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Tasmanian Business Reporter December 2017

Leading off this month, respected national economist Saul Eslake calls for closure of Tasmania's failing Year 11 and 12 college system in an exclusive preview from the TCCI's 2017 Tasmania Report. You’ll also find another exclusive story about an innovative joint venture between St.LukesHealth and Healthy Business Performance Group and the details of Southwood Fibre's proposed $42 million woodchip export facility in the Huon Valley.

Leading off this month, respected national economist Saul Eslake calls for closure of Tasmania's failing Year 11 and 12 college system in an exclusive preview from the TCCI's 2017 Tasmania Report.

You’ll also find another exclusive story about an innovative joint venture between St.LukesHealth and Healthy Business Performance Group and the details of Southwood Fibre's proposed $42 million woodchip export facility in the Huon Valley.

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DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong><br />

T A S M A N I A’ S L E A D I N G B U S I N E S S P U B L I C A T I O N . C I R C U L A T I O N 1 2 , 0 0 0 M O N T H LY<br />

Report<br />

targets<br />

school<br />

retention<br />

rates<br />

Economist Saul Eslake says colleges<br />

such as Launceston College are “ not<br />

working”.<br />

Saul’s call:<br />

close the<br />

colleges<br />

TASMANIA<br />

REPORT <strong>2017</strong><br />

MONDAY 11 DECEMBER<br />

HOBART<br />

LAUNCESTON<br />

DEVONPORT<br />

By TOM O’MEARA<br />

TASMANIA’S Year 11 and 12<br />

colleges are failing the education<br />

system and the <strong>Tasmanian</strong> workforce<br />

and should be closed sooner<br />

rather than later.<br />

The call comes from respected<br />

national economist Saul Eslake,<br />

the author of the <strong>Tasmanian</strong><br />

Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s<br />

<strong>2017</strong> Tasmania Report.<br />

In the report, to be released on<br />

<strong>December</strong> 11, Mr Eslake, recommends<br />

closure of what he calls a<br />

“failed system”.<br />

The failure was the inability of<br />

colleges to attract sufficient year<br />

10 students from around the state<br />

to start and successfully complete<br />

Year 12.<br />

The ACT is the only other jurisdiction<br />

to introduce the college<br />

system and it’s accepted that the<br />

ACT has is a completely different<br />

environment than Tasmania.<br />

The call to close colleges has<br />

been exacerbated by new national<br />

data which compares results from<br />

regional areas across NSW and<br />

Victoria with Tasmania – making<br />

it a more realistic comparison<br />

than the typical state-by-state approach.<br />

The results show that while Tasmania<br />

is not doing too badly in<br />

some areas, there remains a flashing<br />

red light when it comes to education<br />

outcomes<br />

“The data does say we are still<br />

falling behind in the percentage of<br />

students completing year 12,” Mr<br />

Eslake told the <strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong><br />

<strong>Reporter</strong>.<br />

“We’ve got to get rid of the colleges<br />

- they’re just not working,”<br />

he said.<br />

Continued Page 2<br />

PREPARED &<br />

PRESENTED BY<br />

SAUL ESLAKE<br />

BOOK NOW! 1300 559 122 www.tcci.com.au<br />

EVENT PARTNERS


2 <strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong> - DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong><br />

NEWS<br />

Workplace health access<br />

AN innovative joint venture<br />

between St.Lukes-<br />

Health and Healthy <strong>Business</strong><br />

Performance Group<br />

will set a new standard of<br />

support for the health and<br />

wellbeing of <strong>Tasmanian</strong>s<br />

in the corporate sector.<br />

Announced at the <strong>Tasmanian</strong><br />

Chamber of<br />

Commerce and Industry<br />

Premier’s Cocktail Party<br />

in mid-November, the<br />

initiative will directly<br />

provide employees with<br />

access to health and wellbeing<br />

programs.<br />

The partnership will<br />

see St.LukesHealth supporting<br />

HBP Group with<br />

health insurance products<br />

while HBP Group will<br />

provide the programs<br />

across areas including injury,<br />

fatigue and health<br />

risk mitigation.<br />

St.LukesHealth Chairman<br />

Chris Dockray said<br />

the joint venture would<br />

be another innovative<br />

collaboration for the organisation.<br />

“St.LukesHealth is<br />

moving away from the<br />

indemnity model to one<br />

where we are engaged<br />

with the healthcare and<br />

health literacy of members,”<br />

Mr Dockray said.<br />

“In addition to our traditional<br />

health insurance<br />

products, St.Lukes-<br />

Health will be further<br />

supporting <strong>Tasmanian</strong><br />

employers with access<br />

to workforce health and<br />

wellbeing programs<br />

through our partnership<br />

with HBP group.”<br />

HBP Group Managing<br />

Director, Ricky<br />

Langford said the organisation’s<br />

innovative<br />

and proven methodology<br />

was designed to assist<br />

participants achieve real<br />

results that will be reflected<br />

in the workplace<br />

as well as their family<br />

and social lives.<br />

“Our success has been<br />

built on the back of our<br />

strong ethos that healthy<br />

individuals make healthy<br />

organisations,” Mr Langford<br />

said.<br />

One of the Directors<br />

of HBP Group is former<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> AFL star,<br />

Alastair Lynch, who understands<br />

the importance<br />

of good health along<br />

with the professional<br />

support to achieve your<br />

goals.<br />

“The St.LukesHealth<br />

team is a high-performing<br />

organisation and<br />

with their outstanding record<br />

we believe our partnership<br />

will provide better<br />

health outcomes for<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> businesses,”<br />

Mr Lynch said.<br />

St.LukesHealth<br />

Chairman<br />

Chris Dockray,<br />

left, with<br />

Premier Will<br />

Hodgman,<br />

Healthy<br />

<strong>Business</strong><br />

Performance<br />

Group Director<br />

Alastair Lynch<br />

and<br />

St.LukesHealth<br />

CEO Paul<br />

Lupo.<br />

HBP Group deliver<br />

health and wellbeing<br />

programs to businesses<br />

across Australia, New<br />

Zealand and PNG.<br />

TCCI CEO Michael<br />

Bailey said he supported<br />

the St.LukesHealth’s initiative.<br />

“It’s terrific to see<br />

a <strong>Tasmanian</strong> business<br />

showing a proactive response<br />

to Tasmania’s<br />

health needs,” Mr Bailey<br />

said.<br />

Southern<br />

woodchip<br />

windfall<br />

A NEW $42 million<br />

woodchip export facility<br />

in the Huon Valley will<br />

realise the economic value<br />

of Tasmania’s southern<br />

certified plantation<br />

forests and create hundreds<br />

of jobs.<br />

Under the plan, Southwood<br />

Fibre will process<br />

certified plantation<br />

forests at its existing<br />

Southwood integrated<br />

timber processing facility<br />

for transport to a<br />

purpose-built, single-use<br />

loading facility at Strathblane,<br />

where it will be<br />

packed into vessels for<br />

direct export.<br />

Modelling shows the<br />

project will generate 135<br />

jobs during construction<br />

and support a further 145<br />

jobs on an ongoing basis.<br />

The ongoing economic<br />

benefit has been estimated<br />

at $55 million a year.<br />

Currently, export bulk<br />

wood products from the<br />

south of Tasmania sees<br />

material freighted to<br />

the state’s northern export<br />

facility at Bell Bay,<br />

where the product is processed<br />

and then shipped<br />

to export markets.<br />

In the past, this has required<br />

expensive Government<br />

subsidies and<br />

lengthy transport on public<br />

highways.<br />

Southwood Fibre<br />

Chief Executive Officer<br />

James Neville-Smith<br />

said the project was<br />

plantation-based.<br />

Only product that is<br />

certified to the Australian<br />

Forestry Standard<br />

and/or the Forest Stewardship<br />

Council requirements<br />

will be exported.<br />

“We openly acknowledge<br />

current community<br />

standards and expectations<br />

for the management<br />

of the state’s forests and<br />

as a result are only interested<br />

in certified product.<br />

“Our project is aimed<br />

at revitalising the plantation<br />

forestry sector in<br />

Southern Tasmania,” Mr<br />

Neville-Smith said.<br />

e dition<br />

T A S M A N I A’ S L E A D I N G B U S I N E S S P U B L I C A T I O N . C I R C U L A T I O N 1 2 , 0 0 0 M O N T H LY<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong> can now be delivered directly to your inbox. With our 30,000-strong monthly print<br />

readership, our new up-to-date digital distribution will keep <strong>Tasmanian</strong>s abreast of the all latest in local business<br />

news. From this month we will distribute electronic editions of the <strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong> as we go to print.<br />

