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2023 IWWF World Waterski Racing Championships to add over $5 million to Coast economy Sara Lee goes into Voluntary Administration Kellie Hassab appointed President Association of Consulting Surveyors NSW
Obituary
TONY SHERIDAN OAM 1925-2023
Manufacturing Commissioner talks to Coast manufacturers Page 4 – Edgar Adams’ Editorial Tourism – A hobby or an industry
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CON T EN TS
In this issue 4
Edgar Adams’ Editorial Tourism – A hobby or an industry
12 Greek restaurant opens at Koolewong Marina
Business news
12 Brazel Moore Lawyers relocate to Erina
5 Manufacturing Commissioner talks to Coast manufacturers 6 Sara Lee goes into Voluntary Administration 6 Long Jetty motel property brings $5.1 million 7 UON announces builder for Gosford Campus 7 Mars Food supporting local people in need 8 No job too big or too small for Phoenix Packaging 8 Local jobs and manufacturing to feature in NSW Parliamentary inquiry into government procurement 9 2023 IWWF World Waterski Racing Championships to add over $5million to Coast economy 9 Star Scientific announces second pilot project 10 Coast builders take out top awards at 2023 HIA-CSR Hunter Housing Awards 10 Kellie Hassab appointed President Association of Consulting Surveyors NSW 11 Central Coast manufacturers at Hunter Manufacturing Awards
13 Monique Anderson to establish Central Coast TEC group
CONTACT
13 Change of management at Saddles Mount White 14 Obiturary - Tony Sheridan OAM 19252023 15 Council out of the woods - maintains financial position for second year
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15 Legal Expenses continue to skyrocket 16 A Bill to destroy self-employed small businesses across Australia 17 When might an employer be liable for an employee’s cyber mistakes 18 Signs that you might be up for an ATO audit 18 Business Bureau launched at Service NSW 19 Major temperature-controlled distribution facility at Fountaindale on the market 20 Recent commercial industrial property sales 21 Recent commercial industrial property leasings 22 Funny business
Listen to Edgar Adams on Coast FM each Monday 9:45am Also follow us on Linkedin
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.
Phone 02 4367 0733 Email info@ccbusinessreview.com.au Web www.ccbusinessreview.com.au
CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW NOVEMBER 2023
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EDITORIAL
Edgar Adams discusses local issues
Tourism – A hobby or an industry THE HISTORY OF tourism on the Central Coast goes back more than 80 years. To a time when Sydney’s blue collar workers packed up their tents, hooked up their caravans and spent the summer school holidays across the whole of the region. Camping areas and caravan parks dotted the coastline from Umina to Budgewoi. The people who came here to holiday were not wealthy so it was a cheap way to get away and spend the Christmas and Easter holidays. Those businesses who catered to this market flourished from Christmas until after Easter and then spent the rest of the year surviving on what they managed to get from services to these holidaymakers. Some years saw big profits when the sun shone bright for the whole season but the rainy years could be disastrous. The weekends could be good too. People would get away Friday night and go home Sunday night. And there were the day trippers who flocked to the Coast, mostly on Sundays, bought their picnic lunches with them and clogged up the narrow winding Pacific Highway. They would buy an ice cream and soft drink and perhaps a hamburger or fish and chips. Almost all of these people were on tight budgets. So they couldn’t leave much behind. The fish and chip shops and milk bars did well as did the caravan park owners.
Although most camping areas and caravan parks, being on crown land, were operated by Gosford and Wyong councils. The amount of investment in these facilities by business owners and councils was minimal. For those who saw themselves in the tourism industry regarded it as a ‘way of life’. Work hard in summer, take time off in winter. In many respects for these people tourism is a hobby. None would dream of making the big investments the new world demands. Wyong Council, with their numerous caravan parks and narrow focus on the visitor market poured big money into attracting visitors on limited budgets. Wyong Council saw what they called a tourism industry as an economic saviour for the whole region. The centre of all this activity was of course The Entrance and Council put big money into making it attractive. Unfortunately, by the early 1990s the visitor market had changed. Visitors were more sophisticated and mature and had more money to spend. They demanded more value and were prepared to pay. Other regions north and south of Sydney got the message and invested huge sums in new hotel accommodation and restaurants and other retail offerings. But no one on the Central Coast got the message. Some major investments
occurred. We saw Crowne Plaza Terrigal lead the way and they were followed by Magenta Shores, Kooindah Waters at Wyong and Ettalong Mantra. When one looks around the Central Coast and looks at the amount of real investment in tourism that will attract visitors with real money to spend, there isn’t much. Terrigal is the exception. Crowne Plaza and Star of the Sea Resort created a new visitor market. These days Terrigal is an all year destination with visitors flush with money looking where to spend it. Fast forward and it is now certain our Central Coast Council continues to live in the dark ages in respect to tourism. This month, November, will see Gosford host the 2023 World Waterski Championships that will see the participants spend over $5 million into the region over ten days. Over two hundred competitors, their families and teams will be staying around Gosford and Terrigal for 10 days. They have functions booked at Drifters Wharf, Sailing Club, both hotels and will be filling up all the restaurants where they are staying. The ski boats will use 40,000 litres of fuel which they will buy locally. Additionally, the whole event will be televised around the World. Gosford will be on the World stage. CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
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BUSINESS NEWS
Manufacturing Commissioner talks to Coast manufacturers THE NSW MODERN Manufacturing Commissioner, Lisa Emerson MSc made her second visit to the Central Coast this year addressing 52 senior executives representing local manufacturers, government, and the education and training sectors at a breakfast seminar at Mingara Club in midOctober. Ms Emerson said manufacturing was a key economic driver for the region. She shared her perspective on challenges and opportunities for Australian manufacturers and her view that greater connectedness and collaboration between stakeholders is a critical enabler to innovation and industry growth. Ms Emerson provided a Snapshot of Manufacturing on the Central Coast that shows: • Number of manufacturers – 1,014 (28,478 total businesses in region) • Total output - $3.825 billion (ranked No. 2 after construction $4.08 billion) • Value add - $1.205 billion (Ranked No 3. Health and Social Care No. 1 $1.78 billion) • Export value - $1.62 billion (Ranked No.1) NSW remains Australia’s largest manufacturing state with one-third of all manufacturing businesses located in the state employing 16,464 people. Since her appointment in September 2022 Ms Emerson has been developing the state government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy and to advocate for manufacturers, listen to industry and hear and understand the issues, and advise government on solutions.
Central Coast Industry Chairman, Ian Hemphill with NSW Modern Manufacturing Commissioner, Lisa Emerson MSc Ms Emerson highlighted the Top 5 challenges facing the industry following meetings with over 300 manufacturers. 1. Procurement – Local content definitions and a focus on initial cost of goods instead of whole-of-life cost in assessing Value for Money is disadvantaging local manufacturers, 2. Supply chain – Continuity/lack of onshore processing resulting in significant delay, 3. Skills and training – TAFE offerings, quality of training, location and times of courses not aligned to business needs, 4. Grants – There is a high administrative burden involved in applying for grant programmes.
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5. Planning – Planning process should support growth in regional communities, aligning logistics, transport, and amenities to improve retention. Ms Emerson said that the upcoming Central Coast Industry Festival to be held on 6th and 7th March 2024 is an opportunity to strengthen networks, accelerate knowledge sharing and problem-solving as well as to help fuel the talent pipeline for industry. She said that she was pleased that Investment NSW is a major sponsor of the 2024 Festival. Also speaking at the event was Scott Goold, Deputy Director Regional Development who provided an overview of funding available for regions through the Department of Regional Development.
