Travel

This graphic road sign warns drivers of possible hazards ahead. Cattle dogs stop traffic on the Savannah Way. Sections of single lane ‘ribbon road’ feature on parts of the Savannah Way.

The magnificent interiors of the Undara tubes form part of massive volcanic remains from an explosion 190,000 years ago The towering edifices of Cobbold Gorge create a cool, tranquil outback retreat.

Normanton’s legendary Purple Pub is always busy.

Cairns to Karumba on the Savannah Way

 STORY AND IMAGES BY

JOHN MADDOCKS

THEe cow stares at me and I stare back. Finally this huge, prime example of a Brahman cow decides to move, and I’m grateful.

Grateful that it’s going to amble off the road and grateful that I didn’t hit its bovine bulk at 100 kilometres an hour. On this remote far north Queensland road the results could have been catastrophic.

Fortunately I’ve been warned, as graphic road signs alert me to the dangers of cars meeting cows head-on. On this part of the Savannah Way between Cairns and the Gulf of Carpentaria town of Karumba, the main dangers are catt le, kangaroos and 50-metre long road trains.

Travelling on the Savannah Way has always been an ambition of mine, so I’m excited by the prospect of adventure long before my cow confrontation.

Th e fun begins as my snappy, agile Hyundai SUV climbs the steep Gillies Range south of Cairns, which is renowned for its 263 sharp bends in only 19 kilometres of road. Soon I’m traversing the magnifi cent Atherton Tablelands, where I stop at a quaint teahouse beside gorgeous Lake Barrine.

Lake Barrine is part of the Crater Lakes National Park and I stretch my legs on the 6-kilometre track that winds among magnificent giant kauri and red cedar trees.

I overnight in a luxurious pole cabin set on the side of a volcanic crater at Mt Quincan Crater Retreat near Yungaburra, 70 kilometres from Cairns. As I sit in the spa absorbing fantastic views of the surrounding plains and the peacefulness of the sett ing, the only sounds are the breeze moving through the milky pines and the distant lowing of catt le in the fi elds below.

Next morning at nearby Herberton Historic Village I wander through an amazing collection of over 50 period buildings housing antiques and memorabilia of pioneering life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Th e detailed presentation of everything from farm machinery, printing equipment and vehicles to toys, radios and frocks is quite outstanding. My favourite exhibit is the 1926 Citroen rail ambulance, which is still in working order.

From Herberton I travel through the att ractive town of Ravenshoe towards Undara. On the way I call in at the Innot Hot Springs, whose healing waters reach 78 degrees Celsius. Bott led mineral water from these natural springs was exported to Europe until the early 20th century.

Th e outback is like a treasure hunt: you travel for hundreds of kilometres through empty, expansive countryside and suddenly come upon a unique and fascinating att raction.

Th e Undara Experience is a good example. One hundred and ninety thousand years ago a massive volcanic explosion caused lava to spread over 160 kilometres in one direction and more than 90 kilometres in another, creating one of the planet’s longest lava fl ows.

As the lava fl owed down riverbeds, the outer layer cooled to form a crust while the hot lava beneath fl owed on, forming enormous tubes, or tunnels. When the thin crust collapsed in places over the years, massive caves were revealed beneath.

Truly memorable experience

Visiting these impressive tubes is truly memorable. Th e vast ceilings of blue, white, brown and orange are refl ected in the crystal clear water at the base of the tubes, where the roots of giant fi g trees penetrate for many metres. In one spot an incredible arch towers overhead.

On Undara’s Wildlife at Sunset tour some of the area’s residents appear, including a variety of kangaroos and wallabies.

Th e most att ractive are the aptly named prett y faced wallabies, which have distinctive white markings along their jaw lines. Aft er viewing a spectacular sunset from a rocky knoll, we visit Barker’s Cave to see some of an estimated 250,000 tiny ‘micro bats’ that inhabit this tube.

Our guide goes down to the cave ahead of us to check that there are no brown tree snakes hanging from nearby branches. Th ese snakes position themselves at the tube’s entrance and lash out at lightning speed to catch the tiny bats as they fl y out.

Aft er spending the night in a restored turn of the century railway carriage, I enjoy an outdoor bush breakfast. Cheeky kookaburras watch the tourists eating and occasionally dive down to try and steal food.

