Agenda of Business and Employment Development Committee

Minutes of the Business and Employment Development Committee

Meeting Date: Wednesday, 27 November 2019

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

Time: 4:00pm

The following members were present:

Clr John Wells – Acting Chairperson

Clr Mark Kitchener

Clr Nina Digiglio

Clr Jo Gash

Clr Patricia White

Mr Tony Emery – Nominee – Gareth Ward MP

Mr Paul Mitchell – Nominee - Fiona Phillips MP

Ms Jemma Tribe – Shoalhaven Business Chamber

Mr Andrew Wales – Dept Employment, Skills, Small & Family Business

Mr Robert Crow – STAG Representative

Ms Donna Payne – Dept Premier & Cabinet

Ms Kate Morris – TAFE NSW – Southern

Ms Alison Chiam – SAB Representative – arrived 4.10pm

Ms Lexie Meyer – Southern Community Representative

Mr Greg Pullen – CEO Nominee

Others present:

Cathy Bern – Development Services Manager

Marianne Jones – Economic Development Officer

Avalon Bourne – Shoalhaven Youth Forum

Election of Chairperson

RESOLVED (Robert Crow / Clr Kitchener)

That Clr Wells be appointed as the Acting Chairperson for the meeting.

CARRIED

Apologies / Leave of Absence

An apology was received from John Lamont, Anna Finch, Fiona Hatcher, Ian Morris, Peter Masterson and Mary-Jean Lewis.

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (Jemma Tribe / Clr Gash)

That the Minutes of the Business and Employment Development Committee held on Wednesday 28 August 2019 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Declarations of Interest

Nil

Reports

BE19.24 Property Council - Business Luncheon - September 2019

HPERM Ref: D19/403991

Greg Pullen – Economic Development Manager addressed the meeting and advised that there are no exceptions to the report and made the following comments:

· There were approximately 130 attendees to the luncheon

· The new CEO Mr Stephen Dunshea was the guest speaker

· There is an overview of the event in the report and from what the South Coast Register reported on the day

· An Attachment to the report provides statistics for the area

It was also noted that it was a well-attended event with discussion panel members being Leanne Taylor ISJO, Peter Russell from Integrity Real Estate, Paul Vecovski from RMS with Mediator being Jennifer Macquarie Chair of Property Council Illawarra Chapter.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report on the event organised by the Property Council of NSW in conjunction with the Economic Development Office of Shoalhaven City Council be received for information.

RESOLVED (Clr White / Donna Payne)

That the report on the event organised by the Property Council of NSW in conjunction with the Economic Development Office of Shoalhaven City Council be received for information.

CARRIED

BE19.25 School to Industry Program - Teacher bus tour 2019

HPERM Ref: D19/404460

Greg Pullen – Economic Development Manager addressed the meeting and advised that a number of Industries attended including 26 teachers. The tour visited a number of Industries and positive feedback came back from TAFE. Teachers in attendance were from all areas with an exception of Nowra High School.

Note: Alison Chiam arrived 4.10pm

It is intended to hold this tour again next year and the Economic Development Office will also conduct a Defence Careers Day.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report on the 2019 Teacher Bus Tour be received for information.

RESOLVED (Robert Crow / Donna Payne)

That the report on the 2019 Teacher Bus Tour be received for information.

CARRIED

BE19.26 Election of Chairperson

HPERM Ref: D19/340711

Clr Wells – Acting Chairperson addressed the meeting and called for nominations of Chairperson.

Jemma Tribe nominated John Lamont as Chairperson for twelve months from November 2019.

The Committee were advised that although John Lamont was an apology for this meeting, he had advised that if nominated, he would accept the Chairperson position.

Clr Wells declared John Lamont as Chairperson.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Committee elect (insert name) as Chairperson for twelve months from November 2019.

RESOLVED (Jemma Tribe / Clr Gash)

That the Committee elect John Lamont as Chairperson for twelve months from November 2019.

CARRIED

BE19.27 Notification - Council Resolution - Re-establishment of Business and Employment Development Committee

HPERM Ref: D19/363838

Clr Wells addressed the meeting and advised that this report is required after each September “Call Meeting”.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Committee receive the report on the Council Resolution – Re-establishment of Business and Employment Development Committee for information.

RESOLVED (Jemma Tribe / Alison Chiam)

That the Committee receive the report on the Council Resolution – Re-establishment of Business and Employment Development Committee for information.

