Central Coast Business Review

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Print Post Approved – PP100001854

April 2021

Published monthly (except January)

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The Hunters DiJones Central Coast Administrator addresses Gosford Erina Business Chamber members New era for Erina as medical services takeover ET Australia opens new Secondary College Nexus continues to innovate and expand Central Coast economy REPORT PAGE 14 - 15

Page 6 Edgar Adams’ Editorial Local economy needs attention

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Cover story 4

The Hunters – DiJones Central Coast

Business news 7 Administrator addresses Gosford Erina Chamber members 8 New era for Erina as medical services takeover

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13 Former Crowne Plaza Terrigal GM joins Belle 14 Central Coast economy – report 16 Central Coast Council news 17 Property News 18 Commercial and industrial properties for sale / lease 19 Property news

9 Life Medical Centre Erina an Australian first

20 Changes to legislation regarding ‘casual’ employees

9 ET Australia opens new Secondary College

20 Small business subbies to get paid faster under NSW Govt programme

11 Nexus continues to innovate and expand

21 Mind your business – How to stay profitable in a discount world

12 New manager for Mantra Ettalong Beach

Regular features

21 More sales?

12 Halekulani Bowling Club joins Mounties Group

6 Edgar Adams’ Editorial

12 Sue Fowler joins Lakeside Shopping Centre

12 Business briefs

12 Butcher eyes home delivery as way of the future

19 Property news

13 Jazoodle launches new version

22 Funny business

CONTACT

Local economy needs attention

16 Central Coast Council news 20 Business tips

Front cover: The Hunters – Photo: Jeff McGarn

Hear Edgar Adams’ business comment 8.10am each Monday.

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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.

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CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

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COV ER S TORY

The Hunters – DiJones Central Coast Brand evolution & family succession Over three generations and multiple brand evolutions, the Hunter family has raised the benchmark for real estate on the Central Coast founded on a philosophy of always putting clients first. In fact, every business decision made since Norman and Mervyn Hunter opened the doors of their Avoca Beach real estate agency in 1951 has been focused on this philosophy together with a strong community ethos handed down from father to sons. To deliver an everimproving client experience, the Hunter family’s real estate brand has evolved every fifteen to twenty years, from N & M Hunter to Hunters then Hunters Professionals in the 1980s, Raine & Horne in the 2000s and, most recently, DiJones Central Coast in February 2021. With a history on the Central Coast dating back to the 1930s, when Norman Hunter senior first bought into Avoca Beach, the Hunter family is well known and respected in both professional and community circles.

Norman and Mervyn Hunter were orchardists in Emu Plains who, like many farmers, would travel to Avoca with their families for their annual holidays. Realising the potential in the sleepy coastal village, the brothers began investing more of their entrepreneurial energy into developing the community. They were involved in the establishment of the first garage, bakery, shops, church, bowling club, camping area, holiday units, and the Avoca Beach Theatre – which is still owned and operated by the Hunter Family. The more they helped estab-

By Phaedra Pym

lish and build the village, the more requests they received for help from friends who wanted to buy land or rent holiday accommodation, which led to the opening of their real estate business. The Hunters have looked after generations of Central Coast families and investors ever since. When Mervyn retired, his sons Terry and Michael, took the reins. With his IBM background, Michael introduced computers to the business in 1970 and the Hunters have been earlier adopters of technology ever since.

Michael said, “I had not originally intended to join the family business and my father always encouraged us to follow our own paths, which is something I also encouraged with my sons. There has never been any pressure to join the family business.”

After operating as Hunters for a number of years, Michael and Terry became founding shareholders in The Professionals NSW, a marketing cooperative model, in the 1980s and rebranded to Hunters Professionals, successfully operating under this banner until not long after Michael’s sons, Brett, a civil engineer, and Garth, an accountant, came onboard. Just as his father had never pressured him to follow in his footsteps, Michael encouraged his sons to make their own way in life, all three choosing very different pathways. “You’ve got to do what you love, but by example, Brett and Garth (having lived and worked overseas) realised that living here on the Coast and contributing to the town is a good, satisfying way of living. This is something I believe the four generations of Hunters have all done very well,” said Michael. Indeed,

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the Hunter family has always had a very active and generous presence in the community, most notably in the chamber of commerce, local surf and rugby clubs, and church. Brett also spent twelve years on the Board of the REINSW and was President Elect for four years, which gave him an active role in the decisionmaking process for matters affecting consumers and the industry, before recently stepping down to focus on the business and spend more time with his family.

When asked about the challenge of working with family Brett said, “Garth, Dad and I work really well together as business partners. Our strong father/son and brother partnership history makes us quite unique.

As a family management structure that’s also part of a professional organisation, we’ve never been parochial with decisions being made on the basis of what’s best for the family. We’ve always made decisions based on what’s best for the client, what’s best for the business, what’s best for me, in that order. All team members know they need to make decisions based on this model because that will ensure the longevity of the business.” When Garth and Brett returned from overseas careers to come onboard in 2003, the decision to go to Raine & Horne was made on that basis as well. “There’s been a history of looking at the best model in the marketplace to carry forward the delivery of services to our clients every fifteen to twenty years. The move to Raine & Horne (a franchise model) gave us the advertising buying power we needed to engage the Sydney market as

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COV ER S TORY

well as access to centralised marketing and administrative services and a larger national database.” Said Garth. It was a move that served them well for the next fifteen years.

After extensive research, the decision to partner with DiJones in February was the next logical step in the Hunter’s business evolution to deliver outstanding service to their clients and strategically grow their footprint. Known for their premium service, marketing and strong negotiation skills, DiJones was recently crowned number one residential agency in Australia. “We had gone head-to-head with DiJones on a number of industry awards over the last five years. We’d sat on tables at black tie events together and shared ideas. There was clear parallel thinking and the fact that they are entrepreneurial, innovative and push the boundaries of levels of service and negotiating great deals meshed really well with us,” said Brett. As partners in the expanding DiJones network, the Hunters have opened offices in Terrigal, Avoca Beach and Erina for Commercial Sales & Leasing, and represent the entire region for residential and commercial real estate as well as Special Projects. Significantly, they are DiJones’ first Commercial operation. “The Coast knows our depth of commercial experience – it is one of the things they were very excited about when partnering with us and we’re looking to leverage that experience to help the brand grow its commercial presence throughout the state,” said Brett.

Today, Brett and Garth lead a team of forty, many who have been with them for

ten plus years. In fact, the Hunters have an enviable reputation in the industry for workplace culture and staff retention. “We have fun and we tick the boxes for the key things every agent needs,” said Garth. Those four factors are regular Brett, Garth and Michael Hunter individualised training, a supportive team in which individuals never compete with mandate to grow the brand on the Central the boss, a database that facilitates meanCoast and if that looks like more offices ingful conversations and a strong brand then we will do that. If it looks like more that produces results. “Those four reasons people working from a centralised locaand the fact that we make it fun are why tion, then we will do that.” With interest most of our agents stay with us and why ramping up for commercial and residential we will attract good agents in the future,” real estate on the Central Coast, Brett said said Garth, adding, “Having a great team is everyone on the team knows how blessed less about riding people on their KPIs and they are to work in an industry where 100% more about caring for them as humans. of the population is your client. “Everyone is If you do that, they care for the company in the marketplace in one form or another. that supports them.” Brett said they regard So, our industry is only going to grow as their company as an umbrella that protects our population grows,” he said. After fiftyentrepreneurs operating their own busitwo years in the business, Michael is still an ness within that business and the DiJones active member of the leadership team and centralised services facilitate the delivery has no plans to retire. He said he knows his of service to clients with less stress on the father and grandfather would be proud of agent. “There’s no point being super sucthe evolution of the family business they cessful if you’re going to burn out. This is a built from the ground up. “They would long-term game. We’ve got clients for life. probably appreciate the fact that we’re not People are more on their A-game when just real estate agents, but we live in and they don’t have to worry about anything are a very active part of the community, else,” said Brett. being fair dinkum and honest, just as they As for the future, Brett says, “We have a were before us.”

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

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EDITORIAL

Edgar Adams discusses local issues

Local economy needs attention THIS MONTH CCBR starts a new segment, the Central Coast Economy.

