CCBR 2018 Yearbook

2018 YEAR BOOK

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THE YEAR IN REVIEW Minister delivers on plan to revitalise Gosford Unprecedented government infrastructure funding Nexus expands Business Hub Cranes highlight confidence in Gosford Business investment creating employment NRMA’s interest in ferry services to Central Coast

INCORPORATING THE CENTRAL COAST ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BUSINESS 2018-19

• Background information on Business Centres and Industrial Areas • Demographic information – Population by Suburb, Age Profiles, Personal Income and Housing Affordability,

government contacts, Education Qualifications, Industry Associations Workforce employment • Manufacturers Directory – by industry A comprehensive list of local • Number of Businesses Manufacturers, what they • Contacts – Local Government, produce or their capability State and Federal Members • Business Services Directory of Parliament, Other

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CON T EN TS

Read ersh ip

20,00 0 5 Edgar Adams’ Editorial 6 Minister delivers on plan to revitalise Gosford 7 Landmark planning controls for Gosford’s future 9 Murphy takes the reigns at Council 10 Progress for Central Coast Regional Plan 11 Unprecedented government infrastructure funding 13 Nexus expands Business Hub 14 Cranes highlight confidence in Gosford 17 Food Innovation Region initiative established 18 Old Sydney Town sold 18 Work starts on Intercity Fleet Maintenance Facility 19 University of Newcastle – driving local initiatives that have global impact

2018-19

Contact

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20 Healthecare invests $44 million 20 Stevens Group completes Mingara Medical Centre development 21 Gosford RSL’s vision for West Gosford 22 Manufacturing not dead on the Central Coast 22 CSR puts HEBEL Somersby on the world stage 23 Grammar’s investment in next generation learning 24 Business investment creating employment 24 Lexus dealership opens 25 Crowds flock to The Chocolate Factory 26 Caddy Storage opens Berkeley Vale facility 26 Software developer expands 27 NRMA’s interest in ferry services to Central Coast

29 THE CENTRAL COAST ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BUSINESS

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 Advertising enquiries: Edgar Adams 4367 0733 © Adams Business Publications 1994.

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

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

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EDITORIAL

WELCOME TO THE CCBR 2018 YEAR BOOK – The Year in Review highlighting the major stories of the year as they relate to business and the economy on the Central Coast.

Investment in the region continues to gather pace, particularly in Gosford which is now listed on the national Crane Index with 16 cranes dotting the skyline. Private investment is at an all-time high.

Undoubtedly the most significant event of the year was the announcement in March by the Minister for Planning and Housing Anthony Roberts that he would adopt the recommendations of the Government Architect in respect to the Revitalisation of Gosford City.

This would be backed up with specific planning controls bypassing Central Coast Council and giving property developers and investors certainty with all projects over $10 million dollars. At the same time the Minister announced funding of $52 million for underground infrastructure works in Gosford City and the appointment of a CEO to undertake the Revitalisation of Gosford project.

Across the Central Coast government investment in the region over the past five years has never been higher with public works that start with the $360 million redevelopment of Gosford Hospital and go on to include a $200 million Intercity Train Maintenance Facility at Kangy Angy

plus numerous road projects, an extensive school renewal programme including brand new schools and new and refurbished ambulance stations and police stations.

Never in the last 50 years has the Central Coast seen such government investment.

Private sector investment in the region, particularly in respect to residential development, is also at an all-time high lead by the John Singleton Group, Tony Denny’s Central Real organisation and Sydney construction company Pinnacle Constructions which has now shifted its focus to Gosford.

These three are leading the way giving confidence to others to invest in the region.

All of this is giving business across a range of sectors a reason to invest.

In July this year we welcomed Gary Murphy who has taken over as the first CEO of the new Central Coast Council. Mr Murphy has a mammoth task reshaping the amalgamated council, the third largest in NSW, to make it a preferred place for business to invest and employ people. However, we at CCBR believe he has the credentials to achieve this and build the economy.

The Central Coast Ultimate Guide to Business has again been incorporated into the Year Book.

This publication provides an up to date in depth background into the business economy of the region.

It explains the economic dynamics of the major town centres across the Central Coast and the types of businesses in each, where the industrial areas are and the companies located in each.

The section on Demographics is a must read for every businessperson trying to understand the regional marketplace. In particular the population and profile of all 108 suburbs.

There is also a section that gives up to date contact details of Members of Parliament, Councillors and Council officers as well as business organisations.

CCBR has the most comprehensive list of Central Coast manufacturers and what they make.

The Central Coast Ultimate Guide to Business is truly the ultimate business reference publication available.

As we go into CCBR’s 30th year of publication we thank all those who have supported us over that time and those who continue to do so.

It is important that the region has a strong voice for business and we are proud to be that voice.

Edgar Adams Editor

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MA JOR STORIES

Minister delivers on plan to revitalise Gosford City

Gosford City Centre with Gosford Hospital in foreground EARLY APRIL 2018 saw Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts in Gosford to announce the first recommendations for the complete revitalisation of the Gosford City Centre as the capital city of the Central Coast with a focus on Kibble Park and surrounds.

“Gosford City Centre will become a significant hub which will greatly improve the city’s commercial, retail and cultural life,” he said.

Mr Roberts also announced funding of $42 million for underground infrastructure (sewerage, water and drainage) and $10 million to upgrade Kibble Park and Leagues Club Park.

The plan for Gosford was set out in the first of a series of Government Architect recommendations for the revitalisation of the city’s centre and were released for public exhibition by the Minister.

“As the civic heart of Gosford City Centre, it is entirely appropriate that our first focus is on Kibble Park. Enhancing Kibble Park and its surrounds is critical to improving the city’s connectivity and drawing people back into a desirable, attractive and functional city centre,” said Minister Roberts.

Subsequently, two further reports were released to focus on complementing the corridor between Gosford Hospital to the train station in the north and the Waterfront precinct in the south.

Mr Roberts also announced the appointment of Michael Cassel, the man who has driven the revitalisation of Newcastle, to take charge of the revitalisation of Gosford City.

“I am confident that the efforts and plans of the NSW Government will enhance CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW YEARBOOK 2018

Gosford, making it a most desirable place to live, work and visit,” Mr Roberts said.

Commenting on the plans NSW Government Architect, Peter Poulet, said: “It is crucial that the first stage of the project to revitalise Gosford City Centre concentrates on its very heart as the region’s capital. Our focus is to enhance Kibble Park to create a significant area for people to gather and celebrate – a centre that is both a green space and a place of civic and commercial activity in the heart of the city.”

Urban Design Implementation Framework An Urban Design Implementation Framework (UDIF) has been put in place to ensure a mechanism that will deliver the Revitalisation of Gosford. It will focus on the realistic implementation and delivery of the Urban Design Framework that outlines the design strategies for a Gosford of the future.

the Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation, under the leadership of Michael Cassel, has been tasked to identify development opportunities to drive economic growth in the region.

Commenting on Mr Cassel’s appointment Mr Roberts said that Michael Cassel is a ‘mover and shaker’ who, in his current role as CEO of Hunter Development Corporation, has been instrumental in leading change and transforming Newcastle into a vibrant, dynamic and thriving hub of the Hunter Region.

