Cover Story

Dilan has much to celebrate

Free pizzas for all as Pizza Hut turns 50

 ELIZABETH FRIAS

AT JUST 14, Dilan Elia was proud to land a job at Pizza Hut while a student at Bossley Park High, and by the time he turned 18 last year, well, who would have guessed? He’s now the boss.

Th e young man is enthusiastic, energetic, and a familiar face among the bosses (many of whom are twice or thrice his age, at the sprawling shopping complex at Marsden Park where early each morning he arrives to get the restaurant ready for a long day serving pizza fans.

Dilan’s story is another cause for celebration amid Pizza Hut’s 50th birthday celebrations during which they will give away 50,000 free pizzas from August 3 until August 7, between 4pm to 6pm.

Th e 265 Pizza Hut restaurants located across Australia are giving away a whopping 10,000 pizzas every day for fi ve days to celebrate and, more importantly, according to Dilan, to thank pizza fans for their support over the years and for holding on through the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

As one of the many successful franchisees, Dilan is shouting his customers a lunch or early dinner to mark Pizza Hut’s anniversary in Australia aft er the company fi rst opened its humble fi rst red-roofed outlet at Belfi eld NSW, in Sydney’s south, in 1970.

Dilan feels lucky to be celebrating with an iconic food brand. “For me, it means 50 years of good times, I hold many fond memories of enjoying Pizza Hut throughout my childhood and years

“Many of my friends had grown up eating at Pizza

Hut stores, they know the brand well, and this brought back a sense of nostalgia.” - Dilan Elia with the company,” says Dilan. “Th e past 50 years of Pizza Hut proves the success of a company I am proud to be a part of.”

Dilan said running a restaurant was “stressful throughout” especially as Coronavirus pandemic hit Australia resulting to many businesses closing for public health safety.

“Th roughout this pandemic, it has been both challenging and exciting, but we got busier, and it was a great opportunity to evolve with the business during this period,” says Dilan.

“We did it through the introduction of contactless delivery and pick-up, taking safety precautions throughout our service as well as maintaining high standards and quality of our pizza, pasta, wings, and side orders.”

Pizza Hut area manager Jackie Gavine and NSW South marketing manager Nathan Tillett with Marsden Park restaurant manager and owner, Dylan Elia.

Even as the coronavirus restrictions have eased, Dilan says the store continued to follow strict hygiene and physical distancing practices to ensure every staff and customer feel safe on the premises. Th ere were reports of COVID-19 cases in at least two shops within the complex.

Th e food industry is classifi ed essential service thus Dilan remained open to serve his customers’ needs while others shut down.

New opportunities

“I have off ered opportunities to my friends from school because they couldn’t fi nd jobs, and I took a few of them to work with me,” says Dilan.

“Many of my friends had grown up eating at Pizza Hut stores, they know the brand well, and this brought back a sense of nostalgia.”

Pizza Hut area manager, Jackie Gavine, says Dilan’s staff admired his disciplined work ethics. “It is amazing to work with Dilan; his passion and energy for the brand are second to none. He’s a young gun.”

Dilan expressed gratitude to his loving and supportive parents. His father is an English teacher and an Arabic language interpreter while his mother works at the restaurant. Th e Elia family originally came from Chaldean in Iraq.

“If it wasn’t for my family’s support, and of course the team at Pizza Hut, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” he says.

“My other dream is to franchise my next Pizza Hut store. Th ere are plenty of opportunities for those who want to become franchisees and for anyone who wants to start a business. I know I have their support. Th anks to them, I am now ten-plus years set for my future.”

On your GPS, set the location to Pizza Hut Marsden Park, 9 Hollinsworth Road, open daily from 11am till 11pm or call 13 11 66, and you’re all set to go and meet Dilan and the happy crew.

“Let’s share the good times with family and friends by enjoying our amazing Deep Pan Pizza that turned 40 years old this year, too,” says Dilan.

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New suburb called LITT LE INDIA

Council sets up reference group to explore visitor economy benefits

 DI BARTOK

ALITTLE India in Harris Park is set to bring the area alive, after Parramatta Council voted to set up a reference group to make it happen, at its July 13 meeting.

