President's Column | June 21, 2018

ungog Shire Council has recently signed up to the Easy to do Business Program, a joint initiative of Service NSW and the Office of the NSW Small Business Commissioner to streamline access to government licencing and approvals, making it faster and easier.

Easy to do Business provides the support of a dedicated personal Business Concierge to help guide customers through the process, answer their questions, liaise with agencies, and review their applications. This means customers will spend less time navigating the process and completing paperwork, and more time on their business. The pilot program involves opening up cafes and small bars, however other sectors such as the construction industry will follow. I believe the service will be available until the end of the month.

Dungog District Chamber of Commerce has long argued for reform in local government to better serve the needs of the business community, and the forthcoming Easy to do Business Program is a welcome step in that direction. The program is an exciting initiative which will support and encourage those looking to open or grow their business in regional areas such as ours.

If you missed the grant workshop on Tuesday evening you can still chat with Tracey Lowrey, Council’s Community Projects Officer, about grants and she is very happy to email handouts distributed at the workshop. If businesses would like to chat about possible grants I encourage you to contact Ivan Skaines, Council’s Co-ordinator Economic Development, Tourism and Events. Both can be reached on 4995 7777. It is crucial that community groups and businesses let Council know what they are planning so we have a whole of Shire approach to grant and other funding and therefore maximise our chances of success.

However, since grants and other government funding for individual businesses is sometimes quite limited, if you have an idea for a grant that might benefit part or all of the wider local business community, please do not hesitate to contact me. As an incorporated association the Chamber sometimes has greater or different access to grants than individual businesses. Again, we will make sure the Council is kept informed about any grant application.

We are pleased to announce that our next dinner networking meeting will take place on Thursday 21st June 2018 at Norris IT. The cost is $25 per head which includes cocktail food. Members and guests are welcome. To book contact Colleen Duffy at dinner@ddcc.org.au or telephone 0400 603403

Kind Regards,

Jennifer Lewis

President – Dungog District Chamber of Commerce

2018 Gala Awards Presentation | May 21, 2018

AWARDS NIGHT

This year, the awards program culminated in a gala awards presentation evening at the Dungog Memorial RSL Club on Saturday 12 May 2018. The winners and runners up were announced with lots of audience participation and encouragement.

Our theme for the night was the “Commemoration of the end of the First World War, 1918’s inspired attire”. In true Dungog tradition many of our guests dressed in attire from the period. Special mention to BCA National Training Group’s Nicola Lloyd looked the part dressed in a nurses uniform.

All the Award recipients were very humble with Jim Olsen’s acceptance speech a stand out. Jim who was presented the Hall of Fame award by Rebecca Todd of Mai-Wel LabourForce Solutions said, “There has been an Olsen opening the doors at Davey & Olsen every morning for 99 years, and I hope there will be an Olsen opening the doors for many more.”

WINNERS AND RUNNERS UP

Tourism & Hospitality
Proudly sponsored by Dungog Shire Visitor Information Centre.
The Runner Up was Bluegums Cabins
and the winner, Flying Duck Café

Rural Producers & Manufacturing & Industry
Proudly sponsored by Insurance Advisernet.
The Runner Up was William’s Dairy Pty Ltd
and the winner, Just Been Laid

Professional Services
Proudly sponsored by Chic Clothing Co.
The Runner Up was Joeys Pre-School & Early Learning Centre
and the winner, Perception Planning Pty Ltd

Trades & Construction
Proudly sponsored by Settlers Arms.
The Runner Up was Wayne Smedley Plumbing
and the winner, Hannan Build Pty Ltd

Outstanding Employee UNDER 25
Proudly sponsored by Dungog Rotary Club.
The first Runner Up was, Tiffany Bailey from NAB Dungog
The Second Runner Up was Ruby Lynch from The Boutique on Grey Street
and the winner, Izaac Cook of Lovey’s Grocers IGA Clarence Town

Outstanding Employee Over 25
Proudly sponsored by Dungog Fitness.
The first Runner Up was Len Argent from Lovey’s Grocers IGA Dungog
The Second Runner Up is Shaun Gordon from Clarence Town Bowling Sport & Recreation Club Ltd
and the winner, Amanda Gilmour Barrington Bakery

Retail
Proudly sponsored by The Tinshed Brewery.
The Runner Up was Dungog by Design
and the winner, Paterson Service Station, Automotive Repairs & River Café

Customer Service
Proudly sponsored by Hunter Region Business Hub.
The first Runner Up was Dungog Veterinary Hospital
The Second Runner Up was Vacy General Store, Café Gifts and LPO
and the winner, Dungog Pizza

