Agenda of Business and Employment Development Committee

Minutes of the Business and Employment Development Committee

Meeting Date: Monday, 13 February 2017

Location: Jervis Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time: 4.00pm

The following members were present:

John Lamont – Chairperson

Clr Findley

Clr Pakes

Clr Proudfoot

Clr Levett

Clr Cheyne

Clr Kitchener

Clr Wells

Clr White

Clr Gash

Steven Bayer

Robbie Collins

Lexie Meyer

Mikayla Barnes

Peter Dryer

David Goodman

Stephen Bartlett

Lynne Kearney

Megan Cleary

Mr Russ Pigg - General Manager

Others Present:

Tim Fletcher – Director Planning and Development Services

Greg Pullen – Economic Development Manager

Coralie Bell – Tourism Manager

Cathy Bern – Development Services Manager

Marianne Jones – Economic Development Officer

Apologies / Leave of Absence

An apology was received from Shelley Hancock and James Coburn.

Confirmation of the Minutes

Recommendation

That the Minutes of the Business and Employment Development Committee held on Wednesday 30 November 2016 be confirmed.

RESOLVED (Clr Wells / David Goodman)

That the Minutes of the Business and Employment Development Committee held on Wednesday 30 November 2016 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Declarations of Interest

Nil

Reports

BE17.8 Development in the Shoalhaven - Significant Projects	HPERM Ref: D17/17268
This item was brought forward from (see note)
Note: Megan Cleary arrived at the meeting 4.05pm
Cathy Bern and Greg Pullen provided a verbal update and information that relate to the spreadsheet attachments. Larger spreadsheets were handed out to committee members and discussesd. A question on Manildra freight was raised. The EDM responded that the EDO are working with the Manildra Freight in relation to the Gerringong to Berry/Bomaderry rail line regarding proposals and working with the NSW Government to upgrade the line. However there are issues with the length currently being limited to 600m trains, the signals will need to be moved if the train length is to be extended to 800m. If Manildra are able to put an extra container on each carriage this will improve freight productivity by 50%. Consideration will be given for a tear drop loop near the Paper Mill. Manildra is currently working on a proposal for an intermodal (road/rail) which will allow and transfer of boxes from South Nowra onto rail to Botany port. Those options are all up in the air at the moment and under consideration. Manildra are using the Paper Mill for storage.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the report of the General Manager (Planning and Development Services) regarding the update on development ‘in the Shoalhaven be received for information.
RESOLVED (Peter Dryer / Clr Wells) That the report of the General Manager (Planning and Development Services) regarding the update on development ‘in the Shoalhaven be received for information. CARRIED

BE17.1 REMPLAN - Economic Performance Software

HPERM Ref: D17/30213

Greg Pullen provided a verbal update on the report.

Questions were raised about the amount of employers within the Shoalhaven that are sole traders and don’t have any employees.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report on REMPLAN be received for information.

RESOLVED (David Goodman / Robbie Collins)

That the report regarding REMPLAN – Economic Performance Software be received for information.

CARRIED

BE17.2 Shoalhaven Economic Development Strategy - Update	HPERM Ref: D17/31140
The last Economic Development Strategy was adopted on 2005 for a 10 year period. Council is updating the Strategy and will provide a Clr Briefing within the next few weeks then will report it to Council for adoption and exhibition phase.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the report on the update of the Council’s Economic Development Strategy be received by the Business and Employment Development Committee for information.
RESOLVED (Clr White / Steven Bayer) That the report on the update of the Council’s Economic Development Strategy be received by the Business and Employment Development Committee for information. CARRIED

BE17.3 Economic Development Industry Sector Strategies	HPERM Ref: D17/30642
Greg Pullen advised that out of the Digital Economy Strategy in relation to the NBN there have been a few hurdles when it comes to rental properties, landlords and tenants. We are working with the NBN to find a solution.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the report on the status of Economic Development Industry Sector strategies be received for information.
RESOLVED (Clr Gash / Clr Cheyne) That the report on the status of Economic Development Industry Sector strategies be received for information. CARRIED

BE17.4 Business Training and Capacity Building Opportunities	HPERM Ref: D17/29542
A verbal update was provided in relation to this matter.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the report on Business Training Opportunities co-ordinated and/or supported by the Economic Development Office be received for information
RESOLVED (Clr Wells / Peter Dryer) That the report on Business Training Opportunities co-ordinated and/or supported by the Economic Development Office be received for information. CARRIED

BE17.5 NBN Rollout Progress

HPERM Ref: D17/30101

A progress report is attached and Council will invite an NBN representative to a future meeting.

