Central Coast Business Review December 2020

S T SU PP

O E SS N T H

Trevor Hargreaves Central Coast Shopfronts & Architectural Windows No money to pay wages Minister appoints Interim Administrator ET Australia - Preparing students for the World of Work Borg takes Crossmuller into a new frontier

Administrator delivers damning report of Council’s financial mismanagement – Page 14

Page 8 Edgar Adams’ Editorial Our annus horribilis

IN

YEARS

T ING BUS

EC

31 FOR

OR

EN T R AL C

OA

Print Post Approved – PP100001854

December 2020 Published monthly (except January)

FOR LEASE AND / OR FOR SALE ERINA PROPERTIES ERINA PLAZA

PLATINUM BUILDING

19-21 WATT STREET, GOSFORD

4 ILYA AVENUE, ERINA

210 CENTRAL COAST HIGHWAY, ERINA

SUITE 1.02a - 62 sqm

SHOP 11a – 139.1 sqm Extra wide shopfront with extensive floor to ceiling glass façade. Polished concrete floor and blackend exposed ceiling with ducted AC FOR LEASE: $37,500 pa + OG + GST

FOUNTAIN PLAZA

Currently the dining area of Quattro café and nicely appointed with beautiful wall treatment.

Floor the ceiling glass façade with double entry doors. Excellent location and exposure.

FOR LEASE: $37,000 pa + OG + GST FOR SALE: $499,000

PLATINUM BUILDING

4 ILYA AVENUE, ERINA

GROUND FLOOR – 425 sqm A complete radiology - medical practice fit out exists with onsite parking for 8 staff.

Close to CBD and rail - both a 2 min walk.

FOR LEASE: $95,625 pa + OG + GST FOR SALE: $1,600,000

54 WILLIAM STREET, GOSFORD

148 CENTRAL COAST HIGHWAY, ERINA

SUITE 2.30 (ground level) – 52 sqm

SHOP 1 – 234 sqm Excellent position – exposure plus / extensive floor to ceiling glass shop front / open plan / customer parking.

FOR LEASE: $120,000 pa + OG + GST

Open plan space with 1 small storeroom.

Floor to ceiling glass façade with nice views and sunlight.

FOR LEASE: $30,000 pa + OG + GST FOR SALE: $370,000

GOSFORD PROPERTIES PARK PLAZA

KARALTA ROAD

131 HENRY PARRY DRIVE, GOSFORD

40 KARALTA ROAD, ERINA

LEVEL 1 – 324 sqm Warm shell including carpet / tiles / M&F amenities / large kitchenette and staff room.

Reception and waiting area / boardroom / glass partitioned offices / NBN ready.

FOR LEASE: $80,000 + OG + GST

VARIOUS PROPERTIES KARIONG PARKLANDS THE COTTAGE

SHOPS 1 & 2 – 426 sqm

396m2 ground floor with a 140sqm mezzanine level. Fantastic natural light and water connection to both levels. Ducted AC. Parking at the door.

The site of Snap Fitness 24 hour gym. Can continue on as a gym or be converted into retail of office space. WC’s and Showers within / excellent exposure / loads of natural light from the floor to ceiling glass shop front.

On site parking / minutes to rail and bus / 1 minute to the Imperial Shopping Centre / excellent exposure to Henry Parry Drive.

FOR LEASE: $120,000 pa + OG + GST

FOR LEASE: $139,000 + OG + GST

Full office fit out for 10 – 20 staff / onsite parking / boardroom / extensive reception area / facilities / staff room

FOR SALE: $1,487,000

FOR SALE: $1,704,000

FOR LEASE: $120,000 + OG + GST

SUITE 8 – A, B, C & D – 536 sqm

580 sqm

PHONE 4365 4566 www.commercialhq.com.au Nicole Gunasinghe 0417 792 740 e: nicole@commercialhq.com.au Tim Gunasinghe 0402 200 004 e: tim@commercialhq.com.au

CON T EN TS

DISTRIBUTION GUARANTEED VIA AUSTRALIA POST

Cover story 4 Trevor Hargreaves – Central Coast Shopfronts and Architectural Windows

Do it once, do it well

Business news 7 No money to pay wages Minister appoints Interim Administrator 8 ET Australia – Preparing students for the World of Work 8 North wins contract for school upgrade 9 IBM, local companies partner with Central Coast high schools to launch P-TECH Programme 10 Borg takes Crossmuller into a new frontier 11 Burgtec Highly Commended in 2020 Hunter Manufacturer of the Year Award 11 AdviceCo launches $20,000 Community Grants Programme 12 Wyong RSL, Halekulani Bowling Club join Mounties Group 12 New owner for Elite Powder Coating 12 New training facilities and stabling approved at Gosford Race Club 13 Minder Secure Cloud Services opens office in Tuggerah 13 E-Bisglobal celebrates newfound Aboriginality

Contact

Read ersh ip

20,00 0

+

14 Administrator delivers damning report of Council’s financial mismanagement 14 Administrator terminates the employment of the CEO 14 Finally – a future for Warnervale Airport 15 The economic cost of stopping development 16 Commercial and Industrial Property For Sale / Lease 17 Stevens Group North Wyong development nears completion 19 Property market still booming as Sydneysiders continue to migrate 19 Dire rental situation could be tip of social crisis 20 Bankruptcy numbers are at a 30 year low But is it entirely COVID related?

21 Insolvency Reform for Small Business

Regular features 6 Edgar Adams’ Editorial

Our annus horribilis 12 Business briefs 17 Property news 19 Residential property report 20 Business tips 22 Funny business

Front cover: Trevor Hargreaves – Photo: Jeff McGarn

Hear Edgar Adams’ business comment 8.10am each Monday.

Also follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Central Coast Business Review Central Coast Business Review is a Registered Trade Mark of Adams Business Publications Pty Ltd P.O. Box 3259, Erina, NSW 2250 Phone: (02) 4367 0733 Fax: (02) 4367 0744 Email: info@ccbusinessreview.com.au Typesetting by Graphic by Design ph (02) 4365 6777 Print & Distribution by Bromley Direct ph 0412 439 773 © Adams Business Publications 1994. All rights reserved.

Reproductions in any part prohibited. While every effort has been made to ensure all information in this magazine is accurate, no responsibility will be accepted by the publisher, Adams Business Publications. The producer accepts no responsibility for illustrations or photographs supplied by organisations or individuals and/or typographical errors.

Phone 02 4367 0733 Fax 02 4367 0744 Email info@ccbusinessreview.com.au Web www.ccbusinessreview.com.au

be better off. www.adviceco.com.au

FORMERLY

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

3

4

COV ER S TORY

Trevor Hargreaves – Central Coast Shopfronts & Architectural Windows – Do it once, do it well By Phaedra Pym TREVOR HARGREAVES WAS still a teenager when he won his first award in window manufacturing. Presented by Rotary when he was working for Sterland Brothers at West Gosford, his first job after leaving school in year 10, the award was called: ‘Do it Once, Do it Well’. The trophy still takes pride of place amongst others in Trevor’s office 41 years later. More significantly, it represents a core value he has upheld throughout his career and business journey and one he has always expected of his team.

Celebrating 33 years in business in January 2021, Central Coast Shopfronts & Architectural Windows has stood the test of time and continued to grow from strength to strength – largely because of this attitude to perfectionism – while many others have come and gone. As the longest-serving owner/manager of a window company on the Central Coast, Trevor is deservedly proud to be where he is today.

While around 95% of the company’s work is in Sydney, the born and raised Coastie wouldn’t be anywhere else.

Trevor was promoted to foreman at Sterland Brothers at the age of just 19 and worked there for 6 years before being poached by Coastline Windows where he worked for a total of 10 years. In January 1988, Trevor and two workmates from Coastline joined forces to start their own business. Being the start of ‘the recession we had to have’ and months of heavy rain,

the timing was far from ideal, but it was a case of now or never. “We each left a $500 a week job for a weekly wage of $60,” said Trevor. But the gamble paid off. After four years’ renting a premises in West Gosford, the partners purchased land in Lisarow on which they built their current premises and, after realising the benefits of looking after the manufacture, supply and installation process in-house, created a new company, Lisarow Glass, bringing in a highly experienced glazier to run it. As the company grew, three partners became two and eventually the other partner also sold his shares to Trevor, leaving him to head the company on his own.

Right from the start, the plan was to be a niche player, concentrating on high-end residential projects and the commercial sector. “I didn’t see the project home market as being lucrative because the big boys like Stegbar and Wideline were in that space and I saw no point in us being there as well.

In any case, I never wanted to do multiple windows for little profit,” said Trevor. Having completed several high profile commercial projects over the years, including the Manly Pacific, Coast Bar and Grill (when it was Iguana Joes) and Platinum Erina, Trevor made the decision 15 years ago to limit the commercial work to small projects after being burned several times with impossible demands and the withholding of payments.

As a result, staff numbers were reduced from a peak of 34 to the current 22. Today

Visit our new showroom With the largest exclusive range on the Coast of designer handles, locks, hinges and sliding door tracking, sourced from the world’s leading manufacturers.

commercial shopfronts represent only around 15% of their turnover with the remaining 85% coming from the premium residential sector. “Our target market spans from Palm Beach right around the Harbour to Malabar. In Mosman alone, we’ve done a house on just about every street, all from word of mouth referral and repeat business through architects,” said Trevor, who added ‘architectural windows’ to the business name 15 years ago to reflect the renewed focus. “We’ve never been in opposition to Stegbar, Trend and Wideline etc. They wouldn’t tackle some of the jobs we do because they’re too involved. They just want to build a window, put it on a truck and deliver it. We don’t work like that. There is substantial effort involved in the fitting of our windows which is why we very rarely do supply only.”

