Central Coast Business Access - February-March edition by Access News Australia (ANA)

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FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 |

Business and Lifestyle February-March 2021

AWESOME AVOCA THE BEST Top rated view: Avoca Beach.

But opening of Terrigal walkway will challenge next year WESOME Avoca has been named the Central Coast’s best beach by leading travel magazine Australian Traveller and it is sure to raise the hackles of residents in its more famous sister, Terrific Terrigal. Terrigal didn’t rate a mention on the list, which was headlined “10 of the best beaches on the Central Coast”. However, the opening of the Terrigal walkway from the Haven to Town in April is sure to be the catalyst to it challenging Avoca in the next compilation by the industry leader. Full story page 6.

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i ns

COAST MEDICAL SCHOOL

Is on-track to be open to students by mid-2021: 13

LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS See the best of Coast businesses in this feature: 16

KNOCK IT ALL DOWN

Bid to transform Council’s building in Gosford to apartments: 5

COMMUNITY INVITED TO THE OPENING OF

LEAGUES CLUB PARK SEE PAGE 2

2 | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021

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Above and below: The new Leagues Club Park.

Leagues Club Park opens with a bang Community invited to attend opening of new city play space HE NSW Government’s $10M transformation of Leagues Club Park in Gosford is set for completion within weeks, with the community invited to open the playspace on Saturday, February 27. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said that – much like Leagues Club Park itself – the community event would showcase the region, its people and its history. “The construction of Leagues Club Park has been underway for the past 12 months including right throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and in just a week’s time, this exciting playspace will be open and accessible to everyone,” Mr Crouch said. “The last 12 months has demonstrated the importance of open public space and to be able to deliver more than 20,000 square metres of it in the centre of the Central Coast’s capital is a fantastic result for our region.” Mr Crouch said the free community event on Saturday, February 27 would feature musical presentations by local art-

For all your our mobility needs as you move through life.

ists, Aboriginal cultural performances and workshops, food trucks, a discovery trail, face painting and a reptile show. “Leagues Club Park is a place for locals to be proud of, and what better way to show what the Central Coast is capable of by kicking it off with an event that exhibits local talent, handicrafts, food and drink,” Mr Crouch said. “This event will also be an opportunity to learn about our region’s culture and history, with performances and workshops by members of the local Aboriginal community and a discovery trail that leads participants through a tour of the park’s significant features.” The finishing touches are now underway at the Leagues Club Park site, with the remaining plants going in, play equipment undergoing final safety checks and the tidal terrace being put through its paces in a variety of weather conditions. The free community event at Leagues Club Park will be held from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, February 27. For more information, go to: www.facebook. com/events/267667448044625.

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W.A.R. finally over at airport Great news for emergency services, pilots and the club  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM HE final repeal of the infamous W.A.R. Act has released the shackles at Central Coast Airport which is great news for vital emergency services, the Aero Club and hundreds of private pilots who use the facility regularly. And it is great news for the Central Coast community with 75% of us backing our airport and wanting it to succeed. The Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996 was a weird piece of legislation, designed to appease the opponents of the airport. This included an infamous decision in the dying hours of the disgraced Central Coast Council to downgrade its own community owned facility from successful airport to ‘landing field’. Council has also never revealed how many millions it spent in a confidential decision to close down the Aviation Hub. Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the repeal of the Act followed an independent review. “Warnervale Airport is the only airport of its size to have a unique Act of Parliament, which is clearly unnecessary,” Mr Stokes said.

Review led by planning expert “The repeal of this Act will reduce complexity, support local aviation and allow emergency services to better respond to bushfire and medical incidents.” The review was led by planning expert Abigail Goldberg and aviation specialist Peter Fiegehen, who found the Act unnecessary, hard to administer and overly complicated.

Lucy Brown recently became an Instructor at the Airport, training a new generation of young pilots (PHOTO: Facebook).

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said an overwhelming majority of the community supported repealing the Act. “Our community has given its clear support, with three quarters of nearly 1000 submissions in favor of this reform, supporting findings of the independent review

that concluded the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act is not fit-for-purpose,” Mr Crouch said. “Dozens of aviation trainers and students use the runway every day, as well as medical evacuations and bushfire emergency responses. Their safety must continue to be prioritised.” Central Coast Council has resolved to

prune the trees to the north of the airport in line with Civil Aviation Safety Authority guidelines for night flight operations. Curiously, Central Coast Council’s administration has decided to sell off parcels of land at the airport to pay off the $565M debt. Clearly this decision needs to be reversed in the light of the W.A.R. Act decision.

Pacific Link Housing’s 2020 Award Wins •

The PowerHousing Team Award category included 21 finalists from across Australia and was received for Pacific Link’s partnership with Uniting Central Coast. The award recognised their efforts in providing housing and support for those in need during difficult COVID-19 impacted times.

•

The Excellence in an Affordable Housing Development Award from the UDIA NSW (Urban Development Institute of Australia) was received for a joint development at Roselands.

•

The HIA (Housing Industry Association) Hunter Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards was received for a mixed tenancy development at Glendale in Lake Macquarie.

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Residents have sinking feeling

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RESIDENTS have that sinking feeling about the historic Empire Bay Marina. An assessment will be conducted to examine the site’s contamination levels and help inform future actions. MP Adam Crouch said the detailed assessment was commissioned by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – Crown Lands. “The NSW Government was forced to revoke the Empire Bay Marina license in September 2020 due to ongoing safety and environmental concerns, and a failure by the license holder to rectify issues despite repeated requests,” Mr Crouch said. “Crown Lands is issuing a factsheet to keep local residents informed every step of the way on what has occurred to date, and what is planned for the future.”

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Rate rise we had to have

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CENTRAL Coast Council will formally apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a 15% rate rise. The increase, which includes an annual 2% rate peg, will be applied once and remain permanently in the rate base from the 2021-22 financial year, if it’s approved by IPART. The decision follows extensive community consultation, with well over 10,000 responses to an online survey and direct submissions received. Administrator Dick Persson said he understood community concern and even anger about a rate rise but it was needed to repay restricted funds that had been spent on projects the community had benefited from. “It is by no means an easy decision at all, none of this is easy. I have been upfront about Council’s financial situation, the reasons why and how we will turn it around and make sure it never happens again. That plan includes a rate rise,” Mr Persson said. “We have done everything we can to find savings. There is no more juice in the lemon to squeeze here. This is the last resort. “We are legally obligated to repay the restricted funds, which were not spent with the necessary authorisations. With a

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15% rate rise, Council will be able to repay $100M within 10 years by delivering modest budget surpluses.

Referendum to reduce councillor numbers MEANWHILE, the referendum to reduce Councillor numbers and consultation to be held on preference for ward structure will go ahead. The referendum will be held at the same time as the 2021 Local Government elections for community consideration to reduce the number of Councillors from 15 to 9. Before the referendum question is finalised consultation will be undertaken to gauge community preference for a ward structure or even for no wards at all. Administrator Dick Persson said it was important that the elected body of Council works in a constructive and effective way for the benefit of the Central Coast community. “I believe 15 Councillors is simply too many and does not facilitate collaborative and effective decision making and that has to change,” Mr Persson said.

Have your say on Chain Valley Bay THE community can have its say on options for a new shared pathway on Lake Macquarie. Council is seeking communi-

ty feedback on location options for a new shared pathway between Mannering Park and Kingfisher Shores, Chain Valley Bay. Two options for the shared pathway – along the foreshore or road – are now on public exhibition. This pathway will achieve multiple important objectives – complete a missing link, loop around the scenic waterway, improve connectivity and offer a healthy and environmentally friendly transport option. Option 1 • Location – along foreshore from Griffith St, Mannering Park (along Delta Power land) to Kingfisher Shores. Length – 2.9 km Estimated cost – $6.5m. Option 2 • Location – from existing path near Griffith St, Mannering Park via Ruttleys Rd and the Pacific Hwy to the existing shared path at Tall Timbers Rd. Length – 6.1km Estimated cost – $7.8m Community members can find more information – maps, answers to FAQs, details of a Drop-in Information Session – and have their say by visiting yourvoiceourcoast.com

INDEX

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News .................................2 Adam Crouch ..................10 Bruce McLachlan ............11 Emma McBride ...............12 Lucy Wicks .....................13

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Expert’s ‘knock down’ plan:

Transform Council HQ into apartments  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM HE Gosford council administration building would be an ideal site for a luxury apartment development according to a leading commercial real estate agent. Ray White Developments spokesman Mr Les Rogan said the property would need to be demolished and a new tower built on the site. The building was originally the Gosford City Council administration centre and is being sold to help pay for Central Coast Council’s disastrous $565M loss, caused by mismanagement and poor governance. “To make it viable, it would need to have approval for two levels of above ground parking with two car garages allocated to each apartment,” Mr Rogan said. “Tender is the only way to go with this property. If your group were to

be successful you would need to have something in writing concerning the development options. Verbal assurances never work,” Mr Rogan said the existing building had limited value as an office block unless it was occupied by a major lessee such as a Government department.

An attractive sale “Given recent Government expenditure into Gosford that could be a viable option.” The Australian Tax Office built a new building literally 100m from the council. However, Mr Rogan was adamant that a new apartment development was the way to go. He said the sale would be much more attractive if the council site and the adjacent Broadwater Hotel site were sold as one parcel of land. However, it is understood the two sites are being sold separately by council.

He said the project need to have an emphasis on internal size and balcony sizes, with two garages per apartment now preferred. Mr Rogan said a tower at the site would provide good views for many apartments and was in a better location than the trendsetting Bonython building further along Mann St. Meanwhile, two property experts from Parramatta will assist Council in selling major assets including the Gosford Council Chambers, the adjacent Broadwater Hotel site and worryingly some land near the airport. Michael Filo and Steve Rose will be the Independent Advisory Group assisting council in marketing the properties. The pair have extensive experience in the public sector, developments and selling property assets. Included in their resume is acting as members of Parramatta City Council’s Major Projects Advisory Committee.

