Hunter infrastructure must improve to capture Chinese tourism, the Hunter Business Chamber says

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Hunter Business Chamber says public infrastructure and mobile connectivity in the region must improve if we are to receive a share of the states $3.2 billion Chinese tourism boom.

The report, Getting Out There: Encouraging Chinese Tourism highlights the challenges faced by regional businesses in attracting those visitors and offers recommendations which can be adopted by Governments to capitalise on the Chinese tourism market.

Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes cited a lack of transport infrastructure to and from Sydney as well as the unavailability of high-speed broadband as the main challenges holding Hunter businesses back.

"Certainly, there is a growing number of the Chinese tourists that are coming to Australia who are independent travellers, who don't rely on a group tour for the entirety of their stay and who might find it difficult to get outside of Sydney. It is also about the quality of tourist accommodation when the tourist does get here.

"But, most importantly, we know from the research that they rely heavily on their mobile devices for communication and information and particularly in regional areas, we are not geared up as well as the capital cities are, in that respect to have information available but also have that infrastructure in place so that they can use those facilities that they are used to and comfortable with to be able to research their trip and make decisions about where they are going and what they are doing," Mr Hawes said.

Mr Hawes concluded saying that capturing the Chinese market is not as simple as just producing a nice brochure, but that "the approach needs to be multi-faceted."

Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes. Photo: Newcastle Herald.

Government Adamant it's Short Term Pain for Long-Term Gain in Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle's Light Rail Project is completely different to the Light Rail Project underway in Sydney's CBD according to the state government.

It's why they disagree businesses on Hunter Street should be given rental assistance to compensate for the disruption the project has caused.

Sydney's project on George Street has been drawn out for some time and the rental reprieve plan for businesses was announced in August after sustained pressure with the project running overtime by years in some sections. The businesses in the identified construction zones had to prove their financial losses to be eligible.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said he knows businesses are struggling but it's not like the construction came with no warning.

"We told businesses as early as two years ago, that when this gets underway businesses will feel the pain, there's no question about it and at that time 18 months, 2 years ago I said people should be planning, they should be talking to their landlords, they should be talking to their customers and preparing themselves for it," said Scot MacDonald.

Some businesses in Hunter Street have reported losses of up to 30 per cent.

Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes says he's not aware of the exact agreement Sydney businesses are in, but he feels Newcastle should be given the opportunity to have some rent relief.

"But we do believe that if the evidence is there and there is a strong case that can be built that we would hope the government would be objective enough to at least listen or look at it, and appreciate that there might be circumstance there that suggest it might be different to Sydney."

In the end, Scot MacDonald said it should be short time loss for a very long-term gain.

"look we'd like to believe that when we come out of this in 18 months or 2 years time or so since we are progressing through in blocks fairly quickly or reasonably quickly, that we come out at the end of and there is a city there, a CBD there, that people will delight coming to," said Scot MacDonald.

Hunter Jobless Rate At 18 Month High

BY IAN CROUCH

New figures show the unemployment rate across Newcastle and the Hunter Valley has surged to its highest point in 18 months.

The jobless rate for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie jumped to 7.2 percent in August, while in the Hunter Valley, the unemployment rate hit 7.6.

State Newcastle MP, Tim Crackenthorp has slammed the government for presiding over what he describes as a massive increase in the jobless rate, saying claims of jobs and growth are exaggerated .

However, Hunter Business Chamber CEO, Bob Hawes expects job numbers will improve thanks to the construction boom and rising coal prices.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crackenthorp

Hunter Business Chamber C.E.O, Bob Hawes

Hunter Chinese Tourism in the spotlight

BY MICHAEL COOK

The Hunter Business Chamber is joining the Tourism Industry Division of the New South Wales Business Chamber hosted a round-table today to discuss ways of maximising regional NSW's Chinese Tourism Market.

Destinations and operators in the Hunter are not maximising their market share from the rapid expansion of inbound Chinese tourism which the Sydney metropolitan area has benefited so greatly from.

Studies show that less than one in 20 international visitors to regional NSW were Chinese, compared to one in five international visitors to Sydney.

