Grant 11 Administrator announces new CEO for Central Coast Council 11 Premier opens new Leagues Club park on Gosford Waterfront 12 New owner for JAX Tyres West Gosford 12 Terrigal operator adds Avoca take away 12 IT businesses merge to address increasing IT threats 13 DiJones opens three offices under Central Coast merger

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13 Erina Ice Arena reopens 14 New fast food offering at Fountain Plaza Erina 15 Wadalba property owners hung out to dry 15 Deceit and deception at Warnervale Airport 16 Commercial Industrial Properties For Sale / Lease 17 Tesoriero’s buy Kincumber investment property at auction 18 Autobarn leases at Erina 19 Booming market helps drag up Sydney’s median house price 20 Mind your Business – COVID changes 20 Sales – A shift in mind-set 21 COVID-19 Vaccine and the Workplace – There are challenges ahead

Regular features 6 Edgar Adams’ Editorial 12 Business briefs 15 Central Coast Council news 16 Commercial Industrial Properties For Sale / Lease 17 Property news 19 Residential Property Report 20 Business tips 22 Funny business

Front cover: Brad Worthington – Photo: Jeff McGarn

Hear Edgar Adams’ business comment 8.10am each Monday.

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Central Coast Business Review Central Coast Business Review is a Registered Trade Mark of Adams Business Publications Pty Ltd P.O. Box 3259, Erina, NSW 2250 Phone: (02) 4367 0733 Fax: (02) 4367 0744 Email: info@ccbusinessreview.com.au Typesetting by Graphic by Design ph (02) 4365 6777 Print & Distribution by Bromley Direct ph 0412 439 773 © Adams Business Publications 1994. All rights reserved.

Reproductions in any part prohibited. While every effort has been made to ensure all information in this magazine is accurate, no responsibility will be accepted by the publisher, Adams Business Publications. The producer accepts no responsibility for illustrations or photographs supplied by organisations or individuals and/or typographical errors.

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COV ER S TORY

Brad Worthington – Worthington Prestige Dealer Group By Phaedra Pym A symbol of growth The Worthington name is synonymous on the Central Coast with prestige and luxury motor vehicles. Furthermore, with its commanding hilltop location at Somersby, the evolving Worthington Group, which today encompasses BMW, MINI, BMW Motorcycles and Lexus, has long been regarded by many as a symbol of growth for the region.

In the early 2000s, the visible presence of a prestige brand at the gateway to the Central Coast represented a shift for the region. The site selection, considered risky at the time, was the first in a series of strategic decisions and actions made by Group Principal, Brad Worthington, supported by his wife, Vanessa, and parents, Kevin and Helen.

Right from the start, Brad established diversified revenue streams that would deliver sustainable organic growth coupled with inorganic growth via greenfield developments, all founded on a vision to create a prestige motoring precinct on the Central Coast.

Since opening the doors as a BMW/MINI dealership with no customer database in October 2002, Worthington BMW has been the Central Coast’s luxury car market leader year on year and has won a string of accolades, including national BMW Dealer of the Year multiple times. Their key points of difference? A commitment to excellence in customer service and workplace culture, strong internal values supported by mindfulness and appreciation, an experienced management team with skin in the game

and a clear and resolute strategy to focus on their niche market. A qualified CPA accountant, Brad actively considers and reviews proactive strategies to maximise opportunities and foresee and adapt to potential future disruptors. This saw the Group survive the GFC, the effects of regulatory intervention in automotive finance and add-on insurance product sales and, most recently, COVID-19.

So, what made a CPA accountant move into automotive sales? Brad has been captured by the beauty and performance of European cars since childhood when he spent time playing in cars at Regal Motors, Gosford, where his father sold European cars. Initially keen to follow in his father’s footsteps, Brad’s decision to study accounting was made when he saw a poster of a young man leaning against a Porsche with the headline, ‘So you want to be an accountant?’ After graduating from the University of Newcastle, he worked in the profession for about five years, including a stint as the accountant at Chatswood Classic Cars. When he was offered the chance to enter into a wholesale car sales partnership, he grabbed the opportunity and juggled a full-time accounting role with trading wholesale vehicles for eighteen months before moving into retail car sales, establishing the Sydney Motor Gallery with his father on Parramatta Road in 1997.

They sold a number of European makes before deciding to specialise in BMWs. After four years of commuting, Brad called BMW Australia and expressed inter-

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est in becoming the BMW franchisee on the Central Coast. Having taken a risk and purchased three vacant lots at Somersby six months earlier, it was clear that this had been Brad’s plan for some time. “We literally gambled everything,” said Brad, who chose the land on the hill based on the European model of positioning BMW dealerships out of town and near a freeway. He vividly remembers the day the concrete was poured, when the first cars were delivered and his first customer, including the model and colour of the vehicle she purchased.

“We had customers, all locals, walking in while we were still laying tiles,” he said. The official launch attracted more than 500 people. “Fifteen minutes before we opened, BMW granted us the name, Worthington BMW. Normally you have to go through a QMA process first to be called BMW, which we achieved twelve months later.” Within two years, they were winning multiple dealer trophies for excellence in customer service. “I think it’s about our passion and looking after customers. We go the extra mile. People also like to see a family business with the family founders onsite,” said Brad. To this day, Kevin and Helen are often at the dealership.

Brad’s vision from the outset was to establish a prestige precinct as you come into Gosford – prestige cars, prestigious architectural buildings and beautifully landscaped grounds, a positive image to portray of the region. That vision evolved through business coaches who kept asking, what next?

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COV ER S TORY

Brad took on a Renault franchise in 2007 but relinquished it two years later when the franchisor could not supply them with their most popular model, the Megane.

The BMW/MINI and Motorcycle dealerships grew steadily, and then the Global Financial Crisis hit. “There was a fair bit of panic around, however we were well supported by our local bank and BMW. It was a time when we really had to think about the business fundamentals – cash flow, maintaining the leadership team and staff. Paying locals first was a big one for us. They were really hard years,” reflected Brad.

Breakout: “When people buy a prestige car they’re thinking about the journey as much as the destination.”

The GFC prepared Brad and the team for the most recent crisis, COVID-19. “We prepared in 2019 for a difficult year. We didn’t know what was coming but we knew to plan ahead,” said Brad who was able to keep the doors open with skeleton staff as they were considered an essential service.

The fact that they had diversified and were servicing the BMW fleet of police cars was a bonus. “Because we’re quite predictive about the short-term future, when most dealers were panicking, we dug deep as a family and ordered cars in high volumes because we could see the trend change.”

Combined with government tax incentives, such as the instant tax write-off to the luxury car tax limit, the whole industry saw an increase in sales. Furthermore, without overseas travel, spending patterns changed.

“When people buy a prestige car they’re thinking about the journey as much as the destination,” said Brad.

Worthington Prestige Dealer Group team: Michael Giles, Paul Russotti, Jason Vanderschaaf, Kym Worthington, Brad Worthington, Helen Worthington, Kevin Worthington and Alice Pitt The latest brand to be added under the Worthington Group banner is Lexus, with the dealership being built on land Brad had held since 2007 and opening its doors in 2018. “I sell the brands I am passionate about. The Lexus brand is about the pursuit of perfection. The attention to detail, quality and customer service made it a good marriage for our dealership. We pursued a couple of brands and that one impressed me, from the management style of Lexus Australia to the future direction of the brand,” said Brad. The Worthington team currently consists of over fifty staff spread across the BMW, MINI, Motorrad and Lexus sites plus the family members, which includes Brad’s sister Kym. All staff are hired and managed based on the Groups’ core values – Professionalism, Integrity, Teamwork, Communication, Accountability, Respect (PITCAR). Since introducing PITCAR together with regular performance reviews, employee surveys and staff get-togethers, turnover has improved. A deep interest in

meditation for the past five years has seen Brad introduce the practice to his team.

Other initiatives aimed at improving staff retention include improved workplace flexibility, quarterly pizza nights and clear career paths.

In terms of the future, Brad said he is always looking for opportunities to grow the business as the Coast grows and has some ideas up his sleeve, but he’s not in a hurry. “The Central Coast journey has been our journey. There have been hard years and things like what is happening with Council creates uncertainty. But we’ve got a lot of people moving up from Sydney which is changing that core demographic, the wealth here is changing.” As for Brad and the Worthington family on a personal level, he said, “Our family has always been excited about this business and I don’t see that changing.” Brad continues to be thrilled and grateful to combine his passion with his occupation right here in the region he has called home all his life.