Council’s Gosford headquarters.

MPs united on PEP 11 objection HE two Federal MPs on the Central Coast, Emma McBride and Lucy Wicks, have joined the massive roar of disapproval over any plan to extend the diabolical PEP 11 plan. The condemnation of the Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 which could lead to huge oil or gas derricks being located off the Central Coast for undersea mining has been universal.

Member for Dobell Emma McBride led a massive rally at Terrigal recently that gained the support of opposition leader Anthony Albanese, several key MPs, the Surfrider Foundation of Australia and Save Our Coast. Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks said her opposition to PEP 11 plan was concrete. “I will not support anything that could harm our waterways and precious marine life.”

There is no set time frame for the announcement, but Ms Wicks said the negative decision needed to be made as soon as possible for the sake of the community. The NSW Government has just decided to formally oppose the extension of the licence with Minister John Barilaro writing to the Federal Government to formally oppose the extension.

His vote will be crucial in the final decision to ban the extension of the mining search. The recommendation on the license is to be made by Queensland Federal Minister for Resources Keith Pitt, the former Minister for Tourism. The Coast has shown universal contempt for any extension and a ‘yes’ to the permit would be a political nightmare for the Federal and State Governments.

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Leading travel magazine rates Coast beaches

Avoca Beach named best on Coast  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM WESOME Avoca has been named the Central Coast’s best beach by leading travel magazine Australian Traveller and it is sure to raise the hackles of residents in its more famous sister, Terrific Terrigal. Terrigal didn’t rate a mention on the list, which was headlined “10 of the best beaches on the Central Coast”. However, the opening of the Terrigal walkway from the Haven to Town in April is sure to be the catalyst to it challenging Avoca in the next compilation by the industry leader. There are 40 beaches in our 87km of Coast, arguably the best stretch of beaches anywhere in the world, stretching from Catherine Hill Bay to Patonga. The magazine rated them on the best to suit beachgoers of all kinds – from water babies to grommets to sunbathers to accomplished surfers. Avoca was named number one as “the hometown of many surfing greats including Wade Carmichael and Adrian Buchan, so it’s no wonder it is popular with those chasing waves.” “This 2km stretch of golden sand appeals to all beach lovers with its shallow rockpool and lagoon for kids, a rocky platform for fishing and some grear beachside dining including chic bar and restaurants Avoca Surfhouse and Point Café located under the surf club.” The rest of the list features: 2. Toowoon Bay: “A favorite with families, the 700m long curved beach boasts

Historic photo of popular Avoca Beach Theatre.

Above and opposite: Avoca Beah today is an attraction for families, tourists and surfers.

turquoise water and white sand, perfect for little ones to splash about in the pristine shallows.” The magazine also mentioned snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and waves for novice surfers. 3. Soldiers Beach: “Increasingly popular for its pristine white sand, clear water and reliable waves.” The magazine mentioned Dunes at the surf club for its tapa style menu and “incredible view”. The popular kiosk next to the carpark also was mentioned. 4. Wamberal and Spoon Bay: “Wamberal is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor Terrigal but it has a wide expanse of golden sand that’s less crowded.” “Spoon Bay has a calm bay for swimming and is a bit of a locals’ secret.” Continued on page 7

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Sell the vacant blocks: Chamber’s advice to council  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM ENTRAL Coast Council should be selling off dozens of vacant blocks on the Peninsula, according to the area’s Chamber of Commerce. The call has come from Chamber President Matthew Wales in response to Council’s financial disaster crash sale of unused assets. “The Chamber also believes that Council should be further reviewing its current land holdings including dozens of vacant residential allotments on the Peninsula with the view to selling off those properties that are surplus to Council’s needs”, Mr Wales said. “There are numerous vacant parcels that have never been adequately maintained by the Council. The sale of these properties could raise millions of dollars towards offsetting Council’s operating losses as opposed to increasing rates. “While reserves should be protected, other surplus land should be sold off which will not only raise valuable revenue but also reduce the Council’s overall maintenance obligations”, Mr Wales said. “Council already has a disproportionate maintenance responsibly for its massive public recreation holdings without the need to maintain surplus land that currently serves no real public benefit.”

C Continued from page 6 5. Pelican Beach: “Pelos as the locals call it, is the true surfing nirvana for experienced board riders and due to its relative isolation, is usually uncrowded and feels a million miles away.” 6. Umina Beach: “Umina is home to two patrolled beaches and is a 2.8km stretch of golden sand in Broken Bay. Both beaches are relatively calm for swimming and usually offer small waves, perfect for kids and novices learning to surf.” 7. Frazer Beach: “Located in Lake Munmorah Conversation area, secluded Frazer Beach is fairly unknown. So you may have this patch of paradise to yourself. At 400m it may be small but it packs a punch with striking turquoise water and white sand, reliable surf, a calm lagoon and bushwalking.” 8. Shelly Beach: “A great patrolled

allrounder beach, it attracts surfers for its consistent break and has a great grass area for picnics.” The surf club restaurant and café were recommended as well as the stunning Shelley Beach Golf Couse – “one of the most spectacular golf courses on the coast with its ocean views”. 9. Kilcare and Putty beaches: “Bordered by spectacular Bouddi National Park and Box Head, it has moderate waves for surfing and a pretty rockpool. Putty Beach is usually calmer and is the entry point for the spectacular Bouddi Coastal Walk”. 10. MacMasters: “An allrounder for families. Calmer conditions for young swimmers and those learning to surf, an ocean pool, great picnic spot and a fabulous kids’ playground”. The list is sure to get tongues wagging but to be fair the magazine could only feature 10 beaches, with 40 to choose from.

Mathew Wales.

The Chamber represents more than 1200 businesses on the Peninsula and they will be hardest hit by the planned massive rate rise of up to 15%. The Chamber has written to the Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock to express its “major concern” of Council’s dire financial crisis. In his letter Mr Wales thanked Miss Hancock for stepping in and appointing the Administrator Dick Persson. He said the scale of the losses of $560m were “breathtaking” and “beyond belief”. “However of equal concern is the unlawful and unauthorized use of Restricted Funds which in itself, raises serious issues about the propriety of Council.”

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SHOW US THE MONEY

Anger at council boils over online  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM HE all-out war being waged over Central Coast Councils economic Chernobyl is like nothing seen in the history of Coast media. Old hands remember the quaint days when the local members and Mayors hammered each other politely in print and then all turned up at Coast civic functions and shared a beer and a laugh together. It was a gentle kind of ‘sport’ where civility, respect and the laws of libel meant it never got out of control. Not anymore. Coast residents are positively bursting with rage at what has been done to them by some councilors and senior staff at the Central Coast Council. The huge $560M debt was bad enough, but suggestions that rates will rise by as much as 15% has tipped them over the top. The ‘Central Coast Events 365 Days A Year’ Facebook page has 7,000 members and its administrator Ted Edwards did an excellent analysis of council’s situation. The general consensus on this page is that a rate rise is inevitable. Over at ‘Central Coast Community Page’ the massive membership of 20,000 was angry at the situation but it featured a wider range of views which is understandable given the numbers. Most wanted to know how council could lose so much of ratepayers and developers money? ALP faithful like Member for Wyong David Harris blame council woes on amalgamation – and he has the figures to argue it is a nationwide problem. There are pro and anti-development ‘fanatics’ and members calling for councilors to be ‘sacked’. Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch is a social media devotee and he has joined in the massive protest, writing to the Independent Pricing and Remuneration Tribunal to oppose the 15% rate rise imposed by the government’s own appointee, Administrator Dick Persson. Mark Twain said: “When you’re in doubt, tell the truth!” and Dick Persson understands the significance of those words and the power of social media.

Remarkable in this day and age He admits to reading social media posts, unlike some of his suspended councilors who voted to try and rein in the essential use of social media by fellow councilors. Two councilors, one a Liberal and one a Labor rep claimed they never used social media, which is remarkable in this day and age. Mr Persson has been a regular contributor on Facebook and has been trying to get through the message of the need for a major rate rise. And he has consistently

Adam Crouch.

Dick Persson.

David Harris.

hammered the message that the way to change things is at the September election. But even he showed signs of fraying at the edges during a hostile meeting with protesters outside the council chambers and his attack on Cr Greg Best, while choosing not to mention the councilors actually responsible for the mess. But as he said at last week’s council meeting, he doesn’t need the money and he is going home to enjoy his retirement. In direct opposition to any excessive rate rise is the booming Facebook page ‘Protest against extreme rates of Central Coast Council’. At last count, this sister site to the ‘Armidale Protest Group against extreme rate rise” had almost 8,000 members on the Coast and is growing fast. Josh Field is a member of the admin group and he explained that: “Our group has struck a chord with Coasties”. “We are growing at an approximate rate of 100 new members per day and we currently have 7500 members.” He said the problems and issues with council were heartbreaking.

“Council can’t even run a simple rates survey. The first printed survey was pulped because they printed 300,000 letters and got their phone number wrong and on the second printed letter they got the math wrong. “This is on top of the Administrator admitting in the survey letter that funds were spent unlawfully. “Well why are we ratepayers being asked to hand over more money to a Council that admits unlawful behavior? “Isn’t that just asking us to reward and condone their unlawful misuse of restricted funds? That would make us complicit in breaking the law,” Josh said.

NSW Auditor general stating yearly breaches since 2001 to 2019 and our Administrator adding 2020 to said breaches.

