City of Parramatta has partnered with Localised to build a local business platform to promote and support business activity across Parramatta. They want to keep more business-to-business dollars in the local community.

It's just in the launch phase and the City of Parramatta need your help. By joining for free and creating content in Localised, you will get a lot of exposure to all businesses in Parramatta. Free to all businesses, expand awareness of your business and improve your Google search results.

All you need to start is to click here and have your profile photos, logos, website and business details ready.

For further information on how to sign up please contact the City of Parramatta Economic Development Team at:

E: economicdevelopment@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

With the help of Macquarie’s senior economist, Justin Fabo we look at how Australia’s property market performed in 2019 and the key factors that will drive the property market in 2020. An insightful read for first time buyers to experienced property investors.

Click here to read more

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Sam McCarthy at our Parramatta office on 0417 518 724 and be connected with one of our banking specialists.

This information has been prepared by Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 237502 (“Macquarie”) for general information purposes only. This information does not constitute advice. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. No member of Macquarie accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect, consequential or other loss arising from any use of this information.

City of Parramatta Council has appointed Australian company Built to construct 5 Parramatta Square – the City’s new civic, cultural and community building – following a rigorous 12-month selection process.

“We are thrilled to be appointing Built to deliver 5 Parramatta Square, the jewel in the crown of the world-class Parramatta Square precinct,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer said.

“The site of 5 Parramatta Square is challenging and Built has come up with innovative ideas for constructing a multipurpose building with a unique facade. The company is already delivering 6 & 8 Parramatta Square, part of Australia’s largest urban regeneration project.”

Construction of 5 Parramatta Square, which will be integrated into a refurbished Parramatta Town Hall, is expected to begin in the coming months.

The six-storey building will be dedicated to the community, offering a contemporary public library, a Discovery Centre with exhibition spaces and visitor services, creative spaces and meeting rooms, and a café. It will also be home to the new Council Chambers.

The $130 million structure is the final addition to the new Parramatta Square precinct, a three-hectare mixed-use area in the centre of Parramatta CBD. Located next to Parramatta train station and a future light rail stop on Macquarie Street, the precinct includes 6,000sqm of public domain.

Council anticipates that construction of 5 Parramatta Square will be complete in April 2022, to coincide with the completion of the remaining Parramatta Square precinct.

Hold a residential conference at PARKROYAL Parramatta by the end of May 2020 and they will throw in a $500 visa gift card – that’s the PARKROYAL way of saying thank you!

Click here for more information or to book. 

Terms and conditions apply:

• Valid for meetings held before 31 May 2020 with a minimum of 20 delegates
• Subject to availability
• Not valid for existing bookings 
• Cannot be combined with any other promotions
• Minimum spend of $5,000.00 per day applies, excluding audio visual

Celebrity – Fashion – Glamour – Racing – and a great cause!

Fizz with excitement at the inaugural Pink Fashion Lunch in support of the McGrath Foundation; the feature social event on Chandon Ladies Day on Saturday 14 March at Rosehill Gardens.

You will be treated to award-winning hospitality with a mouth-watering 3 course luncheon curated by celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge paired with Chandon Brut Rosé. Experience an afternoon of live entertainment including a runway show featuring the latest looks in women’s and men’s raceday fashion set against the backdrop of world-class racing.

Be a part of this unrivalled event and lend your support to a great cause.

Includes:

A sumptuous 3-course luncheon curated by Colin Fassnidge, with premium beverages including Chandon Brut Rosé, live entertainment including a fashion runway show set against the backdrop of world class racing.

When:

Chandon Ladies Day - Saturday, 14 March 2020

Where:

Grand Pavilion, Rosehill Gardens

Time:

12.45pm – 5.45pm

Dress code:

Autumn racing chic, with a splash of pink

Tickets:

$245 per person

Book:

Click here to book now 

Looking for a venue to host your Executive Committee meeting?

The Execom Package is the perfect option to cater to your teams VIP requirements.

Treat your guests with barista coffee served on arrival, coffee break items throughout the day and a delicious main course served in The Newmarket Room.

All boardrooms have in built plasma screens and sound systems ideal for presentations.

At $85.00pp the Execom package offers a full day of catering and a unique, luxury boardroom experience.

Execom bookings are valid for up to 15 guests, hosted in a Gallery Suite or private Pavilion.

To book call The William Inglis Conference Team today:

P: 02 9058 0365

E: HB042-EV1@accor.com

The first sod has been turned for major construction today for the Parramatta Light Rail project, which will transform the Greater Parramatta region.

The Parramatta Light Rail will bring people living in Greater Parramatta together with a safe and efficient public transport network, connections to popular key destinations across the region, while also linking into Sydney’s greater public transport networks.

