Business Port Stephens

Jetstar to boost Newcastle – Melbourne capacity

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:34:44 +0000

Jetstar has revealed plans to boost direct services between Newcastle and Melbourne by 30% effective from 31 October.

The low cost carrier will introduce an additional Melbourne service on 31 Oct four days a week, which will then become daily on 6 December.

Newcastle Airport CEO, Paul Hughes, said: “The introduction of these services will provide passengers of Newcastle Airport with greater choice and will also have a positive impact on our local economy.]

“This increase to services means that passengers flying from Newcastle will have up to five flights a day to choose from, at different times of the day,” explained Paul.

“Following a tough period in aviation, we have, to date, matched our passenger figures of 2009 and this announcement gives me confidence that we will go on to exceed our original projection of 1.17 million passengers this year

“We welcome Jetstar’s ongoing support and look forward to welcoming passengers on this additional service,” concluded Paul.

Source: e-Travel Blackboard

Aerospace Industry Summit to Be Held in Newcastle

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:29:00 +0000

Newcastle will play host to a two day Aerospace Industry Summit on 16-17 September bringing together industry leaders to discuss opportunities for the region’s aerospace and defence sector.

Minister for the Hunter and Member for Newcastle, Jodi McKay, said the Hunter Aerospace Industry Summit is a joint initiative between the NSW Government, Regional Development Australia – Hunter, Newcastle and Port Stephens Councils and HunterNet.

“Newcastle and the Hunter have built a strong foundation for the Aerospace industry and there is plenty of room for this industry to expand,” Ms McKay said.

“The summit has the strong support of the defence industry and RAAF and will focus the attention on the bright future for aerospace in Newcastle and the Hunter.

“With ongoing support from the NSW Government the aerospace industry will become a significant driver of local economic growth for generations to come.”

Ms McKay said the NSW Government was focussed on building the defence and aerospace industries in the region.
“As part of this year’s State Budget the NSW Government is investing $75 million in the NSW Defence Industry Strategy,” Ms McKay said.

“This investment includes a $25 million allocation from the NSW Government’s Major Investment Attraction Scheme to help attract and support defence and related high tech industries to NSW.

“Work is also continuing to build defence capability hubs around the RAAF Williamtown base and around Newcastle’s port and shipbuilding capabilities.

“A number of Hunter workshops have already been held to bolster Small to Medium Enterprise defence businesses in our region.”

Ms McKay said regional work will be undertaken to:

Identify support requirements of major Defence Manufacturers;
Foster alliances between major Defence Manufacturers and Small to Medium Enterprises;
Support Small to Medium Enterprise participation in global supply chains;
Enable NSW companies to be more competitive in winning projects;
Support access to research and development, education and training capabilities; and
Improve coordination between Federal, State and Local Government entities.

A keynote speaker at the summit, the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin, said the RAAF was keen to participate in efforts to build the Hunter’s aerospace industry.

“There is great support for the expanding aerospace industry in the Hunter and Air Force is proud to be a part of that,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.

“The Hunter is a key region for the Air Force, being home to our premier air combat capability base in RAAF Williamtown, so a strong local aerospace industry is a healthy synergy for us.”

Ms McKay said the NSW Government, through Industry & Investment NSW, will provide financial support for the summit and market the Williamtown Aerospace Centre at the Avalon Air Show in March 2011 and Defence and Industry Conference in July 2011.

“Last year I had the pleasure of being the first Minister for the Hunter to attend the Avalon Air Show to see first hand the importance of having a presence at the event,” Ms McKay said.

“Being able to promote the region at such a large industry event, like the Avalon Air Show, plays a vital role in attracting aerospace industry investment in the Hunter.”

Ms McKay said the Hunter Aerospace Summit will help kick off the upcoming Defence Force Air Show at RAAF Base Williamtown on 18-19 September.

“The Australian Defence Force is planning the biggest and most exciting air and ground displays ever held in the Newcastle region, which will focus further attention on our RAAF industry base,” Ms McKay said.

Media Contact: Karl Schubert (02) 9228 5668 or 0429 904 937

Council’s holiday parks win 3 out of 3

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:11:39 +0000

Port Stephens Council is celebrating a hat-trick of awards for its outstanding holiday parks this month.

When Halifax Holiday Park was crowned best Tourist and Caravan Park at the Hunter Central Coast Tourism Awards, on 19 August, it capped off a tremendous season for Council properties.