CARRIED

BE19.34 Additional Item - Presentation - Shoalhaven Youth Forum

Avalon Bourne – South Coast Youth Leadership addressed the meeting in relation to the Shoalhaven Youth Forum and made the following comments:

· The 3 day event was held a month ago with attendance from different High Schools

· Sponsorship was from 25 local businesses

· There were 15 young facilitators between the age of 18-25 with many returning to the forum from previous year with a new group of leaders.

· Headspace came and addressed the Forum

· The Impact Challenge runs for 3 days and everyone is split into groups of areas of interest. This year was Positive Community Project, Life Bridge, Bio Enviro

· Avalon advised that a report will be forwarded to the Economic Development Unit to distribute to the Committee.

Avalon thanked Waste Services, Shoalhaven Water, Youth Advisory Committee and the Economic Development Office.

The Committee acknowledged Avalon and thanked her for her contributions to the Youth of the Shoalhaven.

BE19.28 Development in Shoalhaven - Significant Projects

HPERM Ref: D19/169326

The Committee discussed the need for more employment and placement opportunities. Aged Care, IRT and Community College were identified.

One of the biggest problems is in relation to work placement and finding placements.

Cathy Bern – Development Services Manager addressed the meeting in relation to the Attachment and the format. Cathy advised that this information could be sent electronically as an excel spreadsheet on a regular basis.

Tony Emery advised that Gareth Ward MP has raised the timeliness of the approval process and this needs to reflect in the KPI’s.

Cathy Bern advised that this isn’t the purpose of the report and that the KPI’s are published in the Plan.

Tony Emery questioned if the approval process performance is improving?

Clr Wells advised that Shoalhaven is generating the equivalent of Development Applications to Wollongong Council.

The feedback from the Committee is that they are happy to receive a quarterly report sent separately to the Agenda as an Excel Spreadsheet.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report of the Chief Executive Officer (Planning Environment & Development Services) regarding the update on development in Shoalhaven be received for information.

RESOLVED (Lexie Meyer / Tony Emery)

That the report of the Chief Executive Officer (Planning Environment & Development Services) regarding the update on development in Shoalhaven be received for information.

CARRIED

BE19.29 Council Buy Local Policy

HPERM Ref: D19/381974

Jemma Tribe spoke to the report and provided an alternative recommendation.

Greg Pullen responded and advised that there are only 49 tenders that were over $150,000 in 2018/19.

Clr Wells advised that a growing number of contracts will go through the ISJO.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Economic Development Unit report regularly on successful local tenders.

RESOLVED (Jemma Tribe / Tony Emery)

That the Economic Development Unit through the BEDC meetings report regularly on local tenders and the report include but not limited to:

· Who has and has not won tenders

· The economic benefit to the city

· Any new employment outcomes from the awarding of the tender.

· Where local tenders are not preferred, provide reasons why and include how the NSW Government, Council, Business Chamber and other associated bodies with an interest in growing the local economy, may be able to assist more local organisations to win these tenders.

· Council in conjunction with the Shoalhaven Business Chamber conduct a tender workshop and training session in 2020.

CARRIED

BE19.30 Update Shoalhaven Business Chamber

HPERM Ref: D19/393827

Jemma Tribe advised that there are no exceptions to the report and made the following comments:

· Invitations are going out to the Women in Business event in Berry for 19 December 2019 at $15 per person

· The Honour Board has been relocated to the City Administrative Building and the SBC are looking at getting it updated

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Committee receive the Shoalhaven Business Chamber report for information.

RESOLVED (Clr Gash / Alison Chiam)

That the Committee receive the Shoalhaven Business Chamber report for information.

CARRIED

BE19.31 Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Update

HPERM Ref: D19/398703

Donna Payne addressed the meeting and advised there were no exceptions to the report and made the following additional comments:

· Country University Centre – Ulladulla

o The Country University Centre Steering Committee who worked on the business case for Ulladulla are establishing a Board and entity in Ulladulla for the Country Universities Centre

o Applications are due on 28 November 2019

o A funding agreement has not been confirmed at this stage and the location is under discussion

· Illawarra-Shoalhaven Investment Showcase

o Illawarra-Shoalhaven Investment Showcase facilitated a workshop at Aviation Technology Park.

o Another Showcase will be held in March with a visit to the Helicopter simulator

· Tourism

o South Coast Tourism may increase due to the fires on the North Coast

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report from the NSW Government’s Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Regional NSW be received for information.