Mr Cassel will be working with Coordinator General for the Central Coast Lee Shearer, Central Coast Council and many other stakeholders to help bring the bold vision for the region and its capital to life.

City of Gosford Design Advisory Panel To provide design guidance for major projects the government has established the City of Gosford Design Advisory Panel made up of high calibre planning and design minds to ensure design excellence.

The Panel will comprise NSW Government Architect Peter Poulet as chair, Coordinator General for the Central Coast Lee Shearer as co-chair, NSW Chief Planner Gary White and two additional panel members drawn from an established group of practitioners.

Identifying development opportunities While the Department of Planning and Environment is coordinating the delivery of the Plan to revitalise Gosford City Centre,

Gosford CIty Centre SEPP Boundary

MA JOR STORIES

Landmark planning controls to progress Gosford’s future WEDNESDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2018 will go down as a date in history for Gosford with the Minister for Planning and Housing Anthony Roberts addressing the Gosford / Erina Chamber of Commerce and announcing that a suite of new planning controls had been put in place to ensure the future of the City of Gosford.

Over 220 business leaders turned up to hear what was in fact a historical occasion as never before had such a far reaching announcement been made in respect to the future of Gosford.

Following more than a year of consultations the Minister said that the NSW Government had listened to the Central Coast community’s comments and ideas and incorporated them in a final series of measures that will pave the way for the Gosford of the future.

“People had different views on how it should be achieved but the message was loud and clear on one thing: revitalisation of Gosford needs to happen and it needs to happen now,” Mr Roberts said.

“Today we are putting in place the framework to drive further investment, attract new residents, business, tourists, cultural activity and jobs to Gosford,” he said.

“We have addressed many of the issues raised by community stakeholders and we want these same stakeholders to be involved in the delivery of the revitalisation plans.”

“This suite of new planning controls will enable the city to fulfil its destiny as the vibrant and thriving capital of the Central Coast.”

The place–based approach recommends focus on the delivery of attractive public places and the activation of these spaces as well as connectivity between the three core areas of Gosford City Centre.

City North focuses on connecting the greatly expanded Gosford Hospital to the city across the rail corridor, to spread the benefits of the $400m investment into the development of the health and education precinct.

City South makes stronger links between the city and the waterfront parklands to draw together locals, land, culture, history and recreation in a beautiful parkland destination and Civic Heart – Kibble Park and surrounds, links the City North to the City South.

Gosford City Centre SEPP, DCP and Special Infrastructure Contribution The Gosford City Centre State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), Development Control Plan (DCP) and Special Infrastructure Contribution (SIC) will ensure a design–led, streamlined, flexible and efficient development for Gosford City Centre.

Minister for Planning and Housing Anthony Roberts MP addressing the October 2018 meeting of the Gosford Erina Chamber of Commerce The Special Infrastructure Contribution will collect contributions for infrastructure that supports growth as the revitalisation program continues to roll out, reducing the overall contributions from 4 per cent to 3 per cent of the cost of development, with 1 per cent to go to a new local contributions plan.

“The SIC incentivises development in Gosford and reflects the Government’s $52 million commitment to upgrade vital water and sewer infrastructure and public domain in the city centre,” Mr Roberts said.

The SEPP will remain a stand-alone state policy until Central Coast Council completes its comprehensive Local Environmental Plan (LEP).

“The development controls are streamlined, flexible and efficient to optimise the right kind of development and investment in the core of the city centre.”

The DCP covers the entire city centre, with the new controls focusing on its core to align with the Government Architect’s place-based recommendations that the community fed back on earlier in the year.

This Gosford City area comprises: • City North - the expanded Gosford Hospital site west of the railway line and links to the city across the train station to Mann Street, • The Civic Heart - Kibble Park and surrounds, •C ity South - The waterfront parklands, including Gosford City Park, Leagues Club Field and Central Coast Stadium.

The draft DCP also includes controls for residential and business areas to the north, west and south of the City Centre and

includes measures to cater for specific types of development in these areas.

The controls for these areas and matters such as advertising notification and heritage, largely replicate what is in the existing development control plan.

The transition from planning to implementation “As Gosford City Centre’s revitalisation transitions from planning to implementation, Mr Cassel today takes the baton from Coordinator General for the Central Coast Lee Shearer who has done a brilliant job bringing all stakeholders around the table to pave the way for the future Gosford,” Mr Roberts said.

“When it comes to urban renewal and seizing opportunities to drive economic growth in cities, there is no one better than Mr Cassel.”

Ms Shearer will now focus on the continued delivery of the many other priority projects of the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 (Regional Plan) – the Government’s blueprint to deliver environmentally sustainable jobs, housing and connected communities on the Central Coast.

Revitalisation of Gosford City Centre as the regional capital of a healthy, prosperous and connected Central Coast, is a key Ministerial priority of the Regional Plan.

Coordinator General for the Central Coast Lee Shearer called the DCP “a blueprint to ensure design excellence is at the heart of Gosford City Centre’s revitalisation”. “The DCP prescribes how the balance will be struck between quality development and environmental outcomes of a city finally fulfilling its destiny as a regional capital and a great place to live, work, visit and do business.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW YEARBOOK 2018

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MA JOR STORIES

Murphy takes the reigns at Council CENTRAL COAST COUNCIL appointed Gary Murphy Chief Executive Officer for a five year term commencing on 2nd July 2018.

Mr Murphy is the first CEO of Central Coast Council following the election of councillors in September last year.

Mr Murphy has thirty years’ experience in local government most recently with Lismore City Council where he was General Manager for almost seven years. He started his career as a Graduate Engineer then Senior Engineer with Pietermaritzburg Municipality in South Africa subsequently moving to New Zealand where he was Chief Executive of Buller District Council.

Within a month of him taking over control of the third largest council in NSW Mr Murphy addressed the August meeting of the Gosford Erina Chamber of Commerce drawing the largest ever attendance with over 140 business leaders.

Dimensions of Central Coast Council Emphasising the size of the Central Coast Council area Mr Murphy used a snapshot slide presentation showing that this Council is the 3rd largest in NSW by population, largest by revenue and 6th largest by revenue in Australia.

“We are a significant player and deserve to be treated as such by all levels of government,” he said.

“We are no longer a country town, we are influential and we need to recognise that and capitalise on it. We deserve and must demand a seat at the table when decisions are made that affect us.”

Mr Murphy said that with the Regional Leadership Group that comprises the Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Scot MacDonald, the Coordinator General Lee Shearer, Department of Premier and Cabinet, RMS, Health and Transport for NSW, all relevant agencies are working constructively and positively together for the future development of the region.

Central Coast Council CEO Gary Murphy What are the challenges we face?

Mr Murphy said that with youth unemployment at around 18%, more than 25% of the workforce having to travel, mostly to Sydney, each day and 48% of the community with no qualifications this perfect storm is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.

What are the opportunities?

“We have employment land available but much of this is unserviced and constrained by various factors. It is an issue that we have to address,” he said.