It’s just heart breaking “We all thought at the start that our group was about a single task of beating the special variation rate rise, but the stories we have heard and the financial figures we have uncovered and found are causing deep depression amongst Coasties”, Josh said. “Council is half a billion in debt with our Council Administrator stating this is worst financial disaster in Australian Local Government history. “Council already generates NSW’s highest rates revenue of $142M, which is more rates revenue than Northern Beaches, as well as NSW’s 2nd Highest business revenue of $600M plus, for a total yearly budget of $800m - and they went broke. “They have more than 2000 staff and spent $217,000 a week on consultants. Then they expected to be bailed out with even more money.

“

Why is it that Central Coast Council knows exactly how much money we owe them in rates, but not how much money they are unlawfully overspending?” “We are being asked to turn a blind eye to these unlawful acts and hand over more money. Council’s original online survey was rigged, only giving people the choice of 10% or 15% rates rise, a question that must have an answer before being allowed to continue the survey.” He said council was broken and was replete with breaches of the act as noted by

Where’s all the money gone? “Yet ICAC has never been involved. Why? ICAC was asked to investigate in 2016/17 but no one knows if ICAC investigated or not. Member for Wyong David Harris says the request just disappeared. “An $800M a year budget should see our region the envy of NSW, yet we have residents in our group who have lived on the Coast for decades - 20, 30, 40 years without enjoying the basics. They have no water, no sewage, no kerb and guttering, weeds everywhere and potholes instead of roads and we are left with NSW’s most expensive admin costs. Central Coast spends $270M a year, followed by Sydney at $205M and Bayside in 3rd place at a paltry $83M. “So where’s all the money gone?” “Here is another question - why is it that Central Coast Council knows exactly how much money we owe them in rates, but not how much money they are unlawfully overspending?” Josh asked. The ‘Protest’ group members post in the ‘Community Page’ and vice versa and you will see committed, angry locals posting to all pages, Some are loyal ALP voters who are attempting to deflect the blame away from their under fire majority councilors, Meanwhile, adding to the crescendo of protest is a planned 20,000 signature protest petition organized by local pair Susan Greene and Marianne Hamilton. They were so upset by the Coast disaster, they started the petition which circulated like wildfire and showed the power of social media in our region. The 20,000 signatures are needed for the petition to be tabled in State Parliament. It calls for the State Government to hold a full inquiry to discover how the financial disaster happened, who is responsible and the reforms needed in the LG Act to ensure this never happens again.

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Top accolades for Pacific Link HE Central Coast’s only locally based Tier 1 Community Housing Provider, Pacific Link Housing, has finished 2020 with some significant accolades. The Company received multiple outstanding award wins including a hotly contested national award with PowerHousing Australia, recognising their efforts in providing housing and support for those in need during difficult COVID-19 impacted times. Pacific Link Housing won the Housing Industry Association (HIA) Hunter Housing Award for Affordable Housing Project of the Year for a mixed tenancy development at Glendale. Then in December 2020, they finished the year by winning the prestigious Urban Design Institute of Australia (UDIA) NSW Affordable Housing Development of the Year Award in partnership with Evolve Housing for a project at Roselands. Pacific Link Housing Chairman Wal Edgell said that the award wins have come at an extremely exciting and pivotal time in the organisation’s 35-year history. “Over the past 12 months, Pacific Link Housing has built 51 affordable homes, secured significant low-cost finance to deliver additional housing stock, moved to new premises and successfully implemented a new housing first program to assist people experiencing homelessness during COVID-19.”

Significant efforts The PowerHousing Award recognised the significant efforts of Pacific Link Housing and their support partner, Uniting Central Coast, in successfully housing 30 tenants in a newly completed development during the height of COVID-19 lockdowns. Many of the tenants were in crisis accommodation and required additional support to settle into their new home.

“

Pacific Link Housing CEO, Ian Lynch and Chairman, Wal Edgell.

Ian Lynch, CEO of Pacific Link Housing said successful partnerships with wider community groups provided opportunities for tenants to secure homes and help build pathways out of homelessness. “A home is just the first step. It is collaborative partnerships and community assistance that ensures those people most in need are provided with the necessary care and support to rebuild their lives,” Ian Lynch said. “The support received from the broader community has exceeded anything Pacific Link has experienced in previous years with numerous donations including food hampers from OzHarvest, toiletry

kits, handmade quilts, household items being provided by caring community members as well as various whitegoods and appliances being generously donated by Harvey Norman Commercial on the Central Coast”. In addition to all that was achieved by Pacific Link Housing during 2020, they also relocated their operations to new centrally located premises to accommodate their growing team. The new office environment provides a bigger and brighter space for staff to continue providing much needed services and support to the community over the coming years.

The support received from the broader community has exceeded anything Pacific Link has experienced in previous years with numerous donations.” – CEO of Pacific Link Housing, Ian Lynch.

KEEP YOURSELF AND OUR COMMUNITY SAFE FROM COVID-19 Stay safe by following the “four lines of defence” against COVID-19

Maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others

Wash your hands well and often

Stay home if you’re sick and get tested as soon as you have any symptoms

Wear a face mask in situations where social distancing cannot be followed

Adam CROUCH MP Member for Terrigal

02 4365 1906 adamcrouchmp

terrigal@parliament.nsw.gov.au adamcrouchmp

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Authorised by Adam Crouch MP, Shop 3 Fountain Plaza, 148-158 The Entrance Road, Erina NSW 2250, produced using parliamentary entitlements.

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COMMENT with ADAM CROUCH

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70 hip pocket savings on offer  ADAM CROUCH entral Coast families are now saving hundreds of dollars through Cost of Living appointments at Service NSW, with new data revealing an average saving of more than $500. At the Gosford Service NSW the average savings identified for customers has been $570, while customers at Woy Woy Service NSW are saving an average of $570 and $558 at Erina Service NSW.

Since the Cost of Living appointments first became available in 2018, more than 6,000 Central Coast residents have benefitted from meeting a Cost of Living specialist and accessing the NSW Government’s rebates and savings. In fact, there are more than 70 hip pocket savings available. The most popular savings for local residents include the Regional Seniors Travel Card, the National Parks Concession Pass, the NSW Gas Rebate, pensioner concessions on vehicle registrations, and the Low Income Household Rebate. Cost of living is a high priority for the NSW Government in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. By bringing all of the different rebates and discounts under the one roof at Service NSW, it’s becoming easier for families and individuals to access these savings. I would encourage everyone to call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit a Service NSW Centre to make a Cost of Living appointment with a specialist who can help them identify what they’re eligible for. An online savings finder is also available at www.service.nsw.gov.au. As part of a new cost of living initiative from the NSW Government, every single adult aged 18 and over will soon receive four $25 vouchers worth $100 in total, to spend in participating businesses. This is part of the Dine & Discover NSW

The Australian Reptile Park at Somersby has registered to accept Dine & Discover NSW vouchers

voucher program, which will help boost dining, arts and tourism industries on the Central Coast and right across NSW. Whether it’s a café, restaurant, wildlife park or museum, this program will be a game changer for local economies and will give businesses a much needed boost after the busy summer period. Over the past 12 months, we’ve all experienced the “triple whammy” of bushfires, floods and

COVID-19 on the Central Coast. This stimulus is exactly what our community needs to boost business and get people out and about in a COVID-safe way. The Dine & Discover NSW voucher program is designed to not just help businesses keep the doors open, but to help them grow. Central Coast businesses are being encouraged to register online now to accept

STIMULUS ADVICE FOR BUSINESS Get free phone advice to help your business understand the government support available as a result of COVID-19. Understand your ĔŌĵĪĵĆĵŌĵƏƶ êŔč ǒŔč ŞƕƏ ıŞư ƏŞ êŻŻŌƶǾ

Visit businessaustralia.com/stimulus

T&Cs apply. Stimulus Advice Line operates during business hours Mon – Fri AEST.

the $25 vouchers. There is also a dedicated team of Service NSW Business Concierges who can assist with the registration process and tips on how to redeem vouchers. Once registered, businesses will be able to track the progress of the application through their MyServiceNSW Business Profile. More than 70 Central Coast businesses have already registered for the Dine & Discover NSW voucher program but we need hundreds more to do so! The vouchers will roll out state-wide in March and will run until 30 June 2021. I encourage everyone to download the Service NSW app now so you’re ready to reap the rewards when the Dine & Discover NSW voucher program goes live.

Adam Crouch is State Member for Terrigal and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast

COMMENT

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FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 |

with BRUCE MCLACHLAN

Images of Tuggerah.

No surprise we’ve been left behind Why it’s time to capitalise on our unique benefits  BRUCE MCLACHLAN

and transform Gosford into a waterfront entertainment precinct, resulting in ratepayer revenue, not rate rises. Tuggerah Lakes has the opportunity for a world class cycle way but at present there are no new leisure attractions on the reserves. We have industrial land that could be a major Motor Sports Raceway Precinct. The Darkinjung hold major sites, yet we see little collaboration. Lots of opportunities if the right attitudes are applied. It doesn’t cost anything to allow a Crown Land lease for operators to build new waterfront amenity. No one complains about the Box Restaurant at Ettalong, built on Crown Land, yet when the concepts of activation of our Waterfront Reserves was brought up in Council, the debate was voted down. Why not let operators pay council rent and create new amenities for both locals and tourists alike.

2020

ARDS

FINALIST CENTRAL COAST

Stocking over 400 craft, local and international beers Oldfield Cellars was voted one of the top ten Beer Bottle shops in Australia by Drinks Magazine and is now in the running for 2XWVWDQGLQJ 6SHFLDOLVHG %XVLQHVV LQ WKH &HQWUDO &RDVW /RFDO %XVLQHVV $ZDUGV. Home to a plethora of options for lovers of all things wonderful in the world of Craft Beers, Boutique Wines, Speciality Spirits and Oysters. Cheers and thanks to all our customers that voted or us.