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BUSINESS NEWS
Sara Lee goes into voluntary administration
Sara Lee’s Head Office and Production Facility at Lisarow AFTER MORE THAN 50 years manufacturing frozen cheesecakes, pies, crumbles and ice cream products, Sara Lee has gone into voluntary administration. On the 17 October 2023 Vaughan Strawbridge, Kathryn Evans and Joseph Hansell of FTI Consulting were appointed as Voluntary Administrators of Sara Lee Holdings Pty Ltd effective immediately. The Australian based manufacturing business trades as Sara Lee under license from the global owner of the trademark, with rights to operate in Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The world-famous bakery brand, Sara Lee was established in Australia at Lisarow in 1971 and grew to become one of the Central Coast’s most iconic businesses. Sara Lee was acquired by McCains Foods in 2012 for $82million following the US parent selling off their global manufacturing business. McCain subsequently invested some $40 million in new technology and new plant to ensure its competitiveness in the Australian marketplace, one of the toughest retail markets in the world.
Long Jetty motel property brings $5.1 million
Former Reef Resort Motel, Long Jetty In 2021 the company was sold to New Zealand private equity firm, South Island Office for $95 million although the head office remained at Lisarow. At that time Sara Lee was reported to have held 53% of the frozen dessert market across Australia and New Zealand. The appointment to the company is intended to seek a restructuring and sale of the Sara Lee business, while continuing operations. Administrator Vaughan Strawbridge said, “Sara Lee is an iconic brand which produces quality Australian made products from its manufacturing facility in Lisarow NSW, where it employs some 200 staff. “We are working with Sara Lee’s management team and staff to continue operations while we secure the future of the business. We are immediately commencing a process to sell or restructure the business and continue its long history of manufacturing in Australia. “We expect a lot of interest in the business and will work with those parties and stakeholders to achieve an outcome soon as possible to secure the ongoing business and provide clarity to its loyal and committed staff and customers.” he said.
A Sydney investor has paid $5.1 million for a motel property at 309a The Entrance Road, Long Jetty at an auction in early October that saw ten registered bidders attend. Chris Lamont, Principal at Brand Property The Entrance who conducted the auction said that the buyer plans to refurbish and reestablish the property as a motel which has not operated as such since 2017.Built about 40 years ago and originally known as The Reef Resort Motel the 3,349sqm property is on the corner of The Entrance Road and Oakland Avenue, Long Jetty and comprises: • 30-room motel in 3 separate buildings, • Inground pool, • Large 3-bedroom manager’s accommodation, • Commercial kitchen and Breakfast area The property sold after a 38-day campaign.
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BUSINESS NEWS
UON announces builder for Gosford Campus
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE has announced the appointment of Hansen Yuncken as the main works contractor to build their new high-tech $63.8 million Central Coast Campus in Gosford at 305 Mann Street. University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said the tender process was highly competitive and the University was pleased to be working with a company that aligned with its strategic values and boasts a track record in delivering contemporary and dynamic highereducation facilities. “Our new Central Coast campus will be a state-of-the-art education and training facility that will help close skills gaps, increase educational participation rates, and generate new jobs for people living on the Central Coast. "We are eager to have activity ramp up in this space, with construction in Mann Street scheduled toward the end of 2023.”
“The landscape has changed since we began planning our new campus and we are committed to delivering the campus our community needs and wants, in line with final designs. We’re incredibly pleased to be on track to welcome our first students in 2025.” “The new campus in Gosford CBD will allow us to introduce new offerings and align our programs to industry and community needs, giving students more opportunities to complete their university studies on a local campus without leaving the region.” The Campus will be built on the former Mitre 10 building site at 305 Mann Street on land provided by NSW Government’s Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation. Funding support includes University of Newcastle ($27.8 million) and the Australian Government and NSW Governments, ($18 million each).
Mars Food supporting local people in need
Geoff Webster, Operations Director East, Sodexo; Jen Gilbert, Sales Director, Mars Food & Nutrition Australia; Bill Heague, General Manager, Mars Food& Nutrition Australia; and Fatima Lui, Food Programs Account Manager, Foodbank Australia ready to pack prepared meals into the Foodbank Australia van for delivery to local people in need Mars Food Australia has announced a renewed partnership with Sodexo and Foodbank with a week-long Great Dolmio Cookoff intended to draw attention to World Food Day last month on October 16th. The event was set to raise awareness of global hunger and encourage action, while helping those in the Central Coast community. Over 100 members of the Mars Food team, along with staff from Sodexo, volunteered their time. Working three shifts a day the team produced over 1,000 meals a day during the week of 9-13 October. Data from Foodbank reveals that on any day in Australia, over half a million households are struggling to put food on the table. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
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BUSINESS NEWS
No job too big or too small for Phoenix Packaging PHOENIX PACKAGING SOLUTIONS is the Central Coast’s only cardboard packaging manufacturer. They started from humble beginnings in 2016 at West Gosford and after three moves to allow for expansion, now own their own 2,700sqm factory facility at Berkeley Vale and employ 21 people. Phoenix operates in a market full of multi-nationals telling their customers what they have to take, while Phoenix prides itself on giving their customers exactly what they want - be it a small quantity of boxes, a specific design or a large order. Packaging is a significant component in the manufactured product mix. Everything from an individual item to bulk products have to be packaged to transport goods safely and look attractive to the consumer. Phoenix has invested heavily in the latest Printing Technology, which means they don’t just manufacture boxes, they also design boxes and components to suit a customers’ requirements and personally collaborate with them to get the best result. Small runs, Custom print and Unique designs are Phoenix’s specialty. It is also about innovation. West Gosford manufacturer Chamberlain Group, manufacture garage door openers which they sell on the Australian market as well as export to the USA and elsewhere. In the past their ‘Grifco’ garage door opener was packed into a corrugated cardboard box with a polystyrene insert to ensure safe delivery. In 2020 Chamberlain launched their Sustainability Strategy which spanned their entire product cycle from manufacturing to shipment of the final product and this meant the end of polystyrene being used in their packaging. Phoenix were engaged to develop a support insert of recyclable com-
Phoenix Packaging Directors Marc Roberts and David McPherson (l and r) with Chamberlain Quality Control assistant Malcolm Hunt and a garage door opener carton that has successfully undergone drop-testing ponents that could still keep the product safe during shipping and was capable of withstanding being dropped from a reasonable height during testing. After considerable research and development, a new cardboard insert to replace the polystyrene was developed and is now approved to start production. Phoenix Director David McPherson told CCBR that one of their largest sources of business is corrugated containers for the boutique beer industry. One such company is Lisarow based Australian Beverage Contract Filling Co and their associate company Hawkesbury Brewing. “They came to us with a need for an attractively printed beer carton for each brand and brew they produced that were in relatively small numbers. The big companies wouldn’t do it. But we did and now supply in whatever quantities they need to suit their production runs. Locally owned, Phoenix Packaging supply a lot of Central Coast manufacturers but they have customers from across the state who have come to them due to their Flexibility, commitment to Sustainability and their ability to supply customers what they want when they want it.