On a positive note Mr Murphy referred the amount of construction underway in Gosford. “For the first time the Central Coast will be included in the Crane Index which is a tangible indicator of economic activity. I can count 10 cranes from my office in Gosford,” he said.

Funding opportunity of a lifetime Funding is available in particular from the Snowy Hydro Fund that will see potentially hundreds of millions of dollars heading our way to provide enabling infrastructure to unlock development and job creation. “We are on the cusp of a once in a generation funding opportunity and we must seize it and use it smartly and strategically,” he said.

Exciting time for the Central Coast Speaking to CCBR after five months in the job Mr Murphy said, “This is an exciting time to be on the Central Coast. I believe it is about to pop! Why? Because of the Passion of the people, the Opportunity being presented of a once in a generation avalanche of funding and the huge Potential we have.

For the first time, the Central Coast has made it onto the RLB crane index and we have more cranes than Newcastle, Sunshine Coast and Adelaide. We must recognise this potential and seize the opportunity for the Central Coast to take its rightful place not just in NSW but Australia as the best region to create a business and craft a fantastic lifestyle.”

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MA JOR STORIES

Progress for the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036

Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 showing north and south growth corridors THE CENTRAL COAST Regional Growth Plan 2036 was announced in October 2016 by then Minister for Planning Rob Stokes.

Primarily this plan lays out a path for the population of the region to grow by 75,500 people in the next twenty years, the creation of 24,674 jobs and the building of 41,500 new dwellings.

The Plan identifies two Growth Corridors for the region: • Southern Growth Corridor - Somersby to Erina This Corridor takes in a Somersby Regional Gateway centred on the M1 Somersby Exit and Somersby Business Park then east to West Gosford Industrial Zone, Gosford as the Regional City Centre including Gosford Hospital Precinct and Erina which is identified as a Strategic Centre.

• Northern Growth Corridor – Warnervale to Tuggerah This Corridor takes in Wyong Employment Zone centred on the M1 Warnervale Exit and includes the Bushells Ridge Industrial Zone, Warnervale Town Centre and adjacent new land releases along with new land releases around East Wadalba with Wyong Hospital Precinct servicing the area. Wyong Town Centre will expand on its civic, administrative, residential, commercial and cultural roles, capitalising on its riverfront location while Tuggerah will continue to function as a regionally significant employment area.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW YEARBOOK 2018

In April 2017, Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts, announced the appointment of Lee Shearer APM as Central Coast Coordinator General, to oversee the implementation of the Growth Plan and the revitalisation of Gosford.

In October 2018 the Minister announced landmark planning controls for the City of Gosford and its Revitalisation.

Planning measures to assist development of Aboriginal land on Central Coast In mid-November the NSW Government released a set of planning measures to assist the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (Darkinjung) achieve better economic outcomes from its land on the Central Coast.

The Central Coast community has been invited to have its say on the Darkinjung Delivery Framework (DDF) Consultation Paper that proposes eight inter-related actions to help Darkinjung overcome hurdles to develop its land.

Coordinator General for the Central Coast, Lee Shearer, said the series of planning measures are leading the way in their breadth, depth and ambition to bring about positive outcomes for Aboriginal people that will benefit the entire Central Coast region.

“This work implements a key Direction of the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 (Regional Plan) - to strengthen the eco-

nomic self-determination of Aboriginal communities,” Ms Shearer said.

“The Regional Plan recognises that encouraging Aboriginal people to gain economic benefit from their land will support broader regional development, environmental and social outcomes,” she said.

“The suite of proposed measures released today aim to go some way to fix that disconnect for the benefit of Aboriginal communities on the Central Coast,” Ms Shearer said.

“We have worked closely with Darkinjung to develop the Delivery Framework. This is a test case that could potentially be rolled out to Aboriginal Land Councils all over the state.

“Darkinjung is the largest non-Government landowner on the Central Coast which makes them an ideal pilot.”

The DDF Consultation Paper’s actions involve education, collaboration, revised processes and legal change.

Key proposed measures include: • The Darkinjung Development Delivery Plan (DDDP) – a strategic plan to recognise the development pipeline for Darkinjung land; • A State Environmental Planning Policy to legally recognise the DDDP; • A Ministerial Direction to link the DDDP to the planning proposal process; • A Memorandum of Understanding between the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, Darkinjung and potentially Central Coast Council;

MA JOR STORIES

Unprecedented Government infrastructure funding THE LAST FIVE years has been a remarkable time for the Central Coast with both State and Federal Governments recognising that the region had been starved of significant funding for over thirty years.

In the space of the last five years well over a billion dollars has been funneled into projects aimed at encouraging the private sector to come in and back up this investment.

Roads Across the Central Coast over $650 million has been put into upgrading the major roads including: Central Coast Highway at West Gosford and Erina Heights to Wamberal, major intersections on Wyong Road at Tuggerah, Berkeley Vale and Tumbi Umbi and the widening of the Pacific Highway at Ourimbah.

As well, the widening of the M1 Pacific Motorway between Somersby and Warnervale at a cost of almost $400 million and the opening of NorthConnex, a 9-kilometre tunnel link to the M2 Hills Motorway at Wahroonga will have significant economic flow on effects for the region.

Hospitals In June 2018 the Premier of NSW Gladys Berejiklian opened the new $348 million 11-storey world-class Gosford Hospital.

A new 800-space car park is currently under construction and will open in early 2019.

When completed a Central Coast Medical School and Medical Research institute will be built on top of the car park. (See later).

Gosford Hospital precinct In January 2017 the State Government announced the $200 million redevelopment of Wyong Hospital and started work on a 500-space car park in January 2018 and the first stage of the redevelopment.

Central Coast Medical School and Medical Research Institute The University of Newcastle in Partnership with Central Coast Local Health District is establishing the Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute at a cost of $72.5 million to be located adjacent to Gosford Hospital on top of the hospital’s car park currently under construction.

Funding for the project will come from the Federal Government $32.5 million,

State Government $20 million and $20 million from the University of Newcastle.

Construction will start in 2019 and be completed in 2020.

Intercity Fleet train maintenance facility May 2018 saw construction commence on the new Intercity Fleet train maintenance facility at Kangy Angy.

The $300 million project being built by the John Holland Group for Transport NSW will service a fleet of more than 500 train carriages once in full service.

The project is employing around 300 people and when completed and in operation will employ some 200 staff including tradespeople and apprentices.

The facility is set to open in 2020.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW YEARBOOK 2018

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Artist’s impression of Merindah Apartments, Gosford

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MA JOR STORIES

Nexus expands Business Hub DURING THE YEAR Henry Kendall Group expanded the Nexus Business Hub in the Golflinks Commercial Campus at Wyong relocating the Nexus Smart Hub to an adjacent building allowing web hosting company Servers Australia to move their headquarters into the same building as the Central Coast Data Centre facility.

The move gave Servers Australia the capacity to provide dedicated computing hardware, Virtual Private Servers and Cloud Hosting services at the leading edge of the Cloud Computing wave. The business now employs over 50 team members, all focused on supporting the rapid adoption of Cloud by Small to Medium Enterprises.

