Central Coast Business Review December 2023

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December 2023

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CCGS Headmaster retires on high note Hotel Gosford big winner at AHA NSW 2023 Awards for Excellence Gosford Erina Business Chamber’s 75 years Business Chambers call on State Government to fix broken planning system

Page 4 Edgar Adams’ Editorial Local businesses to be proud of

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CON T EN TS

In this issue 4 Edgar Adams’ Editorial Local businesses to be proud of

Business news 5 CCGS Headmaster retires on high note 6 Business Chambers call on State Government to fix broken planning system 7 Hotel Gosford big winner at AHA NSW 2023 Awards for Excellence 7 Drifters Wharf Best Live Music Venue 8 Why increasing costs of delivery means you need to look at your OWN pricing.

9 Logistics Forum visits high-tech manufacturer 10 Star Scientific announces New Mexico as preferred destination for first U.S. facility

Campus

corporations 12 De Witt surveyors open office in Gosford 12 Dispute resolution service opens 13 New owners for Munches Cafe & Catering Shelley Beach 13 RWC launch Central Coast Commercial office with dynamic team

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14 Gosford Erina Business Chamber’s 75 Years 15 State of the Economy – The underlying picture 16 Bouddi Foundation for the Arts Awards $90,000 to Young Artists 17 Update on the ‘Loophole Bill’ 17 ATO warns small business to stop using tax to ‘prop up’ cash flow imposing fines which might crush business viability

11 Brisbane Water Oyster Festival massive

CONTACT

director banned from managing

18 Falling from heights – Courts consider

10 Work commences on UON Gosford

success

11 Former Magnolia Capital Group

19 Property news 22 Funny business

Listen to Edgar Adams on Coast FM each Monday 9:45am Also follow us on Linkedin

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 Email info@ccbusinessreview.com.au Web www.ccbusinessreview.com.au

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2023

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EDITORIAL

Edgar Adams discusses local issues

Local businesses to be proud of THIS TIME OF the year is the season for Awards, all the business and industry associations hold their annual awards recognising excellence and achievement.

Some are popularity contests run by organisations for their own self interest.

Others are genuine in that they engage people who know what they are talking about as judges.

In recent months the Hunter division of the Housing Industry Association ran their awards with Umina based builder, Evolving Construction taking out the Hunter Home of the Year Award while other Central Coast builders, Valletta Homes, Planit Kitchens, Turrell Building Services and Blairbuild took out other major awards.

The Australian Hotels Association NSW 2023 Awards for Excellence saw the Hotel Gosford win the Best Regional Local and Best Regional Casual Dining Awards while Drifters Wharf on the Gosford Waterfront won the Best Live Music Venue.

Thie 2023 Hunter Manufacturers’ Awards saw two Central Coast manufacturers successful against manufacturers from the Hunter, North Coast and Central Coast, a huge manufacturing area.

Craig de Leon owner of Elecbrakes took out the Manufacturing Leader Award and Janus Electric the Outstanding Start-up Award.

Most of these winners will go on to the national awards of their associations.

We wish them well.

The point is, of course, that these winners were up against stiff competition and shone through.

There are many businesses on the Central Coast that strive for excellence in everything they do, and this is why they are successful.

They are businesses that we should be proud of and should support This month the Presidents of the three major Chambers of Commerce have come together to call on the State Government to fix the state’s broken planning system.

Prior to the Minns Labor Government coming into office in March, NSW had a Liberal government for twelve years.

Twelve years which saw this state’s planning system turned into a nightmare for everyone who had anything to do with getting a house built. From getting residential sub-divisions approved to getting an approval for a house on a single block.

Eight separate government agencies had to sign off on every Development Application before the local council had their say.

For anyone wanting to build a garage, a house or a factory councils had the final say.

Here on the Central Coast our Council (In Administration) used every opportunity and trick in the book to delay or reject a Development Application.

In far too many cases Council will knock back an application on some spurious grounds that sees the applicant forced to go to the Land and Environment Court.

There are, at present over 40 cases before the Court.

The end result is that the cost of getting through this minefield has to be passed on to the end user.

However, that is only the start.

The Central Coast’s population grew by approximately 34,415 residents in the decade to 2021 – an increase of 11 per cent – and this is projected to grow by almost 3,000 residents a year through to 2041.

This equates to around 1,630 dwellings per year. This will never happen with the attitude of Central Coast Council.

Homelessness which is growing in our region at an alarming rate is an evil blight on our society.

Premier Minns and his Planning Minister must fix our planning system without delay.

Finally, may we at CCBR wish our readers, our advertisers and our subscribers a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

As we enter our 34th year of publication we look forward to continuing to serve and support the Central Coast’s business community.

Edgar Adams Editor

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BUSINESS NEWS

CCGS Headmaster retires on high note CENTRAL COAST GRAMMAR School (CCGS) Headmaster, Bill Low will retire at the end of this year after an outstanding career in education spanning more than 50 years.

His farewell dinner held at Crowne Plaza Terrigal at the end of November saw over 80 invited guests honour his commitment to the school for over 15 years.

Guests who came to honour his work at the school included: Mr Isao Hommi, former Principal and current board member of Ueda Nishi High School, Japan and Ms Masako Kato, Headmistress of Kanto Daiichi High School, Tokyo. Ms Kato represented Immediate Past Chairman Mr Yoshimura and the current Chairman Mr Shibuya who both sent messages of goodwill. Mr Hommi represented Ueda Nishi long-term Chairman Mr Mizuno and Principal Mr Sato.

Dr Bob Carbines (former Director NSW School Education Quality Assurance Unit and Deputy Director General Education Victoria) and Dr Geoff Newcombe AM (former CEO of Association of Independent Schools NSW) were also in attendance and paid tribute to Mr Low’s lifetime of achievement in education.

In his time as Headmaster, CCGS has become one of the most successful and respected independent schools in NSW. Early in his tenure as Headmaster, Mr Low, along with the school Board, developed a long-term strategy to invest in quality teaching and learning for students.

This strategy, along with an ambitious capital investment program, would see the

CCGS Chair Stephen Brahams with Past Chair Ken Jolly AM, Headmaster Bill Low, Past Chairs John Taylor and Judy Stokes school’s facilities become the envy of independent schools in NSW. For the tenth consecutive year, CCGS has been ranked in the Top 100 NSW schools for HSC results. A record number of HSC major works received 36 nominations for inclusion in showcases of exemplary work in 2023. Drama performed particularly well, with each student receiving at least one nomination and 21 nominations for the department in total.

The school also continued its robust academic performance under Mr Low’s leadership across both literacy and numeracy in the Junior and Middle School. In 2023, 50 students received ICAS awards - an independent, skills-based assessment - with a total of 63 Distinctions and nine High Distinctions.

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Mr Low has contributed to the significant growth and expansion of co-curricular offerings throughout the school, including the introduction of extensive football, touch football, and basketball programs for boys and girls. These co-curricular groups have now grown to include over 130 sporting teams and 28 performing arts groups.

