VOICE OF THE REGION
WESTERN SYDNEY
ISSUE 93
JANUARY 2019
BUSINESSACCESS ESSACCE HEADLINE NEWS
• In the footsteps of Richie
PAGE 3 • Wanderers challenge Leeds PAGE 4 • Family business master class PAGE 11 • Jesus Christ Superstar PAGE 17
GLOBAL HIT
nderers challenge Leeds PAGE 4 • Family business master class PAGE
AL HIT HEADS WEST
Following their hit productions Shrek, Miss Saigon, Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera, Packemin Productions are thrilled to return to Riverside Theatres in February 2019 with a staggering new production of the world’s first rock musical, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
DS WEST
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In the footsteps of Richie Benaud DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
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HE backyards of Western Sydney have produced some of the nation’s greatest cricketers, so it is only fitting that the new Centre of Excellence is to be established in this region. The NSW Government will make a major contribution to the Centre to be located at Wilson Park, Homebush in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct. The humble park is reminiscent of another unprepossessing oval in Western Sydney, Richie Benaud Oval at North Parramatta. This oval celebrates the unique life of Richie Benaud, former Australian captain and the Voice of Summer for several generations of Australian fans Richie was sought out by Channel 9’s Kerry Packer when cricket went from a gentle amateur pastime to .big business in a handful of hectic years. Nobody symbolises cricket in Western Sydney better than Richie who was born in Penrith in 1930. His family was cricket mad with his younger brother John Benaud also going on to become an Australian Test cricketer. His father Louis was a leg spinner who played for Penrith District Cricket Club in Sydney Grade Cricket, gaining attention for taking all 20 wickets in a match against St. Marys for 65 runs. Lou later moved to Parramatta and played for Cumberland. It was here that young Richie grew up, learning how to bowl leg breaks, googlies and topspinners in the family backyard under his father's watch
Educated at Parramatta High School, Richie made his first grade debut for Cumberland at age 16, as a batsman In November 1948, at the age of 18, Richie was selected for NS and the rest is history. He went on to become the most famous of Australian cricketing identities. He would be the first to approve the new centre which is a dedicated facility for performance and development of cricketing talent and grassroots participation in NSW. It will include a full-size oval, new cricket centre with indoor and outdoor cricket nets and the offices of Cricket NSW. Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the Centre will play a vital role in cementing NSW as Australia’s premier cricketing state. “Cricket been part of our homes for longer than we can remember but it has never had its own home in NSW, that nowchanges,” Mr Ayres said. Wilson Park will also provide a new home for both the men’s and women’s Sydney Thunder T20 teams with $30m invested into the new facility, funded from future property developments at Sydney Olympic Park.
Cricket legend, Richie Benaud.
Handbrake on drink driving
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T’S the end of the road for drink drivers with tough new deterrents. Under the new laws, mid-range drink drivers will now spend at least three months disqualified and need to have an alcohol interlock installed in their vehicle for 12 months. If you are a repeat, high-risk drink driver, police will also have the power to take your number plates or vehicle on the spot.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said drivers have had almost 38 years to get used to the 0.05 limit on NSW roads. “We all know drink driving is unacceptable and now the penalty is swift. Fifty-five people lost their lives in alcohol related crashes last year and around 6,000 mid-range first offences,” Mrs Pavey said.
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Cover shoes the casts members of the new production of Jesus Christ Superstar coming to Western Sydsney.
For drivers with a blood alcohol reading of 0.08, the risk of crashing is around four times that of a driver who has not been drinking. This increases to at least 12 times by 0.15. Centre for Road Safety Executive Director Bernard Carlon said interlocks allow drivers to get their licence back after serving time off the road, but they must have a zeroalcohol limit behind the wheel for a year.
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PENRITH ATTRACTS INVESTORS
HIGH SPEED RAIL CONNECTS
NEW ERA IN MENTAL HEALTH
Bold vision linked to airport
How Western Sydney benefits
New facility for Campbelltown
Family Business section page 11.
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JANUARY 2019 Western Sydney Business Access (WSBA) ACCESS NEWS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD ABN 39 600 436 799 Publisher/editor: Michael Walls M: 0407 783 413. E: michael@wsba.com.au Journalists: Red Dwyer, Iliana Stillitano, Phyllis McGraw. Photographer: Sebastian Giunta Associate Editor: Dallas Sherringham Account Managers: Julie Jackson: julie@accessnews.com.au; Graham Maughan: 0431 557 791 Contributors: David Pring, Geoff Lee MP, Paul Van Bergen. Printer: Spotpress Design: Design2pro.com, MBE Parramatta, DMC Advertising Group Website: www.wsba.com.au General enquiries: info@wsba.com.au Phone: 02 4572 2336 Fax: 02 4572 2340
DISCLAIMER: The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights in respect of the copyright of their work. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form without the written consent of the publisher. No person or organisation should in any way act on the information and content of Western Sydney Business Access or www. wsba.com.au without first seeking professional advice. The publisher, contributors and agents accept no responsibility for any actions that may arise from the contents of this newspaper or website www.wsba.com.au. The opinions and views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Advertisements are published in accordance with WSBA terms and conditions published in the media kit downloadable at www.wsba.com.au. Advertisers agree to indemnify the publisher and his agents for any actions that may arise as a result of published advertisements or contributions. Advertisers agree to abide by the terms of trade outlined by the publisher.
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MOBILE PHONE DETECTION
HONG KONG TRAVEL FEATURE
World first technology utilised
One day in the iconic destination
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Penrith launches investor pitch
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ENRITH Council’s bold vision for the economic prosperity of the region was unveiled at the launch of Penrith New West – The Edge of Tomorrow recently. Drawing leading representatives from government, business and the community, the event showcased the liveability, space, infrastructure, connections and investment opportunities available at Penrith. Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler said Penrith New West – The Edge of Tomorrow gets the balance right. “This is about attracting investment and driving economic growth in Penrith, while also recognising that our natural environment and the passion of our people set us apart and are equally vital to the City,” said Cr Fowler. “We are committed to the smart growth
Penrith Mayor, Ross Fowler and right, the Nepean Riover.
of Penrith - generating more local jobs for residents while preserving our City’s amazing character and assets. “We already offer a leading-edge health and education precinct in The Quarter and are working with early movers into our region on projects like the Sydney Science Park, which
will create over 12,000 new knowledge-based jobs at Luddenham. “We need to ensure the new Western Sydney Airport on the City’s doorstep and once in a generation government investment in road and rail upgrades deliver more local jobs and greater opportunities for the people of Penrith.
“The good news is that we are on our way. In the last five years alone, more than 10,000 new jobs have been created in Penrith City as a result of our work to grow the local economy and encourage innovation and investment in the region.” See the promotional video at: www.sydneywest.tv
Wanderers challenge Leeds at Stadium
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HE Western Sydney Wanderers will take on Leeds United at the new Western Sydney Stadium on July 20 to officially open the stadium for football. WANDERERS CEO John Tsatsimas, has announced the club’s first match at the new stadium against storied English football club Leeds United. Tickets for the Western Sydney Wanderers v Leeds United friendly are now on sale. Mr Tsatsimas said the match will be the first opportunity for Wanderers fans to experience the new stadium against the famous Leeds United Football Club. “Our incredible members and fans have waited a long time to see this stadium come to fruition and we cannot wait to play our first match there against a club with so
much history and tradition in Leeds United,” said Tsatsimas. “This will be a historic event for the club and the people of Western Sydney and we look forward to working in partnership wth the Stadium to bring this match to life.” NSW Minister of Sport Stuart Ayres said as many as 5000 Leeds fans are expected to travel to Sydney for the historic match, joining many thousands of Wanderers fans who will be thrilled to see their team in action at the magnificent Western Sydney Stadium. “The 30,000-seat Western Sydney Stadium is on track to open in April 2019 and Wanderers versus Leeds United will be a major sporting event in Western Sydney that will showcase the best live event experience in the country.
Wanderers fans.
Grow your business in Greater Parramatta Realise Business is a specialist support service working with Transport for NSW before and during construction of the Parramatta Light Rail to make sure local businesses have the support and information they need to maximise their potential, navigate challenges and make the most out of the many opportunities ahead. Carlingford Automotive Mechanic Repairs is one of the first to receive free expert advice, support and ideas from Realise Business. Ian and Sevan purchased their local business, Carlingford Automotive Mechanical Repairs, in February 2018. Ian had worked as a mechanic for over 25 years and also owned a petrol station, so it was a natural next step to create their own family business in Carlingford.
Sara Berry – a Realise Business Advisor – has been working with Ian and Sevan to help them reach their “ideal client” through clever marketing ideas, including the development of a logo and website, following a refurbishment of their workshop. Ian says, “When we were looking to set up a new business, I wanted to stay in the area because of the opportunity and growth in Parramatta. When we received news about the free Realise Business Support Service, we jumped at the opportunity and it’s the best business decision I have made all year. Our business advisor Sara has opened my eyes to the opportunities and how to grow my business sustainably and systematically – it’s been a real mindset shift for me.”
