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Westpac Australian Weekly - Week beginning 30 January 2012

IS YOUR BUSINESS AT RISK?
ARE YOU READY FOR 30 JANUARY 2012?

Designing and Building more Sustainable Homes

The Geelong Chamber seeks your help to support a $3.7mil funding application by the City of Greater Geelong to the Regional Development Australia Fund for infrastructure development within the Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct.

Read this article from the Australian Financial Review on the importance of backing up your data.

VECCI understands that the concept of business sustainability can be a daunting one. To help you adapt to a carbon-constrained economy, we’ve created the online sustainability program www.growmethemoney.com.au.

VECCI short course to be delivered in Geelong for the first half of 2012.

Westpac Australian Weekly - Week beginning 23 January 2012

The Key Economic Indicators Report monitors the region's economy by reviewing the monthly unemployment rate, job advertisements, monthly domestic and non-domestic building activity and quarterly median house prices. The report complements the annual Economic Indicators Bulletin.

Bike Safe is encouraging local businesses to become Bicycle Friendly by supporting their staff and customers with suitable infrastructure.

Westpac Australian Weekly - Week beginning 16 January 2012

Free workshops to help small and medium enterprises plan for business disruptions.

Independent arbitrator, VCAT, has recently rejected all objections to the special rate scheme administered by Central Geelong Marketing for Central Geelong businesses citing that there were no valid reasons for the objections. To see a copy of the full VCAT determination click on the link below.

In early 2012, Fair Work Australia (“FWA”) will be reviewing the modern awards. This is the first formal review of the modern awards and provides employers with the opportunity to put forward their consolidated views. VECCI will be considering making submissions on behalf of members based on information you provide us, so it is important that we hear your views.

Providing practical assistance to employers whose service delivery levels, expansion plans or day to day activities are being hindered by skills shortages.

The Government has allocated $800 million over seven years to the Clean Technology Investment Program. The program will provide assistance to help manufacturers make the transition to a low carbon economy and assist businesses to move into less emissions-intensive and more energy-efficient production processes.The goal is to help businesses to invest in improving their energy efficiency and to reap the benefits of reduced energy costs. Read more......

On Tuesday 13 December, Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher, launched a competition for small businesses across Victoria to win free business mentoring.

Small business owners can go online to the Business Victoria website (www.business.vic.gov.au) and follow the link to the competition form. Entrants simply explain in 30 words or less what their business would do with a mentoring package and the 10 best explanations will receive a free mentoring package.

The "All I want for Christmas is a Small Business Mentor" competition closes on Thursday 22 December 2011.

The Key Economic Indicators Report monitors the region's economy by reviewing the monthly unemployment rate, job advertisements, monthly domestic and non-domestic building activity and quarterly median house prices. The report complements the annual Economic Indicators Bulletin.

The December 2011 Sensis® Business Index saw business confidence among SMEs increase, rising 12 percentage points to a net balance of 27 per cent, reversing most of last quarter’s decline. Businesses cited being established and experienced in their business operations, providing necessary products and services and expecting conditions to improve as reasons for their stronger confidence this quarter.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released a carbon price claims guide to help you prepare for the impact of a Carbon Pricing Mechanism.
The guide can help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a business owner when deciding to pass on the cost of a carbon price. It gives information on prohibitions against making misleading, deceptive or false claims under Australian Consumer Law.
If you choose to raise your prices once a carbon price takes effect, the guide will help you avoid misrepresenting your claim and continue trading without intervention from the ACCC.
To view a copy of the free guide, please click on the heading above.

Latest newsletter from Westpac Chief Economist, Bill Evans regarding interest rates

Small business sales grew a modest 2.8% year-on-year in October 2011, the third such increase in as many months, according to the ANZ Small Business Sales Trends report released this morning

Enhancing Retail Skils

DBI Export Seminars: Middle East & Hong Kong / Southern China.
Two free seminars will be held in Geelong. For more information..

How to prepare your business to target the Global Seafood Market

Electricity Distributors remain confident in smart meter safety

The Key Economic Indicators Report monitors the region's economy by reviewing the monthly unemployment rate, job advertisements, monthly domestic and non-domestic building activity and quarterly median house prices. The report complements the annual Economic Indicators Bulletin.

Read the latest EDU Newsletter for up-to-date information regarding economic development and business/investment support in Geelong.