To confirm your copy sign up to our mailing list via<br />

tbreditorial@fontpr.com.au<br />

Tasmania’s business newspaper is published monthly by the<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It is distributed<br />

to businesses in Tasmania as well as key decision-makers.<br />

Circulation: 12,000<br />

Economist’s call to axe colleges<br />

From Page 1<br />

“When students start<br />

in Grade 7 they should<br />

be able to finish Year 12<br />

at the same school.”<br />

Mr Eslake said the Education<br />

Department was<br />

doing a good job with<br />

supporting the expansion<br />

of more high schools to<br />

years 11 and 12 in country<br />

and regional areas.<br />

“But, it is now time to<br />

develop Year 11 and 12<br />

in city and suburban high<br />

schools,” Mr Eslake said.<br />

“This is not to say that<br />

the <strong>Tasmanian</strong> colleges<br />

don’t do a good job of educating<br />

the students they<br />

have, but too many Year<br />

10 students don’t progress<br />

to the colleges, or stay for<br />

the time required to attain<br />

their TCE,” he said.<br />

In last year’s TCCI Tasmania<br />

Report, Mr Eslake<br />

highlighted the massive<br />

costs of <strong>Tasmanian</strong> education.<br />

The State Government<br />

spent just over $13,500<br />

per full-time equivalent<br />

student – 17 per cent more<br />

than the average of all other<br />

state and territories.<br />

The return for this expenditure<br />

did not result<br />

in positive outcomes –<br />

Tasmania’s retention rate<br />

from Year 10 to Year 12 is<br />

lower than any other part<br />

of Australia, expect the<br />

Northern Territory.<br />

The findings of a payroll<br />

tax project will also<br />

create discussion with<br />

government and the business<br />

community.<br />

While there are no results<br />

at this stage, the research<br />

is to determine<br />

whether payroll could be<br />

reduced but expanded to<br />

all businesses, not just the<br />

current 2000 who exceed<br />

more in wage payments.<br />

The TCCI Tasmania<br />

Report will also include<br />

policies which the TCCI<br />

and business will take to<br />

next year’s state election,<br />

expected to be in March.<br />

The TCCI Tasmania<br />

Report will be released<br />

on Monday, <strong>December</strong> 11<br />

with a breakfast at Wrest<br />

Point, a luncheon at Launceston<br />

Country Club and<br />

dinner at Quality Hotel<br />

Gateway, Devonport.<br />

Managing Editor: Tom O’Meara<br />

0418 135 822<br />

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gil@thetrustedmediaco.com<br />

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kerri@thetrustedmediaco.com<br />

Editorial & Advertising<br />

TBReditorial@fontpr.com.au<br />

www.tasmanianbusinessreporter.com.au<br />

Publisher:<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> Chamber of Commerce and Industry<br />

309 Liverpool St, Hobart, TAS 7000<br />

Ph: 6236 3600 Fax: 6231 1278 admin@tcci.com.au<br />

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TASMANIA’S LEADING BUSINESS PUBLICATION. CIRCULATION 17,000 MONTHLY<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong> - DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong> 3<br />

$20m study to look at second Bass Strait cable<br />

NEWS<br />

Renewable energy on track<br />

A SECOND Bass Strait interconnector<br />

will be further<br />

investigated in a $20 million<br />

business case being funded<br />

jointly by the State and Federal<br />

Governments.<br />

Both governments have<br />

hailed the decision as a great<br />

step forward for Tasmania to<br />

be completely powered by renewable<br />

energy.<br />

It will coincide with a $5<br />

million study that’s already<br />

under way for a “Battery of<br />

the Nation” project which<br />

would double Tasmania’s renewable<br />

energy capacity from<br />

2,500mW to about 5,000mW.<br />

A second link, expected to<br />

cost about $1 billion, would<br />

facilitate the new renewable<br />

energy developments and the<br />

export of excess energy.<br />

“We are well on track to<br />

deliver our target of being<br />

100 per cent renewable energy<br />

self-sufficient by 2022,”<br />

Energy Minister Guy Barnett<br />

said.<br />

“The second interconnector<br />

will promote further renewable<br />

development allowing<br />

Tasmania to be a net exporter<br />

of energy and then better<br />

A second Bass Strait link is being considered.<br />

placed to be part of the solution<br />

for the mainland as well.<br />

“Proponents like UPC who<br />

are behind the Robbins Island<br />

windfarm project are<br />

strongly in support of a second<br />

interconnector. In order<br />

to develop the full potential<br />

of their project they need to<br />

know that when the wind is<br />

blowing they can always get<br />

the energy they generate to<br />

market.<br />

“Today’s announcement<br />

will give them and others<br />

confidence that they can<br />

progress their energy generation<br />

projects.<br />

“That includes Hydro Tasmania,<br />

which has plans to significantly<br />

expand hydro generation<br />

capacity in Tasmania<br />

with $1 billion of investments<br />

over 10 years,” Mr Barnett<br />

said. “They are also continuing<br />

to investigate pumped hydro<br />

opportunities.”<br />

The state suffered a sixmonth<br />

energy crisis that<br />

drained dam levels in 2015<br />

when Basslink failed.<br />

State Opposition energy<br />

spokesman Scott Bacon<br />

said he hoped the new study<br />

would uncover what caused<br />

the failure.<br />

The study will be funded<br />

by the Australian and <strong>Tasmanian</strong><br />

governments through<br />

ARENA and TasNetworks.<br />

<strong>Business</strong> urged to support reservists<br />

THE Australian Maritime<br />

College has played a key role<br />

in giving business leaders a<br />

greater understanding of the<br />

benefits that can flow from<br />

employing Navy reservists.<br />

AMC played host to the<br />

Defence Reserve Support<br />

Council’s Employer Challenge<br />

Day, where <strong>Tasmanian</strong><br />

business people gathered for<br />

a fun and challenging experience,<br />

which focussed on developing<br />

personal and survival<br />

skills within the Australian<br />

Defence Force environment.<br />

Using the world-class facilities<br />

at the AMC Survival<br />

Centre, the participants were<br />

able to train like a Navy reservist<br />

first-hand, gaining a<br />

better understanding of the<br />

role of a reservist, their training<br />

and the benefits they can<br />

bring to an organisation.<br />

Over four hours, the trainees<br />

learnt marine survival<br />

techniques and military communication<br />

skills and participated<br />

in a ship abandonment<br />

and decision making exercises.<br />

The group also activated<br />

an inflatable raft, practiced<br />

surviving the elements and<br />

on completion, were rescued<br />

by simulated aircraft and<br />

winched to safety.<br />

Understanding what’s involved<br />

for an organisation<br />

when it comes to employing<br />

staff who are members of<br />

the Defence Force Reserves<br />

might appear difficult, but<br />

gaining that insight is facilitated<br />

by the Defence Reserves<br />

Support Council.<br />

The mission of the DRSC<br />

is to establish and maintain a<br />

flexible and supportive partnership<br />

between Defence and the<br />

community, industry and employers<br />

to sustain and enhance<br />

the availability of the Reserve<br />

component of the Australian<br />

Defence Force.<br />

Like many other employers<br />

around the country, the University<br />

of Tasmania, and AMC’s<br />

commercial arm AMC Search,<br />

are registered as supportive<br />

employers of Defence Force<br />

Reservists.<br />

In a gesture of corporate<br />

good will they have pledged<br />

their support for the important<br />

role that Reserve Forces play in<br />

the defence of Australia’s national<br />

interests.<br />

The university has policies in<br />

place that define the processes<br />

and considerations involved in<br />

SEATED: Joshua Hicks<br />

(Family Based Care North<br />

West), left, Vanessa<br />

Cahoon (City<br />

Mission Launceston),<br />

Christine Hepburn, Chair<br />

of DRSC Northern Committee<br />

(The Defining Edge)<br />

and Drew Burns (Cinco<br />

Passiones).<br />

STANDING: Lieutenant<br />

Commander Stephen<br />

Hurd (Royal Australian<br />

Naval Reserve), left,<br />

John Wylie (Pitt &<br />

Sherry), Mark<br />

Hassell (Scotch<br />

Oakburn College),<br />

Lieutenant Chris<br />

Jordan (RANR).<br />

Picture: Dave Groves<br />

Photography<br />

releasing staff members from<br />

their usual role in order to render<br />

periods of Reserve service.<br />

The university also has a<br />

policy to support students who<br />

need to take Defence Reserve<br />

leave, or need a level of flexibility<br />

to perform Reserve service.<br />

ADVERTISEMENT<br />

Elise<br />

Archer<br />

Your local Liberal Member for Denison<br />

“Wishing you<br />

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p: 6212 2210<br />

e: elise.archer@dpac.tas.gov.au<br />

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4 <strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong> - DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong><br />