57 Central Coast Highway. West Gosford. (Beside the Metro Petrol Station) 02 4339 8728

Hopefully, a new set of Clrs with some forward vision and business sense will see the opportunities begging, and move forward creating employment and new amenity, instead of holding the Coast back to the point of financial collapse. We need a mix of employment producing developments, not just social agendas that bolster the welfare vote, and help maintain voting demographics, but does little to address our local unemployment issues. You cannot say no to everything for decades, build no new amenity, and then wonder why other Regions have left us behind.

Bruce McLachlan is a local realtor and was elected as an independent Clr to Central Coast Council. In 2018 he was voted the Central Coasts most influential person in a community poll.

COMMENT

L BUSINE CA

HIS January we saw numbers on our beaches return to the glory days Central Coast tourism, when in the 1960s and 70s, the Coast population swelled over Xmas, and normally empty camping grounds like the Skillion or Toowoon Bay would become tent cities overnight. With the advent of the freeway reducing travel times to northern destinations, and then low-cost airfares, the annual trip to The Entrance or Terrigal became the Gold Coast or Bali. Whilst this has been an unexpected result of lock downs, and could not be planned, the question must be what will Coast businesses and government agencies do to capitalise on this renewed tourism opportunity. We all know our Council has no funding but can a changed attitude at the top help

unlock some new tourism projects that would provide local employment and some new tourism amenity. We have seen what a Clr attitude of “anti-everything” brings to the community. A failed Council that is broke and must now seek rate rises. We have not seen any major internationally renowned development on the Coast since Eric Worrell built the Reptile Park, yet we have major tourism markets of five million people with a few hours travel to the Coast. We were once a waterfront playground, however with no new boating amenity, waterways that are silted and struggling, and miles of reserves without even a coffee stop or new restaurant, is it any wonder people no longer see the Central Coast as their water land playground. Yet Central Coast Council owns the Gosford Waterfront freehold, could easily lease or JV partner with a Marina developer

with PAULA MARTIN

Supporting our visitor economy USINESS NSW Central Coast supports peak tourism organisation NSW Tourism Industry Council calls for the Federal Government’s May Budget to provide a clear pathway to recovery for all visitor economy supply chain businesses. “Last year’s delayed Budget was understandably about providing economy-wide support for industry, but this year has to be about accelerating the path to the new normal”, said Business NSW Regional Director Paula Martin. “In our most recent Business Conditions Survey conducted across NSW, 29 per cent of businesses in the visitor economy believed they were at a high risk of failure when JobKeeper, tax relief, interest waivers and other support measures end,” Ms Martin said. “This vulnerability will hang over the visitor economy supply chain for much of the year and must be factored into deciding when and how these measures are withdrawn. “We are working closely with the tourism industry and support calls for new wage subsidy support for businesses in the visitor economy supply chain which have been heavily impacted by government restrictions. “The visitor economy is broader than just those businesses that directly serve visitors such as hotels, airlines, attractions and tour operators. It includes transport operators, food producers, retailers, cultural

bodies and the services sector, without whom tourism businesses cannot operate. “Like others, these businesses are finding it impossible to plan past the March ‘COVID-cliff ’ when government support ends. “The new package must provide longer-term certainty so businesses can plan ahead for as long as they are heavily impacted, through no fault of their own, by Government restrictions,” Ms Martin said. PAULA MARTIN is Regional Director, Central Coast Business NSW

12 | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021

COMMENT with EMMA MCBRIDE

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JobKeeper wind-back needs a plan  EMMA MCBRIDE he first week of February saw parliament sit for the first time this year, with questions being asked about the government’s plan for its two main COVID-19 support packages, JobKeeper and JobSeeker. The Sunday before parliament resumed, the Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg ruled out the possibility of a JobKeeper extension beyond the end of March, stating, “it was always a temporary program”. The latest ABS Payroll Jobs and Wages data shows that since the beginning of the crisis: • Payroll jobs have decreased by 4.3% and total wages have decreased by 5.2%. • Payroll jobs worked by males decreased by 6% and those worked by females decreased by 5.2%. In the electorate of Dobell, 4,902 local businesses employing 18,734 workers have been supported by JobKeeper, which the Government wants to cut next month with no jobs plan in its place. At the height of the pandemic there were 36 jobseekers for every job vacancy on the Central Coast. While this number has decreased and parts of the economy are recovering, there are some sectors still hurting – which will continue to hurt – due to international border closures and the patchy state of the economy. The Reserve Bank Govenor, Philip Lowe has expressed concern about “job shedding” after JobKeeper is cut at the end of March. We want the economy to recover strongly from the worst recession in almost a century and welcome any positive signs, but many working families, small businesses and communities are still hurting.

They don’t understand The government doesn’t seem to understand around two million Australians can’t find a job or the hours they need to support their loved ones and millions more can’t get ahead on wages which were stagnant before COVID-19. It’s not a real recovery if millions are stranded jobless, underemployed or on weak wages leaving them unable to provide for their families. And, what’s the government offering? An industrial relations reform package which threatens to leave many Australian’s worse off. Cleaners, supermarket workers, truck drivers, childcare workers, aged care staff and many other essential workers put

themselves in harms’ way to keep Australians safe. When the government last cut penalty rates for retail, fast food, pharmacy and hospitality workers it failed to deliver a single extra job, even business groups now admit this. Yet we’re expected to believe cutting more penalty rates, cutting overtime, cutting shift loading and cutting allowances will create jobs. The government says the economy is doing well enough, businesses no longer need JobKeeper. But then they say the economy is doing so badly they need to cut the pay of workers. They can’t have it both ways. During the first week in parliament, I asked the Prime Minister about the

proposed changes to industrial relations and the effect the changes will have on part time disability workers. Sadly, I could not get a direct answer from the Prime Minister, or the Attorney-General who answered on his behalf. Australians need and deserve a proper plan from the Morrison Government to promote growth, they need a government which is on their side to protect jobs, support small businesses and generate secure work for the 2 million Australians searching for it. Emma McBride is Federal Member for Dobell and Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Shadow Assistant Minister for Carers

COMMENT

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FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 |

with LUCY WICKS

Coast medical school nearing completion  LUCY WICKS TUDENTS completing their HSC this year can choose to study medicine in at a world-class Medical School right here on the Central Coast at the University of Newcastle’s Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute located in Gosford. I am thrilled to inform Central Coast Business Access Readers that Gosford’s Medical School and Research Institute is on-track to be open to students by mid2021. Some of you may have noticed the magnificent building for the Medical School and Research Institute that has been constructed over the last 24 months next to Gosford Hospital, across from the train station. This has been a long-held dream for our community, so it’s fantastic to see the final touches and fit-out being completed. With its unique position, right in the heart of Gosford, I have no doubt that this medical hub will create hundreds of local jobs and be a game-changer for our region. Readers may recall in 2018 the Federal Government, in partnership with the University of Newcastle announced that the Gosford facility would educate up to 500 students for medical and allied health students administered by the University of Newcastle. We’re building on this commitment by delivering an additional $25M for new students and short courses at the University of Newcastle. The $25M will be shared across various campuses, including the University of Newcastle’s Central Coast campus over four years and will attract more students to Robertson, supporting the university as well as local jobs and businesses.

The new medical School at Gosford.

$9.9M to deliver short courses The University of Newcastle will receive $15.3M in 2021 to deliver student places and $9.9M to deliver short courses. The short courses allow Australians to study a course for six-months, to get a qualification in areas where we need more people – like teaching, agriculture, health, science, engineering, clinical psychology, IT and languages. This means that the University of Newcastle will be helping Australians to gain the skills and qualifications needed to help drive our economic recovery from COVID-19. This funding for additional student places at regional universities was part of the Morrison Government’s additional $586.6M to fund additional places for higher education through the 2020-21 Budget and Job-ready Graduates package.

We’ve created up to 30,000 additional university places nationwide for Australian students through our Budget funding and Job-ready Graduates package The additional funding builds on the Government’s significant reductions to the cost of study in priority areas. Under the Job-ready Graduates package we have seen a reduction in the cost of studying teaching and nursing by 42 per cent. These additional places provide the perfect opportunity for our Central Coast students to develop the relevant skills for a career in industries that already exist on the Coast. By offering more higher education opportunities locally we can retain our young people and attract more students to the Coast to study. The Central Coast Medical School and

Medical Research Institute is an $85M project jointly funded by the Federal and NSW State Government and the University of Newcastle at Gosford Hospital. Our funding commitment will ensure that every Australian, no matter where they live, has access to Australia’s world-leading higher education system. Lucy Wicks is Federal Member for Robertson.

Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute Opens Mid-2021 Around 550 student places for medical and allied health students administered by the University of Newcastle. $85 million project jointly funded by the Federal and NSW State Governments and the University of Newcastle at Gosford Hospital. Creating hundreds of local jobs in the heart of Gosford.

LUCY WICKS MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR ROBERTSON FE Authorised by Lucy Wicks MP, Liberal Party of Australia, Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250.

Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250 02 4322 2400 lucywicks.com.au

lucy.wicks.mp@aph.gov.au LucyWicksMP

BANK SWITCH

14 | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021

www.coastba.com.au

SMARTER BANKING OPTIONS

Why counting on your bank is key  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM VERY big business started out as a small business and if you ask successful businesspeople what was the key to their success, number one answer would be ‘having a great bank’. Everyone from Walt Disney to PT Barnum to Richard Branson needed a superb banking relationship to help them through the difficult times and to make the leaps ahead that brought them worldwide success. Bankers play a vital role important role in helping ventures grow, but many entrepreneurs — especially owners of relatively small businesses — seemingly aren’t taking advantage of the knowledge and expertise of their financial institution. That’s one conclusion of recent report, which asked 1000 entrepreneurs and small business owners what impact their financial institutions made in helping their companies grow. Overall, 24% said their financial institutions played no role at all and 38% said they received little or very little help from their financial institutions in helping their companies grow. Only 39% said their banks had played somewhat of a role or a large role in their growth. The survey indicated a significant difference, though, between businesses on the lower end of the revenue range and those generating at least $3m. A greater percentage of the larger companies had relied on financial institutions to help fuel their growth. Specifically, more than half of the under-$3M companies said their financial

institution had had zero or very little impact on their growth. In contrast, more than half of the companies generating $3m or more in annual revenue reported that their financial institutions had played somewhat or a large part in helping them grow. It’s evident that successful businesses see the value in working with their financial institution. So why aren’t more companies collaborating with their banks earlier on to expedite their growth?