By mid 2017 we will see a significant progress in the NBN rollout across the Shoalhaven.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That

1. The Business & Employment Development Committee accept the report on the NBN Rollout for information

2. The NBN’s Community Affairs Manager – NSW be invited to a future meeting of the BED Committee in mid 2017 to update the Committee and others on the NBN Rollout.

RESOLVED (Clr White / Lynne Kearney)

That:

1. Business & Employment Development Committee accept the report on the NBN Rollout for information

2. The NBN’s Community Affairs Manager – NSW be invited to a future meeting of the BED Committee in mid 2017 to update the Committee and others on the NBN Rollout.

CARRIED

BE17.7 Key Grant Funded Projects Update - Economic Development Office	HPERM Ref: D17/29690
A verbal update was provided on this matter.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the report on the progress of the “Mind the Gap” and “Ulladulla Harbour Berthing Facility” projects be received for information.
RESOLVED (Clr Gash / Lexie Meyer) That the report on the progress of the “Mind the Gap” and “Ulladulla Harbour Berthing Facility” projects be received for information. CARRIED

BE17.8 Development In The Shoalhaven - Significant Projects

HPERM Ref: D17/17268

Item dealt with earlier in the meeting.

BE17.9 South Coast Youth Leadership Forum	HPERM Ref: D17/15165
A presentation was made in relation to the Youth Leadership Forum by Mikayla Barnes.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the Business and Employment Development Committee: 1. Accept the report on the South Coast Youth Leadership Forum 2. Thank John Lamont and his committee coleagues for organising the youth forum. 3. Request the Mayor write a letter of thanks to the event sponsors.
RESOLVED (Clr Gash / Lynne Kearney) That the Business and Employment Development Committee: 1. Accept the report on the South Coast Youth Leadership Forum 2. Thank John Lamont and his committee coleagues for organising the youth forum. 3. Request the Mayor write a letter of thanks to the event sponsors. CARRIED

BE17.10 Shoalhaven Professional Business Association - Update on Current Activities	HPERM Ref: D17/28994
Steven Bayer provided a verbal update in relation to this matter.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the report on Update of Current Activities of Shoalhaven Professional Business Association (SPBA) be received for information.
RESOLVED (Clr Gash / David Goodman) That the report on Update of Current Activities of Shoalhaven Professional Business Association (SPBA) be received for information. CARRIED

GENERAL BUSINESS

BE17.11 Proposed Rate Increase - Advice on Industrial Rates

David Goodman raised questions in relation to the proposed rate increase and how this would affect the Industrial Rates in the Shoalhaven.

Russ Pigg responded – in broad terms Council has an application to IPART and depending on IPARTS decision and assuming that its accepted and a 13% increase applies, judging by previous years the quantum will be applied. The variation for individual properties will depend on the property valuation. The rollout of valuations will be within the next few months.

Greg Pullen – advised that it is estimated for an industrial block of an average size, $100-200pa increase would apply, however it is difficult to determine what the industrial values will be compared to the residential values.

BE17.12 Careers Expo 2017 - Funding

Robbie Collins advised that the UOW has been running the Careers Expo for the year 10 students for the last 10 years. This year she has experienced Budget cuts and may not be able to hold the expo this year. The shortfall is approximately between $3000-5000.

It was advised that the Bomaderry Bowling Club be approached and also seek funds from DET and RDA.

It was also mentioned that the Youth Advisory Committee may be able to contribute in some way.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 5.30pm.

John Lamont

CHAIRPERSON

Business and Employment Development Committee – Monday 22 May 2017

Page 7

BE17.13 School to Work Transition Program

HPERM Ref: D17/81201

Group: General Manager's Group

Section: Economic Development

Purpose / Summary

To maintain and enhance Shoalhaven’s economic base through collaboration between all levels of government, other relevant agencies and the broader Shoalhaven community, including the school community.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report on the School to Work Transition Program be received by the Business and Employment Development Committee for information.

Options

1. The recommendation be accepted as written.

2. An alternative recommendation be proposed.

Background

The Shoalhaven City Council Economic Development Office coordinate certain aspects of the School to Work Transition Program. The Economic Development Office partners with the Shoalhaven Professional Business Association (SPBA), the University of Wollongong (UoW) and the Shoalhaven Careers Advisors Network (SCAN).

Annually the following events are delivered:

· SPBA/EDO Professional Snapshot

· The University of Wollongong Career Expo

· The Shoalhaven City Council Teachers to Industry Tour

The Shoalhaven Professional Snapshot event was held on 1 March 2017. The SPBA Professional Snapshot targets students in years 10 to 12. The Shoalhaven High Schools that participated this year included:

· Nowra High School

· Bomaderry High School

· Nowra Christian School

· Shoalhaven High School

· St John the Evangelist Catholic High School Nowra

98 students were registered to attend the 2017 Professional Snapshot event.