An hour or so later I reach Mt Surprise, a favourite venue for gem fossickers. Topaz, quartz, spinel, garnet, cairngorm and aquamarine can all be found here. Another 90-kilometres on I arrive at Georgetown (population 250), home of the award-winning Terrestrial Centre, which contains over 4,500 mineral specimens in a myriad of arresting colours and shapes.

Th e standouts are agates, which are formed by bubbles in lava fi lling with minerals, and those on display here are the most striking in the world.

On the way to Georgetown and beyond I fi nd myself travelling from time to time on what is known locally as ‘ribbon road’. Th is is single lane sealed road with wide dirt verges, so I have to move onto the unsealed section when another vehicle approaches. Th is is rather daunting when the other vehicle is a road train that throws up a dust storm as I pass.

Th is section of the outback is very different from other remote areas of Australia. Unlike the red dirt of the Territory or the sandy deserts of Western Australia, the Savannah region is soft ened by grasslands stretching to the horizon in every direction.

Aft er some challenging driving I arrive at Croydon, where I check into the rambling Croydon Club Hotel, the last of 36 hotels that fl ourished during a gold rush at the end of the 19th century.

Croydon is best known as a terminal for the 120-year-old Gulfl ander Railway, which travels between here and the river port of Normanton, 150 kilometres to the east. Originally built to transport gold, the railway is sometimes described as going from ‘nowhere to nowhere’ because it has never been connected to the Queensland rail network. Today the railway’s apparent pointlessness seems to add to its charm as a tourist att raction.

Largest crocodile ever shot

Th e Gulfl ander railway station at Normanton is noteworthy for its Victorian architecture. Normanton also has a number of other eye-catching colonial buildings as well as the bizarre ‘purple pub’ on the main street.

A replica of Krys, the largest crocodile ever shot, is not to be missed. Krys is in the Guinness Book of Records as being 8.63 metres long and having an estimated weight of 1.8 tonnes.

At last I arrive in Karumba for my fi rst visit to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Karumba is a barramundi fi sher’s paradise and the boat landings are always busy. It is also the base for a large prawning fl eet, which is preparing to head out to sea during my stay.

In the evening the Ferryman sunset cruise gets off to a dramatic start when our guide Allison places some baitfi sh on a platform at the front of the boat.

Allison has done this to att ract black kites, which dive to seize the fi sh in a spectacular display. As we cruise the shoreline we see white-bellied sea eagles, Brahminy kites, striated herons and jabirus. Several large saltwater crocodiles laze beside the mangroves. It is the legendary Gulf sunset, however, that steals the show.

Next morning I’m up early for a fi shing trip on a charter boat. My fears of being revealed as a novice are quickly allayed when I fi nd that others on the trip are equally unskilled. Our clumsy eff orts turn out to be a lot of fun and I even manage to catch 5 fi sh. I spend the evening celebrating at the relaxed Sunset Tavern.

On the return journey to Cairns I check out Cobbold Gorge, located on the huge Robin Hood catt le station, which is 90 kilometres from Georgetown on a largely unsealed road.

A tour of the gorge covers geological, botanical and historical points of interest. On the surrounding escarpment we are shown some fascinating plants, including a black tree orchid and the deadly gidee gidee, which was used by Aborigines to stun fi sh and catch them.

We also see hundreds of common crow butt erfl ies, which avoid predators by producing poisonous compounds to make themselves unpalatable.

Later we board small, quiet electrically powered boats to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of this steep, narrow gorge. Several freshwater crocodiles bask on rocks, numerous fi sh species swim in the water and we see kingfi shers and bush stone curlews.

When I resume my drive back to Cairns I encounter relatively few vehicles. Compared to tourist routes leading to Kakadu, the Kimberley and Uluru, this part of the Savannah Way in Far North Queensland is the road less travelled. But in terms of scenery, natural wonders and att ractions, it should defi nitely be added to the outback ‘must do’ list.

My top 10 tips for Fat Loss

 ADAM SIMPSON

YOU may or may not have heard this before, but when it comes to losing body fat. You need to be in a calorie deficit.

Essentially, what this means is that you need to be burning off more calories per day than what you consume in your food.

Th is leaves you with a few options, you can either eat less calories per day, burn more calories per day through exercise or for best results you could combine the two.

I am a big advocate of improving your daily habits so that you can live a healthier lifestyle autonomously. Below are my top 10 Habits that you can try and adopt which will help you lose body fat, but allow you to keep it off once and for all.

