HUNTER NEWSLETTER
Servicing Newcastle, Hunter, Central Coast & Northern Region NSW
Newsletter No. 34 – July 2015
Overview of Hunter Regional Newsletter No. 34:
What’s happening in the Region?
Business Information
Small Biz Mentoring Program
$5,000 rebate for each new employee on payroll tax extended for 4 years
Small Business $20,000 Instant Asset Write Offs
Business News
Shortlist of contractors for tender of new train order
Visit by Minister for Skills, Industry and Regional Development
Business Coaching Presentation
Senate to probe Non-Conforming Building Products
Talking up Manufacturing
2015 Premiers NSW Export Awards applications open
Workplace Relations
Annual and Personal Leave - recent changes
Ai Group Salary and Benefits Survey 2015
Innovation
Hedweld launches an Agricultural Product Range
Engaging a student or researcher made easy
Hunter TAFE Students to make history at Robotics Competition
Skilling Your Workforce
Upskilling your workforce – the Industry Skills Fund
Regional Events
Lend Lease Presentation on the North Connex Motorway project
Australian Technologies Competition – Regional Heats
How to write Tenders that stand out and win
Network Dates Affiliated Organisations
James Thomson
Judy Martin; Leanne Cruden; Bianca Smith
David Tiller
Annabel Anderson
Toby Billington
Shani Doyle
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE REGION?
The period since March has been very busy indeed at Ai Group Hunter and fortunately it all points in
a positive direction. You will see there is a lot of help available to businesses.
Adrian Price
The Hunter Heats of the Australian Technologies Competition have produced four finalists and you are invited to hear
their “pitches” in Newcastle over lunch on 20th August. Three are established manufacturing/engineering companies;
one is a new company and one is Ai Group member Melvelle Equipment. Selected companies will go through to the
national finals in Sydney in October. I hope this will become an annual regional competition.
In recent weeks I have been making contact with the future “underbelly” of manufacturing through various
organisations who work with start-up technologists to commercialise their inventions. I am confident that with the help
of the University of Newcastle, we should soon have a map of innovation mechanisms for the Hunter region. This will be
a valuable resource for both new and established companies in finding each other.
You will have periodically received notice of the Ai Group Management Webinars that are now being offered free as part
of your membership every few weeks. They are really excellent, thought-provoking, condensed presentations on a
variety of topics such as trade and leadership. A Central Coast company has found them particularly useful by involving
their whole management team and then doing an in-company debrief afterwards.
Our planned Pittsburgh Trade Mission in October now looks very positive and final arrangements will be made in coming
weeks. We will have delegates from a good cross-section of manufacturers, university staff, TAFE and city councils. The
aim is to come back with collaborations in addition to engineering research, in commerce and at the cities level. I hope
this will cement a strong and enduring relationship of collaboration between our two international centres of
engineering excellence.
Finally there have been a few staff announcements. Shani Doyle has been appointed as Skills Adviser for the Industry
Skills Fund program working in the Hunter / Central Coast region; Michael Williams as Skills Adviser working the midNorth Coast region; Leanne Cruden has been promoted to Principal Workplace Relations Adviser in recognition of her
leadership of our Hunter WR Team; and Annabel Anderson, Adviser – Workplace Relations has moved from our Sydney
office to join our staff here in Newcastle.
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BUSINESS INFORMATION
 Business Advice & Mentoring Programs
Small Biz Solutions offers a range of business advisory and knowledge building workshops designed especially for small
business owners throughout the Hunter Region.
Small Biz Solutions is designed to empower, strengthen and build the business knowledge and confidence of Small Business
owners in the Hunter and otherRegion. The Small Biz Solutions program will provide relevant, low cost advisory services that
will be practical, flexible and focused.
As a small business owner you can access:

one-on-one tailored business advisory services

face-to-face meetings

virtual/online meetings

small group training for up to 10 people at a time

access to mentoring networks for businesses in the your region
View a full range of workshop topics and dates or for more information on Small Biz Solutions
The Australian Small Business Advisory Services providers closest to you are:
 Central Coast Business Enterprise Centre, tel 02 4355 4885, email reception@ccbec.org.au
 The Business Centre (Newcastle), tel 02 4925 7700 or email martin@thebusinesscentre.com.au
 New England-North West BEC, tel 02 6771 2556, email mybusiness@bec.com.au
 Enterprise Training Company, Mid-North Coast. Tel 1800 007 400 email business.info@etcltd.com.au
 Northern Rivers BEC, tel 02 6622 1933, email lismore@norbec.com.au
 $5,000 rebate for each new employee on payroll tax extended for 4 years
Legislation to extend Jobs Action Plan funding until 2019 passed
through NSW Parliament during May.
The Jobs Action Plan was a key plank of the NSW Liberals & Nationals
election commitment to create 150,000 jobs in the next four years.
Under the plan businesses that create a new position receive a $5,000 payroll tax rebate on that
position.
The rebate is roughly equivalent to the annual payroll tax bill for one employee and will be paid in two parts, at 12
months and 24 months, after the employee is hired.
Since its implementation four years ago, businesses have strongly supported the Jobs Action Plan by making over
90,000 payroll tax rebate applications.
The extension of the Jobs Action Plan will provide incentives and support for businesses looking to expand and
create more employment opportunities for people across NSW.
Minister for Industry Anthony Roberts said: “the Jobs Action Pan is a key element of the Government’s strategy to
grow local businesses and to encourage interstate and international businesses to relocate to NSW”.
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
SMALL BUSINESS INSTANT ASSET WRITE OFFS
What has changed as a result of the 2015 Budget?
Under the changes to simplified depreciation rules for small business, you can:
- Immediately write off eligible depreciating assets costing less than $20,000 each, as long as you buy them
and install them ready for use from 7.30pm on 12th May until 30th June 2017.
- Immediately write off a small business asset pool (including existing pools) if the balance is less than
$20,000 at the end of a financial year, until 30 June 2017
- Choose to use simplified depreciation rules even if you opted out in the last five years. This took effect at
7.30pm on 12th May 2015 and will end on 30 June 2017
Find out more about the changes to accelerated depreciation for small businesses
How is it different to before?
Before the changes, under simplified depreciation rules
-
You could only immediately write off eligible depreciating assets that cost less than $1,000 each
You could only immediately write off a small business asset pool if the balance was less than $1,000 at the
end of a financial year
If you opted out of the simplified depreciation rules, you had to wait 5 years before you could use them
again
Do I get my money back straight away?
“Instant” or straight away” means that you can claim the cost of depreciating assets in the financial year that you
first used or installed them ready for use. By claiming the deductions you reduce your taxable income, and your
tax payable. You don’t get cash back from the tax office straight away.
What can I write off?
You can only write off eligible depreciating assets that cost less than $20,000 and that you use for business
purposes.
Depreciating assets include items such as computers, electrical tools, furniture, curtains, carpets and cars.
Land and trading stock are not depreciating assets.
Note that certain types of depreciating assets can’t be written off under simplified depreciation rules, including
horticulture plants, capital works, and software.
Read the full list of exclusions to the simplified depreciation rules
Business News

Shortlist announced for new intercity train fleet
“The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance today announced that four consortia have been
shortlisted to tender for the supply and maintenance of a new state-of-the-art intercity train fleet for NSW. A mix
of local and international organisations will now be invited to tender.”
“The contract includes the supply and maintenance of approximately 520 brand new carriages configured
specifically for the rail network here in NSW and offering longer-distance train customers improved comfort and
reliability.”
“The contract also includes maintenance of the new fleet and fit out and operation of a maintenance facility.
The organisations shortlisted to tender are:
 Alstom Transport Australia Pty Ltd
 Downer-CNRCRC Consortium, comprising Downer EDI Rail Pty Limited and CNR Changchun Railway
Vehicles Co Ltd
 Stadler Bussnang AG
 UGL/MEA/CSR Consortium comprising UGL Rail Services Pty Ltd, Mitsubishi Electric Australia Pty Ltd
and CSR Corporation Ltd.
(At an industry briefing in Sydney last year, Government officials stated there would be no mandated local content)
“The contract is expected to be awarded in 2016. The new fleet will come into service progressively, with the first
trains delivered by 2019 and the rest of the fleet being delivered through to 2024.”
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 Visit by new State Minister for Skills, Regional Development &
Small Business
The new State Skills Minister John Barilaro met with members and representative
of local government agencies at Ai Group on 18th June. Jeff Phillips, CEO Varley
Group, gave a good outline of the strengths, capabilities and current difficulties of
manufacturers in the Region. A copy of his speech notes can be read here
The Minister is himself a manufacturer of doors and understands the plight of
manufacturers and small businesses. The need for greater local content in
Government procurement was stressed. He was very interested in what the group
had to say and spent a lot of time listening. Members had good opportunities to
raise issues. Mr Barilaro was invited to meet with us again and he said he would be
very pleased to do so. I have been advised that he is to make a policy announcement on 21st July in Newcastle
about attracting students and attracting investment to Newcastle. Ai Group will be attending.