Students were taken to professional businesses in Nowra to gain an insight into a number of professions and career options available in the Shoalhaven. The aim of the Professional Snapshot is to assist students in gaining a better understanding of what it is really like to be a an accountant, a physiotherapist etc. The success of the Professional Snapshot is very much dependant on support for the program from the business community.

The businesses involved in the 2017 SPBA Professional Snapshot included:

· Edmiston Jones Architects

· Nowra Allied Health Centre

· AusIndustry

· RMB Lawyers

· Basham Chiropractic

· Basham Physiotherapy

· Southern Podiatry Clinic

· Shoalhaven City Council – strategic planning, surveying, engineering and community development and recreational planning

· SET Consultants

· Specsavers

· Financial Dynamics

· Tait Miller McIntyre

· GHD

· Webics

· MIEngineers

· Walsh & Monaghan

· The University of Wollongong

Feedback comments from the students who attended the 2017 Professional Snapshot session on the best part of the Professional Snapshot session included (paraphrased):

· Learning more information about the career.

· The talks they (the business) gave us on what they do and how they got there.

· Learning about NSW Government Graduate Program.

· Seeing the GIS website (IT system used for surveying) and seeing the technology they use.

· Seeing the working environment and actual workplace.

· Learning where your career can go in Accounting.

· This session (at RMB Lawyers) affirmed my aspirations to become a lawyer.

· Learning about my personality type.

· The connection between surveying, engineering and architecture.

· Using the equipment and seeing how it works.

· The honesty of the presenters (in relation to what the job is actually like).

· Learning about the water systems of the Shoalhaven.

· Enjoyed seeing the physio and learning more about what they do and how hard the course is.

· Talking to the optometrist because he was so keen and excited about helping people.

This success of this year’s event is largely due to the strong partnership between the Shoalhaven City Council, SPBA, SCAN and the support of the business community.

In alignment with the NSW Government “Back to Business Week” initiative, the Economic Development Office hosted an Appreciation Luncheon at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre on Friday, 3 March 2017, to thank the Shoalhaven high schools and local businesses who supported the Professional Snapshot this year, and also in previous years.

Community Engagement

The Professional Snapshot program is reliant on Shoalhaven High schools continuing to participate in the program on an annual basis and on Shoalhaven businesses volunteering their time and work\place to accommodate the students.

Financial Implications

The School to Work Transition Program is identified as a core project within the Economic Development Office strategy. The cost for the program primarily consist of staff time and support.

Business and Employment Development Committee – Monday 22 May 2017

Page 11

BE17.14 Recent grant applications developed by the Economic Development Office of Shoalhaven City Council

HPERM Ref: D17/141891

Group: General Manager's Group

Section: Economic Development

Purpose / Summary

To provide the Business and Employment Development Committee with an update on recent grant applications developed by Council through the Economic Development Office.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report on recent grant applications developed by the Economic Development Office be received for information

Options

1. The recommendation be accepted as written

2. An alternative recommendation be proposed.

Background

The Economic Development Office, in collaboration with other council Sections, actively pursues grant funding that will offset Council expenditure on projects that deliver an economic benefit to the Shoalhaven. Recently there have been two key funding streams that aim to promote regional economic development being Building Better Regions and Restart Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism fund.

Building Better Regions (BBR)

Building Better Regions is an Australian government initiative that aims to create jobs, derive economic growth and build stronger regional communities. There were two streams of funding available under the first round of the program being:

· Infrastructure Projects Stream

· Community Investment Stream

To be eligible for funding you must be:

· A local governing body

· A not for profit organisation (that has been established for more than 2 years)

Council was eligible to submit two applications per stream

BBR - Infrastructure Projects Stream

Infrastructure Projects Stream supports project which involve the construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure which provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.

Minimum grant amount is $20,000 and the maximum grant amount is $10 million.

Jervis Bay Regional Boat Maintenance Facility

This project involves the construction of a boat maintenance facility at Jervis Bay. The facility will be located at Woollamia which has water access to Currambene Creek. The project will consist of the following components:

· The installation of extended wharfing facilities

· The installation of a load bearing waterside concrete pad to cater for trucks, cranes and other heavy equipment

· The upgrade/rebuild of the carpark. Currently the carpark is not suitable to support a boat maintenance facility. The new infrastructure will be all weather suitable and more structurally sound.

· A new parking area created to alleviate conflict between cars with boat trailers and those without. The extension is also necessary to cater for providoring, refuelling, tourists and the local community.

· The creation of a boat maintenance hard stand with appropriate environmental and workplace safeguards including bunding and water storage facilities.