A refurbished architecturally designed Nexus Smart Hub is now located on the 1st Floor across an area of 750 sqm and comprises 20 locked offices in a range of different sizes, fully furnished ready to move in. 70 hot desking and permanent work stations, break-out spaces, phone booths and fully provisioned kitchen facilities.

Commenting on Servers Australia’s move Henry Kendall Group Managing Director Damien Wilde said, “We are thrilled that Servers Australia have chosen to locate their corporate HQ at Golflinks Commercial Campus. They are a welcome addition to the ecosystem of new economy businesses attracted to this site because of the ICT infrastructure.

There is really nothing else on the Central Coast that compares to what Servers Australia Founder and Managing Director, Jared Hirst has created here. The company

Nexus Business Hub showing Servers Australia’s headquarters (left) and Nexus Smart Hub building (right) now has a fully integrated solution with their state of the art secure data centre and A grade office located within the same building. It’s very unique.”

The ground floor area which was completed last year comprises of twelve large office spaces, all which are leased, as well as kitchen, events space, boardrooms and meeting rooms, members’ gym and a reception foyer. On the 1st Floor across

an area of 750 sqm the architecturally designed Smart Hub comprises 20 locked offices of 3 metres x 3 metres with desk and chairs 70 work stations, break-out spaces, phone booths and fully provisioned kitchen facilities.

Nexus has super-fast internet connectivity being co-located with an onsite data centre that provides the fastest fibre connectivity on the Central Coast.

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MA JOR STORIES

Cranes highlight confidence in Gosford AS 2018 COMES to a close there are sixteen cranes dotting the Gosford skyline and the Central Coast has made it onto the RLB National Crane Index. This index is a measure of investment confidence in cities nationally and internationally.

Gosford City is undergoing a transformation as government and private investment flows in and the promise of more to come as the State Government’s Gosford Revitalisation plan is implemented.

St Hilliers, one of Australia’s leading private, integrated property and construction groups acquired the former Gosford Primary School site of 1.13 hectares overlooking Brisbane Water in 2016 and is completing a 7-level commercial building on the site for the Department of Financial Services.

StHilliers has plans for a residential and hotel development on the remainder of the site.

Meanwhile the new $348 million 11-storey Gosford Hospital was opened in June 2018.

A new 800-space car park adjacent to the hospital is currently under construction and will open in early 2019.

Residential developments Currently there are around 700 residential apartments under construction in Gosford with an estimated further 250 to commence construction in 2019.

John Singleton Group In the City Centre the John Singleton Group’s Bonython Tower development is close to completion.

John Singleton Group will start construction of Ravello on the Gosford Waterfront in early 2019 This 12 level landmark development with 56 luxury apartments plus 1,360 sqm of commercial office space on levels 2 and 3 and ground floor restaurant is evidence of Mr Singleton’s faith in the future of Gosford.

Late 2018 saw the John Singleton Group announce that construction of Ravello, a 9-level development with 45 luxury residents on the Gosford Waterfront, would commence early in 2019.

During 2018 Mr Singleton completed the building of a new restaurant on the Pacific Highway at Mt White near Gosford. Saddles Restaurant and Bakehouse and adjacent wholesale nursery is built on a 10 hectare site and represents an investment of more than $5 million.

John Singleton Group’s Bonython Tower in Gosford, nearing completion

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MA JOR STORIES

Businessman Tony Denny who owns the Gosford Classic Car Museum and founded the property development company Central Real presently has seven residential projects underway in Gosford and Terrigal.

Central Real accounts for five cranes in Gosford and two in Terrigal.

Central Real’s projects include: • MARINA – Lynne Ave, Point Frederick 29 apartments – 6 levels Completion early 2019 • VUE - Kendall Street, Gosford 54 apartments – 8 levels Completion early 2019 • ICON – Kendall Street, Gosford 47 apartments – 8 levels Completion mid-2019 • SCENIC – Donnison Street West, Gosford 33 apartments – 6 levels Completion early 2019 • AQUA – St George St. West Gosford 60 apartments – 8 levels Completion – end 2019 • PENINSULA – Albany St. Point Frederick 100 prestige apartments across 3 buildings Construction to start February 2019 • ELYSIUM – 156-160 Terrigal Drive Terrigal 64 Apartments – 6 Buildings Completion end 2019 Pinnacle Constructions Sydney builder and property developer Pinnacle Construction Group has started construction on Merindah a 140 apartment development over 15 levels with three levels of basement car parking and featuring a podium garden with fantastic water views

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An aerial view (taken November 2018) of Central Real’s Kendall St. Gosford projects showing VUE in foreground and ICON

Merindah Apartments now under construction by Pinnacle Construction Group

for the use of residents at 21-23 Mann Street, Gosford.

Meanwhile, over the past year Pinnacle Constructions has added two high profile Gosford properties to its portfolio of development sites that will give it a pipeline of over $500 million worth work for the next five years.

Pinnacle Founder and Managing Director, Joe Bechara said that Gosford offers some of the best water views and lifestyle opportunities in the state and the State Government now backing its revitalisation the city’s future is ensured. “This has given us the confidence to invest and make the Coast our future,� said Mr Bechara.

Mr Bechara’s buying spree has netted him some of the most talked about properties in Gosford.

in June. Marketing of the project to be named Sapphire will commence in early 2019 with construction planned to start around the end of the year. .

Mr Bechara said, “we are genuinely excited and committed to this development.�

Henry Parry Drive, Gosford.

Pinnacle acquired a 2,000 sqm site with Development Approval for 100 apartments

John Whiteway Drive, Gosford This property is right on the top of the hill overlooking all of Brisbane Water and Gosford and comprises some 9,500 sqm.

It was acquired with a current DA for 180 units. Pinnacle has lodged a new DA with a number of design improvements.

A number of other development projects around Gosford are also under construction.

Vicinity a 24 unit luxury boutique development at 46 Albany Street, Point Frederick is one which has attracted high profile investors like former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke who is part of a private equity group financing the project.

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Food Innovation Region initiative established THE YEAR 2018 has turned out to be a promising one for the future of the Central Coast’s food and agribusiness industry.

In February a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Central Coast NSW, and Central Coast Industry Connect (CCIC) was established to build the Coast’s reputation as an internationally renowned centre of excellence in food innovation with the signing in February of a Memorandum of Understanding by representatives of the three organisations.

In April the Central Coast Food Innovation Initiative was launched at a Food Futures Industry forum where the opportunities for collaboration and growth were explored. Subsequently, In June Central Coast industry Connect (CCIC) were successful in securing $393,000 of match funding over three years, to set up a Central Coast Food Cluster, to help build the regions capacity in the Food and Agribusiness sector bringing together industry, government and researchers. The inaugural meeting of the Cluster’s Steering Committee was held in October with 15 people representing industry, government and researchers.

Together with this, CCIC are a signatory to the Fight Food Waste CRC (Cooperative Research Centre) which was announced in April, the largest national collaboration globally, fighting food waste. The focus of CCIC’s involvement is to gain learnings from the CRC’s national and International work and bring them to the region’s food businesses.