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EDITORIAL

Edgar Adams discusses local issues

5 minutes to midnight AS WE GO to press it is exactly six months to the next Local Government Elections.

Saturday 4th September 2021 promises to be a defining day for the Central Coast which has endured four years of infantile petty politics and mismanagement across the board resulting in the appointment of an Administrator on 30th October last year.

Looking at the fifteen councillors that we voted in only two should be considered for re-election if they should choose to run – Councillors Greg Best and Bruce McLachlan.

It is now up to the Liberal Party and the ALP to find a group of candidates who have the intelligence, the common good of the region and are prepared to put in the effort to turn this Central Coast Council into an organisation that is not an embarrassment.

At the same time the community needs to find enough independent candidates who are equally qualified as well.

The green activists who have led the destruction of this organisation, with the support of the ALP, in the most shameful way must be eliminated.

CCBR will support Independent candidates who meet these criteria.

The Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM has said that he will propose in his final report to the Minister that the number of councillors be reduced to 9 or 10, the Ward system be abolished, and an elected Mayor be introduced. This will require a

Referendum however and even if approved will not come into effect until the election of 2025.

The State Government caused untold harm when they gave us this council setup at the time of the amalgamation. Was it political or bureaucratic bungling? Doesn’t matter it must be changed.

Meanwhile the good news is that the Administrator has appointed a new CEO, Mr David Farmer who has a long history of running regional councils and large ones at that. (See Page 11).

He is currently CEO at Ipswich Council and before that eleven years at Wollongong Council, 6 years at Cairns Council and 5 years at Mudgee Council.

The population of Ipswich is around 320,000 and Wollongong 305,000. Both comparable to the Central Coast at 316,000.

He has to know and understand the importance of economic growth in regional areas.

He has a massive job in front of him bringing order and good governance to an organisation that for the past four years has overseen a stagnating economy.

We welcome him to the Central Coast and look forward to working with him.

Please read our article on Page 15, Wadalba property owners hung out to dry. This article is a serious indictment on the attitudes of staff in Council’s Planning

Department, and it goes back to the days of the former Wyong Council.

The treatment of the 40 landowners who were advised by the Minister for Planning and then Wyong Mayor Bob Graham to run the rezoning and approval of their land ready for residential subdivision shows the contempt in which council staff treat ratepayers. Big corporations walk away and they have. These people simply can’t and council knows that.

Finally, this month we are able to report on the repeal of the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 2996 which is great news for our region.

Twenty-five lost years all down to a handful of selfish activist individuals aligned to the local tree-hugger community who are against everything from the sinking of the ex-HMAS Adelaide, Winney Bay Cliff Top Walk and most recently the Terrigal Boardwalk – anything to do with economic growth and employment. This mob, all associated with the Community Environment Network (CEN), have infiltrated every aspect of Council.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Star Scientific signs world first hydrogen deal with Philippines Government BERKELEY VALE BASED Star Scientific Limited has signed a world-first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Energy of the Republic of the Philippines to explore the utilisation of Star’s S&P Platts award-winning HERO® technology and hydrogen, to bring clean energy and desalinated water to a country currently largely reliant on imported fossil fuels.

The MoU heralds the hydrogen revolution and provides the Philippines an opportunity for energy and water self-sufficiency in an environmentally sustainable way, and the ability to offer global companies zero emissions manufacturing capability, unlocking economic development, with green hydrogen as a fuel source.

Global Group Chairman of Star Scientific Limited, Andrew Horvath, said he was proud that an Australian innovation had captured the attention of a national government. “This agreement with the Department of Energy of the Republic of the Philippines represents a significant milestone in the development of the global hydrogen economy. Thanks to this bold and visionary step by the Republic of the Philippines, we can begin to see the reality of whole economies turning over to hydrogen and a rapid acceleration to sustainable energy on a global scale. This is just the start.”

The MoU will see Star Scientific and the Department of Energy of the Republic of the Philippines study retro-fitting existing coal-fired power plants to run on HERO® powered by green hydrogen. They will also work together to explore the utilisa-

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Steven J. Robinson AO, was present to witness the signing of the MoU at the Department of Energy between Star Scientific Limited and the Energy Secretary for the Philippines, Alfonso G. Cusi, on behalf of the Department of Energy of the Republic of the Philippines.

Hunter region chosen as the geographic base for NSW’s Hydrogen Technology Cluster Star Scientific Limited Global Group Chairman, Andrew Horvath tion of green hydrogen production in the Philippines using an abundance of offshore wind resources.

Additionally, the parties will investigate decentralised scalable power systems for all of the Philippines’ inhabited islands utilising green hydrogen, HERO® and the new breed of supercritical CO2 turbines.

As part of the MoU, the Star Group will assist the Department of Energy of the Republic of the Philippines with the development and implementation of funding models to attract global financing for the different aspects of all the projects as they develop.

“This will represent the largest single boost to Australia’s role in developing the global hydrogen economy, heralding a new era of research, development and deployment in the manufacture and installation of all parts of the hydrogen supply chain. We are particularly grateful and excited to be part of the next phase of the Philippines’ economic growth,” said Mr Horvath.

A network of regional hydrogen technology clusters was announced in early February that will see 13 hydrogen clusters established across Australia as part of a drive to establish a nationwide hydrogen cluster.

The “Hunter Region Hydrogen Technology Cluster” was one of 13 clusters nationally that were successful in its bid to be part of the national cluster network.

As the only NSW successful bid, it is supported by three regions, The Hunter, Orana and the Central Coast together with a growing consortium of partners. Central Coast Industry Connect is representing the Central Coast.

Spearheaded by National Energy Resources Australia (NERA), the national cluster will establish a global identity and a recognised brand for Australian hydrogen technology and expertise. It will also aid the development of the hydrogen supply chain, reduce overlaps and identify gaps in the development, deployment, and commercialisation of new hydrogen focused technologies.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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BUSINESS NEWS

OneBlink captures the US market from Gosford WITH THE NSW Government’s support, software firm OneBlink has clinched overseas partnerships and contracts.

OneBlink’s low-code software (LcS) is used by organisations to improve their business processes. After rebranding in 2018, it wanted to grow its revenue by expanding internationally, with a particular focus on the US. With NSW Treasury’s help, OneBlink has won several contracts in the US that have delivered 40 new customers to the firm.

Software developer OneBlink was founded as BlinkMobile in 2005. To stay relevant as technology and customer tastes have evolved, the firm has reinvented itself several times. Since 2018, it has been known as OneBlink and focused on providing tools and managed services that help organisations accelerate the development of software applications.

As part of this rebrand, the Gosfordbased firm sought to grow beyond Australia and New Zealand, where it has worked mostly with businesses and government agencies. It specifically wanted to form partnerships and technical alliances in the United States (US).

Through introductions and support from NSW Treasury, OneBlink found partners with the technical competencies and a customer base it was looking for. This helped the firm secure two US local government contracts, which contributed 20 per cent of its revenue and enabled OneBlink to gain 40 new customers in the first year of those agreements. The firm expects to secure other US contracts in 2021.

In August 2020, OneBlink became one of only 15 companies to participate in the second Denver Global Landing Pad. The

OneBlink Directors Darren Besgrove and Alan Williams business acceleration program provides tools and connections to help small foreign companies explore the potential of doing business in Denver, Colorado. Not only was this a great achievement for OneBlink, it opened an opportunity to broaden its US footprint.

While the firm’s immediate priority is to grow in North America, OneBlink also has plans to expand into the United Kingdom and European markets. Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Darren Besgrove believes the firm has what it takes to capture more overseas markets, thanks to its technical capabilities and world-class products.

“Our competitive advantage is our excellent technical staff working from our

regional NSW base,” he says. “We gained a large part of our expertise from working with innovative NSW Government clients, particularly the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Biosecurity & Food Safety division and SafeWork NSW.” As OneBlink expands its international business, Besgrove expects the firm to work more closely with the NSW Government.

“We’ve learned invaluable lessons from participating in many NSW Government events and have been introduced to key networks and programs in the US to help Australian companies get established quickly and correctly in this vast market,” he says. “We look forward to our continued success by working with the government in such a collaborative way.”

Hunter region chosen as the geographic base for NSW’s Hydrogen Technology Cluster CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

Through the consortia, the cluster members will contribute to NERA’s national hydrogen network and drive investment and economic activity. It will do this by delivering programs to accelerate knowledge exchange, building capacity through skill development, drive business growth through innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly with start ups and SME’s, attracting investment and business activity into the hydrogen sector, supporting the opportunity for large scale regional demonstration amongst cluster members and building the Hunter and supporting regions’ competitive advantage in the hydrogen sector.