Central Coast Shopfronts & Architectural Windows is an end-to-end business, with all manufacturing performed in-house, and the finished product is supplied and fitted onsite by their team of installers. Trevor does not sub-contract any work out in order to maintain quality control from start to finish, with all jobs triple-checked before the job sheet reaches the factory. Most materials are locally sourced and rejected if they have even the slightest defect.

“Every piece of metal that comes in here is inspected on all four sides. If anything’s not up to scratch, even though it may hold the job up, we won’t let it through.” Trevor said

AUSTRALIA WIDE REPUTATION

Supplying luxury home builders for over 35 years

• Locksmiths - Locks repaired and re-keyed • Deadlocks supplied & fitted • All types of keys cut • Restricted master key systems

• Mobile workshop Covering the Central Coast • All hours service 0412 437 327

177 Avoca Drive, Avoca Beach | Telephone 4382 1286 www.avocaarchitectural.com.au

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

COV ER S TORY

the window game has changed considerably in the last 15 years. Where a doubleglazed window was unusual in 2006, today every second or third job is double-glazed.

They also manufacture a lot of windows and doors using high performance glass to satisfy local council energy efficiency regulations and acoustic glass. A further benefit of focusing on their high-end market is that Chinese imports have not impacted them. “Our work is all manufactured, measured and out the door a week or two later. Whereas if we had to do that with a Chinese import, we’d have to wait eight weeks and hope nothing has to be rejected.

And half of them don’t even comply – there have been some projects that have needed all the windows pulled out due to lack of compliance,” said Trevor.

“Keeping staff isn’t the problem, it’s finding them that we struggle with.”

People are another key to success in the Central Coast Shopfronts & Architectural Windows business journey. Trevor has always looked after his people well and has been rewarded with a very low staff turnover. While not considered a family business, the company is virtually a family affair with several sons joining their fathers in the company over the years, including Trevor’s son, Jeremie who has been on board since he was 20. Trevor’s brother, Steve also works for the company. However, while people are a strength, Trevor said they are also his number one challenge. “Keeping staff

Jeremie Hargreaves - Director-Successor, Trevor Hargreaves - Founder-Director, Carolyn Young - Office Manager, Guy Beman - Site Supervisor, Mick Hickey - Factory Manager, Phil Banning - General Manager. isn’t the problem, it’s finding them that we struggle with,” said Trevor. After a record month in October for projects in the door, they are so busy that they need another 6 experienced staff onboard to meet demand. “Our installers are working 11-hour days, so earning considerable overtime, to get through the work and we’ve had to start turning back jobs with a pre-Christmas installation requirement from the start of November, which has never happened before,” said Trevor adding that COVID-19 had only impacted the business for three months.

While turnover hasn’t always increased year on year, the company’s profitability has. “I could have a lot more turnover if I lowered my prices but then I’d have a lot more to do for the same profit, which has been increasing even if the turnover

hasn’t because we’re doing things more efficiently and buying better,” said Trevor.

When asked about the potential to expand their footprint, Trevor is adamant that while they do the occasional job in country NSW, mainly for their long-established architect clients, they will stick to the Sydney market.

Growing their footprint would mean subcontracting work out as all staff, including installers, begin and end the day at the factory, a policy established by Trevor to manage project changes. Currently working towards retirement, Trevor is slowly winding back and handing over the reins to his successor, Jeremie, who has experienced all facets of the business in his twenty-one years to date. “What recession? We’re so busy and there’s no slowing down in sight for our company.” Clearly Trevor’s ‘do it once, do it well’ philosophy is paying off.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

5

6

EDITORIAL

Edgar Adams discusses local issues

Our annus horribilis IT STARTED WITH the most devastating bush fire season in history although for our region it could have been much worse.

By February storms and floods in early February saw parts of Wamberal Beach and North Entrance beach washed away and all around the lakes extensive flooding causing the Government to declare a natural disaster.

And came COVID-19 that saw the state locked down and borders, state and international, closed. That was March and it went on until June and beyond that too.

Meanwhile, as 2019 was coming to a close a lot of people were talking about a recession even though the Treasurer would not hear a word of it.

So its been a difficult year but to their credit both State and Federal Governments have handled it well. The Premier has done an excellent job showing the other states why NSW is the leading state and the Feds likewise.

JobKeeper, Jobseeker, support for business across the board has ensured that most businesses will come out the other side in good shape if they have knuckled under to the changes that have had to be made.

And then, we get to the Central Coast Council debacle!!

The Interim Administrator’s Report We have held back publication of this issue of CCBR to comment of the

Interim Administrator’s Report which he announced at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council on 2nd December (see Page 14).

It was not enough to appoint a CEO who came from running a tiny council in Lismore to one of the largest in Australia - a bit like asking a milk bar manager to run BHP – we then had a bevy of councillors who, it seems were not interested one scrap in the financial affairs of council.

Generally speaking the Interim Administrator lets the elected Councillors off the hook even though he makes the point about them being politically divided, motivated by hate and unwilling to compromise. He also makes the point 15 councillors is not a council it is a ‘parliament’ and is critical of the State Government for creating what will always be an unworkable council In any event the entrenched thought that pervades the minds of ALP and Green/ Independent politicians – that money grows on trees – would preclude them from asking any questions as to ‘where is the money coming from’?

The Interim Administrator will remain in the job for a further three months in order to appoint a new CEO and introduce comprehensive reforms to Council’s budgeting and reporting systems.

He will depart around March/April and the present 13 Councillors (2 resigned earlier) will continue on until Local Government

Dream. Plan. Do. Advice to get you personally & financially well organised.

(02) 4367 3122 Riverside Park, Moneywise Building Level 1, Suite 9, 69 Central Coast Hwy, West Gosford 2250 www.moneywisefs.com.au info@moneywisefs.com.au

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

Elections in September 2021 Meanwhile ratepayers will be stuck with the most destructive Council imaginable.

While these Councillors (nearly all of them) have presided over the greatest financial debacle in local government history, it is worse than that, much worse.

This Council, from the day they were elected, have assiduously worked to stop investment in the region by frustrating and denying Development Applications that would generate employment and give us a strong local economy.

Council’s Planning Department is both incompetent and out of control.

It is also beholden to the activist green/ environment lobby that ensures the economy of the Central Coast has been set back years.

As we head into Christmas and 2021 let us put 2020 behind us and look forward to a bright New Year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our readers, advertisers and subscribers.

Edgar Adams Editor

BUSINESS NEWS

No money to pay wages Minister appoints Interim Administrator

Central Coast Council Interim Administrator, Dick Persson AM IT TOOK A crisis that saw Central Coast Council unable to pay the wages bill that forced Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock MP, to “Suspend” Central Coast Council and appoint an “Interim” Administrator to take control of what now appears to have been a totally dysfunctional organisation.

The appointment of Dick Persson AM, a career public servant and local government administrator with over 40 years’ experience, for a three month term that could be extended a further three months to come up with a range of options to solve Council’s financial woes that start with a deficit of $89 million but could be much more.

Subsequently Mr Persson appointed Rik Hart, also a career public servant with considerable private sector and government experience in New Zealand and a former General Manager at City of Parramatta,

Inner West and Warringah Councils spanning 46 years, and now semi-retired, to oversee council’s operational recovery.

Meanwhile Mr Persson has asked CEO, Gary Murphy to take leave while he carries out his investigation.

Mr Persson’s first priority was to pay wages and also suppliers, many of whom are small local businesses where trading terms had been stretched beyond 120 days.

This was achieved through an immediate loan facility with Council’s bankers.

In a radio interview in mid-November Mr Persson said that while he would report on the financial situation within 30 days and advise a way forward he expects that he would take six months to complete his job.

“This is a very serious financial problem,” he said. “I am not aware of any council who could not pay their wages and I don’t understand how they got into this position.”

Since both councils were merged an additional 300 plus staff have been added to the payroll which was surprising because with most council mergers there’s a saving where senior staff are rationalised.

Mr Persson emphasised the point that the merging of the two councils was not the reason for the debt.

He also said that he was very impressed with Chief Financial Officer, Natalie Cowley who was appointed a few weeks prior to his appointment and is working through what went wrong. Ms Cowley is the fourth CFO in three years.

Getting across local issues Towards the end of November Mr Persson announced that he had commenced site visits with senior staff to ensure he understands local issues across the Coast.

“I am not from the Central Coast and am spending as much time as I can familiarising myself with the region.”

“I take every aspect of my role seriously, including being aware of issues that were important to residents and getting to know the Coast better.

“I want to assure the Central Coast community, that whilst my number one priority is delving into the financial crisis issue, I also want to understand more about this diverse region. I can already see that the Coast has some complex matters, some of which relate to its diverse landscape and growth as a key regional NSW area” he said.

Mr Persson has also initiated an open forum before every ordinary Council Meeting from Monday 23 November 2020. Members of the public will be able to address Council, at the open forum, on any Council related matter they wish, but must register and will be limited to three minutes each.

Following a request from Gosford Erina Business Chamber that Council meetings be held at least alternately between Gosford and Wyong Mr Persson was quick to respond agreeing to the change.

Early in council’s life councillors refused to meet in Gosford claiming they were concerned about their personal safety.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

7

8

BUSINESS NEWS

ET Australia - Preparing students for the World of Work CONSTRUCTION HAS COMMENCED on two new school sites in the centre of Gosford.

ET Australia, an independent high school and adult training college, has started a major refit to the former Aldi supermarket site in the Imperial Centre in Gosford CBD in time for the start of the 2021 school year.