But, in what seemed a straightforward proposal, councillors became mired in debate over whether the only Indian councillor Sameer Panday should represent the Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer when he cannot att end.

Cr Pierre Esber had suggested that it would be wise to have “someone who speaks the language and understands the culture” to represent the council in the group that would include Harris Park business people, up to three Rosehill

Ginger Indian Restaurant.

ward councillors and up to two council offi cers.

Cr Panday is not a Rosehill councillor but Cr Esber suggested he should be the one chosen to represent the Lord Mayor.

But Cr Dwyer disagreed, saying he would decide who would represent him.

While humbled by the suggestion, Cr Panday said his inclusion was no diff erent from anyone being set a task that matched their expertise.

Cr Panday said his knowledge of Indian culture was “not something anyone else in this room has”.

In the end, councillors accepted Cr Esber’s suggestion that Cr Panday represent the Lord Mayor in the reference group that would meet regularly to formulate the Litt le India plan.

However, Cr Lorraine Wearne, a steadfast opponent of designated cultural eating precincts, said: “If we have a Litt le India, why not a Litt le Korea, a Litt le China, a Litt le Lebanon?”

But the Indian community is the largest ethnic group in the Parramatt a LGA, and Harris Park has the largest concentration of Indian eateries.

Th e plan had been originally proposed by former Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson in August 2019 as a way of activating culinary tourism in Parramatt a.

It was carried on by the present Lord Mayor who called for the report that was put to the recent council meeting.

Th e report showed that there was unanimous support in the Harris Park Indian business community.

A Litt le India would be widely promoted to draw more visitors to Parramatt a.

Th e reference group will allow stakeholders to decide on the nitt y-gritt y of the proposal, including marketing and how the Harris Park community can work with council to make it work.

Renaming dining precinct is a no-brainer

 LAWRENCE MACHADA

AHARRIS Park street, famous for its sizzling array of some of the most authentic dishes from the Subcontinent, is ready to be unveiled as the Sydney’s bestknown secret.

Most of you already know Litt le India, not just because it is home to a large Indian population but for some of the most aromatic and spicy subcontinent cuisine you would savour.

Th e decision by Parramatt a Council to investigate renaming Sydney’s most famous Indian food enclave, Litt le India, is a no brainer and will light the fuse for an even more vibrant Street in Harris Park.

On Monday, July 13, the council unanimously approved a motion to offi cially name it Litt le India, a name which has been given to it by patrons and owners of that street for many years.

Vivek Gulati, experienced chef and partner in the top rated Indian restaurant in Wigram street, Not Just Curries, said the council decision will bring in more diners because it proves that if you want the best choices in Indian food, Harris Park is the address for it.

Since he and his two partners opened Not Just Curries fi ve years ago, their restaurant has been rated No 1 by TripAdvisor.

“I heard about the council plans and the offi cial naming will give our businesses a big boost and defi nitely more people will come here,” Mr Gulati said.

Vandana Setia and her husband Nitin who are partners in popular outlet, Ginger Indian Restaurant, said the proposal will be a big boon.

“Th is will certainly bring more people from other areas too,” Mrs Setia said. “We already have places like Chinatown where you can have a variety of food from that country, so why not Litt le India?

“Harris Park is full of Indian restaurants and stores and naming it Litt le India will enhance the culture and experience for everyone, not just Indians. It will also make this area more homely.”

Mrs Setia – whose restaurant completes 11 years in December – also welcomes more Indian restaurants here, despite the narrow and packed street already boasting a mouth-watering variety of cuisines.

Business NSW CEO steps down

 ELIZABTH FRIAS

STEPHEN Cartwright, the chief of Business NSW who drove numerous successful business-led campaigns is stepping down immediately this month after 11 years at the helm.

Former Board president, Nola Watson, a known steady hand within the 194-yearold peak organisation and an expert in both business and government, has been appointed interim CEO while the search for Mr Cartwright’s permanent replacement takes place.

