The School of Business, Western Sydney University, would like to invite interested WSBC members to a forthcoming seminar, Research for Future Development of the Region – Innovation for Manufacturing.

The details of the seminar are as follows:

Date: Friday 28th October 2016

Time: 10.00am – 12 Noon (coffee and drinks on arrival at 9.45am, a light lunch will follow the seminar)

Location: Room EA2.14, Parramatta South Campus (Corner of James Ruse Drive and Victoria Road)

The first hour of the seminar will include presentations from academic colleagues on research projects relevant to innovation and manufacturing in the Greater Western Sydney region. The Western Sydney University Launch Pad, through Don Wright, will feature in this first hour identifying how the Launch Pad is working with ideas emerging from the School of Business.

The second hour of the seminar will comprise a wide ranging panel discussion with the panel to assess how they see the projects and the methods they employ contributing to further engagement between the School, industry and the community.

Panellists include:

• Ben Artup, Associate Director, Deloitte Access Economics
  

• David Borger, Western Sydney Director, NSW Business Chamber

• Tamara Brown, Director, PwC

• Julianne Christie, Senior Policy Management, Economic Development, Fairfield City Council

• Shaira Ismail, Senior Manager, R&D Incentives, KPMG

• Graeme Newell, Professor, School of Business
  

Registration will be required for the event. To register please go to http://westernsydney.edu.au/business/research_week. 

Registered participants will receive a car parking voucher for the morning. There is no charge to attend.

Business Grants Bulletin September 2016

Julie Owens September Business Grants Bulletin includes a number of Government grants that are now available to SME’s businesses. 

Applications for some of these grants close soon so you are encouraged to act quickly if these are of interest.

Federal Government Incubator Support Program

The Incubator Support initiative assists new and existing start ups to improve their prospects of achieving commercial success. The initiative provides funding through two components, both of which require matched funding from applicants.

1) Financial support for New and Existing Incubators

2) Expert-in-Residence - access to top quality research, managerial and technical talent through secondments of national or international expert advisers

To check if you are eligible or to learn more visit:

https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/incubator-support

The Western Sydney Wanderers take on Sydney FC in what will be a historic clash at ANZ Stadium as the Sydney Derby is taken to another level.

With the opportunity to break the Hyundai A-League crowd record, teams and fans of both clubs will be doing all they can to create a spectacle and get their season off to the best start possible.

The world class corporate hospitality facilities on offer at ANZ Stadium will allow you to enjoy the famous Wanderland atmosphere from the comfort of your own seat.

Tickets are selling fast; don’t miss your chance to be a part of history.

For more information go to http://www.wanderland.com.au/corporate/ or contact bbowne@wswanderersfc.com.au for more information.

You’ve waited, you’ve watched, now is the time.

Parramatta has dominated the headlines over the last 2 years as it transforms with a $14 billion urban renewal and regeneration program to emerge as Australia’s tiger economy. But what will the city look like in 5 years and where will the opportunities be for businesses?

Join City of Parramatta as they present Parramatta 2021 where you’ll gain an insight into how the City and economy will transform into a vibrant cultural centre for growth. Uncover the facts, figures, vision and business case for why Parramatta should be front and centre in your business growth and expansion plans.

The opening address from Lucy Turnbull, Chief Commissioner at the Greater Sydney Commission, will outline why Parramatta holds the key to the future growth of Global Sydney as the economic engine room of the region.

Jeremy Thorpe, Partner at PWC, will illustrate how Parramatta will emerge as a visionary, world class city. A panel discussion will further explore the future of workplaces, 30 minute cities and the new demographics of Western Sydney.

Seats are limited - Click here to register.

When: 

Thursday 13th October

3:30pm - 5:30pm

Followed by a VIP Parramatta Lanes Experience @ Jamie's Italian outdoor bar

Where:

Parramatta Town Hall

Centenary Square

182 Church Street, Parramatta

Want more:

Presented as part of Good Food Month, Parramatta Lanes is a food and cultural festival showcasing gourmet street food, pop up bars, live music, art and performances in eight uniquely themed spaces throughout the City including The Burger Project by Neil Perry, Archie Rose & more. Relax into the evening and experience Parramatta's hidden spaces brought to life. Click here for more details.

Getting there:

Only 25 mins from Central by train or less than 25kms by car. We strongly encourage you to catch public transport & stay on to enjoy Parramatta Lanes. In support, look out for an exclusive deal from UBER over the coming weeks.

On 20 September 2016, Moore J handed down the Land and Environment Court’s decision following a legal challenge by a number of Local Councils against proposed amalgamations by the NSW Government. In May and June 2016, the Court heard simultaneously five cases which challenged the legitimacy of proposed amalgamations. The Local Council’s involved were Hunter’s Hill Council, Lane Cove Council, Mosman Municipal Council, North Sydney Council and Strathfield Municipal Council.

Council lawyers attended the Land and Environment Court and received a judgment that outlined that some local councils were able to prove that part of the amalgamation process was flawed. The judgment stated that process involved in the proposed Hunter’s Hill, Lane Cove and Ryde amalgamation was legitimate and the proceedings of Hunter’s Hill Council and Lane Cove Council were dismissed.