It is one of two new campuses the innovative school is creating to meet demand from Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and northern Sydney families.

ET Australia currently has 170 Year 7 to Year 10 students at its existing Gosford campus.

The new Year 7 to Year 10 campus and a new campus for Year 11 -12 at nearby 125 Donnison Street Gosford will allow the school to cater for 100 additional students, 80 of whom will be in Years 11 and Year 12.

“This new Year 7 to Year 10 campus inside a shopping mall will have classrooms, a science lab, a computer lab, a knowledge hub (library), specialist learning rooms for individual and small group work, breakout learning areas, a student lounge and kitchen, a school hall and staffroom,” said Principal Tony Mylan.

“The new Year 11 and Year 12 school campus will have classrooms, a specialist classroom, a student lounge area, student kitchen and staffroom and is located in the same building as ET Australia’s Adult Training College.”

“The new campuses will expand ET Australia’s success helping students with their school to work transition. This increase in teaching and learning spaces will provide

Architectural image of the entrance to ET Australia Secondary Collage at the Imperial Centre Gosford students with even more opportunities to improve their literacy and numeracy and prepare them for employment”.

Mr Mylan said the college’s current students come from across the socio-economic spectrum.

“What they all have in common is that their families value the education we offer.

We are a small school for students for whom mainstream schools are not the best fit.

“We cater for academically gifted students as well as students who require adjustments to their learning environment.

“Our students seek a supportive and nurturing environment where the school rules mirror the workplace. They’re treated as young adult learners.”

The refit and construction is being carried out by local builders North Construction & Building.

North wins contract for school upgrade

20 years supporting our community For all your business and personal banking needs.

Considering employing a skilled overseas worker?

Our solicitor, Sam Haln, can advise and assist you to get your sponsorship approved for temporary and permanent skilled visas.

Some areas of the Central Coast are also eligible for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.

Community Bank Branches East Gosford Lisarow Kincumber

4323 4559 4328 5472 4363 2133

If you have skills and qualifications in demand in Australia, or wish to join an Australian family member, Sam can assist you in finding and applying for the right visa.

Sam also advises and represent clients at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for reviews against visa cancellations and refusals.

Taperell Rutledge providing legal services to the Central Coast since 1958.

T A P E R E L L L

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178 Australian Credit Licence 237879. A1363473 JN2700 28/7/20

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

The Morrison Government will provide $1 million towards the two projects through the Capital Grants Program, which provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure.

Announcing that grant Federal Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said, “ET Australia Secondary College in Gosford has a wonderful school community, and these newly refurbished facilities will further enhance the learning environment.”

“I congratulate ET Australia Secondary College on their successful grant applications and look forward to seeing the positive impact the refurbished facilities will have on students and our community.”

Mr Mylan praised the efforts of Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks MP who he said has been totally committed to the school and its future.

A

W

Get in touch

R U T L E D G E Y

E

R

S

p. 4323 3333 e. info@taperells.com.au

Construction will begin within months on the major upgrade at Brooke Avenue Killarney Vale Public School, with North Construction & Building Pty Ltd awarded the contract to deliver new and improved facilities.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the multi-million dollar project would support the growing community in Killarney Vale.

“In 2019 the NSW Liberal Government promised to replace demountable classrooms with new, future-focused teaching spaces and I am so proud we are delivering on this commitment,” Mr Crouch said.

“Local company North Construction & Building has been selected to undertake this work, which will ensure that local jobs are prioritised.

“Construction is due to begin in early 2021 and will deliver a new building with four permanent teaching spaces and a new sports court.

BUSINESS NEWS

IBM, local companies partner with Central Coast high schools to Launch P-TECH Programme NSW MINISTER FOR Skills and Tertiary Education, the Hon Geoff Lee MP, has joined IBM representatives to announce the launch of the Pathways in Technology (P-TECH) program at three high schools on the Central Coast in 2021.

Launching at Henry Kendall High School, Kariong Mountains High School and Tumbi Umbi campus of Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College, the P-TECH program aims to prepare students for technology-related careers through structured workplace experiences and industry skills development with industry partners. These include industry mentoring, worksite visits, paid internships and first–in–line for job consideration with industry partners upon completion of the P-TECH programme.

Australia and many other countries are experiencing a shortage of ICT and STEM skills as a result of industries being reshaped by rapid technology developments in Artificial intelligence (AI), automation, data science, cloud computing and cybersecurity.

Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee, welcomed the P-TECH programme as an innovative collaboration between industry and schools.

“P-TECH strengthens the connection between student learning and the skills that employers need. It improves young people’s prospects of employment,” Mr Lee said.

Ptech students from Kariong Mountains High School working on their engineering metal trades project at Crossmuller “We recognise the importance of industry-school partnership models. Since late 2018, another successful initiative, the Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program, has created over 44,000 opportunities for students across NSW to engage with over 900 employers and industry partners.”

IBM Australia & New Zealand Managing Director, Katrina Troughton, said “We are excited to partner with the NSW Government, local schools, businesses and education institutions to address current youth unemployment and create an industry talent pipeline with the digital skills that are in high and growing demand in industry.

“Schools, education organisations and industry partners are working together as part of the P-TECH model, enabling students to earn relevant post-secondary qualifications that connect to competitive entry-level careers, as well as develop the academic, technical and professional skills

-- such as critical thinking, problem solving and communication -- required to compete in the 21st century economy.”

To introduce them to the programme, more than 105 students in years 9 and 10, recently took part in P-TECH immersion activities which included virtual guest speakers from a range of industries, mentoring sessions, and online workshops focused on professional skills such as communication, collaboration and leadership.

A number of students also took part in regular work experience with local company Crossmuller.

IBM has partnered with stakeholders including: • University of Newcastle, • Central Coast Industry Connect, • North Building & Construction, • Crossmuller, and • Central Coast Council It is expected that face to face mentoring and industry site visits will commence next year, when COVID safe.

OPEN 7 DAYS

NEW PATIENTS Comprehensive checkup & clean Includes up to 5 x-rays No Gap (with health insurance) or $290

40 YEARS LOCAL

OFFERS (all patients) Free orthodontic consultation Free dental implant consultation Free cosmetic makeover consultation

General Dentistry | Emergency Care | Cosmetic Dentistry Orthodontics & Invisalign | Sleep Dentistry IV Sedation | Oral Surgery Wisdom Teeth Removal | Dental Implants | 3D CT Scanning

02 4323 1933 | www.vcdental.com.au Suite 10, 36-40 Victoria Street, East Gosford NSW 2250

FINANCE We bulk bill the Medicare CDBS Zip Pay & Zip Money payment plans We partner with SuperCare

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

9

10

BUSINESS NEWS

Borg takes Crossmuller into a new frontier

Central Coast Grammar School’s new Junior School under construction at Erina Heights. Crossmuller provided the structural steel component of the project for builder Teitsma Constructions.

AUSTRALIA’S LEADING MANUFACTURER of melamine panels and components for all joinery applications, Somersby based Borg Manufacturing acquired Crossmuller a systems integration and MES (Manufacturing Execution System) Software developer in 2016.

Founded in 1989 Crossmuller had established a strong reputation over the years and had a long relationship with Borg which led to the acquisition in 2016.

A vertically integrated business, Borg also operated Borg Construction and Electrical Pty Ltd which was merged with the Crossmuller business. The synergy between the two companies was obvious and has proved to be a highly successful move with the merged operation now trading as Crossmuller.

Meanwhile Crossmuller had developed into a business specialising in the manufacturing, construction and sustainable technology and business improvement and solutions sectors.

With a specialist team of multi-disciplinary experts, Crossmuller had the capability

to deliver end to end solutions for projects in electrical and sheetmetal, through to complete turnkey facilities (buildings, warehouses, manufacturing plants etc.) including systems integration and automation and even offer project consultancy services.

One of the many unique aspects of Crossmuller’s operations is that they own and supply all their own equipment from cranes through to transport so that they have control over the entire process. This ensures that Crossmuller projects can be delivered on time and on budget.

One of their largest projects on the Central Coast has been the design, construct and commissioning of the new CSR Hebel facility at Somersby that opened in November 2019. Crossmuller were also appointed electrical contractors by construction group Grindley Builders for the recently completed $30 million Peninsula Retirement Village at Umina Beach. Crossmuller are currently providing services for Central Coast Grammar School’s new Junior School being built by Reitsma Constructions.

Get with the Strength

Over the past 20 years Twin Lakes Air Conditioning has installed over �80M worth of commercial and residential projects on the Central Coast & Sydney.

Council continues to block subdivision Central Coast Council, at its September 28th meeting, adopted a rezoning proposal for 143ha of land at Wadalba East to allow some 1,200 low density residential lots to be developed.

However, Council decided that it would continue to frustrate this proposal which has been on the radar for decades by adding that it would wait for its updated Warnervale District Development Contribution Plan to be adopted before proceeding with the steps for amending the Local Environment Plan with the new zoning that would finally allow development on the land.

Speaking on behalf of the 39 landowners, Town Planner, Chris Smith, at the public forum before the meeting said the draft Contributions Plan still had a number of steps to complete before its operation, which he expected would take six months or more.

“We think this delay is an unnecessary and unreasonable delay to the rezoning process, and that finalising the rezoning can occur as a separate action, in parallel to Council finalising the greater Warnervale contributions plan,” he said.

“I should point out that there will be at least 12 months before the first development applications in Wadalba East are ready for determination, which should be ample time for Council to finalise the draft contributions plan.”

Deputy Mayor and former part time CEO of environment group, CEN Clr Jane Smith would not accept, McLachlan’s suggestion but added her own amendment that landowners be allowed to voluntarily widen the wildlife corridor on their properties and this was adopted by Council The plan had already widened the wildlife corridors from 30m to 40m.