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Mars Food supporting local people in need CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
In response, Mars Food transformed their Berkeley Vale production facility’s commercial R&D kitchen into a ‘Master Chef-worthy’ set for a Dolmio meal making marathon. Around 20 local charity partners within Foodbank Australia’s network – including Coast Shelter collected the prepared meals and distributed them directly to people in need of food relief. Bill Heague, General Manager Mars Food & Nutrition Australia, said that he knows the importance of helping to put food on tables. “Our best loved brands like Dolmio have been helping Australian’s to make meals for over 30 years.” he said. “Dolmio is all about helping to inspire the small touches that can bring joy to our day-to-day lives. For many of us, that comes through the food we eat and who we eat it with – and that connection is something everyone should get to enjoy. However, sadly there are an increasing number of Australians, including in our own Central Coast, who are struggling with food insecurity. That’s why we are joining forces again with our generous partners to provide healthy cooked meals for people in need in our local community” he said. Sodexo, an integrated facilities management services company with a base on the Central Coast are providing support services and the key ingredients for the 5,000 meals. “Sodexo is proud to team up with Dolmio and our national charity partner, Foodbank. Australia, to address the growing demand for food relief,” Sodexo Australia Managing Director, Mr Weston said. Mars Foods Australia produces products under the MasterFoods, Dolmio and KanTong labels at their Berkely Vales facility.
NEWS
2023 IWWF World Waterski Racing Championships to add over $5 milllion to Coast economy THE 2023 IWWF World Waterski Racing Championships will be held on Brisbane Water, Gosford from the 9th to 19th November 2023. It will be the first time in over twenty years that the event has been held in Australia and will showcase Gosford to the World. The IWWF World Racing Council members, Officials, Judges and most of all the athletes who will come from all over the world with their teams to compete in Australia. The event will see over a hundred teams competing including their families and officials – more than 1,500 people, and all will be staying on the Central Coast. It will bring in over $5million to the regional economy and promote Gosford to the World with a worldwide television hookup. “We are very excited for the ski racing community that Australia will be hosting an IWWF World Ski Racing Championships with the spectacular scenic backdrop of Gosford. It’s been way too long for our finest ski racing athletes to not be competing against each other and the IWWF has made a great effort so this event can proceed!” said Jose Antonio Perez Priego, IWWF President. “Hosting the IWWF World Water Ski Racing Championships in Australia this year provides a unique, once in a decade opportunity for Australian water ski racers to showcase the sport at the highest level.
Water ski racing We can’t wait to see our many supporters lining the banks and enjoying all this magnificent region has to offer and seeing our competitors on the water in an unrivalled international competition” said Jon Horbury, Ski Racing Australia Chairman. Gosford was formerly the home of NSW’s Zone 2 Ski Racing for nearly 20 years and this venue was successfully used for the NSW World Selection Race in 2009. The Race Course, set on Brisbane Water offers concrete and rock walls at one end and open water at the other end and will test the IWWF World Championships contenders in a true ski racing battle. The previous edition of the IWWF World Waterski Racing Championships was held in 2019 in Vichy, France.
Star Scientific announces second pilot project Australian Hydrogen Research and Development company Star Scientific Limited has announced that it is developing a second pilot project for Central Coast packaging company Trendpac. Star Scientific Limited has developed the Hydrogen Energy Release Optimiser (HERO®), a catalyst that converts hydrogen and oxygen into heat, without burning. There are no greenhouse gasses produced, and the only other output is pure water. Trendpac is a private contract packaging company serving major companies and supermarket chains. Their products include shampoos and detergents, many of which are formulated and mixed on-site. Trendpac is a founding member of the Central Coast Hydrogen Food Cluster, an initiative of Star Scientific Limited and Central Coast Industry Connect. Other founding members include Mars Australia Pty Ltd, for whom Star Scientific Limited is developing its inaugural pilot. Group Global Chairman of Star Scientific Limited, Andrew Horvath, said that the company was delighted to be expanding its work with neighbouring companies. He went on to mention that the orthodox view is that hydrogen’s role is to decarbonise heavy industry through CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
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BUSINESS NEWS
Coast builders take out top awards at 2023 HIA-CSR Hunter Housing, Kitchen and Bathroom Awards THE 2023 HIA-CSR Hunter Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards were held on Friday 20th October.This year’s awards saw a total of 65 awards across separate categories with entrants coming from across the Hunter, Central Coast and Mid Coast regions. Independently judged by industry professionals, the awards acknowledge the talent of builders, architects and designers, contractors, suppliers and manufacturers wo plan and construct quality new homes, townhouses, renovations, kitchens, bathrooms and more. The Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement for the residential building industry recognising craftsmanship and excellence from small family-owned businesses right up to the biggest names in the industry. Speaking at the Awards event HIA Hunter Executive Director, Craig Jennion, said, “in recent years the industry has grappled with a rapid escalation in the cost of construction, with materials in short supply and acute shortages of skilled workers. Throughout the past year the industry has faced the added challenge of rapidly rising inflation, followed by increases in interest rates. Hunter Home of the Year Award The winner of the Hunter Home of the Year Award was Umina Beach based builder, Evolving Construction with their Pearl Beach build designed by Tascott architects Osmond McLeod Architects. Commenting on their win and the project Evolving Director Kane Harrison said that the project did present some challenges. “We were building for an overseas client to a limited $2 million budget and this was
Kellie Hassab appointed President Association of Consulting Surveyors NSW
Kellie Hassab with Mark Andrew Beverage Williams NSW Survey Manager and Nick Thompson, Beverage Williams Central Coast Survey Manager
Evolving Construction Directors, Kane and Lauren Harrison with Sponsor CSR Ian Sanson, Winners HIACSR Hunter Home of the Year Award through the covid pandemic which created a number of problems, not the least being rising costs and supply shortages.” Evolving Constructions also took the Custom Built Home of the Year Award and Custom Built Home under $2 million. Other Central Coast based winners included: Valletta Homes • Project Home over $600,000 • Spec Home of the Year • Bathroom under $30,000 Planit Kitchens • Kitchen over $60,000 • Kitchen of the Year Turrell Building Services Custom Built Home under $1.4 million Blairbuild Building Custom Built Home over $3 million
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Kellie Hassab, NSW Manager of Beveridge Williams, one of the largest multidisciplinary engineering, infrastructure and land development consultancies in Australia, has been elected President of the Association of Consulting Surveyors NSW. Ms Hassab’s appointment was announced at the ACS NSW Annual General Meeting last month. Meanwhile, Beveridge Williams recently was awarded the NSW Professional Surveying Organisation of the Year at the 2023 Excellence in Surveying and Spatial Information (EISSI) Awards. Mrs Hassab is NSW Manager of Beveridge Williams with a team of 120 staff located in offices at Tuggerah, Sydney CBD, Oran Park, Miranda and Wollongong. Mrs Hassab commented, “Being awarded the Professional Organization of the Year is a great achievement and a good reason for the team to celebrate. because without surveyors, we wouldn’t have the infrastructure and development that underpins our economy.”
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M A N U FAC T U R I N G N E W S
Central Coast manufacturers at the Hunter Manufacturers’ Awards
Craig de Leon (centre) and Elecbrakes Team THE 2023 HUNTER Manufacturers’ Awards held at NEX on Friday 20th October saw two Central Coast manufacturers winning awards; Janus Electric – Outstanding Start-up Award, and Craig de Leon, Elecbrakes – Manufacturing Leader Award Now in its 19th year, HMA Chair, Jacqui Daley said HMA’s mission is clear. “We aim to champion best practices in manufacturing and inspire businesses to soar to greater heights,” she said. “While not every entrant and finalist may have their sights set on international markets, we are committed to fostering exploration of global opportunities and leveraging the strategic location and robust transportation infrastructure of the Hunter region. “It is an honour to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of manufacturers from the Upper Hunter, Lower Hunter, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, and Mid-North Coast regions. The Hunter has been the host of some exciting media announcements for our industry in 2023 and there is no ques-
tion the region is firmly positioned for ongoing support and success in manufacturing.” Craig de Leon - Elecbrakes Craig de Leon, Founder and Director of Elecbrakes, has been recognised as a Manufacturing Leader. This award acknowledges leaders with a strong track record in the manufacturing sector, who’ve proven to be inspiring and courageous leaders making significant contributions to businesses and the manufacturing industry over time. Over the last two years, Mr de Leon has led Elecbrakes through a significant transformation, focusing on technology, automation, and growth. With his team, they have introduced a high-precision SMT production line, integrated collaborative robots for faster and safer production, shifted to sustainable packaging, and started making trailer pins in-house to improve quality and reduce lead times. This transformation also involved moving the business to a larger facility and expanding the team from 6 to 45 members.