Understanding Your Bank’s Role in Your Business Growth Companies that don’t leverage the knowledge of a banker don’t understand how a bank can support them and assist them in their growth plan. LA financial expert Robert Villasenor is surrounded by entrepreneurs working on getting young companies off the ground. “The understanding of what a banker can do for you — I think that’s the biggest hurdle, because that’s the biggest question I get,” Mr Villasenor said. “In addition, some small business owners today may be mistrusting of banks, in part because of the financial crisis and recent scandals at major financial institutions,” he said. “Entrepreneurs should realize that the right bank can serve as a knowledgeable, trusted advisor and help their businesses grow, particularly banks that offer relationship managers who work with clients to provide personal service,” he said. “A small business-oriented bank isn’t laser-focused on how much money a firm has to deposit, because they’re there to help you move the needle and grow with you.”

Switch to the bank that will put you first, always! Central Coast Unity Bank has provided an ethical and personalised service to its Members, local businesses and community for over 50 years. As a Member-Owned bank, the Members are our shareholders. Therefore, all surplus earned goes back to our Members in the form of better interest rates, products and services. Just like most financial institutions, we offer a wide range of financial products and services:

Home Loans

Savings

Term Deposits

Personal Loans

Commercial Lending

General Insurance

Car Loans Credit Cards

Business Banking

Our difference is clear, we understand our Members individual needs while providing a personal approach to banking. Become a Member today and experience the difference for yourself!

Contact Darren Hooper on 0418 618 530 Email dhooper@unitybank.com.au or visit unitybank.com.au Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply. Unity Bank Limited ABN 11 087 650 315 | AFSL / Australian Credit Licence 240399.

Part of Mr Villasenor’s job entails teaching entrepreneurs the role a banker can play in helping them sustain and expand their ventures. “I’m sitting down with the client, assuring that they understand the expectations that the bank has for them and those that they should have for the bank,” he said. Business owners should feel confident in calling their banker, sharing their goals and asking for guidance. For instance, Mr Villasenor gets questions about the best time in a company’s life cycle to apply for a loan or line of credit, or when to buy a studio or office building. A banker who is committed to helping your business succeed can provide you with an objective opinion when you must make crucial business decisions that impact your company’s future – and your current bottom line. “Their banker should be the first one they think of whenever a decision involving finances comes up,” Mr Villasenor said.

Another key component of a strong relationship with your banker is their ability to identify creative solutions to the challenges your business is facing. For example, the survey respondents identified the top three challenges they currently experience as competition, revenue and access to skilled labor. Small business bankers can help business owners identify ways to address those challenges and more. One option might be a bridge loan, for example, that could facilitate the hiring of more experienced staff or help a company expand its sales on to a major platform like Amazon, or take other steps to stand apart from the competition. A banker can be a trusted advisor. They can bring broad experience across multiple industries and familiarity in working with very successful entrepreneurs and their companies. Those experiences can be shared with smaller companies as they expand.

BANK SWITCH

www.coastba.com.au

Bendigo is the BIG local bank HE Bendigo Bank delivers the products and technology you’d expect from a big bank, plus the personal service you wouldn’t expect from those same big banks. With this Central Coast Community Bank, you feel good about who you bank with. The bank has branches at East Gosford, Lisarow and Kincumber providing friendly advice and services. “We deliver the range of products and latest technology you’d expect from big bank,” Coast Manager Michael Bell said. “However, we also provide the kind of personal services you wouldn’t expect from a big bank.”. “And while we’ve grown into Australia’s 5th biggest retail bank, our heartland remains firmly local right here on the Coast,” Mr Bell said. “Our focus is aimed firmly on you and the quality banking products you need.” Bendigo has many solutions to meet your business needs and you get to work with your very own business specialist if you wish. They are also the Bank to talk with if you are:

• • • •

Starting a business. Buying a business. Growing a business. Your business is impacted by COVID-19.

Bendigo Bank helps with the vital steps to help you get started because launching a business can be a challenging experience. Bendigo’s business specialists will work with you to find the right solutions to get you started or enhance your business, plus you can choose from the range of finance, insurance or transaction banking solutions to help run your business day-to-day. They ensure your day-to-day business dealings run smoothly and a competitive range of transaction and savings accounts

specifically designed to help you access your money and take care of business. Big, small, established or new, if you need finance, they have a range of business and commercial loans to suit your unique needs. Bendigo offers a comprehensive range of commercial insurance solutions across business, farm and trade activities. They can provide a range of online solutions, or provide access to their team of qualified brokers. Helpful tools on their website include:

• • • •

A starting out checklist. Business plan template. Cash flow template. Business product selector.

They can tell you how to get an ABN, how to write a business plan and all about arranging GST. If you need something specially tailored, the business specialists will provide it for you. Business specialists have essential local knowledge of the community in which your business operates. They provide a single point of contact who takes the time to understand and provide the support your business needs and have access to a full range of smart banking solutions to help your business thrive. The Community Bank has an impressive record of giving back to Coast community with sponsorships and grants for many local organisations and individuals. This is a big point of difference to the four major banks. Bendigo combines competitive rates customer service with supporting the local communities through sponsorship grant funding and much more. $250M has been returned to communities and initiatives Australia wide. Behind the numbers are real stories and real branches, making a real difference for real people. To find out more, contact the Central Coast Bendigo Bank at: East Gosford 4323 4559 • Lisarow 4328 5472 • Kincumber 4363 2133

Patti Cox and Michael Bell Senior Branch Manager.

Community Bank East Gosford, Lisarow and Kincumber

Big on products. Big on service. And big on local banking We deliver the products and technology you’d expect from a big bank, plus the personal service you wouldn’t. And while we’ve grown into Australia’s 5th biggest retail bank, our heartland remains firmly local. As does our focus. On you and the quality banking products you need. Feel good about who you bank with. Try Bendigo. Find out more. Search Bendigo Bank near me. East Gosford 4323 4559 • Lisarow 4328 5472 • Kincumber 4363 2133

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178, AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 237879 A1455027 OUT_1824334, 08/02/2021

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 |

With Technology Solutions

16 | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021

www.coastba.com.au

Local Business awards

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 |

www.coastba.com.au

Lastt year’s awards at Mingara.

18 | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021

LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

N News

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WINNER BUSINESS OF THE YEAR & Outstanding Fruit and Vegetable Shop

GEORGE’S FRUIT BARN TERRIGAL 45 Years supplying the highest quality FRESH Fruit & vegetables ucts such as homemade jams, spices, honey, eggs, baked goods and more. George’s Fruit Barn has been in business for over 45 years. Our range of products includes a wide array of groceries including flowers, continental delicatessen and other imported cuisines. We also offer plenty of organic, gluten-free, keto, paleo, vegan and vegetarian products to cater to a broad range of consumer needs. George’s Fruit Barn maintains high standards in customer service and strives to exceed customer expectations on quality and service to ensure a positive consumer experience. We con-

tinually search for and introduce new products for our local and multi-cultural customers. George’s Fruit Barn are proud to be a winner of ‘Outstanding Fruit and Vegetable Shop’ for the second time in a row, and are equally proud to also be a winner of ‘Business of the Year’ award. We offer a wide variety of products and groceries both local and imported that aren’t easily found on the Central Coast, to complement our fruit and vegetables produce. As they say, “If you can’t find it anywhere, GO TO GEORGE’S!”

L BUSINE CA

George’s Fruit Barn specialises in selling the best quality fresh fruit and vegetables at the best prices. We offer a broad range of groceries to suit a wide variety of growing consumer needs, both local and imported that are hard to find on the Central Coast. We put our customers first by assisting them with their needs and providing them with only the highest quality produce hand selected by us. We also support local farm growers in the area by selling their farm fresh produce directly to our customers. We also support local suppliers and small businesses around the area and their prod-

2020 2 020

AW georgesterrigal@gmail.com

ARDS

WINNER FINALIST CENTRAL COAST

www.coastba.com.au

LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 |

Dancinality is celebrating its 20th year in business this year, following their amazing win in 2020 at the Central Coast Business Awards. From humble beginnings, Dancinality has grown to one the Coast’s leading performing Arts Providers and offer an extensive range of Dance & Theatrical classes. • Catering for Girls & Boys – 18 months through to Adults – Beginners to Pre Professional Levels. • RAD & BAL Examinations, Eisteddfod & Competition work Available, Certificate II, III & IV in Dance on a Part time basis. • Fully Equipped Studio Spaces & Highly Trained Teachers guarantees quality tuition balanced with a whole lot of fun!

Email: Info@dancinality.com.au Website: www.dancinality.com Call: 02 4342 1195

8*//&3

LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

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L CA

BUSIN E

20 | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021

LOREM IPSUM T R AV E L LO G O 2020

ARDS

WINNER CENTRAL CENTR CENT RAL COAST COAST

Return to work with confidence

Why Choose Little Miracles? Individually tailored routines for all children aged 0-2 years Quality Educators – trusted, highly trained and hand-picked educators Home-like environment – “Home Away from Home” aesthetics Kinderloop – giving you “real time” access to your child’s day

Terrigal Tuggerah Niagara Park and Point Clare

Ph: (02)4353 0993

www.coastba.com.au

CROSSWORDS/GAMES

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 |

Solutions page 29

ACROSS 1. 3. 8. 10. 12. 13. 14. 17. 18. 20. 22. 25. 26. 29. 32. 33. 34. 35.

