Agenda of Business and Employment Development Committee

Minutes of the Business and Employment Development Committee

Meeting Date: Monday, 22 May 2017

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

Time: 4:00pm

The following members were present:

Mr John Lamont - Chairperson

Clr Amanda Findley – arrived 4.05pm

Clr Joanna Gash

Clr Patricia White

Clr Mark Kitchener

Clr John Levett

Clr Nina Cheyne

Lynette Kearney – Representing Ann Sudmalis

Mr James Coburn

Mr David Goodman

Ms Lexie Meyer

Mr Peter Dryer

Mr Steven Bayer

Mr Paul Goodwin

Ms Robbie Collins

Mr Russ Pigg – General Manager – arrived 4.05pm

Others Present

Warwick Papworth – Acting Director Planning Environment and Development

Mr Greg Pullen - Economic Development Manager

Marianne Jones - Economic Development Officer

Cathy Bern – Development Services Section Manager

Peter Masterson – Dept. Industry Innovation and Service

Apologies / Leave of Absence

Apologies were received from Shelley Hancock, Megan Cleary, Alison Chiam, Clr Wells and Fiona Hatcher.

Note: Megan Cleary will now been representing Department of Premier & Cabinet, as the Office of Regional Development is now part of the Department of Premier & Cabinet.

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (David Goodman / Robbie Collins)

That the Minutes of the Business and Employment Development Committee held on Monday 13 February 2017 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Declarations of Interest

Clr Gash – Less than significant non pecuniary declaration – BE17.16 Regional Jobs and Investment Packages – she is on the South Coast Regional Jobs and Investment Packages Committee

John Lamont – Less than significant non pecuniary declaration – BE17.16 Regional Jobs and Investment Packages – Nowchem will be applying for a grant.

Reports

BE17.13 School to Work Transition Program	HPERM Ref: D17/81201
The School to Work Transition Program was held Wednesday 1 March 2017, which included approximately 18 businesses and 70 students from across the Shoalhaven.
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.
RESOLVED (Steven Bayer / Lynnette Kearney) That the report on the School to Work Transition Program be received by the Business and Employment Development Committee for information. Note: Russ Pigg and Clr Findley arrived the time being 4.05pm. CARRIED

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

HPERM Ref: D17/141891

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

RESOLVED (David Goodman / Robbie Collins)

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

CARRIED

BE17.15 Update on the social and economic contribution of the aquaculture and commercial fishing sectors	HPERM Ref: D17/141898
Hyperlinks to the full reports are included in this information report. It was advised that these reports are not applicable to a specific area, but the whole of NSW and how the value of aquaculture is valued across the coast, justifying the substantiate economic benefit and enticing investors.
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
RESOLVED (Lexie Meyer / Paul Goodwin) That the report on the social and economic contribution of the aquaculture and commercial fishing sectors be received for information. CARRIED

BE17.16 Regional Jobs and Investment Packages

HPERM Ref: D17/151081

Peter Masterson Dept. Industry, Innovation and Service advised that the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages were introduced as part of an election commitment.

The South Coast is one of nine regions in Australia involved.

In March an announcement was made regarding establishing local committees, the South Coast Committee is chaired by Fiona Hatcher. The Committees were tasked with establishing a Local Investment Plan, which identified sectors and strategic priorities within those sectors. The Committees met three times between March and April. The Local Investment Plan was submitted at the end of April. It has received endorsement and is on the web.

The application close off date is Monday 31 July. There will be information sessions in June held in Nowra, Batemans Bay and Bega (dates are subject to confirmation).

Peter Masterson tabled the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages Program Guidelines, which outlines eligibility, merit criteria and funding streams (3).

Peter advised there are four (4) merit criteria to be addressed in applications.

Link to Local Investment Plan (20 points out of 100)
Deliverables / Diversity of Jobs (30 points out of 100)
Value for Money (30 points out of 100)
Track Record of Applicant (20 points out of 100)

Any grant would require 50% contribution, dollar for dollar. The minimum project cost would be $100,000, therefore the minimum grant is $50,000.

It was advised that:

Cash contributions are cash not in kind.
If an application is ineligible, the application will not be looked at.
Each merit criteria must be addressed and addressed well
It is predicted that $20mil will be allocated in the first round and it is predicted that the $20mil will go in one round.

If there is any further information requested please pass on Peter Masterson’s details to answer any queries.

If an organisation does not have the cash, yet has a proven track record and proof from bank or factored in other cash flows in their business model (the business model needs to make sense and needs to be achievable). A not for profit organisation for example could rely on their track record however; their application may not be as strong or competitive.

The website and information sessions will cover what makes a good application. Fiona Hatcher had previously mentioned potentially running Grant Application Writing Workshops and the Shoalhaven Business Chamber has discussed this idea back in November. If applicants requested assistance, it was advised that Fiona Hatcher would assist.

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.

RESOLVED (Lynnette Kearney / Lexie Meyer)

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

CARRIED

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

HPERM Ref: D17/151231

The report outlines the flow of events.

It was advised that the application is still live and has not been withdrawn.

The outcome of the MNSW Annual General Meeting was unknown; there was no reportable success from the State Government regarding overcoming barriers.