Business Coaching
Free Ai Group Member Event for companies who need to support greater flexibility in their workplaces:
How to get Return on Investment from Coaching…
"In a recent study, training alone improved leadership skills by 22%.
When combined with Executive Coaching, improvement jumps to 77%. ROI is rated at around 6 time the purchase cost” –
Fortune magazine.
You are invited to presentations on Business Coaching
Venue:
Ai Group’s Newcastle office
Suite 1, “Nautilos” 265 Wharf Road, Newcastle
Date:
Time:
18 August 2015
Commencing 4:00pm sharp
Light refreshments will be provided after the presentation.
 You will hear from experienced coaches about how they can help you take your organisation
forward.
 You can participate in a Q&A session.
What have you got to gain by coming along?
Register your interest now by emailing Judy.Martin@aigroup.com.au
For further inquiries phone 4925 8300
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
Senate to probe non-conforming building products
The Senate will hold an inquiry into non-conforming building products called by
independent senators Nick Xenophon, John Madigan and Jackie Lambie.
The inquiry, due to report by 12 October, seeks to investigate the reasons for the
proliferation of materials in the building chain that do not meet local standards or may
conform, but which are used inappropriately. An Ai Group survey in 2013 reported
that as many as 92 per cent of construction industry suppliers had identified nonconforming products in their sector. The Free Trade Agreement signed with China in
mid-June could worsen the problem, industry players last week said.
South Australian independent senator Mr Xenophon said the problem was principally one of imports. "It's a question
of the imports and of the standards not being complied with," he told The Australian Financial Review on Wednesday.
"This Australian industry doesn't have a problem complying with the standards."
Sectors such as glass, structural steel and manufactured wood have long waged battles against counterfeit
imports that are falsely labelled as meeting Australian standards. Local companies say they are fighting against rival
products not checked for compliance or for claims they make about qualities like durability.”
th
(The above is an extract from an article in the Australian Financial Review of 24 June 2015)
Footnote: Ai Group published the landmark study “The quest for a level playing field The non-conforming building
product dilemma” – see here and since has held an industry wide forum to develop a road map to address the
problem. We have formed the Construction Product Alliance to take carriage of the issue.
Inquiries may be made to James Thomson at the Regional office on 02 4925 8313 or
Email james.thomson@aigroup.com.au
Talking up Manufacturing