Environment & Sustainability (Golden Axe)
Proudly sponsored by Shaw’s Bakery.
The first Runner Up was Clarence Town Pre-School
The SECOND Runner Up was Dungog Waste Management Facility Dungog Shire Council
and the winner, Boomerang Bags

Outstanding New Business
Proudly sponsored by BCA National Training Group.
The Runner Up was Abby Rose The Label
and the winners were, Chic & Antique and Chic Clothing Co

Community Sector
Proudly sponsored by Lovey’s Grocers.
The Runner Up was from Volunteers Dungog Shire Palliative Care Volunteers Inc.
and the winner, Clarence Town & District Progress Association Inc

Hall of Fame
Proudly sponsored by Mai-Wel LabourForce Solutions.
and the winner, Jim Olsen

CHAMBER MEMBER’S AWARD
Proudly sponsored by Addison Partners.
and the winner, Norris I.T.

OVERALL BUSINESS EXCELLENCE
Proudly sponsored by Dungog Chronicle.
and the winner, Chic & Antique

President's Column | April 21, 2018

Nominations have now closed for the DDCC 2018 business awards with a record 235 nominations for business, organisations and individuals over 12 categories being received. Counting multiple nominations, close to 500 have been receiving, giving a true indication of the popularity of this awards programme. A full list of nominations appears in this week’s edition of the Dungog Chronicle.

The awards would not be possible, of course, without the continued support of our valued sponsors including our major sponsor the Dungog Chronicle.

The judging process will now commence with the winners and runners-up being announced at our gala award presentation at the Dungog Memorial RSL club on Saturday 12 May 2018. Our awards presentation evening are always a great event, showcasing our wonderful Dungog Shire business community, organisations and individuals. Tickets are now available to purchase at our website www.ddcc.org.au or by contacting Sarah Crawford at awards@ddcc.org.au or call 0410 332 236

Following recent community engagement sessions throughout the Shire conducted by Dungog Shire Council regarding a proposed special rate variation, an independent community reference panel has now been appointed. The panel met for the first of three meetings on the 4th April, 2018. For my report of the meeting head to our website www.ddcc.org.au or Mayoral Update at Dungog Shire Council website https://www.dungog.nsw.gov.au/

It is great to see that Dungog Shire will be the venue for a Tea Cosy Festival in 2019 and that the fantastic tradition associated with the Morpeth Tea Cosy Challenge, which was run in conjunction with the Morpeth Novelty Teapot Exhibition, will continue. The final Morpeth Tea Cosy Challenge was held in late August 2017, and the Richards family who organised the event for 30 years, are very pleased that the event will continue in Dungog, and have been generous with advice about the logistics of running the event. One special advantage that Dungog has in staging this event is our train service, which means that visitors from the Lower Hunter, and further afield, will be able to use public transport to come to the event.

This is a great chance for the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, as well as community groups and individuals, to work with the organisers of the Dungog Tea Cosy Festival so that the event and associated activities benefit the entire Shire.

Wendy Farrow, from the Dungog Shire Visitor Information Centre, has let me know that the VIC had a good number of enquiries leading up to the April school holidays. Of particular interest, was the number of Queenslanders visiting the area last week, with some of them mentioning that they were escaping the crowds associated with the Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast and elsewhere in south-east Queensland.

Kind Regards,

Jennifer Lewis

President – Dungog District Chamber of Commerce

Nominations Now Open | April 18, 2018

Are you on the list? Check here to find out.

Dungog Chronicle feature on this year’s Nominations

DUNGOG DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NOMINATION LIST

Trophy Sponsor

Category Sponsor

Dungog Shire Special Rates Variation (SRV) Community Consultative Panel | April 5, 2018

Dear Members,

Following recent Community Engagement Sessions conducted throughout the Dungog Shire regarding the Special Rate Variation an independent community reference panel has now been appointed and met for the first of three meetings on Tuesday 4th April, 2018. I am a member of the Community Reference panel. Part of the purpose of the panel is to provide broad information and feedback to the community about the work and outcomes of the panel. A brief report of this meeting follows:

The panel were given an in-depth appraisal as to the current financial position of the Council addressing the main issues, infrastructure backlog, the wooden bridges issue and the state of the roads.

Acting General Manager, Shaun Chandler, told the group that Dungog Shire Council had been found to be unfit during the original Fit for the Future process, which measured councils against seven benchmarks. These benchmarks were to be met by 2020. Council has been given the opportunity to be reassessed on these seven benchmarks and, in order to be found fit, must be meeting or trending toward meeting these benchmarks by 2026-27. Council must also be seen to be improving its operations.