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP<br />

www.tcci.com.au<br />

Year’s results tell tale of success<br />

ASSESSING the success<br />

of a year’s work is<br />

always an interesting exercise.<br />

It’s easy to forget how<br />

much we all see, do and<br />

achieve in the course of<br />

12 months.<br />

But when you sit<br />

down and actually<br />

go back through the<br />

weeks and months of<br />

blood, sweat and tears<br />

so prominent in myriad<br />

business, the results<br />

mostly speak for themselves.<br />

I know the majority<br />

of <strong>Tasmanian</strong> businesses<br />

have had a great year<br />

- confidence surveys,<br />

retail results and other<br />

indicators all show positive<br />

performance.<br />

The <strong>Tasmanian</strong><br />

Chamber of Commerce<br />

and Industry likewise is<br />

happy to report its had<br />

a terrific year - your<br />

member dollar and support<br />

is going to the areas<br />

its most needed.<br />

Here are a few examples<br />

of where we have<br />

excelled in <strong>2017</strong>.<br />

• We have delivered<br />

more training programs<br />

than ever before in more<br />

locations than ever before<br />

- a 46 per cent in-<br />

Michael<br />

Bailey<br />

TCCI Chief Executive<br />

crease on last year alone.<br />

• We saw more businesses<br />

with our Workplace<br />

Health and Safety<br />

program, making sure<br />

Tasmania businesses and<br />

employees are in the best<br />

possible shape they can<br />

be.<br />

• We have developed<br />

new programs to help<br />

business including apprenticeship<br />

support and<br />

advice and the warmly-received<br />

jobs action<br />

package with TASCOSS.<br />

• We ran more events<br />

than ever before including<br />

the National Chamber<br />

Congress - a huge<br />

event that attracted<br />

business leaders from<br />

across the country to<br />

... the majority of<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> businesses<br />

have had a great year<br />

a conference and networking<br />

including the<br />

very successful dinner<br />

at our world-renowned<br />

MONA.<br />

• We supported exporters<br />

better than ever<br />

before with record numbers<br />

of trade documentation<br />

produced. Certificates<br />

of Origin issued<br />

increased by 413% on<br />

the previous year.<br />

• We supported more<br />

business with record<br />

numbers of calls to our<br />

helpline and record<br />

numbers of members<br />

supported by our IR<br />

staff. Workplace relations<br />

has seen such a<br />

high level of growth<br />

over the past few years<br />

After a good year in <strong>2017</strong>, the staff of the TCCI are ready for work for <strong>Tasmanian</strong> business in 2018.<br />

that we have also advertised<br />

for another consultant<br />

to join the team in<br />

the Hobart office.<br />

• And, we unified all<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> Chambers of<br />

Commerce in the Chamber<br />

Alliance which supports<br />

the autonomy of<br />

chambers but helps us to<br />

all work together. It’s a<br />

strong and valuable addition<br />

to our members.<br />

We welcomed the Launceston,<br />

Hobart and West<br />

Coast Chambers to the<br />

Alliance this year, enabling<br />

their members to<br />

receive free Basic level<br />

membership of TCCI<br />

and access to member<br />

rates for TCCI events,<br />

products and services.<br />

Personally I travelled<br />

more than 45,000km –<br />

that Midland Highway<br />

upgrade is getting there.<br />

I’ve seen countless<br />

members of parliament<br />

at all levels, met with<br />

Prime Minister Malcolm<br />

Turnbull and made<br />

sure that the needs of<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> business are<br />

front and centre.<br />

My door is always<br />

open and phone is usually<br />

on – I am always<br />

happy to hear from you<br />

about what’s working<br />

and what needs work.<br />

Have a happy and<br />

safe Christmas and New<br />

Year and I look forward<br />

to working with you<br />

again in 2018 as we put<br />

the pressure on all political<br />

parties to deliver<br />

tangible, positive outcomes<br />

for business in<br />

the state as we head towards<br />

the election.


<strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong> - DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong> 5<br />