The fenced off, secure hard stand area will be leased out to a suitable shipwright or consortium of shipwrights who will be able to provide anti-fouling, boat repair, cleaning and lift out facilities.

COSTS	$
Construction of Jervis Bay Boat Maintenance Facility	$2,242,000
Total Costs (a)	$2,242,000
SOURCE OF FUNDS
Building Better Regions Fund	$990,000
Shoalhaven City Council	$1,252,000
Total source of funds (b)	$2,242,000

This project will create 44 jobs (FTE’s) across a number of industry sectors & $18.0M per annum in economic output.

Riversdale Masterplan Project

Council also auspiced a project of the Bundanon Trust to overcome capacity issues relating to their existing facilities and to construct a creative learning centre, an accommodation facility and a function space.

The grant sought under the BBR application was for $10 million with other monies being provided by the Bundanon Trust and NSW Government (funding amount to be confirmed).

BBR – Community Investment Stream

The Community Investments Stream will fund community building activities including, but not limited to, new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans, and leadership and capability building activities.

The minimum grant amount is $5,000 and the maximum grant amount is $10 million.

Shoalhaven River Activation Strategy

The project is the development of a Shoalhaven River Activation Strategy to enable the Nowra Waterfront Precinct to move towards an upgrade and development of the area bounded generally by Bridge Rd, Hyam St, Mandalay Ave and the Shoalhaven River. This strategy will address many of the unknowns involved with development of the precinct. Council will coordinate a number of studies into flood modelling, geotechnical requirements, traffic modelling and utility capacity and reticulation realignment. This information will form the basis of a communication and marketing strategy and will provide potential investors with key information.

Shoalhaven River Activation Strategy
Project cost	$500,000
Shoalhaven City Council contribution	$250,000
Building Better Regions Funding Request	$250,000
In kind support
Shoalhaven City Council in-kind	$155,663

Stewart Place Activation Strategy

This project consists of Shoalhaven City Council coordinating a number of studies in order to develop a Communication Strategy and Marketing Plan. The area underconsideration is primarily the Council carpark and the buildings “backing onto this space and how they could be revitalised. The Communication Strategy and Marketing Plan will be used to work with investors looking to develop or partially develop the site and activate the CBD.

Stewart Place Activation Strategy
Project cost	$500,000
Shoalhaven City Council contribution	$250,000
Building Better Regions Funding Request	$250,000
Shoalhaven City Council	$170,663

Regional Growth - Environment and Tourism Fund

The Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund (RGETF), sourced from Restart NSW, aims to increase tourist visitation by investing in regional environment and tourism infrastructure, particularly focusing on assets that will grow and further diversify NSW regional economies.

To be eligible for funding you must be:

· local and state government agencies;

· Aboriginal Land Councils and other Aboriginal groups;

· community groups registered as incorporated associations; non-government organisations.

Council submitted the following Expressions of Interest.

· Greenwell Point Berthing Facilities

· Jervis Bay Regional Boat Maintenance Facility

· South Nowra Rotary Park

· Round the Bay Walk (Recreation Planning)

· Nowra Showground Enhancements (Recreation Planning)

Greenwell Point Berthing Facilities

The project consists of construction of a new floating pontoon system to increase berth capacity at Greenwell Point.

COSTS	$
Construct berths in Greenwell Point	$ 1,494,339
Total Costs (a)	$ 1,494,339
SOURCE OF FUNDS
Restart	$744,339
Shoalhaven City Council	$750,000
Total source of funds (b)	$ 1,494,339

This project is expected to create a minimum of 9 FTE’s through the Charter vessel industry. Economic benefits are valued at $4.6M per annum.

Jervis Bay Regional Boat Maintenance Facility

This is the same project as submitted under the Building Better Regions funding stream.

COSTS	$
Construction of Jervis Bay Boat Maintenance Facility	$2,242,000
Total Costs (a)	$2,242,000
SOURCE OF FUNDS
Restart NSW – E&T	$990,000
Shoalhaven City Council	$1,252,000
Total source of funds (b)	$2,242,000

44 jobs (FTE’s) & $18.0M per annum in economic output.

South Nowra Rotary Park

The project consists of an upgrade to South Nowra Rotary Park to make it more user friendly and attractive. The park is located on the Princes Highway and is easily accessible by both north and south bound traffic.

This project will:

· Upgrade the existing amenity block

· Upgrade car parking and internal roads

· Improve lighting

· Install picnic tables

Improve landscaping – incorporating improved security measures such as the creation of clearer site lines.

COSTS	$
South Nowra Rotary Park Rest Area	$ 600,000
Total Costs (a)	$ 600,000
SOURCE OF FUNDS
Restart Illawarra	$500,000
Shoalhaven City Council	$100,000
Total source of funds (b)	$ 600,000

This project generated a Benefit Cost Ratio of 2.15 based on a 20 year timeframe.