The following is from an article entitled “Change is on the March for Manufacturing” written by Adrian Price & published in the Newcastle Herald on 19th June 2015.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness". These
words from Charles Dickens in some ways reflect the “revolution” that manufacturing is facing in the Hunter at the
present time. Business circumstances can be both threat and opportunity – it depends how you see it and what you
do with it. Disruptive change stalks businesses everywhere in different forms. It creates confusion and despair. In
Hunter manufacturing, the largest disruptive change has come from the cut backs in mining investment and the need
to find new products and markets - but how and where?
When these dark days had just formed in 2013, Ai Group took a study tour to German manufacturing to discover what
made the Germans among the most successful manufacturers in the world. The most significant discovery was their
deep engagement with universities in research and development, such that 29% of the R&D spend in the EU happens
in Germany. In response, Ai Group formed an Innovation Cluster among a handful of innovative manufacturers. This
has now grown to a mailing list of 70 – including researchers. The conversations are happening.
In July 2014, Ai Group with the Hunter Business Chamber and HunterNet held a Summit on the Future for
Manufacturing and four clear directions from participants came through:
1.
2.
3.
4.
greater innovation
seeking global markets
collaboration
attracting finance and investment to build new industries.
Since then, there has been fantastic engagement from the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment at the
University of Newcastle. It has held two public showcases of student research projects. Associate Professor John Lucas
has also been appointed to the post of Assistant Dean – Industry Engagement, a first. Entry points for student work
placements have now been mapped.
In October 2015, Ai Group is organising a trade mission to develop international collaborations with industry In
Pittsburgh USA. Pittsburgh has a history similar to Newcastle but now has industry employment of 96,000. We will be
doing this in parallel with the engineering research connections of our University with the University of Pittsburgh.
Our biggest regional asset in “going global” is our engineering and technical skills at all levels –post graduate,
undergraduate, certificate, high school, primary school and now pre-school. Few regions in a STEM-starved world can
boast such an ecosystem that sets us up for both the present and the foreseeable future.
Ai Group will be seeking the assistance of the NSW Government to recognise the Hunter as a “Global Centre of
Engineering Excellence” and to provide us with the funds for an international marketing campaign. We need to attract
overseas technology company investment to grow our new industries and employ our clever people. We have strong
foundations and a strong will to create a new future.
To paraphrase another great writer, Mark Twain, “reports of the death of manufacturing are greatly exaggerated”.
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 2015 Premier's NSW Export
Applications Open
Awards
The Premier’s NSW Export Awards are open to all NSW exporters
regardless of size. National award categories include agribusiness, creative industries,
business services, manufacturing, online sales, small business and information and
communication technology.
The NSW specific categories include the new award of NSW Women in International
Business recognising the growing number of women in leadership roles in business that export. Previous Export
Award winners include Rode Microphones, the Wiggles and SunRice. NSW Trade & Investment is the major sponsor
of the awards. The winners of the NSW Export Awards will be announced in Sydney on October 28. The 2015
Premier’s NSW Export Awards are managed by the Export Council of Australia. Entries close on August 14.
For more information go to www.export.org.au. The NSW Government supports exporters through a range of
initiatives including the Export Capability Building program and by providing a network of export advisers across
the state.
WORKPLACE RELATIONS

Annual and Personal Leave – recent changes
In a major contested by Ai Group on behalf of members, Ai Group has been successful in securing members
enhanced rights to direct employees to take excessive annual leave, to allow cashing-out of annual leave for award
covered employees by agreement with their employer, and other flexibilities. The decision provides important new
rights for employers and employees. Ai Group will distribute a member advice when the specific variations for
each award have been settled by the Fair Work Commission. For more detail go to: Annual Leave Decision
However, some recent tribunal and court decisions have made matters more complicated in certain areas:



In a decision of the Fair Work Commission involving the employees of RACV who work shifts longer than
7.6 hours in a day, a 10 hour shift worker on personal carers leave would only have 7.6 hours deducted
from their personal leave balance rather than 10 hours. Ai Group has raised its concern on behalf of
Members with the Federal Government and other options to have the uncertainty caused by this matter
addressed;
In another decision involving Anglican Care, the Federal Court has ruled that annual leave does accrue
during periods of Workers Compensation, unless a State workers compensation law specifically states it
does not. This matter has been addressed in amendments to the Fair Work Act, which are currently before
the Senate.
The details of these two matters can be viewed at Leave Accruals
If you wish to discuss any of these matters, please call our Workplace Advice Centre on 1300 78 38 44 or email to
workplaceadvice@aigroup.com.au
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
Ai Group Salary and Benefits Survey 2015
Australia's most competitively priced salary benchmarking product, Ai Group's Salary & Benefits
Survey Report 2015, is available for purchase. Our comprehensive survey reports and analyses
salary and remuneration data and trends across a broad range of industry sectors and non-award
and award positions, and includes information on over 14,300 employees. This year a report is
compiled from Hunter Region member companies who contributed.
The Report will assist you to benchmark salaries against the market rate, review employee
benefits and reward programs and design competitive remuneration packages to help you
attract and retain staff.
The survey report will give you:
 Salary and benefits data on 223 jobs, including non-award and award positions, across 10 job families;
 Remuneration information broken up into metro and regional areas for each State and Territory including
specific data for the Hunter region;
 Comprehensive salary information data sheets which include base salary and total remuneration rates
incorporating the value of additional benefits and variable rewards, with mean, median and quartile ranges
shown;
 Detailed job descriptions to assist in correctly matching job titles and identify appropriate market rates;
 Summary of remuneration trends including a detailed analysis of benefits offered by organisations; and
 Staff turnover benchmarking report.
Further information regarding the Survey can be found on our website.
INNOVATION