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP<br />

Rate rises a downer to end <strong>2017</strong>, but .....<br />

New year, new opportunities<br />

Brett<br />

Charlton<br />

Agility Logistics<br />

WELL that was <strong>2017</strong>….<br />

did you blink?<br />

It seems like just<br />

yesterday I was writing<br />

about how exciting<br />

<strong>2017</strong> was shaping up to<br />

be with all of our ducks<br />

lined neatly in a row.<br />

Good exchange rate,<br />

CHAFTA, <strong>Tasmanian</strong><br />

Freight Equalisation extension<br />

for export cargo,<br />

new Searoad vessel,<br />

three international<br />

lines all calling direct<br />

to Tasmania as well as<br />

a plethora of other lines<br />

servicing via Bass Strait<br />

feeders as well as an<br />

extended air runway in<br />

Hobart – all excellent<br />

things.<br />

We didn’t have any<br />

floods or broken moorings<br />

this year and while<br />

our power bills were<br />

huge (mine was anyway),<br />

we turned the<br />

lights on with confidence<br />

(as opposed to 2016).<br />

With tourists everywhere,<br />

new hotels go-<br />

IT IS important for every<br />

business to check their<br />

control methods.<br />

To address workplace<br />

hazards generally you<br />

may follow the steps below:<br />

• hazard identification;<br />

• risk assessment; and<br />

• control measures.<br />

The last step in the<br />

process is to review the<br />

control measures you<br />

ing up, promised new<br />

ships from Toll as well<br />

as potential investment<br />

into our ports from DP<br />

World, our cup was running<br />

over, and it was a<br />

big cup.<br />

Feel a sense of foreboding?<br />

Of course you<br />

do, it is only natural.<br />

There are some thorns<br />

on the roses I am afraid<br />

and we would be wise to<br />

consider these going forward<br />

into the next year.<br />

Infrastructure surcharges<br />

are a new cost<br />

impost from our northern<br />

cousins and it would<br />

appear that they are going<br />

up – there has already<br />

been one increase<br />

from the initial advice<br />

this year.<br />

The likes of port operators<br />

(think DP World,<br />

Patricks) are issuing invoices<br />

for the collection<br />

of containers through<br />

their yards to transport<br />

companies – these costs<br />

were traditionally borne<br />

by the shipping lines and<br />

passed on to the customer<br />

as the terminal fee.<br />

The costs of power,<br />

rent etc are being used<br />

as a mechanism for these<br />

additional charges.<br />

Freight rates are going<br />

up – there is no getting<br />

away from this (particularly<br />

if you are an importer).<br />

There is less capacity<br />

than demand, particular-<br />

Consultation key to hazard controls<br />

By CRAIG HORTLE<br />

have implemented. It is<br />

essential that whatever<br />

method you have used to<br />

control a hazard is effective.<br />

A review is required:<br />

• to ensure control<br />

measures are effective;<br />

• before a change at the<br />

workplace that is likely<br />

to give rise to a new or<br />

different health and safety<br />

risk that the control<br />

measure may not be effectively<br />

control;<br />

Port operators are now charging for the collection of containers<br />

through their yards.<br />

• if a new hazard or<br />

risk is identified;<br />

• if results of consultation<br />

indicate that a review<br />

is necessary; and<br />

• if a HSR requests a<br />

review.<br />

If any of the above are<br />

identified a new hazard<br />

identification risk assessment<br />

process needs to be<br />

implemented.<br />

Some of the questions<br />

that may be considered<br />

when doing a review are:<br />

ly at this time of year –<br />

freight rates have nearly<br />

doubled and securing<br />

space ex-north of South<br />

East Asia is like a bar<br />

room brawl at the moment<br />

– not many winners<br />

and very messy.<br />

Export conditions are<br />

dependent on crops in<br />

the first part of the year,<br />

but be aware that there<br />

is little patience for not<br />

coming though with your<br />

• Are the control measures<br />

working effectively<br />

in both their design and<br />

operation?<br />

• Have the control<br />

measures introduced new<br />

problems?<br />

• Have all hazards<br />

been identified?<br />

• Have new work<br />

methods, new equipment<br />

or chemicals made the<br />

job safer?<br />

• Are safety procedures<br />

being followed?<br />

• Has instruction and<br />

training provided to<br />

workers on how to work<br />

safely been successful?<br />

• Are workers actively<br />

involved in identifying<br />

hazards and possible<br />

control measures? Are<br />

they openly raising<br />

health and safety concerns<br />

and reporting problems<br />

promptly?<br />

• Is the frequency and<br />

severity of health and<br />

safety incidents reducing<br />

over time?<br />

• If new legislation<br />

or new information becomes<br />

available, does it<br />

indicate current controls<br />

may no longer be the<br />

most effective?<br />

One of the pivotal<br />

components is consultation<br />

– between those who<br />

are performing the activity<br />

and management.<br />

The ensure the process<br />

of hazard identification<br />

commitments – there are<br />

charges for missed or<br />

cancelled bookings for<br />

exporters in place now.<br />

What will 2018 bring?<br />

There are some significant<br />

projects that will<br />

add to shipping volumes<br />

in 2018 and this is positive<br />

to the volume story<br />

of Tasmania.<br />

We are positioned in<br />

a good place for another<br />

successful year ahead.<br />

and risk assessment is<br />

succesful it is essential<br />

to review the control<br />

measures that are selected<br />

to reduce the risk of<br />

the hazard.<br />

For WHS queries<br />

contact Craig Hortle or<br />

Janelle Whitehouse on<br />

1300 559 122 or email<br />

safety@TCCI.com.au<br />

www.tcci.com.au<br />

Seven steps to<br />

take pre-sale<br />

Dean<br />

Demeyer<br />

<strong>Business</strong> Broker<br />

GENERALLY business owners want to maximise<br />

the value of their business and sell in as<br />

short a timeframe as possible.<br />

Making cosmetic changes to your company<br />

just prior to going on the market is a recipe for<br />

disappointment.<br />

Planning and preparation for sale requires time<br />

and one final burst of energy maintained right<br />

though to settlement.<br />

To maximise your sale price and sell as quickly<br />

as possible, here are seven steps I recommend.<br />

1. Seek advice in advance<br />

Work with an experienced professional broker<br />

or accountant with a proven track record. They<br />

will help you set a reasonable selling price in the<br />

current market for your industry.<br />

2. Increase profitability - simply<br />

A simple quick fix for most small businesses<br />

is to remove all private expenditure paid by the<br />

company like mobiles, car expenses etc.<br />

3. Decrease stock on hand<br />

The level of stock can be a major stumbling<br />

block for buyers to obtain finance. Take the time<br />

to purge old and slow moving stock. It will give<br />

you cash in the bank and make the business more<br />

affordable for a buyer - a win-win situation.<br />

4. Have a break then get active<br />

Don’t take your foot off the accelerator after<br />

you list for sale. Take a quick few days off and<br />

regenerate your energy levels – you will need it.<br />

If you do slow down you may hand part of your<br />

business value to your competitors.<br />

5. Create a strategic plan<br />

This will sound counter intuitive. However,<br />

you understand your industry and showing a<br />

buyer a glimpse of the future can add value and<br />

attractiveness. They will use it to obtain finance.<br />

6. Systemise and empower staff<br />

<strong>Business</strong>es that are run under management are<br />

far easier to sell as they attract a broader audience.<br />

7. Stand out in the crowd<br />

Clearly articulate what makes your business<br />

different to your competitors. Third party endorsements<br />

are worth their weight in gold.


6 <strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong> - DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong><br />

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP<br />

www.tcci.com.au<br />

Enjoy silly season without regrets<br />

Abbey<br />

George<br />

Workplace Relations<br />

IT IS getting to that time<br />

of the year again - what<br />

some refer to as the<br />

dreaded festive silly season.<br />

As an employer there<br />

are a few things to be<br />

mindful of when the<br />

end of the year is rolling<br />

around including but not<br />

limited to:<br />

• End-of-year shut<br />

downs.<br />

The National Employment<br />

Standards found in<br />

the Fair Work Act 2009<br />

does not provide for an<br />

annual close down but<br />

there may be provisions<br />

in the relevant Modern<br />

Award or Enterprise<br />

Agreement.<br />

Be mindful of any obligations<br />

they impose on<br />

you, such as providing<br />

notice of the close down<br />

and the like.<br />

• Interaction with other<br />

leave.<br />

If staff are taking annual<br />

leave over the end<br />

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of year period you need<br />

to be mindful of any other<br />

forms of leave that<br />

may also come into play<br />

such as personal leave,<br />

public holidays, parental<br />

leave, community service<br />

leave and/or compassionate<br />

leave to name<br />

a few.<br />

• Refusal to work on a<br />

public holiday.<br />

The Fair Work Act<br />

2009 (s114) states that<br />

an employer may request<br />

an employee to work on<br />

a public holiday if the request<br />

is reasonable.<br />

Likewise, an employee<br />

can refuse to work on a<br />

public holiday if the employer’s<br />

request is not<br />

reasonable.<br />

If you find yourself in<br />

this situation please contact<br />

us for advice.<br />

• End of year parties<br />

and work functions.<br />

While it may be a<br />

headache to organise, the<br />

undertaking of an end of<br />

Place limits on alcohol at end-of-year- functions and ensure non-alcoholic drinks are offered.<br />