Find out more 02 9545 5900 www.realise.business Realise Business working with Transport for NSW
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WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JANUARY 2019
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High speed rail connects west
DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
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ESTERN Sydney stands to be a major beneficiary of the NSW Government’s plans to introduce a massive new High-Speed Rail network. The new rail system will effectively stretch Western Sydney’s growth boom into the underdeveloped interior of the state. Centres such as Bathurst, Orange, Parkes, Wellington and Dubbo would come within Western Sydney’s immediate sphere of influence, provided the network is properly planned. A trip from Orange to Parramatta would take one hour under the new plan, meaning residents of the beautiful Central West could easily commute to Sydney for work and vice versa. A trip from Dubbo to Parramatta, provided the network is expanded to the capital of the Golden West, would take two hours.
Artist impression of the concept.
The network would also let Sydney workers and businesspeople live beyond Campbelltown, in the Southern Highlands or on the Central Coast and in the Hunter.
In turn, it would be a major boost for tourism because regional areas would be within quick reach of Sydney locals looking for a quick break or overseas tourists “going bush”.
$300M for Western Sydney roads
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ESTERN Sydney drivers will soon see shovels in the ground on more than $300M worth of road upgrades to ease congestion and improve safety along major arterial roads in Prospect and Kellyville. The NSW Government announced it will duplicate both the Prospect Highway between Reservoir Road at Prospect and St Martins Crescent at Blacktown and Memorial Avenue between Old Windsor Road and Windsor Road at Kellyville. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said work
on the two major upgrades is now underway with the Government to start procurement on both projects immediately and construction to begin this year. “Around 35,000 vehicles currently use the Prospect Highway each day, including around 5000 heavy vehicles, so it is great to see work will soon start on this important project,” Ms Berejiklian said. “Once complete the upgraded three kilometre section of the Prospect Highway will be widened to a four-lane divided road improving safety and travel times. The work
will include upgrades to bridges across the M4 and Great Western Highway, and the on and off ramps to the M4.” Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is also building for future generations by upgrading Memorial Avenue in Kellyville. “On Memorial Avenue work will be carried out to upgrade the existing 2.2 kilometre road to a four-lane divided road, with shared pedestrian and cyclist paths to be built on both sides of the road,” Mr Ayres said.
Work will begin in the next term of the NSW Government, provided the LNP is retained in office. Four initial potential routes have been identified and High Speed Rail expert Professor Andrew McNaughton has been appointed to confirm the most appropriate routes, train speeds and station locations. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said a fast rail network would give people greater choice about where they live and how they commute to work. “We know a fast rail network will transform NSW unlike any other project and we will make it a reality,” Ms Berejiklian said. “We need to make it easier for people to consider moving to regional NSW and there is no better way to do that than building a fast rail network.” The four routes identified by the Government are within 300 km of Sydney: • Northern Route including the Central Coast and Newcastle. • Southern Inland Route including Goulburn and Canberra. • Western Route including Lithgow, Bathurst and Orange / Parkes. • Southern Coastal Route including Wollongong and Nowra. “The expert will provide advice to Government on what is possible and what would be involved,” Ms Berejiklian said. The delivery of fast rail on those routes has the potential to slash travel times by up to 75 per cent. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said a $4.6M allocation from Snowy Hydro Fund to develop fast rail would further boost confidence in regional NSW. For video footage of the concept visit www.sydneywest.tv
IS YOUR BUSINESS KEEPING UP WITH WESTERN SYDNEY’S GROWTH?
Business Engagement | Advocacy | Training & Development | Western Sydney Visitor Marketing www.wsbc.org.au
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Emergency departments perform well
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ESTERN Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) emergency departments have provided timely patient care despite a busy holiday season. WSLHD emergency departments at Auburn, Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Westmead hospitals treated more than 6,500 patients requiring emergency care from December 21 2018 to January 1 2019, representing a 1.6 per cent increase compared to last year’s holiday period. Blacktown Hospital treated almost 2,000 emergency department patients with nearly seven more ambulance arrivals per day over the holiday season, recording the highest increase in presentations at WSLHD hospitals (6.63 per cent). On January 2, Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals experienced some of the highest emergency presentations across the metropolitan system (322 patients) – an increase of 74 people requiring emergency care at these facilities compared to last year.
Highest growth
Westmead Hospital’s emergency department director Dr Matthew Vukasovic said his team treated 2,752 patients over the holiday period. “Christmas day was particularly busy compared to last year. Westmead Hospital had a 13 per cent increase in overall presentations,” Dr Vukasovic said. “Our emergency departments have done a magnificent job to manage the busy Christmas, New Year and holiday period.” Western Sydney emergency departments improved emergency care in 2018 despite the highest growth in patient presentations across NSW. An initiative known as Project Red at Blacktown and Westmead hospitals has revolutionised the way patients are treated by
Healthy holidays
Simple measures and precautions to ensure a happy and healthy holiday season
analysing and changing areas that have previously slowed treatment down. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare revealed last month that NSW is the only jurisdiction to meet the target benchmark for all triage categories. To reduce unnecessary burdens on busy emergency departments, people are reminded that where the matter is not of a serious or lifethreatening nature, they should see their GP or medical centre. For advice or concerns, the public should remember that Healthdirect (1800 022 222) is always able to assist with medical advice at any time of the day or night. In the case of a health emergency, people should call Triple Zero (000).
YEARS
IN PRINT
Westmead and Blacktown hospitals are home to extensive infrastructure investment. The $1B NSW Government Westmead Hospital project is the biggest in the state and the $750 million Blacktown Hospital project will be complete this year. In 2018-19 the NSW Government is investing a record $22.9B in health, representing a $1.1B increase over the 2017-18 Budget, including $19.2 billion towards improving services in hospitals in NSW this year. An investment of $759M dollars for acute patient services will fund an additional 40,000 emergency department attendances in addition to 2.9 million already provided, and 3,200 elective surgeries in addition to the 225,500 already provided.
• Moderating the consumption of alcohol during gatherings and celebrations; • Visiting their GP before going away and ensuring they have an adequate supply of prescription medications; • Taking additional care on the roads and when participating in outdoor recreational activities; • Keeping a close eye on elderly relatives with impaired mobility in unfamiliar surroundings; • Maintaining regular contact with the socially isolated; • Taking precautions on very hot days, such as maintaining hydration, minimising physical activity, wearing light clothing, avoiding alcohol, and staying indoors between 11am and 5pm, ideally in air conditioning, and • Supervising and keeping a watchful eye on children, particularly around water.
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New era in mental health
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AMPBELLTWON Hospital’s mental health facilities will double in capacity under a major multi-level expansion to enhance the care of adults and older people into the future. Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies has unveiled the designs, part of the $632M Stage 2 Campbelltown Hospital redevelopment, which include a specialised older person’s unit and medium secure unit for adults, to operate alongside the general acute mental health units. “These new facilities will help deliver a range of integrated and specialist mental health services for the most vulnerable within our communities,” Mrs Davies said. The new specialist facilities will be the first beds delivered under the
NSW Government’s $700M Mental Health Infrastructure Program. It will double the current capacity of the mental health unit to 132 inpatient beds, with new acute beds as well as 20 specialised beds for older people and 20 places in the expanded adult unit. “These designs are the result of extensive planning and consultation involving hospital staff, community and consumer groups,” Mrs Davies said. The mental health facilities will be located within the new Clinical Services Building, with construction on the Stage 2 redevelopment scheduled to begin in 2019. For local mental health services phone the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511, or if you or someone you know needs crisis support call Lifeline 13 11 14.
Artist impression of the new facility.
Parramatta a pilot for building smarter cities
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HE City of Parramatta will be the field laboratory for ground-breaking smart climate neighbourhood technology following a Federal Government Smart Cities grant of $571,000. Critically, the grant provides half the funding for the $1.14M project to monitor baseline environmental conditions at Melrose Park, prior to and during the early construction of up to 6,000 apartments. “Council is proud to lead this project with development company PAYCE and the University of Technology Sydney,”
City of Parramatta Council Lord Mayor Cr Andrew Wilson said. Smart sensors will be placed throughout the 30-hectare development site in Melrose Park to collect environmental data and transmit it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This will build powerful insights about the area’s liveability ahead of the planned 10-year construction period. Around 70 smart sensors will measure humidity, temperature, noise, air quality and water run-off. “The data from this smart climate neighbourhood project will help inform
WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JANUARY 2019
planning in order to enhance urban liveability, as well as improve outcomes across our vibrant City of Parramatta,” he said. “This smart modelling approach could be rolled out across Western Sydney, and Australia.” Real-time environment data will be fed into modelling software along with 3D designs of the Melrose Park development. This allows designs for landscaping, or perhaps building orientation and placement, to be tweaked to mitigate urban heat, poor air quality and noise pollution.
“Fundamentally, Smart Cities initiatives use data and technology to make places more liveable for the community,” PAYCE director Dominic Sullivan said. The key to the project is UTS’ Technology for Urban Liveability Program (TULIP). This collates the climate data with 3D development plans, through worldleading technologies, industry partners and researchers. The Melrose Park project was one of 32 Smart Cities Grant projects announced in November by the Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge.