CCGS’s comprehensive program of capital improvements aligns with a significant investment in the latest teaching and learning practices for students from Kindergarten to Year 12. Major projects Mr Low has overseen include: • New Library and Lecture Theatre in 2010 • 750-seat state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre in 2014, hosting both junior CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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BUSINESS NEWS

CCGS Headmaster retires on high note CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 and senior professional productions, providing students with opportunities to enhance their skills and perform in front of live audiences • Visionary Junior School in 2021 which received the 2022 Excellence in Construction Award from the Master Builders Association • A new Senior College Precinct in 2021 • A full-size multipurpose synthetic sports field was built to host Hockey and Softball games, as well as for physical education classes. Two rugby fields, three football fields, two cricket pitches and cricket nets expand the sports offering • A new Canteen and Cafe in 2022 with state-of-the-art commercial kitchen Commenting on Mr Low’s time CCGS Chairman, Stephen Brahams said, “Bill has been an outstanding Head of the school for 15 years. He had a clear vision to make CCGS the best school in NSW, which he has accomplished. He has built an exceptional team of staff, record enrolments, outstanding results, improved cocurricular facilities and an effective wellbeing program. He should also be acknowledged for his leadership of the substantial upgrades to facilities and infrastructure through an expansive capital works program.”

Mr Ken Jolly AM, who Chaired and served on the CCGS Board for over 13 years is also retiring this year. A visionary business leader, with a lifelong interest in education and learning, Mr Jolly has worked together with Mr Low to realise a shared vision, building the school to what it is today.

Mr Jolly and Mr Low worked together as foundation members of the Newcastle University Central Coast Campus Committee, which Mr Jolly chaired, to establish the Ourimbah Campus.

Mr Low’s career commenced in 1972 in a

small school in South Australia. He quickly progressed to Deputy Principal and then Principal of much larger schools before being appointed NSW Department of School Education Cluster Director for the Central Coast based in Gosford in 1990 and subsequently Hunter Region and Central Coast Director of Schools, and Executive Director Early Childhood and Primary Education for all sectors in NSW. He joined Central Coast Grammar in 2008.

Mr Low also played a significant leadership role in the Independent sector having been Chair, Association of Independent Schools NSW Centre for Excellence, Chair of Heads of Independent Coeducational Schools NSW, Member of the Independent Schools Advisory Board and Executive of Independent Sporting Association.

Front cover photo

Back Row: CCGS Directors Andrew Brand Arthur Stanley, Anne McGregor, Dr Denis Crimmins, Bill Low (Headmaster) and Kylie Tritton. Front Row:, Mr Isao Hommi, (former Principal and current board member of Ueda Nishi High School in Nagano Prefecture) ,Stephen Brahams (CCGS Chairman), Ms Masako Kato, (Headmistress of Kanto Daiichi High School in Edogawa City, Tokyo), CCGS Directors Ken Jolly AM, Daphne Wayland Absent: Dr Brok Glenn

Business Chambers call on State Government to fix broken planning system The Peninsula, Gosford Erina and Wyong Business Chambers have called on the State Government to take immediate action to overhaul the NSW planning system amidst systemic delays in development approvals and housing starts.

Peninsula Chamber President, Matthew Wales said, “At a time when all levels of government are lamenting the shortage of housing and housing choice, the very system that provides planning approvals is so complex and outdated that it conspires to work against both housing availability and housing affordability”.

“You can’t always keep blaming Central Coast Council for the delays and shortfalls when Council planners are expected to work with an outdated system that has been around for 40 years” “The assessment of development applications has to address multiple layers of complex statutory planning legislation, biodiversity laws, energy efficiency regulations, local planning controls and community consultation processes”.

“All the current legislation and building oversight, whilst well intended, is actually grinding the industry to a standstill”.

“Successive governments have repeatedly promised an overhaul of the NSW planning laws but never deliver”.

“You can fiddle around the edges all you like, but until the NSW State Government gets serious about planning reform, it will never deliver the levels of housing that we need in New South Wales and Council’s like Central Coast Council will never be able to adequately cope with the volume of appliCONTINUED ON PAGE 17

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BUSINESS NEWS

Hotel Gosford big winner at AHA NSW 2023 Awards for Excellence we couldn’t have dreamt of it turning out as incredible as it is,” said Jordan Harris at the time it was relaunched.

Drifters Wharf Best Live Music Venue

(l to r) Karmal Panday, Assistant General Manager, Keegan Colwell, Restaurant Manager, Zoe Percival, Accommodation Manager, Jane Harris, Co-Founder Director Harris Narvo Hotels Group, Jordan Harris, Group General Manager, Harris Narvo Hotels Group, Chloe Harris Owner and Scott Miller General Manager THE HOTEL GOSFORD has taken out two major awards at the Australian Hotels Association NSW 2023 Awards for Excellence held last month winning in the categories: • Best Regional Local, andBest Regional Casual Dining (Northern).

This year’s success comes after highly successful victories in the 2022 Awards when they won the Best Regional Redevelopment.

Commenting on the win Jordan Harris, Group General Manager of Harris Narvo Hotels Group said, “What a night! We are

incredibly proud of our team and all those who have contributed to our story so far. It has been nearly two years since we re-opened and to be standing amongst the state’s best is an absolute thrill. Bring on the Nationals!”

Harris Narvo Group, owners of the Hotel Gosford, completed a $12 million renovation of the heritage listed property in November 2021.

The hotel was opened in 1926 and acquired by Peter Harris in 1998. “The first concept plans to redevelop the hotel were drawn up in 2010 and truthfully, back then,

Drifters Wharf owners Stephen Sewell and Isaac Adele Additionally, Drifters Wharf Gosford were the winners of the Best Live Music Venue.

“We were so honored to win this award, thanks to all our staff our patrons, the artists and our families for supporting our vision of bringing amazing live music artists to the Central Coast! 2024 is going to be a big year,” said Mr Adele.

At the time it was opened in December 2021 the venue was promoted as being a festival by the sea with alive music offer and a dining area with a seafood focus and the biggest alcohol brands in the world.

Last month Drifters was the base for the spectacular 2023 World Waterski Championships on Brisbane Water.

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BUSINESS TIPS

Why Increasing costs of delivery means you need to look at your OWN pricing

By Troy Marchant, Director, Adviceco Chartered Accountants IF YOU ARE like a lot of small businesses at the moment, dealing with inflation, higher wages, and higher supply costs, is no doubt testing your resolve.

However you must remember that for almost 20 years we have had a benign inflation rate and almost zero growth in real wages. So how do you address this?

The easiest way to increase your average sale to cover your supply costs, is to increase your prices. Yet this is an area where many business owners and managers have challenges. They fear that if they increase their prices their customers will leave in droves.

In reality, they might, but is not guaranteed.

On many occasions increasing your prices can actually increase your sales volume.

For instance, to attract new customers, a photographer in Melbourne offered free photographic sittings worth $150. One day he decided to test a price increase to see what happened. He started giving out $150 vouchers that people could use towards a photographic sitting but he increased the price of the sittings to $300 so, with the $150 voucher, customers

would now pay $150 for the session. What happened?