year party or function<br />

can often be seen as a<br />

way that employers can<br />

thank their staff for another<br />

year of hard work<br />

and also allow staff to interact<br />

in a social setting.<br />

Some employers have<br />

taken the approach of using<br />

other forms of recognition<br />

such as vouchers<br />

or hampers, others elect<br />

the “family friendly” approach<br />

of barbecues and<br />

lunches during the day.<br />

What works best depends<br />

on you, the business<br />

and your staff.<br />

Either way, there are a<br />

few things to be mindful<br />

of:<br />

Before the event:<br />

• send a friendly staff<br />

email where what is/isn’t<br />

acceptable is outlined<br />

and refer to relevant policies;<br />

• if you are going to<br />

serve alcohol ensure it is<br />

served responsibly (you<br />

may want to hold the<br />

function at another venue<br />

in which case the venue’s<br />

RSA kicks in);<br />

• ensure plenty of food<br />

Sally<br />

Chandler<br />

Tradestart Adviser<br />

THE Australian Trade<br />

and Investment Commission<br />

administers the<br />

TradeStart network of 29<br />

offices around Australia.<br />

TradeStart is an extension<br />

of Austrade’s own<br />

offices and is delivered<br />

in partnership with state,<br />

territory and local governments,<br />

industry associations<br />

and chambers of<br />

commerce.<br />

The <strong>Tasmanian</strong> Chamber<br />

of Commerce and<br />

Industry is the state Austrade<br />

partner.<br />

The prime objective<br />

of Austrade’s TradeStart<br />

network is to assist smalland<br />

medium-size exporters<br />

to achieve long-term<br />

success in international<br />

markets.<br />

The network offers exporters<br />

local assistance<br />

and a direct link to services<br />

in Australia and<br />

Austrade offices in 50<br />

countries.<br />

TradeStart advisers offer<br />

free, practical advice<br />

to exporters and education<br />

providers on how to<br />

do business in international<br />

markets including:<br />

• general market briefings<br />

on what to expect in<br />

international markets;<br />

• cultural tips on doing<br />

business overseas;<br />

• information about<br />

overseas commercial<br />

practices and requirements;<br />

and non-alcoholic drinks<br />

are available to everyone;<br />

and<br />

• check that your insurance<br />

covers the event.<br />

Austrade network<br />

link for exporters<br />

• country specific industry<br />

insights and contexts;<br />

• referrals to specialist<br />

legal, tax or business advisory<br />

firms, both in Australia<br />

and overseas;<br />

• international market<br />

entry and strategy advice;<br />

• general marketing and<br />

promotional advice; and<br />

• assistance and advice<br />

for setting up in an international<br />

market.<br />

Advisers also work<br />

with Austrade offices<br />

overseas who provide free<br />

At the event:<br />

• have a clear start and<br />

finish time;<br />

• place time limits on<br />

the supply of alcohol;<br />

• make it clear to staff<br />

that post-event activities<br />

are on their own time and<br />

the company does not endorse<br />

any activities that<br />

happen after finishing<br />

time; and<br />

• use taxis, shuttles,<br />

public transport and/or<br />

non-drinking drivers to<br />

make sure everyone gets<br />

home safely after the party.<br />

As an employer you<br />

have the responsibility to<br />

ensure that your staff ae<br />

safe at all work-related<br />

functions.<br />

You can contact the<br />

Helpline on 1300 765<br />

123 or the TCCI on<br />

1300 59 122 or workplacerelations@tcci.<br />

com.au<br />

general advice plus tailored<br />

services including<br />

market or country-specific<br />

research, identification<br />

of potential partners and<br />

customers, organising appointments<br />

for visits to<br />

individual markets, following<br />

up initial introductions,<br />

and market promotions.<br />

Tailored services are<br />

provided for a uniform<br />

fee of A$275 per hour.<br />

Sales opportunities<br />

identified by overseas<br />

offices are also relayed<br />

back to TradeStart advisers<br />

in Australia for distribution<br />

to relevant clients..<br />

Contact the TCCI’s<br />

TradeStart Adviser,<br />

Sally Chandler, at sally.<br />

chandler@tcci.com.au<br />

or phone 1300 559 122.


<strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong> - DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong> 7<br />

FOCUS ON BUSINESS<br />

Success from the garbage can<br />

Management consultancy Optimum Standard offers<br />

clients a competitive advantage by providing specialist<br />

expertise in a variety of areas as required.<br />

IT is not always possible<br />

for businesses to employ a<br />

full-time management system<br />

specialist, food technologist,<br />

product developer or<br />

customer- and consumer-led<br />

strategist – this is where leading<br />

management consultancy<br />

Optimum Standard comes in.<br />

Principal consultant Belinda<br />

Hazell says many leaders<br />

can sense that they need to<br />

move in a certain direction<br />

but are not sure of how to<br />

do so.<br />

“We can help them get<br />

there and then as new change<br />

or needs arises, we can do so<br />

again – working on other aspects<br />

of their operation with<br />

the solutions that matter,” she<br />

said.<br />

“<strong>Tasmanian</strong> businesses<br />

moving through rapid change<br />

want smart, easy, and quick<br />

solutions – with cost and efficiency<br />

worked on at a later<br />

stage.<br />

Belinda says that in an<br />

environment of rapid change,<br />

“Garbage Can Theory” can<br />

lead to organisational waste<br />

and an inability to maximise<br />

profitability.<br />

“For example, solutions<br />

may be proposed where problems<br />

do not exist, choices<br />

made without solving problems<br />

and problems allowed to<br />

persist without being solved<br />

– basically wasted opportunities<br />

that good organisations<br />

can avoid.”<br />

Belinda believes that leaders<br />

can make a difference in<br />

the “garbage can” and good<br />

collaboration can lead to this.<br />

Garbage cans and waste<br />

are an appropriate pun when<br />

it comes to the work Optimum<br />

Standard has done for<br />

the Mornington Park Waste<br />

Transfer Station.<br />

General Manager Grant<br />

Allen says the value that Optimum<br />

Standard contributed<br />

to its brand and the time and<br />

effort it saved the business<br />

resulted in bottom line returns<br />

of thousands of dollars<br />

annually.<br />

“Optimum Standard established<br />

all of our management<br />

systems including safety, environment,<br />

and risk and they<br />

continue to provide support<br />

to our business which gives<br />

me confidence in my management<br />

and delivers greater<br />

productivity in the workplace,”<br />

Mr Allen said.<br />

Optimum Standard has<br />

more than 30 years’ experience<br />

across a number of<br />

industry sectors working<br />

on providing solutions to<br />

complex issues, even during<br />

periods of rapid growth.<br />

“Having a customer- and<br />

consumer-led perspective is<br />

important as we look for the<br />

factors that deliver success,”<br />

said lead innovator Allison<br />

Clark.<br />

“Making sure that even<br />

when decisions are made rapidly<br />

they are driven towards<br />

better product and service<br />

outcomes for your customer<br />

can create competitive advantage,”<br />

she said.<br />

“When this is done with<br />

cost and efficiency considerations<br />

the payback period on<br />

change and innovation can<br />

be leveraged to the business’<br />

advantage.”<br />

An example is the Daly<br />

Potato Company developing<br />

a new range of potato salads<br />

which has gained success and<br />

is now in mainland Woolworths<br />

Supermarkets.<br />

“The Daly’s are passionate<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong>s looking to reduce<br />

their on-farm waste through<br />

high quality <strong>Tasmanian</strong> food<br />

products.<br />

“Helping this business<br />

move through food safety<br />

compliance requirements and<br />

assisting with process design<br />

has been complex and very<br />

worthwhile” Allison said.<br />

Having had more than 10<br />

years’ experience with highrisk<br />

food products, Allison<br />

has an eye for the trends<br />

which will impact on many<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> operations looking<br />

to capitalise on “Brand<br />

Tasmania”.<br />

“Food business and supply<br />

chain due diligence has become<br />

increasingly important<br />

for <strong>Tasmanian</strong> food businesses<br />

looking to supply corporate<br />

retail and export.<br />

Optimum Standard<br />

principal consultant<br />

Belinda Hazell discusses<br />

operations with<br />

Mornington Park Waste<br />

Transfer Station General<br />

Manager Grant Allen.<br />

“Through good product<br />

design and development, we<br />

can build in the operational<br />

controls necessary to limit<br />

failure and create great products<br />

and services,” Allison<br />

said.


8 <strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong> - DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong><br />

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP<br />

Forward with confidence<br />

Roger<br />

Jaensch<br />

Parliamentary Secretary for Small <strong>Business</strong><br />

www.tcci.com.au<br />

Labor’s vision<br />

for Tasmania<br />

THE end of the year is<br />

a good time to take stock<br />

and give thanks – and we<br />

have a lot to be thankful<br />

for.<br />

A lot has changed<br />

since 2014.<br />

Our business and employment<br />

performance<br />

indicators are now<br />

strong.<br />

State Final Demand<br />

and private investment<br />

are both up 8 to 10 per<br />

cent. Total capital investment<br />

has risen sharply.<br />

Retail turnover has<br />

been above a half-billion<br />

dollars for 16 straight<br />

months and we exported<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> products<br />

worth more than $3 billion<br />

in the 12 months to<br />

September this year.<br />

There are 11,700<br />

more jobs in the state<br />

– 246,000 people go to<br />

work now in Tasmania.<br />

Our annual employment<br />

growth is the second<br />

strongest in the nation<br />

and unemployment<br />

has fallen to around the<br />

national average – just<br />

5.9 per cent in September.<br />

Population is growing<br />

at the fastest annual rate<br />

in six years. Instead of<br />

heading north, people are<br />

moving south.<br />

Dwelling approvals<br />

this September were 46<br />

per cent higher than the<br />

same time last year – the<br />

strongest growth of any<br />

state. The national average<br />

fell 0.4 per cent.<br />

The latest Sensis <strong>Business</strong><br />

Index quarterly<br />

survey rated business<br />

confidence in Tasmania<br />

second highest in the<br />

nation, and our government’s<br />

business policies<br />

“easily the most popular<br />

in the nation”.<br />

None of this happened<br />

by accident and things<br />

won’t keep improving<br />

without continued effort.<br />

We know there is still<br />

more work to do, particularly<br />

in regional areas,<br />

and we are committed to<br />

the task.<br />

John van der Woude from Penguin Composites with Federal Small <strong>Business</strong><br />