Engaging a student or researcher made easy
The University of Newcastle’s Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment is number 2 in Australia for research in
engineering. Their world-class researchers in the engineering and built environment fields have access to cuttingedge facilities, international networks and the latest technology.
There are many ways you can work with the Faculty. Possibilities range from large-scale, long-term collaborations
with multiple partners, to fast turn-around consultancies, to low-budget student-driven projects.
Options
Time-frame
Funding sources
Industrial experience placement
Our students work for you as paid or unpaid employees,
gaining valuable experience and contributing to your
business
Final year project
One or more of our fourth year students work on solving a
specific problem for your organisation
2-12 weeks
Depending on the level of responsibility
involved, students work for free or can be
employed directly
6-12 months
Students work for free or can be employed
directly by the industry partner
Consultancy
Exclusive services from senior researchers to achieve results
for your business within a short time-frame
3 weeks to 2 mths,
depending on your
business needs
Funding from an individual industry partner
Contract research
Senior researchers work on longer-term projects under an
individual agreement to meet the specific needs of your
business
6 months to 3
years
Funding from an individual industry partner
Linkage grants
Senior researchers work with industry partners to solve
major problems of national importance
Up to 3 years, or
potentially
ongoing
Funding from an industry partner and UoN
is matched by funding from the Australian
Research Centre. Contribution from the
partner can be cash or ‘in kind’.
Research Cadetship
Your research and development staff member completes a
research degree at UoN
2-4 years
Student employed by industry receives
$5,500 p.a. allowance from UoN
Case Study: For his final year project, Mechanical Engineering graduate Kai Ellmoos worked with Sanitarium on a project titled
“Controlling the Distribution of Wheat Flakes across Conveyor Belts. The aim was to make more consistent Weetbix. A more
uniform product means reduced product wastage and production downtime. His investigations resulted in a 40%
improvement in standard deviation.
You can express your interest in working with the Faculty by contacting our Research and Research Training Officer:
Chanel Hopkinson
Email: chanel.hopkinson@newcastle.edu.au
Phone: 02 4921 2051
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 Hedweld launches an Agricultural Product Range
Milbrotec is the new agricultural innovative products range of the Hedweld Group of Companies at Mt Thorley. Hedweld
has recently received a Federal Government grant, through the Manufacturing Transition Programme, towards the
construction and fit-out of a new assembly plant adjacent to their current site at Mt Thorley. The facility will be highly
automated to increase competitiveness, increase exports and create new skills. Importantly it gives Hedweld greater
diversity in products and markets.
The Milbrotec fencing system replaces timber fencing posts and stays with metal products
which allow a farmer to erect a fence and gates in half the time. The new products are much
more durable, not subject to rot or termites, and are easily tensioned. There is also a unique
floating fence post for raising the fence lines across a creek in times of flooding to minimise
flood damage - a major problem and cost to graziers.
Milbrotec also offers a range of tractor and crawler attachments for special purposes.
The company’s products can be viewed at www.milbrotec.com.au
 Hunter TAFE Students to make history at Robotics Competition
Hunter TAFE students Conrad Neilands and Oliver Bamford working on their entry into the
NIARC student robotic competition. Pic: Ryan Osland
Taken from Newcastle Herald article 3.06.2015
Five Hunter TAFE students will make history as the institute’s first
team to compete in the national Instruments Autonomous Robotics
Competition.
The five member team will be the only non-unversity team from 26
entries across Australia and New Zealand. The team, supervised by
Hunter TAFE electronics head teacher David Leask and made up of
Conrad Neilands, James Dyson, Ben Brown, Jonathan McDonald and
industrial design student, Oliver Bamford, have spent the past seven
months working on their competition robot.
They have had to complete monthly milestones in the lead-up to Septembers competition. “The challenge is set on
a scale model of a shipping container loading terminal”, David said, “this will require the team to create a robot
from the ground up, capable of navigating its way around obstacles and over bumpy terrain”. Newcastle
Stevedores, Hummingbird Electronics, TEFOL Rutherford, Solar Sailor and Novecom are among the organisations
that have assisted the team. “This is a great challenge for the students” David said. “The skills the students are
developing are in high demand in industries such as industrial automation, smart manufacturing, environmental
monitoring, drones & automated vehicles.”
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
RoboCup Junior Hunter Regional 2015
You are invited to attend RoboCup Junior Hunter Regional 2015, which is an annual robotics competition
for school students hosted by the University of Newcastle. This competition is a world-wide initiative and
the hunter regional event showcases the emerging young talents within our local schools .
Date: Thurs. 6th August 2015
Time: 9am – 2pm
Where: The Forum – University of Newcastle
Contact: ryan.jeffery@newcastle.edu.au
www.robocupjunior.org.au/hunter
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SKILLING YOUR WORKFORCE