His commitment to fostering a diverse and positive workforce is evident through his efforts to increase female representation in manufacturing roles, addressing an industry-wide gap. Additionally, his collaboration with a disability support organisation to create employment opportunities within his business has resulted in a versatile and highly skilled team of dedicated employees. Integrity played a significant role in the award, with a focus on whether Elecbrakes not only excels in their field but also upholds their core values. He has played a pivotal role in ensuring the company’s unwavering commitment to never compromising on quality. During the initial phases of developing Elecbrakes’ brake controllers, his insistence on perfection was non-negotiable. This uncompromising integrity permeates the entire manufacturing process, with each product undergoing rigorous quality testing.. Additionally, another Elecbrakes team member, Toby Shaward, was a finalist for the HMA Rising Star award. Through his qualities of drive, enthusiasm, personal integrity, resilience, exceptional teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to continuous learning, Toby is honoured by his recognition Janus Electric Based at Berkeley Vale, Janus Electric have developed a revolutionary exchangeable battery system for heavy vehicles. Founded in 2019 by Bevan Dooley and General Manager Lex Forsyth, the company’s aim is to electrify the trucking industry, but instead of relying on rechargeable battery-powered bit rigs, Janus Electric has developed a patented exchangeable battery system the company hopes will cut energy costs by 50% and incentivise the trucking industry to electrify.
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BUSINESS BRIEFS
Greek restaurant opens at Koolewong Marina
Tara Senam Well known restaurateur Tara Senam has opened Kefi Greek Restaurant & Bar at the Koolewong Marina. It is the sixth Central Coast restaurant property owned and run by Ms Senam through her Meraki Group operation. Overlooking Koolewong Marina and all of Brisbane Water and with seating for 120 people, Kefi promises to be one of the Central Coast’s leading dining attractions as well as being a wedding and function centre. Meraki Group General Manager Nick Waldon-Howe former Head Sommelier at Bells at Killcare will jointly manage the Restaurant. Maunzio Santoni former Head
CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW NOVEMBER 2023
Chef at Four Hands Terrigal has been appointed Head Chef. Ms Senam’s business model is to own restaurants but include the Business Manager and Chef of each restaurant as a Business Partner with the aim of providing a pathway into the hospitality industry. Her experience in restaurants and hospitality covers the past twenty years managing various Central Coast restaurants. Currently under her ownership are: Litle Miss Mezza in the new West Gosford Shopping Centre that opened a few months ago. Offering a Middle Eastern menu with Australian twist. Motel Mezza, a 1930s style dining experience offering a Middle Eastern menu opened in Wyong in 2018. Business Partner and Manager is Rachel Sinclair and Head Chef is Kimson Duapulag. Opened in 2016, Pinocchio’s Wine & Pizza on Kibble Park Gosford is an Italian restaurant and bar with an extensive range of wines which Ms Senam manages herself.
BLKbird Cocktail Bar in Toukley which opened earlier this year is managed by Mr Waldon-Howe as is The Pantry in The Quarters at Forresters Beach. Brazel Moore Lawyers relocate to Erina
Geoff Brazel One of Gosford’s oldest law firms, Brazel Moore Lawyers will relocate from their office in the Kensman Building, Gosford to Fountain Plaza Erina at the end of November. Brazel Moore Lawyers was founded in Gosford in 1981 by Geoff Brazel and Peter Moore and today employs twenty-one professional and support staff. The firm specialises in Family Law, Compensation Claims, Will and Estate matters, Criminal Law, Business Law and Converyancing. Mr Moore retired from the firm in 2020.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Commenting on the move Mr Brazel said that with changes to how the Court now functions with video and phone conferencing, lawyers are finding that personal attendance at Court are much less frequent. Being close to the Court House is not as necessary. Additionally, more staff are working from home and attending the office only three or four days a week. He added that Gosford is becoming less favourable to conduct business. Monique Anderson to establish Central Coast TEC group
Monique Anderson Monique Anderson, former CEO of John Singleton Group has been appointed to lead Central Coast business owners and CEOs as Chair of the Central Coast TEC group. The Executive Connection, known 3H 180x100 Mar23 Final V2.pdf
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as TEC is a global organisation that is dedicated to bringing business leaders and executives together to foster growth, learning, and networking. TEC has a number of groups in Sydney and elsewhere in Australia however this is the first to be established on the Central Coast. TEC offers a unique model of peer-topeer learning, enabling members to tap into the collective wisdom and experience of their fellow CEOs and business owners. It provides a confidential and supportive environment where leaders can openly discuss challenges, share strategies, and find inspiration to achieve their goals. As an accomplished CEO, Mrs Anderson brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her role as Chair. Her career in leadership, strategic planning, and business development provides her with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing today’s executives. Business owners and CEOs in the Central Coast TEC group will have access to a resource of experience, innovative ideas, and invaluable networking opportunities. The region’s diverse business landscape, encompassing sectors such as technology, healthcare, tourism, and agriculture, stands to gain immensely from the knowledge-sharing and collaboration that this group offers. TEC groups are limited to 20 people. For more information contact Monique Anderson on 0410424665 or monique@ pmandersonconsulting.com.au 28/3/2023
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Change of management at Saddles Mount White A new management team at Saddles Mount White has seen the appointment of new Head Chef, Kodi Southgate with owner John Singleton having more involvement in the venue’s operations. The change in management means owner John Singleton will have more involvement in the venue’s operations ensuring the restaurant maintains its status. “Saddles was already good, but now it will be great”, said Mr Singleton. Mr Southgate, who was formerly Head Chef at Yellowtail Terrigal, said he is thrilled to unveil the new ‘paddock to plate’ inspired menu. “We’re proud to work with local artisan producers and farmers to showcase the best of Australian meat and produce. We have spent months crafting the [new] menu to create an authentic dining experience that encapsulates the essence of Australia.”