Commenting on the Central Coast Food Innovation Region Initiative, Central Coast Industry Connect Executive Officer, Frank Sammut, said, “International research has shown that innovating the food value chain is integral to enhancing regional economic development. The overarching objective of this initiative is to grow jobs, build regional business competitiveness and encourage national and international trade through a united vision, unprecedented collaboration, innovation, education and research,” he said.

A critical mass of food producers The Central Coast has around forty established food processors and manufacturers plus a substantial number of primary producers that include chicken growers and vegetable and fruit growers.

Among the leading manufacturers are Mars Food, Sanitarium, McCain’s, Cordina Chickens, Agrana Fruit and Chickadee.

Smaller but equally important are East Coast Beverages, Herbies Spices Nougat Limar, Steinbok and Six Strings Brewery.

Food and beverage manufacturing contributes $1,076 billion (2015/16) annually to the regional economy while agriculture contributes over $280 million.

Over 4,200 people are employed across these sectors.

Central Coast Food Innovation Region Initiative - Strategic Initiatives: 1. Develop a Food Innovation Centre at the Ourimbah Campus of the University of Newcastle

Phil Walker Chairman, RDA Central Coast looks on as Prof Kevin Hall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), University of Newcastle, John Mouland, CEO RDA Central Coast and Frank Sammut, Executive Officer, Central Coast Industry Connect sign the Memorandum of Understanding at the Central Coast Campus on 2nd February 2018.

2. Launch business development attraction projects including Supply Chain partnerships, attract new business and R&D capability, create food related tourism and hospitality ventures, 3. Enhance Research and Development capability creating a university led “Research Centre of Excellence” at the Ourimbah Campus, 4. Focus on skills and education. Develop education and training courses to attract national and international students.

5. Creation of the Central Coast as a Food Destination.

6. Improve regional health outcomes.

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MA JOR STORIES

Old Sydney Town sold

ONE OF THE highest profile properties on the Central Coast sold in 2018.

Richard Chiu, the Paris based owner of the former Old Sydney Town property at Somersby put it on the market through agents CBRE with Expressions of Interest closing Thursday 15th March 2018.

The property sold to Chinese interests for a reported $22 million. The sale included a long term lease to the Australian Reptile Park.

The property at 945 Old Pacific Highway Somersby consists of five adjoining parcels totalling 120.14 Ha which includes the former Old Sydney Town site and the Australian Reptile Park zoned E4 – Environmental Living and E2 – Environmental Conservation.

The Australian Reptile Park is on a 5.4 Ha site with entry from Myoora Road, Somersby and is leased for 70 years from 1997 at a current rental of $94,000 p.a.

Work starts on Intercity Fleet Maintenance Facility

Image Intercity Fleet Maintenance Facility May 2018 saw Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Scot MacDonald, turn the first sod marking the start of major construction on the new Intercity Fleet Maintenance Facility at Kangy Angy.

When complete this facility will service and maintain more than 500 train carriages that will be part of the new Intercity Fleet.

The new fleet will service travellers to and from the Central Coast, Newcastle, Blue Mountains and South Coast.

The $300 million investment in the Kangy Angy Facility is expected to create 300 positions during construction, and 200 positions when in operation. “Once built, the operation of the facility will include ongoing apprenticeships, internships, local

workforce hire and work experience placements via engagements with local universities, TAFEs and other colleges,” said Mr MacDonald.

Kangy Angy will be the primary location for the maintenance of the new Intercity Fleet and is set to open its doors in 2020. “Construction of the facility will include about six kilometres of electrified rail lines, offices, ancillary buildings, amenities and staff parking. An access road for local residents, via a new bridge, will connect Enterprise Drive to Orchard Road.

John Holland Group were awarded the detailed design and construction contract for the new Train Maintenance Facility

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MA JOR STORIES

University of Newcastle – driving local initiatives that have a global impact THE UNIVERSITY OF Newcastle has proudly called the Central Coast home for 29 years. Over this time, the University has developed a global reputation for exceptional education and powerful research. Ranked in the top 10 universities in Australia, the Ourimbah-based campus is a renowned centre of research excellence and hub for health and medical education.

Over the years, the University has forged strong partnerships with influencers in the booming local industry and has contributed to driving regional projects that have a global impact.

From the newly designed Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Gosford, to the multimillion-dollar Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute (CCMSRI), the University is playing an integral role in the growth of the region.

Dean of the University’s Central Coast campus, Dr Brok Glenn, said the University’s presence in the area and involvement in new developments will continue to enhance opportunities for Central Coast locals.

“We’re proud that the University of Newcastle has been part of the Central Coast community for so long and we’ve been able to contribute to the growth of the region.

“Our enduring industry partnerships enable us to offer study options that include real-world experiences – helping to prepare graduates that are career-ready.

“The region itself has seen a considerable transformation in recent years and the University is actively involved in finding new ways to deliver essential education, training

and practical experience to our students.

“Our recently launched MBA in Gosford and the approval of the proposed Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute at Gosford Hospital in partnership with the Local Health District are just two projects that will help build a sustainable future for community and students in the region,” said Dr Glenn.

The University’s newly designed MBA program is now offered from the Central Coast Council building in the heart of Gosford CBD. The program empowers students to think strategically, develop their leadership skills, and advance their professional career opportunities.

“The CBD location is ideal for working professionals, offering a unique opportunity for students to enjoy the benefits of studying close to home in modern facilities.

“The MBA provides students with enhanced opportunities to build relationships and professional networks – and, with the expansion of the Gosford CBD, there are plenty of opportunities for students to advance their careers locally,” added Dr Glenn.

The University’s investment in the Central Coast community was recently strengthened with the announcement of the transformational Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute.

“The University has partnered with the Central Coast Local Health District in order to seed the development of new degrees in the healthcare sector and create an internationally-recognised research footprint right here on the Central Coast,” Dr Glenn said

Once completed, the $72.5 million project will help build academic capacity, deliver state-of-the-art infrastructure, and ensure that the needs of the Central Coast’s Dr Brok Glenn growing and ageing population are being addressed.

The project will deliver the new Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine and will incorporate an integrated care research facility which will grow capacity and increase engagement opportunities with researchers around the world.

“Not only will the Medical School deliver essential clinical training to students who will in turn be able to provide community with quality medical and allied healthcare, but the Research Institute will offer a platform for us to be globally-connected meaning that we are able to share our impact on the world stage.

“Together, we will create a world-class centre for integrated healthcare that will serve the needs of the community and the region.

“These are exciting times for the Central Coast community and as a University, we are proud to be actively involved in important educational opportunities for local students and driving initiatives that have a global impact.

“We look forward to seeing these projects, and many others, flourish in years to come,” concluded Dr Glenn.

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Healthecare invests $44 million

Stevens Group completes Mingara Medical Centre development

Mingara Medical Centre The new Rehabilitation Unit at Brisbane Waters Private Hospital AUSTRALIA’S THIRD LARGEST private hospital operator, Healthe Care Australia, has seen opportunities for significant investment and jobs growth on the Central Coast with $11m worth of developments at Brisbane Waters Private Hospital in Woy Woy; $2m in innovative technology and services at Gosford Private Hospital and the $31m construction of the new Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital, which is due to open in early 2019 opposite Wyong Public Hospital at Kanwal.