Today's discussion will aim to examine strategies which can be put in place which Hunter Business Chamber CEO, Bob Hawes say will be a boost to the Hunter's Chinese tourism market and in turn benefit the region greatly.

Hunter Business Chamber CEO, Bob Hawes
Source: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4367036/bob-hawes-appointed-chief-executive-officer-of-hunter-business-chamber/

Interpretation plan to pay respect to 'The Store' past

BY JARROD MELMETH

Revitalising Newcastle say a move by the State Government to demolish 'The Store' building, to make way for a bus and coach terminal as part of the Newcastle Interchange project will pay respect to the history of the site.

Records illustrate the significance of the building which reflects an important aspect of the socio-economical system of the region, once standing as Newcastle's premier shopping destination until the 1960's.

News of the demolition has sparked a range of emotions from the wider community, with some saying developments like these happen way too often where buildings are left to stand bare for so long and then be deemed "structurally unsafe", torn down and, turned into the next revitalization venture.

Plans for the site include an interpretation plan which, according to program director Michael Cassel will aim to capture the essence of the sites former use.

"Interpretation plans really try to reflect the way in which a site was used and why there is such a connection. Historically it has been a place of gathering for the people of Newcastle, so we are trying to reflect that through different things like public art, story boards and information rather than just a plain facade, something that tells you a story so you can understand the importance of the site.

"We have come up with what we think is the best option," Mr Cassel said.

The decision has also been supported by the Hunter Business Chamber with Chamber President Jonathan Vandervoort applauding the next step being taken in the revitalisation of Newcastle.

"Back in 2015, the Chamber celebrated the State Government's acquisition of The Store building as a positive step forward to deliver an opportunity to add to the amenity of the current interchange design and provide a range of useful opportunities.

"Although The Store has been an important part of Newcastle West for many years, the Chamber notes the buildings are in poor condition and are a possible safety hazard in their current state," Mr

The Store as it stands today.

Newcastle Interchange under construction
at the rear of  'The Store'.

Supercars bring roadworks to Watt Street

BY MARISSA ALEXIOU

Watt Street traffic will be diverted between Scott Street and Church Street from this Thursday due to proposed construction works.

Working hours will be between Monday to Friday 7am - 5pm and 8am - 1pm on Saturdays.

The works are associated with the Newcastle 500 and Newcastle City Council renewal works occurring across multiple locations in the east end of Newcastle.

Watt Street will remain open for local traffic only, maintained via King Street.

The diversion will enable works including the erection of temporary security fencing, utility relocations, electrical works and pipe laying

Events Manger for Coates Hire Newcastle 500, Kurt Sakzewski said the main bodies of the work will be completed by the end of August.

Traffic control and detour signage will be in place, ensuring the safety of residents, the public and workers.

Road closures across the east end of Newcastle.
 Source: Jarrod Melmeth

Signage, traffic control and detours will ensure safety of residents.
Source: Jarrod Melmeth

Small Businesses concerned over the NBN network

BY DANIELLE RIES

Hunter small business leaders have criticised small business minister Michael McCormack over inadequate broadband connections and that it might need revisiting.

Many businesses have been forced to relocate due to concerns over the NBN's speed and reliability, as the network was affecting their operations.

Hunter Business Chamber chief executive Bob Hawes says businesses aren't receiving what they want from the NBN network.

"The role out has been long anticipated and we know that is in progress and businesses as they go through the process of improving their performance and their offer is very much driven towards the digital economy without necessarily being able to distinguish individual circumstances.

"There's often a crossover when businesses go to do the upgrade that what their being offered by their providers doesn't meet their needs".

He also says the NBN network isn't quite living up to what they accepted.

"In some cases, people will have to relocate because of growth issues or to accommodate expansion or where their markets might be. But we are aware there are instances in the region where businesses have had to embrace a digital expansion and they've had to upgrade their facilities.

"And as a consequence where they are located, it hasn't been able to accommodate for their needs going forward".

Credit- The NBN website

UPDATED: Forgacs site getting a breath of new life

BY JESSICA ROUSE and DANIELLE RIES

The former Forgacs slipway at Carrington will be given a new lease of life repairing ships with French company Thales announcing their plans to join with the state government and take over the site.