The Office of Environment and Heritage has been the main driver against the project because of environmental issues and threatened species. Another Further report of orchids was made in February 2017. The application went back to the JRPP in 2016. No decision was made by the JRPP and they asked for a number of things from the applicant. The applicant is looking for potential partners as the project has increase by $4mil.

It was advised the NSR grant approval would not be reallocated locally.

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.

RESOLVED (Peter Dryer / David Goodman)

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

CARRIED

BE17.18 Membership Update - Shoalhaven Arts Board Representative	HPERM Ref: D17/97690
Greg Pullen asked the Committee their thoughts on Peter Masterson - Dept. Industry, Innovation and Service becoming a member on the Business and Employment Development Committee or as an advisor when he can attend. Peter Masterson advised he is happy to assist, however, would require sign off from Dept. Industry, Innovation and Service to represent them.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the report of Finance, Corporate and Community Services regarding Membership Update – Shoalhaven Arts Board Representative be received for information.
RESOLVED (Robbie Collins / Ann Sudmalis) That 1. The report of Finance, Corporate and Community Services regarding Membership Update – Shoalhaven Arts Board Representative be received for information. 2. That Council write to Peter Masterson Dept. Industry, Innovation and Service requesting he become a member of the Business and Employment Development Committee CARRIED

BE17.19 Development in the Shoalhaven - Significant Projects

HPERM Ref: D17/148639

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report of the General Manager (Planning, Environment and Development) regarding the update on development in the Shoalhaven be received for information.

RESOLVED (David Goodman / Paul Goodwin)

That the report of the General Manager (Planning, Environment and Development) regarding the update on development in the Shoalhaven be received for information.

CARRIED

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

HPERM Ref: D17/148348

Steven Bayer advised that the Young Professional Mentor Program is in its fourth year. The program matches young professionals across a variety of fields with mentors with experience such as business owners in the Shoalhaven. The program does not match people from the same industry. The program is run with one on one mentoring, complete with knowledge hubs/tables – where the group comes together to discuss a bigger topic with cross fertilisation. The graduation ceremony is coming up on Friday 7 July 2017 and funds from the celebrations will be donated to the Shoalhaven Education Fund.

The Leadership Compass Program includes training for executives, business owners and leaders, which previously was only available out of the area, which has been provided in the Shoalhaven. There is peer mentoring once per fortnight, and every other fortnight a guest leader facilitates a topic chosen by applicants.

The program finishes Wednesday 19 July 2017 and will be combined with the Advanced Diploma. The NSW Premier has accepted their invitation to attend the graduation.

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.

RESOLVED (Steven Bayer / Robbie Collins)

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

CARRIED

General business

BE17.21 Additional Items - Careers EXPO - Federal Government Funding - Annual Women's Conference

Robbie Collins provided a flyer regarding the Careers EXPO, which has been provided a bigger dollar figure this year. A copy of the flyer will also be emailed to members.

The Federal Treasurer, in his visit last week, advised that the Federal Government has funds available to provide to State Government to ‘lose the red tape’. This funding can also be provided to Local Government for provisions that Council enforces on behalf of the State Government e.g. section 94 contributions. There is a $330mil pool of funding. They are keen for feedback.

The Annual Women’s Conference is to be held Thursday 8 June 2017 and men are invited to attend.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 4.55pm.

John Lamont

CHAIRPERSON

Business and Employment Development Committee – Monday 21 August 2017

Page 7

BE17.22 Heavy Vehicle Access Forum

HPERM Ref: D17/259535

Group: General Manager's Group

Section: Economic Development

Attachments: 1. NHVR - Common Heavy Vehicle Confiurations ⇩

Purpose / Summary

Shoalhaven City Council, through the Economic Development Office, and in conjunction with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulators hosted the Heavy Vehicle Access Forum on the 8^th August 2017 at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre. The purpose of this report is to provide information about the event.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Business and Employment Development Committee

1. Accept the report on the Heavy Vehicle Access Forum for information

2. Support Shoalhaven City Council’s participation in the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s National Class 2 PBS (Performance Based Standards) level 1 & 2A Truck and Dog Trailer Notice as soon as possible.

3. Support Shoalhaven City Council’s participation in the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle network as soon as possible

Options

1. Approve the recommendation, as written

Implications: The allowance for PBS truck and dog combinations will increase freight efficiency for business and the National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle network will allow cranes to access most of the Shoalhaven without the need for permits.

Greater freight efficiency will mean fewer HV movements to undertake the freight task.

2. Do not approve the recommendation

Implications: Investment in the local truck haulage industry will be curtailed until the inefficient policies are removed.

Without improving freight efficiency there is no reduction in HV movements to undertake the existing freight task.

Background

The Economic Development Office of Shoalhaven City Council, in conjunction with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, hosted a Heavy Vehicle Access Forum on the 8^th August 2017 at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre. The event was well attended with over 70 attendees. The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator stated that this was the most well attended event of its type.

The aim of the forum was to:

· To inform industry, hauliers and Councils of their roles, responsibilities and opportunities under the Heavy Vehicle National law and what the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is doing and has planned to assist them.