“We see the Coast as a strong growth area, and this is reflected in the decision to invest over $44 million locally, creating jobs and attracting quality surgeons and specialists to set up their practices here,” said Healthe Care Australia Regional Manager, Matt Kelly.

Healthe Care Australia is a subsidiary of Luye Medical, the health care service division of Luye Group.

Image of Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital being built by Red Eye Constructions The company is the third largest corporate private hospital operator in Australia and one of the country’s largest privately owned health care organisations. Healthe Care employs near 7000 people and operates a portfolio of 36 hospitals located in major cities and key regional areas across Australia and one in New Zealand.

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Mingara Medical Centre at Tumbi Umbi opened in February 2018 and was the culmination of six years of planning by Central Coast property developer Stevens Group to create the most advanced medical precinct on the Central Coast.

Known as Mingara Health the precinct comprises a grouping of medical and allied health services in one iconic building and includes Mingara Medical with eleven GPs headed by Director Dr Quinten Willemse, allied health services provider HealthPoint and Central Coast Neurosciences headed

by Associate Professor Jonathan Sturm.

Built by Red Eye Constructions the overall project represents an investment by Stevens Group of $7.2 million.

Mr John Stevens said that he had been talking to Dr Willemse and Dr Reiss since 2012 about providing a high quality integrated medical centre to service the very fast growing residential area of which Tumbi Umbi is the centre.

MA JOR STORIES

Gosford RSL’s vision for West Gosford GOSFORD RSL CLUB lodged a Development Application with Central Coast Council for a $31 million redevelopment of their clubhouse facilities in 2018.

The visionary plan which will see the new Clubhouse built on the carpark space facing the Central Coast Highway has been designed to be a significant building marking West Gosford as the “Gateway to Gosford and the Central Coast”. It is also a statement of confidence by the Club’s Directors in the future of Gosford and the wider area which the Club serves.

The new three level building of 6,800 sqm will be about fifty percent larger than the present clubhouse but on a smaller footprint of about 3,500 sqm which means that when complete and the present clubhouse is demolished there will be a significant space freed up for future expansion and development.

The Club’s CEO Russell Cooper said that while the proposal exceeds the height limit in the DCP it is in keeping with the Riverside Tower Building opposite and the recently approved 7-level headquarters building for the Denny Organisation. “Our Brief to the architects was to design some-

Proposed new clubhouse for Gosford RSL Club thing that would ‘make a statement’ while still maintaining our brand identity. We are confident that we are presenting a proposal that will be readily supported as it is in the best interests of Gosford and wider Central Coast,” he said.

“This will obviously be a significant venue for Gosford as one of the most flexible conference/events spaces. We will be targeting

a different market to other major facilities and we are confident there is significant demand for this offering,” said Mr Cooper.

Mr Cooper said that once approved he expects that the new Clubhouse would be completed in about 2 – 2 ½ years. Architects for the development are WMK Architects from Sydney with Project Managers APP Corporation (Newcastle).

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Manufacturing not dead on the Central Coast MANUFACTURING IN GENERAL is undergoing transformational change with the consolidation of the industry through mergers and acquisitions, levels of automation and technological inputs into production processes, and the continued focus of integrated supply chains blurring the lines between production, product development and logistics.

Companies big and small are becoming more integrated into global supply chains.

The Central Coast is not immune to these changes with some multinationals consolidating manufacturing locally and overseas.

There is the increased investment in automation and technology across medium to larger businesses, with costs for technology dropping dramatically. Our SME’s are driving innovation and producing products for niche markets.

What does it mean in economic terms for our region? In employment terms for the past 5 years FTE’s have remain relatively stable with minor fluctuations up and down at around 8400 people. During the same period the value add to the region, an indicator of business productivity, has increased by around 2.8% to $932M and still maintains the second highest value add sector outside of Health and Social Assistance.

It is the biggest exporter of goods and services of all sectors at $1.2Billion which includes being the biggest industry in our region for international exports.

Two sectors within manufacturing are driving growth nationally and it is the same here. Manufacturing associated with construction and infrastructure- and Food, Beverage and Agribusiness, a key focus for

Frank Sammut, Executive Officer, Central Coast Industry Connect all levels of government with their focus on food and Agri exports.

Manufacturing has been in growth for the past 25 months according to AIGroup’s PMI Manufacturing index.

Manufacturing is not dead and needs to be recognised for its opportunities.

CSR puts HEBEL Somersby on the world stage Australia’s only Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) manufacturing plant, is being expanded with an additional state of the art manufacturing line that is set to double the current capacity.

The project includes a new 10,000 sqm production building and associated facilities with a production plant designed to be at the cutting edge in terms of energy efficiency, water usage and waste.

“It is proven European technology and will be the most environmentally friendly plant of its kind in the world, built to the highest environmental and quality standards,” said Operations Manager Steve Zebib

who has responsibility for bringing the project into production.

CSR first invested on the Central Coast in 1988 when it built what at the time was state of the art plant. The expansion will see the plant’s capacity double to meet a growing demand for AAC products throughout Australia and New Zealand, and on completion in early 2019 will see the highly automated state-of-the-art facility put Somersby on the global map in its industry.

The whole project has been designed inhouse by CSR Hebel engineers.

“We are a local player in a global community setting technological standards that are

CSR Hebel factory under construction at Somersby being benchmarked world-wide particularly in hi Rise Building systems. Already we are hosting foreign visitors who are taking a big interest in what we are doing allowing us to show case the high calibre on the central coast” he said.

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MA JOR STORIES

Grammar’s investment in next generation learning CENTRAL COAST GRAMMAR School continues to invest in exciting facilities that deliver cutting-edge teaching, learning and digital literacy capacities.

During the last several years the Headmaster and School Board have been involved in a master planning process to develop facilities that will accelerate the school’s capacity to deliver the next generation learning at the heart of its strategic plan.

This time last year the Chairman spoke at the school’s presentation night about a viability exercise in relation to new junior school facilities. Three very high profile architectural firms had been engaged in an architectural competition to look at potential design concepts.

“The Junior School Building Committee has been very active during 2018 and we soon expect to be in a position to provide good news to the community about an upgrade of junior facilities,” said Headmaster Bill Low. “This is an exciting time for CCGS, poised on the brink of a leap forward in learning and facilities.”

Senior students got a taste of things to come when they moved into a $2M senior English, Geography and History facility completed by Stevens Construction in January.

“This refurbishment was designed to reflect the very latest international thinking in learning environments,” said Mr Low. “We spent a significant amount of time researching best practice models to ensure that everything from the structural design to the inbuilt technology and even the furnishings would support the most productive learning

environment for our students.”