RESOLVED (Donna Payne / Clr Gash)

That the report from the NSW Government’s Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Regional NSW be received for information.

CARRIED

General Business

BE19.32 Regional Development Australia Update

HPERM Ref: D19/397569

Andrew Wales (Employment Facilitator, Far South Coast) provided an update on behalf of Regional Development Australia on Australian Government employment initiatives in the Shoalhaven.

The following comments were made:

· In relation to the Regional Employment Trial, of the 6 approved projects, 2 have placement in the Shoalhaven.

· The recent 3 hour Job Expo – “What Employers Want”, Andrew thanked Clr White for her Mayoral opening and thanked Jemma Tribe for pulling the event together. It was a successful event creating an interest of running it again next year.

· Running information sessions on Aged and Community Services and have 16 participants looking at starting placements in January.

· There is still funding left on the Regional Employment Trial and have 3 projects lodged with RDA: Tech Project, Indigenous Project Wreck Bay and Aged Project in Eurobodalla.

· Partnering with Aeroskills Training Services to develop a program for training jobseekers with soft skills and building confidence.

· Donna Payne advised that NSW Government funded 15 students in Engineering Certificate II that are due to Graduate on 19 December.

Investigating Public Transport issues on the South Coast and getting buses into areas that are not serviced by public transport.

BE19.33 Additional Item - TAFE Update

Kate Morris – TAFE addressed the meeting and provided the following information:

· Kate provided the meeting and tabled the following Flyers:

o Scholarships – all RTO’s and people that have experienced domestic violence can access free scholarships (post school age)

o IProudProgram – Indigenous Police Recruitment Program – this is the second one for Nowra, and will be run again, the program is starting in February next year

o Infofest – is a new flyer about enrolment week 9-13 December, proposed courses for next year, short Statement of Attainment Courses, including Hospitality start-up, introduction to Disability Course, Defence preparation.

RESOLVED (Kate Morris / Clr Wells)

That the verbal update from TAFE NSW be received for information.

CARRIED

BE19.36 Additional Item - Update - Gareth Ward MP Office - Tony Emery

Tony Emery provided the following information from Gareth Ward MP:

· Bundanon Trust DA issues have been resolved. He thanked Council and State Agencies for working together. Calling for Tender with work estimated to be completed December 2022

· Local road network is identified as having issues to get investment and growth to expand in the region.

o Greg Pullen to provide an update on local road networks and the timeliness of delivery within Nowra

o RMS has not provided the intersections that the community called for

o Greg Pullen advised that there is a revision to the “Nowra Key Road Projects” document that was updated in November 2018 surrounding the Bridge with projects totalling $270Million. This can be reported back to the Committee.

· Requested update on what progress there is for the River Precinct and development on that area.

o Greg Pullen advised that 2 applications are with State Government at the moment.

· Clr Wells advised that there is a proposed masterplan for the riverfront precinct, also ENSA and Council now have a vision of what the precinct will look like and how that is linked to the CBD.

BE19.37 Additional Item - Ward Boundaries - Shoalhaven

Clr Gash advised the meeting that Council at its meeting of Tuesday 26 November 2019 discussed the Ward Boundaries and asked the members to look at the proposed adjustments as they may be affected by the changes.

BE19.38 Additional Item - Update - Tourism

Rob Crow addressed the meeting and advised that the Tourism department is actively connecting with stakeholders, restaurants and wineries.

Information Services won a Silver Award and the most recent Tourism NSW Awards

Visitor Services Manager – Joe Puglisi has been doing good work with the volunteers and ambassadors.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 5.36pm.

Clr Wells

ACTING CHAIRPERSON

Business and Employment Development Committee – Wednesday 04 March 2020

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BE20.1 Bushfire impact on businesses and Economic Development Office/Council assistance

HPERM Ref: D20/37278

Section: Economic Development

Approver: Stephen Dunshea, Chief Executive Officer

Reason for Report

The purpose of this report is to provide the Business and Employment Development Committee with an overview of the number of businesses that have been directly impacted by the 2019/2020 Currowan Fire and of Council’s assistance and recovery response.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the committee accept the report on the Bushfire impact on Business for information.