The site is about 143ha covering 39 parcels of land under separate ownership and referred to as the Wadalba East Land Owners Group

Domestic & International Travel for Groups or Individuals Lois Marshall JP 0419 974 660

Our highly skilled and experienced teams will design, install and maintain systems, including solar, to meet your specific needs.

Your personal travel manager License No. 30616C

A local family owned company - that’s our guarantee!

P. 4396 9020

www.twinlakesair.com.au

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

285 Main Road, Toukley NSW 2263

travelmanagers.com.au/LoisMarshall Part of the House of Travel Group ACN: 113 085 626 Member: IATA, AFTA, CLIA

BUSINESS NEWS

Burgtec Highly Commended in 2020 Hunter Manufacturer of the Year Award WELL KNOWN CENTRAL Coast, family owned office furniture manufacturers, Accent Office Interiors and related companies, Officepace, and AMS, earlier this year merged with Burgtec, a West Australian manufacturer of innovative office seating and now trade as Burgtec across Australia with showrooms in all capital cities and Newcastle.

At this year’s 2020 Hunter Manufacturers’ Awards, Burgtec which specialises in the manufacturing of workstations, joinery and commercial furniture, was awarded Highly Commended in the 2020 Manufacturer of the Year Award for a business with more than 50 employees category.

A staunch advocate of the importance of Australian manufacturing, and jobs for the Central Coast and Hunter, Burgtec was recognised for its contribution to the sector at the Awards.

Burgtec project director Joel Kennard said the award was a credit to the team and what they achieved every day. “To receive a prestigious award like this is a fantastic achievement for our staff and acknowledges their efforts in building a business over the past 20 years that is bucking industry trends in off-shoring production,” he said.

The company services a broad range of clients, from corporate office tenants to government agencies, small and medium sized enterprises, the architect and designer community, builders and construction managers.

“We are fiercely passionate about Australian-made manufacturing, and in particular, local jobs in our region,” Mr Kennard said.

TEAM EFFORT: Burgtec has been recognised for excellence in the 2020 Hunter Manufacturing Awards “We entered the awards to gain recognition for our team, who we believe are second-to-none in the industry, and possess vital skills which are so often underrecognised and under-valued in Australia.”

People are constantly surprised to learn that furniture is still being made in Australia, much less on the Central Coast.

“We talk to prospects every day who have grown to expect their product to be imported from overseas, and we can happily share with them the enormous benefits of dealing with a local Australian manufacturer,” he said.

The business’s success demonstrated that quality and locally made product does not

have to cost more, and Burgtec’s happy clients were a testament to the outstanding value that could be provided through collaboration with a smart manufacturer, Mr Kennard said.

“I’d like to thank our valuable client base around the country for backing local manufacturing and believing in the Burgtec story of Australian-made quality and local service,” he said.

The business continues to expand around the country, with a new Canberra showroom scheduled to open in 2021 to join the existing premises in Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne and Perth.

AdviceCo launches $20,000 Community Grants Programme Central Coast accounting and financial planning firm, AdviceCo has partnered with the Count Charitable Foundation (CCF) to launch a Community Grants Program in which charitable organisations are invited to apply for a $20,000 cash grant.

AdviceCo and CCF will each contribute $10,000 to one charitable organisation before June 2021. Applications are open from now until the end of March 2021 and involve a brief 500-word proposal of what the applicant would do with $20,000 for the local Central Coast community.

AdviceCo Managing Director, David Evers, initiated the program off the back of an extraordinary year filled with challenges and adversities that have impacted the living conditions of members within our community.

“Our community engagement program enables us to donate and participate in

the community each year, but this year, we needed to think differently to address current challenges and make a meaningful difference where it counts.

“We’ve consolidated our available funds and partnered with the Count Charitable Foundation to build one solid grant. We wanted to make access to the grant fair and equitable to those who have the best understanding of community needs right now, so we created the application process,” he said.

Deciding who should be the recipient of the grant will be a complex process. To ensure the approach maintains integrity and transparency, a judging panel will include: 1. B arry Lambert, Founder and Chairman of the Count Charitable Foundation 2. D avid Evers, Managing Director of AdviceCo.

3. Rachel Willis, former CEO of Coast Shelter and Founder/Executive Director of Creating Community Connections 4. Edgar Adams, Editor of Central Coast Business Review Rachel Willis said: “This grant opportunity comes at a really important time for charities on the Coast, many whom have been on the front line supporting our community during a time of unprecedented demand for support. I was thrilled to be invited to be part of this program and to support a new initiative designed to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of fellow Coasties.”

Charitable organisations are encouraged to apply now. In order to be successful, they must possess Deductible Gift Recipient Status 1. All conditions are currently listed on the application website: www.adviceco.com.au CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

11

12

BUSINESS BRIEFS

New training facilities and stabling approved at Gosford Race Club Racing NSW and Gosford Race Club have announced a joint training and stabling partnership that will rejuvenate the training precinct on and adjacent to the Gosford Racecourse.

The two bodies will jointly fund a new synthetic training track and Racing NSW will immediately commence planning for double storey stable complexes on land to be purchased from the Race Club.

The DA for the track has already been approved with construction earmarked for early 2021. The new facility will be capable of training up to 200 horses a day.

Gosford is geographically positioned to become a training centre of excellence in NSW. The newly opened NorthConnex with its vastly improved access to metropolitan tracks makes Gosford the ideal base for trainers with horses of all classes.

Wyong RSL, Halekulani Bowling Club join Mounties Group Over the past two months members of Wyong RSL Club and Halekulani Bowling Club have voted overwhelmingly to join Australia’s largest registered club, Mounties Group thereby providing a stronger future for both clubs and their communities.

The vote followed a series of information sessions held over recent months where

“Today is a monumental day for the Gosford racing industry, especially our existing trainers. Importantly however we will now be able to attract new trainers bringing more jobs to the area and boosting the local economy” Daniel Lacey Gosford Race Club CEO said.

Racing NSW will commence master planning for the Stable Complex in the near future and depending on the number of stables that will be built the investment in the project is estimated at around $8 to $10 million.

“Gosford is seeing a real resurgence of late and this project only adds to that. It is very pleasing that Racing NSW also sees the part that Gosford can and will play in the horse racing industry.

“The Gosford Race Club Board thanks Peter V’landys AM in facilitating this project and we look forward to working with Racing NSW to deliver our joint vision.” Michael Cusick, Chairman Gosford Race Club said.

Mounties Group CEO Dale Hunt presented his vision for the future and what to expect should the amalgamation be successful.

Secretary Manager of Halekulani Bowling Club, David English, said that he was delighted with the result and feels that Mounties Group offers a stronger future for the club.

At the same time Chief Executive Officer of Wyong RSL, Angela Sanders said that

she was happy with the result and very pleased that members saw the exciting future Mounties Group could offer them.

Mr Hunt said, “We look forward to welcoming these two clubs into the Mounties family and extending our offering outside of Sydney. We are in a unique position to offer Clubs that may be struggling a helping hand in difficult and uncertain times and we have a proven track record of successful amalgamations, which we hope this will become,” Mr Hunt said Mounties Group had put out an expression of interest for clubs looking to amalgamate earlier in the year.

Mounties Group CEO Dale said that he believes it is their unique intergenerational approach to club venues as well as their profit-for-purpose business model that continues to intrigue and excite other clubs to join them.

New owner for Elite Powder Coating Office furniture manufacturers AMS have sold their powder coating business, Elite Powder Coating, to Stephen Hayes.

Established some ten years ago, the Lisarow business was acquired by AMS in 2017.

Elite Powder Coating specialises in powder coating a wide range of metal products.

Mr Hyde has a long background in the galvanizing including inline galvanizing and gal dipping.

The sale was negotiated by John Ramsay from Central Coast Business Brokers.

Work starts on rebuilding Umina Mall The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the commencement of demolition works at Umina Mall following years of inactivity on the site.

“It was great to see work finally start on the demolition of the old supermarket and shops”, said President of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Matthew Wales.

The developers have confirmed that the site will be cleared in readiness for the new $10 million shopping complex to be built by well known local builder Pluim Group, is due to be completed by November 2021.

The new shopping complex has been approved for a mix of retail and commercial uses including retail shops and new liquor store on Ocean Beach Road and Pozieres Avenue, new general store/supermarket to the rear

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

off Pozieres Avenue and new medical centre, chemist and newsagent off Lone Pine Avenue.

“The development will see 3,000 square metres of new retail and commercial floor space and nearly 90 car parking spaces,” Mr Wales said.

“This will greatly enhance the Ocean Beach Road arterial corridor and provide important retail services to a large proportion of the Umina Beach residential catchment that previously relied on the old shopping facility before it was destroyed by fire early last year”.

Initially approved 10 years ago, with modifications approved in 2015, the Umina Mall development stalled for several years as negotiations continued on the purchase of two lanes behind the site from Central Coast Council by developer Laundy Exhibition.

“After years of uncertainty, it is extremely important that this strategic commercial facility is completed and contributing retail services and local jobs to the community”, said Matthew Wales.

“The redevelopment works also coincides with the construction of the United Service Station at #303 Ocean Beach Road which includes car washing facility and several retail outlets”.

“It also coincides with the upgrade of the BP Service Station on the corner of Ocean Beach Road and Rawson Road at Woy Woy”, said Matthew Wales.

“These are significant investments into our business community which will create hundreds of local jobs”.