Mr Cartwright’s departure was confi rmed on July 22, soon aft er Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced the JobKeeper would be extended until December to continue the economic support for 3.5 million workers and 960,000 businesses aff ected by COVID-19 shutdown since March.

Business NSW CEO Stephen Cartwright: “This is the right time to hand over to a successor to take the organisation on the next phase of its journey.”

More than $16B has been paid to over 750,000 businesses to support their cash fl ow while 180,000 apprentices and trainees have been granted 50 per cent wage subsidy.

Business NSW has released its Back on Track COVID-19 Recovery Report calling for the extension of JobKeeper until businesses and workers relying on it for incomes were confi dent to resume operations without government’s fi nancial backing.

“Our survey showed two in fi ve businesses receiving JobKeeper do not have a plan to manage when payments stop, and one in two recipients will need to reduce staff hours or headcount when payments stop,” Mr Cartwright said.

Mr Cartwright said Business NSW has proposed the National Cabinet target its priorities on economic strategies to slash the current 11 per cent unemployment rate to below six per cent by 2022 and ensure youths are receiving skills training and guaranteed jobs.

Mr Cartwright said, he was “immensely proud” of his achievements such as the full-tilt modernisation of the NSW Business Chamber that advocated for NSW businesses since 1826 into Business NSW and Business Australia, as well as the increase of local business chambers and membership from 4500 in 2009 to over 34,000 today.

He also led the launching of the Western Sydney Business Chamber in 2012 to campaign for the fi nal plans for Sydney’s second airport in Badgerys Creek now set to open by December 2026.

“Anyone who knows me knows of my love for sport, and the sports people I admire most are those who retire at the top of their game, having won everything there is to win, and I always feel sorry for the ones who play on for one season too long. You should always go out at the top of your game and under your own terms,” he said.

Business NSW chairman Lyall Gorman said Mr Cartwright’s leadership has paved the way for the improvement in the operations of business communities throughout NSW.

New Western Sydney Airport CEO welcomed

LIVERPOOL Mayor Wendy city as its base in 2017, a meaning“Western Sydney Airport has passengers, airlines and air cargo Waller has welcomed the apful commitment to Sydney’s third a very positive profi le in local and operators,” he said. pointment of Simon Hickey CBD,” she said. overseas aviation markets, which For more than a decade Mr as the new CEO of Western Mr Hickey has over 30 years led to a very high level of interest Hickey has served on the Sydney Sydney Airport (WSA). of experience working in the in the CEO role from candidates Children’s Hospitals Foundation

WSA is the Liverpool-based commercial, infrastructure and across the world,” he said. Board and is currently its Deputy federal government organisation aviation industries. He takes over Mr Hickey said his new role Chair. that will build and run the future from former CEO Graham Millett . will be a challenging and reward“My focus will be not only on Western Sydney International WSA chair Paul O’Sullivan ing experience. building the infrastructure, but on Airport. said Mr Hickey was the right man “Introducing choice to Sydbuilding the commercial proposi

“I look forward to continuing to lead the organisation through ney’s aviation market is a comtion around passenger aviation, air the good relations with Western the airport’s construction and into pelling proposition and one that cargo and our on-airport business Sydney Airport which chose our operation in the years to come. will lead to stronger outcomes for park,” Mr Hickey said.

Simon Hickey.

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CSIRO to call Aerotropolis home

THE CSIRO will have up to 450 of the science agency’s staff and researchers based at a new state of the art facility in the heart of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the current CSIRO plan is to relocate many of its Sydney-based staff into a purpose-built facility that would support collaboration and the delivery of cutt ing-edge science.

“Th e Aerotropolis will be a new focal point for Australian innovation, research and productivity, which is why it is the perfect home for Australia’s national science agency,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“CSIRO is a national icon and would set the tone for the Aerotropolis as an innovation hub which will drive the creation of more than 200,000 jobs across the Western Parkland City.”

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the successful conclusion of negotiations will pave the way for construction on CSIRO’s facility in the Aerotropolis Core to start in mid-2023 and be complete by 2026.

“Th e addition of CSIRO to the Aerotropolis would confi rm the precinct as

Artist impression of the new CSIRO facility.

the future epicentre for science, research, innovation and industry collaboration in the Asia-Pacifi c,” Mr Ayres said.