Frank Sammut Executive Director of Central Coast Industry Connect said “As a region we have an opportunity to work with the Hunter to deliver the cluster initia-

Frank Sammut tives. The Hunter is well placed to pivot its current energy assets into the transition to hydrogen, having the energy infrastructure through its electricity and gas net-

work and the Port of Newcastle, research capability with CSIRO Energy Centre and the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) and a strong manufacturing base and skilled energy and resources workforce.”

“For the Central Coast it means opportunities for our local manufacturers to be part of the Hydrogen supply chain, opportunities to bring new skills into the region and to build on our already small but growing hydrogen energy sector. Through our collaboration with the consortia, as a region we will have the opportunity to be part of the scale up and transition to the new hydrogen and energy economy.”

Total funding for the cluster is $200,000 made up of funds from NERA and industry contributions.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Warnervale Airport – 25 lost years 16TH FEBRUARY WILL go down as Victory Day for the Warnervale Airport with the repeal of the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996.

This senseless Act, introduced in 1996 by Labor Member for Wyong Paul Crittenden, had the effect of limiting the use of Warnervale Airport so that it would never reach its potential as a regional general aviation airport. Crittenden’s motive was totally political. He was supporting a handful of activists.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the repeal of the Act follows an independent review.

“Warnervale Airport is the only airport of its size to have a unique Act of Parliament, which is clearly unnecessary,” Mr Stokes said.

“The repeal of this Act will reduce complexity, support local aviation and allow emergency services to better respond to bushfire and medical incidents.”

The review was led by planning expert Abigail Goldberg and aviation specialist Peter Fiegehen, who found the Act unnecessary, hard to administer and overly complicated.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said an overwhelming majority of the community supported repealing the Act. “Our community has given its clear support, with three quarters of nearly 1,000 submissions in favour of this reform, supporting findings of the independent review that concluded the Warnervale Airport

(Restrictions) Act is not fit-for-purpose,” Mr Crouch said.

“Dozens of aviation trainers and students use the runway every day, as well as medical evacuations and bushfire emergency responses. Their safety must continue to be prioritised.”

Central Coast Council has resolved to prune the trees to the north of the airport in line with Civil Aviation Safety Authority guidelines for night flight operations.

In August last year the NSW government said it would repeal the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996 after accepting an independent review recommendation.

The Act placed several restrictions on Warnervale airport, including a movement cap of 88 take-offs and landings per day.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said there was an overwhelming response from the community, with more than 75% of submissions to the review calling for the Act to be repealed.

“The review found a range of problems with the Act–including that it is overly complex, difficult to administer and was creating safety risks–and recommended it should be repealed as soon as possible,” Stokes said.

“We will continue to work with Central Coast Council on a staged repeal of the Act, ensuring the appropriate planning controls and plans of management are in place to govern and manage the future operations of the Airport.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the NSW Government will

introduce legislation in September to implement the recommendations, starting with the repeal of the daily take-off and landing cap.

“Our community has sent a strong message that it wants Warnervale Airport retained and accessible for public use by community groups like the Aero Club, and our Government will act to ensure this is the case,” Crouch said.

“The Airport is used for training the next generation of Australian pilots, as well as enabling medical evacuations and bushfire emergency responses to occur. It’s vital that we support the continued operation of this important asset.”

The review also recommended that the Central Coast Council, which owns the airport, “should adopt a clear framework to govern the Airport’s future management” and address safety issues affecting the runway, including reducing tree heights at the northern end of the runway that intrude into the obstacle limitation surface (OLS).

Minister Stokes said that the government had accepted those recommendations as well.

Problems between airport users and the Central Coast Council that sparked the review have been ongoing with the council stating they wished to revegetate part of the existing runway and refusing to renegotiate the usage agreement with the Central Coast Aero Club. The announcement is seen as a win for Warnervale Airport, Central Coast Aero Club and the greater general aviation community.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Applications close in March: AdviceCo $20,000 Community Grant LAST DECEMBER, LOCAL accounting and financial planning firm, AdviceCo announced a partnership with the Count Charitable Foundation (CCF) to provide a $20,000 cash grant to a community organisation.

Applications are open until 22 March 2021. Eligible organisations are encouraged to apply by providing a brief 500-word proposal of how the $20,000 would support a current or future project for the Central Coast community.

At a time where demand for support from our community organisations has hit unprecedented levels, a grant such as this is a welcome thing.

The Judging Panel comprises: 1. Barry Lambert, Founder and Chairman of the Count Charitable Foundation

2. D avid Evers, Managing Director of AdviceCo. 3. R achel Willis, former CEO of Coast Shelter and Founder/Executive Director of Creating Community Connections 4. E dgar Adams Editor and Founder Central Coast Business Review.

So, if you run, work for, or are affiliated with a charitable organisation, please apply now via the AdviceCo website.

Eligibility requires Deductible Gift Recipient Status 1 and ACNC registration.

Assessment will take place in April and all applicants will be notified in May 2021.

Korean government to sell interest in Wallarah 2 coal mine Korea Resources Corporation is planning to sell its 82.25 percent stake in the Wallarah 2 coal mine at Wyong as part of efforts to cut its debt and to comply with South Korean government policy to exit foreign coal power projects.

It was reported in The Korea Economic Daily on January 6 that the government owned corporation had called for bids on a stakeholding in the Wyong Areas Coal Mine Joint Venture, to comply with South Korean government instructions to offload all its overseas assets as soon as possible.

Bids will be received until April 22,

according to the company and industry sources on January 5,” the article said.

Wyong Coal Pty Limited manages the Wallarah 2 Coal Project on behalf of the Wyong Areas Coal Joint Venture.

Kores Australia Pty Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Korea Resources Corporation, holds an 82.25 percent share.

Wallarah 2, with 1.2 billion tons of thermal coal, has approval for 28 years to extract up to five million tons per annum from its underground longwall mine.

The Federal Government approved the mine in 2018 with conditions aimed primar-

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p. 4323 3333 e. info@taperells.com.au

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BUSINESS NEWS

Administrator announces new CEO for Central Coast Council Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM has announced Mr David Farmer as the new Chief Executive Officer of Central Coast Council.

Mr Persson said the appointment of Mr Farmer and his experience is crucial in leading Council toward recovery and will provide strong reassurance to the community that the tough decisions taken now will not be wasted.

“David has had up to 40 years’ experience in Local Government in New South Wales and Queensland, each of his last three roles have involved major challenges in governance and finance, the same challenges that face this Council, and I’m encouraged knowing that David is well equipped in leading the Council through these issues,” said Mr Persson.

Mr Farmer an accountant by profession, has been Chief Executive of four Councils over the past 23 years, 10 years at both Cairns and Wollongong City Councils and

more recently at Ipswich, the fastest growing Council in Queensland.

“David has a proven track record of success in operating large councils and has been selected based on this solid experience.” said Mr Persson.

“The Central Coast community should feel very reassured that a new and strong CEO will deliver the positive outcome everyone wants to see.

“I look forward to welcoming David to the position on 12 April 2021.”

Each of his last three roles have involved major challenges in governance and finance.

He has assisted an elected Council successfully return from a period of Administration at both Wollongong and Ipswich. At Cairns he oversaw the recovery of the organisation, taking over five years after a poorly implemented merger. This involved turning around a deteriorating financial situation and correcting a failed IT systems implementation.

Mr Farmer said that two of his proudest achievements are the major foreshore projects of the Cairns Esplanade and Wollongong’s Blue Mile.

Across these David Farmer diverse locations he has been able to partner in developing major industry growth in sectors such as tourism, agribusiness- particularly wine, and urban development. In Wollongong he led the city as it successfully transitioned from its dependence on its traditional industries of coal and steel making into tertiary sectors such as financial services and international education.

Premier opens new Leagues Club park on Gosford Waterfront A $10 MILLION public park that includes a tidal terrace, nature-inspired play equipment and green space on the Gosford Waterfront was officially opened on Saturday 27th February by Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes.

Ms Berejiklian said, “The Central Coast is a rapidly growing part of the State and projects like Leagues Club Park strengthen its appeal as a destination while creating economic benefits.”

“The park is a major revitalisation project for the Central Coast and demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment in driving urban transformation.”

Mr Stokes said the park set the standard for what’s possible in a city park, creating an inclusive public space that will act as Gosford’s new cultural hub.

“We’ve gone beyond a plastic playground and jungle gym to create a park that brings nature into an urban centre, with an innovative tidal terrace, natureinspired play equipment and quality green space,” Mr Stokes said.