“There is no doubt that 2021 will be a busy year and will see some exciting grand openings”.

f

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Minder Secure Cloud Services opens office in Tuggerah

E-Bisglobal celebrates newfound Aboriginality

Isaac Corradi, Minder Cloud Services Central Coast Team Leader To support the growing demand of IT services on the Central Coast, Minder Cloud Services have recently opened a new office in the Mariners Business Centre, Bryant Drive, Tuggerah.

Minder Cloud Services is a leading IT Managed Service Provider with over 30 years’ experience in the supply, implementation, and maintenance of IT systems.

From single computers to large networks and enterprise wide infrastructure and systems, Minder will look after your business, not just your data.

Due to steady growth in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley area, the new Tuggerah site joins the existing flagship office in Newcastle and the Upper Hunter based office in Muswellbrook to further support our long-standing clients in the area.

“We have recently invested in a major upgrade to our hosted data centre infrastructure, Minder 2.0, to ensure our clients achieve the most out of their hosted solution. We also invest in our our own internet infrastructure (Minder NBN for Business) which is designed to deliver superior performance and reliability for our customers.

We are excited to be able to deliver our services to customers on the Central Coast”, says CEO David Lynch.

The Central Coast office opened in early June and is led by our Regional Manager Isaac Corradi.

You can say hello to the team at Minder on Level 2, 1/503 Bryant Drive Tuggerah.

For all IT enquiries you can contact the Minder team on 02 4940 1800 or email itsales@oas.com.au

Argyle Estates

Business Brokers Buying or selling a quality business, contact the experts on the Central Coast

Member for Wyong, David Harris, MP, Paul Freeman, Ann Freeman and Uncle Gavi Duncan.

Tuggerah-based print management, procurement and software development company, E-Bisglobal celebrated a significant milestone and turning point in their business journey on Monday, November 9 with their transition to an Aboriginal owned business.

The 30-year old family business marked the occasion, aptly held during NAIDOC Week 2020, with a flag raising and traditional smoking ceremony conducted by Darkinjung Elder, Uncle Gavi Duncan and attended by staff and a number of invited guests, including Member for Wyong, David Harris, MP and members of the Barang Regional Alliance.

Speaking at the event, Mr Harris commended Mr Freeman for taking this important step to becoming an Aboriginal company and, in so doing, raising much needed awareness within the Central Coast and broader communities. Mr Harris’ portfolio includes Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, for which he is Shadow Minister.

Mr Freeman said the transition marks a significant milestone for the company.

“Being formally recognised as an indigenous company will be an enormous benefit to our long-established government clients who are required, as part of the Reconciliation Action Plan, to spend a percentage of their outsourced project funds on indigenous businesses.”

While there are no plans to rebrand the company, Mr Freeman intends to offer employment opportunities, scholarships and traineeships to young indigenous people on the Central Coast, home to one of Australia’s fastest growing Aboriginal populations. Mr Freeman said, “We aim to work closely with Bara Barang through their employment, training and career pathway programs, which connect young Aboriginal people on the Central Coast with the right employers.

PROBLEM SOLVING FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Argyle Estates

EST. OVER

40YEARS

024332 6555

Automated transactions in MYOB and XERO Personal service backed up with 30 years experience Committed to making your business grow

argyle@argyleestates.com.au Graham McMullen – Licensee F.A.I.B.B. 0419326555

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

13

14

CEN T R AL COA S T COUNCIL NE WS

Accumulated debt in the order of $565 million CENTRAL COAST COUNCIL Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM has delivered his 30-Day Interim Report at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council on 2nd December.

Mr Persson said this report provides the community with a picture into the history of how poor financial decisions and catastrophic budget mismanagement has led Australia’s 6th largest council to the situation they find themselves in today.

“The financial crisis confronting the Central Coast Council is very serious.

Council’s operating loss for the current financial year is on track to be in the order of $115m, this follows last year’s loss of $89m,” Mr Persson said.

Since amalgamation: • • Accumulated losses have reached $232m • Debt has risen from $317m to an estimated $565m • Staff numbers have increased by 242 • Restricted reserves of around $200m have been used unlawfully to fund Council opportunities and capital works.

“It will take urgent and strong action to turn things around. Tough decisions need to be made immediately”, said Mr Persson.

Mr Persson outlined a series of measures to achieve the necessary turnaround: • Significant asset sales of a least $40m over each of the next two years; • Further borrowings; • A substantial rate increase; • An increase in some Council charges; • A major reduction in Council’s senior and middle management numbers; • A reduction in staff numbers to return to the level at the time of amalgamation.

“The Council’s rapid financial decline is due to several matters, with most of them not directly related to the amalgamation.

“Managing the Council’s financial position is the number one job of the CEO and CFO. It is clear the CEO was either unaware of the looming crisis, or simply failed to adequately respond. Either way the performance of the CEO was unsatisfactory.

“Council, in their role as the Governing Body, also shares that financial responsibility. They also failed in this regard.

“Central Coast residents have been badly let down by their Council and widespread anger over the Council’s performance is totally understandable.

Among the many issues highlighted In the Executive Summary of the Report the Administrator says, “The newly amalgamated Council clearly did not understand how much money they had at the outset. They

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

set about a program of expanded capital works and expanded services that they could not afford.

Apart from budget mismanagement, Council funded much of this new expenditure from Restricted Reserves, which was either unlawful, or done without the approval of the elected body.

The previous CFO, Mr Craig Norman and CEO, Mr Gary Murphy were aware of this unlawful use of funds.”

“There is no evidence of theft or corruption,” he said.

“The Council’s rapid financial decline is in part due to several matters, with only the IT costs directly related to the amalgamation: 1. The substantial costs in upgrading IT systems and infrastructure (net of $10m Government grant) is $50m, with $8m ongoing.

2. The substantial costs of an industrial dispute concerning 38/35 hour week, unified salary scale and other harmonisation costs [$25.3m, with $3.2m on-going].

3. The $39m loss of revenue (compared to 2018/19) from the 2019 IPART pricing determination for water, sewerage, stormwater drainage and trade waste services.

4. The increased costs and revenue losses brought about by the bushfires, floods and COVID-19 are estimated at $10.5m.

This very substantial sum of new costs seems to have been overlooked by the new Council as it embarked on major spending programmes in both capital works and general operations.

“A catastrophic error of the amalgamated Council was their failure to understand that the organisation had less than $5m in unrestricted cash (excluding Water and Sewer Fund) at the beginning of amalgamation.

In the first year of operation, there was an operating surplus of $65m, which was predominantly driven by a one-off operating grant of approximately $40m.

“In respect of staffing there are now 250 more people (FTE) employed now than at the time of the amalgamation.

Additionally Council embarked on a number of expansive initiatives, some with highly paid staff that resulted in employee costs outstripping projected growth.

Actions are in-train to deal with this situation, however the willingness of lenders to provide necessary further loans [either private or public] is totally dependent upon the Council embarking on an urgent turnaround strategy to ensure next year’s budget is at least ‘break even’.

These measures will need to include: • Significant asset sales of at least $40m;

• • • •

Further borrowings; A substantial rate increase; An increase in some Council charges; A major reduction in Council’s senior and middle management numbers; • A reduction in staff numbers to return to the level at the time of amalgamation.

What the Interim Administrator could think about to fix the problem is to sell off (or lease off ) the region’s Water Supply.

Some have estimated that it could be worth well over a billion dollars. Water rates are controlled by iPart so there would be no increased rates. There are plenty of investors looking for this type of investment

Administrator terminates the employment of the CEO Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM terminated the employment of Mr Gary Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of Central Coast Council, on 30 November in accordance with the provisions of Mr Murphy’s Contract of Employment, effective immediately.

Mr Persson said that recruitment of a new Chief Executive Officer will commence shortly.

In the meantime, the Acting CEO Mr Rik Hart and Chief Operating Officer Mr Malcolm Ryan will continue to head the organisation through the challenging times ahead.

A future Airport Central Coast Aero Club chief Andrew Smith is delighted that new Council Administrator Dick Persson is a man who understands the opportunity available for our Airport.

Mr Perrson has visited the Airport and said he was impressed with the community facility and its potential.

He told a small media group that he understood the airport had support from the community with many keen to see it developed.

He indicated that the Aviation Hub may be back on the radar.

Mr Smith said Mr Persson was a refreshing change after years of Council negativity about the airport.

The infamous sacked council did everything it could to run the airport down and it terminated the Aviation Hub. It was some kind of strange vendetta against the previous Wyong Shire.

NEWS

The economic cost of stopping development CENTRAL COAST COUNCIL Interim Administrator, Dick Persson AM has said that Council’s financial situation could be worse than the $89 million deficit projectred following a rigorous budget review.

He has indicated that, apart from getting expenditure under control, the only way to cover the deficit will be to borrow funds and sell off property.

While these moves will solve the shortterm crisis the only long term means of getting Council’s financials onto a sustainable footing has to be expanding the rate base.

This was something that the last CEO of Gosford Council, Paul Anderson, was committed to after seeing where that council was heading shortly after he took up the job.

Expanding the rate base involves approving development application and expanding the economy.

For over 20 years both Gosford and Wyong councils have done all they can to frustrate all forms of development, from new factories in zoned industrial areas to residential developments in new subdivisions and high rise apartment buildings.

The Lederer Group and St Hilliers’ multimillion dollar developments in Gosford CBD, Borg Manufacturing $20 million factory at Somersby Industrial Area, a 1,500 block residential sub-division at East Wadalba (see Page 18) that has been delayed first

by Wyong Council and now Central Coast Council for the past eight years are just the tip of the iceberg.

CCBR understands that there are hundreds of DA’s being held up unnecessarily by staff in the new Council.

Numerous other employment generating projects are being held up with excuses that are entirely spurious.