Existing classrooms were purposely expanded and re-designed to create larger, more innovative spaces that foster enhanced collaboration and digital literacy capabilities. Mr Low said that a key feature of the new space is its flexibility. Furnishings can be easily adapted Senior students in the new classrooms at Central Coast Grammar School from open discussion new ways. Students are at the centre of mode, to lecture mode, small group work their learning rather than more traditional and back again - all in the space of a lesson. teacher-centered models.”

“The design has also taken advantage of “Prior to the work commencing, an our beautiful natural surrounds, in particular extensive prototyping and testing period the large café style windows which increase involved feedback from both teachers and natural light and seamlessly connect indoor students, which created a high degree of and outdoor learning areas,” said Low. ownership of the final design. Students and “Digital collaboration zones and cuttingteachers have thrived in this exciting new edge technological enhancements are a facility, a blue print for the roll out of innostandout feature within the building.” vative learning environments school-wide.”

Mr Low said that while the design of the The opening of the Central Coast building was important, it is the interaction Grammar School’s award-winning $10M and engagement of students and teachers Performing Arts Centre in 2014 is testament within the space that is key to fostering a to the school’s track record in developing collaborative learning culture. “There is a state-of-the-art-facilities that drive innovatangible link between the physical space in tive learning. The community would be the classroom and the mindset of students right to anticipate another ground breaking and teachers. In this new environment development when the junior school prodefault positions are being challenged as ject comes to fruition. learners are liberated to work together in

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Across the board businesses on the Central Coast continue to expand. During the year CCBR reported companies that see opportunities and on these pages we report on some of those.

Activate Foods expands moves to new premises at Erina

Lexus dealership opens

Central Coast Lexus dealership at Kangoo Road, Kariong The Worthington Prestige Group opened a new $6.5 million state-of-the-art Lexus dealership at Kangoo Road, Somersby (Kariong ) in September giving Central Coast luxury car buyers their first ever opportunity to buy vehicles from one of the world’s leading luxury car brands.

The 1,800sqm Lexus showroom overlooks the M1 Motorway Exit and will become a landmark for motorists heading into Gosford. Built to Lexus corporate specifications with extensive use of frameless glass, it will also include an automatic car wash that will be free for customer use, as well as an amazing guest experience that raises the bar for luxury brands on the Coast.

“We are excited to bring the Lexus brand to the Central Coast and we aim to create a very special experience for our customers,” said

managing director and dealer principal Brad Worthington. Twenty staff will be employed at the dealership under general manager Chris Andrews, who brings 17 years’ prestige car sales experience to the role including 14 years with Sydney City Lexus and Lexus of Chatswood.

Mr. Worthington said the introduction of Lexus to the Central Coast came at a time when the prestige and luxury motor vehicle market was growing in the region.

Worthington Prestige, a highly awarded prestige dealer group comprising the dealerships Worthington BMW, MINI Garage, Worthington Prestige Pre-Owned, and Worthington Motorcycles.

Established in 1996, the Worthington Prestige Group is the brainchild of dealer principal Brad Worthington, his wife Vanessa and his parents Kevin and Helen.

Healthy foods manufacturer, Activate Foods, expanded their business in February leasing a commercial kitchen in the premises formerly operated by Caesar’s Foods.

Chef Marty Bowden and wife Megan established Activate Foods three years ago preparing fresh meals from their home kitchen and delivering to customers wanting to eat healthy.

A classically trained chef who started his career at the Fairmont Resort eighteen years ago and then gained experience in hotels, resorts and restaurants in Australia and overseas, Mr Bowden embarked on a lifestyle change to pursue his other passion as a personal trainer and CrossFit coach which bought him into contact with people who wanted to eat healthy food.

The demand for their meals continued to grow by word of mouth and now through social media.

Their fresh and frozen paleo, gluten free, beef, chicken and lamb meals are now being delivered to customers across the Central Coast, and to Newcastle and Sydney.

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Crowds flocking to The Chocolate Factory ONE OF THE great success stories of the year was the opening of the Chocolate Factory at West Gosford in late July and the people just turned up – 7,000 of them over two days!

In one weekend Andrew Yiasemides created an iconic tourist attraction for the Central Coast with Factory Tours, Chocolate Workshops including Junior Workshops for kids, a European style Café Patisserie, a Retail Store selling every type of top quality chocolate and confectionary that equals any in the world including those he makes in the Chocolate Factory.

The world-renowned producer of Australian made confectionary products; Bon Bon Fine Chocolate, Nougat Limar and The Sydney Marshmallow Co in Jusfrute Drive, West Gosford couldn’t believe how successful this new addition to his business would be.

“It was amazing. There was a queue stretching back to the shopping centre before we opened,” Mr Yiasemides told CCBR. “And it continued all day Saturday and Sunday.”

Mr Yiasemides relocated his factory to West Gosford in 2008 but Bon Bon Fine Chocolate was born in Double Bay in Sydney in 1982, as an exclusive boutique supplier of handmade chocolates. Bon Bon was loved by many customers, with one of them Mr Yiasemides, eventually becoming the owner, taking over the business in 2002.

Since then Bon Bon has had stores in the Queen Victoria Building and The Strand, including a cafe.

Unable to find the perfect Nougat for his shops Mr Yiasemides learned how to

The Chocolate Factory’s retail shop adjacent to their production factory make it in his home kitchen and create the perfect Nougat. When it was finally introduced to the public through Bon Bon Fine Chocolate shops it was quickly picked up by Food writer and critic Mr John Newton who said Andrew’s Nougat was the best Australian Nougat he'd ever tried.

He named this delicious product "Nougat Limar" and its popularity was instant. It is now available Australia wide, exported to New Zealand, USA, Canada, Europe, Asia.

A few years ago, as Sydney retail rentals continued to sky rocket Mr Yiasemides closed his shops and concentrated on manufacturing but he had the dream to turn his West Gosford factory into a new Bon Bon Fine Chocolate shop, the only one in Australia.

He achieved that with the opening of The Factory last month.

“There's never been an interactive chocolate experience quite like this on the Coast,

in Sydney or even in Australia,” enthused Mr Yiasemides. “Central Coast locals and tourists alike can visit The Factory to experience something new, so much of life is now on screen, people live vicariously through tv shows. The Factory offers a place for people to live in real-life and enjoy good old-fashioned fun feeling as he did so many years ago when he embarked on his journey in chocolate "Like a kid in a candy Store".

From exploring new products in the shop, to catching up with friends in the cafe, The Factory isn't just about making chocolate, it's about making memories.”

With one of the most exclusive ranges of hand-made chocolates in the country, The Factory retail store is a trove of indulgence, and with a gourmet patisserie, professional baristas, activities and experiences, The Factory is set to become a must-stop destination for travellers and tourists

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Caddy Storage opens Berkleley Vale facility

One of Australia’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of commercial vehicle storage systems and automotive accessories, Caddy Storage, opened a new warehouse, showroom and vehicle fit-out facility at Berkeley Vale early in 2018.

Caddy have invested around $6 million in the facility which includes a 3,800 sqm building and parking for 90 vehicles and currently employs four people although they expect that to grow over the next twelve months.

Established in 1986 Caddy Storage is a family owned business based in Sydney and with nine locations around Australia. The Berkeley Vale facility is their third in NSW and first outside Sydney.