The Hunter Business Chamber has today welcomed this announcement from the Deputy Premier John Barilaro as the developments planned will revitalise the region's key maritime hub.

Around 70 new jobs will be created with the company working in collaboration with the state government to invest $6 million into the rundown facility.

Initially, Thales say they'll be working on commercial ship repair and support, but the company might be looking for lucrative Navy contracts in the future.

Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes says its great to see these facilities up and running in Newcastle again.

"The reinstatement of the former facility that ways there, which whilst it had a ship building capacity, we understand Thales intention is to use it for maintenance, but that is a big step given that we haven't had that opportunity or that operate within the port of Newcastle, now for a period of two years or more so it's fantastic to see it comeback".

He also says he's hopeful this project stays a local project.

"The investment that goes into this and this is certainly a good example of where the government has committed some funds and been able to leverage further input or further expenditure from the private to get it up and going.

"And we are really hopeful this can be very much a local production as it were, and re-engage a lot of the businesses around the Port."

Image ABC Newcastle Facebook page

Worker skills, or lack there of, deterring employers

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The NSW Business Chamber's inaugural Workforce Skills Survey has found employers in the Hunter are reporting high levels of skill shortages holding them back from employing new workers.

The survey measures business attitudes on employment, education and training issues and provides a comprehensive baseline for tracking future sentiment.

There appears to be an increasing inconsistency between what employers expect from their workers and the training they're getting through the education system.

"Businesses have indicated that the main reasons for reluctance sometimes relates to the cost, but also time factors of having key personnel in their organisations available to train the people and also some of the time it takes for some of the training programs and apprenticeships to be completed," said Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes.

Businesses in the Hunter are also urging the government to take a serious look into how employees are trained, as there's an increasing lack of skills in new workers and a huge administrative burden on businesses to pick up the slack.

"There's a real need to look at how the pilot programs work, what apprenticeship models are around and whether they are effective and also being able to engage not only just with the young people looking at  the pathways but also the employers, parents and carers, the advisors and the educational institutions so that they can better understand the system of how it works and so we can get it working in practice," said Bob Hawes.

Bob Hawes says the latest Hunter Research Foundation report on the Hunter's economy shows businesses are looking for new ways to better their business, rather than employ new workers.

"It (businesses in the Hunter) had a big increase in its uptake of innovation and that in itself might express that people are now looking at other ways to push their business forward other than employing people which aren't necessarily a good thing in one respect but it is good in another in that hopefully the uptake in innovation will create alternative opportunities."

Tributes Flow For Respected Newcastle Business Leader

BY IAN CROUCH

Business and political leaders are paying tribute to former Hunter Business Chamber CEO Kristen Keegan, who passed away after a short battle with brain cancer.

The 46-year-old was diagnosed with the condition last year and died in hospital yesterday morning.

Former Premier Mike Baird has described Ms Keegan as an incredible women who changed Newcastle for the better for generations to come, while Hunter Business Chamber President, Richard Anicich said she was a passionate advocate for the region.

Kristen Keegan

Hunter groups lobbying to save jobs

An alliance of business and union groups has formed to save Hunter jobs

The Australian Industry Group, Hunter Business Chamber, Hunternet and Newcastle Trades Hall Council have joined up to lobby the state government about building train carriages in Hunter rather than buying them overseas.

“Whilst we welcome the announcement and the investment decisions that are going to be made in relation to passenger rail in the future, we’re just mindful of the fact that we don’t want the state government to miss out on what could wonderful opportunity to support manufacturing capabilities in the hunter region,” said Hunternet CEO, Tony Cade.

The NSW government wants to spend $2.8billion on 65 new intercity trains.

“Certainly an off the shelf imported product may present more difficulties than a locally produced high quality product that we have the capabilities and we have the resources to be able to supply” said Mr Cade, “the advantages by having a locally manufactured product include the impacts on keeping capabilities in the region, obviously incomes paid in the regions will contribute to tax”.

The group co-signed a letter to Premier Mike Baird about the issue.