1. Exercise more days than you don’t

– Th is one is super obvious, the more you exercise the more calories you will burn each day which will aid in your fat loss. For best results, combine some strength training with some cardiovascular training. But above all, fi nd exercise that you enjoy so you can stick to it long term. 2. Eat more protein – Foods that are high in protein will help keep you feeling fuller for longer, this should make it easier for you to eat fewer total calories for the day. Th e extra protein will also help you grow some lean muscle mass. Which will only speed up your metabolism and get you burning more calories each day without any extra eff ort. 3. Drink Less Calories – It can be really easy to drink too many calories quickly. Try to limit your alcohol intake, the amount of sugary drinks you consume and focus on drinking

more water. Water has 0 calories, so it is a great way to reduce the total amount you consume for the day. 4. Eat More Fruit and Vegetables –

Fruit and Vegetables are not only jam packed with nutrients they are also prett y low in calorie density. Meaning you can eat a whole lot of these without really adding too many extra calories to your intake. If you are still hungry aft er dinner, fi ll up on a big plate of greens. Or if you have a sweet tooth, choose berries and a bowl of fruit as a dessert option.

5. Choose Lower Calorie Food Swaps

– Calories are king when it comes to fat loss. When you are shopping, look at the nutrition label on the back of the items you are purchasing and see where you can fi nd lower calorie options. A quick google search will give you endless food swap ideas.

EG: Fresh fruit over dried, Greek

Yoghurt over Sour Cream, Pistachio’s over Walnuts, Olive oil spray over a tablespoon of oil. 6. Reduce your portion sizes – Sometimes it can be easy to just mindlessly eat, even when you are no longer hungry. A simple trick to reduce your portion sizes can be to just use a smaller plate. 7. Watch Less TV – Sitt ing and watching Tv burns almost no calories. If

you are someone who can watch TV for hours on end, it is going to make your fat loss that litt le bit harder. Instead limit your TV time and try fi nd other hobbies that you enjoy where you are more active. 8. 10,000 Steps a day – Using technology to track how much you are moving each day is a great way to monitor your movement. Sett ing a step goal for the day is a great way to ensure you are being active enough. 9. Choose the Stairs – Litt le things like choosing the stairs over the elevator or parking further away at the shops will mean that you are going to be burning more throughout the day.

It may not seem like much, but litt le decisions we make on a daily basis can add up to a big result at the end of the year.

10. Take Phone calls while you walk

– If you have a job where you are at a desk all day, it can be very easy to hardly get off your chair. If you can take phone calls while you walk you can drastically increase how much movement you get in each day. Pacing the hall while you take a 15minute phone call could almost add up to a kilometre walk.

When it comes to fat loss, keep things simple so you can stick to the plan. Choose 2-3 of these habits that you can adopt and stick to them for a couple of months. If you are consistent the result will come. Once you have these habits formed, you can adopt another one until you have the results you are aft er.

Adam Simpson.

Adam Simpson is lead trainer and founder at Repetitions Group fitness and Personal Training. Visit: Gwww.repetitionspt.com.au

Priced from $76,990 + ORCs, Volvo is EV-ready with XC40 Recharge Pure Electric

 CALLUM HUNTER

VOLVO Car Australia has confirmed local pricing and specifications of its first electric vehicle, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, revealing the compact family hauler will cost from $76,990 plus on-roads when it arrives here in August.

Th is pitches it head-to-head with the similar-sized Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 that will cost $190 less for more batt ery range but less performance.

A Tesla Model 3 starts from $66,625 before on-road costs for the Standard Range Plus model providing comparable performance to the XC40 but slightly more range.

Like the plug-in hybrid version that came before it, the Pure Electric will be sold here in a single, highly specifi ed trim level, cresting the XC40 range in terms of price, equipment, power and performance.

Brandishing all the familiar XC40 styling elements plus a unique enclosed front grille, the Pure Electric’s party piece is the dual motor set-up – one on each axle – that develops 300kW of power and 660Nm of torque.

Fed by a 78kWh lithium-ion battery pack, Volvo says its inaugural EV will spring from 0-100km/h in a hot hatch-poaching 4.9 seconds and cover up to 418km on a single charge.

In terms of sheer fi repower, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric punches well above its class and price bracket, well and truly taking the fi ght to much more expensive off erings like the Jaguar I-Pace (294kW/696Nm), Audi E-Tron 55 (300kW/664Nm), Mercedes-Benz EQC (300kW/760Nm) and even the Tesla Model X Long Range (311kW/660Nm) for half the price.