· Showcase how some industries are changing truck configurations to improve productivity.

· Showcase examples of local government and how they are reducing red tape and boosting their economies.

· Sharing experiences by Councils, the NHVR and hauliers to find solutions to improve freight productivity.

· Allow hauliers to identify regulatory and network issues to improve industry requirements

The agenda was as follows:

Time	Topic	Speaker
9.30am	Registrations open
10.00am	Welcome Opening Remarks and Introduction	Patricia White, Forum Chair and Assistant Deputy Mayor, Shoalhaven City Council Ben Stewart, Director Assets & Works
10.10am	Engaging with Local Government	Tim Hansen - Stakeholder Specialist, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR)
10.25am	Understanding the Heavy Vehicle Access Regulatory Environment	Tim Hansen - Stakeholder Specialist, NHVR
10.45am	NSW Government perspective – ‘Optimising the Network’	Brett Graham - Senior Officer Network Development, Compliance and Regulatory Services, Roads and Maritime Services Peter Bache - Heavy Vehicle Access Coordinator, Roads and Maritime Services
11.05am	Council Practices Session 1: Understanding and responding to industry issues	Greg Pullen, Economic Development Manager, Shoalhaven City Council
11.40am	NHVR Portal – Making heavy vehicle access simpler for industry and road managers	David Carlisle – Executive Director, AccessCONNECT, NHVR
12:10	Truck Configuration Overview and Display	Graham French (To interview truck owners)
12.30pm	Lunch
1.00pm	Council Practices Session 2: Understanding and responding to industry needs a) Use of internal systems and assessment procedures	Naif Ahmed – Unit Manager Road Assets, Shoalhaven City Council
1.30pm	Industry Panel Representatives from a range of industry sectors will provide an overview of what matters most to them on heavy vehicle access and why	Industry Representatives: · Simon O’Hara - General Manager, Road Freight NSW · Rob Waghorn - Operations Manager Tippers (NSW/ACT), Boral · Tony Emery - Director, Soilco · Brandon Hitch – CEO, Crane Industry Council of Australia · Robert Smedley – Director, Smedley’s Engineers · Mark Owens - National Manager Rail, Strategic Planning and Development, Manildra Group
2.45pm	Workshop Session Regulations – Network – “last mile”	Patricia White - Assistant Deputy Mayor, Shoalhaven City Council
3.20pm	Workshop Report Back	Patricia White - Assistant Deputy Mayor, Shoalhaven City Council
3.30pm	Forum Closing Remarks	Tim Hansen, Stakeholder Specialist, NHVR

The event was well received and the workshop session identified a number of activities that could be undertaken to improve heavy vehicle access. Of immediate concern is Council’s participation in the National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Notice 2016 and gaining a mass exemption for Class 2 PBS Truck and Dogs for level 1 access at general mass limits.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is Australia’s independent regulator for all vehicles over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass. The NHVR work with councils and industry to identify opportunities to allow appropriate access to local government road networks. The NVHR believes that Council can improve productivity and safety by;

• Working with the transport/logistics industry to identify priorities for improved road network access

• Review internal systems to turn around heavy vehicle access consent requests quickly, and the use of pre approvals.

• Sign up to approved network for certain heavy vehicles e.g. for PBS vehicles, cranes, oversize

Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) identifies two groups of heavy vehicles; Regulation Vehicles-General Access and Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs). General access vehicles include rigid trucks and semi-trailers and have general access to roads authorised by the HVNL. Restricted access vehicles require specific authority to operate on the road network.

There are three classes of restricted access vehicles;

· Class 1 – Oversize/Overmass (OSOM)

o Special Purpose Vehicles

o OSOM load carrying vehicles transporting indivisible loads

o Agricultural vehicles and implements

· Class 2 – High productivity vehicles

o B-doubles, B-triples, road trains, Performance Based Standards

· Class 3 – Other RAVs (not Class 1 or 2)

Consent to operate a RAV on the road network can be obtained by getting a permit from Council as the Road Manager or through the application of a Notice. It is recommended that staff from Shoalhaven City Council investigate the benefits to local business by signing up to the SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) and the PBS (Performance Based Standards) networks.

Cranes and the National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Notice 2016

The National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Notice 2016 (no. 1) (National SPV Notice) authorises the use of Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicles up to 40 tonnes on gazetted networks in participating jurisdictions. It provides exemptions from certain requirements of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension & Loading) National Regulation to certain types of Special Purpose Vehicles. These exemptions only apply if a vehicle meets the conditions set out in the notice and only apply on the routes specified in each of the state and territory schedules.

The National SPV Notice applies to heavy motor vehicles which are Class 1 SPVs and which meet the conditions and requirements set out in the notice and relevant state and territory schedules. Examples include 2-axle pick and carry cranes, 2-axle all terrain mobile cranes, 3-axle truck cranes or 4-axle mobile concrete pumps.

Many local government areas in Victoria and Queensland and some in NSW are participating jurisdictions operating in accordance with the National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Notice 2016. This means that special purpose vehicles which meet the conditions and requirements set out in the notice and relevant state and territory schedules may be able to access the road network without having to gain a permit. The following are examples of SPV’s that currently have to gain a permit to use the Shoalhaven road network.