The Court found in its judgment however that the proposed Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby amalgamation was not legitimate under the Local Government Act 1993 because the report furnished by the Delegate was not a valid report. In respect of the Burwood, Canada Bay and Strathfield amalgamation, the Minister and other Respondent’s had conceded that the report furnished by the Delegate was not valid and therefore the amalgamation was also not legitimate.

For a full copy of the judgment, click on the following link:- https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/57df5763e4b0e71e17f54344

Matthews Folbigg Lawyers, Parramatta, are specialist local government lawyers who are able to advise in relation to all matters relating to governance, planning and environmental law. Call an expert environmental lawyer today on 1800 300 308.

Decision in North Sydney Council v Minister for Local Government [2016] NSWLEC 124

The Land and Environment Court has determined that at the present time there is no proper statutory function for the proposed amalgamation of Mosman Municipal Council, North Sydney Council and Willoughby City Council.

Matthews Folbigg’s Local Government lawyers represented North Sydney Council in a legal challenge against the proposed amalgamation of the Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby local government areas. On 20 September 2016 the Land and Environment Court handed down its judgment which highlighted that North Sydney Council sufficiently established that the Delegate who had been assigned the task of inquiring into and reporting on the proposed amalgamation had failed to have regard to an aspect mandated by s263(3) of the Local Government Act 1993. As part of his inquiring and reporting into the proposed amalgamation the Delegate was to have regard to the opinions of each of the diverse communities of the resulting areas under s263(3)(e5). The Court found the Delegate did not do so, thus at the present time the Delegate has not completed the task to which he was appointed and the proposed amalgamation remains in the hands of the Delegate.

For a full copy of the judgment, click on the following link:- https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/57df5763e4b0e71e17f54344

Matthews Folbigg Lawyers, Parramatta, are specialist local government lawyers who are able to advise in relation to all matters relating to governance, planning and environmental law. Call an expert environmental lawyer today on 1800 300 308.

Host your end of year Christmas party in one of the 11 great event spaces at the Novotel Sydney Parramatta. The hotel features Western Sydney’s largest pillar-less hotel ballroom which can cater for up to 550 people. Each event space has access to state of the art audio visual equipment and the popular Lennox Ballroom has customised ceiling lighting to set the festive mood at your Christmas party.

Novotel Sydney Parramatta has 194 accommodation rooms and suites for all to rest their heads after a big end of year celebration and on-site undercover secure parking.

Our professional event planning and catering teams can help make your Christmas party a memorable event for all. With a range of packages and inclusions, Novotel Sydney Parramatta can cater to suit all budgets.

Enquire now to receive complimentary chair covers & upgrade to a premium beverage package*.

Email h8787-sb4@accor.com or call our friendly reservations team on (02) 9630 4999 to book your Christmas party or for further information.

*Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability at time of booking.

“Does getting out of your comfort zone have an impact on success?”

This is the question I often ask myself.

Right from my earliest memories, through early childhood, into my teens, as a young adult and even now, I have consistently been forced or gone willingly out of my comfort zone.

As a young child my upbringing was less than ideal. Growing up with 4 sisters and 3 brothers our lives were filled with challenges. With physical and emotional abuse we spent our lives walking on egg shells until we were able to leave home, for most of us we didn’t stay under the family roof much past our 16th birthdays.

I was a reasonably talented footballer and had an opportunity to go overseas at the age of 14, going to both England and Argentina allowed me to “get out”.

The thing is, at home I was forced out of my comfort zone daily - in fact I don’t think a comfort zone even existed, so I jumped out of one non-comfort zone into another and spent a long time dealing with life, loneliness, being a teenager and struggling to be a professional footballer in foreign countries where I couldn’t even speak the language.

On my return to Australia I spent years trying to resurrect a football career, trying to become a young adult without any guidance from a father or a mother or a mentor. I made mistakes, lots of them; I got myself into my fair share of trouble.

So as far back as I can remember I was always in and out of my comfort zone, “it was almost normal” complete with all the gut wrenching feelings that come along with it. For me this is one of the biggest contributing factors in my success as a businessman and in some ways, I would be afraid of it being any different in case it altered who I am today.

When you are out of your comfort zone you often feel anxious and scared - scared of failure, of what people will think of you, of how you’ll perform, of what decisions you will make, if you will be liked…Lots of emotions and negativity that go on within the conversation you have with yourself in your own mind.

In the words of the great John Maclean, “you need to change the conversation” - that internal dialog that goes on in your head that tells you “NO you can’t” when you need it to say YES I can. When this happens I really believe we start to work out what we are really capable of and success will start to flow in all parts of your life.

In recent times, two of my four sons, Jacob and Campbell, have experienced being out of their comfort zones. Jacob was playing div 3 football and was scoring 60+ goals a season, clearly in his comfort zone. He had an opportunity to trial for an elite football club, the conversation in his head was a clear NO - there was no way he was going to go! It was going to take him way out of his comfort zone and he was going to have to prove his ability. Would he be good enough? Would he fail? Would he be liked?... some of the questions he didn’t want to know the answers to. Well, he went to the trial very distressed, trialled, played well, got selected and walked off with a massive smile on his face.