Th e fl ipside however is range; of all the premium off erings outlined above, the Volvo only bett ers the Mercedes (353km) and just matches the Audi (“in excess of 400km”).

Google Android Infotainment operating system

Pricing of the green Swede positions it between these larger luxury models and mainstream electric SUVs sold in Australia – such as the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro Electric – with the extra dollars buying both bett er performance and premium brand perks.

However, both mainstream off erings mentioned beat the Volvo on range, the Kona by more than 60km.

Th e more conceptually similar Mercedes EQA 250 also claims to trump the Volvo on range with up to 480km on a single charge, though its 140kW/375Nm outputs are slightly down on the more aff ordable Hyundai and Kia (a more expensive EQA 350 4Matic will up the ante to 215kW/520Nm).

Volvo says the XC40’s batt ery can be charged from 0-80 per cent in 40 minutes when using a DC fast charger.

Unlike other EVs, the Pure Electric has not been fi tt ed with a distinct start/ stop butt on – drivers and occupants simply unlock the car, get in, fasten their seatbelts and pull away.

Minimalist in design but not in nature, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric will come loaded with gear when it arrives in local showrooms with the whole package rolling on unique 20-inch alloy wheels

Standard equipment highlights include a Harman/Kardon premium sound system accessed via a 9.0-inch Google Android infotainment and operating system with DAB digital radio, wireless smartphone integration and mirroring, speech recognition, inductive phone charging, 360-degree camera, keyless entry and hands-free tailgate, electronic folding exterior mirrors, auto-dimming mirrors, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, leather accented seats with heating function and power folding rear headrests.

Safety features are headlined by Volvo’s City Safety autonomous emergency braking system, front and rear collision warning and mitigation, camera-based front and rear park assist, blind spot information system with cross traffi c alert, adaptive cruise control, pilot assist, lane keeping aid, hill start assist and hill descent control as well as parking sensors front and rear.

“Th e XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is Volvo's fi rst all-electric vehicle and reinforces the Swedish company's commitment to electrifying its entire car range by 2025, with full electric or plug-in hybrid variants,” the brand said in a statement.

“Th e Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is the fi rst vehicle in Australia to come with a fully integrated Google Android Infotainment operating system, with Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play Store built in.”

Like every other Volvo currently off ered here, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric will be covered by a fi ve-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, three-year 100,000km service wear and tear plan which (wiper blades, brake pads and rotors), eight-year roadside assistance plan and an eight-year batt ery warranty.

Th e Swedish-founded, Chinese-owned brand has sold 1881 XC40s in Australia to the end of May this year, enough to make it one of the dominant forces within the $40,000-plus compact SUV segment with its 19.2 per cent share being second only to the Audi Q3 (2616/26.8 per cent).

2021 Volvo XC40 pricing*

T4 Momentum (a) $46,990 T4 Inscription (a) $51,990 T5 R-Design (a) $56,990 Recharge Plug-In (a) $64,990 Recharge Pure Electric (a) $76,990

Partnering up in life and business

 LEGAL WITH KATHERINE HAWES

ABUSINESS partnership is like a personal partnership as both need clearly communicated understandings. Often people in business have both these types of relationships happening simultaneously.

Personal Partnerships

In a personal partnership, if something happens to one of the personal partners or there is a dispute between those partners, most people understand the avenues that exist to resolve these situations.

Where something happens to a personal partner the Estate Plan will spell out what is to happen at death or incapacitation.

Th at is why we have not only the Will but an Enduring Power of Att orney that directs fi nancial management responsibility and an Enduring Guardianship that is a form of living will, to signal your wishes if you become incapacitated.

In the case of a personal partnership dispute the result may be separation and divorce, with a property sett lement and parenting plan (if there are children).

Business Partnerships

Oft en couples fail to plan for the “what happens if” the personal partnership dispute interferes with the business partnership.

A partnership agreement is the best way to assure that the business—and personal—part of the relationship can survive both long-term and well. A partnership agreement is essentially a contract between partners, in a partnership, which sets out the terms and conditions of the relationship between the partners, including: • Percentages of ownership and distribution of profits and losses. • Description of management powers and duties of each partner. • Term (length) of the partnership. • How the partnership can be terminated. • How a partner can buy his/her share of the partnership.