Cranes face additional permitting issues because each permit is issued to each individual vehicle/crane. That means that you cannot substitute one blue crane with another blue crane even though they are identical models. This significantly limits the ability of crane operators to be responsive to industry needs and reduces business efficiency. Image result for Franna Cranes, unlike vehicles moving bulk freight, travel unique routes to get to where they are needed. Currently each unique route, and each particular crane using that route, require a permit. The use of the National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Notice 2016 in the Shoalhaven will negate the need for cranes to gain a permit.

The following characteristics of crane use further exacerbate the issue:

· Cranes are often needed at short notice.

· Sometimes extra support cranes are needed.

· Weather causes need for flexibility.

· Change of crane choice is sometimes required as Job nears commencement.

The image below demonstrates the length of a number of cranes with differing axles all requiring permits compared to a semi-trailer which does not requires any permits.

A 2 axle SPV (crane) is smaller than a garbage truck (no permit required)…….

And causes less structural damage to roads

A 28t Concrete Mixer is unrestricted while a 24t crane requires a permit and causes less structural damage.

…..

Feedback from the forum was that Shoalhaven City Council should investigate the benefits and any impacts of adopting the National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Notice 2016.

Class 2 PBS (Performance Based Standards) Level 1 & 2A Truck and Dog Trailer

Performance Based Standards (PBS) is a national heavy vehicle scheme designed to offer the heavy vehicle industry the potential to achieve higher productivity and safety through innovative and optimised vehicle design. The operation of PBS vehicles in NSW is by access permit and/or National PBS Notice depending on the type of PBS vehicle. These access permits and/or National Notices provide details on the conditions of operation and road network access permitted for a PBS vehicle in NSW.

Eligible PBS Truck and Dog combinations may operate on approved routes as outlined in the National Class 2 PBS Level 1 & 2A Truck and Dog Trailer Authorisation Notice. Shoalhaven City Council does not participate in the Class 2 PBS (Performance Based Standards) Level 1 & 2A Truck and Dog Trailer Notification.

Below is a screenshot of the NSW RMS interactive map showing the PBS jurisdictions and networks for Level 1.

As seen from the above, the Councils in the local area not yet signed up to the PBS Level 1 are Shoalhaven, Goulburn-Mulwaree and Wingecaribee.

Below is a screenshot of the NSW RMS interactive map showing the PBS jurisdictions and networks for Level 2A.

(http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/heavy-vehicles/maps/performance-based-standards/map/index.html)

Community Engagement

At the Heavy Vehicle Access Forum there was a cross section of hauliers, industry including trailer manufacturers, and government agencies.

Policy Implications

There would appear that the NHVR is achieving consensus across the eastern states for uniform rules to be in place. In some instances Shoalhaven would benefit from adopting these changes. The recommendation includes having Shoalhaven City Council consider these policy changes.

Financial Implications

The evidence presented at the Heavy Vehicle Access Forum would appear to support that the technological advances in the truck building industry are presenting heavy vehicles, in some categories, which have less impact on road wear and tear and perform in the same way as General Mass Limited - Open Access vehicles.

The financial impacts upon Council need to be assessed in any evaluation.

Risk Implications

The NHVR has been established to improve the efficiency and productivity of the road freight industry. Considerations of safety, amenity and performance are all considerations in each assessment. Council similarly makes these same assessments for its own network.

Business and Employment Development Committee – Monday 21 August 2017

Page 17

BE17.23 Nowra Key Road Projects

HPERM Ref: D17/259664

Group: General Manager's Group

Section: Economic Development

Attachments: 1. Nowra Key Road Projects - A3 Brochure ⇩

Purpose / Summary

To brief the Committee on a position paper prepared by Council with the aim of achieving long-term road network solutions in the Nowra Bomaderry urban area.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That

1. The report on the Nowra Key Road Projects be accepted

2. The Business and Employment Development Committee advise Council that the main priorities for the economic development (and facilitation of future urban release growth areas) of the Shoalhaven should be to:

a. Achieve HML access for southbound freight vehicles as soon as possible,

b. Achieve intersection treatments at both the northern and southern ends of the Shoalhaven River crossing that will from the outset perform better than the current situation,

c. Achieve a Princes Highway corridor with 6 lanes from Cambewarra Rd to Warra Warra Rd,

d. Address the east-west traffic movements in such a way to improve the north-south flow for the Princes Highway.

Options

1. Approve the recommendation, as written

Implications: Keeping the recommended priorities to a minimum will keep the focus on the issues that are key to the strategy

2. Amend the recommendation

Implications: If too many “high priority” actions are itemised then the importance of the key issues can be lost.

3. Do not approve the recommendation

Implications: The elements relating to the economic issues as relating to business and employment will be not presented as precisely.

Background

The issue of the adequacy of the current Shoalhaven River crossing has been a “hot” topic for some years. To help bring the issue to a head with government and relevant agencies, Council has prepared a document “Nowra Key Road Projects” which it has presented to the RMS, various local and visiting Ministers/Politicians and was the subject of a briefing & report to Council.