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OBI T UARY
Tony Sheridan OAM – 25 January 1925 – 29 September 2023 FORMER MAYOR OF Wyong Shire Council, Tony Sheridan, passed away peacefully at the age of 98 years on 6th October 2023 surrounded by his five children. Born in Earlwood, Sydney in 1925, Mr Sheridan’s formative years were founded on a tough life at home and at school. It was in these years that he found solace in the teachings of the Catholic Church which saw him devote his life to the Church. From the time he moved to the Central Coast he and his family became actively involved in the Church and was for many years an acolyte of Our Lady of the Rosary Church at The Entrance and served on the Parish Council. Also, in his early years, he was invited to join the local branch of the Australian Labor Party and soon became an active member. He was President of the local branch of the party and a powerful contributor to Labor politics in Wyong. Early in his working life he applied for and got a job with the Child Welfare Department as a clerk and within two years was appointed District Officer at Newcastle, Maitland and then to Wyong where he would remain until his retirement. During his time, he was responsible for the support and care of many families in crisis, which also included the placement of at-risk children. Through his religion, politics and his career Tony Sheridan devoted his life to service to his community. In 1999 he received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to local government and the Centenary Medal for Service to the community through local government, awards which he cherished. In
2019 the Tony Sheridan Walk at The Entrance opened in recognition of his decades of service to the community. In the late 1980s he became involved in an issue that saw him stand for councillor with Wyong Shire Council and was elected Councillor at the September 1989 Local Government Elections. He would remain a Councillor for 27 years including eight years as Shire President and one year as Mayor. Having retired from his position as District Child Welfare Officer he subsequently took up a position with friend and local businessman Michael Kelleher and in his later years through until he was 80 managed Kelleher’s tourist interests; Sun Valley Tourist Park, Blue Lagoon Tourist Park and Nambucca Heads Tourist Park. It was during these years that he became involved in the tourism industry and was for many years Director of Central Coast Tourism Inc although, as President and Mayor of Wyong Shire Council he had already seen the benefits of a strong tourism industry to the region’s economy. It was during his time at Wyong Shire Council and with the background of understanding the essential need for residents in the region to have employment opportunities and jobs that he worked to attract investment and new industries to the region. In league with Council’s General Manager, the late John Dawson he was the driving force behind Westfield building their shopping centre at Tuggerah, Bay Village shopping centre at Bateau Bay, Mars Food
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CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW NOVEMBER 2023
Central Coast Labor Councillors and local Labor Party Members honour Tony Sheridan at the naming of the Tony Sheridan Walk at The Entrance Australia establishing their MasterFoods manufacturing facility at Berkeley Vale and Sanitarium Health Foods moving their head office and manufacturing operations also to Berkeley Vale. He was instrumental in gaining State and Federal funding for a number of specific projects, including the upgrade of Wyong Road from Tuggerah to the coast. While his focus was on the Wyong area which he represented he saw the Central Coast region as one interrelated and interconnected community. As a person Tony Sheridan was a gentleman, devoted to his family and his community. But one never to suffer fools and was always prepared to argue his case until he got what he wanted for his community. He is survived by his children; Catherine Hawkins, Leane Sutton, Tim Sheridan, Bernard Sheridan and Pete Sheridan and ten grandchildren. His wife Jan passed away in 2014.
CEN T R AL COA S T COUNCIL NE WS
Council out of the woods - maintains financial position for second year CENTRAL COAST COUNCIL says it has maintained its stable financial position delivering a surplus budget for end of financial year 2023, with the consolidated operating result $28.5 million, or 3.6% of Council’s total $783 million annual budget. Following the September Ordinary Council meeting, Council referred the draft Consolidated Financial Reports for Central Coast Council and the draft Financial Reports for Central Coast Council Water Supply Authority for the 2022-2023 Financial Year to the Audit Office of New South Wales, for external audit. Council CEO David Farmer said the end of year result was within the range you would expect an organisation of this size to reasonably operate within. “We manage assets valued at over $9.4 billion on behalf of the Central Coast community, so the lion’s share of our budget is taken up on maintaining, operating and renewing these assets. Budgeting for surplus results within 1-5% of the average annual operating budget, of which ours is just short of $800 million, means we have some allowance for unexpected impacts. “Our organisation is the same as other Councils, in that we face some challenges ahead with continued impacts of inflationary and one-off costs. We are planned and focussed on continuous improvement and well positioned to deal with that, having left the financial crisis well behind us.” Mr Farmer said the surplus of $28.5 million was more than budgeted because it included an early payment of the Financial Assistance Grant (FAG) of $18 million. “The FAG is the Federal Government’s financial assistance grants which in recent years have come at varying times and can play havoc with council budgets if the payment moves from one financial year to another.”
Mr Farmer said Council has maintained positive working capital for the past two years and the emergency loans of $150 million, taken in 2020, are gradually being paid down with the largest $100 million loan now in $80 million’s. “We have been putting cash aside every month and when this loan resets in December we will be able to pay most of it off. $100 million repaid “In three years we will have repaid around $100 million. It is very evident we have come along way.” Mr Farmer said Council’s continued positive financial performance should give confidence to ratepayers that Council can continue to deliver on its program of improvements on the Central Coast. Key financial results Other key financial results reported to Council at the September Ordinary Council meeting were: • As at 30 June 2023, Council held $760.6 million in cash and investment. • This amount includes $517.4 million in external restrictions and $147.8 million in internal restrictions, leaving $95.4 million in unrestricted cash. • Council has met all the financial benchmarks relating to the operating performance and revenue, and liquidity measures. • Council was slightly over the benchmark relating to the effectiveness of debt recovery. • In regard to asset performance indicators, in 2022/23, Council has renewed its assets very close to the rate at which they are deteriorating - but has spent less than required on maintenance activities.
Council is currently refining its asset information and planning to inform optimised asset spend in the future. “As Council continues to manage its financials in a responsible manner, we can confidently plan programs of work which benefit the community and business on the Coast, including new playspaces, upgrading of facilities, on-going road works and vital upgrading of water and sewer infrastructure. “Council is also able to provide grant funding to community groups and projects – which adds to the vitality and tourism sector on the Coast.” Mr Farmer noted the support of both state and federal governments with funding is often critical, given all LGAs are challenged in trying to deliver major infrastructure on their own. “An example of this is the new Regional Library, now underway, which will provide a fantastic facility for the whole of the Central Coast. Around 25% of this project is being funded by the Australian Government with the balance being funded by Council.” Council Administrator Rik Hart said as has been noted previously, Council is focused on ensuring the organisation is in a stable financial position for when a re-elected Council is in place at the end of 2024. “We might get some criticism of making decisions while under Administration – but we can’t sit on our hands and just put everything on hold until an elected Council returns. “We need to continue to operate business as usual, which includes continuing with community consultation on projects, being responsible in where ratepayer’s money is allocated to, and presenting the Central Coast as a viable place to invest in - whether it be for housing, business or tourism.”
Legal Expenses continue to skyrocket At Council’s meeting of 31 October the Audited Financial Reports for the 202223 Financial Year were presented and approved. Council turned in a Net Surplus for the year of $35.04 million. Rates and Annual Charges amounted to $389.3 million. Other revenue including User Charges, Interest of investments and government grants totalled $777.4 million. Legal Expenses Council’s Legal Expenses totalled $431,000 for the year compared with $396,000 in 2022. This confirms reports that this Council is one of the most litigated against council in NSW.
Under Contingencies Council says: The Council is a party to a number of legal proceedings in various jurisdictions. All known costs have been recognised, however as the various legal proceedings are still in progress, it is not possible to estimate the ultimate financial impact. For example, legal costs that the Council may be awarded, or ordered to pay; and other financial penalties that may be imposed, subject to the powers of the Court or Tribunal in the relevant jurisdiction. What they do not disclose is the number of cases currently before the Land and Environment Court for refusing
Development Applications most of which they will lose. CCBR understands that there are over 42 cases waiting to be heard. As most of these cases involve Development Applications for residential subdivisions or other residential projects, Council is showing that it will do anything to stop housing or at least slow down construction on the Central Coast. Meanwhile, the State Government expects the Central Coast’s population to rise to 402,250 by 2041 requiring an additional 32,550 dwellings or 1,630 per year. With this Council this will never happen.