A partnership agreement should be prepared when you start a partnership. A solicitor would typically assist you with the partnership agreement, to make sure you include all-important “what if” questions and avoid problems when the partnership ends.

In addition, when a business partnership is in play it is also wise to ensure you have a Corporate Power of Att orney who can represent your fi nancial and decision-making interests in the case of incapacitation.

Partnerships take many forms.

Katherine Hawes is principal solicitor at Digital Age Lawyers. Visit www.digiatlagelawyers.com Often couples fail to plan for the “what happens if” the personal partnership dispute interferes with the business partnership.”

– Katherine Hawes.

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In Th e Heights – 5 Stars

AN eff ervescent, bubbly and beautiful musical extravaganza.

Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) is a local bodega owner in Washington Heights – a man who saves every penny as he hopes for a better life back in the Dominican Republic.

He is ecstatic about the fact that he has enough to buy back his father’s old bar in that part of the world, a place that holds nothing but good memories for him.

Yet his excitement is tempered somewhat as he begins to realise what he’ll leave behind–a home, fi lled with a collection of exciting and extravagant characters. Th at feeling isn’t helped by his best friend Nina (Leslie Grace), a Stanford student who is back for the holidays and whose presence not only reignites her old romance with Benny (Corey Hawkins), but also expands on Usnavi’s nostalgia for this place.

It’s also not helped by his upcoming date with Vanessa (Melissa Barrera), who Usnavi has longheld feelings for. As the Heights descend into chaos due to a blackout, Usnavi has to decide whether to leave forever and chase his dream across the seas, or to stay and build his dream right here in Washington Heights.

In Th e Heights has an undeniable sense of fun about it. You’ll be hard pressed to resist it’s vitality, and it will breathe a huge sense of joy and relief through your very soul. Writt en by Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame, it brings much of the same lyrical styling, but feels even more connected to it’s latin roots.

Anthony Ramos is far and away the standout, delivering a star turn in his fi rst real lead role. With an incredible voice and physicality, and the ability to deliver the required emotion even in the musical numbers, he’s an anchor that holds this piece together.

Th at being said, the supporting cast is uniformly incredible also, with Barrera, Grace and Hawkins all performing admirably alongside Jimmy Smiths, Stephanie Beatriz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Dascha Polanco and more. Indeed, it may even be the young Gregory Diaz IV as Sonny who stands out the most, certainly delivering the most laughs in our screening.

Director John M Chu brings the same bombastic sensibility that he brought to Crazy Rich Asians, and through his eyes this neighbourhood in New York is bursting with colour, sound and music. It’s a tremendously fantastical depiction, but for this content it works.

Th e fi lm occasionally stumbles, particularly when it has to cut elements from the stage version, or shoehorn in updated causes, but for the most part this is an irrepressibly enjoyable time in the theatre. In Th e Heights will bring you nothing but joy.

It’s a gorgeous cinematic experience that you should seek out as soon as you can.

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

Fast and Furious 9 – 3 Stars

THE latest installment in the juggernaut series delivers all the classic beats, but struggles to find anything fresh despite literally leaving planet Earth.

Dom (Vin Diesel) and Lett ie (Michelle Rodriguez) are living the quiet life,but are called back into the fray when Mr Nobody (Kurt Russel) is att acked by a mysterious foe aft er a world ending device.

Th e re-assembled team, including Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Mia (Jordana Brewster), Tej (Ludacris), and Ramsey (Nathalia Emmanue), are shocked to discover that the man they are chasing is none other than Dom’s long lost brother Jacob (John Cena), who has teamed up with a mad billionaire and captured Cipher (Charlize Th eron).

Th e issue with Fast and Furious 9 could be put down to the absence of Dwayne Johnson, whose ass-kicking Hobbs has been a staple and fan-favourite of the series for the last four movies.

But that would be a litt le too all-encompassing, because Fate of the Furious (Fast 8) had DJ in prime position and still wound up short. It could also be put down to Cipher as the villain, hacking her way from a point of remoteness and removing the nuts-andbolts physicality of the threat of either of the Shaw boys.

Or, perhaps more compellingly, it could be down to the tragic loss of Paul Walker, whose absence continues to prove he was really the glue that held this whole precarious mess together.

Either way, Fast and Furious 9 suff ers the same issues as Fate of the Furious–it’s big, it’s bold, and it’s brash, but despite ratcheting up the insanity like never before, it feels unsurprising.

One longs for the days of a car chase through three buildings in Abu Dhabi, or even a simple cast break and one-liner from DJ.

