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Economic Development Newsletter Nov 2002
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As We Mature
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Suzanne Keene – Economic Development Assistant
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Developments Underway
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Visit to Shoalhaven by Mrs Fran Bailey MP
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Southern Phone Company
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Government Dignitaries in Town
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Integral Energy Shoalhaven Business Awards 2002
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Local Business Profile – Air Affairs Australia Pty Ltd
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Defence Network Meeting
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Economic Development – What’s Happening
As sound as the Shoalhaven economy is, the growth in more recent times has shown a maturing in both its activity and the development occurring within the area. Always a robust economy, the Shoalhaven has been able to show a resilience to regional and national downturns as well as being able to respond to the pressures of economic acceleration. Currently, the level of activity both in the residential and commercial/industrial sectors is quite strong and the quality and calibre of activity being proposed is of a level uncharacteristic of most regional areas within the State.
The developments at HMAS Albatross and at the Albatross Aviation Technology Park, the office building for the Department of Local Government, the expanded commercial facilities at South Nowra, new supermarkets in Ulladulla, are reflecting the confidence that developers have in the City. This is illustrated by the increasing level of economic activity occurring and that which is expected in the future as the City continues to growth.
This maturing process should be expected to continue whilst the national economy exhibits strong growth. The benefits to the local retailing sector should flow as it already has in some of the service sectors such as education and health.
The attitude of the local business economy following the January bushfires is also reflective of the positive attitude of local business to the future within the City.
As we now move on through the first decade of a new century. I am confident that this maturing and greater level of sophistication within the economy will continue to be exhibited.
Greg Pullen,
Economic Development Manager
During September, the Economic Development Office welcomed a new member to our team. Suzanne Keene was employed in the position of Economic Development Assistant within the City Services Division.
Suzanne commenced with Shoalhaven City Council during 2001 as a
member of Council’s Communication Services Team. Prior to her appointment Suzanne
held positions with the Royal Australian Air Force, the Public Service and
Merit Protection Commission, and Price Waterhouse. She has developed extensive
expertise and skills in the areas of Defence including military policy,
workplace relations policy and Commonwealth Government practices. Prior to
that Suzanne was engaged by a major Sydney based accountancy firm in the area
of insolvency practice. Suzanne has a general interest in international
relations, the defence industry and history, and is currently completing
studies in these areas.
As the Economic Development Assistant, Suzanne will be undertaking tasks associated with the development and expansion of the local business sector, including researching opportunities for government assistance available to businesses already in the Shoalhaven, or those seeking to relocate. Suzanne will also assist the Economic Development Manager with developing and maintaining Council’s industrial estates, providing assistance with Council’s development process, and liaising with other government agencies for projects undertaken by the Economic Development Office.
Construction has commenced on premises to be leased to Raytheon Australia at the Albatross Aviation Technology Park, to be primarily used for the Royal Australian Navy’s contract for the Electronic Warfare Training Service. The premises may also be used for other Defence contracting work in the Shoalhaven area.
At Flinders Industrial Estate, construction has also commenced on facilities for food warehousing and a trucking terminal.
In June Mrs Fran Bailey MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister
for Defence, visited Nowra at the invitation of the Member for Gilmore, Mrs
Joanna Gash MP. Shoalhaven City Council’s Economic Development Office
coordinated a briefing by the Commanders of HMAS Albatross, HMAS Creswell, and
Navy Aviation Systems Program Office for Mrs Bailey. At that briefing a number
of local defence contractors were in attendance and participated in open
discussion with the Parliamentary Secretary. Areas of interest shown by local
industry was the sustainability of a business operating on irregular Defence
contracts; the scope within contracts to train the future generation of
personnel; the value of the Defence industry to a local economy;
relationship between project manager and contractor.
Mrs Bailey undertook an inspection tour of a number of local businesses including Aerospace Training Services, Hunter Aerospace, Kaman Aerospace International/Scientific Management Associates/Computer Sciences Corporation, and also inspected the Super Sea Sprite helicopter at 805 squadron at HMAS Albatross.