Community Engagement

This report has been created to inform the Business and Employment Development Committee.

A number of the projects above have been developed in response to a need identified by various sectors of the community

Policy Implications

All projects submitted for grant funding have demonstrated strategic alignment with state and local government priorities.

Financial Implications

There are financial implications should Council be successful in receiving grant funding. The financial impacts of each project are listed in the body of the report and Council has resolved to support these projects financially.

Risk Implications

A risk management plan has been developed and submitted as part of the grant application for the following projects:

· Shoalhaven River Activation Strategy

· Stewart Place Activation Strategy

· Greenwell Point Berthing Facilities

· Jervis Bay Regional Boat Maintenance Facility (both funding streams)

A risk management plan will be developed for the South Nowra Rotary Park project should the EoI phase be successful and the fund extends an invitation to submit a full application.

Business and Employment Development Committee – Monday 22 May 2017

Page 16

BE17.15 Update on the social and economic contribution of the aquaculture and commercial fishing sectors

HPERM Ref: D17/141898

Group: General Manager's Group

Section: Economic Development

Purpose / Summary

To inform the Business and Employment Development Committee about the development of two recent social and economic evaluation studies on the NSW aquaculture and commercial fishing sectors.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report on the social and economic contribution of the aquaculture and commercial fishing sectors be received for information

Options

1. The recommendation be accepted as written

2. An alternative recommendation be proposed

Background

The Department of Primary Industries recently wrote to Council to highlight latest research that acknowledges the contribution of aquaculture and commercial fishing sectors to the local economy of NSW.

The two reports were prepared by the University of Technology Sydney and funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. Both reports involved extensive consultation with the seafood industry, the tourism sector and local communities.

The reports reveal that these sectors have a key role to play in the wellbeing of rural and regional communities and in the reliable supply of high-quality seafood.

Aquaculture plays a significant role in NSW providing employment and contributing to regional economies, with more than 1,750 full time jobs in NSW in 2013-2014.

Aquaculture also contributes to community wellbeing through local employment, environmental stewardship including the protection of water quality, and provision of sustainable seafood.

These studies provide stakeholders with a comprehensive information source on the contribution that aquaculture and commercial fisheries make to coastal NSW.

The studies are:

· Barclay, K., McIlgorm, A., Mazur, N., Voyer, M., Schnierer, S., Payne, A.M., 2016, Social and Economic Evaluation of NSW Coastal Aquaculture, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC 2015/302) and University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, December.

(https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/fass-report-social-economic-evaluation-nsw-coastal-aquaculture.pdf)

· Voyer, M., K. Barclay, A. McIlgorm and N. Mazur (2016). Social and Economic Evaluation of NSW Coastal Professional Wild-Catch Fisheries: Valuing Coastal Fisheries (FRDC 2014-301). Canberra, Australia, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC). July.

(https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/fass-vcf-social-economic-evaluation-fisheries-report.pdf)

Key findings:

Social and Economic Evaluation of NSW Coastal Aquaculture

· Aquaculture is an integral part of the economy of coastal regional NSW. Across NSW, aquaculture and the secondary sector have a likely output in 2013–14 of $226m, $134m in added value, and $69.3m in household income, and the sectors combined involve a total of 1,758 full-time jobs.

· Aquaculture plays an important role in local employment, particularly through offering entry-level jobs. Such jobs are proportionally more important in rural economies than in cities, and for disadvantaged social groups, including indigenous people.

· Eighty-four percent of NSW coastal residents believe the aquaculture industry provides important employment opportunities in NSW towns.

Social and Economic Evaluation of NSW Coastal Professional Wild-Catch Fisheries: Valuing Coastal Fisheries

· The Project indicates that professional fishing has a Gross Value of Production (GVP) of $81.7m; total direct and indirect impacts of $219.1m; $104.8m of added value; household income of $50.8m; and provides 1,403 full-time jobs, of which 403 are fishing industry suppliers. The fishing and the secondary sector in 2012–13 had a likely direct and indirect output of $436m–$501m; added value of $215–$248m; household income of $117–$137m; and provided between 3,291 and 3,857 full-time jobs across NSW.

· Nine out of ten NSW coastal residents agree that professional fishing is an important industry for NSW. The same number believe the industry provides important employment opportunities in NSW towns and eight out of ten were concerned about potential job losses that might occur if further restrictions were placed on the industry.