Th e funny thing is the rockets strapped to a old car, taking Tyrese and Ludacris to space in the fi nal set piece of the fi lm aren’t even the least believable element of this movie–instead, it’s the way things like magnets and computers work that really make you struggle to suspend disbelief.

Th at being said, there is still a lot to love here. Cena is a welcome addition, grumbling his way through the terrible dialogue in the same manner as Diesel, who goes a long way to proving that Dom Torrett o is really his only strong role.

Tyrese and Ludacris are a lot of fun, with a good recurring meta gag about how Tyrese is invincible. Helen Mirren steals the show in a brief cameo.

Coupled with these performances are a series of unbelievable, mile-a-minute stunts, which have varying degrees of exciting engagement. Th e most engrossing inevitably wind up being the physical stunts, with the fi st fi ght between Cena and Diesel a particular highlight.

In the end, if you’re a fan of the franchise, you’ll probably love this fi lm. It’s not the best in the franchise, but nor is it the worst–it’s middle of the road, but it’s also starting to feel like the more characters they bring back from the dead, the more of a swansong these fi lms become.

Which would be a shame, because when they work (much like when this fi lm works), they work really well and are a hell of a lot of fun.

Fast and Furious 9 doesn’t reinvent the franchise wheel but delivers exactly what you expect from the series–fast cars, an ever more unbelievable set of skills for a group of LA-based mechanics, and a bunch of gruff machismo couched in innumerable utt erances of the word ‘family’.

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

Transforming co-working office spaces

 EMMANUEL MARTIN

SMALL businesses are finding it easier to network in BREED Business Centre, with free coaching seminars and training on offer giving them the opportunity to meet potential clients.

Shared amenities and coworking spaces give BREED tenants the opportunity to expand their networks and collaborate with like-minded small businesses in the wake of the current COVID-19 crisis.

Tenants at BREED also have more frequent opportunities to a sense of community, with many coworkers willing to help each other out.

Cristina Hernandez, owner of F1 Tax, said that common services and interaction with other businesses were a key part of what made the BREED Business Centre appealing.

“We’ve actually gained some clients from within the BREED building.”

F1 Tax is a tax agency that off ers tax preparation and accounting services, and have been operating since 2020.

Ms Hernandez also praised BREED’s seminars and said she had learned a lot from att ending them, allowing her to further grow her business.

“It’s really economical because there are other services in the building, and there’s also a lot of space to work with, there are training and meeting rooms readily available.”

As a coworking space focused on helping local small businesses in Western Sydney, BREED Australia has seen the benefi ts of coworking fi rsthand. Coworking spaces increase productivity and company culture, and businesses refl ect the behaviour of the environment they are in, aligning work ethics with those who surround them.

BREED gives tenants the opportunities to interact and work with each other, with many of the businesses within the building fi nding clients through other tenants.

Taking advantage of the coworking space at BREED provides tenants with the ability to build relationships outside of the offi ce world.

Durgeshan Naiker, owner of iEngineering Australia, (htt ps://iengaust.com.au/), said that the social networking within the building was a major plus for their business.

“BREED off ers free coaching that’s very informative, they have industry experts on a variety of topics presenting.” iEngineering Australia is a business that off ers engineering and operations management services across the industrial, commercial and utility sectors.

Mr Naiker said that BREED was an aff ordable and accessible option compared to many commercial offi ces, and that he enjoyed having all of the facilities he needed within the same space.

Coworking spaces also provide a welcoming environment for those who need an outlet from their workday or want space away from home to focus on specifi c tasks without distractions. People are also more productive when surrounded by others who are enthusiastic about growing their business, and working toward certain business goals.

Ben Richardson, owner of Yurich Design Services (htt ps://yurich.com.au/), came to BREED aft er working from home with limited space. He found BREED through another tenant in the building.

“I’ve got a lot more space for my workshop now. Th e cheap rent was also an att ractive option.”

Yurich Design Services is a business that off ers 3D printing, product design and customization solutions, as well as product development.

Mr Richardson said that the environment within the BREED is that businesses with collaborate and help each other out.

With access to business incubator programs, the tenants at BREED can tap into a wealth of knowledge and support that other co working workspace models do not off er. Th is greatly benefi ts tenants who are just starting up, making the challenging world of entrepreneurship less daunting.