Council owned and operated Samurai Beach Resort was awarded winner of the Ecotourism category in the North Coast Tourism Awards on 14 August.

Soldiers Point Park was also awarded the Best North Coast Holiday Park with less than 100 sites at the Caravan and Camping Industry Association awards in July.

Speaking today, General Manager Peter Gesling said it was a brilliant result for Council’s properties.

“Winning three out of three awards was a real feather in our cap and testament to the efforts of all staff and something that Port Stephens residents could be proud of,” he said.

“Council’s holiday properties have won over 12 awards in the past three years for excellence in tourism and environmental innovation,” Mr Gesling added.

All three awards were contested by the best in the industry and independently judged by the peak regional tourism and industry bodies.

Soldiers Point Wins Again

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:33:41 +0000

Soldiers Point Holiday Park has again won the prestigious Caravan and Camping Industry Association (CCIA) award for “Best North Coast Holiday Park with less than 100 sites”

Soldiers Point won the award from a large field of nominations at a gala presentation evening with industry leaders at the Sheraton on the Park, Sydney on Wednesday night.

Speaking today, Park Manager Steve Paul said the win was a testament to his staff and Port Stephens Council.

“This is the second year in a row our Holiday Park has won the award,” he said.

“Given that CCIA is the industry body that represents all parks in the state, the win is a real feather in the cap for all involved.”

“We have been able to demonstrate that our quality facility, combined with an effective marketing and business model has set the benchmark in NSW.”

“Winning means more than the award,” Steve added.

“It also provides significant marketing advantages through CCIA promotion.” “Additionally, customers can be confident of a quality experience when making a booking.”

ENDS Media contact:

Stephen Crowe, Manager, Communications and Customer Relations, Port Stephens Council Phone 49 800 284, 0418 763 800

Event History to be made at Port Stephens

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 05:00:49 +0000

The first ever NSW Stand Up Paddleboard Titles is coming to Port Stephens this July, with the states best ready to fire.

Having ridden a wave of popularity, across the globe, over the past decade, stand-up paddleboarding has etched its way firmly into the sphere of competitive and recreational surfing, culminating with this inaugural event.

The hybrid discipline, which takes inspiration from surfing, skiing, wakeboarding and skateboarding, continues to rapidly evolve and grow in popularity.

With approximately 50 competitors competing for prestigious state titles and the opportunity to compete at the Australian Stand Up Paddleboard Titles, which will be held as part of the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival at Port Macquarie in August, spectators and event organisers are looking forward to what’s in store.

“We’re delighted to be hosting the inaugural NSW Stand Up Paddle Board titles and are very much looking forward to a collaborative partnership with Surfing NSW to develop Port Stephens as a destination for competitors and enthusiasts of this growing style of surfing, ” Events Port Stephens Co-ordinator, Jody O’Brien said.

“With such a diverse range of people taking up the sport, Port Stephens is a great destination for families and friends to enjoy whilst competition is on, with plenty of great activities to explore, both on and off the water,” O’Brien added.

Recognised as one the finest surfing and tourist destinations on the NSW coastline, Port Stephens will provide the perfect backdrop for such a prestigious event with One Mile Beach the prime location for competition.

“Port Stephens is an excellent surf location and will provide the perfect venue for the State’s best Stand Up Paddleboarders to strut their stuff,” said Surfing NSW Operations Manager, Peter Hunt.

“We are thrilled to have partnered with Port Stephens Council through Events Port Stephens and Business Port Stephens to host the inaugural NSW SUP Titles at Port Stephens.”

“We are committed to working with Port Stephens Council to build the event in 2011 and beyond into a broader Stand Up Paddleboard Festival featuring additional divisions and events held around the competition over a full weekend,” he added.

With the best watermen, and women, including showcasing the emerging sport, Constable was in great touch, showing no signs of fatigue after winning his fifth Australian Longboard title just a day earlier.

The NSW Stand Up Paddleboard Titles is proudly supported by Port Stephens Council, Events Port Stephens, Business Port Stephens, Samurai Beach Resort and Surfing NSW.

About the Partnership

Business Port Stephens, the economic development unit of Port Stephens Council has an event arm, known as Events Port Stephens – and together, the two bodies work quietly and consistently behind the scenes with key sporting bodies to bring events to the region. They also work closely with the Sports Solutions team within Council.