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BUSINESS TIPS
A bill to destroy self-employed small businesses across Australia
By Ken Phillips, Executive Director, Self-Employed Australia
HAVE NO DOUBT the Albanese government is attempting the greatest attack against small business people Australia has arguably ever seen. But incredibly there’s more in the agenda. Before parliament at the moment is a 284-page highly complex worded and structured industrial relations Bill. It’s called the Closing Loopholes Bill. But when it’s carefully analysed the truth of what this is becomes clear. Just to understand how serious this is, at its core, the Bill seeks to destroy the very legal basis of commercial and contract law in Australia. It’s staggering, but this is what the Bill seeks to do. The most significant proof supporting this statement is that the Bill itself states its intent to repudiate, neuter and overturn the declaration made by the High Court in February 2022 on what constitutes commercial and employment contracts. The High Court must be ignored, according to this Bill.
CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW NOVEMBER 2023
But it goes further. The Bill declares that a commercial contract (the contract small business people use) is an employment contract. This is legislative trickery. It takes an additional attack by inventing a new term ‘employee-like.’ It says that self-employed, independent contractors ‘look like’ employees so we (the government) are going to declare them to be employees. The Bill is based on an underlying position that no individual Australian has the capacity, maturity, intelligence or wit to earn their income through the commercial contract. In effect it ‘says’ that Australians are incompetent halfwits who must be denied their right and capacity to be self-employed, to be their own boss. It is a Bill that denies the spirit of aspiration, ambition and ‘get up and go’ that so defines much of what it means to be human. If you’re self-employed, as I am, we probably don’t understand the extent to which our very existence affronts the existing establishment status quo. This Bill is an attempt to squash us. This is not an exaggeration, but a statement of fact based on the wording of the Bill. If the Bill becomes law the impact will be that 1.2 million self-employed people will be declared to be employees. This will kill incomes. 970,000 people who use gig economy work for top-up income will have their incomes trashed.
But the government is also attacking casuals. Effectively some 2.8 million people working as casuals will be forced to be full/part time employees. Casuals earn 6 per cent more than full/part time workers. They will lose this income. For casual workers on minimum pay they will lose up to $3,062 a year. If they are on average pay, they will lose up to $5,354 a year. That is, the Albanese government is engaged in a massive attack against people’s incomes. This is no exaggeration. These conclusions are based on hard analysis of the words in the legislation with clear documentation on what this means. But be alert. The Albanese government is conducting a scandalous misinformation and disinformation campaign to push this Bill through. Ken Phillips is Executive Director of Self Employed Australia and is on Substack. Self Employed Australia is the registered trading name of Independent Contractors of Australia incorporated. Ken Phillips is co-founder and Executive Director of Independent Contractors of Australia. Ken is an independent contractor operating as his own business, as a researcher, commentator and lobbyist, and consultant on workplace management issues.
BUSINESS TIPS
When might an employer be liable for an employee’s cyber mistakes
By Warwick Ryan, Partner, Hicksons Lawyers
WE LIVE IN an era where ‘one click’ on the wrong link can create a serious privacy risk for an organisation. This topic has become particularly relevant in the past 12 months, with organised cybercrime groups targeting several highprofile Australian legal and consultancy firms, as well as Government departments. The resulting large scale data breaches can serve as a warning for all Australian businesses. While there are many legal questions which may arise from a new cyber risk, a critical question that needs to be asked is: can an employer be liable for the acts of an employee where the employee’s actions cause a serious privacy breach? The short answer is, yes. For example, a lot of Australian Modern Awards don’t require employers to pay employees to use their own personal phones for work purposes. So, the temptation for employers is to do exactly that. This often leads to a large amount of client personal and commercial information ending up on the employee’s phone, without any oversight by the employer. Worse still, the sensitive information may go with the employee when they leave the organisation. So, although the communication is between the employee and the client (or supplier, or key stakeholder), the business remains liable for the privacy breaches and related processes. For these reasons, it is critical that businesses consider the ways in which employ-
ees communicate with clients or stakeholders, and how the business is protected in relation to those interactions by maintaining control over such information. Failure to properly protect your business can have serious financial implications. For example, the maximum penalty for a ‘serious or repeated interference with privacy’ under the Act is: • For a body corporate, the greater of: • $50,000,000; or • Three times the value of the benefit obtained directly or indirectly by the body corporate and any related bodies corporate, that is reasonably attributable to the conduct constituting the breach; or • if the court cannot determine the value of the benefit, 30% of the body corporate’s adjusted turnover during the breach turnover period for the breach. • For a person other than a body corporate: $2,500,000. Currently, the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Act) applies to Australian Government agencies and organisations with an annual turnover more than $3 million a year, with some exceptions. However, the Government has indicated a desire to expand the type of businesses under this obligation. The Government recently endorsed, in principle, the extension of the Act to cover small businesses. This means that smaller scale organisations may soon have to comply with more requirements under the Act. The Act currently states that the conduct of a director, employee, or agent of a body corporate is considered to be an act of that organisation, as long as that conduct was within the scope of their actual or apparent authority. So, the organisation can be prosecuted for an offence based on the actions of an individual. Those prosecutions include civil penalties (fines) under the Act. As well as the organisation being prosecuted, a person can also be liable for the
acts of an employee or agent, unless the person can prove they took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct. This means that organisations need to have robust policies and procedures in place, guiding employee and organisational behaviour in order to protect the business against this risk. These processes will likely become more important for smaller scale organisations if the proposed changes are adopted, and the requirements of the Act are expanded. Repercussions for a privacy breach can be significant, so organisations should take proactive action to ensure they are meeting their privacy obligations. Organisations should consider: • What is the state of our internal privacy culture? • Are the privacy safeguards we have in place sufficient and fit for purpose? • What level of control do we have over the personal information we collect and store. You should consider implications for allowing directors, employees, or agents to access information systems from work and/or personal devices. In particular, what personal information could a worker unlawfully download or disclose from your information systems through their personal devices? • What training do we offer our workers regarding the responsible collection, use, storage, and disclosure of personal information? • What further steps can we take to comply with the Act? Hicksons specialist Workplace Relations lawyers have extensive experience in assisting employers and businesses with their privacy obligations, policies and procedures. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Star Scientific announces second pilot project CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 complex and capital-intensive processes like “green steel”. While there is no doubt that is in the future, there is a lot of work that renewable hydrogen can do to decarbonise other industries, such as food production and packaging. He further stated that the pilot for Trendpac is complementary to the work the company is doing for Mars. While both involve the greenhouse gas-free production of process heat they are slightly different industrial processes.
The learnings of each will feed into the development of the other. CEO of Trendpac, Steven Hyde, said “we are excited to be working with Star Scientific Limited as they develop practical and innovative equipment using HERO® within a production environment.” Frank Sammut, CEO of Central Coast Industry Connect, also said, “Star Scientific is blessed to be in the middle of the Central Coast’s food production
cluster at Berkeley Vale and to be working with companies who share our ethics on sustainability”. Meanwhile, Star Scientific is set to play a key role at the Sustainable Energy Council’s APAC Hydrogen Summit and Exhibition in Sydney on October26 and 27. The SEC is the same organisation that delivers the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, at which Star Scientific has previously played a key role in the large Australian Delegation.