This document highlights the ongoing needs of the Shoalhaven community to ensure that the implementation of major road projects not only achieve quality outcomes in terms of travel time along the Princes Highway, but do not cause undue impacts on residents and businesses of the Shoalhaven.

The key issue to business, and recognised by the RMS, is the capacity of the southbound bridge to cater for Higher Mass Limited vehicles (HML). The implication of this is that these vehicles will run 10-20% below maximum weight when heading south but can be fully loaded when travelling north. This in turn has impacts on the cost per tonne of freight transport for destinations south of the Shoalhaven River.

With the proposal to increase the bridge capacity from 5 lanes to 6, the key to increasing traffic flows in peak times and easing congestion is to have more efficient intersections on the northern approach (Princes Hwy, Bolong Rd and Illaroo Rd) and on the southern approach (Princes Hwy, Bridge Rd and North St/Moss St). The major issue is the traffic lane switching and insufficient queueing distances.

By providing grade separated intersections, the flow of traffic and queueing can be better managed. This outcome is critical to providing a “better” solution.

Once the Bomaderry to Berry upgrade of the highway is achieved and the dual lanes reach Cambewarra Rd and merge with the Kangaroo Valley (Moss Vale Rd) traffic and the increased volumes following the Moss Vale Rd (North & South precincts) urban releases, the ability of the Princes Hwy to cope will be challenged. The need for 3 lanes both north and south will then become evident to avoid the anticipated congestion.

On the south side, congestion is already a regular occurrence at Kalandar St. With 5 intersections now signalised and another 5 having roundabouts, this section of the Princes Hwy will come under increasing stress from congestion. The Hwy intersection with Browns Rd and Flinders Rd has reached capacity already.

The congestion on the highway is also exasperated by the highway being part of the east west movement of traffic between home, work, shops, school/university etc. Better use of the urban network like Kinghorne St (former highway) and Berry St can form part of this localised traffic network and keeping the Hwy as the through corridor.

To achieve road projects such as the East Nowra Sub Arterial (ENSA), upgrading Kalandar St intersection with the Hwy and a link from Worrigee to Flinders estate/HMAS Albatross and UoW all form part of the equation. On the north side, the Far North Collector Rd will provide connectivity from Nth Nowra to Bomaderry, Princes Hwy north and Moss Vale Rd through Kangaroo Valley.

Community Engagement

The community engagement has been bubbling away for several years around the River crossing. The associated projects, which give the bridge project its desired outcomes, is a much more complex story to tell.

By developing the “Nowra Key Road Projects” document, the unfolding of the broader story is anticipated.

Already groups such as the Business Chambers and the Heavy Vehicle industry have been exposed to the document and positive feedback has been received.

Policy Implications

To develop a comprehensive strategy to provide a traffic solution for Nowra Bomaderry for the next 40-60-80 years the key issues need to be identified and implemented. The associated issues need to be also identified and addressed.

Discussions with both the political and administrative arms of governments have been undertaken. A working task force needs to be formed to develop the solutions and funding mechanisms.

Financial Implications

At this stage, the lobbying to have accepted the core requirements accepted is still part of the task. This phase of the task will involve Council staff time and effort as various options are developed and evaluated. It is expected that the majority of the funding for this will come from the NSW Government. Relevant to this point, RMS has very recently commenced the preparation of the Nowra- Bomaderry Network Strategy which was an Action arising from the Princes Highway Corridor Strategy. RMS will lead the development of the Strategy and will work in partnership with Council to provide a safe and efficient road network for all road users, looking at the short –medium –long term needs.

As sub projects are finalised there will be a requirement for funding and the mix of funding from all three levels of government will be formulated within this projects. Council will be required to meet its share of this responsibility over the next 5-10-15 years.

Risk Implications

With a multi government approach it is hoped that problems will be identified, solutions modelled/developed and outcomes built. The key to avoiding community discontentment and disruption will be the sequencing of project elements.

The understanding of the overall strategy and the parallel implementation of project elements is therefore critical to managing risk.

Business and Employment Development Committee – Monday 21 August 2017

Page 22

BE17.24 Upskilling Shoalhaven's Youth - various assistance programs.

HPERM Ref: D17/262715

Group: General Manager's Group

Section: Economic Development

Attachments: 1. PaThEmployabilitySkills Flyer South Coast ⇩

Purpose / Summary

Several programs aimed at upskilling of Illawarra - Shoalhaven youth have been run or are being planned to be offered. This report gives an overview of these programs.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

1. That the report on various assistance programs to address the Upskilling of Shoalhaven Youth be received for information.

2. That the committee consider other initiatives to improve youth employment opportunities.

Options

1. Accept the resolution as written.

2. Propose an alternate resolution.

Background

Several programs to assist local youth gain skills to obtain employment or recognised skills have been announced in recent weeks. The basic details of the various programs are given below.

Youth Jobs PaTH (brochures attached)

Youth Jobs PaTH (Prepare, Train, Hire) is a new Australian Government initiative designed to help eligible young people find jobs by providing them with Employability Skills Training (EST). The program is being delivered by TAFE.