Working on the back of the success of the Billabong Pro Junior in late 2008, Events Port Stephens and Surfing NSW have been discussing ideas and concepts that can work in Port Stephens, particularly utilising One Mile, Birubi and Fingal beach breaks. It is hoped the event can grow into the future with the addition of other Stand Up Paddleboard activities, such as coaching clinics, starter lessons, board demonstrations, Stillwater racing, coach training and familiarisation workshops.

End of recession means back to basics for economic development

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:57:15 +0000

From: http://www.news-journalonline.com/business/local-business/2010/05/29/end-of-recession-means-back-to-basics-for-economic-development.html

The global financial crisis that triggered a global recession has also spawned a new era for economic development. That, at least, is the perspective of Ed Blakely and Nancey Green Leigh.

The academics — a professor of urban policy at the University of Sydney, Australia, and a professor of city and regional planning at the Georgia Institute of Technology, respectively — are the authors of “Planning Local Economic Development: Theory and Practice.”

With the recent release of the book’s fourth edition, the two recently sat down with staff at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta to talk about changes in economic development theory and practice.

“Economic development practitioners are entering a new era for certain,” Blakely said. “We’re competing with the world. Federal, state and local policymakers have to be on the same page.”

Blakely said that means communities looking to entice new business development and expansion have to not only address issues of infrastructure on the ground — in the form of developable land, facilities and transportation networks — but also “human infrastructure,” in the form of an available skilled workforce and a livable community.

“In the fourth edition of (the book) we include a discussion on the practice of community economic development that focuses on the neighborhood scale, seeking to improve conditions within a geographic area that is populated by the disadvantaged who are unable to control their socioeconomic direction or resources,” Leigh said.

For Greg Rawls, executive director at Enterprise Flagler, the county’s public/private economic development agency, there are other issues facing economic developers as well.

“Obtaining capital funding is one of the biggest issues now for any company relocating or expanding, and the lack of ability to get it,” he said. “That is the No. 1 complaint.”

Another change that is becoming apparent in the practice of economic development according to Blakely and Leigh is a greater appreciation for nurturing existing businesses in a community. In addition, emerging “green” technologies offers new opportunities for community development efforts.

That is something that is already under way in Flagler County, with local governments making strides in enacting environmentally friendly laws and offering “green” incentives for new and existing businesses.

And that effort is important as economic conditions improve, Rawls said.

“Many companies, local governments and agencies are preparing for the recovery, making sure their communities and companies are prepared for the recovery,” he said. ” I would say there are a lot of indications we have hit the bottom.”

Rawls said the recent recession was different from past economic downturns.

“The boom-bust cycle was a little different because there was more uncertainty at the beginning,” he said. “The uncertainty is becoming more certain.”

Another important factor facing economic development efforts is working against residents, Blakely and Leigh said.

“Sometimes, economic development activity comes as a surprise to the community, and that shouldn’t happen,” Blakely said. “There should be consistent education, training and development of people in the community about economic development options.”

One area which tends to cause confusion and foster negative attitudes about economic development is incentives, specifically tax abatement packages.

For Rawls, the misconception about tax abatements — which many believe involve up-front cash payments to companies looking to expand or relocate — is exacerbated by the sometimes slower pace of projects.

“A lot of people fuss about the delay with the current economic climate,” he said.

But residents need to remember that most economic development incentives are performance based which means if a company receiving an incentive package does not live up to the agreement — such as in job creation — “they don’t get the incentives,” Rawls said.

“Very few of the incentives are any kind of cash up front,” he said.

The final change in economic development that communities face is the need to look beyond traditional industries and sectors, Blakely and Leigh said.

“Today’s local economic developers are not just attracting industries, they’re helping to create new ones,” Blakely said.

That is important given the increasingly global nature of the economy, the potential effects from economic changes around the world. And it also means that local governments have to be out in front of economic development efforts, Blakely and Leigh said.

“There has to be a political will that supports strategic economic development plans that will cushion citizens from the effects of what are now global, not just national, recessions,” Leigh said.

Minister to visit Forgacs Tomago to meet Defence supported apprentices

admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:15:25 +0000

The Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, Greg Combet, will visit Forgacs Tomago Shipyard to meet with Forgacs apprentices supported by the Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry Program (SADI).

A tour of the facility to be followed by informal speeches by the Minister, apprentice’s supervisor and an apprentice.

When: Monday 7th June, 9:00am – 10:00am. Media are to arrive no later than 8:45am.
Where: Forgacs Tomago Shipyard, Old Punt Road Tomago (Newcastle).