Options

1. That the recommendation be approved as written

2. That the BED Committee put forward an alternative recommendation.

Background

The Currowan bushfire burnt for 74 days and across 499,621 hectares, spanning right across the Shoalhaven and spreading to neighbouring councils including Eurobodalla, Wingecarribee and Queanbeyan Palerang.

The Economic Development Office has been involved in the following activities in response to the 2019-2020 bushfire emergency and recovery.

Maintaining the website and the currency of information

The Economic Development Office has been regularly updating the Productive Shoalhaven website. This has been a difficult task in that there have been numerous grants and forms of support that have become available and the Economic Development Team has had to familiarise themselves with all available support.

https://business.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/essential-information/news-media/details/disaster-assistance---small-business-support

Disaster Recovery Centre

Economic Development staff have spent a number of days in the Nowra and Ulladulla Disaster Recovery Centre providing support and advice to members of the community that have been affected by the fires. The Disaster Recovery Centres are one-stop-shops for the community and there are representatives from government and charitable organisations providing advice. Many of the community attendees have been significantly affected and Council staff have been very understanding and empathic. This was an emotional task and we would like to acknowledge the work of Council staff members who worked tirelessly and professionally at the Disaster Recovery Centres.

BlazeAid

BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. BlazeAid volunteers work alongside landowners to help rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.

The Economic Development Manager was part of a small team from Council that co-ordinated the setup of a BlazeAid base in the Shoalhaven. There is a BlazeAid camp in Milton, located at the Milton Showground. A satellite camp is to be set up in the Kangaroo Valley region.

Givit

Givit was established in 2008 and matches donated goods directly with those in need. Givit is an online platform which came into its own during the recovery efforts of the 2011 Queensland floods. Givit has been endorsed by the NSW Government to help with the recovery efforts of the 2019-2020 bushfires.

During times of disaster and emergency, GIVIT Listed Ltd works with government agencies, local councils and not-for-profit organisations to identify the immediate and long-term needs of an affected community.

Givit then matches offers from individuals and businesses to ensure those who need assistance get exactly what they need, where and when they need it most. Donations are pledged online, eliminating the need for storing, sorting and disposing of inappropriate, unwanted donations. The GIVIT platform maintains the privacy and dignity of all recipients, ensuring they receive only quality items and only those that they require.

Council is supporting and promoting Givit as an option for those wishing to donate goods and services to those affected by the recent bushfires.

Southern NSW – Primary Industry and Engine Industries Working Group

The Primary Industry and Engine Industries Working Group is part of the Southern NSW Recovery – Business and Tourism Sub Committee. The Economic Development Manager is part of this working group and is role is to identify and address bushfires impacts to large business and agriculture. Issues identified thus far include impacts to the transport/supply industry because of road closures, including cross border issues, and increases in cost of fodder.

The Economic Development Office has also raised specific issues about difficulties in accessing certain financial support. All levels of government have set up financial programs as quickly as possible, and as a result, some have teething problems. It must be noted that these problems, once identified are fixed in a timely manner. Both the state and federal governments have been extremely proactive in addressing any difficulties in the administration of financial relief and support.

Business support

The Economic Development Office has been fielding calls from numerous businesses directly affected by the bushfires. The Office has also assisted businesses in the completion and lodgement of forms.

Community Recovery Meetings

Economic Development Staff have attended Shoalhaven City Council Community Recovery Meetings. These meetings have been coordinated to provide information about recovery and to link community members with local service providers and state agencies who are able to provide advice on financial, mental health and wellbeing and small business support.

Small Business Bus

The Economic Development Office coordinates the Small Business Bus visits. Recently, in conjunction with Business Connect, the bus visited bushfire affected areas offering support and advice in bushfire recovery and business resilience. The Small Business Bus was located at Kangaroo Valley, Sanctuary Point, Lake Conjola, Sussex Inlet and Nowra.

The Small Business Bus, staffed by business counsellors, will continue to loop through the south coast and southern tablelands over the next few months.

Other offers of assistance

Offers of assistance to business have been fielded by staff. Whether it be assistance for the business recovery itself or concern for staff laid off, ED staff have been instrumental in connecting organisations and individuals to deliver assistance programs.

Organisations such as the Business Council of Australia, South Coast Labour Council, Maersk Shipping lines, Aust Dept of Employment, AusIndustry, Dept of Primary Industry and the Milton-Ulladulla Business Chamber, Shoalhaven Business Chamber and Shoalhaven Professional Business Assn are all looking for opportunities to assist.