Going back ten years and beyond the Hunter Valley Research Foundation produced a half yearly Economic Indicators for the Central Coast. It ran from 1993 until the newly elected Liberal Government stopped funding it. In the Hunter it is now run by the University of Newcastle and funded by business and local councils and quarterly economic reporting continues – very valuable service for that region.

The Central Coast Economic Update Breakfasts (and the Hunter as well) were well attended by the region’s business leaders and politicians.

On the Central Coast both Gosford and Wyong Councils pulled out and subscribe to a service provided by .id the population experts.

The economic data provided by .id is excellent and valuable except that no one, apart from a few council staff, know about it.

The Economic Indicators provided trends across a range of demographic and economic parameters for the region that showed where we were heading, apart from where we had been.

It was a fantastic tool to hold government to account as well as to promote the region to investors.

While .id provide this excellent data there is no attempt to try and interpret it and draw conclusions as to where the regional economy may be going. In the

past economists from HVRF provided this overview and the reputation they had for understanding the regional economies was exemplary.

CCBR has decided that the data provided by .id is too valuable to remain hidden away and will now produce a quarterly review of the Central Coast economy based on data provided by .id.

After all we as ratepayers are paying for this information which council keeps close to its chest, assuming they read it. Certainly, our Suspended Councillors never have.

This month we focus on the region’s Gross Regional Product (GRP), Population and Employment as well as the number of businesses on the Central Coast and what they do. See Pages 14 and 15 for a full report.

Gross Regional Product is the amount of the region’s wealth which is generated by businesses, organisations and individuals working in the area. It is a broad indicator of the growth or decline of the local economy over time.

Over the past 10 years the Central Coast’s GRP has increased by 13.9%.

This compares with Greater Sydney with an increase of 28.8% and NSW of 22.7%.

The extent to which COVID-19 affected these results is unknown but would be relevant compared with Greater Sydney and NSW as a whole.

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In any event the Central Coast economic growth is running at around half that of NSW. Population growth is lagging the Central Coast Growth Plan 2016-2036 that sees population increasing from 339,500 in 2016 to 415,000 in 2036 an increase of 75,500 people. To achieve this by 2036 annual growth will need to be 1.00% per annum.

Growth in the first five years is running below the target.

Employment is another issue which we cover as well as delving into the number of businesses we have and how many are non-employing businesses.

Our politicians should take note. However, regional economies are driven by local government with the support of state government.

Under our amalgamated Central Coast Council we have gone nowhere for the past six years. While the Council may be broke there is no reason to discourage investors, It costs nothing to approve development applications that will result in more employment and more rates being paid.

Council’s new CEO, David Farmer starts in April. He has a mammoth task ahead of him.

But it can be done.

Edgar Adams Editor

BUSINESS NEWS

Administrator addresses Gosford Erina Chamber

Gosford Erina Business Chamber March members meeting ALMOST 150 CENTRAL Coast businesspeople were at the Gosford Erina Business Chamber’s March Members’ Meeting to hear Guest Speaker, Central Coast Council Interim Administrator Dick Persson AM report on the major issues surrounding the mismanagement of council finances and how he proposes to address the problem.

He pointed out that the Government had made mistakes when merging Gosford and Wyong Councils.

Firstly they allowed for 15 councillors which Mr Persson said was a ‘parliament’.

“You will never get agreement from so many people particularly when politics come into play,” he said. In his final report he will be

recommending a referendum at the next election for the number of councillors to be reduced to nine and eliminate the Ward structure so that all Councillors represent all of the region.

Another mistake and a costly one was that the government ruled there would be no staff lost as a result of the amalgamation.

“One of the reasons to amalgamate councils is to reduce the unnecessary layer of middle management within the organisation. This was never done,” he said.

He also said that the appointment of the CEO by the Mayor and the quarterly KPI reviews on his performance had failed. He said that he was bitterly disappointed that

it had cost 38 weeks salary to terminate Mr Murphy’s contract.

Mr Persson confirmed that he had applied to the IPART for an increase in rates that would have the effect of harmonizing the rate base across the region.

He also reported that all entertainment events across the region had been cancelled and a reduction in staff numbers was now under way.

He also referred to his appointment of a new CEO, David Farmer who he said joined Ipswich City Council in February 2019 while it was under administration and has overseen a range of governance improvements and the return of the elected council in April 2020.

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CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

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GENERAL NEWS

New era for Erina as medical services takeover UNTIL THE LATE 1980s Erina was a place that you passed through on the way from Gosford to Terrigal and The Entrance and was mostly a light industrial area.

That changed with the opening of Erina Fair in 1987 and Fountain Plaza about the same time which set the suburb on the path to being a strong commercial / retail area.

Over the next 30 years Erina Fair expanded as did Fountain Plaza and the precinct surrounding it.

By early 2000 Erina was home to the business banking and retail branches of Westpac, ANZ, nab, CBA, who had deserted Gosford CBD, and Bank of Queensland.

These banks and the new modern commercial offices at Fountain Plaza, Fountain Corporate, Platinum (built in 2006) and Element (built 2017) saw a large grouping of accountants, lawyers, financial services and other professional service businesses locate at Erina.

During these years homemaker retailers like Harvey Norman and some twenty other national brand name furniture and electrical retailers established themselves in the Erina strip.

Erina was a thriving professional, commercial and retail area.

It was, of course, a haven for an ageing population, the median age of which, at 54 years, is among the highest in the region and a little more affluent than other suburbs. This has resulted in a massive investment in retirement villages that started with the up-market Tarragal Glen and Wood Glen retirement villages and the recently completed The Rise at Wood Glen, Pine Needles

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Erina town centre Lifestyle Estate along with the more affordable Woodport Retirement Village, Greenlife and Karalta Court.

The last five years, however, has seen a profound change in the business dynamic in Erina as a recession settled on the Central Coast caused by the new Central Coast Council that has actively discouraged investment across the region and turned investors away. At the same time for a variety of reasons some businesses have closed down, amalgamated, or left the region. As an example, the closing down of the Yellow Pages with its regional office in Erina saw over 50 staff redeployed. Westpac business banking centre was relocated to Newcastle and last year their retail branch was closed.

CBA closed their retail branch last year.

Both Westpac and CBA retail branches were consolidated into their Erina Fair branches.

The knock-on effect has seen a large number of office and retail vacancies that are now being filled and has turned Erina into a giant sized medical and health centre.

A recent survey of medical and health services operating in Erina by CCBR has revealed the stunning change in the business dynamic of Erina business area in the past five years.

In the area that comprises The Entrance Road, Terrigal Drive, Karalta Road, Erina Fair and the Fountain Plaza / Fountain Corporate / Platinum Precinct some 57 medical and health services have been established employing a large number of professionals and support staff.

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GP Medical Centres and associated services – 12 centres with up to twenty general practitioners.

Medical specialists and surgeons – Neurologists, anaesthetists, ophthalmologists, colorectal surgeons, oral and facial surgeons, Central Coast Day Hospital – Eye surgery Diagnostic imaging centres – PRP, I-MED Radiology and Medical Imaging Dentists and Orthodontists - 7 practices Plastic surgery and skin cancer – 3 practices Allied health and services – Psychologists, Naturopaths, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists and Chiropractors.

Hearing services – 5 businesses Pathology collection centres Chemists – 6 chemists (4 in Erina Fair)

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NEWS

Life Medical Centre Erina an Australian first

ET Australia CEO Tony Mylan (l) and Chairman Graham McGuinness ( r) with Minister Alan Tudge and Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks

Life Medical Centre owners Dr Michelle Reiss and Taylor Bartley THERE ARE ELEVEN GP medical centres in Erina within a two kilometre radius of Fountain Plaza. However, none bring together a full complement of in-house interdisciplinary health professionals as Life Medical Centre which opened in mid-March.

The creation of Dr Michelle Reiss who established the Mingara Medical Centre some years ago and business consultant Taylor Bartley, Life Medical Centre is an Australian first concept that takes a ‘wholeperson’ care approach to medical care.

The Centre has been noted by professional medical and research organisations as the “first of its kind in Australia”.

“Much quality of living is lost through obesity, chronic disease, mental health, chronic pain etc. and I believe that we have an obligation as medical professionals to change the way we see and have been trained in ‘standard management’ of chronic disease. We also need a radical change in prevention and awareness of chronic disease and have gained recognition across Australia, New Zealand and now in Europe as a centre delivering a new model of care for Type 2 Diabetes,” said Dr Reiss.