Upskilling your Workforce – the Industry Skills Fund
The Industry Skills Fund (the Fund) assists industry to invest in training and
support services and to develop innovative training solutions. The fund will help
build a highly skilled workforce that can take advantage of new business growth
opportunities and adapt to rapid technological change.
What is the Industry Skills Fund?
The Industry Skills Fund (the Fund) is a key element in the Australian Government’s Industry Innovation and
Competitiveness Agenda and will provide over 250,000 training places and support services for industry. The Fund
prioritises SMEs, including micro businesses, and is delivered through the Single Business Service, which
streamlines access to essential information for all Australian businesses.
What kind of assistance can I access under the fund?
Help is available in the following categories:
1. Skills Advice
Help identifying skills opportunities and maximising training outcomes.
2. Training Grant
Co-investment for businesses to improve the skills of their workforce for an identified growth opportunity.
Will I be required to make a financial contribution?
Businesses that are awarded funding under the Fund must financially co-contribute to the proposed project. The
amount you are required to contribute will depend on the size of your business.
What kinds of businesses will the fund assist?
The Industry Skills Fund is targeting SMEs, including micro businesses, which are preparing to take up growth
opportunities outside of their normal day-to-day business operations. Recent feedback in the Hunter Region shows
that companies have been using the Fund to undertake training in:
 Leadership and management
 Equipment and software training
 Sales and marketing (in particular social media)
The fund will also focus on businesses in identified priority industries. If your business isn’t in a priority industry,
you may still be eligible to apply.
How can I access assistance?
The first step in seeking assistance through the Industry Skills Fund is to:
1. call business.gov.au 13 28 46, or
2. complete a simple online enquiry form
How will my application be assessed?
Applications for funding will be assessed against the Industry Skills Fund merit criteria. All applications and funding
proposals must address the merit criteria. The strongest applications will be granted funding.
View the merit criteria for more information.
Ai Group has two Skills Advisers in the Region who provide advice about access to the Fund:
- Hunter and Central Coast - Shani Doyle
mobile 0419 462 500
- Northern NSW
– Michael Williams
mobile 0428 225 517
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REGIONAL EVENTS
 Lend Lease Presentation on North Connex Motorway Project
HunterNet, Central Coast Manufacturing Connect and Engineers Australia Central
Coast Group are pleased to be able to host Robert Ioffrida and Travis Butler from
Lend Lease who will give a presentation on the project covering what is
NorthConnex and who is delivering it and will provide some insight into the projects
design features and timings. Ai Group is a supporter of Central Coast Manufacturing
Connect.
The proposed nine kilometre tunnel motorway includes interchanges to the north
and south to accommodate connections at either end of the project. When
complete, it will link Sydney's north to the Orbital network and form part of the National Highway route.
Importantly for the Hunter and Central Coast it provides an important infrastructure for freight traffic and the
wider connectivity within NSW to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow along Pennant Hills Road.
This presentation will highlight the opportunities for local organisations to understand what opportunities exist to
be a supplier or collaborate with others to be a supplier, to this project.
Date:
Location:
RSVP by:
Cost:
Tuesday, 28th July Time: 5.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
The Sharpe Centre For Social Impact
Apollo Resort, 871 The Entrance Road, Wamberal
24th July 2015
$40.00
 Australian Technologies Competition – Regional Heats
Hunter Heats of the Australian Technology Competition:
Ai Group’s application has been accepted for the Hunter Region as a finalist in the “Most
Innovative Regions” section of the Australian Technologies Competition. This means we
will go into the judging of the Regional Winner to be announced at that Grand Finals Gala
Event in Sydney on the evening of 20th October.
Four Regional Company Finalists have been selected and they will now be considered for the National Semi Finals
and for the overall Hunter Region Winner. Finalists are:
a)
Melvelle Equipment Corporation, Maryland (and Ai Group Member) – portable machine for safe removal
of corroded rail track flexible clips;
b)
Corkys Sustainable Energy, Mayfield – safe abatement of methane from coal mine ventilation air;
c)
FluidIntel, Rutherford – fuel and lubricant management system facilitating fuel reductions of 2-5% in the
mining sector;
Lumo Solutions, Belmont – a “glow in the dark” visual awareness product for pedestrian traffic.
d)
The final stage of the Regional Competition will involve pitches from the four Regional Finalists at a lunch time
industry and business gathering on Thursday 20th August from 12pm-1.00pm in Newcastle. They will have the
opportunity to pitch their products to business peers and to the Regional Judges. This will be a great opportunity
for Finalists to be better known in the community. If you would like to attend please ring 4925 8300 or email
judy.martin@aigroup.com.au
Judging of National Finalists will be announced at a Gala Event in Sydney on 20th October. Ai Group Hunter hopes
that the Hunter Heats of the Australian Technologies will become an annual event.
The Hunter Competition has been sponsored/supported by Hedweld Engineering, Forgacs Engineering, Dantia
(City of Lake Macquarie), University of Newcastle, NSW Trade and Investment and Ai Group.
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MINING EXPOS
Africa Mining video conference
Receive an update on Africa’s opportunities in the mining
sector.
rd
Newcastle & Sydney Thurs. 23 July 5.00pm – 6.30pm
No cost
For more information and to register, click here
Kazakhstan Mining Mission
Target opportunities for Australian METS in hard-rock mining
in Kazakhstan.
For more information and to apply, click here
Event details: 21-25 September 2015
Location: Kazakhstan
Application Deadline: 1 August 2015
ExpoMin Mexico 2015 - one of the most important mining forums in Latin America.
An exhibition of
mining machinery, equipment and services showcasing the latest mining technologies.
For more information and to apply, click here
Date 7-19 October 2015
Location: Acapulco
Mexico Apply by 31 July 2015