Thank you to…

A number of councils including Wollongong City, Sutherland Shire, Woollahra Municipal, Blacktown City, Shellharbour City, Kiama Municipal, Shellharbour City and Waverley Councils recently contributed resources to assist in the recovery efforts.

A crew from Shellharbour and a crew from Kiama assisted with a chipper and tipper in southern region on Fisherman's Paradise Road and Pointer Road. Crews from Sutherland and Wollongong Councils assisted with tree clearing for over two weeks, using their own backhoe and chipper. The Sutherland crew cleared roads south of Budgong. The Wollongong crew cleared roads in Kangaroo Valley – Jacks Corner Road and Duffy’s Lane.

Moving Forward

The Economic Development/Tourism Recovery Team within Council are mapping out a program of events and business recovery measures that will need to extend into 2021.

A key priority is to ensure resources flow to businesses and the NSW Government has advised that an immediate payment of up to $250,000 is now available to Shoalhaven City Council under the joint NSW and Commonwealth Government funded Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Funds.

Plans regarding Business Recovery programs to be organised by Council are being developed and costed with a preliminary list of projects including:

· Business support & mentoring

o Business advice & 1:1 follow up (jointly with other agencies)

· Business workshop(s)

o Business advisors – assistance available (aimed at accountants, solicitors etc)

o Marketing & business growth

o Cash flow and funding growth

o Marketing platforms (linkedIn, facebook, google etc)

o ATO and business write-offs

· Recovery marketing campaign

o Bring business meetings to the region – Canb & Syd

o Take a drive, buy a meal, visit the shops

· Community arts project

· Community service hubs

· Support for key recovery events

· Recovery events fund

This programs will be continually added to and several of the workshops for business will be run in several locations.

Community Engagement

The purpose of this report is to inform the Business and Employment Development Committee on recent bushfire recovery efforts by the Economic Development Office.

Financial Implications

Staff of the Economic Development Office have reprioritised their workload to cater for the needs required by the bushfire recovery effort. This is a nil cost. BlazeAid costs $5000 per camp to establish. This is covered by the Council Disaster Relief budget.

Business and Employment Development Committee – Wednesday 04 March 2020

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BE20.2 Shoalhaven Youth Opportunities

HPERM Ref: D20/45153

Section: Economic Development

Approver: Stephen Dunshea, Chief Executive Officer

Reason for Report

To inform the Business and Employment Development Committee about the Youth Opportunities newsletter; an Economic Development Office initiative.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the committee accept the report about the Youth Opportunities Newsletter for information.

Options

1. Adopt the recommendation as written

2. That the Business and Employment Development Committee make an alternate recommendation.

Background

The Economic Development Office has developed a new newsletter called Shoalhaven Youth Opportunities.

The newsletter was developed because the Economic Development Office is aware:

· Of numerous opportunities for Shoalhaven Youth that can lead to employment

· That many Shoalhaven businesses have difficulty in recruiting staff

· That many employment opportunities are not advertised

· That even Council has difficulty in filling traineeship and apprenticeship positions.

Target audience

The newsletter is designed to promote opportunities that are available for Shoalhaven Youth. The target audience is all young people looking for work. The Economic Development Office is concerned that there are a number of recent school leavers living at home and not registered with Centrelink; and therefore, missing out on information as well as access to support and programs. There are numerous opportunities available for all young people and the Economic Development Office needed a way to promote these and to somehow reach this elusive cohort.

Why a newsletter?

The target market, being young people aged between 15-24, are not generally reached through electronic newsletters; however, their parents are. It is hoped that parents will read the newsletter and flag relevant opportunities with young people. The newsletter format was selected because of its ease of use, the ability to grow a distribution list and the ability to include a wide variety of content including direct links to available opportunities.

Format

The look of the newsletter was developed by Shoalhaven City Council’s Graphic Design team. The colours and theme were based on the Productive Shoalhaven design elements.

The newsletter uses accessible language and articles and text length is kept to a minimum. The newsletter purposely encourages readers to go directly to the opportunity and reference to the Economic Development Office is minimal.

Timing

The newsletter will be created and sent only when there are available opportunities.

Newsletter 1 – 23 October 2019

Newsletter 2 – January 2020

Newsletter 3 – February 2020

Community Engagement

The aim of the newsletter is to get information about jobs and opportunities to Shoalhaven’s young people.