As a result of this initiative, his conversion rate from enquiry to sitting increased from 66% to 75-80%. There was another bonus.

In the past he attracted a large number of the budget-focused (kid’s photos at shopping centres) target market. Now his clientele were more affluent and prepared to invest more in quality photography.

Interesting, isn’t it?!

People’s perception of value is closely linked to price. In other words, “you get what you pay for”. If something is given away or is too cheap people often believe that there’s something wrong with it or it isn’t of great value.

Conversely, if they pay a lot of money for something they feel that the product or service must be good.

But what if all your customers leave?

As already mentioned, they just won’t.

But what if some do? A cost-volume-profit matrix will tell you – based on your gross margin – what volume you can afford to lose, before your gross margin is adversely affected.

For instance, if you are working on a 30% margin and you increase prices by 10% increase, your sales would need to drop by a massive 25% BEFORE your profit would go down below its previous level. In other words, you would need to lose one in every 4 customers. As you can imagine, that’s highly unlikely.

10% is a common price increase amount and customers almost always accept these rises without even blinking an eye.

Chances are though, with the right approach, and depending on where you

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want to position yourself in the market, you may be able to increase your prices significantly more than that.

But - if you were to double your prices today and your customers couldn’t see any increase in the value for money they’re receiving, there’s a good chance many of them would leave.

So here are the 10 ‘golden rules’ to follow before you roll out a price increase: 1. Know your value proposition 2. Group your products/services into categories 3. Talk to your salespeople 4. Get feedback from your lost prospects and customers 5. Work out your total estimated profit at each price point 6. Identify ways to educate on value 7. Increase the value you deliver 8. Test the price increase 9. Develop a communications plan 10. Inform customers In summary • Determine where you are positioned in the marketplace • Acceptable price is in direct proportion to perceived value. The better you educate a customer on value the more they are prepared to pay.

• Ensure the letter has a positive feel about it • The more unique the product is the more a customer is prepared to pay • A 10% price increase on a 30% gross profit margin means that you would need to lose 25% of your customers before your profits would be adversely affected.

And by the way, I am not talking about gauging – I am talking about being real with your costs, taking time to review them and really understanding if you need to put your prices up or not.

This is a great exercise to do with your accountant and one that can really help restore gross profit to your business, and ultimately to the bottom line troy.m@adviceco.com.au

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NEWS

Logistics forum visits high-tech manufacturer THE CENTRAL COAST Supply Chain and Logistics Forum held their quarterly meeting at the premises of high-tech manufacturer, 4id Solutions at Wyong in early November, the second since returning following the covid pandemic.

Founded by Bruce and Kath Hegan, 4id Solutions specialises in the innovative manufacture of smart labels and tags using radio frequency identification (RFID) contactless technologies, shipping smart tags and labels to clients around the world.

Applications are unlimited, with supply chain, inventory management, healthcare and logistics companies already reaping the benefits from implementing RFID technology to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and visibility.

The companies rapid growth over the past three years and their passion for investing in research, development, and new technologies to support greater production efficiencies and customer demand has put them at the forefront of the RFID converting industry, particularly as a wholesale converter for local and international industry.”

In a world where precision, efficiency, and following the rules are super important, the event showcased game-changing contactless technologies like RFID, sensors, Bluetooth Low Energy, and Morse Long Range Communication. Innovations that help companies tackle tricky regulations, make their operations smoother, and provide super precise services.

4id Solutions highlighted their skills and

Members of the Central Coast Supply Chain and Logistics Forum being shown through 4id Solutions manufacturing facility solutions, showing how valuable they are to the logistics scene on the Central Coast which was followed by a tour of their manufacturing and research facility.

Thirty-six participants attended and heard presentations by Prof. Neil Weste, the genius behind wireless LAN technology and James Brennan, the design expert from LX Group, both of whom work with 4id Solutions in their product development.

Both speakers spoke about emerging technologies and how the latest technology options will shake up the logistics world.

Prof. Weste is an Australian inventor and engineer who designed a groundbreaking wireless LAN system and authored a famous textbook on VLSI design. He cofounded Radiata Communications and

now leads the charge at Morse Micro in developing a game-changing long-range, high-speed, low-energy Wi-Fi system. He is also a resident of the Central Coast.

James Brennan is Head, New Ventures at LX Group. With an eye for design, his experience from working at Sebel, one of Australia’s manufacturing giants.

An initiative of Rarekind, in conjunction with Central Coast Industry Connect, these Forums bring together like-minded people in associated industries, sharing and resolving common supply chain challenges confronting their businesses, finding practical solutions through group collective experience, and exposing these Challenges to Government and industry Associations for Support.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Star Scientific announces New Mexico as a preferred destination for first U.S. facility

Group Global Chairman of Star Scientific, Andrew Horvath and Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham signing a Letter of Intent establishing Albuquerque, New Mexico as Star Scientific’s preferred initial US location AUSTRALIAN HYDROGEN RESEARCH and development company, Star Scientific Ltd, has announced that it has chosen New Mexico as its preferred location for its first operation in the United States.

Star Scientific formalised the announcement by signing a Letter of Intent with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham at the Sustainable Energy Council’s Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit and Exhibition in Sydney.

Global Group Chairman of Star Scientific, Andrew Horvath, said the company was very excited to begin its journey in the United States, particularly in the State of New Mexico.

“From the very earliest conversations, the officials in New Mexico outlined their longterm commitment to hydrogen and the

benefits of their State for a company such as Star Scientific”, Mr Horvath said.

“We were impressed by their whole-ofgovernment approach to manufacturing, logistics, higher education and research and their vision for the role that hydrogen will play in their future. We were equally impressed that they had holistically planned important human details such as housing for families that will work at our facility, education incentives for their children and lifestyle and leisure infrastructure.

“There is also an infectious ‘can do’ attitude which greatly appeals to we Australians.”

The Letter of Intent commits Star Scientific to an intensive process of plan-

“ NEED TYRES? WE’VE GOT THE COAST COVERED”

Work commences on UON Gosford Campus

Work has commenced on construction of the University of Newcastle’s Gosford Campus at 305 Mann Street, Gosford.

This follows the announcement in early November of the appointment of Hansen Yuncken as the main works contractor to build their new high-tech $63.8 million Campus.

University of Newcastle ViceChancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said, “Our new Central Coast campus will be a state-of-the-art education and training facility that will help close skills gaps, increase educational participation rates, and generate new jobs for people living on the Central Coast.

“We are eager to have activity ramp up in this space, with construction in Mann Street scheduled toward the end of 2023.”

“The landscape has changed since we began planning our new campus and we are committed to delivering the campus our community needs and wants, in line with final designs. We’re incredibly pleased to be on track to welcome our first students in 2025.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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BUSINESS NEWS

Brisbane Water Oyster Festival massive success

Peninsular Chamber of Commerce Event Co-ordinator, Debra Wales at Petersons Hunter Valley champagne stand AFTER A THREE-YEAR absence due to the covid pandemic the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival returned last month with a massive turnout of over 20,000 people.