· Professional fishers play an important role in on-water safety and have undoubtedly saved many lives. Over 60% of the fishers that were interviewed had been involved in search and rescue activities; for inshore fishers this was often on a regular basis

Comments on Shoalhaven Fishing and aquaculture industry sectors

In the Shoalhaven the value of the Aquaculture sector has an output of $8.1m and employs 16 people, the Fishing industry has an output of $24.7m and employment of 48. There is a further $16m in output of the braoder support services for the agribusiness sector in general and 33 additional jobs. Statistics obtained from REMPLAN (Dec 2016)

The proposal for the aquaculture operations within Jervis Bay is progressing with the proponent undertaking the necessary lease/licence agreements with NSW DPI and works on the rope structures within the bay should occur during the next summer season.

Community Engagement

The purpose of this report is to keep the Committee informed as it has maintained an interest in the progress of this agribusiness sector.

Business and Employment Development Committee – Monday 22 May 2017

Page 19

BE17.16 Regional Jobs and Investment Packages

HPERM Ref: D17/151081

Group: General Manager's Group

Section: Economic Development

Purpose / Summary

To provide information to the Business and Employment Development Committee about the Australian Government’s South Coast Regional Jobs and Investment Packages program

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report on the South Coast Regional Jobs and Investment Packages program be received for information.

Options

1. The recommendation be accepted as written.

2. An alternative recommendation be proposed.

Background

Overview

The Regional Jobs and Investment Package for the South Coast region in New South Wales is a $20 million investment by the Australian Government to help diversify the regional economy, stimulate economic growth and deliver sustainable employment in the region.

The program’s intended outcomes are to drive economic growth and create jobs by investing in projects that will:

· diversify regional economies

· stimulate long term growth

· deliver sustainable employment

· enable applicants to enter new markets and sectors.

Local priorities and growth industries that will drive economic growth and create jobs in the NSW South Coast region are identified through a Local Investment Plan. The NSW South Coast region Local Investment Plan has not yet been released.

What funding is available?

The funding available to the NSW South Coast region is $20 million over the three grant funding streams. The grant amount will be up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs (grant percentage).

Local infrastructure grants

These grants are for local governing bodies and not-for-profit organisations to invest in new or upgraded infrastructure. These projects will capitalise on opportunities for growth, deliver long-term economic benefits to regional communities and create jobs.

· The minimum grant amount is $50,000

· The maximum grant amount is the limit of grant funding for the region

Business innovation grants

These grants will enable business to build scale and capability to be competitive in new or growing markets that create sustainable employment.

· The minimum grant amount is $50,000

· The maximum grant amount is the limit of grant funding for the region

Skills and training grants

These grants will provide funding to local government bodies and agencies and not for profit organisations. These projects will support training and upskilling of the regional workforce to meet regional priorities, take advantage of emerging opportunities and withstand major labour market changes.

· There is no minimum grant amount

· The maximum grant amount is the limit of grant funding for the region

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply under any grant funding stream you must have an ABN.

Joint applications are acceptable, provided you have a lead applicant who is the main driver of the project and is eligible to apply as follows.

Local infrastructure and Skills and training

To be eligible you must be one of the following entities:

· a local government agency or body

· a not for profit organisation that is a legal entity and has been established for at least two years prior to the time of applying.

Business innovation

To be eligible you must be non-tax-exempt and one of the following entities:

· a company, incorporated in Australia

· an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust.

Merit Criteria

To be competitive you must score highly against all of the following merit criteria:

· the extent to which your project addresses the Local Investment Plan’s investment sectors and strategic priorities (20 points)

· the level of net economic benefit your project will deliver to the region during and beyond the project period (30 points)

· the value for money offered by your project (30 points)

· your capacity, capability and resources to carry out the project (20 points).

More information can be found at
https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/regional-jobs-and-investment-packages/south-coast-new-south-wales

A representative from the Department of Industry will be in attendance at the meeting to answer questions and provide any more recent information.

Community Engagement

The relevant Department is in the process of planning the roll out of information sessions. Details, including dates and venues will be available when the Local Investment Plan for this region is published and the round opens.

Financial Implications

There are no finanical implications at this stage. Should Council make application then the source of matching contributions would need to be identified.

Business and Employment Development Committee – Monday 22 May 2017

Page 22

BE17.17 Status of proposal to establish a motor sports facility at Yerriyong

HPERM Ref: D17/151231

Group: General Manager's Group

Section: Economic Development

Purpose / Summary

A report on the current status of the Regional Development Application for a motor sports facility at Yerriyong has been requested by a member of the Business and Employment Development Committee so that it can be discussed at the May meeting.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report on the status of the Regional Development Application for a motor sports facility at Yerriyong be received for information.

Options

1. The recommendation be accepted as written

2. An alternative recommendation be proposed.

Background

Nowra & District Motor Cycle Club (NDMCC) worked with Council & Crown Lands in the 1970s to identify a site for an off road enduro facility. The site at Yerriyong was identified at the time and Lands entered into a Permissive Occupancy agreement with the club which has had continuous occupation and use of the site.

