CEO
Thriving Instead of Surviving 3 O
THE BOARD THE BOARD
CEO's CEO's Message Message
WHAT IS THE PREDOMINANT WISH OF EVERY AUSTRALIAN?
I say this with a constructive mindset and hope that we all learn something from the COVID experience. We need to move people into action not with coercion but by eliciting their desire and conviction in the vision and goals articulated by the leaders.
WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED TO LEARN POST COVID?
Fundamentally there is no objection to the three tiers of government, however when there is an international pandemic and or national crisis it is perceived that the federal government ought to take ownership and control so that there is a uniform approach.
This removes the inconsistency and divisive approach of each of the states. We need purpose, direction, and guarantees from
We call on our members to reach out if you are struggling, the CBCC is here to support our members through the good times and especially through the lockdown
federal government to move towards securing this approach otherwise confusion and chaos will remain a dominating factor.
We can’t afford to create a 2 Tier society but rather we need to keep our community together and focus on providing a reasonable solution based on an educational approach to eliminate the fear amongst some Australians.
Let us all stay on course to reach the shore safely, work together as one. Let’s exercise a caring attitude to help each other and those who are less fortunate. Let us not fall into a “divide and conquer” scenario. Let’s appreciate and welcome our leaders’ judgments with open hearts and minds so we all can get the desired outcomes and open our communities asap to enjoy life and prosperity.
WALLY MEHANNA CEO
Jason Arraj is more than an experienced litigator and exceptional communicator… he is also a business advocate and a Board Member of the Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce, where he assists the business community with his quick wit, thoughtfulness and considerate leadership style.
MEMBERSHIPS
Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA)
Law Society of NSW
Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce - Board Member
Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce - Corporate Partner
CONTACT ME AT (02) 7809 9100
9/39 Gould Street
Strathfield South NSW 2136
THRIVING THRIVING INSTEAD OF INSTEAD OF SURVIVING SURVIVING
A STORY OF REFLECTION AND HOPE FOR AUSTRALIA
It was a covid safe Saturday, which simply means, I was alone in my thoughts, nowhere to go, nowhere to be wondering the plight of humanity and the business community. As 11 am passed, the usual rhetoric of empty words and lack of vision and compassion and murky leadership at best, was darker than the clouds that threatened to derail the little hope that the outdoors offered.
At that moment, in the midst of more questions than answers, clarity somehow reared its undeniable force influencing a new thought process in my mind. It was clear. Out of despair comes an opportunity for those with courage, conviction and fortitude. I decided I would live by a new mantra, it is the time to
THRIVE instead of SURVIVE!
With all the mixed messaging, such as, when you can be outdoors, when you can’t, boundaries, curfews, tests, shots, essential workers or not – now is the time to be resolute and certain about your place in the community and the legacy you can create.
www forwardlegal com au
https://www linkedin com/in/ja son-arraj-43588a96/ jason@forwardlegal com au
For me, starting with the end in mind, where we are prospering financially, mentally, physically and relationally the position is clear – equal consideration must be given to leading with not just the head, but also with the heart.
IT’S
NOW 2022, WE ARE THRIVING AND WHAT DID WE DO?
Together we safeguarded the vulnerable and provided clear succinct and undeniable assurances to ensure the community rigorously took up the vaccines. The hero is not in the one but in the collective power of a community. Let’s be frank, there will always be differing points of view, extreme, moderate or otherwise – so whether it’s clarifying indemnity concerns, supply shortages or divisive information, together with strong leadership positive outcomes can be achieved. Head but also heart!
Whilst every industry had a role to play in getting to our thriving society, significant gratitude needs to be shown to frontline workers, namely nurses, doctors and emergency responders. Most will agree, these services and some other industries were critical to the fulfilling of people’s basic needs, however, we began to look beyond just surviving when we acknowledged All industries, employers and employees alike, were ‘essential’ to thriving. Try telling the child of a hairdresser that their parent was not an essential worker and would need to ration their food. What about the partner of a personal trainer who watched the hope slowly drain from their partner’s soul as they accepted the label of ‘non-essential’. Heart but also head!
The victories our proud nation continues to win are truly inspirational, from battling bushfires, droughts and plagues to monstrous floods and storms. The ANZAC spirit of the little nation that never ever took a back step in the face of adversity is in all of us and with leadership that represents confidence, accountability, integrity, compassion, humility and genuine collaboration we are able to believe in ourselves enough to make a difference and offer real hope.