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Event Co-ordinator Debra Wales, said, “We were absolutely stunned with the community support for our Festival.

It is estimated that over 20,000 people streamed into Lions Park at Woy Woy to enjoy the food, entertainment and art and craft”.

“The Lions Park venue turned out to be a massive success with plenty of room for all the activities and the huge crowd that filled the park and surrounds”, Mrs Wales said.

“The beautiful park on the waterfront was a magnificent setting for the food and wine festival and tasting the famous Sydney Rocks grown locally right here on Central Coast with 3,000 dozen consumed in quick time”.

“We thank Hawkesbury River Shed and Davo’s Seafood for supplying the oysters bearing in mind they had a week closure of the river due to heavy rain. It’s always a ‘mother nature game’ for our local farmers but these two oyster suppliers didn’t let us

down. This is the 23rd year of holding the oyster festival and every year it has grown larger and more successful thanks to support of our local community and all the visitors who come to the event, many for the first time”, Mrs Wales said.

Mrs Wales thanked the event sponsors, Peninsula Plaza, Domain Property Group and The Grand Mann St South Gosford.

“Of course the event would not be possible without our sponsors and we are very grateful for their support”, she said.

Entertainment was provided by Jenifer Green from G’day Hollywood Productions with live on-stage entertainment including country music band ‘Pure Nashville’ and rock band ‘Pub Crawl’.

The forever popular ‘How Many Oysters Can You Eat in 30 Seconds” saw twenty-four contestants line up with the winner consuming 20 oysters.

“The local community should be very proud for supporting this Peninsula event which showcases many local talents such as Glampton Shells who re-cycles oyster shells into beautiful bespoke creations,” Mrs Wales said.

Former Magnolia Capital Group director banned from managing corporations The Australian corporate regulator, ASIC, has disqualified a former Magnolia Capital Group director from managing corporations for a period of 5 years and banned him for a period of 10 years from providing financial services and engaging in credit activities.

Mitchell Atkins of Erina, New South Wales was a director of the Magnolia Capital Group of companies which collapsed in 2022 owing unsecured creditors millions of dollars.

The Magnolia Capital group of companies operated businesses between 2018 and 2022 that provided investors with financial advice and services in relation to secured lending transactions and share investment.

Mr Atkins was a director of all the companies in the Magnolia Capital Group, including 13 companies where a liquidator’s report was lodged with ASIC and identified that the companies were unable to pay their unsecured creditors more than 50 cents in the dollar.

From 19 September 2018 to 7 October 2022, Mr Atkins was an authorised representative of Australian financial services licensee Guildfords Fund Management Pty Ltd (Guildfords).

ASIC’s findings included that Mr Atkins: • failed to act in good faith as a director by putting investor funds at risk, showed a lack of honesty and integrity by creating false documents, co-mingling investor funds and displayed a lack of competence, profesCONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

De Witt surveyors open office in Gosford Being a reputable established business in Newcastle offering surveying, town planning, ecology and project management disciplines, we have been lucky enough to naturally accumulate clients on the Central Coast. Opening an office made sense and will enable us to offer even better service for our clients and also provide value for money. We pride ourselves on quality and a customer service and we hope to gain more clients in the future, and be a part of a really exciting time for the Central Coast,” he said.

Dispute resolution service opens on Coast

de Witt Consulting Central Coast Director, Clayton Colbert One of Newcastle’s leading surveying, town planning, ecology and project management companies, de Witt Consulting has opened an office in Gosford at 134 Erina Street.

Bernie de Witt established in the Hunter over fifty years ago. De Witt Consulting is

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

now based at Charlestown and have offices at Gulgong in Western NSW and Gloucester on the mid-north Coast.

The decision to open an office in Gosford was based on the opportunities they see for growth on the Central Coast as well as providing an improved service to their Central Coast clients.

The Gosford office is headed up by Principal Registered Surveyor and Central Coast Director, Clayton Colbert.

Mr Colbert has been a surveyor for ten years and has been with de Witt for the past five years.

Commenting on the move to the Central Coast, Mr Colbert said, “opening an office in Gosford is an exciting time on the Central Coast with plenty of development happening.

IS YOUR BUSINESS STRUGGLING? Don't put your head in the sand ...

Contact the team at Shaw Gidley for a free consultation www.shawgidley.com.au | (02) 4365 3344

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2023

Lina Nguyen

Dean Wignell

Lina Nguyen and Dean Wignell have established Pactum Dispute Resolution, a service that aims to help end disputes through mediation before they become legal disputes.

Principal Mediator, Lina Nguyen said, “as a lawyer and mediator, I work with all parties in the dispute as an independent person to help bring the case to resolution.

Mr Wignell is Director, Investigations at Pactum bringing over twenty years’ experience in criminal investigations and civil

BUSINESS BRIEFS

applications. He is skilled in intelligence gathering, information analysis and providing high level advice on complex matters including sensitive workplace matters.

Pactum Dispute Resolution is located at Suite 3 14 Pioneer Avenue, Tuggerah Business Park.

Ray White launches Central Coast Commercial office with dynamic team

New owners for Munchas Cafe & Catering Shelley Beach Mike and Jo Pennington have sold Munchas Cafe & Catering business that operates out of the Shelley Beach Surf Club.

Established and fitted out by the Penningtons twelve years ago when Shelly Beach Surf Club was rebuilt, this amazing business has grown to a size that now employs 30+ staff.

The buyer is Dilip Dholiya who has relocated from Sydney with his family to take Ray White Commercial Team: Michael Hanson, Brad Rogers, Jade Bloomfield, Naomi Rogers and Mark Davies over the reins of this iconic business and will retain all the staff. Mr Dholiva has a ket on the Central Coast for over 20 years Commercial real estate agents, RWC - Ray strong connection to the restaurant/caterand with many achievements behind them, White Commercial have opened on the ing industry and he is looking forward to a Brad Rogers and his team have received Central Coast opening a new office at 1 very busy summer. numerous state and national awards across Reliance Drive, Tuggerah Business Park in Graham McMullen of Argyle Estates sales, leasing and property management early December.

Business Brokers who negotiated the sale over many years.

Being one of the largest brands in commented that, the business has a huge Commenting on the move, Ray White Australian real estate, Ray White have long local following, opening at 5.30 am in the Commercial General Manager, James sought to bring their commercial expertise morning and closing in the afternoon Linacre, said, “RWC have been looking for and professionalism to the vibrant and at 4pm. the right team to carry their name for some growing Central Coast market.

The Café has seating for over 70 people time locally and we are very grateful to In a coup for RWC, they have secured a and a large trade in takeaway/menulog have the opportunity to partner up with powerhouse team including Naomi and and a strong catering arm for functions/ such a respected and trusted name in the Brad Rogers, Mark Davies, Jade Bloomfield weddings etc. industry. Having a full offering of products and Michael Hanson.