“Our vision with Life Medical Centre is to create a new benchmark in primary care practice that integrates a team of inhouse allied health providers, nurses, GPs and administrative staff into a Centre of Excellence for chronic disease prevention, management and reversal,” she said.

“Our aim is to create a benchmark practice for a new model of ‘patient-centred’ ‘value based’ care in the general primary care setting and this means we want to create a ‘medical home for patients and their families,” said Dr Reiss.

Life Medical Centre’s in-house clinical team comprises: General Practitioners, Dietician, Chronic Disease Nurse, Life Coach, Exercise and Movement Specialist, Lifestyle Medicine Physicians, Clinical Pharmacist, Specialists and a Clinical Psychologist.

Commenting on Life Medical Centre’s vision

ET Australia opens new Secondary College

Professor Nick Goodwin, Director, Central Coast Research Institute said, “There is growing recognition of the need for local services that embrace a more preventative health agenda. The rapid growth in conditions such as diabetes and heart failure is linked to our increasingly sedentary lifestyles and growing key risk factors such as obesity. The Life Medical Centre is a new approach since its core emphasis is geared towards providing multiple opportunities to consumers that support prevention and seek to tap into the behaviours and motivations of people that can help them live healthier lives. With the new Central Coast Research Institute for Integrated Care due to open its doors in July to stimulate translation research that bring direct health and wellbeing benefits to the Central Coast community, the Life Medical Centre is another example of innovation and investment designed to improve people’s lives here on the Coast”.

The Life Medical Centre fit-out was carried out by local builder Michael Jones from Professional Construction Services Pty Ltd.

FEDERAL MINISTER FOR Education and Youth Alan Tudge and Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks opened ET Australia’s Secondary College in the Imperial Shopping Centre in Gosford on 12th March.

Minister Tudge was joined by Imperial Shopping Centre owner Paul Lederer, Chairman Graham McGuinness and CEO Tony Mylan along with students and staff at the event which highlighted the valuable work being done by ET Australia on the Central Coast.

The new learning facilities including new classrooms, a science lab, two computer labs, breakout study areas, and learning enrichment rooms were built in record time by local builder North Building and Construction on the site of the former Aldi supermarket in the Imperial Centre.

Funding for the new facilities came as part of the Morrison Government’s Capital Grants Program.

“The Morrison Government has invested a million dollars into this project to give hundreds of students in Gosford access to CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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DiJones

BUSINESS NEWS

Nexus continues to innovate and expand WORK IS CURRENTLY underway to create an additional 500 square metres of coworking space over two levels at the Nexus Business Hub in North Wyong.

The new space will incorporate a mix of workstations, meeting rooms and serviced offices as well as incorporating a café that will be co-located within Nexus.

ET Australia opens new Secondary College CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

the best possible learning experience, so they have the best chance to succeed,” the Minister said.

Ms Wicks said the contemporary learning facilities and the school’s unique teaching models would equip students with the skills to be successful both during and after school. “It was a pleasure to visit ET Australia Secondary College to see the new facilities and hear about the positive impact it will have on the entire school community,” Mrs Wicks said.

The school has two new campuses in Gosford for up to 300 students across Years seven to 12. Students will have a unique opportunity to be able to participate daily in the retail environment of a shopping centre. Plans are underway for students to gain hands-on retail and business skills through the provision of work experience placements with retailers that may lead to part-time after school jobs.

“This will give students a competitive advantage in their education as a result of being located in the heart of the Imperial Shopping Centre retail precinct and being able to interact with the retailers,” said Mr Lederer.

“The Lederer Group is proud to invest with ET Australia and participate in the community. ET Australia is at the forefront of delivering contemporary education to their students and we are glad to be a part of this and help facilitate a student focused education that not only benefits the students, but also the community,” he said.

The rebuild was undertaken by North Design & Construct in record time with Design and Construct Manager, Mark Chase commenting that the philosophy of bringing key stakeholders together from the outset, with a very clear brief and aligned goals, created a positive environment for all parties to work in partnership from day one “The coordination, collaboration and trust between the respective teams spurred innovation, efficiency and initiative; critical elements to ensuring the project was delivered successfully under extremely tight programme and financial constraints.,” he said.

Significantly, to ensure lightning fast connection speeds, Nexus will also be upgrading the current internet service from 1 gigabyte to 10 gigabytes .

The Nexus has always broken new ground on the Central Coast. It was the first co-working space in the region, combining stunning architectural design, the fastest internet connection on the Coast and a thriving small business ecosystem.

Commenting on the project Managing Director Damien Wilde said, “We are really excited to be able to release this new office space in Nexus. We hate having to put people on the waiting list. There has always been a solid demand for offices in Nexus because people really appreciate the quality and the value of what we provide here.

As the hub continues to grow in size the small business ecosystem continues to grow along with it and that is really healthy for the Nexus community.”

“A core component of the Floor layout plan showing additional co-working spaces value proposition at Nexus has always been the uncontended internet speed that we provide within the able commercial precinct in the Northern building. Upgrading the connection to 10 part of the Coast for a range of reasons. gigabytes ensures that we will continue to With the Nexus building, Servers Australia offer the fastest and most reliable internet and the new ING building currently under speeds on the Central Coast” construction the quality of development “The expansion and the demand that in this area is outstanding and people are we are seeing at Nexus isn’t surprising. seeing that.”

The whole area of the B6 Corridor at North “The result is that We have already Wyong is rapidly changing and we are realpre-leased 40% of the new space,” ly starting to see it become the most desirMr Wilde said.

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

New manager for Mantra Ettalong Beach

Taylor Canham Accor Hotels have announced the appointment of Taylor Canham as General Manager, Mantra Ettalong Beach.

Mr Canham originally commenced his journey with Accor at Novotel Coffs Harbour in 2010 as a room service attendant and then transferred to the Menzies Hotel Sydney, and subsequently hotels in Perth, Newcastle and Gosford.

He completed a successful opening of the newly built Oaks Hotel Toowoomba.

He has returned to Accor at the Mantra Ettalong beach resort and looking to make himself a local once again.

Halekulani Bowling Club joins Mounties Group Following in the footsteps of Club Wyong RSL, Halekulani Bowling Club has joined the Mounties Group.

Unburdened by financial pressures, the Budgewoi-based Club elected to amalgamate with the premier club group in NSW based largely on future potential – the potential to tap into a greater pool of resources and call on group buying power that will enable them to achieve some pretty big goals in the years ahead.

Secretary Manager of Halekulani Bowling

Club, David English said he was thrilled by the prospect of a very exciting future and has thoroughly enjoyed what has been a seamless process to date.

“The financial stability, team and resources that comes from this amalgamation can help us to grow from where we currently are - an already successful club - to a club that will benefit our entire community for many generations to come.

“We had earmarked the Central Coast as a market we wanted to enter quite some time ago, and I am looking forward to spending more time up there working with the teams at both venues.

Butcher eyes home delivery as way of the future

Sue Fowler joins Lakeside Shopping Centre The Entrance

Rob kay, Jason Bowden and Tony Palmer

Sue Fowler Dunnet Properties, owners of Lakeside Plaza The Entrance have announced the appointment of Sue Fowler as Centre Manager.

This follows Dunnets resuming direct management of the Centre which had been managed by Stonebridge Property Group in recent years.

Ms Fowler replaces Retina Serrafis who had been Centre Manager under Stonebridge.

Service CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

Ms Fowler has a long and successful career managing shopping centres. She was Centre Manager at Deepwater Plaza Woy Woy from 2007 until 2017. She subsequently worked for the GPT and Dexus Group and more recently CBRE managing multiple centres that included Lake Haven, Bankstown and Prospect Homemakers centre.

North Avoca entrepreneur Tony Palmer has bought Saratoga Quality Meats at Kincumber.

The business which started life in the Saratoga Shopping Village in the early 80s was originally managed by Rob Kay who bought it around 1985 and set it on the path to become the most successful butchery business on the Central Coast.

Between Rob Kay and his brother, Bruce the pair built up a business, which for seven years included a butchers’ shop at Terrigal, based solely on customer service and quality meat with no short-cuts.