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said the agency’s presence at Aerotropolis would support collaboration and put science and technology right at the heart of this new smart and liveable city.

“Th e more we can put science in the hands of real people to solve real problems, the bett er our future will be, so the collaboration and connectedness of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis is an immense

opportunity for CSIRO and the future we are shaping for Australia,” Dr Marshall said.

“Th e Aerotropolis refl ects the new generation of CSIRO, agile and diverse, while building on a great 100-year legacy of innovation through collaboration. Sydney is where CSIRO invented fast WiFi and where we will invent the next innovations for our future prosperity and sustainability.”

Th e plan is for a CSIRO facility of up to 18,000m2 with collaborative workshops and meeting spaces alongside state-of-theart facilities and laboratories.

Th e proposed CSIRO facility will benefi t from the $11B Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport rail which will service the greater Western Sydney region, in time for the opening of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport in 2026.

“Governments at every level have high aspirations for the employment generating potential of lands surrounding the airport and the announcement of negotiations with CSIRO is a key part of making that happen,” the Property Council of Australia’s Western Sydney Regional Director Ross Grove said.

Sale of electric vehicles is rising

ELECTRIC vehicles have been all the Electric Vehicle Council chief execu“Th e bad news is that even with this rage for some time amongst futurists, tive Behyad Jafari said while the trend forf strong growth, EVs still one represent but that enthusiasm is now being electric vehicles was promising, it showed 0.6% of sales. Th at compares poorly to 3.8 backed up by an impressive “real life” how far Australia could go if it supported % of sales in Europe and 4.7% in China. sales performance. the EV industry like most other nations. “If the Australian EV market had the

And the big jump in Australian EV “Th e good news is that the number of same incentives and support as the EU sales underscores the massive untapped Australians buying EVs is surging despite and China, we would be talking about potential of this 21st century phenomea lack of government incentives or supsome 50,000 new EVs on our roads. non. port,” Mr Jafari said. “Th at would start delivering significant benefi t in terms of cleaning our air, lowering our carbon emissions, and lowering our dependence on foreign oil.”

“Given that Australian decision makers at all levels are eager to start taking stronger action on climate change, transitioning away from combustion engine vehicles would be an excellent place to start,” Mr Jafari said.

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Small business benefits of COVID-19

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

SMALL business has taken a lot of knocks during COVID-19 but there has also been some positive aspects in the washup from the worst natural disaster the world has ever seen.

New research from Dynata has revealed Australians are the most likely to support small businesses following the economic fallout of COVID19 when compared to other nations.

Th e fi nding comes from Dynata’s Global Consumer Trends Reopening Report which surveyed people from 11 countries including Australian about how they are living their lives today.

It looked at several areas of life including reactions to small businesses.

Australian Small Business insights included: • Prior to the pandemic only two in five Australians at 39% would always choose a small business to deal with over a large company, however since the pandemic this has risen more than half to 61% who feel obliged to help smaller business survive rather than larger companies.

• More than half of Australians at 56% believe the government should concentrate its efforts on supporting small businesses through this time rather than large companies. • Following the pandemic, three

No news on Bunnings sausage sizzle

WHO hasn’t been tempted by the Western Australia have begun to host Bunnings, which halted the funddelicious aroma wafting from a these fundraisers. raisers in March when the coronavirus sausage sizzle at a Bunnings store? However, Bunnings customers in pandemic began to bite, said community By buying a snag and a drink, Western Sydney will have to wait a while groups who had pre-booked events customers help a community organisations longer to chomp on a barbecued snag. during the lockdown will be given prioriand schools raise funds for various projects Bunnings operates stores in across ty when they resume.