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BUSINESS TIPS
Signs that you might be up for an ATO Audit
By Troy Marchant, Director, Adviceco Chartered Accountants
THE AUSTRALIAN TAX Office (ATO) has announced its intention to step up activity in a bid to recover significant amounts of unpaid or underpaid taxes. It’s important to look out for signs that your business is at risk. Here are some sectors that could potentially be at risk of receiving an audit, as well as some warning signs that the ATO are looking for. Overseas operation Businesses with overseas operations have been named as an audit target. Specifically, the ATO is looking to ensure that the way in which such business groups are set up are consistent with the legal structures that have been established. Property investment The ATO has announced its intention to arm itself with more information on property investment, using data matching from banks, share registries and Government departments. Individuals with property portfolios should be aware of this focus and ensure
all transactions are recorded and reported accurately. Industry comparison Industry benchmarking continues to be a focus for the ATO, and this year, they have implied that agriculture and farming could fall under their gaze. Tradies Tradies will continue to be under the microscope with a specific focus on high workrelated deductions claimed by building and construction labourers. Wealthy individuals The ATO has also put what it refers to as ‘highly wealthy individuals’ on notice. These are people controlling over $30M net wealth. Given the ATO raised over $1 billion from 291 such reviews last year, it is no surprise that this continues to be a focus. Audit warning signs to look out for: • You are in non-compliance with your reporting requirements. It is important to file your BAS returns by the due date. • You are not completing your BAS returns properly. If you keep receiving notices from the ATO informing you that your BAS return was incorrectly completed, these could be followed up with a notice of audit. You can avoid this by having your accountant or tax agent complete the forms on your behalf. • The ATO’s ears will often prick up if you are claiming large GST refunds that appear out of the ordinary. • The ATO has published (and regularly adds to) headline benchmarking data on
a variety of industries. You’ll find these on their website here. It provides a range of ratios that it monitors on both income tax and BAS returns. Specifically, the tax office is looking to see whether your cost of sales and expenses and a percentage of your turnover fall within the ‘normal’ range for your industry, based on the size of your business. Similarly, it monitors the percentage of non-capital purchases and a proportion of sales on your BAS return, as well as the proportion of GST-free sales that you are reporting. If you’re outside of the standard range, your chances of receiving an audit are increased. Receiving a tax audit probably isn’t atop your Christmas list. Regardless, as long as you have nothing to hide, you are properly recording and reporting all transactions within the required timeframes and you are not trying to reduce your tax liability by engaging in questionable schemes, then there really is nothing to worry about. In the event that you are selected for an audit, there is no reason that you would find yourself exposed. Of course, if you are like many business owners and accounting is not your forte, you would be well served engaging an accountant to give your accounting records a thorough once-over and have them deal with the ATO on your behalf. That way, you can sleep easier at night in the knowledge that you have an expert helping you keep in compliance.
Business Bureau launched at Service NSW The Minns government has bolstered its plan to support businesses in NSW with the launch of the Service NSW Business Bureau, a leading initiative dedicated to breaking down the barriers to make doing business easier. The Service NSW Business Bureau will give small business owners a seat at the table with a commitment to tackling unproductive red tape, helping businesses navigate government and boosting growth opportunities. The Service NSW Business Bureau will make it even easier for businesses to connect with specialised support, with a major upgrade to the Service NSW Business Bureau App. The app will provide businesses with support and a new range of features, including: Tracking and saving licences associated to their business and employees in one place,
CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW NOVEMBER 2023
• Booking expert advisors based on their unique business needs, • Viewing voucher payment summaries, transaction reports and bank details. All with just a few taps. Charter for Small Business The NSW Government has begun working on the development of a Charter for Small Business, which will provide a framework for engaging with and supporting small businesses The Service NSW Business Bureau will be responsible for oversight of the Charter for Small Business, as well as the provision of advice and recommendations on further actions to support small businesses. There are more than 840,000 small businesses in NSW which make up 98% of all NSW businesses. NSW small businesses employ 1.8 million.
Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter said, "Business NSW members across the state say dealing with paperwork is often the most time-consuming, unproductive and difficult part of running a business. "We see the Service NSW Business Bureau as a way to decipher paperwork and ultimately let mum and dad business owners get n with what they do best - growing their business. "We welcome the government's approach to navigating red tape and its commitment to reduce it. It's everyone's business to ensure small businesses can go big. "Providing business support for both winning government tenders and exporting will also play a key role in growing small businesses. What's good for business is good for NSW."
PROPERT Y
Major temperature-controlled distribution facility at Fountaindale on the market
BEGA CHEESE LIMITED has placed their Fountaindale temperature-controlled warehouse facility on the market through agents Colliers Newcastle with Expressions of Interest closing Friday 24 November 2023 at 4pm (AEDT). A significant industrial asset on a 1.69 hectare site at 9 Catamaran Close is being offered with vacant possession. The 1,990 sqm warehouse was built around 1995 as a milk distribution facility and covers 13% of the total site area. The temperature-controlled facility
includes loading docks and rapid release roller doors. Zoned E4 Industrial it is situated on the Fountaindale Industrial Estate and adjacent to the Berkeley Vale Industrial Estate. Surrounding companies include Sanitarium, Mars Food and a number of transport and logistics companies. Commenting on the property Ben Curran from Colliers said, ““We have seen strong demand in the Central Coast market from Sydney based occupiers wanting to relocate businesses within close proximity to
the Sydney Metro region. However they are having difficulty identifying suitable properties in that market due to the shortage of development ready land and low vacancy rates.” “The Fountaindale facility provides not only an excellent opportunity for cold storage and logistics occupiers but also a multitude of adaptive re-use and development options, given the large 1.69 ha site. Development of the surplus land or expansion of the existing facility could potentially be explored with Council,” he said.
Tourism – A hobby or an industry CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 It very nearly didn’t happen!! Central Coast Council took over three months to approve a DA for the use of Brisbane Water and then demanded huge sums from the organisers for parking and rubbish removal. $24,000 for car parking and $3,000 for rubbish removal. Lake Macquarie Council told the organisers they would roll out the red-carpet if Central Coast Council prevaricated any longer. Meanwhile, this Council pulled out all stops to run the ChromeFest event at The Entrance in late October. They spent huge sums on national television advertising as
well as flags on light poles across the region promoting the event. And, they certainly would not have charged parking fees or for rubbish removal. The bottom line is that tourism around the world is seen as an industry and it is run by professionals not amateurs posing as professionals, as is the case on the Central Coast. But then again the focus of this Council is not remotely interested in anything which represents growing the regional economy. Finally, it is worth reading our article on page 15 reporting on Central Coast
Council’s legal expenses that continue to skyrocket. Council’s legal expenses for 2022-23 were $431,000 and the year before $396,000. They now have their finances under control and have turned in a surplus of $35 million. Edgar Adams Editor CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW NOVEMBER 2023
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PROPERT Y NEWS
Owner occupier buys in ‘The Key’ Tuggerah It was on the market for 145 days. Commercial real estate agent Mark Davies negotiated the sale.
An owner occupier has paid $740,000 plus GST for a 179 sqm unit in the recently completed 14-unit complex ‘The Key’ at 51-53 Gavenlock Road, Tuggerah. Brett Dowling from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast said that this Owner occupier buys Gosford medical suite A medical practitioner has purchased a 118sqm medical/consultation suite at 2-4 Burns Crescent, Gosford CBD. Price paid was $390,000 (GST not applicable). The property was last traded in 2004 for $420,000 (Source: RPData). Commercial real estate agent, Michael Hanson, negotiated the sale.
was the last unit to be sold in the recently completed project that comprises 14 units. The next stage, ‘The Lock’ at 57-59 Gavenlock Road with 22 units is now under construction. Wholesaler buys Charmhaven unit A local wholesale business has purchased Unit 6 at 3 O’Hart Close, Charmhaven paying $838,000 (GST not applicable). The 319sqm unit with 46sqm mezzanine, amenities, shower, lunchroom and additional 100sqm yard area is part of an industrial unit complex built about 2003. Since it was first traded in 2003 for $315,000 it has had six owners with the last sale being for $700,000 in 2020 (Source: RPData).