Paul Keating
We removed the lid off our thinking. Business began to THRIVE not SURVIVE because community and political leaders spruiked the indelible positive Australian spirit of determination, mateship and giving a helping hand to those in need.
We made things easier for employers to employ the willing and able having removed red tape and increased incentives and for the unable, we rallied together to ensure they lived with dignity and quality of life. Head and Heart!
Lastly, we realised that Social distancing does not mean Social disintegration. We banded together to stay connected with our friends and families to continue to let each other know that you were important, special, and greatly loved. We accepted that case numbers were not as important as care numbers. We each took responsibility to lift the spirits of those around us. Those who battled the despair of financial and mental displacement yet continued to overcome to home-school their children – balancing their own sanity and security with year 8 algebra. They were the real community heroes. Our social responsibilities were widened to incorporate the welfare of not just the planet we occupy but the hearts that we engage.
Our leaders learnt a valuable and generational impacting lesson, people will never care about what you know, until they know how much you care. Heart and Head!
Sincerely
JasonArraj
We are excited to offer options for all members to advertise in the Monthly Newsletter. Prices vary depending the Ad Size you are looking for. The prices are for any member wishing to advertise mre than what is allocated in the membership level.
Due to the overwhelming interest in our members wanting to be included in our Newsletter, we now ask that our members provide a JPEG. PDF will no longer be accepted Files can be 72dpi - 300dpi
We Welcome Health Care Providers
Located in the heart of Bankstown our team is led by Italian born Franesco Motta, we are ready to deliver an experience like no other.
Boasting 360-degree panoramic views that capture the impressive Sydney skyline to the Blue Mountains, Lady Banks Rooftop Bar beautifully balances the introduction of a modern and playful rooftop bar experience while paying elegant homage to it’s muse, the Lady Banks rose, named for Lady Dorothea Banks, wife of botanist and Bankstown namesake, Sir Joseph Banks.
Important COVID-19 updates
NSW Health has announced changes to requirements for vaccination of authorised workers who live in local government areas (LGAs) of concern and need to travel outside of these for work:
authorised workers must now have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Monday 6 September rapid antigen testing will no longer be an alternative to vaccination authorised workers under the age of 16 years will be exempt from the requirement to be vaccinated
A relevant care worker 16 years and over whose place of residence or place of work is in an area of concern must also have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Monday 6 September in order to attend work
This includes those who work in an early education and care facility or who provide disability support services.
We highly encourage vaccination Workers and anyone aged 16-49 from LGAs of concern are being offered priority bookings for vaccination and can use the following links to book:
authorised workers who live in LGAs of concern anyone aged 16-49 who live in LGAs of concern childcare, disability, and food workers who live or work in LGAs of concern.
If an authorised worker is not vaccinated or does not have a medical contraindication form, they will not be able to work outside their LGA
Changes to requirements to provide work addresses for COVID-19 travel registration
In response to industry feedback, we have removed the requirement to declare multiple destinations in COVID-19 travel registrations if a worker is not aware of all the locations they will visit in a 14-day period
Travel registrations are valid for multiple journeys and for up to 14 days. Workers will need to re-register for a travel permit if they need to continue travelling 50km outside Greater Sydney, or from or to LGAs of concern, for work after their travel registration expires.
When registering for travel within NSW, a person will now have the option to declare they are an authorised worker with unknown work addresses However, we encourage people to list the work addresses they know they will be visiting during the registration period, as this will make it easier for them should they be asked to provide proof of registration to travel for work.
Workers must still carry their travel registration and supporting documents, and substantiate any locations they are travelling to, if requested by NSW Police
Panania Diggers is well positioned for when the Government allows outdoor dining. There may be an imposed no jab no entry mandate or policy, therefore we want all of our members to consider vaccination.
In the meantime, we are selling takeaway food and beverages, tap beer and cocktails. Call the Club to order on 02 9774 1288.
Fitness Local are offering virtual zoom gym classes, for more information go to Panania@fitnesslocal.com.au
The Tennis centre are taking bookings for singles matches only, call Ken on 0405 015 216. Remember not to travel outside 5kms of your home.