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Jobs surge for Western Sydney
KEY POINTS - Acusensus was one of three technology companies that took part in a fourweek testing period in October 2018.
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- Cameras will be deployed on the M4 and Anzac Parade from January 2019. - No fines will be issued during this period.
The technology detecting mobile phone users.
World first mobile phone detection
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ORLD-first technology capable of catching drivers illegally using mobile phones will be piloted at two locations in Sydney. After a successful testing phase, the Government has selected Australian company Acusensus to trial high-tech cameras on the M4 and Anzac Parade. Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said during the month-long test period in October, more than 11,000 drivers a day were detected using a mobile phone illegally. “Shockingly, one driver was pictured with two hands on his phone while his passenger steered the car travelling at 80 km/h, putting everyone on the road at risk,” Mrs Pavey said.
The new system uses high-definition cameras and artificial intelligence to detect offending drivers illegally using their phone behind the wheel. It can operate both day and night and in all weather conditions. “If at the end of the trial, the technology proves to be foolproof, the community will be made aware of its permanent use,” Mrs Pavey said. “Seventy-four per cent of the NSW community support the use of cameras to enforce mobile phone offences. I strongly believe this technology will change driver behaviour and save lives,” Mrs Pavey said. Alex Jannink from Acusensus said he was motivated to create mobile phone use detec-
tion cameras after his friend was killed in a horrific crash a few days before Christmas. “Since my friend James was killed by an impaired and phone distracted driver five years ago, I have had a strong desire to develop this technology to save lives,” said Mr Jannink. See film about the project at www. sydneywest.tv
ESTERN Sydney is experiencing a jobs bonanza with the region adding more jobs since 2011 than all of Queensland. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data reveals employment has grown for Western Sydney residents by more than 212,000 over the past seven and a half years. The Western Sydney unemployment rate currently sits at 5.0 per cent, just above last month’s record lows. Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the new jobs figures demonstrated the strength of the NSW economy with the state’s unemployment rate sitting at 4.4 per cent – the lowest among the states for 41 straight months. “Since 2011, more new jobs have been created in Western Sydney than the whole of South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania combined,” Mr Perrottet said. “Western Sydney is reaping the rewards of our unprecedented levels of infrastructure investment.” “Game-changing projects like the Western Sydney Aerotropolis will help create thousands more employment opportunities for people across the region well into the future.” Across the rest of NSW women continued to lead the way with an impressive 237,700 jobs added since 2015 with women responsible for almost 63 per cent of new jobs during that time.
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BUSINESS
WESTERN SYDNEY
With David Pring
Welcome 2018 Mutuals Industry Review
WELCOME to KPMG Family Business articles or how KPMG can help with your feature articles, which I hope you enjoy business, please feel free to contact me on reading. If you would like to discuss these 9455 9996 or davidpring@kpmg.com.au
BRENDAN TWINING
Key highlights from the report
• Residential lending increased by 6.6 percent (2017: 10.4 percent). • Deposits increased by 5.0 percent (2017: 10.8 percent). • Technology spend increased by 5.7 percent (2017: 16.4 percent). • Net interest margin increased by 1 bp to 2.04 percent (2017: declined by 11 bps to 2.03 percent). • Non-interest income decreased by 1.9 percent (2017: grew 1.2 percent). • Impairment expenses remained steady at 0.04 percent of average gross receivables (2017: 0.04 percent). • Capital levels increased by 30bps to 16.36 percent (2017: 16.06 percent).
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PMG's Mutuals Industry Review 2018 highlights that Australia's mutual banks, building societies and credit unions (the 'Mutuals') performed well in 2018 despite a sustained low interest rate environment, an increasingly competitive market, heightened regulatory focus and an industry being reshaped by a new wave of technological innovation and evolving customer preferences. The industry is also facing unprecedented political, regulatory and media scrutiny and ultimately, challenges in arresting a decline in trust. However, it’s not just in Australia where trust in financial institutions has diminished – this is also occurring globally. APRA explains 'trust is the currency of banks'. However, this currency cannot be bought, sold or demanded, rather it is built over many years. And as we have observed, it can also be lost quickly. This report explores a number of similar considerations and aims to provide insight into what is on a Mutual’s mind when it comes to 'maintaining trust in turbulent times'.
Key themes
• The Trust Agenda – Why trust is important, and what framework to utilise to measure and foster trust. • Customer branding and loyalty – How to utilise existing branding of a Mutual to demonstrate trust. • Emerging technologies – What are the new upcoming technologies on
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the horizon for the sector. How can a Mutual leverage its size, relationships and often limited budgets to gain exposure to these new technologies? New Payments Platform (NPP) – The progress of NPP and its take-up in the Mutual sector. What will the current and future state of NPP look like? Open Banking – How is Open Banking regulation worldwide shaping the current state of Open Banking in Australia and are the Mutuals prepared for this? Workforce of the future – How robotics process automation (RPA) or artificial intelligence (AI) are currently shaping the workforce and how they may shape the workforce of the future. Royal Commission – What were some of the key interim findings, how will they impact on trust in the financial services sector and what lessons can a Mutual learn from the commission. Banking Executive Accountability Regime (BEAR) – What are the
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To help you along the way, we’ve developed a tailored training program, KPMG Enterprise Business of Family Master Class Series. The master classes will be held in major Australian cities.
right tools for building accountability in all facets of the business? This is in the presence of the sector campaigning for a '#MoreThan4' proportionate regulation. • Regulatory changes – How do we utilise the cybersecurity governance regulation to build resilience in our data governance & reporting processes? Further, how can a mutual utilise additional capital raised through Mutual Equity Interests (MEIs) effectively. • Tax developments – Managing expectation of all stakeholders, including communities that depend on government funding, the ATO and members in relation to tax.
To learn more, please contact David Pring on 9455 9996 or davidpring@kpmg.com. au. You can read the full report here: https:// home.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/au/ pdf/2018/mutuals-industry-review-2018.pdf First published by Brendan Twining, Partner, National Sector Leader Mutual Banks, KPMG
Across five focused modules we’ll dive into: Balancing a family and a business: Learn why balancing a family’s emotional ties and the business’ financial performance is key to success. The importance of good governance: How to build business and family governance structures for a sustainable future. Empowering each generation: Harnessing the optimism of future leaders while embracing the wisdom of current leaders, with communication at the core. Transition of leadership and ownership: Key strategies for the successful succession of the business. Future performance and technology: Equipping the business to compete in future markets through the implementation of technology. The lessons will be supported by real cases studies, and there will be coursework and takeaway information. You can register for one, all, or a combination of the modules. To learn more about our master class series or to register your interest, please contact David Pring on 9455 9996 or davidpring@kpmg.com.au
It’s not what you see, but how you see it. Together, we can take a fresh perspective. Whether you’re an innovative start-up or thriving business, KPMG Enterprise can help you take the next steps to growth. To learn more, contact David Pring on 9455 9996. Anticipate tomorrow. Deliver today.
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Balance brings success At KPMG Enterprise we believe that in a rapidly changing world, supporting family business is more important than ever.
The power of open communication, embracing the wisdom of all generations, and planning for the future can unlock your competitive advantage. To find out how, talk to us today. David Pring Partner, KPMG Enterprise davidpring@kpmg.com.au 02 9455 9996
Peter Tracey Partner, KPMG Enterprise petertracey@kpmg.com.au 02 9455 9144
Anticipate tomorrow. Deliver today. KPMG.com/au/enterprise
Š 2018 KPMG, an Australian partnership. All rights reserved. September 2018. 258795324ENT.
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Success
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$35M garage business from Bella Vista DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
A
HUSBAND and wife business started in the garage of their Bella Vista family home was one of the stars of the recent world’s largest trade show for imported products in China. DU’IT was founded in 1998, thanks to the vision and passion of co-founders Pynith Char and Zina Richter.
“
Since we’ve got into the Chinese market we’ve grown somewhere between 300 and 500%. We always wanted to go into the Chinese market because we knew the potential. We want to establish ourselves as a trusted household name in China.” - Zina Richter. Through hard work and persistence, DU’IT has grown into a $35m skin care products manufacturer with a huge following in China. It took pride of place in Shanghai as Minister for Trade and Industry Niall Blair joined delegates from 130 countries at the China International Import Expo. The DU’IT range was one of 50 NSW, exhibiting everything from milk and skin care products to wine and health supplements. The Expo covered 500,000sqm and attracted 150,000 domestic and foreign purchasers from 130 countries. This includes some of the China’s biggest purchasers including Suning, Alibaba and JD.com. Mr Blair said there were huge opportunities in China for NSW businesses with the fastest growing category for exporters being edible products which includes items such as pasta, sauces and infant food He said the category had grown nearly 158% during the past five years to almost $813m DU’IT started as idea for Zina when she worked in the hospitals and many of her patients suffered from dry cracked heels and foot skin conditions.