For information on BREED Australia and its services including offi ce hire, please visit. www.breedaustralia.com.au or contact via phone on 02-98533200

BREED Tenants: L-R Cristina Hernandez, Durgeshan Naiver.

Emmanuel Martin is General Manager at BREED Australia. Visit: www.breedaustralia.com.au

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ACROSS

1. Surrender signal, white ... 4. Studied for exam 8. Celebrity status 11. Advantages 13. Look forward to 15. Large horned African beast 17. Catch (thief) 18. Steak cut (1-4) 20. Human males 21. Wrote by machine 24. Grill 27. And not 28. Eskimo house 30. Crypt 31. Paved with ceramic squares 33. Harsh experience 34. Moral principles 35. Pre-owned 36. Rush 39. Yacht's cooking area 42. Elegance 44. Flippers 45. Titled ladies 46. Chop wildly 48. Reform 49. Bird claw 50. Grew old 52. Slights 54. School market 55. Long tales 56. Desires greatly 57. Dress ribbon 60. Periods 62. Open wounds 65. Birthright 67. Unprincipled person 69. More senior 70. Prevents, ... from 72. Mobile phone chip, ... card 73. Unrefi ned 75. Other way round, vice ... 77. Bloodshot (eyes) 79. Snap (fi ngers) 81. Owing 82. Brown in pan 84. Trifl ed 85. Part with cash 86. Is compelled 87. Manage 88. Holler

DOWN

1. Solid 2. Mimicking 3. Post-baby-boomers, ... X 4. Invitation footnote (1,1,1,1) 5. Buildings defacer 6. Understated 7. Information 8. Trivial lie 9. Make reparation 10. Jug 12. Helicopter blade 14. Room beneath a roof 16. Successors 19. Growths 22. Sings Swiss alpine-style 23. Shirked 25. Water mammals 26. Embroidery loop 29. Submitting (application) 32. Acid drug (1,1,1) 35. Reveals 37. Foot joint 38. Stinging insects 40. South American mountains 41. Gapes 42. Survive (3,2) 43. Consumed 44. Deeds 47. Refl ective road marker 51. Ballroom performer 52. Holy 53. Stern 54. Weirdos 58. 4th month 59. Squeeze fondly 61. Financial holding 63. Fortunate 64. Snow vehicle 65. Crowbars 66. Let up 68. Leaves out 71. Prig 72. Rip-off 74. Unbutton 76. Ascend 78. Bargain 80. Cradle 83. Some

Driving towards electric vehicles “

From September this year, we will waive stamp duty for eligible EVs under $78,000 and $3000 rebates will be up for grabs for the first 25,000 purchasers of battery and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles under $68,750.”

–Treasurer Dominic Perrottet.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet.

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

The State Government’s big push towards electric vehicles has been given a massive rev up by a $500m investment in technology in the recent State Budget.

It means NSW will be the best place in Australia to buy and drive an electric vehicle…and will have a statewide network of charging facilities to back it up.

‘EV’s’ be literally buzzing all over the state under the NSW Government’s nation-leading Electric Vehicle Strategy, with tax cuts and incentives to drive then electric revolution.

Treasurer Dominic Perrott et said $490m was being committ ed in the 2021-22 NSW Budget to cut taxes, incentivise uptake and reduce barriers for electric vehicle purchases during the next four years.

“Our comprehensive strategy is about making sure we have the right mix in place to incentivise the take-up of electric vehicles while ensuring everyone who drives on our roads contributes to funding and maintaining them,” Mr Perrott et said.

“Our strategy also commences longterm major tax reform. Today we begin the process of permanently phasing out stamp duty on electric vehicles and a deferred transition to a fair and sustainable per-kilometre road user charge for electric vehicles.

“From September this year, we will waive stamp duty for eligible EVs under $78,000 and $3000 rebates will be up for grabs for the fi rst 25,000 purchasers of batt ery and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles under $68,750.

“From young adults saving for their fi rst car in Western Sydney to retirees planning a road trip to Broken Hill, these incentives will make electric vehicles accessible and aff ordable for all NSW residents.”

Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the EV Strategy would help the NSW Government take action on climate change.

“Our transport sector currently makes up 20% of the state’s emissions, with almost 50% of those coming from passenger vehicles,” Mr Constance said.

“Electric vehicles are not only cheaper to run and quieter on our roads, but they also reduce both carbon emissions and air pollution which results in dramatically improved health outcomes for our communities.