Their widespread reputation was such that Coles Property Development Group approached them with an offer to lease a store at the newly renovated Kincumber Village. Within the first week of opening in 2013, Kincumber surpassed Saratoga’s turnover and kept climbing.

Eighteen months ago Bruce Kay retired leaving Rob Kay to carry on with long term employee Jason Bowden who has been appointed Manager under the new ownership with Mr Palmer.

With a motto of ‘Quality before Profit’, SQM sets the benchmark for selling the highest quality produce money can buy in Australia. “The front door is most important to us, if it isn’t the best, it doesn’t come into our store,” said Rob Kay. Mr Palmer said that he had bought the ‘system’ established by Rob Kay over more than 30 years. “This business is about Quality and Value and the system that ensures that it is maintained at every point in the chain from supplier to outstanding product knowledge and service, excellent

BUSINESS BRIEFS

systems and processes that all staff must adhere to, immaculate store presentation and cleanliness, unmatched supplier relationships and a reputation as an employer of choice.”

“With no advertising or social media presence, their business has been built on word of mouth referral and repeat clientele,” he said.

A successful digital marketer, having founded a digital marketing agency that grew to a staff of some 130 people before selling it, Tony Palmer moved to North Avoca in 2007 before taking an interest in Ellis Perry Hair Studio in North Avoca, which he still maintains.

The relationship with SQM and Rob Kay has developed over a long period since his arrival on the Central Coast and it was SQM’s 20% growth in turnover during the COVID lockdown last year that attracted him to the idea of buying the business and simply improving the back-of-house systems and introducing an online ordering platform and home delivery.

Commenting on the sale Rob Kay said that now is the time for him to ‘give back’ to his family who have supported him in a 7-day week business for 30 years. “Without their understanding this could never have happened,” he said.

Jazoodle launches new version

Screen shot of Jazoodle’s redesigned dashboard

and forecasting platform for users of Xero, QuickBooks and MYOB as well as for their accountants and advisors.

Founded by CEO Andrew Paton-Smith, Jazoodle is a cloud based platform launched in 2018 to provide SME business owners with an easy to understand and up to date financial position their business.

Jazoodle Business Health comprises redesigned company dashboards that quickly provides an all-encompassing score of the health of a business, giving professional business advisors and their accountants instant insights into their clients’ business and financial health.

Commenting on the new module, Mr Paton-Smith said, “The health score is central to our health module. We’ve tested a number of assumptions with a number of businesses in Australia, UK and USA and found that traditional measures and statements were great, but business owners, directors and their professional services partners wanted to understand, at a glance if they were doing OK as a business.”

Jazoodle Business Health assesses key performance measures across Profitability, Liquidity and Solvency, Operational efficiency and Asset Returns and Efficiencies.

“Drilling down into monthly or annual comparisons is just a click away. In another departure from our original platform, we’ve integrated both QuickBooks and MYOB into the platform, complementing the existing Xero integration. Later this year, we have 3 more key integrations to complete,” he said.

Pricing has also been kept simple, in line with the rest of the company’s ethos. Plans are month by month, with no minimum period, you pay a flat subscription for each company connected in that month. No more buying blocks of licences that you may not use! Finally, Jazoodle is available on desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile for ultimate accessibility.

Former Crowne Plaza Terrigal GM joins Belle

Former General Manager of Crowne Plaza Terrigal, Ryan South has been appointed General Manager of Belle Escapes Central Coast, the holiday arm of Belle Property Central Coast.

After more than 20 years in hotel management with InterContinental Hotels Group Mr Ryan is now in charge of 100 of the most expensive and exclusive holiday homes on the Central Coast and said he was excited to apply a hotelier’s lens to the portfolio to take holiday rentals to the next level.

Commenting on Mr South’s appointment, Belle Property Central Coast Principal Cathy Baker said, “Ryan was the perfect person for the job. I’ve known him for many years and I’m so excited to have him onboard. The pandemic has driven a dramatic spike in holiday homes and created a trend where holiday homes have become the new hotels so it will be great to have a highly regarded hotelier on the team making sure that we’re ticking all the right boxes for our guests,” Mrs Baker said.

Argyle Estates

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

Argyle Estates

EST. OVER

40YEARS

024332 6555 argyle@argyleestates.com.au Graham McMullen – Licensee F.A.I.B.B. 0419326555

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

Community Bank Branches East Gosford Lisarow Kincumber

Jazoodle Founder Andrew Paton-Smith Wyong based business software developer, Jazoodle, has launched the first module of their new business health, valuation

4323 4559 4328 5472 4363 2133

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

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

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ECONOMIC REPORT

Central Coast economy REPORTS COMING OUT of the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR and compiled and presented in economy. id show that Gross Regional Product for the Central Coast region declined by 0.87% in the 2019-20 Financial Year.

Gross Regional Product (GRP) Gross Regional Product is the amount of the region’s wealth which is generated by businesses, organisations and individuals working in the area. It is a broad indicator of the growth or decline of the local economy over time. Over the past 10 years the Central Coast’s GRP has increased by 13.9%. This compares with Greater Sydney with an increase of 28.8% and NSW of 22.7%. The extent to which COVID-19 affected these results is unknown but would be relevant compared with Greater Sydney and NSW as a whole. In any event the Central Coast economic growth is running at around half that of NSW. Gross Regional Product (GRP) FY2011 to FY2020 Year ended 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

$GRP $m 15,515 15,652 15,310 15,022 14,387 13,927 13,837 13,690 13,640 13,619

Change -0.87% +2.23% +1.92% +4.41% +3.31% +0.55% +1.08% +0.37% +0.15% +2.24%

NSW Change -0.57% +2.83% +2.65% +3.22% +3.17% +2.63% +2.25% +1.94% +2.64% +2.94%

Source: National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR), economy.id

The Central Coast Growth Plan 2016-2036 sets out that population will increase form 339,500 in 2016 to 415,000 in 2036 an increase of 75,500 people. To achieve this by 2036 annual growth will need to be 1.00%. As can be seen in the Table above, growth in the first five years is running below the target.

Employment The number of Employed Residents compared with Local Jobs (see Tables) is an indicator of the number of residents who commute away from the Central Coast for work.

In 2020 32,057 people commuted to work compared with 34,923 in 2011.

According to the 2011 and 2016 Census data, in 2011 the number of working age (18 years to 59 years) residents in the region were 160,168 while in 2016 there were 166,328 residents. An increase of 6,160 residents.

(The next Census will be in June 2021).

In the ten years from 2011 to 2021 the number of Local Jobs in the region has increased by 10,572 Employed Residents FY2011 to FY2020

Population The Estimated Resident Population (ERP) for the Central Coast at 30 June 2019 is 343,968 and has grown by 0.67% over the previous year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Population growth over the past nine years is 6.6%.

Estimated Resident Population (ERP) FY2011 to FY2019 Year ended

Number

Change

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016* 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

na 343,968 341,693 339,394 336,611 333,264 330,377 327,745 325,163 322,657

na +0.67% +0.68% +0.83% +1.00% +0.87% +0.80% +0.79% +0.78% +0.72%

Source: ABS, Regional Population Growth, economy.id *Note: The last Census was in 2016 and the next Census will be held in June 2021 CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

Year ended 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Number 153,736 159,503 158,632 155,571 152,160 145,978 147,141 147,141 145,438 146,030

Change -3.62% +0.55% +1.97% +2.24% +4.23% -0.79% -0.41% +1.59% -0.41% +2.94%

Source: National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR), economy.id

ECONOMIC REPORT

Local Jobs FY2011 to FY2019

Value of Total Building Approvals 2001 to 2021

Year ended

Number

Change

2020

121,679

-1.29%

2019

123,265

+1.01%

2018

122,031

+2.53%

2017

119,021

+1.68%

2016

117,055

+4.27%

2015

112,265

-0.26%

2014

112554

-0.13%

2013

112,706

+2.03%

2012

110,463

-0.58%

2011

111,107

+2.99%

Source: National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR), economy.id Unemployment While unemployment is running at its lowest levels in ten years the rate of youth (15 to 24 years) unemployment continues at around 8.7%.

However according to NSW Parliament research on regional labour force trends from 2018 to 2020 the number has been declining.

In 2017 and 2018 youth unemployment was running at around 18% for many years.