Mr McMullen said that the enquiry for and services will be extremely beneficial Known as some of the most experienced the business staggering!! and ensure our clients are well looked after. in the commercial real estate mar3H was 180x100 Mar23 Newest Finalest Final people For s 4.pdf 1 21/8/2023 11:18 am

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BUSINESS NEWS

Gosford Erina Business Chamber’s 75 years GOSFORD ERINA BUSINESS Chamber’s 75th Annual General Meeting held in early November saw three new Directors come onto the Board. They are Mel Archer, Mia Van Tubbergh and Peggoty Koszek They replace former President and Director of over 16 years Rod Dever and Petrina Waddel who was also a Director for around the same time as well as Gabbie Bowles who was on the Board for the last three years.

In welcoming the new Directors to the Board, President Peter Lawley OAM said that the Chamber this year would be focussing on progressing its Strategy Plan.

He also acknowledged the retiring Directors and thanked them for their efforts.

In his President’s Report he said: Gosford Erina Business Chamber (GEBC) celebrates its 75th Anniversary in 2023 as the key Business Network and Lobby group in the City of Gosford and surrounding suburbs.

During those 75 years there has been many changes, and I would think that with 18 cranes currently in place in the CBD and surrounding areas, some of the most significant changes are on the cusp of occurring for Gosford, the Capital City of the Central Coast.

The Chamber, during the year actively worked with Council on projects, including the Kibble Park Upgrade, Safer Cities -her way, and Let’s talk Gosford.

Council is to be congratulated on progressing these plans, involving key stakeholders and action occurring because of feedback, particularly in street scape and safety improvements.

Gosford Erina Business Chamber President Peter Lawley OAM As we have highlighted in previous years, the development of Newcastle University at the northern end of Gosford is progressing and this is a most welcome improvement.

GEBC will continue to lobby for the redevelopment of the current TAFE site and former Council Chambers to provide an educational book-end for the CBD. In addition, the opportunity to create affordable housing on the current TAFE is too good an opportunity to be missed.

GEBC is appreciative of the support from all of our sponsors, and within the report details of each sponsor is highlighted. GEBC is entirely self-funded, and relies on the sponsors, memberships and events to fund our operations. The benefit to members is enhanced through our relationship and being part of the larger Business NSW network, with members having access to

Former Magnolia Capital Group director banned from managing corporations CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

sionalism and financial management such that it is in the public interest that he be disqualified from managing corporations; • is not a fit and proper person to provide financial services due to him dealing in financial products without authorisation from Guildfords, making misleading and deceptive representations to investors about their investments and dishonestly retaining investor funds which were due to be repaid to investors; and • is not a fit and proper person to engage in credit activities, including because he failed to undertake training, deal with investor complaints and to respond to requests from Guildfords.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2023

Mr Atkins has the right to apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a review of ASIC’s decisions.

Mr Atkins’ disqualifications and bannings are recorded on ASIC’s banned and disqualified register ASIC’s investigation into the affairs of the Magnolia Capital Group is continuing.

The liquidators of the Magnolia Capital group of companies have reported a deficiency to creditors of between $40-50 million.

On 2 March 2023, Mr Atkins was declared bankrupt.

On June 2023, ASIC obtained an order from the Federal Court of Australia to restrict Mr Atkins from leaving Australia for a period of six months.

(ASIC Media Release)

professional industry information and support.

As President I would like to thank all the Board members who give their time to progress our Vision, and acknowledge the tremendous work Jenny Cusick, Office Co-ordinator does for Gosford Erina Business.

GEBC 2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President - Peter Lawley Vice President – Anna Cruckshank Treasurer – David Evers Directors Edgar Adams Mel Archer Michael Bell Ralf Dahmen Darren Fischer Peggoty Koszek Mia Van Tubbergh

Star Scientific announces New Mexico as a preferred destination for first U.S. facility CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

ning and investigation of a site for a joint research and mass manufacturing facility in the Mesa del Sol district of Albuquerque.

Star Scientific is responsible for developing the award-winning and globally patented HERO® catalyst that chemically catalyses hydrogen and oxygen to rapidly create industrial-scale heat without burning the gases and without generating greenhouse gasses. The only other output is pure water.

“The facility in New Mexico will mirror the facility we will build in Australia, and it will service customers in the United States, Canada and, initially South America.

We will be developing GHG-free process-heat systems for industry and standalone power systems while continuing research on other projects.”

BUSINESS NEWS

State of the Economy: The Underlying Picture MEMBERS WHO ATTENDED the Annual General Meeting of the Gosford Erina Business Chamber heard an overview from Dr Sherman Chan, Chief Economist at Business NSW on the State of the Economy which included the Central Coast regional economy.

The salient points of her talk included: Interest rates Over the last 19 months rates have risen to 4.25%, the steepest interest rate hike in almost 30 years.

Over the period rates dropped from 18% n 1990 to around 5% by 1994 and fluctuated in a range from 5% to 7% through until 2009 when they took a downward trend to zero % from 2021 until 2022.

Inflation CPI monthly series have moved from around 2% pa in September 2018 through to March 2020 and after a drop to 0% in June 2020 took off in June 2021 reaching 8+% in September 2022. Since then the CPI has come down to 5.5% pa.

Latest Inflation has been driven by increases in: Transport (3.25%), Rent (2.25%), Communication ( 2.1%), Insurance (1.4%), Alcohol (1.3%). Food and nonalcoholic beverages have risen by 0.6% over the period.

Business costs on the Central Coast Central Coast businesses say business costs in order of concern are: 1. Insurance costs

Business NSW Chief Economist Dr Sherman Chan 2. Energy costs 3. Wages 4. Supplier costs 5. Taxes, levies and other government charges 6. Transport costs ( including tolls) 7. Rent 8. Loan repayments.

Employment Unemployment on the Central Coast reached a peak of 7.5% in December 2020 and has fallezn through to June 2023 when it bottomed out at 1.2%. In September 2023 it was 2.1%.

Workforce participation nationally and in NSW has been running at around 65% to 66%. However on the Central Coast the

Participation rate over the past two years has averaged around 56%. Female workforce participation is around 51% with Male 61%.

Prospects for FY23-24 A recent Business NSW survey of businesses across the state and including the Central Coast indicated that 24% of all businesses expected the business environment to remain the same throughout FY23-24 compared with 29% of Central Coast businesses.

Significantly, while about 3% of all businesses said they saw the shut down of their business highly likely 10% of Central Coast businesses were more pessimistic.

Compared with the whole State, fewer Central Coast businesses expected any major success in the year.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2023

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C U LT U R A L N E W S

Bouddi Foundation for the Arts Awards $90,000 to Young Artists ACTOR AND DIRECTOR John Bell, Chairman of the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts, presented grant awards to 45 young artists across a wide range of genres at a gala ceremony at Wagstaffe Hall on Sunday 29th October.

This year the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts granted an unprecedented $90,000 to a record number of applicants. The awards presentation was a showcase of the wide variety of talented youngsters here on the Central Coast, including a violinist, a bassoon player, a filmmaker, several visual artists, a tap dancer, a viola player, and several singer-songwriters.