Pirates Of The Caribbean actor, ... Depp (6) Ashton Kutcher replaced Charlie Sheen in the hit comedy, Two ... Men (3,1,4) Brothers & Sisters actress, ... Flockhart (7) Gordon Ramsay cooking competition show, Hell's ... (7) Lana Del Rey's album, ... To Die (4) Soccer star, ... Beckham (5) Pop power ballad by Beyoncé from her I Am... Sasha Fierce album (4) Dallas Buyers Club actor, Jared ... (4) J Edgar and Fair Game actress, Naomi ... (5) Shia LaBeouf action thriller, ... Eye (5) The Chronicles Of Narnia siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund and ... (4) Sitcom starring Jason Lee as a man who believes in karma, My ... Is Earl (4) Remake of a Wes Craven horror, A Nightmare ... Street (2,3) Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' daughter (4) The Matrix actor, Hugo ... (7) Pop star sisters, Kylie & Dannii ... (7) Savages actor, John ... (8) The Black Eyed Peas singer and solo artist (6)

DOWN 1. Grace Of Monaco and The King's Speech actor, Derek ... (6) 2. Russell Crowe's character in A Beautiful Mind, John ... (4) 4. Thirteen actress who plays Rosalie in the Twilight ﬁlms, ... Reed (5) 5. Movie and computer game, Grand Theft ... (4) 6. Fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Pink with lead single So What (8) 7. Actress who provides the voice for Gloria in the Madagascar ﬁlms, ... Pinkett Smith (4) 9. CSI: Miami actress, Eva ... (2,3) 11. Angelina Jolie plays Mariane Pearl in the biopic, A Mighty ... (5) 15. Adam Sandler voices Dracula in ... Transylvania (5) 16. Whitney Houston song, ... Always Love You (1,4) 19. Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel bringing-up-baby comedy, Life As ... (2,4,2) 21. Clash Of The Titans actress, ... Arterton (5) 23. TV presenter and model, Alexa ... (5) 24. Brazilian supermodel, ... Bündchen (6) 27. Colin Farrell vampire horror comedy, Fright ... (5) 28. Fred Durst's band, ... Bizkit (4) 30. Lindsay Lohan's nickname (4) 31. Fairy tale drama series, ... Upon A Time (4)

22 | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021

TRAVEL with DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

Whale watching at Hervey Bay What an exhilarating day it proved to be  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM HALE watching at Hervey Bay and a swim on Fraser Island is a “must see” day out when you visit this bustling region just north of the Sunshine Coast. I recently a day tour on the purpose-built whale watching boat Tasman Venture skippered by owner, former motocross champion Lloyd Burgess. Now, I have been on half a dozen whale watching cruises on the NSW coast, but they were nowhere near as good as the Hervey Bay experience. As Lloyd explained, this because the whales are playing, relaxing, mating, and calving in the Bay, whereas they are mostly travelling when you see them further south. The day started at the impressively named ‘Great Sandy Strait Marina’ in Buccaneer Dr after we were picked up from our accommodation. A cup of coffee and a quick ‘hello’, and I was soon chatting with a group of Queenslanders on the sunny top deck who were experiencing whale watching for the first time. The COVID-19 outbreak had forced thousands of Banana Benders who normally went overseas or cruised, to go see their own state.

The Whale Whisperer Our tour host on board, Vicki, starred in a National Geographic documentary called ‘the Whale Whisperer’ a few years ago and has been with Tasman Venture for 20 years. And I can see why they chose her. She is an amazing host, full of enthusiasm and knowledge and she calls the whole whale experience like a live TV telecast. Vicki buzzed around the decks, chatting with the tour members, helping with photographs and genuinely making a superb day out into a brilliant life afforming experience. “This is one of the best we have had for a while,” she told me as she served lunch. We watched a female humpback in a “heat run” with two male whales and she was playing particularly hard to get, ducking under out boat, playing-hide-and-go-seek and popping up occasionally for a look at our passengers. Vicki said the whales loved to communicate with humans and were obviously intrigued by us. Sitting on the front of Tasman Venture, I watched the huge ‘arms’ of the mammals smashing the water as they tried to dislodge barnacles…. or were they just showing off ? Then one of them disappeared briefly before bursting into a magnificent double leap out of the warm waters of the Bay. After lunch, we went for a swim at pristine Fraser Island and took to canoes to explore one of the beautiful, isolated freshwater lakes. To say was extremely impressed by a great day out, is an understatement. If you go to Hervey Bay be sure to look for the Tasman Venture tour.

Whale watching at Hervey Bay.

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TRAVEL

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with DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

The rock art at Port Macquarie.

Walking among the rock art at Port Macquarie  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM p Port Macquarie way they have two unusual traditions that the whole world should copy. You see, it all started when a new gigantic breakwall connecting the harbor and the Hastings River to the sea, came complete with a concrete walkway on top. The breakwall, started in 1897, fixed the problem of navigation across the treacherous bar at the entry to the river which is beside the town beach. It was completed in 1904. Amazingly, it was built using horse and cart style transport. Rocks were bought to the breakwall by a horse drawn trolley. As it reached the end, the horse was released and jumped in the river while the trolley continued on and tipped the rock over the end. It was a simple, primitive way of building the vital breakwall, but it was effective. Six horse drawn trolleys carried the rocks to the river and gravity did the rest. Well, no sooner was it finished, than locals and visitors started walked out to the point and back. Eventually, a visiting wag painted some colorful artwork and wording on a rock near the caravan park. And the rest, as they say, is history. The breakwall is now home to one of the greatest outdoor displays of street art anywhere in Australia. The Nrma Breakwall Caravan Park located right alongside the river is home to thousands of campers in the school holidays. And because of COVID-19, ‘Port’ was bursting at the seams during the recent school holidays when I camped there.

The walk is beautiful in sunny weather, but at sunrise and sunset it is simply sublime. Starting at the Town Green from the original convict settlement, the 3km walk is like no other in Australia.

Along the entire route On every rock along the entire route, visitors and locals have painted the most beautiful stretch of what is officially called graffiti but I prefer to call ‘rock art’. There are poignant messages recording the memory of ‘Dads’, ‘Mums’, ‘Brothers and Sisters, ‘Grandparents’ and ‘Friends’. Then there are the happy messages, welcoming visitors to Port and celebrating weddings, honeymoons, love affairs and….well, you name it and it’s on a rock somewhere. Dolphins regularly cruise near the breakwall, but during my visit it was the mesmerizing antics of jet ski riders catching waves near the rocks that caught my attention. Along the route, there are seats where you can sit and watch the passing parade,

study the success rate of fishermen or watch daring skateboarders testing their skills – and bones – at the new skateboard bowl. Every afternoon as the sun sets over the Norfolk pines, the parade of people begins. Hundreds pour past – some jogging, some power walking, some wandering, some arm in arm, dogs galore, babies in prams and some stopping to sit on a rock and dream. At the start of the walk is the ever popular Little Shack outdoor café where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast under a beach umbrella made from palm leaves. And there’s still more to tell you. The walk is the start of a longer stunning 9km out to Tacking Point Lighthouse at Lighthouse Beach. At the adjacent town beach, a sprinkle of beach umbrellas appeared each morning, taking advantage of great waves and pristine conditions. I will return to ‘Port’ one day soon. There is a lot to be seen and enjoy in this beautiful country town by the sea.

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 |

24 | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021

FILM

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with JACOB RICHARDSON

The Little Things – 3 Stars A murder-mystery that is less focussed on finding the killer than investigating the mental state of its supposed heroes. EM County Deputy Sheriff Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington) is sent to Los Angeles for what should have been a quick evidence-gathering assignment. Instead, he becomes embroiled in the search for a serial killer who is terrorizing the city. Teaming up with young hot-shot detective Jim Baxter (Rami Malek), Joe goes down the rabbit hole with this creepy killer, all the while deeply affected by the case that ran him out of the city decades ago. The Little Things is the exact sort of adult, thinking film that could welcome you back to the cinema with open arms. It’s a hard-boiled detective drama, rooted in creepy cops and even creepier killers. The plot unfurls relatively similarly to a number of other detective thrillers, with overtones of Prisoners and Zodiac. Our hero teams up with a younger version of himself. Joe is jaded, and has given up on big city life after a case that went wrong. But it keeps sucking him back in, particularly with this case. He used to be a high-flyer, but then the moral complexities of his choices caught up with him, and he broke down – his health, his marriage and his career all in one hit. He sees himself in Jim, and Jim sees a man whose prowess could help him crack a case that is garnering media scrutiny and could affect his career. Washington plays Joe as a deeply troubled but brilliant detective, with an overbite and an unassuming manner. Malek brings a distinctly weird tone to his well-dressed detective, brilliance early on

that transforms into a great psycho-analysis of an obsessed man who compromises his morality. But the true superstar of this piece is Jared Leto. Leto, recently nominated for a

Golden Globe award for this performance, brings a level of creepy that echoes some of his other performances but also revolutionises them into a unique piece. Physically, vocally and even through

the eyes, the performance really sucks you in to both hating this character and seeing him as an equal villain to oppose Joe’s detective hero. In the end, the film takes an intriguing complexity to morality. It’s less obsessed with finding evidence to convict the killer, and more obsessed with the police subverting their own moral compass in search of justice. Justice is at the heart of the piece, and in some respects that subverts the genre slightly, which makes this an interesting film. On the other hand, however, it makes the ending somewhat unsatisfying – both from a plot perspective, and with respect to being able to determine heroes and villains. It’s tough to truly root for these characters, because the film never really gives credence to the villains’ guilt other than through Leto’s creepy performance. It means that when the climax arrives, it leaves us asking whether Leto’s character was truly guilty, and whether the cops were really right. The film also leaves a number of plot threads unanswered. It all adds up to a movie that plays at genre, but in its quest to subvert expectations, winds up dissatisfying the viewer. Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com

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FILM with JACOB RICHARDSON

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 |

High Ground – 4 Stars A slow-burn revelatory experience, highlighting the reality of colonial Australia. T’S the 1930s in Arnhem Land, in the recently federalised Australia. Fresh from World War 1, Travis (Simon Baker) and Eddy (Callan Mulvey) are members of the police and get caught up in a mission where things go awry, and they massacre an indigenous community. Flashforward a few years, and Travis is tasked by Moran (Jack Thompson) to team up with Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul) to track down the young Aboriginal boys dangerous uncle. Directed by Stephen Johnson, High Ground is full of impressive sweeping vistas, tense and bloody violence, and a decidedly western feel. The film uses the setting like a character, frequently lingering on the Australian expansive landscape.