Financial Implications

The newsletter is developed by Economic Development Office staff. Costs consist of minimal staff time and a minor distribution cost.

Risk Implications

This activity is low risk.

Business and Employment Development Committee – Wednesday 04 March 2020

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BE20.5 Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Update

HPERM Ref: D20/63223

Submitted by: Donna Payne

Attachments: 1. Bushfire Business Flyer - Service NSW ⇩

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report from the NSW Government’s Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Regional NSW be received for information.

Details

1. BUSHFIRE RECOVERY

Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Funds: Phase 1

Service NSW is the “one stop shop” for government assistance to business. Refer attached information from Service NSW “Help re-establishing your business” for a summary of assistance available.

Strategies and funding streams continue to evolve in response to community, business and local government feedback.

An immediate payment of up to $250,000 is now available to Shoalhaven City Council under the joint NSW and Commonwealth Government funded Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Funds to meet the immediate recovery needs.

Under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, this small-scale funding is one step in supporting recovery. Further information on the next phase of support is expected to be available in March.

NSW State Government representatives are travelling to bushfire affected regions to deliver small business recovery information and assist businesses access the recovery services via a series of roadshow events which will be delivered in the Shoalhaven commencing the week of 16 March.

Country Show Sponsorship Packages

Funding is available to support the costs of organising and running country shows in drought and bushfire impacted areas of regional NSW. Grants of up to $5,000 are available. Nowra and Kangaroo Valley Show Societies both applied for and received $5,000. Milton Show Society have also been encouraged to apply via a simple and fast tracked process.

2. SHOALHAVEN DEFENCE INDUSTRY GROUP (SDIG)

SDIG Lunch 12 February

Shoalhaven City Council hosted a lunch for 23 SDIG members on 12 February. Discussion focused on workforce development initiatives supported by SDIG members, including:

· The first graduates of the NSW Govt funded STEMship vocational training and work experience program were recognised at a graduation event hosted by Air Affairs on 30 January. 12 participants completed the program: 1 has commenced an apprenticeship with Stormtech; 1 is in the recruitment process with Dept of Defence; 5 are in the recruitment process with Sikorsky; 1 has an electrical trades apprenticeship and other opportunities still in train for remainder. A second program is planned for 2nd quarter 2020. SDIG noted the contribution of the program manager, RDA’s Paul Goodwin to the successful outcomes.

· Access to the NSW Governments Regional Skills Relocation Grant which provides funding of up to $10,000 per employee to NSW regional businesses to help them with the relocation costs incurred when attracting a metropolitan employee to relocate to a regional area. https://invest.nsw.gov.au/assistance/regional-investment-attraction-package/regional-skills-relocation-grant

Nowra Show 7 & 8 February 2020

Shoalhaven Defence Industry Group (SDIG) represented the defence industry capabilities of the Shoalhaven at the 2020 Nowra Show where they also celebrated the winners of the 2019 Plane Simple competition by awarding $4,000 in prize money to participating Shoalhaven high schools. Plane Simple is a paper plane competition for high school students to facilitate industry connections and encourage students’ interest in defence and manufacturing. It will be held again in 2020 on 5 November, sponsored by Sikorsky and the Nowra Show Society.

SmartHaven

Plans are shaping up for SmartHaven 2020 on June 10 and 11 with a final decision pending funding confirmation. SmartHaven is an industry led initiative developed in collaboration with Shoalhaven Business Chamber, Shoalhaven Professional Business Association, University of Wollongong, Shoalhaven Defence Industry Group, Regional Development Australia Far South Coat and State Government of NSW.

The objective is to showcase the Shoalhaven as a great place to live, work and do business. It will highlight the current capabilities of the defence industry and advanced manufacturing sectors and contribute to the development of the region’s future workforce. Key criteria for business/industry participation are demonstration of research, product and/or business development and employment in technology and innovation including defence.

The outcomes of a funding application to the Commonwealth’s Regional Employment Trial program will determine the workforce development component of the program.

3. UPDATE ON NSW STATE GOVERNMENT’S REGIONAL GROWTH FUND

Over $31 million has been approved under the NSW Government’s Regional Growth Fund across 26 projects in the Shoalhaven local government area to support economic and community infrastructure projects. The most recent is $3 million from the Growing Local Economies fund to Shoalhaven Council to expand Flinders Industrial Estate. The $3 million for Flinders will pay for the development of 14 new lots at the site, with essential water, power, telecommunications and drainage connections.