“As the world’s right-hand drive market moves to manufacturing electric vehicles, we have to make sure we have the policies in place to give industry the green light to increase model availability and cut entry price points.

“Th e average NSW driver will save around $1000 a year in running costs by switching to an EV, and those savings can be up to $7500 a year for businesses, taxis and freight.”

Drivers need more options

Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean said the Govt needed to give drivers more options to make their next car an EV.

“Countries and car makers around the world are moving to EVs and NSW consumers deserve access to the latest vehicle models when they go to buy a car,” Mr Kean said.

“We also know that, with new cars staying on the road 15 years on average, the vast majority of new cars sold in NSW need to be EVs by 2035 to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

“Our aim is to increase EV sales to more than 50% of new cars sold in NSW by 2030 and for EVs to be the vast majority of new cars sold in the State by 2035.

“Th is nation-leading plan will help us achieve these objectives by tackling the three biggest barriers to purchasing an EV – range anxiety, upfront cost, and model availability – and is forecast to see EV new car sales hit 52% by 2030-31.

“We want new and cheaper models of EVs to be available here in NSW and this strategy is designed to drive that outcome.”

Th e $490M in funding and tax cuts includes: • Stamp duty will be waived for eligible electric vehicles (battery and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles) priced under $78,000 purchased from September 1 2021; • Rebates of $3000 will be offered on private purchases of the first 25,000 eligible EVs (battery and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles) under $68,750 sold in NSW from

September 1 2021; • $171m for new charging infrastructure across the State. This includes $131m to spend on new ultra-fast vehicle chargers, $20m in grants for destination chargers to assist regional tourism and $20m for charging infrastructure at public transport hubs on

Transport for NSW owned land. • $33m to help transition the NSW

Government passenger fleet to EVs where feasible, with the target of a fully electric fleet by 2030. These vehicles typically are onsold after three to five years, providing availability for private buyers in the secondhand market.

Th e Strategy builds on the programs in the State’s Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 20202030 and Future Transport 2056 Strategy.

TRENDS

www.accessnews.com.au

Why WELLNESS is the new buzzword

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

WELLNESS has suddenly become a key word in attracting and maintaining employees in the new age of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A quick search of Google will fi nd a plethora of companies springing up to provide wellness resources for companies keen to establish a ‘healthy’ reputation.

But what is wellness and how can it be applied to the workforce?

Google defi nes wellness as: “the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to att ain bett er physical and mental outcomes”.

So instead of just surviving you will be thriving and as a result you will be a bett er performing staff member, whether you are in management or a worker.

In the past, the wellness of staff was of litt le concern to management, except when somebody took “too many sick days” or had a mental meltdown.

Today’s manager must be more than just a leader and slave driver. He or she must be part doctor, part fi tness expert and part social worker to keep staff happy and productive.

For progressive companies it may mean converting unused offi ce or factory space into a wellness centre. One new age company is Wellness Solutions. It creates wellness centres for businesses looking to join the health revolution.

Its aim is to assist companies considering converting an existing room into a wellness lounge.

Wellness Solutions has a range of options including: • Immersive Studios for Movement. • Innovative Wellness Pods with privacy screens. • Community areas such as lounges, co-working spaces and wellness cafes.

Th e company says If you're limited for space it's easy to create your own custom wellness lounge.

And the wellness pods are a new innovative type of retreat where you can enjoy breathing, massage and meditation sessions while relaxing with your feet up.

It’s now WE not ME

Employee wellness is high on employers’ to-do lists as they look to not only cut health care expenses but improve productivity and recruit and retain top talent.

And as with the rest of their benefi ts portfolio, employers are looking for ideas that will not only set themselves apart from the competition, but also actually drive excitement and interest among employees.

Some places are gett ing truly creative in the ways they’re working to engage employees in their own wellness, with ideas unique to them.

Others are picking up on what others are doing and then tweaking those ideas to suit their own employee populations.

Another wellness fi rm Benefi ts Pro said some companies were really taking on the challenge and refl ecting it in the very design of the workplace.

“Whatever strategies they’re trying, companies are fi nally recognizing that, when it comes to wellness, it’s not enough to talk the talk. Th ey have to walk the walk and incorporate ideas into the mission and values of the company.”

However, companies are now fi nding that wellness really needs to be a “we” rather than “me” rejuvenation.

“Workplace wellness programs are implicitly focused on the individual: biometric screenings, individual incentives, gym member reimbursements,” Benefi t Pro said.

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