Unemployment FY2011 to FY2019 Year 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Unemployed People No. 7.702 9,585 10,788 10,412 11,910 18,972 20,205 19,797 19,820 14,877

Labour Force 164,494 171,631 179,489 177,911 175,634 309,071 316,313 318,019 302,639 283,431

Unemploy ment Rate % 4.7% 5.6% 6.0% 5.9& 6.8% 6.1% 6.4% 6.2% 6.% 5.2%

NSW Unemploy ment Rate % 5.1% 4.4% 4.8% 5.0% 5.4% 5.9% 5.7% 5.2% 5.2% 5.0%

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Labour force survey catalogue number 6202.0, and Department of Employment, Small Area Labour Markets. Compiled by economy.id Building approvals Since hitting a high in the years 2017 and 2018 building approvals have slipped back and current projections indicate that FY2021 will see a further slide backwards with non-residential approvals being down this year.

Value of Building Approvals FY2011 to FY2021 Financial Year 2020-21* 2019-20 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17 2015-16 2014-15 2013-14 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11

Residential 244,589 423,184 572,232 682,527 487,131 551,957 371,926 329,573 241,042 216,782 350,235

Non-Residential 114,498 371,521 224,670 264,871 327,754 136,025 209,563 184,078 124,700 115,434 101,692

Total 359,087 794,704 796,902 947,398 814,885 687,982 581,488 513,651 365,742 332,216 451,927

Businesses on the Central Coast The number of GST registered businesses as at 30 June 2020 was 24,546. This compares with 22,047 in 2011.

When considering this data it is important to note that they only apply to businesses registered on the Central Coast. Larger businesses with head offices elsewhere are not included.

Of the 24,546 businesses 56% are non-employing businesses with a further 42% employing from 1 to 19 people. Only 2% of all businesses employ more than 20 people.

The Construction industry followed by Professional, Scientific and Technical Services businesses are the largest employing businesses on the Central Coast.

Central Coast businesses by Employment Size Range June 2020 Industry Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing Mining Manufacturing Electricity, Gas, Water & Waste Services Construction Wholesale Trade Retail Trade Accommodation & Food Services Transport, Postal & Warehousing Information Media &Telecommunications Financial & Insurance Services Rental, Hiring & Real Estate Services Professional, Scientific & Technical Services Administrative & Support Services Public Administration & Safety Education & Training Health Care & Social Assistance Arts & Recreational Services Other Services Unknown TOTAL

Non employ 350 35 411 33

1-19 Emp 139 14 459 56

20-199 Emp 9 0 65 0

200+ Emp 0 0 3 0

Total 490 49 941 91

2,904 327 609 286

2,853 360 770 629

64 31 50 87

0 0 0 4

5,815 718 1,422 1,015

926 157

415 104

24 5

0 0

1,364 266

1,681 1,785

303 416

4 29

0 0

1,986 2,223

1,667

1,376

34

0

3,072

611

469

32

3

1,121

25 198 922 260 532 19 13,728

43 185 767 176 729 7 10,263

7 19 10 13 10 0 537

0 0 3 0 0 0 18

84 402 1,746 444 1,271 26 24,546

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits, 2016 to 2020 and economy.id

*FY2021 July 2020 to Jan 2021 Source: ABS, Building Approvals Australia, economy.id CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

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CEN T R AL COA S T COUNCIL NE WS

Councillors likely to return

Interim Administrator clarifies new Council structure and CFO position

WITH THE INTERIM Administrator’s time due to expire on the 29 April and the suspension of the elected councillors also due to expire at the same time it now appears highly likely that the old guard will return.

While numerous people have commented on Facebook that the Government should sack the council this can only be done following a public enquiry under the Local Government Act. It appears that there is no evidence of corruption or any criminal activity on the part of the councillors. Just shear ineptitude, ignorance and a desire to play politics with the ratepayers of the Central Coast.

The process that was undertaken to appoint CEO Gary Murphy is the one blatant attempt to control this council by Mayor Jane Smith supported by the ALP and some independent councillors. It didn’t work and it cost $380,000 to remove him.

The moves to close down Central Coast Airport and payout the contract to aircraft manufacturer AAM at an enormous cost that continues remain confidential is another travesty but not criminal.

Whether these Councillors will approach their obligations and responsibilities with any contrition will be interesting to see.

At Council’s 23 March meeting the Interim Administrator, Dick Persson AM clarified the position of Chief Financial Officer which he abolished when announcing a new council structure on 30 November 2020.

At that time the new structure was: • Director Water and Sewer (Jamie Loader) • Director Community and Recreation Services (Julie Vaughan) • Director Environment and Planning (Scott Cox) • Director Infrastructure (Boris Bolgoff ) • Director Corporate Affairs.(Natalia Cowley)

Briefings for returning Councillors At Council’s 23 March meeting the Interim Administrator pointed out that as the Order made by the Minister for Local Government expires on 29 April 2021, it is appropriate that steps be taken to transition back to an elected Council.

Mr Persson said it was imperative that should Councillors return to office, they must understand their role and the systems that have been implemented to achieve good financial outcomes.

“In my 30 day Interim Report I stated that Central Coast Councillors had not come to terms with the fundamental role of their position and their functions under the Local Government Act. In my 3 Month Progress Report I noted that changes have been implemented to see Central Coast Council return to a strong financial position over the next five years or so,” Mr Persson said.

“To facilitate this, I will be inviting all Councillors to attend two appointments – a financial briefing and meeting with the newly appointed CEO David Farmer. I would expect those suspended Councillors committed to the future of the Central Coast, and their role in it, to make all possible efforts to attend.”

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

At the March meeting he reported: “Since adopting the structure there has been commentary that Council no longer has a Chief Financial Officer. The Local Government Act requires that a Council have a Responsible Accounting Officer. As defined by the legislation a responsible accounting officer, in relation to a council, means a member of the staff of the council designated by the council as its responsible accounting officer or, if no such member of staff is designated, means the general manager of the council.

At Central Coast Council the Director, Corporate Affairs is the Responsible Accounting Officer.

The role, when advertised, required relevant qualifications and identified that the role is accountable for ensuring a focus on the financial sustainability and financial leadership of the organisation.

“However, to give the community confidence and to provide visibility that there is a role performing the functions of a Chief Financial Officer I propose to amend the title of Director, Corporate Affairs to Director, Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer.

Referendum to reduce number of Councillors and remove wards At Council’s 23 March meeting Council resolved to conduct a Constitutional Referendum in conjunction with the conduct of the 2021 Local Government Election as follows: “Do you favour a reduction in the number of Central Coast Councillors, from fifteen to nine, and the removal of wards?

This will result in nine Councillors with all electors voting for all nine Councillors, and all nine Councillors representing the whole Central Coast”.

However, should this be approved at the 2021 Election in September it will not have

effect until the following election in 2025.

This means the Central Coast will continue to be run by a “parliament” as the Interim Administrator has called these Councillors

Central Coast Stadium Strategy now a Business Implementation Plan Council at its 23 March meeting adopted a Business Implementation Plan for Central Coast Stadium (formerly the Central Coast Stadium Strategy) following 30 days of consultation with the community which sought feedback on both Council’s role and the community’s involvement in the running of the stadium.

As part of the plan, Council will now proceed with a select tender for the management and naming rights for the Stadium.

These next steps ensure Council and the community get the best value for money, that the economic potential of the stadium is optimised and that the stadium is able to meet current and future market needs

How to fix a whopping loss Interim Administrator, Dick Persson AM has announced measures to get Council finances under control.

“Council continues to face a serious financial situation with an accumulated debt of $565M, including accessing restricted reserve funds without the necessary permissions. Council’s operating loss for the 202021 financial year is forecast to be in the order of $115M. This follows last financial year’s loss of $89M,” he said.

Council has already started a number of measures to manage costs and increase income to address the situation and longterm financial sustainability including: • Obtaining $150M in bank loans to enable Council to continue operating – completed in December 2020.

• Major reduction in operating expenses – in progress and ongoing.

• Reducing staff back to pre-amalgamation numbers from over 2,500 to under 2,000 – cost savings of $31M. The number of Executive Directors has been reduced from 9 to 5, and the number of senior and middle managers has been reduced from 39 to 26.

