communitynow NEWSLETTER
A
WINTER 2017
HUB
for
gamers! W
hen Dave Kinney decided to open Spoiler Alert!, a local gaming start-up in the Ritz Centre – Port Macquarie, he didn’t expect to receive so much help and support in getting his dream off the ground.
on growing an audience and delivering a great product, without the added stress and financial pressures of starting a new business. “On Mondays we run a ‘dim down for autism’ meet-up, where people with sensory issues can come in, play games and chill out without being overwhelmed,” explained Dave.
The new venture is part of Council's Start-Up Spaces program, which aims Spoiler Alert!'s Dave Kinney The Start-Up Spaces program has helped to bring local entrepreneurs and a number of local entrepreneurs like Spoiler Alert!, landlords together in an effort to revitalise empty and Beeline Toys in Clarence St embark on their shop fronts by filling them with pop-up stores and entrepreneurial journeys, while providing property start-up businesses. owners the chance to receive a return on their real “Expanding our online store to include a shopfront estate investments. in town has meant we can offer a unique experience, test our ideas and build a local customer base that just wouldn’t have happened without the support of Council,” Dave said.
“I’m living my dream right now, and I’m really grateful to be given the opportunity to thrive in business in beautiful Port Macquarie,” added Dave.
Dave and his wife Emily, alongside business partners Kerry and Joe are over the moon with the progress they’ve made since opening late last year, and love that they can now give something back to the community.
With Port Macquarie being a desirable place to visit and live, the Start-Up Spaces program is one of the many ways we’re supporting the growth of our local economy and fostering entrepreneurship.
“We’ve really been given the opportunity to focus
If you’re interested in growing your business, visit pmhc.nsw.gov.au/businessadvice.
From the Deputy Mayor
W
elcome to the winter edition of the Community Now newsletter. You can’t help but notice the amount of Council activity occurring right across our region at the moment, and a big pat on the back must go to Council staff for their enormous effort in continuing to deliver for our growing community. The work that we do would not be possible without our community’s input, and I encourage you to contact us at any time to let us know how we are going, and to have your say on the many projects, services and activities that we undertake. You can contact councillors at councillors@pmhc.nsw.gov.au. Our Facebook page facebook.com/pmhc2444 is also a great way to stay up to date. Lisa Intemann Port Macquarie-Hastings Deputy Mayor
B U I L D I N G
bright futures
W
e’ve all heard of the expression ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’, and while important work takes time, you could be forgiven for thinking our region has jumped leaps and bounds overnight.
With a new university, hospital expansion, shopping centres, residential housing boom and new infrastructure projects the Port Macquarie-Hastings is definitely on the move as people flock to live, learn, work, play and invest in our region. For Council’s Development Assessment Team, this means non-stop inspections, assessments and approvals as residents and investors apply to build new homes, renovate existing homes and develop commercial property. With our population expected to rise to over 100,000 by 2036 (up 28.24%), it’s no wonder the local construction industry is going hammer and tongs to keep up with the demand. So what does an increase in Development Applications (DAs) really mean? On the surface, an increase in DAs indicates a healthy and growing economy, but on closer inspection can mean much more. For budding builders and tradies, a simple DA can open the doors to a career at home, without having to pack up the tools and head to the big smoke. “We’ve seen $250 million worth of building approvals
come through in 2016, which is huge compared to only a short time ago, where in 2012 the value of approvals hovered around $126 million,” said Council Development Assessment Group Manager, Dan Croft. “You could say if you’re a tradesman, we are the construction epicentre of the east coast, and that’s not expected to slow down in the coming years,” Dan said. Partnerships between Council and supporting organisations such as the Master Builders Association, North Coast TAFE and Apprenticeship Centres have led to more jobs and training opportunities in the local construction industry, particularly for young people. Council’s Economic Development Officer, David Archer understands the many opportunities that exist and how to access them. “By engaging students, career advisors and parents at events like the Mid Coast Careers Market, we’re able to promote the employment pathways on offer to school leavers that may be interested in starting a construction career locally,” he said. So the next time you’re embarking on a building project, extending the back deck, or building a new shed, be proud in the fact that you’re contributing to our thriving local economy, and helping others build new careers and bright futures.
Delivering for our growing community We’re focussed on renovating and rejuvenating our many community assets, continuing to deliver major infrastructure projects and ensuring our region remains the best place to live, learn, work, play and invest.
Houston Mitchell Drive Reconstruction
Port Macquarie CBD Developments
> The $7 million reconstruction to improve safety and road conditions of the ’ghost road’ between Bonny Hills and the Pacific Highway is approaching completion.
> In partnership with the Town Centre Master Plan (TCMP), facelifts to the Town Green and Town Square in Port Macquarie are well underway and scheduled for completion in December.
Laurieton Dog Park
Bago Road Upgrade
> The new Henry Kendall Reserve Dog Park has been unleashed. Why not take Buster down to enjoy the new exercise equipment and stretch the ol’ hind legs.
> The $365,000 upgrade to Bago Rd is now complete, improving safety on the important stretch of road.
New Environmental Lab/CSU Collaboration
Tastings on Hastings
> Council’s new state-of-the-art environmental lab is now open on the Charles Sturt University (CSU) campus.
> Save the date for our regions premier local produce event which is back for its 15th year on the weekend of October 27-29.
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS
Five Simple Steps
4. We’ll review your DA 1. Get advice When a complete application Discuss your proposal is received you will be advised with a Council Duty by email of your application Planner/Surveyor. It’s number for example DA2016a free service and The DA is a written request for permission 123. You can then follow can save you time from Council to carry out building or development work. In general you will need an the progress of your DA and money. They’ll approval from Council to build a new house, using our online Application let you know what subdivide a parcel of land or add an extension to an existing home. Tracker: pmhc.nsw.gov.au/ fees, approvals and pmhc.nsw.gov.au/building-planning applicationtracker documents are required. 5. Outcome of your DA 2. Obtain a fee quote Some application types are Before you can lodge an referred to independent panels, Council meetings and application you need a fee quote, which is available state or regional planning bodies for a decision. Once an from Council. Fees are calculated on the cost of outcome has been decided you will be notified by email. works and can include administrative and other After a Development Application (DA) is approved, statutory fees such as advertising notices and a Construction Certificate is needed before building external agency consultation. starts. A Construction Certificate can be issued by 3. Pay your fee and lodge your application Council or by an Accredited Private Certifier. Lodge your application and pay your DA fee at For more information on how to lodge a any of our offices or over the phone on (02) 6581 Development Application, visit 8111. You can submit your application in hard pmhc.nsw.gov.au/building-planning copy or digital formats.
What’s a ‘DA’ and who needs one?
P A Y
Y O U R
R A T E S
online
Did you know you can pay your rates and water bill using our online payment portal? Save time and pay online at
pmhc.nsw.gov.au/paymyrates
There’s always something happening in the Port Macquarie-Hastings – from sporting events to art festivals, concerts to exhibitions, conventions to celebrations. See what's on at
pmhc.nsw.gov.au/events
Contact us 17 Burrawan Street, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 49 High Street, Wauchope NSW 2446 9 Laurie Street, Laurieton NSW 2443
Stay connected with Council t: 02 6581 8111 e: council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au
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