Looking for a fresh start or hoping to change career direction? Want to broaden your connections and increase exposure but find the idea of ‘networking’ a bit daunting? Or maybe you feel you don’t have the time or the ‘gift of the gab’ required to meet new contacts and potential customers.
The Fast Forward speed networking event is the ideal way for you to meet quality contacts in quick succession, forge business relationships fast and have heaps of fun along the way.

International expert tells Geelong how to get retail right

Victorian retailers will get a chance to brush up their skills at a series of five free workshops, to be hosted by the Victorian Coalition Government through Small Business Victoria in partnership with the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) Retail Institute...

The City of Greater Geelong in conjunction with key business groups has created a business events calendar to help with planning business events in Geelong.

Read an update about the CitiPower Powercor rollout for your information. In summary, the rollout is proceeding while a Government Review is being carried out. A safety review by Energy Safe Victoria has been completed. A cost benefit analysis is still underway. To date, CitiPower and Powercor have installed 450,000 smart meters in the two networks.

The Family & Community Development Committee is calling for submissions to its current Inquiry into Workforce Participation by People with Mental Illness.

The Committee anticipates the timeframe for tabling its report will be extended, in which case it will consider extending the submission closing date. Until this occurs, the submission closing date is 11 November 2011.

Any extensions to the timelines and submission closing date will be publicised on the Committee website: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/fcdc/

V/Line has extended the submission deadline for their Regional Shopping Campaign to close of business Monday 24 October 2011.

V/Line is offering Geelong business operators the opportunity to participate in a shopping campaign designed to attract Melburnians to shop and spend their pre-Christmas dollars in regional locations.

Watch our new online video for practical tips on how to grow your business strategically

This annual event, in its 7th year, celebrates the achievements of the region’s finest researchers.

Expressions of Interest for Round 2 of the Broadband-Enabled Innovation Program opened on Monday, 10 October and close on Friday, 4 November 2011.

Monday 24th October 2011, 5.30pm
Café on Track, The Gordon, Fenwick St, Geelong

Your invitation to take part in this pilot campaign.

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce has expressed concern about the impact on local business of V/Line's "Come Shopping with V/Line" pilot initiative .

News Geelong Report: The latest legal Hot Topics for Business

The practical implications of the new Australian Consumer Law & Personal Property Securities regime.

Arguably not since the introduction of GST has there been a more urgent need for businesses to review and revise their business practices, procedures and documentation than now. With the recent changes to national consumer law and the impending implementation of the Personal Property Securities Act (PPS Act), businesses need to take proactive steps to protect their businesses...

Presented by the Department of Business and Innovation, please find attached a flyer inviting attendance at a free seminar entitled "Export to the Middle East".

Unconventional monetary policy and bank liquidity support returned to centre stage in September and early October. The US Fed commenced “Operation Twist”; the ECB broadened its liquidity supplying operations; and the BoE re-ignited its asset purchase programme. The global real economy weakened on a broad front over the month, with the most timely indicators describing a material deterioration in business activity.

Employers – would you like to support local schools, help students make informed decisions about future careers and promote your industry, then Host a Student.

The Reiby Institute has delivered its 2011 research report which for the second year running shows a correlation between numbers of women on boards and higher returns on equity (RoE).

City of Greater Geelong, Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Committee for Geelong, Deakin University and G21 are delighted to invite you to a discussion on current business opportunities in the UK with Stuart Gill, British Consul-General, Melbourne and Head of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Victoria and South Australia.

"Innovation and Entrepreneurship" facilitated by Assoc Prof Jerry Engel

"Showcasing Sustainability Technologies" will be a feature at this year’s national Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia conference being conducted in Geelong from 25-27th October.

Promoting Regional Australia: regions and their cities

The Minister for Small Business Victoria is calling for submissions from small businesses into the challenges and types of support small business requires.

Financial markets have had another tumultuous month. Europe remains the predominant cause of unrest but the US once again contributed its fair share of bad news stories.

Barwon Water has announced that business owners can now claim rebates of up to $2000 when they purchase certain water efficient appliances for business use. Grants are also available for eligible water saving projects.

For more information on how Barwon Water can help your business save water and money, contact 1300 656 007, email info@barwonwater.vic.gov.au or visit www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au .

The State government is currently assessing the feasibility of relocating the vehicle trade from Melbourne's Webb Dock to Port of Geelong. The Chamber believes this is an excellent opportunity to bring new jobs to Geelong and we will be putting in a submission supporting the relocation. Attached is a document that explains this concept and we would encourage members to consider putting in a submission supporting the relocation. Details of how to put in a submission can be found in the attached document. Submissions are due by 30th September 2011

Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith today announced that organisations supporting youth engagement can now apply for funding from the Victorian Coalition Government's $12.3 million 2012-2014 Engage! grant program.