“The space was designed from the ground up to encourage visitors – regardless of age, background or ability – to explore and play in line with the Government’s Everyone Can Play guidelines.”

Rob Stokes Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Gladys Berejiklian NSW Premier, Valentina Misevska HCCDC Chief Operating Officer and Adam Crouch Member for Terrigal inspecting the new Leagues Club Park

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

New owner for JAX Tyres West Gosford

Terrigal operator adds Avoca take away

Hi Tide Coffee Shop and Takeaway at Avoca Beach

Retirement is ahead for Trevor and Linda Cook who have owned JAX Tyres and Auto on the Pacific Highway at West Gosford for the past eleven years.

One of the longest established tyre retailers in Gosford JAX has been on the same site for over 30 years.

New owners are Peter and Erin Bonvino who have owned the Pirtek hydraulic and industrial hose franchise at West Gosford which they acquired in 2017 which will be retained with Mrs Bonvino continuing to operate it.

A qualified mechanical engineer with almost 20 years’ experience, Mr Bonvino said that the previous owners had not been interested in the auto repairs part of the business. “With my background I see this as an opportunity to expand the business and provide a quality service for our customers beyond just tyres,” he said.

Mr Bonvino is currently renovating the whole place with a repaint inside and out, putting in a waiting room, kids room and family room to create a friendly customer experience. “We have installed new workshop equipment so that we can offer a full

auto repair service and have put on three mechanics and store manager along with our tyre fitters,” he said.

“The JAX franchise is a good franchise so we are looking forward to leveraging off their good name and developing a strong business into the future,” he said.

Graham McMullen from Argyle Estates Business Brokers who negotiated the sale, said there was very strong interest in this business noting that JAX were very particular in accepting purchasers, even refusing one application.

Terrigal chef Damien Battye and partner Narelle Darker who own 31 FISH on the corner of Terrigal Esplanade and Kurrawyba Avenue overlooking Terrigal Beach have acquire Hi Tide Coffee Shop and Takeaway at Avoca Beach.

The longest running food outlet in Avoca Beach that has been in operation for over fifty years Hi Tide has been owned by Kevin and Rox Gallaher who plan returning to their home in France when travel is permitted.

Meanwhile the new owners are looking at introducing fresh fish to the business offering and will undertake a refit of the kitchen area.

Graham McMullen of Argyle Estates Business Brokers negotiated the sale in early December 2020 with settlement early February 2021, which has allowed the Gallaher’s to enjoy a bumper Christmas trade prior to moving out.

IT businesses merge to address increasing IT threats

Brendan Gibson and Leon Black IT managed services companies, Inspired Techs and answers IT have merged to become anspired bringing together a combined 23 years experience in manag-

ing IT threats and providing protected IT solutions. anspired business owners, Brendan Gibson and Leon Black saw that each of them could bring different skill sets to address the increasing IT risks of conducting business.

Commenting ono the move, Mr Gibson, CEO of anspired said, we had both experienced clients coming to us after a computer problem, or worse an IT threat, resulting in loss of business continuity and reputation.

“What we really want anspired to be known for is the provision of protective IT solutions introduced before a problem or

threat occurs”, said Mr Gibson.

Mr Black, COO of anspired said, ”our goal is to provide clients across New South Wales and Queensland business confidence and certainty by eliminating their IT threats.

“We achieve this by first understanding our clients business, and then use our combined experience and knowledge of the industry to implement protective IT measures”, said Mr Black.

The range of services provided by new company anspired include; Protected Service Agreements, Cloud Solutions Provider, Managed Security Devices and Disaster Recovery. Find out more at www.anspired.com.au

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

DiJones opens three offices under Central Coast merger Sydney real estate agents, DiJones has expanded into the Central Coast with the opening of three new offices in Terrigal, Avoca and Erina, formerly Raine & Horne Coastal.

DiJones CEO Dean Mackie said the DiJones Central Coast agencies are an important strategic expansion for the DiJones footprint.

“Our data migration patterns have been indicating a significant amount of our existing client base have been on the move, and the Central Coast has become an emerging property hotspot for Sydney siders looking for a lifestyle change.”

The offices will be led by Brett and Garth Hunter who take on the roles of Regional Leadership Business Managers and will rebrand their Raine & Horne offices to DiJones Central Coast.

“We are extremely fortunate to be working with well known local property professionals in Brett and Garth Hunter, who are market leaders in their own right.

“The Hunter family are well known on the Central Coast for their innovative approach to real estate, having evolved a family generational business over the last 7 decades,” Mr Mackie said.

The merged business will operate under the DiJones brand from 26 February 2021.

Brett Hunter said they were excited to be joining forces with DiJones who are at the forefront of real estate innovation and technology.

Erina Ice Arena reopens Erina Ice Arena at Erina Fair has reopened following a 15-month refurbishment during which external cladding, found to be a serious fire safety risk was replaced.

Initial fears were that the ice skating facility would not reopen however Erina Fair owners undertook the urgent repairs during 2020.

The Leghorn Family has leased the facility which reopened in early January.

National figure skating coach, Adele Leghorn told CCBR that the family had moved to the Central Coast to take on and develop the business.

Mrs. Leghorn has over 35 years figure skating experience both nationally and internationally. She has introduced a range of activities that include; public skating, playgroups, ice hockey, figure skating, synchronised skating and a Friday, Saturday and Sunday night Disco along with coaching classes across a 7-day timetable.

Mrs Leghorn said that the facility is second to none in NSW, with an Olympic size

Brent May - DiJones Head of Sales, Garth Hunter – Partner, Brett Hunter – Partner and Dean Mackie - DiJones CEO - Strategy & Growth “DiJones were awarded the National Residential Real Estate Agency of the Year 2020, and whilst we are closely aligned with our collective business direction and vision, we felt at home with our shared family values and culture.

“This was a strategic business growth decision for us taking into consideration the future needs of our clients, business, and people.”

DiJones was established in 1992 and operates market leading offices on the Upper North Shore, Northern Suburbs, Southern Highlands, Lower North Shore and Eastern Suburbs. Its network of offices are strategically positioned to deliver a unique and innovative property experience for its clients.

“By bringing the DiJones difference to the Central Coast region, local home owners will be well positioned to leverage an ever growing strategic footprint and buyer database across Sydney and the southern highlands,” Mr Mackie said.

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Christine Leghorn and Adele Leghorn rink and seating 800 people. “We will be hosting national championships and entertainment events.

“You will see a new vibe and a new culture around Erina Ice Arena,” she said.

Mrs Leghorn’s daughter Christine has been appointed Business Manager and her husband Murray, who specialises industrial refrigeration will maintain the facility.

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

New fast food offering at Fountain Plaza Erina

Joe Walters at Mumma Clucka Mumma Clucka is the name of a new barbeque chicken shop that has opened at Fountain Plaza Erina further enhancing the growing food offer at the Centre.

Owned by local restaurateur Joe Walters who also owns New York Pizza Bar at Fountain Plaza and The Tame Fox café at The Industry Grounds Erina which he purchased in 2019, Mumma Clucka offers a range of barbequed Portuguese chicken packs, salads, chips etc and is open 7-days from 11.00am to 8.00pm.

Mr Walters moved to the Central Coast eight years ago and managed the newly opened Pocket Bar Terrigal and later Yellowtail Restaurant when it opened.

Prior to that when he first came to Australia he managed The Corner House at the Opera House and Fiasco Manly.

Being of English and Italian heritage he grew up in the restaurant trade in Italy working in the family business over the past 20 years.

New owners for Remy & Co

Remy & Co was established by Michael Fantuz in 2015 which became a well-known upmarket venue. In 2019 he installed a pizza oven offering stone cooked pizza which became very popular.

Mr Lawrie was formerly Venue Manager at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Operations Manager at Northies Cronulla Hotel and most recently Operations Manager at The Park House Mona Vale.

Mrs Lawrie is a Pastry Chef having worked at Café Ananas at Circular Quay and The Cut at The Rocks.

Fountain Plaza has a strong dine-in and takeaway food offering that includes, New York Pizza Bar & Grill, Cheekie Charlies Bar & Cafe, Guzman y Gomez Mexican restaurant, Yume Modern Japanese Restaurant, Remy & Co. Pasta Bar, The Bakehouse Café and a Dan Murphy’s liquor store.

Fountain Plaza Property Manager, Tim Gunasinghe from Commercialhq said that he is looking to expand food offering with an Asian restaurant. We have a vacant 173 sqm shop available which would be ideal for the right operator,” he said.

New lease of life for Quattro Erina

operators who plan to bring it back to its former glory.