He had just found out a little bit more of what he is capable of.

One of my most loyal and trusted staff members, who is now an integral partner in Nickaz and its future, started with me as an 18 year old fresh out of school answering my phones.

Alison Meurant’s journey has taken her through every role within our company and as soon as she looked comfortable in a role I challenged her again in a brand new one, in her first 8 years she has rarely been in her comfort zone here at Nickaz.

I think this is the reason she is already, at the age of 26, so respected by all our clients, the construction industry and anyone who has the pleasure of doing business with her. Again it’s clear to me that a big part of Alison’s hidden learning has been learnt out of her comfort zone.

So for us in business, WHAT ARE WE CAPABLE OF and HOW DO WE FIND OUT?

I’m convinced that if we don’t put ourselves out there, take some risks we will never know.

Kazan Hadden

Director

0416 024 369

kazan@nickaz.com.au

Board Member, The John Maclean Foundation, jmf.com.au

www.linkedin.com/in/kazan-hadden-nickaz

Address: Suite 101, 22 Brookhollow Avenue, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

Phone: 02 9659 3387

Email: info@nickaz.com.au

Wesbite: www.nickaz.com.au (currently under construction)

Instagram: @nickaz_constructions

The Federal Government has recently announced funding, along with contributions from Campbelltown City Council, Western Sydney University, UrbanGrowth NSW and AFL, to establish the Campbelltown Sports and Health Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus. 

The CoE will co-locate facilities for elite sports training, administration and operational spaces, as well as sports and recreational areas for the community. The CoE will address the unmet need in South West Sydney for quality sporting facilities and will accommodate a range of elite training and sports science research activities, and include specialist equipment such as an altitude training centre and a hydrotherapy pool, which can be used for rehabilitative purposes.

The CoE will also include multiple gymnasiums, indoor courts, and training and playing fields. In addition to providing aspiring athletes a pathway to elite sport, the CoE will provide a myriad of health facilities providing individual and inter-professional health and medical services and be a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in service provision and clinical training across many of the Western Sydney University disciplines.

It is estimated that the precinct will have major economic benefits for Campbelltown, contributing between $22 million and $27 million worth of value to the community over the next 10 years.

Round off the year with PARKROYAL Hotels & Resorts and let us take care of your Christmas function for you. A selection of versatile function rooms and restaurants are available to suit festivities of all sizes.

With enticing treats plated with seasonal flair and complemented with expert attention to detail, our experienced team will ensure a truly memorable occasion.

From cocktail packages, to three-course sit down dinners, all Christmas packages can be tailored to suit your event size and requirements. All packages will be themed with Christmas decorations including table centrepieces and bon bons.

Click here for further information or to book. 

Women are sometimes surprised to learn that they play a very important role in driving the economy and increasing workforce participation when they return to work after a period of parental leave.

However, despite the fact that it is now the “norm” for a woman to return to work after the birth of a child, Australia's female participation rate still tracks lower than that in other similar countries such as New Zealand and Canada and women continue to face challenges when balancing work and family commitments.

So what rights do new mothers have when returning to the workforce after childbirth?

Returning to Work

The National Employment Standards (NES) in the Fair Work Act provide the statutory framework for the majority of women returning to work after childbirth.

Generally, a new mother will be returning to work after having taken a period of parental leave under the NES of up to 12 months (or up to 24 months if an extension was granted).

During that time, the employee may have maintained contact with her workplace via “keeping in touch days” and visits to introduce the new baby.

Importantly, a new mother returning to work has a statutory right to return to her pre-parental leave position or, if that position no longer exists, to an available position for which the employee is qualified and that is nearest in status and pay to the previous position.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Amongst other things, the NES provide employees who are parents of, or who have responsibility for the care of, a child who is of school age or younger, with a right to request a change in working arrangements.

The changes can include a request to work part time, a request to change the patterns of work and a request to change to the work location (e.g. to perform some work from home).

While this statutory right exists for employees, employers also have the right to refuse a request for flexible working arrangements when there are reasonable business grounds for doing so.

Nonetheless, the employer must genuinely consider the request and respond in writing.

What are the formal requirements to make a request?

To make a request for flexible working arrangements, an employee must have at least 12 months of continuous service. If an employee is a casual then they must be a long term casual with a reasonable expectation of continuing employment on a regular and systematic basis.

The request for flexible working arrangements must be made in writing, and set out the details of the change sought and reasons for the change.

Once a written request has been received, the employer must provide a written response within 21 days, which states whether the request is approved or refused. Employers can only refuse a request on “reasonable business grounds” and must provide their reasons for the refusal in writing.

Next Article

In our next article we will examine in more detail the issue of flexible work arrangements.

Questions/Assistance

If you have any questions or would like any assistance, please feel free to speak with or email a member of our Matthews Folbigg Workplace Solutions team on (02) 9635 7966 or info@matthewsfolbigg.com.au

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided to clients and readers for their general information and on a complimentary basis. It contains a brief summary only and should not be relied upon or used as definitive or complete statement of the relevant law.