Grants worth $10.7 million will be available to help Australia’s small to medium enterprises and defence primes in the financial year 2010/11 to up skill existing employees, improve the quality and quantity of training and create additional skilled positions. The SADI team estimate that approximately 1500 new training opportunities, and support to 450 apprentices will be supported in FY 2010/11.

Media Note: Upon arrival media must provide identification at the security gate. Photographic identification will be required at the gate. All attendees will be issued with safety gear and must wear a long sleeve shirt, long pants and covered in shoes.

Media contacts:
Tim Fitzsimmons (Greg Combet): 02 6277 7620 or 0447 202 469
Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664

www.defence.gov.au

Monday, 7 June 2010
067/2010

Next Step in Planning for Kings Hill

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 00:41:24 +0000

After 8 years of planning and study, Port Stephens Council last night adopted the plan to create a new residential community north of Raymond Terrace known as Kings Hill.

Port Stephens Mayor Cr Bruce MacKenzie congratulated staff for their work as Council adopted the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) to rezone the 810 hectare site two kilometres north of Raymond Terrace.

Around half the site will be zoned for urban use, with the remaining 403 hectares set aside for conservation purposes.

Council will now forward the draft LEP to the Minister for Planning requesting that it become a state priority.

Mayor Bruce Mackenzie said Kings Hill had long been planned for by Port Stephens Council.

“This project has been a key part of our Port Stephens Community Settlement and Infrastructure Strategy for some time,” he said.

“It is also identified as one of only four priority release areas in the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy released by the New South Wales Department of Planning in 2006.”

“What makes this settlement so important is that it is the only unconstrained land close to Raymond Terrace. It is also close to local and regional infrastructure and existing employment centres.”

“The bottom line is we are very excited about moving this project to the next stage. 12,000 future residents is great news for Raymond Terrace and great news for Port Stephens”.

Kings Hill will be developed over six stages over around 20 years and will eventually cater for around 4,500 homes, housing 10,000 -12,000 people.

Also speaking today, Integrated Planning Manager Trevor Allen said Kings Hill would cater for a range of potential home buyers.

“The plan includes a mix of affordable housing for first-home buyers, homes for second and third home owners, empty nesters and retirees,” he said.

“The aim is to create a vibrant community which is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.”

“Importantly there will be no duplication of major community and commercial services already provided in Raymond Terrace. T is intended that Kings Hill will complement Raymond Terrace”

“There are still a number of challenges to guide the implementation of this project. But we are hopeful that, despite this, construction can begin within two years.

New Kings Hill plan on the way

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:23:19 +0000

From: Port Stephens Examiner

AFTER three years of delays due to aircraft noise concerns, the wheels of approval are finally turning for the 4500-home Kings Hill development, north of Raymond Terrace.

The council’s planning department put a draft plan for the new town before councillors on Tuesday night.

The plan outlines how the new town, to be built over 25 years, will be based around six “mixed use” villages, combining intensive and low-intensity detached housing. When complete, the town is expected to house about 11,700 residents and support the growth of Raymond Terrace as a regional centre. Originally put on public exhibition in May 2007, a rezoning proposal for Kings Hill was stalled by Defence concerns over the impact of noise from the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft, due to be introduced in 2018.

But the Department of Planning gave the council the green light to resume planning late last year.

Earmarked as a major part of the State Government’s Lower Hunter Regional Strategy, the council’s head planner David Broyd said the plan now before council represented vital progress.

“This is a major milestone for council, State Government agencies and land owners,” he said.

About one third of the eastern side of Kings Hill has been deemed noise-affected by the JSF.

Bay coffee venture banking on fresh approach

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:21:28 +0000

From: Port Stephens Examiner

A GROWING demand for quality coffee combined with a love of the beverage has seen Corlette residents James and Angela Axisa start up their own business specialising in the product.

The couple recently launched Bay Beans in Port Stephens, offering a variety of blends on their website www.baybeans.com.au.

According to Mr Axisa, Bay Beans is unique in that its beans, which are predominantly sourced from New Guinea, are roasted to order.

“By the time you buy even the quality stuff on the shelf at the supermarket it is almost 12 months old,” he said.

“With us we will roast it and grind it if you want us to, when you want us to, so it is completely fresh.”

The company, which offers Brazilian, Columbian, Kenyan blends among others, has been steadily growing since its website launch and Mr Axisa said it was only a matter of time before the company had a shop front.

“To have a shop is one of our major goals,” he said. “But we’re also selling at the Anna Bay Markets and the new markets at Murray’s Brewery as well as delivering to homes.”