Guest speaker, the legendary film director and producer David Elfick ('Crystal Voyager', 'Newsfront' and 'Rabbit Proof Fence') entertained and inspired the audience with tales of growing up in the Australian film industry. The audience included many generous donors and sponsors who make the Foundation's vital work possible.

Typical of Foundation grant recipients was flautist Elana Sydenham of Gosford – one of six awardees performing at the event. The young flautist had impressed the panel of adjudicators with her technique despite a much-repaired flute that she hoped one day she could afford to replace with a semi-professional instrument.

Through the generosity of Bouddi Foundation donors, the Coles Danziger Foundation, and a supportive flute shop owner, that day came early for Elana. With her new instrument, she amazed all at

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2023

Foundation Chair John Bell and special guest Director and Producer David Elfick share a light moment with 2024 award grantees the ceremony today. Elana said: "My goal is to become a famous, well-known, and respected musician. I would love to travel the globe, touring in a world-class orchestra." The Bouddi Foundation has every confidence in Elana's dream.

This year, The Foundation conducted a record number of interviews and auditions.

Fifty applicants were invited for interviews or auditions, nearly double any previous year. Experienced industry professionals evaluated applicants within their respective fields of expertise across ten Arts categories in September. The $90,000 in grants reinforces the Foundation's dedication to supporting the arts and young talent. The sum

includes new grants in memory of muchloved members of our local community.

As Chairman Bell stressed: "In this time of financial stress and uncertainty, it is more important than ever that we, as a community, get behind our aspiring artists and help them to achieve their goals for the benefit of us all. The Foundation is entirely dependent on the generosity of our donors and supporters." Applications for 2024 grants open in March 2024.

For more information about the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts, its grant programme, and opportunities to donate to its work, visit the Foundation's website, www. bouddiarts.org.au

BUSINESS TIPS

Update on the ‘Loophole Bill’

By Ken Phillips, Executive Director, Self Employed Australia

LAST MONTH IN CCBR I provided readers with an overview of the Albanese government’s new industrial relations Bill, the ‘Loophole Bill.’ It’s promoted as an industrial relations law but in fact it’s the greatest attack against small business Australia has seen since Federation.

The reason it attacks small business is because it performs a legislative trick. It declares that the commercial contract, the contract you use daily to run your business, is to be or treated to be, an employment contract. All those commercial contracts will then be under the control of unions and the Fair Work Commission.

The effect of this will be that if you use a contract cleaner, an IT consultant, a lawyer,

an accountant, plumber, electrician and on and on, you will literally at law become their ‘employer.’ This will happen whether you want it or the other person wants it. It’s a super aggressive attack.

Don’t ask me what motivates the Albanese government to do this, but the wording of the law is pretty clear. Fortunately however the government needs the support of independent senators to pull off this stunt and they are not playing into the government’s agenda at this stage.

The Senators have pushed the Bill off to next year and are holding a Senate inquiry into the Bill. There’s quite a battle going on.

I gave evidence to the Senate committee on 10 November.

But just so you’re aware of what’s happening here’s a summary of events at this stage.

The day before I gave evidence, independent Senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock moved motions in the Senate to extract OHS items from the massive Bill. The amendments were supported by the Libs/ Nats and other independent Senators and passed.

The amendments went to the House of Representatives with the government voting against them. That is, the Albanese gov-

Business Chambers call on State Government to fix broken planning system CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

cations even in these difficult times”, Mr Wales said.

Backing up Mr Wales’s comments Gosford Erina Business Chamber President, Peter Lawley OAM said, “we strongly support the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. There is a recognised shortage of housing, particularly affordable, on the Central Coast, and the current approval process and red-tape around any developments needs to be rectified as a matter of priority.

The NSW Government, through the Dept of Planning and Environment need to work cohesively with Central Coast Council to address this as a matter of high priority”.

Gosford Erina Business Chamber has as part of its strategy, advocating for the improvement to the process of lodging and having approved development applications and we will continue to pursue this.

At the same time Wyong Business Chamber President, Matthew Lusted said, “It is unfortunate that with succes-

sive (or excessive) state government intervention, the current planning system is too cumbersome, the bureaucrats have won.

Many long-term builders and developers have been accused of suffering from ‘early onset nostalgia’ when it comes to remembering better times with simpler planning laws and face to face service from our local council.

“The need for the Central Coast to develop and to contribute to NSW’s growth is paramount.

Unfortunately, the opportunity that our Central Coast Region has to offer has been recognized too late and if we think we are going to experience rapid growth for homes and employment opportunities for our people, a fraction of the like of Western Sydney or Maitland has experienced, we are kidding ourselves.

Our State Government needs reduce itself and at the same time dramatically repeal legislation that impedes economic growth on the Central Coast.

ernment insists on passing the entire Bill as a block using the OHS issues it seems to leverage the passing of the government’s anti-small business agenda.

The Senate Committee is to report on 1 February 2024.

Parliament resumes on 6 February with five sitting weeks from then until May. It’s impossible to tell what will happen, but if the stalemate continues (that is, the independent Senators wanting the amendments and the government refusing to pass them) the Bill could drag on well into next year. That’s speculation.

In my Senate presentation I warned that the Bill will damage competition and result in a concentration of power in the hands of big business. I’ve been asked to further explain my concern for the fate of small business and competition in Australia in relation to the Bill. I’ll provide a summary of this in a future Business Review article.

Be aware of how major this issue is.

There’s a massive amount at stake for every Australian small business. Do yourself a favour. Contact your local member of parliament and senator and let them know that this attack against small business commercial contracts is not on!

ATO warns small business to stop using tax to ‘prop up’ cash flow Small business operators are increasingly using unpaid tax and superannuation liabilities to “prop up” their cash flow, attracting growing scrutiny from the Tax Office, said, ATO Second Commissioner Jeremy Hirschorn at a recent Financial Review CFO Live Summit.

The ATO has seen an increased reliance on unpaid tax and flagged stronger compliance action in 2024.

Mr Hirschhorn said more than twothirds of the Tax Office’s $50 billion in collectable debt is currently owed by small firms.

The tax gap – the estimated difference between what the ATO collects and what it would have collected if every taxpayer fully complied – for small business is 13 per cent, far higher than the 4.2 per cent gap for large companies.

“During the pandemic we took a different audit posture with individuals and small business, chased fewer lodgments and recovered less debt,” he said.

“While we resumed stronger action in late 2021, we have observed a behavCONTINUED ON PAGE 21

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2023

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BUSINESS TIPS

Falling from heights – Courts consider imposing fines which might crush business viability

By Warwick Ryan, Partner, Hicksons Lawyers IN RECENT YEARS, District Court Judges have dramatically increased the penalties that businesses, their staff and owners (officers) face for WHS breaches. Firmly within their sights has been matters of workers falling from heights - and arguably rightfully so.