• Reducing materials and contracts by $22M • Ensuring infrastructure spending budget is capped at $170M per year • Selling $40-$60M in underperforming assets • Raise rates through a Special Variation application to IPART • Reviewing current fees and charges • Finding new revenue sources – paid parking at beaches is one option being explored.

PROPERT Y NEWS

4325 0208

Lisarow warehouse fully leased

www.chapmanfrazer.com.au

FOR SALE | FROM $395,000 PER ANNUM + GST 222 WISEMANS FERRY ROAD, SOMERSBY

BRAND NEW INDUSTRIAL UNITS JUST OFF M1!

Stage 2 of this exciting industrial complex is fast approaching completion, due in Mid-May. The second stage offers units from 153sqm up to 361sqm, offering solid concrete panel construction with high internal clearance. Each unit has internal amenities, a solid concrete construction mezzanine level with large format glazed windows allowing ample natural light. The units also benefit from good on-site parking, secure fencing / access, and an on-site café at the front of the complex (opened in Stage 1).

Call us today to arrange an inspection.

___________________________________________________________ FOR LEASE | $30,000 + GST UNIT 2 / LOT 6 KETCH CLOSE, FOUNTAINDALE

JUST LISTED, AVAILABLE FOR LEASE. Total ground floor area 255sqm approx. including a ground floor reception/entry & partitioned office that is air-conditioned. There is also an additional open mezzanine storage area of 35sqm approx.

The unit is constructed of concrete with a regular shape, container height roller shutter and high internal clearance. Other features include prominent glass façade and entry allowing plenty of natural light, three phase power, led lighting, hot water, toilet, shower and kitchenette.

Close to the Sydney/Newcastle M1 Motorway. Plenty of on-site parking in a secure gated estate, perfect for many uses.

__________________________________________________________ FOR SALE | EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST 115-145 WAHROONGA ROAD, KANWAL

POTENTIAL AGED CARE DEVELOPMENTAL LAND. This once in a generation opportunity is being offered for first time to the marketplace in almost 25 years, this property presents an exceptional opportunity to acquire rare vacant land within a high growth location.

The land is within an area that has been earmarked for retirement style living, being offered is 8 hectares (20 acres) of currently zoned RU6 Transitional zone land. Previously (combined with neighbouring properties circa 2010) had council approval for a large-scale retirement village with the property neighbouring a number of existing nursing homes such as Arcare Kanwal, William Cape Gardens Kanwal, Opal Health Care Kanwal Gardens, and the newly developed Oak Tree Retirement Village.

CONTACT: Daniel Mason | 0403 889 530 Chris Watson | 0402 430 213 Mark Davies | 0422 442 858 A: Level 1/27 Dane Drive, Gosford NSW 2250 E: enquiries@chapmanfrazer.com.au

@chapmanfrazer

Livingstone Properties (NSW) Pty Ltd have completed the development of a architecturally designed 14,380sqm sqm warehouse, office space and amenities at 88 Railway Crescent, Lisarow.

The development includes 16 loading docks accessible from the rear of the site with a large truck turning area and 40ft container access.

The 1.87 ha site was acquired from McCain’s Foods in 2018.

Well known butchers’ suppliers Neild

& Co, who have been operating out of a number of smaller factory units at Tuggerah for over 30 years have amalgamated their operations into the new space leasing around 10,000 sqm on a 5 x 5 year lease at a reported $900,000 per annum plus Outgoings.

Brett Dowling from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast negotiated the lease for Neild & Co. The remaining area has been leased to Australia Post on undisclosed terms through national agents CBRE.

@chapman_frazer

Stevens Group start work on Erina service station site

FOR LEASE

PROFESSIONAL & SPECIALIST MEDICAL SUITES

152-154 PACIFIC HIGHWAY TUGGERAH

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

Erina based property developers Stevens Group have commenced demolition work on the corner of The Entrance Road and Avoca Drive, Erina which will see a new BP Service Station and convenience store built being the first stage of the development.

The second stage of this development seeks Council’s approval for construction of 56 Storage Premises ranging from 39m2 to 151.5m2. The proposed storage units represent a modern architectural style and are appropriately located within an industrial zone with access via an approved deceleration land from The Entrance Road.

The residual 8,962m2 of developable land will be developed in 2 later stages and these developments will be influenced by market demand.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

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PROPERT Y

COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY FOR SALE/LEASE

FOR SALE TUGGERAH BUSINESS PARK – THE BLOCK

WYONG

Quality, concrete, high clearance construction, unparalleled finishes & sizes that you can combine to make for a better, more affordable unit. H/W roller doors, beautiful landscaping with great powder coating shopfronts, optional amenities, shower & kitchenette packages. Flexible B7 zoning.

FOR SALE FROM $231,000 - 519,000 + GST Flexible IN2 zoning, superb finishes, large showrooms, high clearance, offices & quality amenities. Great parking & access, 14 units with a range of sizes perfect for different businesses.

FOR SALE FROM $292,000 - $1,085,000 + GST

WYONG - BIGGER, BETTER, MORE! Consisting of up to (or any combination of four 4) high clearance factory/warehouse buildings with office, great access, range from 1,180m2 (whs) + 200m2 (office) to 1,250m2 (whs) + 200m2 (office) giving a total of 1,380m2 to 1,450m2 (approx.) per unit (up to 5,660m2).

FOR SALE FROM $3,400,000 + GST FOR LEASE FROM $165,600 N/PA + GST

LISAROW -VACANT LOT, 10 ACRES!

High growth location subdivided into 11 separate allotments, each with an area of approx. 4,000m2.

Lots 15 & 16 are approx. 3,200m2. Near the M1 MTWY, Zoning DM, huge exposure to passing trade.

FOR SALE $5,000,000 Located in Cochrone Industrial Estate. Area 348m2 approx. with 228m2 on the ground floor. Fitted mezz area of approx.120m2, leased with benefits of an income of $14,172 pa + GST + Outgoings.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

ERINA - IMPRESSIVE INVESTMENT!

Located in Platinum building, well maintained & refurbished office space, 6 car spaces, area approx.

225.0m2. Tenants pay all usual outgoings. Diverse income stream from 2 separate tenants.

FOR SALE $1,499,000 + GST

SOMERSBY - SHOWROOM, OFFICE, WAREHOUSE! Open plan, air-con, glass frontage, data & power outlets, high clearance, mezz, LED lighting, 3 phase power, 3 kitchen/lunchrooms, bathrooms, disabled access, security system, 17 parks, close to M1 Mtwy.

FOR LEASE $195,000 N/PA + GST

WEST GOSFORD - DISPLAY YARD

TUGGERAH – THE KEY ON GAVENLOCK

KINCUMBER - WAREHOUSE & SEPARATE TENANCY

FOR LEASE

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

Fully fenced, gated, level, all weather yardspace, approx. 1,800m2, great location, fantastic exposure, close to the M1 Mtwy. Perfect for car, trailer, caravan, mobile home or bulky items for display.

FOR LEASE $53,000 N/PA + GST

WOY WOY - CONVENIENTLY LOCATED OFFICE SPACE On the 1ST floor, approx. 140m2, accessible by lift, open plan, enclosed meeting rooms, shared amenities, kitchen etc. Ideal for a variety of professional suites, good opportunity for signage.

FOR LEASE $65,000 G/PA + GST

WOY WOY - HIGH CLEARANCE! GREAT VIEWS! WYOMING - ICONIC THAI RESTAURANT

Home to a Thai restaurant for the past 16 yrs, an absolute icon located at the five ways roundabout.

Area of approx. 250m2, high foot traffic & highway exposure, near Gosford CBD & on-site parking.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

TUGGERAH - INVESTMENT 10 YEAR LEASE

Approx. 1,140m2 under roof, learn to swim pool 12.5m x 6.6m & 1.2m deep, squad pool 25m x 13.5m & 1.3m deep, M/F amenities, staff room/office, loading dock, near new fully operation pool equipment.

FOR SALE – CONTACT BRETT DOWLING

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

Beautifully constructed, full concrete panels up to 10m in height. Mezz area approx. 221m2, warehouse approx. 671m2 but with the height in this warehouse it allows for a much larger storage space.