In order to trend towards or meet these benchmarks and improve council’s positions changes must be made.

Currently we do not meet six out of seven of the benchmarks.

We are not spending what we need to on asset renewal, therefore maintenance costs are soaring.

The current rate peg is 1.5%, and yet operational costs such as materials, emergency services and insurance are rising at much higher rates.

Electricity costs alone have risen by nearly 20%.

Shaun outlined the steps Council and Councillors are making to improve our position, to compliment a special rates variation. These include

resource sharing and joint contract negotiations and regional procurement through our association with Hunter Councils,

actively pursuing grant revenue,

extending the life of our landfill through our recycling efforts, energy efficiency

discussions with neighboring councils about strategic alliances to grow our capacity.

Council intends to apply for a percentage rate rise per year for seven years. This means that the fixes to our infrastructure will take longer and it will be a slower process to get ourselves in a better position. However, it will also mean that the impost to rate-payers will be more sustainable.

Greg from Morrison and Low, who is assisting Council with its ten-year financial plan, showed us a couple of scenarios with various levels of rates rises. These scenarios show us either making the benchmarks or trending towards them by 2026-27. Please note that if we’re making these benchmarks then we are definitely improving our position and seeing improvements in infrastructure backlog. We are spending more money on renewing assets and replacing our wooden bridge network.

At our next meeting, Infrastructure and Assets Manager, Steve Hitchens, will present on what the various scenarios will mean for works on the ground. This way we can get a better idea as a group of the optimum level of rates rise, which is both affordable and effective

For more information regarding the special rate variation, reports presented at the community engagement sessions and a special rate variation calculator head to the Dungog Shire Council Website www.dungog.nsw.gov.au

Kind Regards,

Jennifer Lewis

President – Dungog District Chamber of Commerce

President's Column | April 3, 2018

With a number well planned and coordinated events across the Dungog Shire, visitors and locals were out in force enjoying the Easter break and great autumn weather conditions.

Both the Gresford Billy Cart Derby and Easter Fair and Dungog Rodeo reported record numbers in attendance. Clarence Town Markets and Lion Car boot sale have also reported good numbers. Many businesses who chose to take advantage of the holiday break by extending their trading hours have also reported good trading particularly on Easter Saturday.

Congratulations and thank you to the many people involved in presenting these events. It is not an easy job and the hard work by all these volunteers in pulling these events together undoubtedly benefits the whole community. Events attract visitors and visitors spend money which boosts the local economy both on and off the event site. The economic benefits of successful events ripple throughout a local economy affecting tourism and non-tourism- related businesses alike.

Dungog District Chamber of Commerce business awards celebrate 12 years in 2018. These awards are open for nomination in 12 categories to all businesses, organisations and employees in the Dungog Shire. Our 12 categories are diverse and offer the opportunity for recognition in many different areas including community service to environmental and sustainability practice. Unlike many larger Chambers our awards are not exclusive to members of the Dungog District Chamber of Commerce. The awards are also open to nomination by the public unlike many awards which are now conducted by self-nomination. Our awards are not decided by the amount of nominations for a particular nominee but on merit by our judges.

As nominations draw to a close on Wednesday 11th April we encourage you to support our local business community and nominate a business, organisation or person who you think deserves recognition. You can lodge your nomination at www.ddcc.org.au.

This year our programme will culminate with our awards presentation at the Dungog RSL on May 12th when we will announce the winners and runners up. Tickets are now available to purchase online at www.ddcc.org or by contacting Sarah Crawford on 0410 332 236

Garden Cocktail Party Cancelled | March 21, 2018

Due to bad weather we have had to cancel Country Elegance garden party scheduled for Thursday 22nd March.

We will be in contact regarding refunds etc. soon.

President's Column | March 21, 2018

Recent community engagement sessions held throughout the three wards of the Shire by Dungog Shire Council, by all reports, were well attended. The sessions comprised information in relation to the current Community Strategic Plan, procedures for the review thereof and opportunity for community input. The engagement sessions also explained details of the proposed Special Rates Variation and also provided the opportunity for comment and input from the audience. Information regarding these information sessions and presentations, including a special rate variation calculator can be found at Dungog Shire Council’s website www.dungog.nsw.gov.au.