Read this month's Key Economic Indicators provided by City of Greater Geelong

The SmartCompany Web Awards 2011 will celebrate and showcase the very best in website innovation, design and development. This year we will reveal the top business websites in the Australian SME community.

The Gordon Recognises Geelong, a skills recognition campaign by The Gordon has received state recognition at the annual Victorian Training Awards on 2 September.

On Thursday 1st September the Senate Select Committee on the Scrutiny of Taxes conducted hearings in Geelong on the Federal Government’s proposed carbon tax. The Geelong Chamber of Commerce presented the Chamber’s position at this hearing. Read the Chamber’s position on carbon tax here.

Are you interested in doing business in the USA? Would you like to get advice from an insider on the ground?
Would you like to learn some tips and tricks?

If so, the Geelong Export Network (GEN) invites you to a presentation by Victor Perton, Victoria's Commissioner to the USA, Canada, and Latin America.

Read the response from David Koch, MP, Member for Western Victoria, Government Whip (Council) to the Chamber’s submission on Income Tax.

Business confidence levels improved a little in July, up 2 to +2 index points.
(An Index above zero indicates that optimists outweigh pessimists)
Heightened concerns over a US debt default (which was of particular concern during the survey period), general uncertainty about global growth, as well as concerns for rising interest rates domestically appear to be weighing on business confidence levels. The current level of confidence remains below the average. read more….

The July Chamber of Commerce After 5 Function provided an opportunity for me to share the Give Where You Live story with members present on the night.
Commencing as Geelong & District Community Chest in 1954, then as United Way Geelong Region – and now, in 2011, emerging as Give Where You Live, this organisation continues its mission of supporting those facing disadvantage in this region. Last year, we allocated in excess of $2.4 million to 70+ local service organisations. Read more...

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce kicked off their Survive and Thrive program Thursday 25th August 2011 with the Annual Westpac Business Breakfast at Skilled Stadium.

Managing Director of Economics at the Westpac Bank, Bill Evans, addressed over 200 business leaders, presenting information on the current and future economic environment locally and internationally.

Mr Evans provided insights into global financial risks, consumer confidence and interest rate cut sequences, his full presentation is available for your reference.

Just released, information on our next Geelong Briefing session for 5th Oct 2011 (9-11am) covering new Work Health & Safety Laws.

Read the response from Ben Hindmarsh, Chief of Staff, Office of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services to the Chamber’s submission on Safety Concerns in Central Geelong

The Australian Government is calling for applications for the new $126 million Emerging Renewables Program which will be administered by the Australian Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE). The Program will provide support for the development of renewable energy and enabling technologies in Australia across the innovation chain.

Read the response from Bill Shorten, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation to the Chamber’s submission on Income Tax.

An Australian human resources company has been left red-faced after receiving an official warning from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for breaching the Spam Act, 2003.

VECCI and Enterprise Connect invite you to join business efficiency expert Alan Pears and a great line-up of Australian manufacturers who have implemented resource efficiency practices to drive their business success and improve their bottom line.

Plan your Geelong VECCI training for rest of 2011

The City of Greater Geelong and the Local Learning and Employment Network with the support of a range of project partners are undertaking a survey of businesses to better understand skill shortages that exist in our Region…

The month of July began with the sovereign risk spotlight trained on Europe. It concluded with the focus on Capitol Hill and the White House.

Shuttle buses should be used to connect central Geelong commuters.

The Chamber has called for increased police foot patrols in Central Geelong.

The Chamber supports HWE Iron Ore in its recruitment drive for Geelong workers to take up 'fly-in, fly-out' positions in its mines in Western Australia.

The Chamber requests that this program continue to help the skills shortage in the Geelong region.

The Chamber meets with City of Greater Geelong representatives, who give a detailed outline of the strategies behind the Council's 2011/2012 Budget.

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce applauds the Federal Government’s announcement of a $12.4million program to help small to medium businesses and not-for-profits take full advantage of the National Broadband Network (NBN) through the Digital Enterprises initiative.

A Chamber submission to Federal Treasurer Wayne Shayne raises concerns about the Australian Tax Office's treatment of Unpaid Present Entitlements (UPEs).

The Chamber makes a submission to Victorian Treasurer Kim Wells calling for changes to Stamp Duty legislation that would limit the impact this tax has upon business.