FOR LEASE $98,120 N/PA + GST

BERKELEY VALE - CRANEAGE, HEIGHT, ACCESS, SIZE! Freehold property, zoned IN1, approx. 4,000m2 of high clearance warehouse, large mezz & office, H/W roller doors, 2 x 10 tonne cranes, 1 x 5 tonne crane, CCTV surveillance, New LED lighting throughout FOR LEASE $345,000 G/PA + GST

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

Phone 4353 7700

GROWING ???

Victoria Court, 36-40 Victoria Street, East Gosford

20 Donaldson Street, Wyong

25 Anzac Road, Tuggerah

For Sale $320,000 - $550,000 (excl. GST)

For Lease Starting from $16,500 net pa + GST

12 industrial/business style strata units

High quality construction

Sizes from 120 sqm up to 214 sqm.

Professional suites

This stylish development will be constructed of full concrete pre-cast panel with high clearance automatic roller doors and amenities.

Well appointed services

Bernie Nash 0418 405 130 dijones.com.au

Ben Purdue 0450 719 600 dijones.com.au

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

Ramp & lift access Proposed cafe on site

We can offer the following tenancy sizes: 419 sqm - ground and rst oor 338 sqm - ground and rst oor 203 sqm - ground oor only 122 sqm - ground oor only High proole corner position.

Huge awning signage.

Located at busy main intersection on Central Coast Highway.

Customer car park on site.

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

PROPERT Y NEWS

Auto company buys Somersby unit off-the-plan

Locally owned online retailer, wholesaler and importer of premium auto parts and accessories, Prospeed Racing, has purchased, off-the-plan, Unit 1, 49 Somersby Falls Road, Somersby.

Price paid for the 755sqm warehouse plus 300sqm office space with glass frontage over two levels including foyer, Investment syndicate buys Tuggerah development site

An investment syndicate has bought one of the few remaining development sites at Tuggerah Business Park paying $3 million (GST not applicable) for 4A Reliance Drive.

The property pre-auction.

Situated on the corner of Reliance Drive and Pioneer Avenue the 5,828 sqm lot comprises a 602 sqm tenanted office/warehouse building. An approved subdivision applies to 3,484 sqm of the site.

Marketing agents Ty Balance and Brett Dowling from LJ Hooker Commercial said that they had received over 35 enquiries with four potential buyers vying to buy prior to the auction.

The syndicate intends to develop the vacant land with small to medium size warehouses.

Local builder buys Somersby land but with a catch!

A local builder developer has paid $830,000 plus GST for a 5,098 sqm north facing lot at 89 Somersby Falls Road, Somersby with a 1,762sqm gas pipeline easement on one boundary that can be used only for

lift and stairs was $2,175,000 (GST not applicable).

The recently completed, architecturally designed complex comprises two units of equal size on a 4,000sqm site has been built by Sydney builder, BMS Construction Pty Ltd who acquired the property in June 2019. car parking leaving 3,336sqm available for development.

The property is fully serviced and Council Infrastructure Contributions have been paid.

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

Investor buys Tumbi units An investor has bought Units 2 and 3 at 10 Bon-Mace Close, Tumbi Umbi paying $1 million (GST not applicable).

The units are leased to a dance school who have occupied the premises for the past 17 years however current new lease is only for 2 years.

Commenting on the sale Brett Dowling from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast said that the buyer was keen to invest in a tenanted commercial property even though the return will be circa 5% net per annum.

“Stock levels have really tightened up with very little investment stock available,” he said.

7.5% return on Somersby industrial A Sydney investor has paid $1,700,000 (GST not applicable) for an industrial property at 152 Somersby Falls Road, Somersby.

The property comprises two industrial buildings built in the 1990s with a total area of 1,273 sqm on a 2,500sqm lot.

It is leased to spring water company, Aqualove Pty Ltd on a long lease at a rental that provides the buyer with a return of 7.5% per annum net.

Ben Purdue from DiJones Commercial Erina negotiated the sale.

LEASINGS Distributor leases Tuggerah warehouse Following their purchase of a freestanding warehouse at 95 Gavenlock Road, in June last year a Sydney based distribution business has leased a 1,031sqm warehouse on a 2,100sqm lot at 12 Boswell Crescent, Tuggerah.

The property comprises mezzanine offices, 4 roller door access and fully fenced yard.

Terms of lease are 2 years with 2 year option at a rental of $75,000 per annum plus Outgoings and GST. The company is relocating their business from Villawood.

The lease was negotiated by Brett Dowling and Ty Blanch.

Sydney based IT company leases at Erina A Sydney based IT company has leased Office 2, a 85sqm space, at 172-176 The Entrance Road, Erina.

Terms of lease are 5 years with 5 year option at a rental of $15,000 per annum net Plus GST. Ben Purdue from DiJones Commercial negotiated the lease.

Beauty salon leases in Erina A beauty salon and nail bar has leased Unit 2, a 66sqm ground floor retail/office space, at 206 The Entrance Road, Erina and includes off-road parking and shared amenities.

Terms of lease for the unit are 3 years with 3 year option at a rental of $25,000 per annum plus Outgoings and GST. Ben Purdue from DiJones Commercial negotiated the lease.

Real estate agent relocates to Lisarow Central Coast Select Properties has relocated from the 5-Ways at Wyoming to Suite 1, 872 Pacific Highway, Lisarow, that comprises a new office fit out with exposure to the highway.

Terms of lease are 3 years with 3 year option at a rental of $25,200 per annum plus Ben Purdue from DiJones Commercial negotiated the lease.

Gym leases in Tuggerah Business Park Lift 3, a weight lifting gym, has leased Warehouse D at 2 Reliance Drive, Tuggerah Business Park.

Terms of lease for the 1,022 sqm warehouse space are 5 years with 5 year option with a commencing rent of $75,000 per annum including Outgoings plus GST and annual increase of $25,000 for years 2 and 3 and 3% increases thereafter.

Ben Purdue from DiJones Commercial negotiated the lease.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

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BUSINESS TIPS

Changes to legislation regarding ‘casual’ employees

By Warwick Ryan, Partner, Hicksons Lawyers

AFTER THE FEDERAL Court decisions (Workpac decisions) of recent times, where status of casual employees became particularly difficult to navigate, the Government has just passed some legislation that will provide some protection for businesses that rely upon casual employees as a key part of their operation. The changes will allow such businesses to continue to employ casual employees with greater clarity and certainty. Yet, it also provides the opportunity for casual employees of 12 months standing to seek permanent employment in certain circumstances.

Key Points • Newly introduced definition of a ‘casual employee’ • Newly introduced casual conversion entitlements • The end of ‘double dipping’!

Background Following the decision in WorkPac Pty Ltd v Rossato [2020] FCAFC 84 (Rossato Decision), many, casual employees in Australia were likely to have been categorised as permanent employees, on the basis that they:

1. worked for their employer for 12 months or more; 2. had predictable hours of work; 3. had rosters and hours laid out in advance; and 4. had an ongoing expectation of work.

As a result, these ‘casual employees’ were able to ‘double-dip’ and be entitled to both the 25% casual loading AND annual leave, personal/carer’s leave, and compassionate leave (Statutory Entitlements).

Enter the need for the Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2020 (Omnibus Bill) which was introduced into the Federal Parliament late last year.

Changes to the legislation On 18 March 2021, a slimmed down version of the Omnibus Bill (amendments to the Fair Work Act) was passed the Senate, and it is anticipated will soon be enacted as legislation.

The Omnibus Bill introduces several new clauses concerning casual employees into the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act), including: √ a definition of a casual employee (section 15A); √ an offset clause, that permits employers who have misclassified permanent employees as casuals, to offset casual loading amounts previously paid to the employee against any claims made by the employee for Statutory Entitlements – thus ending the possibility of double dipping (section 545A); √ an extension to casual employee’s rights, with employers now obligated to offer

casual employees conversion to permanent employment in certain circumstances; and √ a Casual Employment Information Statement, similar to the current Fair Work Information Statement, which employers will be required to provide to casual employees as soon as practicable after casuals commence employment.

Final Comment Earlier last year the High Court of Australia granted labour hire company, WorkPac, special leave to appeal the Rossato Decision (HCoA Decision), and will be considering sometime this year: √ what a genuine casual employee is; and √ an order to prevent ‘double-dipping’, allowing employers to ‘set off’ any leave entitlements owed to casual employees against the paid casual loadings.