Caddy Storage storage systems include shelving systems, drawers and slides, cargo barriers, small parts drawers, roof rack systems and many others for trades vehicles from 1-tonners to utes and station wagons.

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CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW YEARBOOK 2018

Software developer expands

Reception area at ClockOn’s new office CLOCKON, THE UMINA based software developer of rostering, attendance and payroll systems leased space in the Riverside Office Tower at West Gosford in October enabling it to expand.

ClockOn is another Central Coast IT success story. The concept of developing an affordable time and attendance, rostering, HR and Payroll system for small business came from Dr Graham Mylne and with a Federal Start-Up Grant almost twenty years ago founded ClockOn operating it from his home in Umina.

With continued research and development over the years ClockOn software has evolved into a sophisticated product range proHELLO HOLIDAYS viding employment software customised to individual employees and their unique awards and agreements.

ClockOn now employs fourteen staff, 390 clients and 23,000 users across Australia including pharmaceutical companies dentists and medical centres, hotels and clubs and supermarkets.

Last year the

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company reached a point where they saw that to grow further they needed to employ a CEO and appointed LNV Samy a senior executive with thirty years’ experience in the IT industry.

Their next step was to move into an office space that would allow the company to almost triple its workforce as part of a new growth strategy that includes a global outlook.

Their growth plans required an investment of $400,000 and this has been facilitated with a Regional Growth Loan from the Jobs for NSW that provides financial support to start-ups and emerging and fast-growth small to medium enterprises to build momentum and grow jobs.

With State Government support ClockOn plans grow from 9 fulltime equivalent positions to 30 fulltime equivalent positions including software developers and digital sales and marketing positions.

Dr Milne said, “The assistance from Jobs for NSW has allowed us to enhance our products to meet market demand and accelerate our growth. By developing our digital sales and marketing team we will be able to increase our presence in interstate and overseas markets and grow our customer base.”

“With the Jobs for NSW support, ClockOn will look to develop partnerships with other key industries to develop more export opportunities. We aim to target overseas markets including the United Kingdom, United States and India.”

MA JOR STORIES

NRMA’s interest in ferry services to Central Coast IN NOVEMBER THE NRMA announced the acquisition of Fantasea Cruising, which operates a ferry service from Palm Beach to Ettalong Beach, as it continues on its strategy to become Australia’s largest provider of transport and tourism services.

Fantasea provides a raft of transport and tourism services, harbour cruises, ferry services and yellow water taxis across Sydney Harbour.

“This announcement of NRMA’s acquisition of Fantasea – 12 months after we bought the Manly Fast Ferry service sees our fleet of vessels grow to 31 and boosts our capacity to unlock the potential of Sydney’s waterways, offer fantastic experiences to people wanting to enjoy our city and connect the Central Coast with Palm Beach,” said Mr Rohan Lund, President of the NRMA. Following the acquisition of the Manly Fast Ferry the NRMA undertook an extensive study of the public transport needs of the Greater Sydney Region and in June.

Blue Highways explored the opportunities for ferry services and highlighted that urban congestion in and around densifying residential and business precincts has resulted in the need for new public transport services, for which ferries on uncongested waterways offer significant advantages.

Considering ferry services outside Sydney Harbour Blue Highways said, “In addition, the Central Coast and the Illawarra would benefit from a fast ferry service to the Sydney CBD. While demanding longer journey times, these potential routes would support commuters during peak times and provide tourists the opportunity to visit the regions from Sydney during the day on a return journey.

Within Brisbane Water, the Central Coast Ferry Service operates regularly between Woy Woy, Saratoga, Davistown and Empire Bay. Ferries also travel up and down Cockle and Lintern Channels and across Paddys Channel to Woy Woy. During the past two decades, several proposals to establish a ferry service outside Brisbane Water between the Central Coast and the Sydney CBD have been pursued, however none have progressed to the point of securing funding or regulatory approvals.

Despite this, the previously proposed benefits of connecting the Central Coast and Sydney by ferry still exist. With 20 per cent of the local workforce travelling to Sydney, the provision of an additional transport mode is vital and would offer some residents the option of leaving the car at home.

A Fantasea Ferry leaving Ettalong Beach for Palm Beach The establishment of a fast ferry service would complement existing transport by providing a third corridor to support the growing Central Coast population, which is forecast to increase from 340,000 to 450,000 by 2036. Additionally, a permanent third corridor would provide an alternative travel option in the event of accessibility issues.

During the devastating 1994 NSW bushfires, road and rail from the Central Coast to Sydney became inaccessible, and two local ferries were consequently requisitioned to transport several hundred stranded residents to alternative accommodation.

Redevelopment initiative progressing, the arrival point into the Central Coast would act as a destination itself, enticing visitors to the precinct.

A Gosford–Sydney CBD service by fast ferry could be completed in approximately 90 minutes, which is comparable to rail or road during the peak commute periods. The advantage of a ferry service is convenience, desirability and reliability, which is estimated to exceed 90 per cent for this journey.

Gosford's Waterfront Redevelopment initiative under the Central Coast Regional Development Corporation offers the shortterm opportunity of establishing a modern wharf to accommodate vessels that could service this particular route.”

Gosford to Ettalong and Sydney CBD The NSW Government’s Regional NSW Services and Infrastructure Plan identifies Gosford as the capital of the Central Coast region and a Satellite city of Greater Sydney.

The provision of a fast ferry service between Gosford and Sydney via Ettalong would support commuters, infrequent visitors and tourists, and help to attract business, investment and jobs.

Providing visitors to Sydney with Buying or selling a quality business, fast access to the contact the experts on the Central Coast.

Central Coast by ferry would increase visitation and provide economic benargyle@argyleestates.com.au efit. With Gosford’s Graham McMullen – Licensee F.A.I.B.B. 0419326555 Waterfront

Argyle Estates

EST. OVER

40YEARS

024332 6555.

CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW YEARBOOK 2018

27

CELEBRATING

YEARS

(almost!)

June 2019 will see Central Coast Business Review celebrate its 30th Anniversary.

When we set out with our first edition in June 1990 this was our Mission Statement • Central Coast Business Review is a publication aimed at and purely for the business community of the Central Coast • Our goal is to provide a monthly information service to businesspeople on the Central Coast – such information to be timely and helpful • We will always take into account that our readers are busy people – our articles will be concise and to the point • We see ourselves as advisers to small business – it is our business to help and be involved in the business community.

• Our editorial policy will be business oriented and straight forward – at all times any criticism will be constructive and aimed to benefit the small business people who operate on the Central Coast • Everything we do will be on the basis of supporting business in our region • The information which we provide is intended to be such that our readers will be happy to subscribe to our magazine • We will always seek advertising but in doing so will constantly have in mind that our advertisers must benefit from that advertising Over the years CCBR has never wavered from the principles on which it was founded and we have stayed the course.

We are proud to be a locally owned Central Coast business and to support business in our region.

Of course none of this would have been possible without the support of our subscribers, many of which have been with us all along, and our many loyal advertisers. Thanks to all of them.

Bev and Edgar Adams Founders