If you’re currently in lockdown and want to upskill, you can with a fee-free* online short course.
TAFE NSW, in conjunction with the NSW Government, is offering a number of fee-free* short courses to all NSW residents*, but places are limited.
Courses are a mix of self-paced online or teacher-led virtual classrooms, which can pathway into a variety of full TAFE NSW qualifications
* Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply including one course per person
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Stuart Ayres
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 19 August 2021
HOSPITALITY AND SOCIAL MEDIA SKILLS BOOST FOR NSW VISITOR ECONOMY
The NSW Government has partnered with Restaurant & Catering Australia and social media giant Facebook to deliver a suite of free, new skills development and training programs designed for individuals and businesses engaged in the State’s visitor economy
The programs, delivered by Destination NSW, will be offered to individuals and businesses wishing to upgrade their customer service skills and enhance their social media capability
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said this support was needed to help address the current skills shortage across NSW and ensure business operators had the social media know-how to stand out in a crowded digital marketplace.
“We know that access to skilled workers is one of the greatest challenges facing tourism and hospitality businesses in NSW right now,” Mr Ayres said
“Equally, using social media to engage and inspire potential customers through rich storytelling has never been a more important part of a businesses’ marketing and promotional mix.
“The NSW Government is committed to supporting business owners and workers to develop the skills they need to be successful and to help grow the visitor economy ”
The hospitality training modules and registrations for the social media webinars both commence in mid-August. The programs, part of Destination NSW’s NSW First industry development program, involve:
1,400 micro-credentials available to tourism and hospitality staff across three modules: Managing customer expectations in terms of COVID-safe practices, emotional awareness in customer service, and an introduction to customer service (delivered in partnership with Restaurant and Catering Australia)
Five webinars about Facebook and Instagram for Tourism to help optimise a business’s Facebook presence; engage audiences on social media; create Instagram stories; capture social content on a smartphone; and inspire action on Instagram (delivered in partnership with Facebook, which also owns Instagram)
“Destination NSW’s industry development program, NSW First, is tailored to the unique needs of businesses engaged in the visitor economy through leveraging industry insights and partnerships for the benefit of operators,” Mr Ayres said.
“In addition to the NSW and Commonwealth Government’s $5 1 billion-plus COVID-19 support package, these free NSW First initiatives will provide business owners with practical support to that is relevant to their industry, so they are ready to ramp up again when travel restrictions are lifted.”
Restaurant & Catering Australia CEO Wes Lambert said the partnership aimed to ensure the broader hospitality sector had access to the skills and workers it needed to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic
“For so many businesses, being able to find the staff they need will be the difference between survival and closure,” Mr Lambert said.
For more information and to register for either program, go to www.destinationnsw.com.au/NSWFirst
MEDIA: Sophie Hull 0447 583 756
Tanya Davies MP
Wendy Lindsay MP Member for Mulgoa Member for East Hills
MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, 17 August 2021
STOP THE DISCRIMINATION OF WESTERN AND SOUTH-WESTERN SYDNEY CONSTRUCTION WORKERS
Despite the entire state of NSW entering into lockdown as a result of the spread of COVID19 into regional and rural NSW, the people of western and south-western Sydney continue to be discriminated against based on their COVID-19 vaccination status
Western Sydney MP, Tanya Davies, said the unrealistic and unfair vaccination requirements for tradies and construction workers in western/south-western Sydney is creating a divide between western/south-western Sydney and the rest of NSW.
“The situation out here is desperate as people struggle to put food on the table. People have all but lost hope, as these discriminatory health orders unfairly target the hardworking people of western and south-western Sydney,” Tanya Davies said.
State Member for East Hills, Wendy Lindsay said people from LGAs across western and south-western Sydney are being discriminated against, penalised and being treated like second class citizens.
“It is ridiculous to demand that a tradie from Revesby must get vaccinated when workmates in Cronulla and the eastern suburbs can be on the same worksite unvaccinated. The rules should be fair and consistent across the industry”
“There are many people in western and south-western Sydney that want to get the vaccine and get back to work, but in some instances can’t get a vaccine until October. That is two months of not being able to earn an income.”
“Now that the whole State of NSW is locked down, the Public Health Orders must be changed to stop this discrimination against hardworking western and south-western Sydney workers.”