Minister Michael McCormack and Roger Jaensch during the<br />

Minister’s Small <strong>Business</strong> Roadshow <strong>2017</strong>.<br />

We want to continue<br />

to have the most positive<br />

policy environment for<br />

business in the nation.<br />

Our plan for the next<br />

four years lays out targets<br />

which, if achieved,<br />

will take Tasmania to the<br />

next level, including:<br />

• a 10 per cent increase<br />

in small business employment<br />

by 2022;<br />

• a 40 per cent increase<br />

in apprentices and trainees<br />

in the private sector<br />

by 2025;<br />

• 70 per cent of all visitors<br />

staying overnight<br />

in regional areas during<br />

their trip to Tasmania by<br />

2022;<br />

• 90 per cent of all<br />

government contracts<br />

won by <strong>Tasmanian</strong>-based<br />

firms; and<br />

• an 85 per cent clear<br />

up rate on reported red<br />

tape by 2022.<br />

But, at the end of the<br />

day and the end of the<br />

year, we know it is business<br />

owners who invest<br />

and employ, who innovate<br />

and deliver products<br />

and services, and<br />

the state’s positive report<br />

card since 2014 is testament<br />

to their confidence<br />

to do so.<br />

AS the election gets closer,<br />

there’s increased pressure<br />

on all sides of politics<br />

to explain what our<br />

vision is for Tasmania.<br />

We’ve been developing<br />

ideas for Tasmania<br />

right throughout the last<br />

four years and under the<br />

leadership of Rebecca<br />

White we have released<br />

an Economic Direction<br />

Statement which sets out<br />

our plan for Tasmania.<br />

With an election due<br />

in March next year <strong>Tasmanian</strong>s<br />

can expect new<br />

policy announcements<br />

between now and then.<br />

It’s well publicised<br />

that we will release a<br />

policy on gaming ahead<br />

of the election. We have<br />

been proud of the extensive<br />

consultation we<br />

have undertaken as we<br />

work towards a comprehensive<br />

policy position.<br />

It’s been critical that<br />

we’ve heard from all<br />

voices in the debate as<br />

it’s a crucial decision for<br />

Tasmania, both in terms<br />

of economic and social<br />

outcomes.<br />

If any readers would<br />

like to discuss the issue<br />

of gaming, or any other<br />

issue for that matter,<br />

I’d encourage you<br />

to contact me on 6212<br />

2383 or scott.bacon@<br />

parliament.tas.gov.au<br />

Labor is proud of the<br />

policies we’ve already<br />

put on the table, from<br />

ways to address the crisis<br />

in our health system<br />

to strategies to reverse<br />

the trend away from<br />

full-time employment<br />

in Tasmania.<br />

We have sensible<br />

policies and investment<br />

commitments that we<br />

believe are in the best<br />

interests of <strong>Tasmanian</strong>s.<br />

We also want to make<br />

the connection between<br />

industry and our education<br />

providers stronger,<br />

by establishing Industry<br />

Advisory Councils.<br />

Your Partner<br />

in Print.<br />

www.footandplaysted.com.au<br />

Now incorporating<br />

THE CRAFT LIVES ON.


<strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong> - DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong> 9<br />

FOCUS ON BUSINESS<br />

Journey from an island to the UN<br />

Lynn Mason’s career has taken her<br />

interstate and overseas; from farmer<br />

to Mayor and to the boardroom of<br />

many organisations. We asked the<br />

AICD’s <strong>Tasmanian</strong> Gold Medal<br />

winner about her journey so far.<br />

HOW did it all begin?<br />

I grew up in Brisbane and<br />

attended school and university<br />

there.<br />

After graduating I went<br />

travelling and met my husband,<br />

who was a Flinders<br />

Islander, in Greece.<br />

We came home to marry<br />

and began farming<br />

– running sheep and harvesting<br />

abalone.<br />

A neighbour approached<br />

me to stand for<br />

the council by-election.<br />

I won that, was elected<br />

mayor in 1996 and became<br />

president of the Local<br />

Government Association<br />

of Tasmania in 2000.<br />

In 2003 I undertook<br />

the AICD’s Company Directors<br />

Course to start the<br />

next phase of my career<br />

as a non-executive director<br />

and I retired from local<br />

government in 2006.<br />

All the while we were<br />

still farming and expanded<br />

our operations to the<br />

mainland of Tasmania too.<br />

What have been your<br />

career highlights?<br />

The main highlight has<br />

been the wonderful people<br />

I have worked with<br />

and learned from in all<br />

of my different roles –<br />

they are the continuum.<br />

My highlights include<br />

winning the inaugural<br />

National Reconciliation<br />

award for communities<br />

on Flinders Island; being<br />

invited to join the<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> Honour Roll<br />

of Women; winning the<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> Telstra <strong>Business</strong>woman<br />

of the Year<br />

Award and the Australian<br />

<strong>Business</strong> Owner of<br />

the Year.<br />

In 2004 I was a delegate<br />

to the 12th Session<br />

of the Commission on<br />

Sustainable Development<br />

in New York where<br />

I addressed a session of<br />

the United Nations on<br />

the role of local government<br />

in environmental<br />

management.<br />

Winning one of the<br />

wether trials on Flinders<br />

Island was also great<br />

fun.<br />

What setbacks have<br />

you overcome?<br />

My father was killed<br />

when I was a baby so<br />

my brother and I were<br />

brought up by my mother<br />

as a single parent,<br />

which was unusual then.<br />

I never saw it as a<br />

challenge as my mother<br />

was an absolute inspiration.<br />

The weather can certainly<br />

be a setback for a<br />

farmer.<br />

I’ve learned many<br />

valuable things about<br />

being more inclusive and<br />

listening carefully – not<br />

Award winner Lynn Mason, right, receives her gold medal from Governor of Tasmania<br />

Kate Warner and, inset, the medal.<br />

only to what people are<br />

saying but what they are<br />

not saying.<br />

Has your gender<br />

been an asset or a<br />

challenge to your<br />

success?<br />

My gender has not been<br />

insignificant.<br />

Straight after graduation,<br />

a female friend and<br />

I applied for a loan to<br />

start a rental business on<br />

Stradbroke Island.<br />

We were denied as we<br />

were both female and<br />

told that a loan would<br />

only be approved to a<br />

male relative.<br />

That certainly fired me<br />

up. In my early days as<br />

a councillor on Flinders<br />

Island, I was asked, very<br />

politely, to provide cake<br />

for afternoon tea – I<br />

didn’t.<br />

Farming can still be<br />

very conservative about<br />

valuing the equality of<br />

women in the agricultural<br />

workforce although attitudes<br />

have come a long<br />

way since we started<br />

farming.<br />

How important is<br />

professional education<br />

and governance<br />

training?<br />

It’s extremely important.<br />

There are many pitfalls<br />

for the unwary that<br />

it is madness to embark<br />

on any organisational<br />

structure without a<br />

good understanding of<br />

governance requirements<br />

and the need for<br />

continuing training and<br />

review.<br />

I was urged to undertake<br />

the AICD course<br />

by the CEO of the Local<br />

Government Association<br />

of Tasmania and<br />

this training was vital.<br />

Where to next?<br />

I want to volunteer in<br />

areas of particular interest.<br />

I remain particularly<br />

interested in local<br />

government, so maybe<br />

there’s something I<br />

can assist with there.<br />

More time for farming<br />

and gardening –<br />

something will come<br />

along – it always<br />

does.<br />

CAN MAKE ALL<br />

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Enrol now t: 03 6242 2200 w: companydirectors.com.au/tas5days<br />

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10 <strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong> - DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong><br />

APPOINTMENTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS<br />

IN BRIEF<br />

Cattle Hill<br />

connected<br />

State Energy Minister Guy Barnett, left, with TasNetworks Chief<br />

Executive Officer Lance Balcombe and Goldwind’s Managing<br />

Director John Titchen.<br />

TASNETWORKS and Goldwind<br />

have signed a Connection Agreement<br />

for the $300 million Cattle<br />

Hill wind farm project in Tasmania’s<br />

central highlands.<br />

The Connection Agreement sets<br />

out the terms and conditions through<br />

which the wind farm is able to successfully<br />

connect to TasNetworks’<br />

transmission network and is another<br />

key step in paving the way for the<br />

construction of the 144mW wind<br />

farm.<br />

The 49-turbine wind farm will<br />

contribute to Tasmania’s energy security<br />

and increases the state’s on-island<br />

renewable energy generation<br />

capacity by more than five per cent.<br />

“This is a key milestone for the<br />

project and highlights the strong<br />

working relationship that exists between<br />

TasNetworks and Goldwind,”<br />

said TasNetworks Chief Executive<br />

Officer, Lance Balcombe.<br />

“We’re very excited to be involved<br />

with such a great project and<br />

look forward to working with Goldwind<br />

during the construction phase<br />

over the coming months” Mr Balcombe<br />

said.<br />

Goldwind Managing Director<br />

John Titchen said it was hoped the<br />

project would be fully operational in<br />

2019.<br />

“The project is located adjacent<br />

to TasNetworks’ large Waddamana<br />

Substation, it will deliver a significant<br />

addition to the <strong>Tasmanian</strong> power<br />

supply and provide significant opportunities<br />

for <strong>Tasmanian</strong> businesses<br />

and the community,” Mr Titchen<br />

said.<br />

The project is expected to create<br />

150 jobs during construction and<br />

employ up to 10 permanent maintenance<br />

staff.<br />

Project law<br />

in pipeline<br />

NEW Laws are being drafted by the<br />

State Government to change how<br />

major projects, except for skyscrapers,<br />

are considered. The aim of the<br />

draft laws is to streamline the approval<br />

process and provide greater<br />

certainty, while also requiring that<br />

all relevant and necessary approvals<br />

including environmental, Aboriginal<br />

and heritage approvals must be<br />

granted by the relevant regulators.<br />

After community feedback the<br />

draft laws now completely eliminate<br />

the possibility that it could be used<br />

for skyscrapers.<br />

The revised draft laws will be publicly<br />

released for a further round of<br />

public consultation early in <strong>December</strong><br />

but won’t be considered by Parliament<br />

before the election.<br />

Aussie Honour<br />

for arts leader<br />

ARTS charity leader, theatre director<br />

and writer, Scott Rankin, has been<br />

named the <strong>2017</strong> <strong>Tasmanian</strong> Australian<br />

of the Year.<br />

Scott co-founded Big hART, a<br />

charity that uses the arts to shed light<br />

on hidden injustice to bring about<br />

change.<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> Senior Australian of<br />

the Year is organic farmer Tony<br />

Scherer, Young Australian of the<br />

Year is dental surgeon Dr Jessica<br />

Manuela and Tasmania’s Local Hero<br />

is breast cancer fundraiser Judi Adams.<br />

The <strong>2017</strong> Australian of the Year<br />

Awards will be announced on the<br />

eve of Australia Day.<br />

New pump<br />

price practice<br />

FUEL retailers have been given six<br />

months to comply with new standards<br />

for displaying costs.<br />

A new Code of Practice will make<br />

it easier for <strong>Tasmanian</strong> motorists to<br />

accurately determine the price of<br />

fuel, recognising that discounted<br />

prices are only available in limited<br />

circumstances.<br />

Under the changes, retailers will<br />

be required to display the full price<br />

of fuel on petrol price boards, rather<br />

than a discounted price.<br />

It also ensures that the price on the<br />

advertising board is the same as the<br />

price on the bowser.<br />

The new regulations take effect<br />

from May 7, 2018.<br />

APPOINTMENTS<br />

Tas ICT<br />

CEO Will<br />

Kestin<br />

National role for<br />

ICT boss<br />

THE CEO of TasICT, Will Kestin<br />

has been appointed to represent<br />

Tasmania on the Australian Industry<br />

and Skills Committee (AISC).<br />

Mr Kestin will review cases<br />

across industry sectors for endorsement<br />

and changes to the national vocational<br />

education system and training<br />

policies.<br />

“I look forward to providing<br />

strong representation from our state<br />

to ensure national educational VET<br />

outcomes support and encourage<br />

Tasmania’s future,” Mr Kestin said.<br />

“As technology has grown into a<br />

constant enabler across all industry<br />

sectors, I’ve been fortunate enough<br />

to work closely with many industries<br />

and hear about their skills and<br />

training requirements.”<br />

New<br />

TasTAFE<br />

CEO.<br />

Jenny<br />

Dodd<br />

Awards call to state’s best employers<br />

ENTRIES for Tasmania’s Employer<br />

of Choice Awards 2018 are open until<br />

<strong>December</strong> 15, <strong>2017</strong>.<br />

The awards recognise local organisations<br />

which demonstrate contemporary<br />

workplace practices and outstanding<br />

support for staff, including<br />

opportunities for employees to build<br />

an effective work-life balance.<br />

Excellent workplaces help Tasmania<br />

to attract and retain highly<br />

skilled people that drive innovation<br />

and business success.<br />

Employer of Choice accreditation<br />

is a sought after and recognised tick<br />

of approval in the business, community<br />

and service sectors. People who<br />

have a great place to work are more<br />

productive, they advocate for their<br />

employer and help <strong>Tasmanian</strong> businesses<br />

to provide better services and<br />

win new customers.<br />

General Manager of <strong>Business</strong><br />

Services at Stornaway Camille<br />

O’Meara said recognising the hard<br />

work that staff and management had<br />

done to build a supportive and innovative<br />

culture help Stornaway win<br />

an award in 2016.<br />

“Entering the awards meant we<br />

could validate what we know is<br />

great about Stornoway, share this<br />

validation with our employees and<br />

celebrate our successes to date,” Ms<br />

O’Meara said. “It is also really important<br />

to benchmark ourselves and<br />

share our learnings with other successful<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> businesses, identify<br />

what others are doing well, and<br />

continue to learn and develop.<br />

“The awards and regular forums<br />

provide opportunities to work collectively<br />

with others.<br />

Women’s Health Tasmania was<br />

recognised as an Employer of<br />

Choice in 2015.<br />

Executive Officer Glynis Flower<br />

said the award confirmed their positive<br />

work culture and helped promote<br />

Women’s Health Tasmania as<br />

a supportive workplace.<br />

“We model family friendly policies,<br />

safe structures and practices<br />

and a positive and productive environment<br />

to other employers in our<br />

network,” Ms Flower said.<br />

“Being recognised as an Employer<br />

of Choice motivates us towards<br />

continuous improvement.’’<br />

Entries for the 2018 Employer<br />

of Choice Awards are open now to<br />

small, medium and large organisations<br />

employing staff in Tasmania.<br />

Visit www.business.tas.gov.au/<br />

eoc or contact <strong>Business</strong> Tasmania<br />

on 1800 440 026 or email<br />

ask@business.tas.gov.au<br />

Dodd to takeover<br />

TasTAFE<br />

ONLINE learning and change management<br />

specialist Jenny Dodd has<br />

been appointed as the new TasTAFE<br />

CEO.<br />

Ms Dodd’s previous roles include<br />

Deputy Chief Executive of Canberra<br />

Institute of Technology and<br />

Chief Academic Officer at TAFE<br />

Queensland.<br />

She will move to Tasmania to take<br />

up the position from February.<br />

The government said Ms Dodd’s<br />

appointment would mark a new<br />

start for the embattled organisation,<br />

which has been embroiled in controversy<br />

following the resignation<br />

of former Stephen Conway and a<br />

damning Integrity Commission investigation.<br />

Rapid Response<br />

Reduced Risk<br />

Our <strong>Business</strong><br />

Is People<br />

Right Experience


<strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong> - DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong> 11<br />

EVENTS NEWS<br />

ABOVE: Sally Chandler, TCCI, left, Ken Moore, NRM South<br />

and Helen Cowley, St.LukesHealth<br />

LEFT: Rod<br />

Knight of<br />

Landcare<br />

Tasmania, left,<br />

Mark Cooper of<br />

Cooper<br />

Automotive<br />

and Michael<br />

Preece of Sales<br />

Consultancy<br />

Tasmania.<br />

ABOVE: Jamie Lawrence, left, Darren Backhouse,<br />

and Matthew Whelan of Westpac <strong>Business</strong> Bank.<br />

RIGHT: Mark Thomas of M&M Communications,<br />

left and Dr Kim Backhouse.<br />

LEFT:<br />

Mercury<br />

GM Damon<br />

Wise, Moya<br />

Fyfe of UTAS<br />

and Damien<br />

White, CEO<br />

of TasRail.<br />

EVENT:<br />

TCCI Premier’s<br />

Cocktail Party.<br />

LOCATION:<br />

Henry Jones IXL Atrium<br />

DATE:<br />

Thursday, November 16,<br />

<strong>2017</strong><br />

LEFT: Rod<br />

Spinks of<br />

St.LukesHealth,<br />

and<br />

Stephanie<br />

Mirowski of<br />

WorkSafe<br />

Tasmania.<br />

LEFT:<br />

Roostam<br />

Sadri of<br />

Snowy<br />

Mountain<br />

Group of<br />

Companies,<br />

Premier Will<br />

Hodgman<br />

and Amanda<br />

Quealy of<br />

The Hobart<br />

Clinic.<br />

ABOVE: Tom O’Meara of <strong>Tasmanian</strong><br />

<strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong>, Justice Minister<br />