Ty Blanch & Brett Dowling Focus Marketing Area Specialist Tuggerah, Wyong & Berkeley Vale
Owner occupier buys Somersby unit An owner has bought Unit 2 at 35 Somersby Falls Road, Somersby Price paid for the 195sqm unit plus 30sqm mezzanine storage area was $800,000 plus GST. Karen Aubrey from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast negotiated the sale. Lisarow Heights Business Park industrial unit sold A 50sqm industrial unit with 45sqm mezzanine at Lisarow Heights Business Park, 882 Pacific Highway, Lisarow has sold for $260,000 (GST not applicable). Leased for 12 month with 12 month option at a rental of $19,000 including Outgoings plus GST. The property was originally sold for $209,000 in 2020. (Source: RPData) Commercial real estate agent Brad Rogers negotiated the leasing and sale of the unit.
Begin with the No. 1 TOP OFFICE INTERNATIONALLY NUMBER OF SALES 2021 – 2022
Central Coast Suite 401/1 Bryant Drive, TUGGERAH NSW 2259 CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW NOVEMBER 2023
(02) 4353 7700
87 Mann Street, GOSFORD NSW 2250
PROPERT Y NEWS
Sunny Bank Road Lisarow leasings Fire safety business leases at North Wyong A local fire safety and service management business has leased Unit 4, 8 Willow Tree Road, Wyong. Terms of lease for the 170sqm unit are 1 year with 2 year option at a rental of $28,000 including Outgoings plus GST. Commercial real estate agent Mark Davies negotiated the lease.
Ben Purdue from LJ Hooker Commercial Terrigal reports that he has leased two stand-along factories at 27 Sunny Bank Road, Lisarow. Truck builder, Gosford Truck Bodies Pty Ltd has leased Warehouse B a 1,038sqm factory space. Terms of lease are 3 years with 3 year option at a rental of $125,000 per annum including Outgoings plus GST. TeCarbo Australia Pty Ltd, a building products manufacturer has leased a 1,030sqm factory space, Warehouse D
Wyong office suite leased An event management company has leased Suite 2a on Level 1 at 108 Pacific Highway, Wyong (corner of Alison Road). Terms of lease for the 98sqm suite is 2 years with 2 year option at a rental of $24,000 including Outgoings plus GST. Commercial real estate agent Mark Davies negotiated the lease.
Warehouse D, 27 Sunny Bank Road, Lisarow Terms of lease are 3 years with 3 year option at a rental of $125,000 per annum including Outgoings plus GST.
Wholesaler leases at North Wyong A giftware wholesaler has leased Unit 8 at 8 Willow Tree Road, North Wyong. Terms of lease for the 164sqm unit are 1 year with 2 year option at a rental of $26,000 per annum including Outgoings plus GST. Commercial real estate agent Mark Davies negotiated the lease.
LEASINGS Wholesaler leases in new Tuggerah complex A wholesale business has leased Unit 1 in ‘The Key’, a recently completed 14-Unit complex at 51-53 Gavenlock Road, Tuggerah. Terms of lease for the 176sqm unit are 1 year with 1 year option at a rental of $30,000 per annum plus Outgoings and GST. Robert Bose and Ty Blanch from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast negotiated the lease.
Food manufacturer leases Tuggerah unit
NDIS provider leases at Tuggerah An NDIS provider has leased a 120sqm unit at 12 Pioneer Avenue, Tuggerah Business Park. Terms of lease are 3 years with 3 year option at a rental of $30,000 per annum plus Outgoings and GST. Robert Bose and Ty Blanch from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast negotiated the lease. Killarney Vale shop leased A physiotherapist has leased Shop 2 and 4, 126-128 Wyong Road, Killarney Vale. Terms of lease for the 65sqm space are 2 years plus 2 year option at a rental of $29,500 per annum including Outgoings plus GST. Robert Bose and Ty Blanch from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast negotiated the lease.
A nut and juice manufacturer and distributor has leased a 242sqm industrial unit at 23 Lake Road, Tuggerah. Terms of lease for Unit 3 are 5 years with 5 year option at a rental
of $21,400 including Outgoings plus GST. Ben Purdue from LJ Hooker Commercial Terrigal negotiated thew lease.
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FUNNY BUSINESS
Grandma and Grandpa, I can wear them out in an hour!” A Police officer approached a motorist stopped in the middle of the road before the river overpass, holding up traffic. The officer noticed the driver jotting on a notebook frantically. He asked the driver, “What in the world are you doing?” The driver replied, “The sign says Draw Bridge.” Three old ladies sit in a diner, discussing their health. One lady says, “You know, I’m getting really forgetful. This morning, I was standing at the top of the stairs, and I couldn’t remember whether I had just come up or was about to go down.” The second lady says, “You think that’s bad? The other day, I was sitting on the edge of my bed, and I couldn’t remember whether I was going to sleep or had just woken up!” The third lady smiles smugly. “Well, my memory is just as good as it’s always been, knock on wood,” she says as she raps on the table. Then with a startled look on her face, she asks, “Who’s there?” MY HUSBAND AND I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God, and I didn’t. Two guys were talking in the street. One says, “The reason politicians try so hard to get re-elected is that they would hate to have to make a living under the laws they’ve passed.”
Three small kids were bragging about how tough they were. “I’m so tough,” said the first little boy, “that I can wear out a pair of shoes in a week.” The second little boy said, “I’m so tough, I can wear out a pair of jeans in a day.” “That’s nothing,” said the third child. “When my parents take me to see my
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A man walks into a pizza parlour and says to the barmaid, “I’d like to order a bar pizza, please.” “Shall I ask them to cut it into six or twelve slices?” the barmaid asks. “Six, please. I could never eat twelve pieces.” Pat and Mick have just started their job installing telegraph poles. At the end of
FUNNY BUSINESS
Taking his seat in his chambers, the smart, honest Judge faced the opposing lawyers. “So”, the Judge said, “I have been presented, by both of you, with a bribe.” Both lawyers became uncomfortable. “You, attorney David, gave me $50,000 and you, attorney Goliath, gave me $60,000. The judge now reached into his pocket and pulled out $10,000. He handed it to attorney Goliath and said, “Now that I’m returning $10,000 we’re going to decide this case solely on its merits.”
the first week they both go to collect their wages and the boss tells Mick he is dismissed. “Why?” asks Mick. “Well,” said the boss, “Pat has put in fifty poles this week and you have only done five.” Mick looks rather perplex, and says, “But look how far he has left them sticking out!” Visiting the modern art museum, a lady turned to an attendant standing nearby. “This,” she said, “I suppose, is one of those hideous representations you call modern art?” “No, madam,” replied the attendant, “that one’s called a mirror.”
I was reversing my car in the garage and asked my son to spot me and let me know when I hit the wall. I heard a bang. “3:45 PM”, he said.
A woman unhappy with her current figure said to her friend over the phone, “I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor’s permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But, by the time I got my leotards on, the class was over.”
A young executive was leaving the office late one evening when he found the CEO standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand. “Listen,” said the CEO, “this is a very sensitive and important document here, and my secretary has gone for the night. Can you make this thing work?” “Certainly,” said the young executive. He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button. “Excellent, excellent!” said the CEO as his paper disappeared inside the machine. “I just need one copy.” Some people say the glass is half full. Some people say the glass is half empty. Engineers say the glass is twice as big as necessary.
Why do I always feel great on Saturday and Sunday and sick on all the other days? Maybe I just have a weekend immune system. It takes me five minutes to walk from my house to the pub. But it takes me 35 minutes to walk from the pub to my house. The difference is staggering.
Quote of the month “Chase the vision, not the money, the money will end up following you.”
Tony Hsieh, Zappos CEO
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