An idea was born
Together with Pynith, they both had an idea to create a hand cream that was not just for beauty purposes, but for people with medical issues, tradies, doctors and people who had hands-on jobs. Mr Char was an accountant and Ms Richter worked in the nutrition department of a hospital, but they threw it all in to take a huge risk. “I saw a lot of patients who tried all products on the market and there was nothing available,” she said. Ms Richter and Mr Char have a long-time friend who is a formulator and helped them develop their creams from their garage .The couple would give him a list of ingredients and he would create the product. The DU’IT skincare products were established in 2001 and the couple began a long five-year journey of trying to get somebody to pay attention to their product. Their parents and children helped them call retail stores and hospitals until finally they got their big break with the products recognised and pharmacies like Priceline and Chemist Warehouse stocking it on a trial basis. The rest is history: the products sold well, so the pharmacies stocked it on the shelves. Major supermarkets like Woolworths also began stocking the brand and they grew quickly to create a large company, Orbis Australasia. Zina and Pynith’s plan was to push their brands internationally, focusing their strategy and looking at ways they could tap into a growing demand for skincare products in China. “We started our growth in China a couple of years ago through Daigou, a community of Australian based shopping WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JANUARY 2019
agents who buy things for Chinese mainland residents,” Ms Richter said in a recent news interview. “Then a couple of years ago there was a cold snap in China and more people started using our Tough Hands treatment hand cream and found it effective and it just went viral on WeChat, which is like a Chinese Facebook. They set up their own shop on Alibaba’s Tmall website, an online Chinese business to consumer store.
Cold snap in China
The couple have since moved out of their garage and built a warehouse and offices seven minutes down the road. In addition to China, they are now exporting their products to New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, Turkey, Kuwait, Bahrain, South Korea and Brunei. “Since we’ve got into the Chinese market we’ve grown somewhere between 300 and 500%,” Ms Richter said. “We always wanted to go into the Chinese market because we knew the potential. We want to establish ourselves as a trusted household name in China. “Basically the Chinese love anything from Australia and New Zealand because of the quality. We have very strict standards in Australia and because of all the issues in China contaminated with baby formula contaminated in egg shells, they don’t trust anything from China and are looking for products from Australia and New Zealand.” Ms Richter said her and her husband’s life had completely changed since they gave up on their careers to follow their passion almost 20 years ago. Her children have now joined the company which she said was rewarding to share the business with them. “People say it was an overnight success but it took 18 years. There were a lot of times we thought we were going to throw in the towel but we just had the passion and when you are passionate about a product you want to see it work.”
Already ranked as the top hand care and foot care brand in China, DU'IT has a solid presence in all the major platforms including: • Alibaba’s Tmall Global. • VIP.com. • Taobao. • Kaola. Pynith and Zina are still at the forefront of product development and market research and are still very much hands on They now run the company with their children and a dedicated professional team committed to delivering new and innovative products, reliable skincare information and unsurpassed quality to customers right here in Western Sydney. WATCH FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURE: How to Start a Million Dollar Business in Your Garage. Business Access will present this fascinating insight by Zina Richter in a future edition.
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Viewpoint
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Parramatta is realising its potential
Frasers Property with Hume Community Housing and St George Community Housing and Payce with Evolve Housing in contention. The successful group will be announced in early 2019.
GEOFF LEE
G
REAT news as Parramatta moves closer to reaching its full potential. Last month two major projects, the Telopea Master Plan and the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1, passed key milestones. These projects will transform Parramatta and deliver a once-in-a generation opportunity for our region. Delivering economic benefits, creating jobs and improving liveability – these projects will help make Parramatta the most desired place to live, work and raise a family. Last month contracts were awarded to build and operate Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1, a 12 kilometre corridor connecting Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia. With remediation works already underway on the stabling and maintenance facility at Camellia this announcement means major construction works will start in 2019. The successful consortiums were Downer and CPB Contractors, in a joint venture, to build the network and the Great River City Light Rail consortium to supply and operate the network. Both consortiums have a solid track record having successfully delivered light rail projects in in Newcastle, Canberra and the Gold Coast Stage 2 projects.
Light rail
The Light Rail project is well timed to take advantage of the Telopea rezoning. With the rezoning now complete, Telopea can move forward and realise the great vision outlined in the Master Plan. This is an important achievement. There have been a number of plans in the past, but none have stacked up. Now, with the support
Walking distance
of the local community we have the opportunity to design a vibrant new community for generations to come. Over the next 10 to 15 years the area will offer up to 4,500 quality new homes, a 70:30 mix of private, social and affordable homes and deliver a cohesive and vibrant community. For the area, it will mean new contemporary homes, modern well-designed community facilities, a new town centre, with new retail
outlets and shops. Local Sturt and Acacia Parks will receive upgrades as part of $5M million Precinct Support Scheme contribution. There will also be more open space, improved pedestrian access and new cycling infrastructure. The next step will be to announce the successful tender to deliver the plan with three groups: Citta Property Group with Community Housing Limited and Bridge Limited;
By 2023, Telopea residents will also be some of an estimated 130,000 people living within walking distance of a Parramatta Light Rail stop. Stage 1 will connect Parramatta’s CBD and train station to the Westmead Precinct, Parramatta North Heritage Precinct, the new Western Sydney Stadium, the Camellia Town Centre, the New Powerhouse Museum and Riverside Theatres, Telopea, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse and three Western Sydney University campuses. Around 4 kilometres of the light rail network will be ‘wire free’ design between Westmead and Cumberland Hospital, and between Prince Alfred Square and Tramway Avenue. This is a great outcome for the Parramatta CBD. Stage 1 will kick start the revitalisation and jobs growth along the corridor. With “turn up and go” services running every 7.5 minutes during peak periods, light rail will provide a viable alternative transport option, helping get people out of their cars and more cars off our roads. These projects are exemplars of the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering housing and infrastructure at the same time to enhance the liveability of Parramatta. To find out more, visit parramattalightrail. nsw.gov.au and communitiesplus.com.au/ Telopea.
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Mindset
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Five steps to setting personalised New Year’s resolutions 1. Generate a broad resolution or goal as a starting point (exercise more) 2. reflect on your motivation for this goal: is it driven by internal motivations and aligned with other aspects of your personality? If not, revisit the first step 3. write down one or two reasons why the resolution is important for you 4. write down plans for achieving your goal, including if-then strategies 5. continue to review your progress and modify your personal goal as required. The most beautifully constructed goals will be ineffective if they aren’t personally relevant. Before you consider how to turn over your new leaf, it might be worth examining which leaf you want to turn over, and why.
Making New Year’s resolutions personal could make them stick BERENICE PLANT
I
F you feel you consistently fail at your New Year’s resolutions, you are not alone. Despite our good intentions, we’re pretty poor at changing our own behaviour. We continue to smoke, eat or drink too much, and exercise too little, all of which affect our health and well-being. In trying to change behaviour (including our own), we need to reduce resistance. You’ve likely heard some of the pitfalls of setting unspecific or unrealistic goals. Another contributor to resistance is when our intended action is not something, we are personally motivated to do. Psychological studies show we can overcome resistance by setting goals that tap into what we find meaningful and that reflect our needs.
Why New Year’s resolutions fail
Why is it when we set a New Year’s resolution our behaviour doesn’t change, or it only changes for a limited time? There is a common obstacle that could underlie the failure of changing behaviour: resistance or more particularly inertia. Inertia is a form of resistance where we can’t motivate ourselves to perform a behaviour. We know what we need to do, the inten-
tion is there, we just don’t do it. One trap we can fall into is setting goals that aren’t really our own – they’re not personalised. Instead, we often set generic resolutions, such as to exercise more. These may have been adopted from someone else’s goal or may be based on what we feel we should change, as per social expectations or norms. Adopting broad, generic goals may be a good starting point for change, but generic goals can also be conducive to resistance because they are low in personal relevance. Setting goals that draw on personal motivations produces greater confidence in our ability to change and a greater sense of ownership over the process. These lead to larger and more lasting changes in behaviour.
What are your personal motivations?
The importance of ownership for personal motivation is captured nicely in what is known as the self-determination theory of motivation. This places a high level of importance on doing what we find to be intrinsically motivating or working from what is inherently rewarding or satisfying. It’s in contrast to extrinsic or external motivations which can create feelings of coercion when we follow goals imposed by invisible others.
Are your goals what you expect others want from you, or are they your own? from shutterstock.com WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JANUARY 2019
If you choose to exercise more as your New Year’s resolution because you think people will find you more attractive or because you feel guilty for not doing it, chances are you are working primarily from external sources of motivation. If, on the other hand, you find exercise interesting and enjoyable or feel it expresses a personal value to be healthy, you are likely to be working from internal, personal motivations. So, say your personal goal is to read 50 books in the year because you value knowledge. How do you put this into practice and make sure your resolution sticks?