It is unknown what impact the HCoA Decision will have on the Omnibus Bill amendments, however, Hicksons will continue to monitor developments and will keep clients informed of changes as they come to hand.

Takeaway The Bill strikes a sensible balance between giving employees the opportunity to request to be ‘converted’ from casual to permanent. Meanwhile, it protects the interests of business (especially small businesses in the hospitality, construction and homecare sectors); enabling them to maintain a workforce with some flexibility – without have to worry about a later claim for unpaid entitlements.

Small business subbies to get paid faster under NSW Govt programme The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has commended the NSW Government for its new pilot programme that will see some small business subcontractors get paid in 20 business days.

The pilot programme, which runs until June, signals the NSW’s government’s commitment to faster payment times down the supply chain. It follows the introduction of the NSW Faster Payments Policy in 2018, which ensures small businesses directly contracted by the NSW Government are paid in five business days. “This trial, which extends the existing faster payments policy to ensure

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

larger companies with NSW government contracts pay their suppliers in 20 business days is very encouraging,” Ms Carnell says.

“Fast-tracking payments to small businesses is the best way to help them recover after what has been an incredibly tough 12 months.

“This initiative will benefit small business suppliers and will also flow through to the broader economy.

“We know that small businesses, particularly those hardest hit by the COVID crisis, urgently need cash flow.

“The latest CreditorWatch data shows businesses are being paid on average

26 days overdue, which is absolutely devastating for them and highlights the importance of paying small businesses on time.

“The NSW Government’s faster payment programme for small business suppliers should be considered the benchmark for governments at all levels.

If NSW can do it, there is no reason why it can’t apply across the board.

“Big businesses should also be doing the right thing by their small business suppliers by paying on time and ensuring they are complying with the Payment Times Reporting Scheme which came into effect on 1 January, 2021.”

BUSINESS TIPS

MIND YOUR BUSINESS

By Troy Marchant, Director, Adviceco Chartered Accountants

How to stay profitable in a discount world WE LIVE IN a consumer savvy world, where consumers hunt down the best prices from the comfort of their lounge rooms, and anonymously review products and services with the click of a button.

It’s no wonder price discounting is so common – businesses are competing to provide the best quality and value. It can be a good strategy for attracting new customers or bringing inactive customers back, and moving large stock volumes. There are a few things to consider though…

Before slashing prices, you should ask yourself the following: • Why are you doing it? To move stock?

Reward existing customers? Engage inactive ones? Attract more customers?

Encourage product trial? The answer will help you design your approach.

• What is your current profit margin on the product/service you wish you discount? How have sales been tracking? When is peak sales season for that product?

• For how long do you intend to offer the discount? Discounting is not usually a good long-term strategy.

• Is your discount compelling against what your competitors are offering?

• Who are you trying to attract? What will appeal to them? How will you reach them? How are you going to keep them once they buy your discounted product/service?

• Is a flat-out discount the best strategy? How would a bundle discount or rewards discount strategy perform,

where customers are rewarded for their loyalty?

• Is the discount undercutting your brand and product value? If the discount is too generous, the perception may be that it is worth less.

• How are you going to introduce or reintroduce customers to your broader product/service offering? What will they see/do/feel/experience when they purchase the discount items?

This is an opportunity to showcase your business, brand and products for a more engaged customer base that is not dependent on a discount in the future.

Accounting software enables strategic mapping of pricing strategies for maximum annual profit and healthy cash flow. This then becomes part of your sales and marketing plan for the year.

For advice on pricing strategies and profitability, book a complimentary introductory meeting on 02 4320 0500.

More Sales?

By Trevor Marchant, Managing Director, Marchant Dallas Consulting

Determine WHO, then Why and Your What comes Last.

• What is the best headline for this webpage?

• What are the right words for our telemarketing scripts?

• What do I say to people when they ask me, “So, what do you do?”

• What tagline will attract the right prospects and customers?

• What should I say in this Sales letter?

What-What-What…needs to become Wait-Wait-Wait.

You are wasting your time.

‘What?’ is the wrong question.

More specifically, it is the wrong FIRST question when it comes to your Sales and Marketing.

Let us boil this down to a quite simple exercise.

Imagine just for a moment I ask you to

take out a piece of paper and write a letter …and I want you to start in the top lefthand corner with the word ‘Dear.’

Next question to WHOM are you going to write this letter to?

Well, let us say it is to your Mum. Could be anyone – makes no difference but let us write to Mum. Next question – WHY are you writing …

Once again, could be about anything but in this instance maybe it is to get the recipe for her delicious – melt in your mouth – Pecan Pie…so you can share with your partner.

So now you have answered WHO and WHY…and you no longer have to worry about: • What do I say?

• How do I say it?

• What words should I use?

• What words should I avoid?

• Will she like the letter?

• Will she act on the letter?

• Worry, Worry, Worry…

You are just going to write the letter, get the recipe, and still have a great relationship with your mum. And the reason will be you connected with her with enthusiasm and authenticity for a specific purpose that made her feel valued, special, and important to you.

By now I expect you are, like me, connecting the dots. This is how Marketing is supposed to work too.

Decide WHOM you are going to talk to.

Talk to them for a good, specific, relevant reason, understanding who they are and what is important to them.

Just do that and you will have all the professional copywriters and ad agencies beaten in no time flat.

To Your Success and (always) Good Selling

Get results!

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN CCBR For further information phone 4367 0733 or email info@ccbusinessreview.com.au CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

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FUNNY BUSINESS

A JOB INTERVIEW is in progress, a bright and experienced accountant is interviewing for a position of CFO. He is being interviewed by the members of board of directors and the CEO. During the interview the CEO suddenly asks: “Tell me, what is seven multiplied by three?” The accountant thinks fast and tells “22.” Once the interview is over the accountant goes out, takes out the calculator and finds the answer - 21, disappointed, he goes home.

Next morning he gets a call from the CEO, “Hey, you got the job.”

The accountant is pleasantly surprised.

He cannot but ask, “Thank you very much for the job but what about seven multiplied by three?”

The CEO tells him - “of all the candidates we interviewed, you came the closest.”

A nursery school teacher was delivering a station wagon full of kids home one day when a fire truck zoomed past.

Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a dalmatian dog. The children started discussing what the dog’s duties might be.

“They use him to keep crowds back,” said one youngster.

“No,” said another, “he’s just for good luck.”

A third child concluded. “No silly, they use the dogs to find the fire hydrant!”

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some hire public relations officers.

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic primary school for lunch.

At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. A nun made a note and posted on the apple tray: “Take only ONE. God is watching.”

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

One of the children wrote a note, “Take all you want. God is watching the apples.”

There were three men stranded on an island and they found a lamp, so they rubbed it and out popped a genie.

The genie told them they all had one wish.

The first man wished, “I wish I was the smartest man on earth”, and poof, the wish was granted.

The second man wished, “I wish I was smarter than the first guy”, and poof, his wish was granted.

It was the third guy’s turn and he wished, “I wish I was smarter than both of them put together”, and poof, he turned into a woman!

Three guys are fishing in the Caribbean.

One guy says, “I had a terrible fire; lost everything. Now the insurance company is paying for everything and that’s why I’m here.”

The second guy says, “I had a terrible explosion; lost everything. Now the insurance company is paying for everything and that’s why I’m here.”

The third guy says, “What a coincidence.

I had a terrible flood; lost everything. Now the insurance company is paying for everything and that’s why I’m here.”

The other guys turned to him with confusion and asked, “Flood? How do you start a flood?”

“Do you believe in life after death?” the boss asked one of his employees.

“Yes, Sir.” the employee replied.

“Well, then, that makes everything just fine,” the boss went on. “After you left early yesterday to go to your grandmother’s funeral, she stopped in to see you.”

Roy was a single guy living at home with his father and working in the family business.

When he found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his very sick father died, he decided he needed a wife which to share his fortune One evening at an investors meeting he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

He introduced himself to her and said, “I may look like just an ordinary man, but in just a few years my father will die and I’ll inherit $200 million.”

Impressed, the woman obtained his business card and three weeks later she became his stepmother.

Quote of the month “The true start-up of a business is what happens before you start-up.”

Michael E Gerber

Are you here?

ay w e h ow te maze n k We gh th u thro CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW APRIL 2021

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