Bunnings stopped the sausage sizzles Western Sydney. Bunnings advised they have planned in March when the coronavirus pandemic Bunnings said it will continue to “cona new layout “that promotes physical disbegan to bite, aff ecting several communisult with government, team members tancing and includes increased personal ty groups who held regular fundraisers at and community groups and continue to hygiene processes” at their fundraisers. their Parramatt a stores. follow the latest health advice” regarding Several major and small organisations

Now, Bunnings stores in Tasmania, to hosting sausage sizzles again in NSW use these sausage sizzles to raise money NT, Queensland, South Australia and and the ACT. for various causes and annually, more

in five Australians at 59% said they would preference small businesses, a 20% increase since before the pandemic. • Prior to the pandemic, millennials were most likely to small business to deal with over a large company at 44%. • Almost half of Gen Z Aussies at 48% will preference small businesses post pandemic.

Th e Global Consumer Trends Reopening Report surveyed 11 countries with approximately 1000 interviews per country. Countries covered were the USA, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, China, Singapore and Australia.

Dynata has the world’s largest database of people who have opted in to provide information, opinions and att itudes on everything from car to political preferences. An amazing 62 million people around the world participate in Dynata’s research.

than 40,000 sausage sizzles are run across the more than 290 Bunning stores across the country.

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New Bunnings complex a step closer

BUNNINGS Warehouse is one step closer to setting up shop in the Bringelly Road Business Hub in Sydney’s south west, after receiving construction approval from the NSW Government.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the approval paved the way for a 22-hectare plot of vacant land in Leppington to be transformed into a Bunnings Warehouse and nursery by July 2021.

“From home renovators to professional builders, the new Bunnings Warehouse will be a big boost for the community in Sydney’s south west,” Mr Stokes said.

Th e Bunnings Warehouse is the ninth project to have its assessment fast-tracked through the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program. Th e project will create opportunities for up to 400 jobs and inject $22M into the NSW economy.

Artist layout of the precinct.

“Just over two weeks aft er announc- ing we would fast-track the assessment of shovel-ready projects, we’ve approved eight projects that will inject more than $1.9B into the State’s economy and create opportunities for more than 16,000 jobs,” Mr Stokes said.

Th e NSW Government made temporary changes to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to: • Increase existing development consent lapse dates by an additional two years and guarantee new consents are provided a

minimum lapse period of five years; • Increase the time a business can remain closed or used for other purposes from one to three years before it loses its existing use rights; and • Double the amount of time a development consent decision can be appealed in the courts.

Th e Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 has also been updated to clarify the level of works needed to be done for a project to be considered ‘physically commenced’.

If a project has not begun – or ‘physically commenced’ – by the lapse date of its development consent, a new application would need to be lodged for the project to continue.

For more information visit www.planning.nsw. gov.au/covid19

BRIEFS

ePlanning takes effect

HOMEOWNERS in metropolitan Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast, Illawarra and larger regional local government areas can lodge development applications (DAs) anywhere in real-time, thanks to the NSW Government’s ePlanning mandate taking eff ect. Councils that make up the initial mandate account for two-thirds of all DA determinations in NSW, which equates to $39B in investment value across the State.

Benefits of CTP reforms

MOTORISTS across the State have reaped the benefi ts of the NSW Government’s CTP reforms, as premiums hit a decade low. Th e previous scheme average premiums reached a record high of $635 in mid-2016. Without reform, the average Green Slip premium was projected to climb above $700. As well as easing the fi nancial burden, it is estimated that sing the Green Slip Check is saving each customer over 15 minutes when obtaining Green Slip prices from multiple insurers and purchasing it online.

New tech taskforce

THE NSW Government has launched a new taskforce that will make it easier for small and medium suppliers of information and communication technology (ICT) services to do business with government. Th e new ‘ICT and Digital Sovereign Procurement Taskforce’ will establish a greater diversity of Digital / ICT service providers and suppliers who engage with the NSW Government. For more information visit htt ps:// www.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/ict-sovereign-procurement-taskforce.

Council welcomes funding

THE Hills Shire Council has received a $1.2M funding injection to support local roads and community projects as part of the Federal Government’s Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI Program).

Money from the LRCI Program and a list of projects were considered during an Ordinary Meeting of Council on Tuesday, July 28, with Councillors unanimously supporting the list of planned works.

Mayor of Th e Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, thanked the Federal Government for enabling Council to accelerate important community projects, while also helping to stimulate the economy through the creation of vital construction jobs.

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