In the early 1990s Club members approached Council to incorporate other motor sports disciplines into the complex. Plans and concepts were drawn up. The enthusiasm dropped away when HMAS Albatross was opened up for “drag” events on the runway. The project was put aside when the Nowra-Nerriga upgrade of Main Road 92 gathered funding and this route was relocated to within the area being proposed for the motor sports expansion.

Council again dusted off the earlier work in about 2006/7and was putting together a prospectus based on the site at Yerriyong with the view of approaching motor sport operators. This site at Yerriyong was preferred for several reasons:

· Within Albatross noise buffer zone and remote from residences or future urban encroachment

· Within close proximity to utilities – water, sewer, electricity

· Adjacent to existing off road motor sport complex

· Adjacent to main road with good access to Sydney and Canberra regions

· Proximity to an existing industrial estate

· Zoning was appropriate

· Proximity to an urban area for accommodation, services and a pool of casual and permanent employees

Other sites were considered but mostly failed to tick all but one or two of the above criteria. In fact most were more restrictive being within an area managed by NP&WS or so remote that the social and economic criteria could not be achieved. There was no analysis available to prove or disprove that this site was any better or worse from an environmental point of view but being on the fringe of the extensive vegetated expanse it was considered to have less impact than more isolated sites to the south and south-west.

It was during the workup of this latest piece of work that Council was approached by Motorcycling NSW looking for a site adjacent to the Motoplex site at Yerriyong. Motorcycling NSW is a commuunity based, not for profit state sporting association having in excess of 10,000 members. Council & MNSW began to work together from this point to establish a motor sports facIlity at Yerriyong.

Negotiations were held and Council resolved to reserve the site and gained Ministerial approval to compulsorily acquire land from the Crown. This purchase was subject to MNSW obtaining Development consent and following consent substantiating to Council that MNSW could build and operate the facility.

A Development Application was lodged in March 2014 under the provisions of the Shoalhaven LEP 1985. As Council had a potential interest as the future owner of the facility it was referred to the Joint Regional Planning Panel (a NSW panel appointed by the Minister for Planning) for assessment.

Assessment of the application was undertaken by staff at Council. Many hundreds of submissions were received expessing support and opposition for the proposal.These submissions raised a range of issues which were assessed and counter assessed. Several changes were made to the application and design of the race track to accommodate issues raised by the community and agencies.

The JRPP held 2 public hearings and at each instance deferred making a determination on the application. At the most recent hearing Council had recommended issuing a deferred consent. Additional clarity and information was sought by the JRPP as part of the hearing outcome.

On the day of the most recent hearing an email and attachment from NSW Office of Environment and Heritage was submitted to the JRPP. As this correspondence had not been assessed this was grounds for the JRPP to defer.

Since that time, consultants for MNSW were addressing the issues raised by OEH and the JRPP. In March 2017 a report was submitted to the JRPP which identified additional Cryptostylis hunteriana, a threatened orchid listed as Vulnerable under both the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) and the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC).

This additional information effectively showed that the population of this orchid was more widespread across the site and that the current configuration of the race track would impact on a number of the plants, thus requiring more extensive considerations or amendments.

The extent of the cluster of orchids was assessed by MNSW and its consulting team and MNSW foresaw that any track cofiguration to not interfere with the orchid would not satisfy their desire to establish a championship motorcycling circuit. MNSW then made an announcement that it did not have the desire to persue the application any further having spent in excess of $1m already.

MNSW had gained approval from the Federal government under the National Stronger Regions program for a $10m grant towards the construction of the facility. This application and business plan demonstrated a strong economic impact during the construction and operation phases and was complimented by an industrial motor sports park within the AATP.

Projected benefits for the development to the region were identified across four areas of economic impact being:

· Construction: With a construction value of $19 million, the project is expected to create 21 direct jobs (+68 indirect jobs) and output over and above the $19 million construction budget through industrial and consumption effects of a further $22+ million;

· Operation: With an expected annual revenue of around $3.8 million by the time the facility reaches maturity in year five, the complex (excluding the motorsports business and industry park) is expected to create 20 direct jobs (+14 indirect jobs), with a further $3.7 million through industrial and consumption effects.

· Tourism and events: With multiple events expected to occur every week throughout the year, the complex is expected to have a significant direct impact on tourism and associated industries, estimated at more than $10 million of direct output and further $6.8 million in industrial and consumption effects per annum. This equates to a total of 59 direct and 24 new in-direct jobs for the region.