Mrs Davies and Mrs Lindsay urged the NSW Government to work with businesses who have already begun to trial rapid antigen testing, to see a broader rollout across the construction industry.
“This is a way forward to remove the obstacle currently being faced by our communities in western and south-western Sydney enabling workers to earn an income and provide for their families,” Tanya Davies said.
“If the NSW Government hasn’t forced NSW Health workers in any LGA to have a COVID vaccine, how can they force vaccines on our construction workers based on their postcodes to get back to work?” Wendy Lindsay said
Under the current Public Health Orders, workers from quarantine facilities (state-wide), transport providers (state-wide) and airports (state-wide) are required to have a COVID-19 vaccination before they can continue to work.
The only other mandated industry is the construction industry in the following targeted LGAs:
• Bayside
• Blacktown
• Burwood
• Campbelltown
• Canterbury-Bankstown
• Cumberland
• Fairfield
• Georges River
• Liverpool
• Parramatta
• Strathfield
• Penrith for the following suburbs: Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair and St Marys.
MEDIA: Meagan Skinner | Tanya Davies | 0406 065 012 Jennifer Mehanna | Wendy Lindsay | 9772 2774
Damien Tudehope
Minister for Finance and Small Business
Friday, 13 August 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
GREATER PROTECTION AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR COMMERCIAL TENANTS AND LANDLORDS IMPACTED BY COVID-19
The NSW Government will re-introduce the National Cabinet’s Mandatory Code of Conduct for Commercial Leasing to mandate rent relief for eligible tenants impacted by COVID-19.
A new $40 million Hardship Fund will also be established to provide a monthly grant of up to $3,000 for small commercial or retail landlords who provide rental waivers of at least the value of the grant and any land tax relief they are eligible for
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 would be extended until 13 January 2022 providing protection for small businesses such as cafes, restaurants, hair salons and gyms for six months.
"We have always encouraged landlords and tenants to come to the table and negotiate, but now we are going one step further by mandating the minimum relief that landlords need to provide impacted tenants,” Mr Tudehope said
“It has been very tough for small businesses across NSW and we want to deliver more certainty for business owners who have bills continuing to pile up ”
Mr Tudehope said for many small businesses rent was one of the biggest fixed costs and urged landlords to again work with their tenants to assist them during this challenging time
“The Government has not taken this step lightly but we saw last year that the framework set down by the National Cabinet brought tenants and landlords to the table to work out a way forward.
“Now, as part of the feedback from the community, we have ensured small landlords who rely primarily on rental income from commercial properties will also be able to access a monthly $3,000 grant to help ease the burden and ensure they pass on rental relief to tenants ”
The Retail and Other Commercial Leases Regulation (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 will require landlords to renegotiate rent having regard to National Cabinet’s Code of Conduct.
The Code of Conduct requires landlords to provide rent relief in proportion with their tenant’s decline in turnover Of the rent relief provided, at least 50 per cent must be in the form a waiver, and the balance a deferral
The Regulation applies to commercial and retail tenants with a turnover of up to $50 million who qualify for the COVID-19 Microbusiness grant, COVID-19 Business Grant or JobSaver Payment. It will prohibit a landlord from evicting or locking out a tenant for certain breaches of the lease unless they have first renegotiated rent and attempted mediation
The NSW Government has injected an extra $2 million into the Small Business Commission so it can provide additional staff to meet the demand for mediations and assist retail and commercial tenants and landlords to discuss discounts or renegotiating rents, noting the challenges faced by small businesses at this time
Eligible commercial landowners are able to apply for up to 100 per cent of their land tax liability for 2021 To be eligible, the landowner must have reduced rent for the affected tenant by at least the amount being claimed for any period between 1 July 2021 and 31 December 2021.
The previous Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 – which required commercial and retail landlords to attempt mediation before locking out or evicting their tenant – was due to expire on 20 August 2021 and has been amended to include these new measures The new Regulation will expire on 13 January 2022
More information for landlords and tenants will be published on the Service NSW website soon.
For more information on mediation support and the Small Business Commission visit: https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/
For more information on support available for businesses visit: https://www service nsw gov au/campaign/covid-19-help-businesses/grants-loans-andfinancial-assistance
For more information on land tax relief visit: https://www service nsw gov au/transaction/apply-covid-19-land-tax-relief
MEDIA: Kylie Adoranti | 0439 085 013