Both sides of the contracting equation expressed interest in staff exchange protocols and Mrs Bailey encouraged both the Department of Defence and industry to come up with a proposal which she could consider for trial.
Mrs Bailey was appreciative of the visit, what she saw and the cooperation between the Department of Defence and a local industry. She expressed her appreciation to both the Council and to the industries who made her visit very informative.
The new community owned
Southern Phone Company has signed a 5 year contract with major regional
telecommunications carried ntl Telecommunications in Wollongong. This contract
will allow development of a broadband network into regional centres in the
south-east of NSW, which will have a major impact on economic and social
development in the region. This community owned network, which has
endorsements or commitments from 22 south-east NSW Councils, will mean schools,
hospitals and businesses in the region will be able to offer greatly improved
services at lower cost. The relationship formed with ntl Telecommunications
means Southern Phone Company will have the support of one of the largest
regional networks in Australia and will avoid duplicating existing
infrastructure. Southern Phone Company aims to reduce the cost of many long
distance calls by about half, and will also develop a broadband data network to
serve regional centres.
Recently the Shoalhaven hosted a
number of Government dignitaries into its community, the most notable of which
was the Deputy Prime Minister in early June, and the NSW Cabinet in early July.
At both of these events, Shoalhaven City Council was able to outline some of its initiatives and stressed that the cooperative approach of the three levels of Governments working together was a successful technique for growing the local economy and the infrastructure required to sustain the Shoalhaven.
The NSW Cabinet expressed interest in Council’s development process and the way in which applications were determined by Council staff with the elected Council setting the policy framework.
The Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson MP, was very interested in various road issues as Minister For Transport and Regional Services, and was given updates on projects within the Shoalhaven, Kiama and Wingecarribee areas by the respective Councils.
The NSW Shadow Cabinet met in Nowra in July and Council provided a briefing.
The 2002 Shoalhaven Business Awards was a glittering affair this year, attended by about 360 people at Worrigee House on 18th October. A record number of entries were received in the four categories, and entertainment was provided by a trio of talented singers “The Three Waiters”.
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Shoalhaven
Businessperson of the Year -
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Small Enterprise Category winner —Aerospace Training Services
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Medium/Large Enterprise Category winner—Nowra Chemical Manufacturers Pty Ltd
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Agribusiness sector winner—R.A. Henry & Son Pty Ltd
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Air Affairs products are always in the firing line, but that makes company General Manager Chris Sievers a happy man.
Chris brought his young family from Victoria to Nowra in 1986 with a vision to establish, build and expand Air Affairs Australia into a world-class company delivering world-class products.
Air Affairs Australia manufactures and distributes aerial tow targets, target reeling machines, target scoring systems and specialist defence and aviation equipment for the training and calibration of Defence systems. The company has grown from three contractors to employing twenty-five staff operating out of new facilities in South Nowra.
The first of the
company’s two facilities was built in South Nowra in 1995 when Air Affairs
Australia entered a licensing agreement with an aerial tow target company.
In 1999 Air Affairs acquired the world’s leading reeling machine company and relocated the manufacturing facility from the United States to Nowra with the decision requiring a new facility at South Nowra to deliver the manufacturing standards and engineering excellence.
On 13th November, another Defence Industry Network meeting was jointly hosted by Shoalhaven City Council and the Defence Industry Unit of Australian Business Limited at Council’s Reception Rooms. Approximately 25 Network members heard briefings from the following:
äHydrographic Systems Program Office regarding delivery of resources to support the charting of Australia’s sea approaches by the RAN
äTenix Defence Systems, recently awarded a contract to upgrade the Army’s M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier
äSerco Sodexho Defence Services, major provider of base support services to the ADF, including HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell
äEden Ammunition Facility—Ordnance Depot—contracts for building works and civil and engineering services expected to be awarded in February 2003.
Economic Development Office – What’s Happening in December 2002 and January 2003
2nd—IDEC meeting
3rd—Shoalhaven Industry & Business Association Breakfast meeting
5th, 6th—SEATS meeting at City of Casey, Victoria
11th—SEATS delegation to meet with MPs
12th—IROC Economic Development Group meeting
18th—Shoalhaven Area Consultative Committee meeting
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