It also aids in the action itself – whether its incredible vantage points for sniper positions, or hidden enemies popping up from out of long grass. The action in the film is delivered at an intriguing pace. Every action feels slow, deliberate, and insightful. It brings a sense of realism to the cruelty and brutality on display that crafts intrigue more than shock and awe. You feel like this is a real representation of what the shocking nature of that violent time would have been, rather than being shocked for the sake of clickbait news articles. High Ground also has an odd pacing structure, with moments that feel like endings bubbling to the surface over and over. Perhaps this is a representation of the neverending cyclical conflict between

white Australia and black Australia. Either way, it has an odd dual effect, creating both a frustrating dissociation wondering where the film is arc-ing towards, and an undeniable draw into the picture. For a cast as diverse as the one assembled, it is also consistently well acted. On display, we have Hollywood actors (Simon Baker), Australian screen legends (Jack Thompson) and a debut performance from Jacob Junior Nayinggul. Irrespective of their diverse backgrounds, they all deliver cohesive and engaging performances with the material. Nayinggul in particular is magnetic in his first on-screen performance, and that is a testament to both his work, and the directors in drawing out a performance of such quality.

The only real issue with High Ground is the sheen. It feels like a movie that needs a grittier take, a little less bright and a little less saturated. As it stands, the film loses a little of the seriousness and tension that could have been associated with its hyperviolence, and in doing so misses a trick. The western elements are undercut by the bright tones, creating an almost budget-like feel. High Ground is a tense Australian western, that does a great job of engrossing you in a violent colonial story that needs telling. It’s a film that needs to be experienced in the cinema.

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

FEBRUARY-MARCH FEBR EBRUA RU RYRY-MAR MARCH CH 2021 202 021 1 26 | FEB WESTERN SYDNEY CENTRAL COAST

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Family Business Welcome

With David Pring

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

AI needs accuracy, humanity and integrity  ZOE WILLIS  JON STONE I is reshaping the competitive landscape across all sectors of the economy, helping organisations make better predictions and more informed decisions, while lowering operating costs, facilitating productivity gains and driving new business models. AI is helping us address some of humanity’s most complex problems yet, our recent research with UQ shows that trust in AI is currently low in Australia – almost half of us are unwilling to share our information with an AI system and 4o percent don’t trust its decisions or recommendations. Trust underpins the acceptance and use of AI. To build public confidence, AI should be developed and employed in an ethical and trustworthy manner while considering its impacts on people across its whole life cycle. Without public trust its full potential will not be realised. Trust, however, is a two-way process and there are inherent risks in the development and use of AI. AI can undermine human rights, such as privacy and autonomy by facilitating mass surveillance programs, including facial recognition. AI could also precipitate technological unemployment. But it can also have positive outcomes. In the fight against COVID-19, AI is assisting by simulating and predicting spread patterns to inform government responses, enhancing diagnosis and helping detect mutations in the virus. So how does an organisation go about achieving trustworthy AI? How can we navigate the risks and impacts to people from AI systems? We believe trustworthy AI is underpinned by three key components.

Ability AI systems are fit-for-purpose and perform reliably to produce accurate output as intended.

Humanity AI systems are designed to achieve positive outcomes for end-users and other stakeholders, and at a minimum, do not cause harm or detract from human well-being.

Integrity AI systems adhere to commonly accepted ethical principles and values (e.g.

fairness, transparency of data collected and how it is used), uphold human rights (e.g. privacy), and comply with applicable laws and regulations. These work together in a virtuous circle of lived experiences to gain and reinforce a person’s trust in the system. When people believe an AI system adheres to these components, they are more likely to trust the system. The priority is to ensure that any AI system being designed, procured or implemented is aligned with the organisation’s strategy, core purpose and values. These concepts, humanity and integrity are not what we normally associate with something so ‘technical’ as AI, but AI systems are only a reflection of the way they are developed and ‘controlled’. And it is humans that build AI not robots. Data underpins all AI systems. If an AI system is built on incomplete, biased or

otherwise flawed data, the mistakes will likely be replicated at scale in its outputs. Such trust failures can be prevented by following best practice in assessing the quality and traceability of the data used to build AI. Data is vital to developing AI systems, but it can’t work in isolation if we are to build trustworthy systems. Digital empowerment and literacy will be critical to future-proof our society and fully embrace the potential of AI. AI needs to be understood by all the stakeholders making decisions, so they’re comfortable that end consumers will receive the right outcomes. We need to collaborate with technical experts to develop guidelines and policies on how to open the ‘black box’ and make these systems and their logic understandable to all stakeholders. Transparency and understanding will

assist to grow trust in what is often seen as unfathomable. Having the right intent is not enough. We need to have the right governance and the right conduct to ensure AI systems don’t let us down. In the end it is the organisations that adopt an integrated, cross-disciplinary approach to achieving trustworthy AI who will be positioned to manage reputational risk, lead the responsible stewardship of this technology and realise its benefits faster. Our latest report gives practical help for developing trustworthy AI; to read the full report, visit KPMG.com.au First published by Zoe Willis, Partner and National Leader, Data & RegTech, KPMG Australia and Jon Stone Partner, Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive, KPMG Australia on KPMG.com.au

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FAMILY BUSINESS with DAVID PRING

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 |

Dr Brendan Rynne, KPMG Chief Economist, comments on today’s RBA announcement S expected, the RBA kept its settings unchanged, and we do not anticipate any movement in the near future. The RBA has set out to do all it can to boost economic activity and with business investment still weak, it will keep on its current course. The RBA surprised some last year by seemingly using up all its monetary policy ammunition by November. In our view, it had no other option and although the effectiveness of Quantitative Easing is still playing out it was essential for business confidence that the RBA was seen to be using all the tools at its disposal to support the economy. It must be remembered that the RBA has been playing a dual game of implementing monetary policy to ensure domestic demand recovers from this pandemic-induced recession, while at the same time looking to ensure Australia’s currency remains competitive, thereby ensuring our exports continue to be attractively priced. It has used QE for both these defensive and competitive monetary policy plays.

Dr Brendan Rynne.

Australia has a flexible exchange rate so controlling the exchange rate is not something that policy makers can do easily for any period of time. The RBA has already indicated it is likely to implement another round of QE in 2021 and, if necessary, could target purchases further along the curve to put downward

pressure on 5- and 10-yr government bond rates, which may help with the competitiveness of the Australian dollar. The fact that the RBA has flagged further QE activities suggests it considers QE ammunition has been, and will continue to be, effective in supporting the economy. In fact, the RBA has pulled in ‘reserve ammunition’, which many in the market didn’t think it had based on its traditional playbook, including the further easing of the cash rate to 0.1%. The Bank has shown a preparedness to use unconventional monetary policy and adopt measures we haven’t previously seen it use. In using unconventional measures it is important that the RBA is alert to unconventional outcomes. While conventional inflation metrics remain largely contained, inflation was higher than expected in December and the RBA will need to watchful that this was due to temporary factors rather than the long-hibernating inflation genie stirring from its slumber. It would also be particularly prudent for the RBA to remain alert to the consequences of asset price inflation, which we are now seeing in the housing market. The issue is

that rising assets prices will further exacerbate the difference between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-not’s in society. Those with assets going into the pandemic will see their wealth rise with the tide; those that didn’t will see the gap widen. Policymakers are in a difficult position. If QE is distorting asset prices, including housing, then introducing another distortion to address this may simply kick the can further down the road. What can be done? Ensuring lending standards are maintained to protect borrowers from over-extending themselves – including maintaining serviceability stringency and enforcing loan to-value ratio limits – can help minimise the chances of an asset price bubble. Also, fiscal policy settings around tax, such as capital gains and negative gearing – are also mechanisms that could be strengthened to dampen the attractiveness of housing investment (relative to other investments). First published by Dr Brendan Rynne, Chief Economist, KPMG Australia on KPMG Newsroom on 2 February 2021.

Payment Times Reporting – Are you ready? What are the potential penalties and fines?

USTRALIA’S Payment Times Reporting Scheme commenced 1 January 2021. This will impact many large Australian businesses and some government entities.

The newly appointed Payment Times Regulator has significant powers to monitor, investigate, appoint external auditors and impose infringement penalties up to 0.6 percent of annual income. Penalties will not come into effect for the first 12 months and the Regulator will spend this time working with reporting entities to educate them about reporting.

The Payment Times Reporting Act 2020 requires reporting entities to report on their payment terms and times with small suppliers in publicly available reports. There is a new Government website for the Payment Times Reporting Scheme (PTRS) which holds the rules and latest guidance material for reporting entities to view. See our summary of the PTR rules (PDF 93KB).