Our current economy Central Coast

Greater Sydney

NSW

GRP (2019)

$14.3M

POPULATION

342,000

5.23 M

7.99 M

POPULATION GROWTH RATE 10 Year Average

0.9%

1.9%

1.4%

MEDIAN AGE (2017)

41.8

36.1

37.5

EDUCATION Bachelor’s degree of higher (2016)

14%

32.7%

23.4%

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (March 2019)

5.4%

4.5%

4.3%

YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

14.6%

10.4%

13.6%

AVERAGE WEEKLY HOUSEHOLD INCOME (2016)

$1,595

$2,118

$1,889

2.7%

25.3%

16.0%

LOCAL RESIDENTS JOURNEY TO WORK BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Source: Central Coast Economic Development Strategy Additionally, incompetence, or a direct attitude to stop projects at the behest of some councillors using the environment as an excuse, on the part of Council’s Planning Department are proving to be obvious.

The economic cost of stopping these developments, always on spurious grounds, is having a catastrophic effect on the regional economy.

In late November the Business Council of Australia came out in support of business investment saying “business investment equals jobs”. CCBR is aware that local real estate agents are being inundated with enquiries from Sydney businesses looking to locate on the Central Coast, particularly now with the opening of the NorhConnex.

Unemployment The Central Coast has the highest unemployment and youth unemployment rates

in NSW (see Table). It also has he lowest Household Income in NSW Education As well, and even more disturbing, the region also has the lowest numbers of residents with a university education in NSW. The University of Newcastle is committed to a new Campus in the Gosford CBD. This is being supported by the Gosford Erina Business Chamber. The Federal Government has backed this Campus with Student Places thanks to the Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks.

Meanwhile the NSW Government continues to prevaricate on providing a contribution of $18 million plus the site for the Campus near Gosford Railway Station.

In a region with a population almost the size of Canberra the majority of students who wish to attend university are forced to leave the region with most going to universities sin Sydney.

Get results!

ADVERTISE YOUR PROPERTY IN CCBR For further information phone 4367 0733 or email info@ccbusinessreview.com.au

Service CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

15

16

PROPERT Y

COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY FOR SALE/LEASE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

TUGGERAH - QUALITY INDOOR AQUATIC CENTRE!

WYONG - BRILLIANT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY!

High quality aquatic centre with dedicated parking & additional infrastructure. 1,140m2 approx. under roof, learn to swim pool 12.5m x 6.6m & 1.2m deep, Squad pool 25m x 13.5m & 1.3m deep.

FOR SALE – EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

SOMERSBY – 2 UNITS WITH LARGE OFFICE

Each approx. 755m2, high clearance, glass frontage, foyer, bathrooms, kitchen, roller doors, concrete panel construction, good access, 3 phase power, 13 car parks per unit, zoned IN1 & close to M1 MTWY. FOR SALE $2,100,000 + GST EACH

SOMERSBY - PRE-CONSTRUCTION RELEASE

WYEE - QUALITY NEW RETAIL OPPORTUNITY!!

Areas from 51m2 to 200m2 approx. with places for uses including medical, pathology, fast food, pet store and a mix of commercial office opportunities such as solicitor, accountant & finance.

FOR LEASE – EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

10 industrial strata units ranging from 102m2-118m2.

Great exposure, parking, concrete tilt panels, kitchens, disabled facilities, LED Hi Bay lighting, zoned B5, close to M1 MTWY. FOR SALE FROM $306,000 + GST

TUGGERAH - BARGAIN OFFICE & WAREHOUSE!

FOR LEASE

Office & quality warehouse. Near new condition! 5 separate offices. Fit out within 2 levels, secure access, quiet complex with security gates, great parking, plenty of power & data points!

FOR SALE – $275,000 NO GST

2 adjoining units, with (approx.) 550m2 including foyer/showroom, mezz & ground floor office areas, large factory & warehouse with high & wide roller door.

FOR SALE - $629,000 + GST

SOMERSBY – NEW UNIT, EXCELLENT VALUE Full concrete panel unit with stairs & storage mezzanines. Approx. 892m2, 6 car parks, height 9m, zoned IN1, on-site café, kitchen, disabled bathroom & only a couple mins to the M1 MTWY. FOR SALE $1,520,000 + GST

BERESFIELD - 8 NEW INDUSTRIAL UNITS Units from 165m2-232m2. Consists of open plan upper level office, lower level reception/showroom, high clearance, high bay LED lighting, 3 phase power, kitchen, disabled amenities, roller doors, awning & ground floor foyer.

FOR SALE CONTACT AGENT

WYOMING - ICONIC THAI RESTAURANT

Popular restaurant located at the Fiveways roundabout.

Approx. 250m2, high foot traffic & highway exposure, ample on-site parking & within close proximity to Gosford CBD. FOR SALE EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

ERINA - IMPRESSIVE INVESTMENT!

225m2 office located in the Platinum Building, featuring 2 long-standing tenants, Investor preferred net leases, Key office/retail precinct.

FOR SALE - $1,499,000 + GST (If applicable)

Visit our website for additional properties and more information centralcoast.ljhcommercial.com.au

FOR LEASE

WOY WOY – 1ST FLOOR OFFICE ON THE MAIN ROAD

Light & airy open plan office space. Freshly painted, new carpet, air-con, 2 car spaces, toilet, shower, kitchen & 5 min walk to Woy Woy train station w/ parking at the front + public transport nearby.

FOR LEASE $20,000 N/PA + GST

TUGGERAH - GROUND FLOOR QUALITY 200M2 OFFICE!

In the heart of the Coast’s Premier Business Park in Tuggerah with ample parking at the door, partitioned areas, data & cabling throughout and a modern fit out.

FOR LEASE – $59,000 NET PA + GST

GOSFORD - FITTED OUT SUITES & WHOLE FLOOR

Great natural light, modern building, lift access, located in Gosford CBDs medical precinct, transport close by, 4 on-site car parks, disabled access, mins from the Hospital & Newcastle University campus.

FOR LEASE $163,000 N/PA + GST

Suite 401 / 1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259 87 Mann Street, Gosford NSW 2250

Phone 4353 7700

HUGE EXPOSURE FOR LEASE Suite 3, 36-40 Victoria Street East Gosford

FOR SALE

$1.75m Ex GST

152 Somersby Falls Rd, Somersby

FOR SALE

$1,700,000

5/257-259 The Entrance Rd, Erina

Tenanted Freehold Industrial Warehouse

Prestige Multi-Tenanted Investment

• • • •

• • • •

Long lease in place Strong tenant supplying to Woolworths & Coles 1,276m2 approx. le�able area 900 amp power supply

Ben Purdue 0450 719 600

rhccc.com.au CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

Multiple incomes being generated Exceptional existing fit-out Most sought after CBD on the Central Coast Central Coast Highway Location

Brad Rogers 0459 921 122

Local Knowledge & National Strength

High proole, ground oor, corner position.

Located at main intersection on Central Coast Highway.

Customer car park on site.

1x undercover reserved space for tenant.

122 sqm internal area.

Awning signage area.

Ducted air conditioning, 3 phase power, ceiling, lighting, white walls.

Lee Woodward 0414 877 780 | 02 4323 7606 lee@vcmanagement.com.au www.vcmanagement.com.au

PROPERT Y

4325 0208

Stevens Group North Wyong development nears completion

www.chapmanfrazer.com.au

FOR LEASE LEVEL 2 / 37 WILLIAM STREET, GOSFORD $163,000 Per Annum Net + GST

Top Floor Office with Lift & Parking Available from early 2021 is this quality office space of circa 446sqm. Offering reception, open workspace, office and meeting spaces, internal amenities (including disability toilet) and kitchenette. This office space is lift accessible, has good natural light and has on-site parking. ___________________________________________________________

FOR LEASE UNIT 10, LOT 7 KETCH CLOSE, FOUNTAINDALE $30,000 Per Annum Gross + GST

Warehouse, Office & Mezz Storage Located in Fountaindale, 278sqm approx of warehouse, office & mezz storage. Offering high internal clearance & roller door access, heaps of parking, great truck access all close to Sydney/Newcastle M1 motorway.

___________________________________________________________

FOR SALE 1/1 DOHERTY CLOSE, WARNERVALE $460,000 + GST

3+3-year lease term, great return with annual income of $30,141.28 p.a, Zoned IN1 General Industrial. Located on the corner of Doherty Close and Burnet Road Warnervale. This strata title offering is 1 of 3 strata lots that was specially built as a takeaway/café.

CONTACT: DANIEL MASON | 0403 889 530 CHRIS WATSON | 0402 430 213 MARK DAVIES | 0422 442 858 A: 83 Mann Street, Gosford NSW 2250

@chapmanfrazer

E: enquiries@chapmanfrazer.com.au

@chapman_frazer

A 15-unit high quality showroom/ warehouse development at 1 Dulmison Avenue, Wyong – on the corner of Pacific Highway and Lucca Road, being developed by the Stevens Group is nearing completion and with all but three units sold is an indicator of the demand for this type of property on the Central Coast.

Units range in size from 94 sqm to 298 sqm with prices ranging from $375,000 to $645,000.

Brad Rogers from Raine & Horne Commercial, sales agents for the project said that there had been strong interest in this development. “Seven units were sold prior to commencement of construction,” he said.

Of the sales so far seven have sold to investors and five to owner occupiers.

One local investor has paid $447,000 plus GST ($3,788 per sqm) for a 118 unit in the complex.

NSW Fisheries buys West Gosford warehouse NSW Fisheries has purchased a 330 sqm industrial unit in The Palms Business Park, 13 Gibbens Road, West Gosford..