They are Ben Craig and Julien Rodriguez, both with a long background in hospitality and catering.

Mr Craig has been a chef for over sixteen years, most recently at Xanadu Restaurant Terrigal and earlier at Pinocchio’s Gosford, where he met Mr Rodriguez, and a number of Sydney restaurants.

Mr Rodriguez migrated to Australia from France in 2014 and came to the Central Coast in 2017 to open Pinocchio’s Wine and Pizza Bar in Gosford for James Nouri and subsequently managed The Coast Restaurant and Bar until its closure last year due to COVID-19. Prior to coming to the Central Coast he was Restaurant Manager at Belgium Beer Café at The Rocks and Ruby Lane Manly. His family in France where he grew up and worked are restaurant owners.

Mr Craig said that they plan to transform Quattro by setting a new trend in food style and have created a new menu.

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CEN T R AL COA S T COUNCIL NE WS

Wadalba property owners hung out to dry IN ONE OF the most diabolical cases of council maladministration, firstly at Wyong Council and now at the amalgamated Central Coast Council a group of East Wadalba property owners have been hung out to dry by council staff over the past twelve years as they seek to get their land rezoned and subdivided, while staff prevaricate, obfuscate and it appears deliberately obstruct a residential development of 1,200 homesites costing council millions in lost rates and the property owners millions in unnecessary costs and for the region, the loss of construction jobs .

The process began in 2010 in response to the East Wadalba area being identified by then Planning Minister Brad Hazard placing it on a priority list for accelerated development within an 18 month timeframe.

Seven areas were identified, 6 within the Greater Sydney region, only one on the Central Coast. The six were rezoned in 201517 and most proceeded to be completed without further issue.

Wyong Council unanimously approved the move and in 2010 the Wadalba East Land Owners Group (WELOG) of approximately 40 property owners, at the recommendation of Council on the basis that they would prefer to deal with one entity rather than multiple landowners. In 2013 the then NSW Planning Minister, Brad Hazzard, identified the Wadalba East area as a Gateway Determination and placed it on the priority list for development within 18 months. Wyong Council Mayor Bob Graham announced in 2012 that 1200 homesites would be developed in the East Wadalba area, available for sale by 2015.

Since that time, despite agreeing to prioritise the East Wadalba area in line with State Government priorities, first Wyong Council and now Central Coast Council have been obstructive at every step.

The WELOG group have personally funded over $1 million of reports, that would normally be funded by Council as they did with the Warnervale Employment Zone, in an effort to expedite the rezoning process.

Staff have said that sewer infrastructure would not be available until 2020 then changed their minds to 2026. Meanwhile, in the last month the Head of Council’s Water and Sewerage Department has told the group there is no reason why they cannot connect to the sewer at North Wyong subject to the design and installation of two pumping stations.

Over the period staff have requested numerous reports at the landowners expense and then changed their minds as to what they want necessitating extra reports costing thousands of dollars.

Across the Central Coast wildlife corridors abound and are up to 100 metres wide.

These corridors impact a wide range of land uses from residential to industrial and quar-

antine valuable land. However in the case of the Wadalba land for no apparent reason staff have decided that these corridors must be 40 metres wide and have called for additional reports, paid for by the land owners, to show that they have been amended.

The Wadalba landowners are not developers but ordinary people who just happened to own land that the State Government and Council’s own strategic plans decided should be opened up to residential development.

CCBR is aware that major property develop-

ers who have struck roadblocks by Council are now looking at other areas of the state.

Council’s attitude to this issue makes a mockery of the NSW Planning Department’s Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 which sets out that the region is expected to have 36,350 more households requiring 41,500 new homes by 2036, to accommodate a forecast population growth of 75,000 It appears that Central Coast Council has been working to frustrate all property developers and hold back investment in the region.

Deceit and deception at Warnervale Airport Knowing they would lose the argument over control of Warnervale Airport with the State Government’s repeal of the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996 (see Page 9) anti-airport Councillors slipped through a Motion at Council’s 25th November 2019 meeting for a Conservation Agreement for Porters Creek Wetlands which adjoins the airport land.

These wetlands have existed alongside the airport without any bureaucratic intervention since the establishment of the airport for the past 48 years.

Council is now very suddenly seeking feedback on the proposed Conservation Agreement made under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) for the Porters Creek Wetland Conservation Area.

The proposed Conservation Agreement, now the subject of Public Exhibition (see Council website Your Voice Our Coast), covers Council-own land and provides permanent legal protection for the Conservation Area, which means that it cannot be developed or modified in ways that detract from the biodiversity values.

The FAQ section on the website appears to be deliberately ambiguous and misleading.

One question being asked “Will it Cost the Council Money?” The FAQ answer says no, when clearly it will cost the Council/Ratepayers dearly by reducing values. Another FAQ “Does the Conservation Agreement Change Anything?” the answer is vague and misleading in that it does state that planned infrastructure will be catered for.

However, no one knows what is planned infrastructure as the Central Coast Aviation Hub Concept Plan has been deliberately hidden from public view by this Council from day one.

Given this, there are already protections in place such as the Coastal State Environmental Planning Policy, along with other Zoning Instruments.

Therefore the public enquiry is unnecessary and unwarranted.

There is no need for a Conservation Agreement.

The Central Coast Airport Association Inc., is calling on the Administrator to submit a Recission Motion in respect to Resolution 1214/19 which was passed on a split vote 25th November 2019 and gives rise to this Public Exhibition.

Service CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW MARCH 2021

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PROPERT Y

COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY FOR SALE/LEASE

FOR SALE KINCUMBER - WAREHOUSE/MEZZ & SEPARATE TENANCY

LISAROW

Located in Cochrone Industrial Estate. Area 348m2 approx. with 228m2 on the ground floor. Fitted mezz area of approx.120m2, leased with benefits of an income of $14,172 pa + GST + Outgoings.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

ERINA - IMPRESSIVE INVESTMENT!

SOMERSBY - BRAND NEW WAREHOUSE & OFFICE

Home to a Thai restaurant for the past 16 yrs, an absolute icon located at the five ways roundabout.

Area of approx. 250m2, high foot traffic & highway exposure, near Gosford CBD & on-site parking.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

VACANT LOT, 10 ACRES!

High growth location subdivided into 11 separate allotments, each with an area of approx. 4,000m2. Lots 15 & 16 are approx.

3,200m2. Near the M1 MTWY, Zoning DM, huge exposure to passing trade.

FOR SALE $5,000,000

CONSTRUCTION!

TUGGERAH - TUGGERAH BUSINESS PARK!

Ranging from 75-222m2, B7 zoning, high clearance construction, drive around parking & access, H/W roller doors, amenities in each unit, close to the SYD NC M1 MTWY, the Train Station, & Westfield.

FOR SALE FROM $231,000 - $519,000 + GST

Concrete tilt panel high clearance warehouse with auto roller door, approx. 591m2. Disabled & unisex bathroom, kitchen.3 phase power, secure fencing & truck access. In industrial park, near M1.

FOR LEASE $65,000 N/PA + GST

Warehouse approx. 671m2 of area with auto roller door for loading/unloading, 3 phase power. M/F & disabled toilets, kitchen. 6 car spaces, semi-trailer access & lrg turning area, auto security gates.

FOR LEASE $98,230 N/PA+ GST

WYOMING - ICONIC THAI RESTAURANT

10 units available, zoned B5, for warehousing/ distribution/ light industries. Allocated car spaces, concrete tilt panels, kitchen & disabled bathroom in each unit. Located near M1.

FOR SALE from $306,000 + GST

SOMERSBY-BRAND NEW WAREHOUSE NEEDS TENANT!

SOMERSBY - HIGH CLEARANCE - GREAT VIEWS!

Located in Platinum building, well maintained & refurbished office space, 6 car spaces, area approx.

225.0m2. Tenants pay all usual outgoings. Diverse income stream from 2 separate tenants.

FOR SALE $1,499,000 + GST

SOMERSBY - UNDER AVAILABLE APRIL 2021

FOR LEASE

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

TUGGERAH – 14 BRAND NEW UNITS Large showrooms, offices & quality amenities, extra height, better security, access & undercover parking, sizes range from 96m2 – 395m2. The key to a better location & to your business success!

FOR SALE FROM $292,000 - $1,085,000 + GST

Visit our website for additional properties and more information centralcoast.ljhcommercial.com.au

High clearance with auto roller door for loading/ unloading, approx. 693m2 floor area. M/F & disabled bathrooms & split system air-conditioning. 6 car spaces, security fencing with auto gates.