Public reporting and the media

The key elements to understand Who must report? By now, more than 4,000 large business groups will have received an early invitation to self-register for PTR or will have subsequently gone to the PTR website to investigate registration processes. However, if you have missed this or think you might have recently met the requirements to report, we have covered the basic tests to satisfy the PTR regime and report. A ‘constitutionally covered entity’ becomes a reporting entity at the start of its income tax year if it:

• carries on an enterprise in Australia • satisfies a ‘total income’ threshold for the most recent income tax year, and • is not a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-forprofits Commission.

Alternatively, if an entity gives appropriate notice to the Regulator, it may elect into the regime.

When will you need to report? Reporting entities will need to report on a bi-annual basis dependent upon their year-end for tax purposes, they will then have 3 months to upload their report to the Payment Times Reporting Regulator via an online portal. For most Australian businesses with a 30 June tax year end, they will need to look to its income for the year ended 30 June 2020 to see if it has a PTR obligation and the first reporting window will be from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021, with a first reporting deadline of 30 September 2021.

Who is a small business supplier? An entity will be identified as a small business in the Payment Times Small Business Identification Tool (coming in December 2020) if it carries on an enterprise in Australia and its annual turnover was less than $10m for the most recent income year. The way we understand the SBI Tool will work is:

• A reporting entity will need to upload their supplier data into the SBI Tool. • Based on your suppliers’ ABN numbers, the SBI tool will flag which of your suppliers’ ABNs were not matched in the SBI Tool (because the Tool will seek to identify medium and large businesses) and are therefore small business.

•

What are the content and information requirements? The new Scheme will require reporting entities to prepare and disclose a wide range of information in relation to their payment practices to those suppliers identified as small business suppliers. In addition to factual information about the RE, the recent release of the Rules and Guidance Material provides further information required for the Payment Times Report and includes:

• % by total value, of all procurement by the Reporting Entity (RE) in the reporting period (RP) that

•

was from Small Business Suppliers (SBSs) Standard Payment Periods (SPPs) on offer, or if none, most commonly used with SBSs (inc. longest & shortest SPPs at the start of the RP) plus any changes during RP. Rules now define SPPs % by total number & value, of certain SB Invoices (SBIs) paid by RE in RP within various date ranges after issue details of how SBIs are to be received/paid by the RE and details of any fees payable by a SB to participate in a RE’s procurement process whether the RE has any SB Supply Chain Finance Arrangements in RP (if so, further details including: various % disclosures of SB invoices paid under SBSCFAs; any commissions/benefits received from 3rd party SBSCFA providers and whether SBs were required to agree to use SBSCFAs to participate in a RE’s procurement process or for SB invoices to be paid) additional info to provide context to disclosures in PT report.

Once submitted, this information will then be lodged on a public Payment Times Reporting Register which will make this information readily available for the public to access free of charge.

The relationship between large retailers and their small suppliers has featured in numerous Australian newspaper headlines in recent years and we saw this increase from May 2020 when Payment Times Reporting was first tabled in the House of Representatives. Previous reporting was presumably based upon information obtained from suppliers, however, once reporting goes live from 1 July, we anticipate this to increase significantly as the media will have access to payment metrics on reporting entities.

Common issues to address prior to your first reporting window • Data quality and accuracy for supplier ABNs. • Inability to tag small suppliers in ERP systems. • Failure to capture invoice receipt date. • Inability to produce reports.

How our clients are setting themselves up for success Payments Times Reporting is here, and businesses need to think about what they need to do now. However, with these changes comes the inevitability of impacts further down the line including, how businesses structure entities in their ERP, manage their data and working capital moving forward. Through our work with clients, we have found knowing how to navigate these changes and setting yourself up for success can be complex. We have been supporting clients through the complexities of Payment Times Reporting to help them understand what’s expected, prepare for the changes and ensure they comply into the future. For more information visit KPMG.com.au First published by Vince Dimasi, National Lead, Working Capital Advisory & Payment Times Reporting, KPMG Australia on KPMG.com.au

MONEY

28 | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021

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Business banking or commercial lending? They are different but they can also go hand-in-hand EOPLE regularly confuse busines banking and commercial lending but is there a difference, and what do they really mean? For the record, they are different but they do work hand-in-hand. Business Banking refers to the general banking and financial services required by all SMEs as part of their daily banking needs. We know that you need a business bank account for your operation, and you may require other services like online banking, an ability to accept payments through merchant devices, downloading statements into your Accounting software and other business-related products that cater to businesses and not individuals. Commercial lending is more apparent in its description and borrowing money is different to establishing general business banking needs. There’s a lot more involved when requesting a Commercial loan, and it takes careful consideration when looking to finance property, machinery, vehicles and technology to help grow your business.

What customers need to know

Assessment of purpose Commercial Lending involves the assessment of purpose, suitability, and the risk to the borrower and to the bank. For this reason, there are more questions and more items to satisfy a commercial loan application depending on the specific need. The key to commercial lending is to have a proper conversation with a commercial lending specialist who can ask you the right questions and perhaps even suggest other options for your needs.

Many borrowers do borrow against their homes or residential property for commercial needs, but the definition of commercial is the purpose. Although your home is residential, the purpose might be to invest in new equipment or a motor vehicle for your company,

Take Your Business to New Heights! Are you looking to expand your ofﬁce, upgrade your systems or implement new technology? Invest in your business today. At Central Coast Unity Bank, your business is our business and our Commercial Lending Specialists are here to support you from beginning to end. Let us look after you and your ﬁnance so you can concentrate on what matters, growing your business.

To organise your dedicated Commercial Lending Specialist, call us on 1300 36 2000 or go online unitybank.com.au Credit eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply Unity Bank Limited ABN 11 087 650 315 | AFSL / Australian Credit Licence 240399.

and that’s what determines the classification. Commercial lending also has different parameters to Consumer lending, and this means that the risk, terms and pricing vary according to the need. As you can see, Business Banking integrates with Commercial lending as they

both relate to your business operation, but the level of detail required is not the same. At Unity Bank, we specialise in both and pride ourselves in tailoring the right products and services to suit your needs. Visit www.unitybank.com.au

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GAMES SOLUTIONS

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 |

AUTO

with JOHN MELLOR

Honda gives its Odyssey people carrier an extensive refresh for 2021  CALLUM HUNTER ONDA Australia has welcomed in the New Year by revealing and detailing its updated new Odyssey wagon-come-people mover which not only sees the usual array of cosmetic, equipment and safety upgrades but a revamped lineup too. Once again made up of just two variants, the updated Odyssey range opens from $44,250 plus on-road costs for the Vi L7, marking an entry-price increase of more than $5000 compared to the previous model. It is a similar story with the higher-specced Vi LX7 which costs $2410 more than the VTi-L it replaces ($51,150 vs $48,740). For the extra outlay customers are treated to a heap more standard equipment, especially on the base model which now comes with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen, heated front seats, leather upholstery, keyless entry and push-button start, redesigned steering wheel, 7.0-inch driver’s display, captain’s chairs in the second row, power sliding rear doors and LED headand foglights. That captain’s chair second row may boost comfort and up the luxury feel however it does obvious reduce the Odyssey’s carrying capacity from eight to seven which could ultimately bring the big wagon into competition with some of Australia’s most popular SUVs while simultaneously losing ground – or passengers – on the Kia Carnival. The second-row seats themselves do however feature adjustable armrests, recline and long-slide functionality. Safety on the Vi L7 has also been drastically stepped up thanks to the addition of the Honda Sensing safety and driver-assist

suite, which in this case consists of forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, lane keep assist system, road departure mitigation system and adaptive cruise control.

Blind spot information Rear cross-traffic alert and a blind spot information system have also been added to the mix, joining established features like brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, emergency stop signal, hill start assist, traction control, vehicle stability assist and tyre deflation warning. Building on the Vi L7’s already generous spec, the Vi LX7 adds a hands-free power tailgate with kick sensor, gesture control power sliding doors, driver memory seats and second-row ambient footwell lighting. When it comes to model differentiation, it should not prove difficult to spot the new model out on the road or alongside its pre-

decessor thanks to a completely redesigned front end headlined by the new LED headand foglight arrangement lifted straight off the Accord sedan, not the mention to the new hexagonal grille and protruding underbite style front bumper. It is a similar story at the back where we find a redesigned rear apron featuring sharper contours and some chrome reflectors while new 17-inch alloy wheels change things up along the side. One thing that has not changed on the new model is the powertrain which has been carried over as is from the previous model with power still coming courtesy of the familiar 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which sends all of its 129kW/225Nm to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). According to Honda Australia product, customer and communications general manager Robert Thorp, the MY21 Odyssey

2021 Honda Odyssey pricing* Vi L7 (a) $44,250 Vi LX7 (a) $51,150 *Excludes on-road costs offers “more comfort, convenience and innovative technology features than ever before”. “Odyssey has been the undisputed leader in the people mover private market for nine consecutive years,” he said. “When it came time to purchase a new vehicle to transport their family, since 2012 more private buyers have chosen the Honda Odyssey than any other people mover.” According to last month’s round of VFacts data, Honda shifted 1091 Odysseys in 2020, accounting for a solid 16.1 per cent of the sub-$60,000 people mover segment behind the aforementioned Kia Carnival (3650/53.9%).

30 | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021

BUSINESS CHAMPIONS

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Business Champions: Best of the Best

Scenes from the last Business Champions event.

Shelly Beach Rd, Shelly Beach NSW 2261

02 4333 8197

info@munchascafe.com.au

www.munchascafe.com.au

Munchas is a family owned and operated business. Providing our customers with the best possible experience is important to us. Using multiple local suppliers right here on the Central Coast enhances the quality and sustainability of our products and the local community.

News

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WINNER BUSINESS OF THE YEAR & Outstanding Fruit and Vegetable Shop

L BUSINE CA

2020 2 020

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ARDS

WINNER FINALIST CENTRAL COAST

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