How to put this into practice
One simple behaviour-change technique that can be applied to New Year’s resolutions is self-persuasion. This essentially involves generating an argument for why you would like to change a certain behaviour. Try to consider what is most salient and personally motivating for you and what a certain change could bring that you value. Perhaps you value knowledge and empathy, and you believe the more books you read about people’s struggles, the greater understanding you will have of others. Maybe exercising more, like getting involved in group sports, will help connect you with your friends. Or perhaps you enjoy alone time, and going for long hikes will give you more opportunities for quiet contemplation. Although one of these examples may resonate with you, it’s possible these aren’t at all relevant to you. This is why it is important to examine what you find personally relevant. The self-persuasion technique has been successfully applied in a variety of settings, including producing moderate, short-term reductions in smoking and work-related stress, and increases in tipping and intentions to help others. Generating your own arguments is more effective in evoking change than reading multiple arguments generated by other people, even when the quality of the provided arguments is rated as being better than yours. But when using the self-persuasion technique, remember less may be more. You are better off generating one to two reasons for your intended change than trying to generate a long list of arguments. Also in studies that have tested this technique, participants have usually had to write their reasons down. This increased involvement may have also helped.
Say you want to read 50 books this year. How do you keep to it? Gaelle Marcel/Unsplash
And then?
This is not the whole story of setting effective New Year’s resolutions. Changing behaviour takes time and effort – particularly if you are trying to change a well-established habit. During the change process, reflect often: consider what is and what isn’t working, and how you could overcome obstacles that interfere with you achieving your goals. This is where you can apply other goalsetting and behaviour-change techniques you may have learned about previously, such as understanding and altering what triggers and maintains your behaviour. Implementation intentions are particularly helpful in setting goals and overcoming obstacles. This technique requires setting specific if-then plans for how you will respond in a particular situation — such as how you will ensure you get your daily dose of exercise if it is raining. Bernice Plant is an Assistant Lecturer, Monash University.
This article was first published at www. theconversation.com.au
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Cover Story
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Staggering new production of JCS
F
OLLWING their hit productions Shrek, Miss Saigon, Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera, Packemin Productions are thrilled to return to Riverside Theatres in February 2019 with a staggering new production of the world’s first rock musical, Jesus Christ Superstar. Starring JOE KALOU (Hi-5 & Rock Shows with Jon English) as JESUS, TOBY FRANCIS (Kinky Boots & High Fidelity) as JUDAS and BRITTANIE SHIPWAY (Big Fish) as MARY this show will feature strong performances, bursting with life on the Riverside stage. A global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for over 40 years, Jesus Christ Superstar is a timeless work set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universallyknown series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. As the radical teachings of Jesus are evermore embraced, Judas increasingly questions the enlightened motives of this new prophet, resulting in betrayal. Christ’s final days are dramatized with emotional intensity, thought-provoking edge and explosive theatricality. The show has one of the most stirring and iconic musical theatre scores ever written, and features hit songs including I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Everything’s Alright, Jesus Christ Superstar and Gethsemane. Jesus Christ Superstar illuminates the transcendent power of the human spirit with a passion that goes straight to the heart. It guarantees to be a night in the theatre that you will never forget! Packemin Productions prides itself on bringing some of musical theatre’s most popular shows to Parramatta and doing them in grand style. Their sell-out seasons of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Oliver!, The Wizard of Oz, Hairspray, Annie, Beauty and the Beast, The Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Mary Poppins, Wicked, Miss Saigon, Shrek the Musical and most recently Legally Blonde have wowed audiences with casts of over 200 performers, huge sets and highly skilled cast, creative and technical teams. They are shows that delight audiences from far and wide and are ones you do not want to miss.
February 8 - February 23 Tickets $35-$55 On sale now from Riverside Theatres Parramatta
https://riversideparramatta.com.au /show/jcsuper/
The young cast of JCS coming to Riverside Theatres.
JOE KALOU as JESUS CHRIST
Joe has been appearing with Hi-5 for the last couple of years, and prior to that toured with Jon English, including in his highly successful ROCK SHOW tours.
TOBY FRANCIS as JUDAS ISCARIOT
Toby recently co-produced and starred in High Fidelity at The Hayes Theatre Co as one half of up-and-coming independent production company, Highway Run Productions and last year completed a hugely successful season of Kinky Boots Australia for Michael Cassel Group, starring in the lead role of Charlie. Prior to this, he was seen in Australian premiere productions: as charismatic bad-boy Billy Nolan in the independent smash Carrie: The Musical Featured Male Soloist in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (both for Squabbalogic Independent Music Theatre) and originated the role of Stewie in the premiere production of Tim Freedman’s musical Truth, Beauty and a Picture of You for Neil Gooding Productions.
A consummate writer as well as stage performer, Toby was hand selected by John Cleese to appear as his sketch and writing partner as part of The Just for Laughs International Comedy Gala at The Sydney Opera House alongside Louis C.K., Demitri Martin, Martin Short and Wil Anderson. These skills, combined with an industrious flair for production, make Toby a natural for the cabaret stage. His work on the critically acclaimed Love, Death And An American Guitar enjoyed two sold-out seasons at Hayes Theatre Co and was awarded a 2014 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Cabaret Production.
BRITTANIE SHIPWAY as MARY
A graduate from NIDA (Musical Theatre), Brittanie is a musical theatre performer, corporate entertainer and cabaret artist. After studying acting in New York at the Lee Strasberg Institute of Film & Theatre, Brittanie returned home to Australia to make her professional debut at The Hayes Theatre Co with
RPG’s Big Fish (The Witch), and went on to perform in Chapel Off Chapel’s Ordinary Days (Claire), as well as making the semi-finals of the Rob Guest Endowment (2017). Brittanie has made appearances on Channel 9 on various children shows and The Voice (S3). Since then, she has opened for artists such as Damien Leith (Australian Idol), Marlissa (X-Factor), and Taylor Henderson (X-Factor). She has workshopped many original Australian musicals, including Sydney Theatre Company’s Muriel’s Wedding (Rhonda), and New Musicals Australia’s Evie May: A Tivoli Story (Evie May) with director Damien Ryan. Brittanie has performed at The Hayes Theatre Co season launches, as well as Neglected Musical’s Big River, and various New Musicals Australia readings. Recently, Brittanie starred as Fanny Brice in Theatre and Companys' Funny Girl, and has just finished the Summer Season of Sport For Jove’s Rose of the Riots. Production Team Producer & Director Neil Gooding Musical Director Peter Hayward Choreographer Cameron Mitchell Associate Producer Jordan Vassallo Set Designer Neil Shotter Costume Designer Audrey Currie Make-up & Wig Designer Karen Lamont-Barnett Lighting Designer Sean Clarke Sound Designer David Grigg Assistant Directors Courtney Cassar & Denise Devlin Props Co-Ordinator Jessica Fallico Publicist Laura May Vassallo
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Travel
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Spending a day in Hong Kong
J
OHN Newton has a very busy day on his way back from Europe! It's a simple 'ding ding' - but when there are more than 160 of them it adds to the cacophony of noise along the tramways of Hong Kong Island. Affectionately called ‘ding ding’ by locals, mimicking the sound of a bell, the city’s 114-year-old trams shake, rattle and roll their way past some of the island’s skyscraper landmarks. But one old double-deck tram in particular stands out from the rest. It’s the one that runs on the ‘Tramoramic’ tour between Causeway Bay and Sheung Wan’s Western Market – or vice versa. As part of a three-pronged attack on completing three value-for-money attractions in a day – morning, afternoon and evening - I jumped aboard the 1920s-style open top tram for an ear-piercing slow (very) journey from the Causeway Bay Terminus to the Western Market Terminus via a branch circulating Happy Valley racecourse and through bustling streets filled with ultra-modern cityscapes, as well as colourful history and modern culture. The one-hour tour, with free WiFi and recorded commentary with authentic tales of local life and tram history in eight languages, costs HKD$95 adults and HKD$65 children. And to make it even more worthwhile, you get a two-day ticket for unlimited access on Hong Kong Tramways’ network. It was time to move on to transport that runs faster (not by much in Hong Kong’s traffic jams), so I headed for the hop on/ hop off Big Bus, which operates daily on three routes (red, blue and green).
Continued on page 19
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WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JANUARY 2019
Travel
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I opted for the green route from the Central Ferry Pier 7 – mainly because the price included a trip on the 130-year-old iconic Peak Tram without having to queue. And the wait at times can be long. Very long. Back downtown from the heady heights of the Peak, the Big Bus joins the heavy traffic to Ocean Park, then along a winding coastal road to upmarket Repulse Bay, where there are opulent homes overlooking the sea – and even a Ferrari dealership on the waterfront. Next stop is Stanley, where I hopped off to grab a bargain or two at the renowned market by the South China Sea. Stanley has changed dramatically over the past decade with the market losing many of its bargain clothing stalls and the place looking somewhat tacky. But the choice of al fresco dining options along the main street on the promenade more than made up for the disappointing market.