FOR LEASE $100,540 + GST + Outgoings

TUGGERAH - SUPERIOR OFFICE! UNIQUE OFFERING!

Ground level office approx. 306m2 + 45m2 courtyard, ample parking, amenities & extensive landscaping, natural light (glass wraps around the entire suite), BONUS opposite a popular CAFE! FOR LEASE $45,000 N/PA + GST

WYEE - PREMIUM QUALITY NEW RETAIL!

Brand new stage + existing 1st stage of retail neighbourhood shopping space. Areas from approx.

51m2 -200m2, places for uses inc. medical, pathology, fast food, pet store & a mix of commercial office opportunities!

FOR LEASE EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Suite 401 / 1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259 87 Mann Street, Gosford NSW 2250

Phone 4353 7700

HUGE EXPOSURE FOR LEASE Suite 3, 36-40 Victoria Street East Gosford

105-115 Hakone Road, Woongarrah Auction Day 1 May

5/5 Colony Close, Tuggerah For Sale $1,050,000

Invest, Occupy, Sub Divide

Sensational investment, solid tenant

2 Street Access frontages

Strong yielding investment

Over 120 meter frontage to Hakone Rd

Modern fit out in place

Future Sub Division (STCA)

Ground level access

Strong long term holding income

Plenty of parking

Brad Rogers 0459 921 122 dijones.com.au

Ben Purdue 0450 719 600 dijones.com.au

14 Acres (approx)

Prominent Law firm tenant

High proole, ground oor, corner position.

Located at main intersection on Central Coast Highway.

Customer car park on site.

1x undercover reserved space for tenant.

122 sqm internal area.

Awning signage area.

Ducted air conditioning, 3 phase power, ceiling, lighting, white walls.

Lee Woodward 0414 877 780 | 02 4323 7606 lee@vcmanagement.com.au www.vcmanagement.com.au

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PROPERT Y NEWS

Tesoriero’s buy Kincumber investment property at auction

4325 0208 www.chapmanfrazer.com.au

FOR SALE | $500,000 + GST UNIT 6 / 3 KOALA CRESCENT, WEST GOSFORD

FANTASTIC UNIT WITH SUBSTANTIAL FITOUT Available now for purchase, this unit is a fantastic offering. The ground floor offers a total area of 188.57sqm fitted out with a reception / entry, partitioned offices, open plan work space, male & female amenities, kitchen and ducted air conditioning.

Units with this quality of fit out are hard to find so don't miss out.

___________________________________________________________ FOR SALE | $2,543,275 + GST UNIT 7 / LOT 3 OF 19 DONALDSON STREET, WYONG

UNBELIEVABLE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY This is an outstanding investment opportunity within this new development with construction due to start soon.

Giving the chance to reap the benefits of both a great return and depreciation, making this free standing unit the perfect investment property for your commercial property portfolio.

Alexander and Nicholas Tesoriero were the successful bidders for an investment property at 17 Kerta Road, Kincumber that sold at auction on 17th February.

The property comprises five tenancies with net lettable area of 787.8 sqm on a 1,633 sqm lot adjacent to the Mitre10 store and generates an income of $112,000 per annum net.

Price paid was $2,320,000 (GST not

With so little investment stock available, it will be hard to find another option of this quality.

__________________________________________________________ FOR SALE | FROM $134,590 + GST WYONG BUSINESS UNITS | 4 DULMISON AVENUE, WYONG

WYONG BUSINESS PARK Located just off the Pacific Highway, this brand new development offers an easily accessible destination. With units of 34sqm, 50sqm, 75sqm and 100sqm, and upgrade options available (including mezzanine levels), these well designed and well presented units offer great value, whether you're looking to occupy the unit or invest in a growing region.

applicable) giving the buyer a return of 4.8% pa.

It was the first the property had been offered in 32 years.

The property was marketed by Anthony Scarcella from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast who said there were 11 registered bidders who took the price above the reserve of $1,900,000 to $2,320,000.

Contact us today for a full information memorandum.

CONTACT: Daniel Mason | 0403 889 530 Chris Watson | 0402 430 213 Mark Davies | 0422 442 858 A: Level 1/27 Dane Drive, Gosford NSW 2250 E: enquiries@chapmanfrazer.com.au

@chapmanfrazer @chapman_frazer

Investors buying refurbished West Gosford units Anthony Scarcella from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast reports that all nine units in a recently refurbished complex of industrial units at 290 Manns Road, West Gosford have been sold.

FOR LEASE

PROFESSIONAL & SPECIALIST MEDICAL SUITES

152-154 PACIFIC HIGHWAY TUGGERAH

Easy Parking, great exposure, well maintained & presented property with well known quality tenants including Trader Vics, BCF & Super Cheap Auto, PRP Radiology, Australian Clinical Labs Pathology, Fullerton Health Medical Centre, Geriatrician; Psychologists, Dentist, Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy, Chiropractor, Cafe & more.

Ideal for the Professional, Legal, Financial or Medical Specialist with sizes from 16m2 up to 95m2 suitable to Lease or Purchase.

Features include: • Flexible lease terms • Competitive rentals • Excellent parking • Air-conditioning, carpets, kitchenette • Balcony access for East Wing suites • Exposure of Complex to Tuggerah Straight

For further details contact Julie Davies on 0402 779 186

A local businessman has paid $1.2 million (GST not applicable) for units 1 and 2 with a total 705 sqm that are leased for $78,000 net per annum providing a return of 6.5% pa.

Another investor has paid $550,000 (GST not applicable) for Unit 7 of 245sqm giving a similar return.

Sydney investor buys Tuggerah unit A Sydney investor has paid $1,060,000 (GST not applicable) for Unit 9, 1 Reliance Drive, Tuggerah Business Park.

The 594 sqm unit is part of the One Reliance complex and comprises high clearance warehouse of 354 sqm plus 240sqm office and balcony.

The property is leased to courier company DHL for $72,000 per annum net on a short term lease until end 2022.

The sale was negotiated by Brett Dowling from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast.

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PROPERT Y NEWS

Woy Woy industrial freehold sold way above reserve

A vacant freehold industrial warehouse at 56 Ocean Beach Road, Woy Woy sold at auction on 18th November 2020 for $1,551,000 - $000 above the reserve The property, with direct main road frontage and 5 car spaces is on a 607 sqm block and comprises warehouse with an internal height of approx. 8.2 metres and has an approved ground floor space of 300m2, which includes air conditioned showroom at the front

of the building (approx. 30m2). The storage mezzanine, kitchenette and air conditioned office space is approx.

125m2.

Other features include 3 phase power, solar panels, automatic roller doors, male and female bathrooms with disabled access.

The property was marketed by Karen Aubrey from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast.

LEASINGS Scrap metal merchant leases at North Wyong Australian Metal Refiners has leased a freestanding 516 sqm warehouse on a 2,036 sqm lot at 4 Willow Tree Road, North Wyong.

The property comprises 700sqm concrete hardstand, air conditioned office and amenities plus mezzanine.

Terms of lease are 58 weeks plus 2 x 3 year options at a rental of $55,000 per annum plus Outgoings and GST. The lease was negotiated by Robert Bose from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast.

Glass company leases at Tuggerah Business Park Atlantic Glass Pty Ltd has leased Unit 10 at 11 Reliance Drive, Tuggerah Business Park.

The 480 sqm unit is part of a recently completed complex.

Terms of lease are 3 years with 3 year option at a rental of $49,500 per annum including Outgoings plus GST. Robert Bose from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast negotiated the lease.

Fabricator leases at Tuggerah A storage and fabrication business has leased Unit 8 at 11 Reliance Drive, Tuggerah Business Park.

Terms of lease for the 425 sqm unit are 2 years with 2 year option at a rental of $45,000 per annum plus Outgoings and GST.

Somersby industrial sold at auction

Autobarn leases at Erina

A freestanding industrial warehouse of 580 sqm on a 2,502 sqm site at 1 Davids Close, Somersby has sold at auction for $1,370,000 (GST not applicable), $220,000 above the reserve.

The warehouse comprises 3 separate units with amenities and one with 2 tonne and 1 tonne overhead crane currently configured as one space and was offered with vacant possession.

Karen Aubrey from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast who marketed the property said that there were twelve registered bidders and considerable interest in the property which finally sold to Active Crane Hire Pty Ltd.

Car accessories and spare parts retailer Autobarn has leased a 1,349 sqm retail space at 239 The Entrance Road, Erina.

The property which is adjacent to competitor Supercheap had been vacant since electrical retailer Bing Lee moved to West Gosford last year.