These courses provide a supportive environment where individuals can learn, grow, develop their skills and increase their confidence in preparation for potential employment. This course has been designed to ensure learning is practical, fun and relevant to the workplace. jobseekers will have the opportunity to engage in fitness, massage and physio, general nursing, presentation and desktop publishing for the office and aspects of working with youth, mental health and volunteering services.

Course outcomes include

· Explore employment opportunities in the local area

· Connect with education and employment

· Learn skills for engaging with potential employers

· Create an individual career plan

· Become job ready

Course 1 Employability skills - training will focus on the skills job seekers need to get a job. This includes all 10 skills listed in the Core Skills for Work Development Framework. The training, to be conducted by TAFE, is designed to make sure learning is practical, fun and relevant, and we utilise simulated work environments with loads of practical exercises.

The training will place an emphasis on cooperative learning using scenario based activities wherever possible. For Course 1, we will partner with the jobseeker to select the training that best suits local industry needs.

Course 2 Employability skills - training will focus on job preparation such as:

· advanced job hunting skills

· identification of career goals and the jobs that will help achieve these goals

· interview skills with mock-interviews

· work experience opportunities, including industry guest speakers, traineeships

· apprenticeships and internship officers and industry visits.

Trainers will work with each job seeker to build a career pathway that leads them into a job.

Shoalhaven Education Fund

Grants for 2017/18 from the Shoalhaven Education Fund are open! The SEF can assist anyone who could need a financial helping hand with their future opportunities training needs.

Applicants can apply for education or job-related expenses such as tools of trade, uniforms, text books, and computers, accommodation costs if moving away from home or a fuel card for someone who has to travel for work or study.

Grants are open to school leavers from Years 10, 11 and 12 and also to tertiary students or jobseekers aged 16-25 years who go to school or live in the Shoalhaven. Grant applications are on-line www.cef.org.au/shoahaven

Applicants must be 16 years of age or over and leaving high school this year and plan on going to University or TAFE, undertaking a course at an approved training college, taking up an apprenticeship or traineeship or starting entry level work but are facing financial difficulty.

Grants opened 16^th June and close 31^st December. Application forms and full grant details are available at www.cef.org.au/shoalhaven . Grants are a two-step process, a written application and an interview. It is not necessary for the applicant to have received acceptance into a course when applying.

Illawarra YES

A recently completed project, Illawarra YES, had the same aims and objectives of getting young jobseekers into work.

Illawarra YES was a package of nine targeted actions that aimed to deliver better employment outcomes for young job seekers in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven. The 12 month pilot was launched on 22^nd July 2016 and concluded on 30^th June 2017.

IllawarraYES involved over 15 project partners, including the Illawarra Pilot Joint Organisation, Dept of Premier & Cabinet, Southern Youth Family Services, ClubsNSW, RDA Illawarra, Training Services NSW and the Commonwealth Dept of Employment.

In the 12 months the following eleven (11) pre-employment training programs were delivered through IllawarraYES:

· 7x Retail Ready programs

· 2x HospitalityYes programs

· 1x Young@Heart (aged care) program

· 1x ContactCentreYES program

Southern Youth and Family Services has reported that 30 of its clients participated in IllawarraYES, with 80% completing the programs and 50% achieving employment.

DPC has engaged UTS Institute of Public Policy and Governance to undertake a 12 month evaluation of the Strategy. The evaluation project will:

· Review the effectiveness of the IllawarraYES pilot in meeting its strategic objectives,

· Provide a set of evidence-based recommendations that could allow the approach to be replicated or scaled up in other locations,

· Provide recommendations to support the ongoing delivery of the strategy, including governance arrangements, pre-employment program design and focus, and any key issues that need to be addressed in its future delivery

DPC has secured funding through the Dept of Industry to establish an IllawarraYES co-ordinator position to oversee the continuation of the Strategy post July 2017. The details of the program have yet to be finalised.

Community Engagement

Many different agencies are trying to address the various issues that relate to the growing youth unemployment issues.

The breadth of the problem will require a multi-faceted approach. Programs such as the above go some way to addressing the issue and learning which methods can achieve meaningful results.

Policy Implications

The Federal and State governments are quite active in trying to address the youth unemployment issues. Different initiatives are being attempted.

At the local level, all organisations with an interest need to participate as required and resources permit.

Business and Employment Development Committee – Monday 21 August 2017

Page 27

BE17.25 Recent Grant Applications and Announcements

HPERM Ref: D17/263385

Group: General Manager's Group

Section: Economic Development

Attachments: 1. Building Better Regions 2017 Infrastructure offers (under separate cover) ⇨

Purpose / Summary

The purpose of this report is to inform the Business and Employment Development Committee about recent grant applications and announcements.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report on recent grant applications and announcements be received for information.

Options

1. Accept the resolution as written

2. Propose an alternate resolution

Background

Several funding opportunities have come from the Australian and New South Wales Governments in recent months. Council has lodged various applications and have had notification of the various outcomes.

Building Better Regions Fund

The Building Better Regions Fund is a federal government initiative that provides funding for infrastructure and community investment projects that will create jobs, drive economy growth and build stronger regional communities. The initial round of funding consisted of two distinct streams being the Infrastructure Projects stream and the Community Investment stream. Council could submit two applications per stream.