Some works have already begun with the decommissioning of the closed Carlingford rail line, in preparation for its conversion to light rail.

Transport for NSW is working hard to minimise the impacts of construction on businesses and the local community. While some disruption is unavoidable, Transport for NSW will continue working with businesses to ensure they have the information and support they need. Construction will also pause from 1 November until 31 January each year along ‘Eat Street’ to allow businesses to take advantage of the holiday trading period.

From this Saturday, 1 February, Church Street between Macquarie and Market Streets will be closed to traffic, with diversions in place. Motorists will be encouraged to use Marsden and Smith Streets. The free 900 shuttle bus service will also run on a new route along George Street in the Parramatta CBD.

The new 12-kilometre high-frequency light rail project will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is set to open in 2023.

For more information, go to the Parramatta Light Rail website. 

Be part of the team delivering one of the biggest earthmoving projects in Australian history.

CPB Contractors and Lendlease Joint Venture (CPBLL JV) is recruiting for the bulk earthworks project that will move around 25 million cubic tonnes of earth to make way for Sydney's new airport.

Positions are available for experienced operators of earthmoving equipment, such as scrapers and tipper trucks. Service crews for a large fleet of earthmoving equipment are also available, including plant mechanics, auto-electricians, light vehicle mechanics, boiler makers, servicemen, refuelers and apprentice mechanics. Relevant experience, the right attitude and an interest in construction is highly preferred.

Meet the CPBLL JV recruitment team at an information session to learn about the project and submit an application on Tuesday, 10 December. Two information sessions will be held at the Western Sydney International Airport Experience Centre beginning at 4pm and 5pm.

Please bring your curriculum vitae with details of any relevant experience. 

Click here for further information.

The average Australian will spend $25 a head on Christmas lunch this year. Please “set an extra place” by donating $25 today.

This year Parramatta Mission will be hosting a Christmas Day Lunch at Meals Plus. They would like to create a space for people to come together and share a meal – those who may be alone or isolated, or who are part of the Parramatta Mission community. Last year they had over 500 people for lunch, but are expecting around 1,000 people to come this year!

Click here to find out more, make a donation, volunteer or to become involved.

By Matthews Folbigg Lawyers

Recap

By way of refresher from our article earlier this year:

• new whistleblower legislation commenced on 1 July 2019
• it modified laws relating to corporations, the banking industry and insurance companies in order to:

(a) provide significantly stronger protections to whistleblowers who make disclosures about matters such as corporate misconduct (e.g. fraud), criminal activity, or any other conduct that represents a danger to the public or financial system

(b) expand the scope of persons who may make protected whistleblower disclosures and the circumstances in which these disclosures may be made

(c) permit and protect anonymous disclosures

(d) impose substantial civil and criminal penalties on any breaches of whistleblower protections (such as disclosing the whistleblower’s identity and/or causing the whistleblower detriment through victimisation)

• the protection obligations apply to all disclosures made on or after 1 July 2019 even if the disclosure relates to suspected conduct occurring prior to that date

Mandatory Policy

Critically, the legislation requires that all public companies and large proprietary companies MUST have in place a compliant whistleblower policy by 1 January 2020 with a “large proprietary company” being a proprietary company that satisfies 2 of the following 3 criteria:

• $50+ million in consolidated revenue
• $25+ million or more in consolidated gross assets
• 100 or more employees

Mandatory Terms

In order to be compliant the policy MUST include (amongst other things) information about:

• the protections available to whistleblowers
• how and to whom protected disclosures may be made
• the ways the company will protect whistleblowers from detriment
• how the company will investigate the content of protected disclosures
• how the company will ensure fair treatment of other employees mentioned in protected disclosures that qualify for protection
• how the policy will be communicated and made available to employees

Disclosure to Staff

Any company that is required to have a compliant whistleblower policy MUST advise their employees of the existence of, the contents of, and the means to access, the policy.

Penalties

Fines of (currently) up to $12,600 can apply for non-compliance with the mandatory policy requirement (and this continues to apply for each year that this requirement is not met).

Action Required

Given the approaching deadline businesses MUST:

• determine whether they are obliged to have a compliant whistleblower policy in place
• if so, ensure it is in place by 1 January 2020 and alert all employees to the existence and contents of it

Given the increased scope and gravity of the new whistleblower legislation, businesses are strongly encouraged to seek legal advice as soon as a protected whistleblower disclosure is received.

More Information

Please call the leading employment lawyers in Parramatta, the Matthews Folbigg Workplace Solutions employment law team on 9635 7966 to speak with one of our employment lawyers if you require any assistance or advice.

Article By

Stewart Gough, Principal	Peter Doughman, Senior Associate