While the rental was not disclosed it is understood to be around $250,000 per annum net. Lease terms 5 years with 5 year option.

The property is managed by S Skipper Associates who negotiated the lease.

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RESIDENTIAL PROPERT Y REPORT

Booming market helps drag up Sydney’s median house price ALONG WITH OTHER outer suburbs such as the Northern Beaches and the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast is helping boost Sydney’s median house price, with its extraordinary

By Jess Verrender growth in property prices over the past year.

Sydney has already seen its median house price hit a new record high, according to Domain data. New working from home provisions have allowed buyers the opportunity to make lifestyle changes, shifting to scenic spots like the Central Coast, which is considered a region of Greater Sydney.

The Daily Telegraph recently reported that homebuyers on the coast and Sydney’s outer suburbs will “have to fork up an average of about $40,000-$60,000 more for properties than buyers did last year due to runaway growth in prices.” The median price of a Central Coast home is now about $682,000, compared to nearly $624,000 at this time last year.

Plenty of suburbs are thriving in this new environment, in particular lifestyle pockets close to the beach or on acreage.

North Avoca, despite its sleepy beachside village vibe, continues to be one of the Central Coast’s biggest hot spots when it comes to property.

Raine and Horne agent Carol Jennings recently described one of her recent open homes as like a ‘rock concert’.

With over 60 sign-ins at a Saturday open, the property at 27 Lake Shore Dr was under offer in a matter of days, with interest mainly coming from Sydney. Eight parties put a price forward for the single level family home, with the final locked in at $1.303 million.

8/217 Oak Road, Matcham Avoca in the last nine months or so,” Ms Jennings said.

Earlier this year Shaun and Kristy HudsonSmith of Ray White Terrigal set a new North Avoca suburb record, with the off market sale of 44 Ocean St for $5 million. Set in prime position on the beachfront on a 885sqm block, the property includes a separate self-contained studio and expanses of glass that embrace the captivating coastline scenery.

44 Ocean Street, North Avoca Further back from the beach, but just 100 metres away, a four-bedroom home at 29 View St was sold by Trevor Hamilton of McGrath for $3.6 million. A brand new contemporary design and saltwater pool were a killer combination for the stunning property, which sold to a local family almost as soon as it was listed.

27 Lakeshore Drive, North Avoca “It is not surprising that people like North Avoca...you’re close to Terrigal, you can walk along the beach to the Avoca Markets.

There is a patrolled beach and a great cafe. People like that it’s quiet. We’ve seen around a 26 per cent increase in North

29 View Street, North Avoca

“We listed the property a little bit earlier than planned, simply because there was so much interest,” Mr Hamilton said.

“There were 385 inquiries, 35 immediate inspections and four offers on the first day, one unconditional. The supply and demand situation we are in at the moment means that no seller is walking away disappointed.

“The interest from buyers is phenomenal. A good example of this is open houses. During our best market a few years ago, McGrath were listing around 90 properties a week, with around 300400 people coming through. Now, we’re only listing about 47 properties a week but we’re getting over 500 inspections.”

With low stock and high buyer interest, Mr Hamilton said that prestige properties were being snapped up by Sydneysiders.

He recently sold an epic Matcham mansion at 8/217 Oak Rd but was unable to disclose the sale price due to a confidentiality agreement. Listed late last year

by Clean Health Fitness Institute founder Daine McDonald and his wife Lauren, the 9220sqm estate late had a $4.5m guide.

CoreLogic shows that the couple paid $2.83m for the home in April 2017 before undertaking a major renovation.

The incredible home includes seven bedrooms, a home theatre, sauna, swimming pool, basketball court and a professional gym.

Oak Rd and Coachwood Rd are the top selling streets in Matcham, with several properties selling here for $3.5 million and above. The priciest transaction on Oak Rd is an incredible acreage sold

by Mr Hamilton in 2017 for $3.95 million.

He is also rumoured to have sold Sophie Monk a three-bedroom 8000sqm hinterland home in Matcham in July last year.

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BUSINESS TIPS

MIND YOUR BUSINESS

By Troy Marchant, Director, Adviceco Chartered Accountants

COVID changes: JobKeeper, FBT & Working from Home COVID continues to bring change to the way we manage business. Here are the immediate changes you should be planning for now.

JobKeeper phase 3 ends at the end of March – HECS-style loans being considered If you receive JobKeeper and the deadline makes you nervous, start planning now. Meet with your accountant to identify the risks, opportunities and options available to you.

The federal government has not ruled out HECS-style credit for businesses who continue to feel the effect of COVID restrictions. Repayments would be based on turnover. At the time of writing this, it has not been legislated.

Overpaid JobKeeper subsidies are being reclaimed by ATO $340 million in JobKeeper subsidies have been overpaid to businesses since the stimulus measure was introduced last March.

The ATO has recovered about $135 million of those payments and is still pursuing about $150 million.

However, the tax office will not be seeking to recover another $50 million, which was overpaid as a result of genuine mistakes made by businesses.

Voluntary JobKeeper repayments to the ATO may not be tax deductible Some large companies, including Toyota and Super Retail Group, have made headlines by voluntarily donating some of their JobKeeper payments back to the Australian Tax Office (ATO). While the action is honourable, given the payments were internally deemed in excess of their needs, it is yet to be determined as to whether the money returned can be removed from their assessable income.

The ATO has been called to clarify whether voluntary refunds have been ‘necessarily incurred’, and therefore tax deductible. It definitely pays to ask your accountant, who will have a direct line to the ATO, before taking action with JobKeeper.

Car fringe benefits If you provide a car parking benefit for an employee, and that employee is working from home, you do not have an FBT obligation for that period.

If you provide a car to an employee, and that car is garaged at your employee’s home and still being used for personal

use, you do have an FBT obligation. You don’t have an obligation if your business has taken possession of the car for the period that they were unable to use if for work purposes.

Working from Home tax shortcut extended The ATO has extended the shortcut method on claimable expenses when working from home until the end of the Financial Year. This involves a flat rate of 80 cents per hour for all running expenses for the hours you work at home, instead of calculating costs for specific running expenses.

Claimable expenses include phone and internet expense, decline in value of equipment and furniture, and costs associated with gas and electricity for heating, cooling, and lighting.

Reminder – plan your tax now: Now is the time to be booking your PreJune review with your accountant. An effective Pre-June review will involve a 1:1 deep-dive with your accountant on how to save tax. By the time it is June, it is too late to act on this kind of thinking. It will also include a tailored budget for 2021 so that you know in advance how the year will end, and how you are tracking against your focus areas in the business.

The increased levels of control over your final tax outcome gives you the freedom to run a growing business.

Sales – A Shift in Mind-Set

By Trevor Marchant, MD of Marchant Dallas Consulting and an accredited Master Sales Trainer and Coach

IT IS RARE that you meet a child who aspires be a salesperson when they grow up.

You do hear alternatives such as politician, lawyer, doctor, sports professional, or artist—and in all these examples, the commonality is that without the ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate, the chances of success are highly reduced.

Having a talent or ability to perform is not enough by itself to secure success.

Through the years there have been countless examples of highly capable businesspeople failing because of one simple reason: They did know how to sell.

Finding yourself in a sales role quite often

happens by accident. Perhaps you have just started in business or had an urgent business need, or maybe somebody else has put you into the role.

The truth is we are all salespeople, and in every part of life, sales skills are useful tools in helping us to climb the ladder and realise more of our potential. When you reflect on almost everyone who has achieved a significant level of success, you will typically find that their achievement has been enabled, amplified, or accelerated through their ability to sell.

‘Sales’ is certainly not a dirty word.

To illustrate my point, here are some high achievers I would class as being some of the most successful sales professionals on the planet: • Steve Jobs • Martha Stewart • Leonardo DiCaprio • Martin Luther King, Jr. • Nelson Mandela • Sir Alex Ferguson • LeBron James • Richard Branson • Oprah Winfrey • J. K. Rowling

There is probably a huge difference between your initial image of a salesperson and these decorated professionals.

During my many years of training and coaching salespeople and business owners we usually have a discussion about the ‘dark side ‘of selling and words like: • Pushy • Greedy and • It’s all about the money …arise.

Then we have a discussion about being a professional salesperson and words like, caring, helpful, responsible and respect come to the top.

It becomes obvious to me that the fear of being a salesperson is the fear of being perceived as carrying that first set of attributes.

Today’s world is a very different one, and given our reality—the huge transparency now created through reviews, the Internet, and the power of a consumer’s voice on social media—then it really only leaves room for the sales professional to prosper.