How to write Tenders that stand out and win
Regional Australian businesses face additional pressures to win work including
skills shortages, sustaining communities and increasing competition from larger
non-local companies.
“How to Write Tenders that Stand out & Win” is a practical and interactive half day workshop to learn the four golden rules to
tendering successes.
th
When: Thurs. 27 August 2015 1pm – 5pm
Where: Department of Industry
Level 3, 251 Wharf Rd, Newcastle
th
RSVP by 5.00pm Wed. 25 August 2015
REGISTER here:
Regional Workshop - How to Write Tenders
LOCAL NETWORK MEETING DATES

SUPPORTING YOU AND YOUR PROFESSIONALS: Hunter Networks & Events
Ai Group Newcastle office has six member interest groups which meet either monthly or quarterly and are open
to members to attend generally free of charge. Topics of interest identified by the membership are discussed. If
you have an interest in joining the mail list for any of the Networks / Clusters, as listed on our local webpage:
Australian Industry Group > Hunter let us know by sending an email to Judy.martin@aigroup.com.au
July
 29th Oct
Hunter Manufacturing Innovation Cluster
5.00pm – venue University of Newcastle
Hunter Industry Leaders Council
Hunter Safety Leadership Network
Hunter Skills Development Network
Hunter Lean Manufacturing Network
Hunter Employee Relations Network
Hunter Manufacturing Innovation Cluster
5.15pm Newcastle office
8.30am-10.30am – Newcastle office
10.00am – 12noon – Newcastle office
8.30am – 10.30am – Varley Group site
8.00am-10.00am – Newcastle office
5.00pm – venue Newcastle Innovation
Hunter Industry Leaders Council
Hunter Manufacturing Innovation Cluster
5.15pm Newcastle office
5.00pm – venue tba
Hunter Industry Leaders Council
Hunter Manufacturing Innovation Cluster
5.15pm Newcastle office
5.00pm – venue tba
August
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4th August
11th August
19th August
21st August
26th August
27th August
September

1st Sept
 24th Sept
October
 6th Oct
 29th Oct
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 Ai Group Hunter’s Affiliated Organisations
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Hunter Research Foundation
For future dates on HVRF Economic Breakfasts go to: http://hvrf.com.au/events
Central Coast Manufacturing Connect
HunterNet
Hunter Manufacturing Awards
NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services
MESCA - Mining and Energy Services Council of Australia
Industry Capability Network Limited
Industry Mid North Coast
Ai Group office: Suite 1, 265 Wharf Road, Newcastle 2300
T: 02 4925 8300 F 02 4929 3429
W Ai Group Hunter
Workplace Advice Hotline 1300 78 3844