The fourth key area of economic impact is the associated development of an industry specific, motorsports industrial park. The park will house businesses that will support activity within the Peak Motorsports Facility. It is conservatively estimated that there will be 7 businesses established within the first 10 years of operation of the Peak Motorcycling Facility employing 110 people.

This will generate a 10 year total economic impact (including direct, indirect and consumption effect) of $363,740,000. This economic assessments used REMPLAN as the core modelling tool, an input/output tool accepted by the assesors for National Stronger Regions.

The current development application has not been withdrawn by MNSW. Other interested parties have come forward. from the business and motor sports community and are in discussion with MNSW and others regarding taking the application forward.

Community Engagement

This application has generated much discussion and community input, not only in the local area but across the state.

Policy Implications

N/A in the context of this report

Financial Implications

Considerable investment in council time & resource has occurred to date.

Business and Employment Development Committee – Monday 22 May 2017

Page 33

BE17.20 Shoalhaven Professionals Business Association - Update on Current Activities

HPERM Ref: D17/148348

Submitted by: Steven Bayer

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report on the Update of Current Activities of the Shoalhaven Professionals Business Association (SPBA) be received for information.

Details

Young Professional Mentor Program

The SPBA has created and delivered a mentor program for Young Professionals (18-35) in the Shoalhaven. 2017 sees the fourth year the program has been facilitated.

The program objectives include:

- More formal ‘society introductions’ or a buddy system to expand social as well as professional networks

- Encouragement of Young Professional activities

- Mentoring and networking skills

- Networking opportunities

- Mentoring

- Seminars, education, practical advice

- Training, public speaking.

Participants are matched with Mentors and they meet regularly over a period of five months.

The program attracts mentorees who are managing their own businesses or were employed. The mentorees achieved:

- greater connections and networks both within the circles of young professionals and also within the broader Shoalhaven professional sector.

- an increase of knowledge and skills.

- increased personal confidence.

- learning opportunities.

- increased awareness of knowledge, skills and experience of people in the Shoalhaven.

The mentor program attracts a high calibre of mentors with a range of business and corporate management experience. Mentors meet one-on-one with their mentorees and are matched on their identified strengths and goals. In addition, participants enjoy intensive skills sessions (Knowledge Tables) which aim to draw collective knowledge and experience from a facilitator and from within the group of mentorees and mentors. Examples of topics include:

- public speaking, presentations,

- negotiation,

- life/work balance,

- writing skills,

- conflict resolution,

- financial management,

- e communications,

- time management,

- business planning.

Mentors previously noted the program was valuable for them from a personal and professional viewpoint

The Graduation dinner for this year’s program will be held on Friday 7 July 2017 at Bomaderry Bowling Club. This Graduation congratulates the Mentorees and thanks the Mentors. The keynote address will be provided by Ian Gibney from BAE, who will speak about Leadership and the key to opportunity.

A significant portion of funds generated by the Graduation dinner will be provided to the Shoalhaven Education Fund, an organisation that SPBA gladly supports.

Leadership Compass Program

SPBA is conducting an executive leadership program aimed at Business Owners, Business Managers and Team Leaders. The need for this program has been determined by a Management Committee in response to requests from members of SPBA, where executive training is often delivered outside the Shoalhaven.

The tailored program has been developed to provide the following;

- ten sessions (total of 20 hours) delivered fortnightly from February to June 2017,

- the sessions combine guest facilitated Leadership topics with peer mentoring, coaching, developing and working on individual accountabilities.

The format of the program and workshop sessions is as follows;

- Five Leadership Topics are chosen by the Leadership Group.

- Guest facilitators present and workshop with the group on each topic. Guest facilitators have included NSW Members of Parliament, award winning business leaders and CEOs of leading Shoalhaven businesses.

- Topics are relevant. The guest facilitator presents the topic and engages with participants for practical application.

- In alternate workshops, Leaders focus on individual needs through coaching and peer mentoring. Individuals identify and develop their own accountabilities for Leadership, learning and mentoring.

Each participant obtains Professional Development accreditation and SPBA will issue a Certificate of Professional Development gained by completing the Leadership Program.

All sessions are held at the University of Wollongong Shoalhaven Campus.

The program has been expanded to include (where applied for) a nationally accredited qualification – the Advanced Diploma of Leadership & Management.

The extended program contains 12 units of competency with 4 core units including:

- Manage Finances

- Lead & manage organisation change

- Provide leadership across the organisation

- Develop and implement a business plan

Advanced Diploma of Leadership & Management is delivered by Illawarra ITeC through the Shoalhaven Professional Business Association and with registration fee and rebate supported through NSW Smart and Skilled Program.

The Celebration lunch for this program will be held on Wednesday 19 July 2017. SPBA has been fortunate to have an invitation accepted by the Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, who will be the keynote speaker.