Following these meetings a Community Reference Panel will be appointed and will comprise 15 community representatives, Dungog Shire councillors and council staff. Panel selection will be conducted as an independent process based on information provided in the Expression of Interest submission form which can also be located at the website www.dungog.nsw.gov.au

Don’t forget Dungog Shire Relay for Life Purple & Yellow Day, this Friday 23rd March. Business houses in the Dungog Shire are asked support Dungog Shire Relay for Life and decorate or dress in purple and yellow. Please let Lyn & Margaret know on 0402 324 164 if you are participating so they can come along and judge your business.

Celebrating 12 years in 2018 the Dungog District Chamber of Commerce Businesses awards are set to receive a record number of nominations. Don’t forget these awards are not decided by way of vote. For example you only need to be nominated once to qualify. Winners and runners up will be decided by our judges and not based on how many times you are nominated. Nomination forms can be found on line at www.ddcc.org.au and at businesses around the Shire. You can’t get hold of a nomination form you call me on 0432 128 143. Nominations close on Wednesday 11 April, 2018 and the gala event presentation evening will take place at Dungog RSL on Saturday 12 May, 2018.

It’s not too late to come along to our next dinner meeting which is a garden party at Country Elegance Gardens and Gifts on this Thursday 22nd March, 2018. Bookings are essential so email Colleen at dinner@ddcc.org.au or call 0400 603403. Members and guests are welcome.

Event Funding Opportunity on Offer | February 20, 2018

Organisers of new and second-year events held between July and December 2018 are being encouraged to apply for the NSW Government’s 2018 Incubator Event Fund, which supports events held in rural and regional NSW.

Michael Johnsen Member for Upper Hunter said the Fund offers a one-off grant of up to $20,000 for new and existing smaller-scale events. “This is a fantastic opportunity for the event owners in our region who need extra support to help their event get off the ground or help it grow into something bigger,” Mr Johnsen said.

“Whether it’s for marketing, public relations, venue hire or attendee research, this $20,000 grant will assist in attracting more overnight visitors to the Upper Hunter, in the hope they stay longer and spend more time exploring our wonderful region.

“I encourage those eligible to apply soon so they don’t miss out on this wonderful NSW Government initiative.” Mr Johnsen said the Fund is part of the NSW Government’s record $43 million investment aimed at increasing overnight visitation and expenditure across rural and regional NSW.

“I am determined to ensure that we continue to empower and support event proponents, tour operators, hoteliers and visitor attractions, and that means investing in activities which help to turbocharge local economies and create more jobs,” Mr Johnsen said.

“The more events we support across our region, the more heads on hotels beds, diners in restaurants and shoppers in boutiques.” The Regional Flagship Events Program is managed and administered through the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Applications for round two of the 2018 Incubator Event Fund are open until Sunday 18 March 2018. To lodge an application and to view the criteria visit, www.destinationnsw.com.au/rfep.

Media: 02 6543 1065

President’s Column | January 27, 2018

As the holiday seasons draws to a close, businesses have reported overall good trading during the period with a steady stream of holidaymakers and day trippers. All of this contributes to the local economy! Accommodation houses reported consistent bookings however campers and recreational vehicles were certainly out and about with families looking for cost-effective holiday options.

Newly opened Dungog Contemporary confirmed an increase in visitation over the Christmas / New Year period, which resulted in an increase in gallery visits and trade. Notably, a number of the 700 plus people who follow the gallery on Instagram visited from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Macquarie, Sydney and Armidale. Some mentioned they were on day trips, specifically prompted by their Instagram interactions and others were staying in the area, either at local accommodation or with family. The owners of Dungog Contemporary were delighted and encouraged by these results. “We are glad we stayed open for business, it was certainly worth our while”, commented Sarah.

With the successful establishment of The Dungog Shire Regional Tourism Board, it’s to be hoped that we can build on all the hard work already done to position Dungog Shire as a must-go destination on the Hunter Valley tourism trail. It’s clear that with the decline of traditional industries, that Dungog must turn to other options for economic growth in the future.

Imagine a Dungog with a mixed economy of tourism, accommodation and niche, boutique horticultural and agricultural industries. Come to Dungog and enjoy great food, coffee and shopping on the main street, spend the night in delightful accommodation then visit a beekeeper or learn about sustainable forestry for example. Enjoy a visit to a regional botanic garden or glamping in the forest by a pristine river. There are endless possibilities if we put our minds to it to develop a region with sustainable industry and tourism. We live in an area untouched by mining with endless vistas of natural beauty. Building a tourism industry will create jobs and a vibrant, active community with greater conveniences for all of us.

We are pleased to announce of first dinner network meeting for 2018 will be on Thursday 22nd February at Carriageway Dungog. For booking please contact Colleen Duffy on dinner@ddcc.org.au