It’s about a mind your mind-set.

Change your thinking – change your results.

To your Success and (always) Good selling.

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BUSINESS TIPS

COVID-19 Vaccine and the Workplace – There are Challenges Ahead

By Warwick Ryan, Partner, Hicksons Lawyers

The rollout of the vaccine The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine (Vaccine) has commenced in Australia as we try and contain this pernicious virus – once and for all. This initiative is not going to be simple as there is widespread resistance in the community to being administered the Vaccine.

There are some who are not opposed to vaccines per se, merely this Vaccine because of concerns as to the speed with which these particular vaccines have been brought to market and what that means for recipient’s safety. For others, the resistance is not merely scepticism, but outright hostility to all forms of vaccination.

These are not merely interesting sociological impressions. These are realities that many employers will confront as they continue to consider the safety of their employees and customers.

So, what is the Government saying?

The current Federal and State government position is that vaccinations are not mandatory in Australia.

Currently there are no public health orders making the Vaccine mandatory. All Federal and Territory governments have agreed through national cabinet that public health orders will not be issued requiring the Vaccine for any workers … at this point.

The Australian Public Health Protection Principle Committee, which consists of all state and Territory Chief health officers and chaired by the Australian Chief medical officer does not recommend that public health orders are issued to make vaccines mandatory.

As an employer can I force my staff to be vaccinated? What if the employee does not want to be vaccinated?

Employers are bound by work health and safety legislation which requires the employer to ensure the health and safety of their employees and customers.

In considering how this obligation correlates to a direction to employees to be administered the Vaccine, the question is: is this direction ‘reasonable’? In answering that question, the factors that ought to be considered are:

(a) the industry work is conducted in; (b) the nature of the work performed by the employee (i.e. their proximity to their coworkers and others); and (c) what risk mitigation strategies the employer has established in relation to COVID-19.

There have been no cases directly on the administration of the Vaccine, yet. However, the Fair Work Commission recently provided commentary in the case of Arnold v Goodstart Early Learning Limited [2020] FWC 6083 in relation to an employer’s ability to enforce flu vaccinations in the workplace, thus: “ … it is at least arguable that the employer’s policy requiring mandatory vaccination is lawful and reasonable in the context of its operations which principally involve the care of children, including children who are too young to be vaccinated or unable to be vaccinated for a valid health reason.”

The key points to take away from the decision are: • the employment industry was an active consideration; • the employer had a policy concerning vaccination for influenza; • the employer followed their policy for vaccination for influenza; • duty of care to clients / customers was deemed an inherent requirement of the role; • the role was not able to be modified to remove the risk; and • the employee did not provide a medical basis for the refusal to be vaccinated.

Similar principles would apply to whether an employer’s policy to make it a pre-employment requirement to have the Vaccine.

Proactive offerings One approach employers may consider is to provide incentives to employees for receiving the Vaccine. One example of these incentives is McDonald’s in the USA, who is considering offering four days’ pay to casual staff if they have the Vaccine.

Policies and Procedures Having clear policies and procedures that are followed are critical for an employer to be able to demonstrate clear lines of communication with their workforce.

There are a range of policies and procedures that employers may need to review for the COVID-19 vaccination. The following are a starting point for most businesses to consider: (a) i nduction/new starter policy; (b) vaccination policy; (c) sick leave policy; (d) annual leave policy for travel undertaken by staff; (e) incentive policy; (f ) t ravel policy for staff travelling for work; (g) health and safety procedures; and

(h) working from home policy.

One thing is certain, employers will need to work in a sensitive and collaborative approach with staff, and ensure that policies are updated to reflect the final company position on the Vaccine. If you are not sure how best to proceed or wish for further advice, you can speak to one of our Workplace Relations team members today, who are specialists in interpreting and applying employment case law and legislation!

SME Insolvency changes now in effect The federal government’s small business insolvency reforms passed through Parliament towards the end of last year are now effective from the start of 2021.

The reforms in the Corporations Amendment (Corporate Insolvency Reforms) Bill 2020 were announced as part of the delayed 2020–21 federal budget.

Under the reforms, eligible businesses experiencing financial distress can access a new, simplified debt restructuring process that allows them to restructure their existing debts while remaining in control of their business.

Eligible businesses not able to immediately secure a small business restructuring practitioner to commence the new process can also declare their intention to access the process through a notice on ASIC’s published notices website.

From the date a declaration is published, temporary relief from insolvent trading liability and responding to statutory demands from creditors applies to the business for up to three months, with the ability to declare such an intention available until 31 March 2021.

For businesses unable to survive the economic impacts of COVID-19 recession, a new simplified liquidation pathway will be available to allow faster and lower-cost liquidation, increasing returns for creditors and employees.

In addition, other measures included in the reforms have been made to facilitate a faster and more effective response from the insolvency sector to attend to the needs of small business.

Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar said the reforms are designed to help keep businesses in business and more Australians in jobs.

“The reforms reposition our insolvency system to help more incorporated small businesses, with liabilities of less than $1 million, restructure and survive the economic impact of the COVID-19 recession,” Mr Sukkar said.

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FUNNY BUSINESS

A big game hunter went on a safari with his wife and mother-in-law.

One morning, while still deep in the jungle, the hunter’s wife awakened to find her mother gone.

She woke her husband, and they both set off in search of the old woman.

In a clearing not far from the camp, they came upon a chilling sight.

The mother-in-law was standing face-toface with a lion.

“What are we going to do?” his horrified wife asked.

“Nothing,” her husband replied, “The lion got himself into this mess, let him get himself out of it.”

Heaven is when: the British are the police, the French are the cooks, the Germans are the engineers, the Italians are the lovers, the Swiss are the organisers and the Central Coast Mariners are winning.

Hell is if: the British are the cooks, the Germans are the police, the French are the engineers, the Swiss are the lovers, the Italians are the organisers, and the Central Coast Mariners are losing!

For a few moments everything was silent in the cab, and then the still shaking driver said, “I’m sorry but you scared the daylights out of me.”

The frightened passenger apologised to the driver and said he didn’t realise a mere tap on the shoulder could frighten him so much.

The driver replied, “No, no, I’m sorry its entirely my fault. Today is my first day driving a cab. I’ve been driving a hearse for the past 25 years.”

Accountant after reading a nursery rhyme to his child, “No, son. It wouldn’t be tax deductible when Little Bo Peep loses her sheep. But I like your thinking.”

A Texan walks into a pub in Ireland and clears his voice to the crowd of drinkers.

He says, “I hear you Irish are a bunch of hard drinkers. I’ll give $500 American dollars to anybody in here who can drink 10 pints of Guinness back-to-back.”

The room is quiet and no one takes up the Texan’s offer. One man even leaves.

Thirty minutes later the same gentleman who left shows back up and taps the Texan on the shoulder. “Is your bet still good?”, asks the Irishman.

The Texan says yes and asks the bartender to line up 10 pints of Guinness.

Immediately the Irishman tears into all 10 of the pint glasses drinking them all backto-back. The other pub patrons cheer as the Texan sits in amazement.

The Texan gives the Irishman the $500 and says, “If ya don’t mind me askin’, where did you go for that 30 minutes you were gone?”

The Irishman replies, “Oh...I had to go to the pub down the street to see if I could do it first”.

Sam walks into his boss’s office. “Sir, I’ll be straight with you, I know the economy isn’t great, but I have over three companies after me, and I would like to respectfully ask for a raise.” After a few minutes of haggling the boss finally agrees to a 5% raise, and Sam happily gets up to leave. “By the way”, asks

the boss as Sam is getting up, “which three companies are after you?” “The electric company, water company, and phone company”, Sam replied.

A sales manager was addressing an underperforming sales team at the start of a new month: “We are going to have a sales contest this month. The winners will get to enter next month’s contest.”

A store manager overheard a clerk saying to a customer, “No, ma’am, we haven’t had any for some weeks now, and it doesn’t look as if we’ll be getting any soon.”

Alarmed by what was being said, the manager rushed over to the customer who was walking out the door and said, “That isn’t true, ma’am. Of course, we’ll have some soon. In fact, we placed an order for it a couple of weeks ago.”

Then the manager drew the clerk aside and growled, “Never, never, never, never say we don’t have something. If we don’t have it, say we ordered it and it’s on its way. Now, what was it she wanted?”

The clerk smiled and said ...”Rain.”

Quote of the month “When there is no vision, the people perish.”

Proverbs 29:18

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Speak to a Worthington BMW Sales Consultant to book your Extended Test Drive.

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