The Infrastructure Projects stream;

· Was to fund the construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.

· Grants between $20,000 and $10 million

· 50% cash contribution required

· Closed on the 28^th February

The Community Investment stream:

· For community-building activities including, but not limited to, new or expended local events, strategic regional plans, and leadership and capability building activities.

· Grants between $5,000 and $10 million (but they expected that most grants will be under $100,000)

· 50% cash contribution required

· Closed on the 31^st March 2017

Council submitted the following applications under the infrastructure stream. Funding announcements were made on the 4^th August 2017.

· Jervis Bay Regional Boat Maintenance Facility – requested $990,000 (total project cost of $2,242,000) to construct a boat maintenance facility at Woollamia. This grant application was not successful

· Riversdale Masterplan project – submitted on behalf of Bundanon Trust. Requested $10,000,000 (total project cost of $28,950,000 with $18,520,000 of funding being negotiated with the NSW government) for the construction of three new buildings being the Creative Learning Centre, Accommodation building and the Catering building. This application was determined to be ineligible.

This round was very competitive with a total of 545 applications requested a total of $998.1M. 110 project were approved to the value of $219.5M. There were no successful projects located in the Shoalhaven.

In the South Coast:

· The Community Carers Accommodation South East Inc, Bega, received $310,000 (total project cost $876,685) toward the construction of a carer’s accommodation facility at the South East Regional Hospital.

· The Friends of Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens, Batemans Bay, received $460,000 (total project cost $920,000) for the redevelopment of a purpose built facility for 13,500 plant specimens at the Wallace herbarium.

· Sustainable Agriculture and Gardening Eurobodalla, Moruya, received $46,890 (total project cost $98,400) for the upgrade of an existing shed to develop a prototype SAGE inCUBEator.

A full list of approved projects is attached.

The Community Investment Stream has not yet been announced. Council submitted two applications being:

· Shoalhaven River Activation Strategy

· Stewart Place Activation Strategy

Restart NSW - Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism

This fund was established under the NSW Government’s Rebuilding Program and 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. There is $100M available in the first round of funding.

The application process for funding for the Regional Growth fund is a two stage process. Expressions of Interest closed on the 20^th April 2017.

Council submitted a number of applications and have been approached to submit full applications for two boating infrastructure projects and two tourist walk projects. Council can submit all four projects for final evaluation.

1. Boating Infrastructure:

o Jervis Bay Regional Boat Maintenance Facility ($990,000 requested toward project cost of $2,242,000)

o Greenwell Point Berthing Facilities ($744,339 toward total project cost of $1,494,339)

2. Tourism Walks

o Round the Bay Walk Improvements (Moona Moona Creek Shared Pedestrian Bridge, Callala Headland Reserve Path and Wayfinding Signage) ($750,000 toward total project cost of $1,000,000)

o Shoalhaven Heads River Road Foreshore Precinct ($1,000,000 toward total cost of $1,550,000).

Regional Growth – Marketing and Promotion Fund

The Regional Growth – Marketing and Promotion Fund aims to promote the benefits for businesses, investors, and skilled workers looking for better opportunities and quality of life, to consider setting up, investing or moving to regional NSW. It is intended to attract new businesses, investment or skilled workers to a regional NSW location. Projects that target tourist visitors to a regional NSW location are not eligible.

Shoalhaven City Council has been successful and has received $50,000 to deliver the Productive Shoalhaven – You’re in Good Company campaign.

South Coast Regional Jobs and Investment Package

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.

There were three streams being:

· Local Infrastructure

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

· 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

· 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

Applications closed on the 31^st July 2017. The government then reopened the grant on Wednesday 2^nd August 2017 and extended the closing date to the 15^th August 2017.

Shoalhaven City Council submitted the following applications under the Local Infrastructure stream:

· Greenwell Point Boating Facilities – to construct a berthing facility consisting of no less than 12 berths (requested $744,339 toward $1,494,399)

· Construction of the Woollamia Boat Lift Facility, NSW – to construct a boat maintenance facility with lift out (requested $180,900 toward $380,900)

· Converting a decommissioned asset into employment land at Ulladulla - to create 13 industrial lots on the old sewerage treatment site at Ulladulla (requested $2,216,500 toward $4,435,500)

· Power to Huskisson – working with Endeavour Energy to upgrade the electricity network in the Huskisson CBD (requested $275,000 toward $550,000. $50,000 to come from Council with Endeavour Energy contributing $225,000)

The Business Innovation stream was open to business and would support the purchase of plant and equipment. The Economic Development Office assisted a number of local businesses with their applications. The applications were all of a high calibre and would result in significant increases in employment in the Shoalhaven.

Community Engagement

Shoalhaven City Council projects that were submitted for grant funding were determined through a Council minute.

Policy Implications

The Boating Infrastructure projects support the Marine Tourism strategy within the Illawarra – Shoalhaven Regional Plan

Financial Implications

Council will have to make a financial contribution toward each project if successful. The funding implications of each project are outlined above.