Big Bus ticket costs range from HKD$480 for a one-day ticket that also includes a trip on the Star Ferry. A two-day de-luxe ticket – costing HKD650 – also includes a one-hour tour on Victoria Harbour and Kowloon nightlife tour. No first-time visit to Hong Kong is complete without a signature seafood feast at the giant Jumbo Kingdom floating restaurant in Aberdeen, the last stop of the Big Bus green route. Located at the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, there’s a free shuttle ferry to Jumbo Kingdom from Aberdeen Promenade Pier and Wong Chuk Hang Shum Wan Pier. Now in its 42nd year, Jumbo Kingdom is best known for its fresh seafood (customers can select what they want from a huge fish tank), traditional Cantonese cuisine and dim sum. The restaurant’s interior and exterior were built following the design of the royal court of Ming Dynasty. It took four years to complete at a cost of HKD$30M. Over the years, Jumbo Kingdom has been the film set for many movie blockbusters. *For more information on the three tours go to: https://www.hktramways.com/ https://www.bigbustours.com/en/ hong-kong/hong-kong-bus-tours/ www.jumbokingdom.com Hong Kong people call the tramway the ‘ding ding’ in reference to the double bell used by the trams to warn pedestrians of their approach. John and Pat were guests of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong Tramways, Big Bus Tours and Jumbo Kingdom.Words: John Newton.
Feature supplied by: www.wtfmedia. com.au
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Health
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Making it easier to wake up
Stress itself can affect sleep – relaxing and unwinding before going to bed can help prevent restless nights spent staring at the ceiling. Set a good sleep routine and stick to it. The body runs on an internal clock that controls sleep and wake. This internal body clock works most effectively if you have a regular routine. Try to set a consistent sleep and wake time and remember bright morning light is important to reset your body clock. Create a good sleep environment – one that is quiet, dark and cool with comfortable bedding and good temperature control.
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ETTING a good sleep can be tough, and this can lead to feeling less than refreshed when you wake up in the morning. Falling asleep and waking up are brain processes we don’t fully understand, but research suggests these transitions are a lot more gradual than the flip of a switch. Even if you feel like you’re unconscious until morning, sleep has a typical structure, cycling in and out of lighter and deeper stages. All stages of sleep are important for waking refreshed; if sleep is disrupted or you’re not getting enough, waking up in the morning can be really hard. Most adults need between seven and nine hours a night to ensure they’re functioning at their best. Getting enough sleep is important for good physical and mental health. Getting enough good-quality sleep will ensure you wake up feeling alert and are more productive during the day.
Everyday habits that may be affecting your sleep
Bright light in the morning helps reset your body clock and keeps your circadian rhythms ticking along regularly. To help keep your sleep/wake schedule regular and improve health and alertness seek out bright light in the morning when you wake up. In contrast, too much bright light at night can make falling asleep difficult. This is because bright light suppresses melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. This is why we don’t advise the use of devices like mobile phones, tablets or laptops in bed before sleep.
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A bit of grogginess is normal
Digesting a big meal can disrupt your sleep. Pawel Rekas, CC BY
Eating a large meal too close to bedtime can put pressure on your oesophageal sphincter (the muscles at the end of the oesophagus that prevent acid and stomach contents from travelling backwards from the stomach) when you lie down, causing heartburn that can disturb sleep. Eating your last main meal at least two to three hours before bed will ensure food is adequately digested. Fluid intake should also be reduced prior to bed so you don’t wake up needing to go to the toilet. Alcohol can make you feel sleepy but consumed too close to bedtime can also disrupt sleep. The metabolism of alcohol during
sleep causes more frequent awakenings, night sweats, nightmares, headaches and decreased quality of sleep in the second half of the night. It’s advised to avoid alcohol for at least four hours before bedtime.
Tips to help you go to sleep and stay asleep
De-stress and wind down before bed. Try a warm bath or quietly read a book (oldschool paperback, not the electronic version) and have a warm drink of milk. Exercising, playing computer games and watching TV directly before bed is not advised as this can increase physiological arousal and amp you up before bed.
The first 15 minutes after waking can be difficult for the best of us. That’s because your brain is not yet working properly. This is called sleep inertia. Sleep inertia is the groggy feeling when you first wake up, and occurs because some of your brain is still in a sleep state. Sleep inertia helps us go back to sleep if we’ve been woken briefly. But if you’re woken suddenly, say to an alarm or a telephone ringing, sleep inertia can impact your cognitive ability to respond to the alarm or phone. The magnitude of sleep inertia is affected by prior sleep loss, time of day and if you wake from deep sleep or not. So if you’re suffering in the morning and finding it hard to wake up, make sure to get a good sleep and allow a bit of time to gradually wake up in the morning. Crystal Grant is PhD Student, Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory, University of South Australia. Siobhan Banks is Associate Professor, University of South Australia .
This article was first published at www. theconversation.com.au
WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JANUARY 2019
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Aerotropolis
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Hitachi joins an impressive list DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
W
ORLDWIDE interest in Western Sydney Aerotropolis is rapidly gaining momentum with news of another major international company signing up to be part of the project. Hitachi has joined the impressive list of companies jockeying to part of Australia’s biggest ever urban project. The North Ryde based Japanese giant signed on with the NSW Government at a recent ceremony at Parliament House. Premier Gladys Berejiklian joined senior Hitachi represen-
tatives including its President and CEO Toshiaki Higashihara at the ceremony. “Hitachi is one of the world’s largest companies operating across energy, construction, water and railway systems to defence, digital systems, healthcare technology and more,” Ms Berejiklian said. “This MOU will see Hitachi throw its support behind the Western Sydney Airport Aerotropolis and follows its attendance at the NSW Government’s Aerotropolis Investor Forum in May and my trade visit to Japan last year. “The Aerotropolis is a highly attractive investment opportunity and Hitachi is keen to participate.”
Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said getting Hitachi on board was another big coup for NSW which last month signed MOUs with two other Japanese giants, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group. “Getting these big Japanese multinationals with their global networks is a major step in our efforts to help develop industry precincts around Western Sydney Airport,” Mr Ayres said. Hitachi, which had revenues of US$88.4B last financial year, has a global workforce of 307,000 including 3600 in Australia where it has a range of businesses including its national headquarters at North Ryde.
Sydney Markets in prime position DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
S
YDNEY Markets is in the prime position to be the key supplier of fresh produce to the massive Western Sydney Aerotropolis. An expansion of the Markets brand to the Aerotropolis could be the cornerstone of a new fresh food precinct for the new super city. Executive Director of the Western Sydney Business Chamber David Borger said the expansion should be strongly encouraged. “It is great to hear that Sydney Markets, together with the NSW Government, is exploring opportunities to secure the future of Sydney Markets to the Aerotropolis, giving the region huge potential to become a centre for the distribution for fresh food and agribusiness in NSW.” “While it is acknowledged this is a long-term project in its early stages, the
opportunity for Sydney Markets to be an anchor brand in Western Sydney should not be underestimated. “Sydney Markets is an iconic food destination for restaurant owners and grocers seeking the freshest ingredients and the community of Western Sydney would welcome the opportunity for the Markets, to be close to Liverpool, Penrith and Campbelltown,” Mr Borger said. “The Markets will add to the creation of a world-leading fresh food precinct in the vicinity of the Western Sydney Airport, recommended in a report by the NSW Farmers Association. “The fresh food precinct can include high-tech food production and will be underpinned by new technologies and food production systems. “The precinct’s close proximity to the new airport means there should be a focus on exporting fresh produce to key international markets, securing Western Sydney’s place as the fresh food supermarket for Asia,” he said.
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Leadership
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How survivalist leaders present a toxic danger A capacity for self-preservation is a threat to everyone else
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urvivors are one thing, heroes of actual events or circumstances that would have tested the mettle of most human beings. But survivalists, also known as preppers, are something quite different. They are regular people with jobs and homes who are fearful about the future and are constantly preparing for some cataclysmic event that hasn’t happened and hasn’t tested them. Survivalists invest in building underground bunkers, hoarding food, clothes, communication devices and weapons that all offer them peace of mind. Chris Jackson, a professor in the school of management at UNSW Business School, has been studying this personality type, and while confirming that in a disaster situation their capacity for self-preservation is certainly high, he has also revealed the threat they pose more widely to the general population in dayto-day situations. Survivalists are growing in number. Fuelled by the availability of 24-hour online news, more and more people are agitated about something, and appear to be getting ready for Armageddon.
Collective anxiety
Philip Lamy, a professor of sociology and anthropology at US university Castleton, traces the origins of survivalism back to the advent of the nuclear age, the Cold War and military conflicts in Vietnam and Korea. Back then, interest in disaster preparedness gave rise to niche groups often living off the grid, but it has now become mainstream in the US and has spread to the UK and other European countries during the past few years. Today, 3.7 million Americans classify themselves as survivalists. The National Preppers and Survivalists Expo in the US regularly draws thousands of delegates to hear speakers on topics such as ‘How to survive the die-off’ or ‘How to administer emergency medication’. Alongside is an expansive business industry catering to the mass paranoia. The freeze-dried survival food industry alone is estimated to be worth US$400 million (A$530 million) annually and is sold in WalMart and on the popular Home Shopping Network TV channel.
In his survivalist book, Emergency: This book will save your life, former New York Times journalist Neil Strauss says: «I think what we›re experiencing is a kind of generational panic attack. We were born in a good time. We experienced booming technology and rising stock prices. And then, suddenly 9/11 happened, Katrina happened, the economy plunged. And it’s like the rug being pulled out from under our feet.”