Despite this, the recent involvement of Hicksons Lawyers in a fall from heights prosecution delivered a verdict that demonstrated that the Courts are not aimlessly imposing crushing fines with the sole purpose of destroying the culprit business.

Rather, subject to the circumstances, the Courts are still willing to exercise their discretion to significantly reduce the penalty imposed.

Reviewing the specifics of this case provides insight for employers about the Court’s current approach.

What happened on the day?

The circumstances involved an all too common fall from height where there were little in the way of protective measures in place.

SafeWork’s reaction A prosecution was commenced by SafeWork NSW (SafeWork) against both the Company (the employing business) and the director of the Company. After a successful negotiation period, charges against the director of the Company were dropped by SafeWork NSW. Despite this, objectively the facts of the case indicated that a sizeable fine was likely unavoidable. The impact of a large fine would be crushing for the defendant as a small business, with the potential to impact future business viability.

A surprise from the Judge Interestingly, in her judgement Her Honour

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2023

exercised her discretion to give considerable weight to the mitigating circumstances.

This resulted in the fine imposed being significantly reduced.

In coming to her decision, her honour provided the following reasons: 1. The defendant is a corporate citizen of good character and has made significant charitable donations, 2. The defendant has good prospects of rehabilitation, 3. The defendant has demonstrated its remorse. The defendant has done this in part by implementing many measures to minimise the risk since the incident, at a significant cost, 4. The defendant co-operated with SafeWork NSW during its investigations.

5. The defendant entered a plea of guilty early, which demonstrates remorse and acceptance of responsibility for the incident Capacity to Pay In exercising her discretion to reduce the penalty, Her Honour also placed considerable weight on the capacity of the business to pay a substantial fine. In doing so, she found that financial statements showed a recent loss, the company had few assets, and a crushing fine would likely put the company into liquidation.

All this was true.

Accordingly, the court imposed the following: 1. The defendant was convicted and fined $400,000.00 for the offence.

2. This was automatically reduced by 25% to reflect the plea of guilty, leaving a fine of $300,000.00.

3. E xercising discretion under s 6 of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW), the fine was further reduced by 50%, for the reasons outlined above.

4. The defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $150,000.00.

Takeaways Following this judgement, it appears there were two persuasive factors in the final decision: 1. F irstly, the defendant took active steps and implemented new safety systems, equipment and training for his employees all at a considerable cost.

Unsurprisingly, the genuine remorse

shown by the defendant, and the actual practical steps taken by the defendant were viewed favourably.

2. Secondly, and arguably more surprisingly within the context of the recent decisions, was the significant weight given to the financial capacity (or lack thereof ) of the defendant and how a fine significant would effectively destroy (or ‘crush’) the company.

It is a timely reminder that the purpose and fundamental duty of the Court is general deterrence. That is, the Court has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to compel attention to WHS issues, so that persons are not exposed to risks to their health and safety at the workplace.

The imposition of crushing fines may be a relevant deterrent – however it is not the only option available. As this decision shows, in the right circumstances, discretion regarding significant fines remains an important consideration for the Court.

Critically, this case again demonstrates that it is more important than ever to be intentional both in preventing risks and managing the aftermath. It is timely that business owners and managers prioritise these issues because maximum penalties for Category 1 WHS offences (offences involving gross negligence or reckless conduct) were recently increased from: - $3,992,492 to $10,424,983 for bodies corporate; - $798,383 to $2,168,029 for officers and individual PCBUs like sole traders; and - $399,479 to $1,041,992 for other individuals.

Those recent changes also double the maximum jail term for these offences from five to 10 years, increase other fines by approximately 40 per cent, and provide the police with the power to enforce compliance and issue penalty notices under WHS laws, Finally, the changes also extend provisions which ban the ability to mitigate business risk though insurance. Specifically.

It prevents insuring against WHS penalties by clarifying that any such contracts (made after June 2020) are void.

As always, some attention to business policies and procedures, along with reviewing workplace practices from time to time is key to protecting your business, workers, and key decision makers.

PROPERT Y NEWS

Battery World Franchiseee buys Peninsula site

Annual rental income is $37,777 gross plus GST resulting in a gross return of 7.8% per annum.

Agent Mark Davies negotiated the sale.

Tuggerah Business Park industrial unit sold

Battery World Erina franchisees Kent and Deanna Carr have acquired a former fish shop site at 44 Memorial Avenue, Blackwall paying $960,000 (GST not applicable) for the high profile site.

Set across two blocks with a com-

SALES Carpet cleaner buys Charmhaven unit

bined area of 2,563 sqm and 33 metre frontage to Memorial Avenue the former fish shop premises have been refurbished to accommodate a Battery World showroom and workshop.

The sale was negotiated off-market

by Agent Brad Rogers.

Entrance paying $485,000 (GST not applicable) Sold in one line the 3 units with a total of 319 sqm plus 100 sqm yard is occupied by a take away food operator on 5 year lease with 2 x 5 year options.

An owner occupier has paid $450,000 plus GST for a 161 sqm industrial unit in the Akura complex at 12 Reliance Drive, Tuggerah Business Park.

The unit is part of a 20-unit complex constructed in 2020 and was sold off the plan for $445,000.

The sale was negotiated by John Meares and Rick O’Toole from DiJones Commercial Central Coast.

Investor buys in Woy Woy Industrial Area A local carpet cleaning company purchased Unit 5, 3 O’Hart Close, Charmhaven paying $865,000 plus GST. The 319 sqm unit with 100 sqm yard is part of a six-unit complex built about 20 years ago.

The unit last traded in 2015 for $561,000 (Source: RPData) Agent Mark Davies negotiated the sale.

Sydney investor buys retail strata units at The Entrance

A Sydney investor has purchased 3 retail strata units at 35-37 Coral Street, The

A local investor has bought a freestanding 280 sqm factory/warehouse building on a 481 sqm site at 25 Alma Avenue, Woy Woy in the tightly held Woy Woy Industrial Area with vacant possession.

Price paid was $955,000 plus GST.

The property is now available for lease at a rental of $53,500 per annum plus Outgoings and GST through DiJones Commercial Central Coast The sale was negotiated by John Meares from DiJones Commercial Central Coast.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2023

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PROPERT Y NEWS

New off-grid commercial building in Erina leased

A recently completed state-of-the art commercial building in the heart of Erina, at 197 The Entrance Road, comprising 4 warehouse units of cross laminated timber

Karen Aubrey Focus Marketing Area Specialist Somersby, West Gosford & the Peninsula

Suite 401/1 Bryant Drive, TUGGERAH NSW 2259 CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2023

construction with internal stairwell and lift, and totally off-grid with solar and battery power has set a new standard for the Erina market and attracted strong interest.

The property comprises: 1 ground floor commercial suite at the front of the building facing The Entrance Rd 265m2 (approx.)

1 first floor commercial suite at the front of the building facing The Entrance Rd (275m2 approx.)

1 warehouse in the middle of the building (515m2 approx) And 2 warehouse units at the rear of the building which have been leased.