Price paid for Unit 13 was $550,000 plus GST. The property comprises warehouse, showroom, offices and amenities and upstairs mezzanine.

Karen Aubrey from L J Hooker Commercial Central Coast negotiated the sale.

Get results!

ADVERTISE YOUR PROPERTY IN CCBR For further information phone 4367 0733 or email info@ccbusinessreview.com.au CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

17

18

PROPERT Y NEWS

Erina warehouse sells at auction

A freestanding industrial warehouse of 975 sqm on a 1,865 sqm lot at 4 Marinus Place, Erina has sold for $2,180,000 (GST not applicable) at auction.

The auction on the 18th November saw six registered bidders actively bidding the price up from $1.4 million to $2.18 with the auctioneer receiving 33 bids that took it above the reserve of $1.8 million.

The property was offered on the basis of the current tenant paying $99,540.46 pa plus GST with the lease expiring in November 2020 and no option.

The tenant of the property was the final bidder.

Agent Anthony Scarcella from L J Hooker Commercial Central Coast said that all registered bidders were Central Coast investors.

General store at Woy Woy sells A retail property at 61 Trafalgar Avenue, Woy Woy has sold for $620,000 (GST not applicable).

The 164 sqm shop on a 504 sqm lot is currently operating as a general store with B1 Neighbourhood Centre zoning, which allows for shop-top housing, medical centres, commercial office neighbourhood shops etc.

Karen Aubrey from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast negotiated the sale.

192 sqm sold between $2,450 and $2,650 per square metre depending on size and optional mezzanines.

A consortium led by developer Mark Carey developed the complex have seen all but two units sold with five settled and five exchanged with settlement due in the next month.

Off market sale or Lisarow industrial property Office furniture manufacturer AMS has acquired an industrial property at 33 Sunnybank Road, Lisarow which it was already leasing.

The property which comprises a 860 sqm metal industrial building on a 4358 sqm block was sold off-market through Anthony Scarcella from L J Hooker Commercial Central Coast for $1,400,000 (GST not applicable).

Platinum Erina suite sells

An owner occupier has paid $300,000 (GST not applicable) for Suite 3.24 of 55 sqm in the Platinum Building, 4 Ilya Avenue, Erina.

The sale included full office fit-out.

Brad Rogers from Raine & Horne Commercial negotiated the sale.

West Gosford industrial sells with 7.15% return

A syndicate of local investors have acquired a freehold industrial property at 6 Gibbens Road, West Gosford paying $4.25 million (GST not applicable).

The property which comprises a 2,267 sqm warehouse building with mezzanine office space on a 4,214 sqm lot is leased to a substantial company with a rental yielding 7.15% net.

Brad Rogers from Raine & Horne Commercial negotiated the sale.

Financial services company buys into Platinum Erina Financial services company, Mint Equity has purchased Suite 2.?? In the Platinum Building, 4 Ilya Avenue, Erina paying $570,000 (GST not applicable) for the 85 sqm space which has access to an outside balcony. The property was bought as a shell with the new owners carrying out a new fit out.

Steve Skipper from S J Skipper & Associates negotiated the sale.

FOR LEASE

PROFESSIONAL & SPECIALIST MEDICAL SUITES

1 Burnet Road, Warnervale sales

152-154 PACIFIC HIGHWAY TUGGERAH Two local owner occupiers have bought units in the recently completed 1 Burnet Road, Warnervale industrial development Unit 4 of 164 sqm sold for $480,000 ($2,927 per sqm) plus GST and Unit 9 also of 164 sqm sold for $405,000 ($2,569) per sqm) plus GST. Ty Blanch and Brett Dowling from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast, marketing agents for the project report that five units ranging in size from 109 sqm to CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

Easy Parking, great exposure, well maintained & presented property with well known quality tenants including Trader Vics, BCF & Super Cheap Auto, PRP Radiology, Australian Clinical Labs Pathology, Fullerton Health Medical Centre, Geriatrician; Psychologists, Dentist, Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy, Chiropractor, Cafe & more.

Ideal for the Professional, Legal, Financial or Medical Specialist with sizes from 16m2 up to 95m2 suitable to Lease or Purchase.

Features include: • Flexible lease terms • Competitive rentals • Excellent parking • Air-conditioning, carpets, kitchenette • Balcony access for East Wing suites • Exposure of Complex to Tuggerah Straight

For further details contact Julie Davies on 0402 779 186

RESIDENTIAL PROPERT Y REPORT

Property market still booming as Sydneysiders continue to migrate THE CENTRAL COAST property market has forged ahead this month, as Sydneysiders carry on abandoning the city in search of a home in regional locations.

CoreLogic recently

By Jess Verrender released a year to date report showing a 5.8 per cent increase in property value for the Central Coast, compared to a much lower 1.5 per cent for Greater Sydney.

The coast is likely to continue to thrive into the New Year, as many employers are expected to keep allowing their employees to work from home, even post pandemic.

Wiseberry Peninsula agent Josh Canellis said he has seen Sydneysiders coming in droves.

“From what I can tell, it is the whole of the Central Coast, not just the Peninsula,” he said.

“I have been selling property non-stop.

The coast has always been on track to boom like this, especially with the edition of the NorthConnex tunnel, but COVID has fast tracked a trend that I think was inevitable.”

Mr Canellis is currently marketing a unique 1670sqm property at 8 Homan Cl, Umina Beach with a guide of $1.2-$1.3 million. With 15 interested buyers through at the first open home, most parties were from Sydney, some even first homebuyers.

“The value for money compared to the Northern Beaches is phenomenal. I’d say overall about 70-80 per cent of buyers for all my properties are from Sydney, depending on the property,” Mr Canellis said.

Kyle Brand of George Brand Avoca Beach recently achieved a Copacabana residential record with the sale of an enormous 48 acre property at 350 Cullens Rd. Sold for $5.3 million to a Woollahra buyer, the property is set in a private position just minutes from the beach. Mr Brand said that he had never seen such a large parcel of land so close to the ocean.

“The only comparable property we had was Seafarm at 230 Cullens Rd, but it was on a much smaller 15 acres,” he said.

A stunning acreage known for its celebrity visitors, Seafarm was sold by Cathy Baker of Belle Property earlier this year for $3.95 million.

One of the most prestigious waterfront homes on the coast in Booker Bay was recently sold for $3.75 million in a joint listing from Paul Climpson of Gittoes and Rob Khoury from Domain Property Group.

The property at 166 Booker Bay Rd was only on the market 11 days when it was snapped up by a Sydney buyer, to be used as a weekender investment. With five or six

offers all above $3.4 million, all other offers came from the weekender market.

“I’ve never seen this type of activity before, if I had more listings like this they would sell almost immediately,” Mr Climpson said.

“Sydney people are buying holiday houses as a second option because they don’t have to travel like they used to. One of the most exciting things about the current market is that we can’t really see it changing in a negative way for a very long time.”

Another exceptional property is about to hit the market in Booker Bay, a waterfront apartment to be listed by Cathy Baker of Belle Property.

The incredible property at 1/372 Booker Bay Rd has a price guide of $2.6-$2.7 million and is likely to set an apartment record for the whole of the Central Coast.

Back in September, Ms Baker set a record with the apartment next door at 2/372 Booker Bay Rd, which sold for $2.45 million. Set on a private sandy beachfront with water views framed by iconic Norfolk Pines, the striking apartments were only completed this year, designed by renowned architect Darren Tye. Meanwhile, you can still buy a waterfront on the coast for under a million. A stunning three-bedroom renovated home at 31 The Corso, Gorokan was recently sold by Darin Butcher of Wiseberry Charmhaven for $942,500. A tidy two-bedroom cottage on the water at 55 McDonagh Rd, Wyong was sold by Wiseberry’s Sean Pratt for $915,000.

Further south in Terrigal, a popular family home on a huge 2576sqm parcel sold Top five disclosed sales on realestate.com.au for Nov (to 25th) 350 Cullens Road, Copacabana

$5.3m

166 Booker Bay Road, Booker Bay

$3.75m

4-6 Cape Three Points Road, Avoca Beach 72 Ocean View Road, Wamberal 8 Lea Avenue, Wamberal

$3.2m $3.1m $2.82m

under the hammer for $1.85 million, a whopping $550,000 above reserve.

Sold by Matthew Farrugia of LJ Hooker Terrigal, the property at 21 Anchorage Cres was a unique older style home in need of a renovation. Six buyers were registered to bid at auction, with the Dural buyer intending to create her dream home.

Dire rental situation could be tip of social crisis With the Central Coast rental market currently experiencing a severe under supply of homes, is the region on the verge of a social crisis?

Ray White Terrigal agent Rod Amos says seems to think that this could be the case.

“Despite some bad news generally occurring in high density inner city regions due to no foreign students renting and hospitality workers under income stress, rentals are generally balanced across most of Australia,” he said.

“This is not so the Central Coast. A healthy vacancy rate is around 5 per cent, but across the coast right now it’s under 0.5 per cent. This means less than 1 in every 200 rental properties is available for rent.

This presents a dire situation, a potential homelessness scenario.”

Brand Property, who manage a large portfolio of rental properties from the north to the south end of the Central Coast saw an increase of 196 per cent in tenant applications between May and August, compared to the same three month period last year. This was right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and since then, business has not slowed down.

“I’ve never seen the vacancy rate as low as it is right now, and I’ve been an agent since 2001,” Principal Andre Kubecka said.

Mr Amos said that there was not even the option for those seeking accommodation to take ‘short-term’ holiday lettings, as due to travel restrictions, 98 per cent of holiday properties were booked well into next year. He said that even caravan parks were booked up.