Elise Archer and Robert Grant,<br />

GM of Marsh.<br />

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PROPERTY MATTERS<br />

<strong>Tasmanian</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Reporter</strong> - DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong> 12<br />

Activity surge on East Coast<br />

Scott Newton<br />

Property Matters with<br />

Knight Frank<br />

Knight Frank Tasmania’s East Coast team,<br />

Adele Plunkett, Leanne Dann, and Jim<br />

Playsted, update the East Coast<br />

residential market in this month’s editorial<br />

TASMANIA’S East Coast is<br />

certainly enjoying a surge in<br />

business and real estate activity.<br />

The 2016-17 financial year<br />

proved to be very positive<br />

with increased sales reported<br />

along the central East Coast.<br />

Sale prices, according to<br />

the Land Information System<br />

Tasmania, ranged from<br />

$45,000 to $1,800,000 with<br />

the mean for the Glamorgan<br />

Spring Bay Municipality being<br />

about $300,000.<br />

It was also encouraging to<br />

see from the Australian Bureau<br />

of Statistics release of<br />

statistics from the 2016 census,<br />

that all the Central East<br />

Coast communities had experienced<br />

an increase in population<br />

growth. Another indication<br />

that our economy is<br />

improving is that our school<br />

enrolments are either improving<br />

or steady, indicating that<br />

families are confident in either<br />

moving to or staying in<br />

their choice of towns.<br />

Employment opportunities<br />

are also on the rise with<br />

a number of new enterprises<br />

starting operations and existing<br />

businesses expanding due<br />

to demand.<br />

Local tradespeople have<br />

also reported that in line with<br />

real estate sales on the climb,<br />

building in the area has escalated,<br />

creating new job openings<br />

to handle the workload.<br />

East Coast Tourism Board<br />

has advised that there has<br />

been a 13 per cent increase<br />

in interstate and international<br />

visitors to the East Coast in<br />

the past 12 months.<br />

Swansea is enjoying its position as a destination on the popular East Coast.<br />

Of those visitors 21 per<br />

cent were from Victoria, 22<br />

per cent from NSW, 17 per<br />

cent from Queensland and the<br />

remaining 30 per cent were<br />

international visitors.<br />

The promotion of the<br />

Great Eastern Drive, national<br />

award-winning tourism ventures,<br />

the expanding viticulture<br />

sector, plus lots of happy<br />

visitors talking about the<br />

scenery and experiences they<br />

have enjoyed, have all helped<br />

with the continuing boost in<br />

visitor numbers.<br />

To help East Coast communities<br />

to manage this<br />

growth and further enhance<br />

local opportunities, the East<br />

Coast Tourism Board has<br />

been meeting with individual<br />

townspeople and businesses<br />

to develop a “Destination<br />

Action Plan” for each of the<br />

major townships.<br />

This will hopefully provide<br />

a strategy to help these coastal<br />

towns to move forward, not<br />

only improving services and<br />

prospects, but also enhancing<br />

the many wonderful assets<br />

that visitors already enjoy.<br />

Although we are currently<br />

experiencing very dry conditions<br />

in the area, farming<br />

and viticulture pursuits<br />

have been enhanced with<br />

the completion of the Swan<br />

Valley Irrigation scheme<br />

this year, which will provide<br />

2,000 megalitres of water<br />

storage.<br />

All water rights were eagerly<br />

purchased by the rural<br />

community and water is<br />

now available from Cranbrook<br />

through to Swansea<br />

allowing farmers to diversify<br />

their holdings with cropping<br />

and stock.<br />

We, the lucky ones who<br />

get to work and live in one<br />

of the most scenic parts of<br />

Australia, are excited about<br />

the increasing strength we<br />

are seeing in our area. There<br />

are lots of new opportunities<br />

for our youth to be able to<br />

gain employment and live<br />

locally as well as welcoming<br />

new residents that also<br />

want to enjoy our peaceful<br />

coastal environment.<br />

Knight Frank wishes you<br />

all a happy and safe Christmas.<br />

PROPERTY VIEW<br />

DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong><br />

Freehold & <strong>Business</strong> for sale<br />

MOREY BROS PTY LTD<br />

70-96 Franklin Street, Swansea<br />

• Long established (over 50 years) mixed<br />

business including transport, landscape<br />

supplies, fuel deliveries, concrete production<br />

and delivery, and earthmoving services.<br />

• Freehold land of some 1.2ha (approx) over 4<br />

titles. Zoned ‘General Residential’, but with<br />

existing use rights. Main road frontage<br />

• Multiple storage sheds/workshops, concrete<br />

batching plant and fully bunded fuel storage<br />

facility.<br />

• Beautiful waterfront town with solid local<br />

subdivision sales resulting in demand for<br />

Morey Brothers products.<br />

Ian Reed 0419 670 501<br />

View at KnightFrank.com.au/3762648<br />

For lease<br />

RARE ELIZABETH MALL OPPORTUNITY<br />

2/56 Elizabeth Street, Hobart<br />

• Prime retail tenancy situated in Elizabeth Mall at<br />

the entrance to popular Cat & Fiddle Arcade.<br />

• 147sqm (approx) of ground floor retail area plus<br />

additional storage and kitchenette on first floor.<br />

• Boasts huge frontage and high traffic flow.<br />

• Surrounded by a host of leading national<br />

retailers including Platypus Shoes, Forever<br />

New, Bras N Things, Smiggle, and Pandora.<br />

Hobart has undergone significant changes over<br />

recent times with a number of exciting new<br />

retailers due to join the mix in 2018. Secure your<br />

brand in and ‘A-class’ position.<br />

SOLD<br />

For sale by Expression of Interest<br />

PROMINENT SANDY BAY OFFERING!<br />

71-73 King Street, Sandy Bay<br />

• Zoned ‘Inner Residential’ with existing use<br />

rights ‘home and shop’.<br />

• Heritage-listed; designated parking at the rear.<br />

• 71 King St: Currently leased, 3 year term<br />

commencing 8 July 2016, fixed 3%<br />

increases, current rental $33,372 pa.<br />

• 73 King St: Owner-occupier opportunity,<br />

currently vacant, most recently rented<br />

residentially for $25,740 pa.<br />

• Fully upgraded throughout in 2016 including<br />

bathrooms, kitchen, A/C, and painting.<br />

• Building: 128sqm*; Land: 272sqm* (*approx).<br />

Matthew Wright 0458 290 588<br />

Tom Triffitt 0414 881 556<br />

View at KnightFrank.com.au/3975128<br />

Sold<br />

WELL SERVICED INVESTMENT<br />

283-287 Liverpool Street, Hobart<br />

• Good lease to long-term tenant – Specialist<br />

Auto Group servicing Hobart for over 20 years.<br />

• 5+5+5 year terms, CPI or 2.5% increases,<br />

market review at options.<br />

• High exposure CBD site, substantial land<br />

holding with well maintained buildings and<br />

excellent car parking.<br />

• Zoned ‘Central <strong>Business</strong>’.<br />

• Building: 775sqm*; Land: 1,235sqm* (*approx).<br />

• Net rent $120,000 pa plus GST.<br />

Outline indicative only<br />

Matthew Wright 0458 290 588<br />

View at KnightFrank.com.au/3974275<br />

Ian Reed 0419 670 501<br />

View at KnightFrank.com.au/3866325<br />

5 Victoria Street, Hobart 41 York Street, Launceston Shop 8, 48-54 Oldaker Street, Devonport<br />

P: 03 6220 6999 P: 03 6333 7888 P: 03 6424 3568

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