Warehouse 2 of 227 sqm has been leased to Central Coast Metal Roofing on a 5 year lease with 5 year option at a rental of $45,000 per annum plus Outgoings and GST. Warehouse 3 of 247 sqm has been leased to Aspect 2 on a 3 year lease at a rental of $46,930 plus Outgoings and GST. Agent Brad Rogers negotiated the leases and commented that enquiry for the front suites have been steady and there have been ongoing negotiations for the large warehouse.

Begin with the No. 1 TOP OFFICE INTERNATIONALLY NUMBER OF SALES 2021 – 2022

Central Coast (02) 4353 7700

87 Mann Street, GOSFORD NSW 2250

PROPERT Y NEWS

LEASINGS Toowoon Bay shop leased Shop 3, 104 Pacific Street, Toowoon Bay has been leased to a indoor plants and coffee shop operator.

Terms of lease for the 93 sqm space are 3 years with 5 year option at a rental of $36,000 per annum plus Outgoings and GST. The lease was negotiated by Ben Purdue from LJ Hooker Commercial Terrigal.

Erina warehouse leased

A distribution business has leased Unit 1, 7 Bonnal Road, Erina, a 530 sqm warehouse comprising mezzanine and ground level offices with air conditioning, kitchenette and amenities plus extensive hard stand parking area.

Terms of lease are 5 years with 5 year option at a rental of $115,000 per annum plus Outgoings and GST. Ben Purdue from LJ Hooker Commercial Terrigal negotiated the lease.

Sign manufacturer leases at North Wyong A sign manufacturer has leased a 166 sqm factory unit at 12 Donaldson Street, Wyong.

Terms of lease are 2 years with 1 year option at a rental of $30,000 per annum including Outgoings plus GST. Tom Bore and Ben Purdue from LJ Hooker Commercial Terrigal negotiated the lease.

Business relocating from Newcastle leases Fountaindale factory unit A Newcastle timber frame and truss business has leased Unit 2, 8 Catamaran Road, Fountaindale.

Terms of lease for the 1,344 sqm older style metal clad building with mezzanine office are 2 years plus 2 year option at a rental of $143,000 per annum Agent Mark Davies negotiated the lease.

Marine services business leases Berkely Vale unit A marine services and repairs business has leased Unit 3 4 Blade Close, Berkeley Vale.

The unit of 162 sqm is part of a metal clad building built about five years ago.

Terms of lease are 2 years plus 2 year option at a rental of $25,150 per annum plus Outgoings and GST.

The lease was negotiated by Robert Bose and Ty Blanch from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast.

Mechanic leases Tuggerah unit on short lease A mechanic has leased Unit 1, 55 Gavenlock Road, Tuggerah.

The 228 sqm unit is part of a 6 unit complex built about 20 years ago..

Terms of lease are 2 years with no option at rental of $29,500 per annum plus Outgoings and GST. The lease was negotiated by Robert Bose and Ty Blanch from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast.

Refrigeration business leases in Tuggerah Business Park M&M Commercial Refrigeration Pty Ltd has leased a 75 sqm factory unit in a recently completed complex at 4 Colony Close, Tuggerah Business Park.

Terms of lease for Unit 19 are 2 years with 2 x 3 year options at a rental of $14,000 per annum plus Outgoings and GST. The lease was negotiated by Robert Bose and Ty Blanch from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast.

Solar company leases in Mariners Building Tuggerah Standout Solar Pty Ltd has leased a 25 sqm office suite in the Mariners Centre of Excellence Building, 1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah.

Terms of lease are 2 years with no option at a rental of $17,000 including Outgoings plus GST. Robert Bose and Ty Blanch from LJ Hooker Commercial Central Coast negotiated the lease.

ATO warns small business to stop using tax to ‘prop up’ cash flow CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

ioural shift as to the priority of paying tax and super. We are concerned with an increased reliance on unpaid tax and unpaid super to prop up the cash flow of some businesses.”

While the ATO seeks to work with business operators to recover tax liabilities, Mr Hirschhorn said officials can report debt information to credit reporting bureaus, where engagement is not forthcoming.

Since July, the ATO has handed over debt information on more than 10,500 businesses with significantly overdue and undisputed tax debts exceeding $100,000.

The ATO’s recent annual report showed the debt book had increased by 89 per cent in the four years to 2023, reaching $50.2 billion at June 30. Net tax collections in 2022-23 were $576.2 billion, up by more than $60 billion, or nearly 12 per cent, over the previous year.

Nearly 1.3 million so-called “client engagement activities” – including tax audits and actions to stop incorrect claims and dodgy deductions – added $7.7 billion.

Small business has consistently beat out large companies and individuals to maintain the largest tax gap. Mr Hirschhorn blames key drivers including dishonest operators in the cash economy, and a minority who make honest errors.

MORE THAN JUST PROPERTY CELEBRATING 140 YEARS

Gosford | East Gosford | Commercial Central Coast - 4324 7744

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2023

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FUNNY BUSINESS

him to open the vault.

He threatened the manager by saying, “If you try to do anything smart, you’re fiction.”

The manager was confused and asked him, “Don’t you mean ‘You are history’?”

The robber angrily replied back, “Don’t change the subject, okay?”

I was visiting the house of a distant cousin when I saw that he was playing chess with his cat.

I said that it had to be the most intelligent cat ever.

My cousin replied, “Absolutely not! She has lost all her matches!”

For a high school dance, the head boy asked out one of the girls he liked from class.

To get flowers for her, he had to stand in a line outside the florist for an hour. To make things worse, he had to wait another hour in a line outside the tuxedo shop.

Finally, he gets to the dance with the girl.

She wanted to have some apple punch so the boy went to get it, but to his surprise, there was no punch line.

A FAMILY WAS having dinner when the youngest boy asked his father whether worms tasted nice when we eat them.

Both the parents reprimanded the little boy and told him that these things shouldn’t be discussed over the dinner table.

When the father asked the boy after dinner why he had asked such a question, he replied, “Papa, I think worms taste okay because there was one in your noodles.”

“As a group of robbers entered the bank, their leader went to the manager and asked

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There was an elderly couple who noticed that they were getting a lot more forgetful, so they decided to go to the doctor.

The doctor told them that they should start writing things down so they don’t forget.

They went home and the old lady told her husband to get her a bowl of ice cream.

“You might want to write it down,” she said.

The husband said, “No, I can remember that you want a bowl of ice cream.”

FUNNY BUSINESS

She then told her husband she wanted a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream.

“Write it down,” she told him. Again he said, “No, no, I can remember: you want a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream.”

Then the old lady said she wants a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

“Write it down,” she told her husband.

Again he said, “No, I got it. You want a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream and a cherry on top.”

So he goes to get the ice cream and spends an unusually long time in the kitchen, over 30 minutes. He comes out to his wife and hands her a plate of eggs and bacon.

The wife stares at the plate for a moment, then looks at her husband and asks, “Where’s the toast?”

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!”

Quote of the month “Clients do not come first, EMPLOYEES come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.”

Sir Richard Branson

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