Business and Employment Development Committee – Monday 21 August 2017

Page 31

BE17.26 Shoalhaven Economic Development Strategy 2017-2026 - Workshopping of Broad Based Action (Chapter 6)

HPERM Ref: D17/263555

Group: General Manager's Group

Section: Economic Development

Attachments: 1. EDS Implementation Action Plan (under separate cover) ⇨

Purpose / Summary

This is to inform a workshop session for the Business and Employment Development Committee regarding the broad based actions itemised within the Shoalhaven Economic Development Strategy 2017-2026.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Business and Employment Development Committee undertake a workshop session on the Actions emanating from the Shoalhaven Economic Development Strategy 2017-2026 with recommendations being considered by a working party of the Committee, with the power to co-opt other representatives, and to report back to a future meeting of this Committee.

Options

1. Adopt the recommendation as written

2. Amend the recommendation

3. Not adopt the recommendation

Background

Council in June 2017 adopted the Shoalhaven Economic Development Strategy 2017-2026. Included in the adoption resolution, Council sought that:

The new Strategy be referred to the Business and Employment Development Committee to discuss and recommend priority settings for the “Recommended Actions” within the Strategy, acknowledging the resource/capacity limitations of the Economic Development Office.

The Strategy itself has two areas in which recommended actions are presented. In Chapter 6 Broad Based Actions there are 27 actions and in Chapter 7 Key Industry Actions there are 24 actions.

Within the Broad Based Actions there are 7 sections:

6.1 Sustaining and Improving Productivity – 3 actions

6.2 Leadership and Innovation – 5

6.3 Stimulating Catalytic Investment Opportunities - 2

6.4 Creating Liveability and Place – 6

6.5 Council’s Employment Lands – 2

6.6 Communicating Economic Development – 6

6.7 Marketing and Promotion – 3

Within the key Industry Actions there are 9 sections:

7.1 Defence and Public Administration – 3

7.2 Manufacturing – 3

7.3 Professional and Technical Services – 2

7.4 Transport, Logistics and Wholesale Trade – 2

7.5 Agriculture and Aquaculture – 4

7.6 Health Care and Human Services – 4

7.7 Education and Training – 3

7.8 Tourism, Accommodation and Food Services – 2

7.9 Retail Trade – 1

At the meeting members will be able to add notes to each of the 16 Action areas. Each note should include the following:

· What is to be suggested/recommended

· Why this suggestion/comment is being made

· How is the suggestion going to be implemented and by whom

A copy of the Actions is attached so that you may notate your ideas.

Community Engagement

At the time of developing the Strategy there was engagement with Council staff, business leaders and government agencies.

This continues this engagement with stakeholders.

Policy Implications

Individual Actions may impinge on policy of Council and/or Governments. There will be some checks and balances to ensure that all actions will comply with agreed policy positions.

Financial Implications

The Committee needs to be reminded of the limited resources within the Economic Development Office and other sections within Council. Implication of actions upon external agencies is also dependent on their resources and support.

Risk Implications

Too many actions are allocated and are not completed due to lack of resources.

Business and Employment Development Committee – Monday 21 August 2017

Page 40

BE17.30 Shoalhaven Professionals Business Association Update on Current Activities

HPERM Ref: D17/262869

Submitted by: Steven Bayer – President SPBA

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.

Details

Young Professional Mentor Program

The SPBA has completed the 2017 Mentor Program, for Young Professionals (18-35) in the Shoalhaven, who manage their own businesses or are employed. The program is aimed to improve Young Professionals in the Shoalhaven. 2017 is the fourth year the program has been delivered by the SPBA, with the following results for Mentorees;

- 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.

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

- improved networking between Mentorees and Mentors/Mentorees

Participants were matched with Mentors, who are high calibre people with a range of business and corporate management experience, and they met regularly over a period of five months on a one-on-one basis.

In addition, participants enjoy intensive skills sessions (Knowledge Tables) which draw collective knowledge and experience from a facilitator and from within the group of Mentorees and Mentors.

The Graduation dinner for this year’s program was held on Friday 7 July 2017 at Bomaderry Bowling Club, to congratulate Mentorees and thank Mentors. The keynote address was provided by Ian Gibney from BAE, who spoke about Leadership.

'Hero' businesses at the Graduation dinner donated $2,600 to the Shoalhaven Education Fund.

The Mentor program was supported by Southern Phone and UOW SHoalhaven Campus, with the Graduation sponsored by Bendigo Bank.

Leadership Compass Program

SPBA is conducting an executive leadership program aimed at business owners, managers and team leaders, 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 were chosen by the Leadership Group.

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

- 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 have issued a Certificate of Professional Development gained by completing the Leadership Program.

The first phase of the program has been completed and the Celebration lunch was held on Wednesday 19 July 2017. The Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, accepted an invitation to attend, together with Member for South Coast, and Speaker of the House, Shelley Hancock MP, and Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward MP.

The Premier also advised that she would be reporting on the strengths of the Program to State Parliament.

The Program has now moved into the second phase to be completed in December 2017 – the Advanced Diploma of Leadership & Management, which is delivered in conjunction with Illawarra ITeC and supported through the NSW Smart and Skilled Program.

The SPBA is supported by Shoalhaven City Council through an MOU, which allows the Association to provide events and programs to support and develop professionals and professional businesses in the Shoalhaven.