“This really is the tip of a social crisis,” he said.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

19

20

BUSINESS TIPS

Bankruptcy numbers are at a 30 year low.

But is it entirely COVID related?

By Clare Corrigan Trustee in Bankruptcy Senior Manager – Shaw Gidley

IN 2019-2020, BANKRUPTCIES fell to their lowest level since the 89-90 financial year. There were 12,450 bankruptcies in the last financial year, which is almost a 20% drop from the previous. But is this solely attributable to COVID? Indicators suggest not.

Firstly, bankruptcy numbers were already on the decline. In the 18-19 financial year, bankruptcies fell to their lowest level since 94-95, a drop of 8.8% when compared to 17-18.

Secondly, the annual growth rate of credit card debt was previously at a 17 year low, though recently CommSec has advised credit card use is increasing.

Furthermore, the government made temporary changes to the insolvency laws to give individuals and businesses more time to work through or consider insolvency options. These changes were recently extended to 31 December 2020, effectively

stalling any bankruptcy or liquidation proceedings initiated by creditors.

Whilst only one of these indicators are specifically COVID related, and despite the low credit cards and low bankruptcy numbers; some individuals continue to struggle with meeting their repayments though there is currently no pressure to do so. Credit facilitators are reported to have become more relaxed with their granting of waivers, hardship and variation applications to individuals and businesses given the current circumstances.

What does this mean in the short term?

When the use of credit cards increase as restrictions ease, and consumer confidence grows, the financial hardship will be amplified by the economic impact of COVID, especially when coupled with the high unemployment rate, reduction to JobKeeper and struggling businesses.

With a particular focus on individual business owners, when the government relief measures are lifted, many businesses will be affected. Given a lot of small business owners often use personal finances for business borrowings, including using their homes as a guarantee, will mean they are more vulnerable. Particularly if property prices fall equity levels will be reduced, limiting the supply of finances available to be injected into a business.

How steep will the financial crisis curve be? Only time will tell. There is no compara-

Advertise in CCBR

Stop Paying too much for tyre-kickers on Google Ads

Get a higher return on your ad spend with CCBR HERE’S WHY ADVERTISING IN CCBR WORKS...

• Readers actually see your ad!

• Most widely read and trusted business publication on the Central Coast • Surveys show 94% of readers are likely to contact advertisers • Quality content guarantees readers retain their CCBR’s over 3 months • Reach over 20,000 business readers each month

Call Edgar Adams now on 0404 472 571 or email: edgaradams@ccbusinessreview.com.au CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

tive data to predict the effect the COVID-19 economy (“C19E”) will have. Though in recent times when the Global Financial Crisis was at its peak, in 2008/2009 financial year, 36,500 individuals filed for bankruptcy. What is also evident from the GFC data is that after a significant spike in new bankruptcies, the numbers remained high because the impact was still felt in the years following.

What can be done now? The introduced changes to insolvency law have been extending further, and will now expire on 31 December 2020. This means that individuals and business owners will have more time to consider their options. The message is clear; if someone is experiencing financial difficulty or expecting financial hardship in the future, they should seek advice early. Talk to an insolvency specialist or an accountant, to consider options and decide the best possible solution and action.

BUSINESS TIPS

MIND YOUR BUSINESS

Insolvency Reform for Small Businesses

By Troy Marchant, Director, Adviceco Chartered Accountants THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has announced reforms to simplify the Voluntary Administration process in order to help financially distressed small businesses to efficiently restructure and survive the economic impact of COVID19. The reforms will likely come into effect on 1 January 2021.

Small businesses are historically most at risk of insolvency, with 80% of corporate insolvencies involving less than 20 employees.

2020 has had its fair share of challenges, but we’ve actually seen around 50% fewer corporate insolvencies com-

pared to the same period in 2019. This is largely because of the federal government stimulus measures.

As the Federal Government weans small business off stimulus measures such as JobKeeper, some small businesses may wish to restructure their financial affairs.

Here is how it will work…

• Business owners with liabilities of less than $1 million will be allowed to stay in charge of the business while they deal with their debts.

• A small business restructuring practitioner will deal with creditors.

• The business owner would have 20 days to develop a plan to restructure the debts.

• Once the plan is put in place, creditors have 15 days to vote on it and any percentage of disbursements that would be paid to the small business restructuring practitioner, adding to the original flat fee.

• If the plan gains majority support in

a vote of creditors by value, the business continues and the practitioner oversees the distribution of any funds to those who are owed money.

• If a plan is rejected by creditors, the company would go into administration and insolvency under a modified version of the existing laws.

• The insolvency regime will also be amended to waive the fees associated with registering a liquidator.

The reforms are designed to make restructuring a simpler and quicker process than the current system allows.

We work with many small businesses who suspect this may be a road they will need to take. In many cases, there are options to turn things around before it gets to that, or to position for greater financial resilience if it appears unavoidable.

If you would like to talk about your business’ financial structure, we offer a complementary advisory session with a qualified accountant and business advisor.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

21

22

FUNNY BUSINESS

TAXIING DOWN THE tarmac, the jetliner abruptly stopped, turned around and returned to the gate. After an hour-long wait, it finally took off. A concerned passenger asked the flight attendant, “What was the problem?”

“The pilot was bothered by a noise he heard in the engine,” explained the Flight Attendant, “and it took us a while to find a new pilot.”

“Cash, cheque or charge?” asked shop assistant after wrapping all the items the woman wished to purchase.

As she fumbled for her wallet he noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse.

“Do you always carry your TV remote?” he asked.

“No,” she replied. “But my husband refused to come shopping with me, so I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him.”

The boss returned from lunch in a good mood and called the whole staff in to listen to a couple of jokes he had picked up.

Everybody, but one girl laughed uproariously.

“What’s the matter?” he grumbled.

“Haven’t you got a sense of humour?”

“I don’t have to laugh,” she replied. “I’m leaving Friday.”

Two neighbours were talking about work, when one asked, “Say, why did the foreman fire you?”

Replied the second, “Well, you know how a foreman is always standing around and

watching others do the work? My foreman got jealous. People started thinking I was the foreman.”

Q: What is an insolvency practitioner?

A: Someone who arrives after the battle and shoots all the wounded.

A policeman pulls over a farmer on a country road.

“Sir, do you realise your wife fell out of the car several miles back?”

To which the farmer replied: “Thank God, I thought I had gone deaf!”

Fred got home from his Sunday round of golf later than normal and very tired.

“Bad day at the course?” his wife asked.

“Everything was going fine,” he said. “Then Harry had a heart attack and died on the 10th tee.” “Oh, that’s awful!” “You’re not kidding. For the whole back nine it was hit the ball, drag Harry, hit the ball, drag Harry.”

A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the supermarket but couldn’t find one big enough for her family.

She asked a shop assistant, “Do these turkeys get any bigger?”

“No ma’am,” he replied, “they’re dead”.

A policeman got out of his car to speak to the kid he had stopped for speeding, who rolled down his window.

“I’ve been waiting all day for you,” said the policeman.

The kid replied, “Yeah, well I got here as fast as I could.”

A truck driver is driving along on the freeway. A sign comes up that reads, ‘Low Bridge Ahead’.

Before he knows it, the bridge is right ahead of him and he gets stuck under the bridge.

Cars are backed up for miles.

Finally, a police car comes along. The cop gets out of his car and walks to the truck driver, puts his hands on his hips and says, “Got stuck, huh?”

The truck driver says, “No, I was delivering this bridge and ran out of gas.”

An old lady walked into a pet store, found a parrot and asked the owner if she could buy it. The owner said, “Heck no! That parrot has a bad mouth! Trust me – you do not want that parrot!”

She said, “I can teach it good manners.”

But, when she got home the parrot said a bad word, so she put it in the freezer for 10 seconds.

She took it out and said, “Did you learn your lesson?” It said another bad word so she put it back in for 30 seconds. She took it out and asked if it learned its lesson yet.

The parrot said “Brr… Yes I learned my lesson, but, what did the chicken do?

Quote of the month “Ability is of little account without opportunity.”

Napoleon

Are you here?

ay w e h ow te maze n k We gh th u thro CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2020

GRAPHIC DESIGN LOGOS & BRANDING WEB DEVELOPMENT ADVERTISING PHOTO/VIDEOGRAPHY MARKETING & PR

02 4365 6777 graphicbydesign.com.au

Planning & Design

Automation

Manufacturing

Construction

End-To-End Engineering Solutions

Electrical

Engineering

Crossmuller specialises in manufacturing, construction, sustainable technology and business improvement sectors.

With a specialist team of multi-disciplinary experts, Crossmuller has the capability to deliver end to end solutions for your projects in electrical, manufacturing, through to complete turnkey facilities.

We design, construct, and commission on the Central Coast, the Hunter, Sydney and beyond.

Sheetmetal

Systems Integration

• Electrical • Manufacturing & Sheetmetal • Design & Construction • Project Consulting • Systems Integration • Automation

CROSSMULLER.com.au 1300 300 540

THE NEW M3 WITH AN EXTENDED TEST DRIVE.

Delivering the ultimate balance of thrilling performance and breathtaking design, the new BMW M3 and M4 represnt superior power and unrivalled driving dynamics.

Speak to a Worthington BMW Sales Consultant to book your Extended Test Drive.

Cnr Central Coast Hwy & Kangoo Road, Kariong NSW 2250 Vehicles are subject to availability and a dealership reserves the right to refuse an extended test drive at any time. All customers must be 25 years or older with a valid unrestricted drivers licence which must be produced upon pick up of the vehicle. Test drives are subject to participating dealers terms and conditions. Speak to a BMW Sales Consultant for more information.