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We all need an element of narcissism. Without it there would be no selfesteem, no creativity, no leadership.” – MANFRED KETS DE VRIES That was written almost 10 years ago. Given the present state of the world – the threats, whether from natural disasters, random terrorist attacks, or nerve agent poison released in the middle of a sedate British high street – even an optimist would concede that life has become more alarming since then. And the more our faith in the institutions set up to serve and protect us diminishes, the more the collective anxiety rises, and the more likely it is that some of us will take matters into our own hands. The problem, says Jackson, is that survivalists tend to be quite malevolent. They are more likely to be narcissists, disagreeable and manipulative, low in rationality and high in psychopathy. And in the US, they are also more likely to be armed.
WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JANUARY 2019
In his paper, Are survivalists malevolent?, Jackson developed a Survivalist Behaviour Questionnaire to isolate the personality characteristics that may provide important information about people who present a danger to society. “Survival is best achieved when everyone works together as a team with a leader who is also a team player,” Jackson says. “However, that’s not the way humanity is built. From a Darwinistic perspective, an even better way for an individual to survive is to take from the group and not to give to the group. There is a continual tension between survival for the group and natural selection that only benefits individuals,” says Jackson.
Narcissist heroes
In recent years, that bold, take-the-initiative characteristic has become elevated in the public consciousness. In fact, it may be said that survivalism has had a bit of a makeover with a glut of reality TV shows suggesting it’s all just a bit of fun and there’s a narcissist-hero for us to elect and crown at the end of it. While seeing who can last the longest in the jungle on a diet of beetles may be entertaining, the kind of people who display these gung-ho qualities are also often found in positions of power. Think Donald Trump, think Kim Jong-un, think Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte, think … the list goes on. In a paper published in the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Experimental Psychology:General, associate professor Nicole Mead from the University of Melbourne found that narcissists, such as those mentioned above, tend to rise to and then abuse positions of power. “Narcissists can feel a sense of entitlement – they expect and demand respect from others as well as special privileges,” says Mead. Once they have power, they can turn into oppressors and bullies and “are willing to exploit others to get what they want”, she adds. Survivalists can be feted as hugely creative and entrepreneurial, particularly during times of disruptive innovation such as we are now experiencing, says Jackson. He adds that Elon Musk is perhaps the poster boy for the risk-taking business
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There is a continual tension between survival for the group and natural selection that only benefits individuals.” – CHRIS JACKSON leader of the modern era, but that successat-all-costs survivalism could also be seen as a product of “the more they have, the more they have to lose, and the more protective they become of their position”.
A hall of mirrors
Why do some organisations tolerate dysfunctional business leaders? Manfred Kets de Vries, a Dutch-born psychologist and professor at INSEAD, sheds light on what he calls the “darker side of leadership”. In an interview with The Irish Times, he describes how many organisations have this “gulag” or “yes” culture, often driven by a narcissist chief executive weighed down by the weight of his or her own hubris. “We all need an element of narcissism. Without it there would be no self-esteem, no creativity, no leadership. But very quickly this can turn into a personality disorder, and you end up with malignant narcissists that frequently destroy organisations and then move on. They live in a hall of mirrors surrounded by yes-sayers and only hear what they want to hear. There is no reality check,” de Vries says He has advice for business leaders who may have enough self-awareness to recognise the negative side of their survivalist personality traits: Encourage a culture in which employees have a healthy disrespect for the boss. “They should also work on developing their emotional intelligence to pick up on subtle information and undercurrents, get in touch with their strengths and weaknesses, start listening to people and think about what effect their behaviour has on others,” de Vries says. “If senior managers don’t have their own houses in order they stand little chance of getting the best out of their people and may end up creating a toxic organisational culture that ultimately costs the business a lot of money.” This article was first published at Business Think, the online journal of UNSW Business School.
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Online
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How social media compliments SEO ANNIKA SCOTT
B
USINESSES are often told that they need to be on social media, but is there really any point in spending extra time and effort on developing your business social media profiles if it won’t enhance your digital presence? Most businesses understand and implement SEO strategies; however, they often neglect their social media strategy, or don’t optimise social media to its full potential. Having a strong social media presence will complement your SEO strategy in a number of ways, and businesses of all sizes should spend the time optimising their social media accounts to enhance their online presence.
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The Google algorithm often ranks social media profiles higher on its search engine.” – Annika Scott.
1. Social Media Ranks Highly in Google
fastest ways to create high quality backlinks from authentic, influential websites, which helps with SEO efforts. The more social shares your content gets, the more inbound links you’ll have to your website which helps to build credibility. As your credibility increases, so too does your SEO ranking. Eventually, you’ll start seeing it have an impact on the ranking of not only your business website ranking in search engines but also your social profile rankings. To get a lot of social shares on your content, remember to create high quality, helpful content. If your content doesn’t help your customers solve their problems then don’t create it.
2. Social Media Helps Build Links
3. Social Media Has Built In Search Engines
The Google algorithm often ranks social media profiles higher on its search engine. Social media is an indirect factor in SEO rankings, however, that doesn’t mean that you should disregard social media completely in your SEO strategy. To ensure your social media profiles are ranking highly, make sure the profile name and all the basic information including business address, phone number and website URL are the same across all your profiles and websites. This helps Google’s algorithm certify your business. Posting high quality and engaging content on social media is a good way to build links back to your website. Content sharing on social media is actually one of the easiest and
Each social media platform, whether its Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram, has its own built in search engine. And people often
turn to social media first to find out about the latest news, trends and information - especially since Facebook has over 2.2 billion monthly users. So it's worth ensuring that all content that you post to social media is optimised as if it were a search engine. That is, ensure all your content contains keywords and backlinks. However, remember that, unlike a search engine, social media is built for engagement and conversations, so when writing posts, be sure to encourage users to engage with you. Ultimately both SEO and social media marketing will help you achieve your overall goal - increased brand awareness and more customers. Creating a combined strategy will help improve your digital presence and achieve the best possible results from your digital marketing efforts. Annika Scott is an expert copywriter at Digital Presence. visit www.digitalpresence.com.au
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326-360 Avoca Drive, Avoca Beach NSW 2251 | P 4382 2322 stay@avocabeachhotel.com.au | www.avocabeachhotel.com.au 24
WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JANUARY 2019
Parramatta Light Rail
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Major works contracts signed
M
AJOR construction on the Parramatta Light Rail will begin in 2019 after two major contracts were awarded to build and operate Stage 1 of the project that will connect Westmead to Carlingford via Parramatta CBD and Camellia. The final budget for the project is $2.4B, which includes the two major contracts, early and enabling works, road network upgrades, new bridges and active transport links, urban design, changes to the bus network and project costs from 2015-2023. The $840M major contract to build the light rail system has been awarded to Downer and CPB Contractors in a joint venture, while the $536M contract to supply and operate the network and build the depot, light rail stops and power systems has been awarded to the Great River City Light Rail consortium. The successful consortia have a demonstrated history of delivering successful light rail projects around Australia. Between them, these teams have delivered the Newcastle, Canberra and Gold Coast Stage 2 light rail networks. The Great River City Light Rail consortium includes Transdev, the operator of Sydney’s Inner West Light Rail, and CAF Rail Australia, which supplies vehicles for the Inner West and Newcastle light rail networks. The consortiums will also be bringing new business to Parramatta – for example, Great River City Light Rail will operate from its future base in Camellia, with a permanent workforce that provides opportunities for local jobs. The Parramatta Light Rail network will have ‘wire free’ design for around four kilometres of the 12-kilometre track between Westmead and Cumberland Hospital, and between Prince Alfred Square and Tramway Avenue. After feedback from the local business community, the NSW Government previously made clear that main construction works on Eat Street will not begin until 2020. The NSW Government also confirmed that a construction grace period will apply on Eat Street each summer, from the beginning of November until the end of January. Built into the contracts are requirements for construction teams to work around eve-
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The NSW Government also confirmed that a construction grace period will apply on Eat Street each summer, from the beginning of November until the end of January.” nings and other busy times, a commitment to employ local workers and penalties if works are significantly delayed. The Parramatta Light Rail will begin operations in 2023, offering a “turn up and go” service that runs every 7.5 minutes during peak periods. The 45-metre vehicles will be fully accessible and can carry up to 300 passengers each. Remediation works began in October at the site of the future light rail Stabling and Maintenance facility at Camellia, and roadworks to prepare the Parramatta CBD and North Parramatta by redirecting traffic flow are underway. Transport for NSW has signed agreements with the City of Parramatta, other government agencies and the major utility providers, which define responsibilities and working arrangements during construction and operations. To find out more about the project, visit www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au.
WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JANUARY 2019
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Childscene
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Let’s untangle the murky politics around kids and food JANE MARTIN
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ATURALLY, parents want the best for their children. While they shouldn’t chastise themselves for offering the occasional treat, what used to be an “occasional” treat is becoming something that’s “every day”, or “several times a day”. When around one-third of the average child’s energy intake comes from processed junk foods, it’s clearly hard to stick to healthy habits. And with a large proportion of children above a healthy weight (currently 26%) we need to examine the broader social changes at work. We have more and more packaged products to choose from, many dressed up as healthy. There’s a high volume of products with cute characters and giveaways on the packaging to appeal to children, coupled with nutrition claims designed to entice parents. Multinational food and drink corporations are also finding new and more insidious ways to encourage kids to eat unhealthy food. With so many external forces influencing what to feed children, how can parents navigate this and make healthy choices?
Navigating the supermarket shelves
Most parents don’t set out to feed their kids unhealthy food, but once you move away from whole fruit and veggies, convenience and clever marketing become powerful influences. Trying to find a healthy alternative means relying on the labels on food packaging. When
Court documents show how there was fruit on the label, but the product contained up to 68% sugar. ACCC/Heinz
labels boast “99% fruit and veg”, who can blame anyone for choosing these products for their kids? Brands will go to great lengths to give the impression their food is healthy. This is most starkly revealed in the recent Federal Court’s decision about misleading marketing of Heinz Little Kids Shredz, products that were up to 68% sugar.
Continued on page 27
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Childscene
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So many food labels are hard to understand. No wonder parents find it tough working out what’s best for their kids. from www.shutterstock.com
Continued from page 26
Documents revealed in the court case also show evidence the packaging was updated to specifically create an image of a healthy and nutritious snack that would appeal to parents of toddlers. Food manufacturers know that people associate the word “fruit” with good health. So many take advantage of this, plastering it over the packaging, especially for kids’ food. The reality is that a lot of these products actually contain sticky, sugary paste extracted from fruit; essentially a mouthful of concentrated sugar, minus the fibre. It doesn’t matter if it’s sugar from fruit concentrate, honey, sugar cane, or the other names manufacturers use to conceal it – sugar is sugar. Parents deserve to know what’s really in the products they’re feeding their kids. Currently, that is hard to do as added sugars are not grouped together on the ingredients list, or listed separately on the nutrition information panel. Ministers continue to avoid making added sugar labelling on products mandatory; the most recent meeting of ministers again deferred a decision. Yet there are ways to cut through marketing spin and choose the healthiest option. Always look past the flashy promises of real fruit ingredients and make sure to read the label. Start with the ingredients list. Sugar could be hiding behind another name. As a general rule, anything with the words “paste”, “juice”, “syrup”, “cane” or, of course, “sugar” should raise a red flag. Check the nutrition information panel to compare sugar content in products, against the “Avg per 100g” panel. Avoid anything containing more than 15g of sugar per 100g.
What should we feed children?
There’s more information than ever about what parents should be feeding children. This is leaving parents feeling not only confused, but often guilty about their children’s diets. Despite the growing online literature and debate on what we should be feeding our children, the 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines for children are pretty clear. Children should enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from the five groups every
day. Resources also point out what to leave off the plate, or out of the lunchbox. But with little funding to educate the public about the guidelines, the information isn’t reaching parents. But it can’t all be simply down to parents to steer children onto a healthier path. We need leadership and action from government to encourage families to have healthier diets: better food labelling, investment in public education campaigns and tougher restrictions around junk food marketing are a start.
From the supermarket to the schoolyard
In term time, around one-third of children’s daily food intake occurs at school. So it’s vital schools follow nutrition guidelines and parents are supported to pack their kids off to school with the right sort of food. Sorting out a child’s lunchbox shouldn’t be a soul-destroying, anxiety-inducing exercise. You don’t have to be a Masterchef to provide your child with a healthy lunch you know they’ll actually eat. Keep it simple. It doesn’t have to be a healthy muffin you spent half the night baking; a simple sandwich and some fruit will do the trick. Schools need consistent guidelines and policies that support children and parents in making healthy choices. With a lack of consistent messaging and leadership, it’s no wonder there is confusion about what is healthy. Children are exposed to pervasive and persistent junk food marketing through TV, social media or on their way to school. Then at school, there are mixed messages about what they should eat – some schools enforce no lolly policies, yet use lollies in school fundraisers. Parents continue to face an uphill battle against the industry’s tactics to build brand awareness and encourage pester power among children. If we’re going to build a healthier world for the next generation, we need to do this through education, not guilt. Jane Martin is Executive Manager of the Obesity Policy Coalition; Senior Fellow, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne
This article was first published at www. theconversation.com.au
See WSBA anytime, anywhere at www.wsba.com.au WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS DECEMBER 2018
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Entertainment
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Acclaimed storyteller’s thundering hour
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NE of Australia’s most electric and impressive storytellers, Omar Musa, will present his critically acclaimed one-man show, Since Ali Died, at Riverside Theatres from January 22 to 25 as part of the Sydney Festival 2019. Musa, a rapper, poet and lyrical powerhouse, will combine deeply personal stories and riotously political songs for a thundering hour on stage. Inspired by the death of his personal hero, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Musa dives into a furious torrent of poetry, story and song to confront heartbreak, human connection and the dark realities of growing up as a brown-skinned Australian/Asian Muslim in Queanbeyan. This unmissable show speaks to what it means to be a brown man living in a country with black history and sees award-winning director, Anthea Williams, back at the helm following its sold-out run at Griffin’s inaugural Batch Festival. What: Since Ali Died When: • 7th to 19th January at Griffin Theatre Company, SBW Stables Theatre - 10 Nimrod St, Kings Cross • 22nd to 25th January at Riverside Theatres - corner of Church and Market Streets, Parramatta Tickets: All tickets $35 from www. griffintheatre.com.au or www.riversideparramatta.com.au Video: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=_cIK5CCVi1A OMAR MUSA is a Malaysian-Australian rapper, poet and author from Queanbeyan. In his writing and music, he confronts the dark realities of Australian history and culture. He has released two solo hip hop records and an album with international duo MoneyKat.
Musa’s debut novel Here Come the Dogs has received widespread critical acclaim and praise. He has recently toured internationally, performing spoken word and hip hop, to launch the book. His diverse career achievements include being long listed for the Miles Franklin Award and named one of the SMH’s Young Novelists of the Year in 2015, winning the Australian Poetry Slam in 2008, speaking at TEDx Sydney, appearing on ABC’s Q&A and releasing three books of poetry: The Clocks, Parang and Millefiori. ANTHEA WILLIAMS is a director and dramaturg who specialises in new work. For Belvoir she has directed Hir, Kill the
Messenger, Cinderella and Old Man. She was awarded Best Director in a Mainstage Production at the Sydney Theatre Awards 2017 for Hir. For London’s Bush Theatres he directed Two Cigarettes, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Turf, suddenlossofdignity.com and The Great British Country Fete. Williams’ other directing credits include Flight Paths (National Theatre of Parramatta), The Colby Sisters of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania (NIDA) and gin cabaret Mother’s Ruin, which since 2016 has been performed in Australia and internationally, including a recent UK tour. Williams is a Churchill Fellowship recipient for 2018.
SUPPORTED BY
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“This is about attracting investment and driving economic growth in Penrith, while also recognising that our natural environment and the passion of our people set us apart and are equally vital to the City. We are committed to the smart growth of Penrith - generating more local jobs for residents while preserving our City’s amazing character and assets.” – Penrith Mayor, Ross Fowler on his Council’s new plan to attract investors. “This upgrade will provide better facilities for netball and tennis fans and athletes and provide opportunities for both sports to meet growing demand especially in Western Sydney.” - Premier Gladys Berejiklian announcing the $50.5M upgrade to the Tennis Centre at Sydney Olympic Park. “Christmas day was particularly busy compared to last year. Westmead Hospital had a 13 per cent increase in overall presentations.” - Westmead Hospital’s emergency department director Dr Matthew Vukasovic “Cricket been part of our homes for longer than we can remember but it has never had its own home in NSW, that now
changes.” - Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres on a new cricket centre of excellence at Parramatta. “This is an important achievement. There have been a number of plans in the past, but none have stacked up. Now, with the support of the local community we have the opportunity to design a vibrant new community for generations to come.” – Member for Parramatta, Geoff Lee on the progress of the Parramatta Light Rail. “Having a strong social media presence will complement your SEO strategy in a number of ways, and businesses of all sizes should spend the time optimising their social media accounts to enhance their online
presence.” - Annika Scott from Digital Presence. Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said during the month-long test period in October, more than 11,000 drivers a day were detected using a mobile phone illegally. “Shockingly, one driver was pictured with two hands on his phone while his passenger steered the car travelling at 80 km/h, putting everyone on the road at risk.” Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey commenting on the launch of illegal mobile use detection. “We know a fast rail network will transform NSW unlike any other project and we
will make it a reality. We need to make it easier for people to consider moving to regional NSW and there is no better way to do that than building a fast rail network.” Premier Gladys Berejiklian on the Government’s plans to introduce a fast rail network. “We started our growth in China a couple of years ago through Daigou, a community of Australian based shopping agents who buy things for Chinese mainland residents. Then a couple of years ago there was a cold snap in China and more people started using our Tough Hands treatment hand cream and found it effective and it just went viral on WeChat, which is like a Chinese Facebook.” - DU’IT co-founder Zina Richter on the growth of her business.
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