Local Business

Business Chamber President to End Term

Hunter Business Chamber announces

High profile business leader, Steve Davidson has announced he will not seek re-election as President and Board Member of Hunter Business Chamber.
 
Mr Davidson, the principal and founder of Davidson Accountants, has been a Director of the Chamber and of its predecessor, Newcastle Regional Chamber of Commerce, for the past 14 years.
 
He will stand down at the Annual General meeting in October.

Brindabella Airlines introduces new fleet

Source: Brindabella Airlines

Canberra based regional airline Brindabella Airlines have announced the introduction of the BAE J41 Jetstream Aircraft to their fleet.

The new J41 Aircraft is a significant step up for Brindabella’s fleet. The J41 will have the capacity to carry 30 passengers, 3 crew members including a flight attendant. With a cruise speed of 540km/hour the J41 is the fastest and by far the most fuel efficient aircraft in its class.

The highly efficient twin engine turboprop offers the optimum balance of performance, comfort and allows for larger luggage allowances. The world’s largest operator of the J41 is Eastern Airways (UK) that was named this year’s European Airline of the year.

Jetstar announces increased services from Newcastle Airport

From 1 June 2008, Jetstar will increase its services from Newcastle to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne by almost 50 per cent with an additional 18 weekly return services.

The airline will increase the existing three daily Newcastle-Brisbane flights to four times daily, the existing double daily Newcastle-Melbourne flights to three times daily and begin daily operations to the Gold Coast (currently operating three times weekly).

Newcastle Airport CEO, Paul Hughes, commends this announcement as a significant boost for the region. 

Bing Lee Puts SES in the picture with TV and DVD donation

Source: CURRENT.COM.AU   Author: Martin Vedris

HUNTER VALLEY, NSW: Bing Lee stores in the Hunter have generously donated 18 televisions and DVD players to each of the New South Wales State Emergency Service’s Hunter units.

The 68 cm televisions and DVD players, worth $16,200, were handed over to SES Hunter Region Controller Greg Perry by Karen Baker from the Bing Lee Bennetts Green store, and by Mike Hathaway and Jeremy Dorricott from the Thornton store in a ceremony conducted at the Hunter Region headquarters in Metford.

2007 Hunter Business Awards

The Chamber's Board & staff have carefully considered the position of many of our members and have decided to postpone the 2007 Hunter Business Awards Dinner and therefore the award nomination process.

We believe that a postponement will allow our members and the wider business community to concentrate on recovery.

Rescheduled event date is now Friday 31st August at Wests, Starlight Room

Enter your business now!
Entries close 27th July
Early Bird pricing closes 27th July
RSVP's close 17th August

Newcastle Agency Recognised in Australia's National Travel Industry Awards

Travelworld on King, Newcastle’s leading Corporate and Government Travel Management Company, was honoured as a Finalist in the 2007 National Travel Industry Association (NTIA) Awards at a Gala presentation in Sydney on Saturday 14th July. The company was one of only five agencies from around Australia – and the ONLY one from New South Wales - to have been named as a Finalist in the category “Best Travel Agency, Corporate – Regional”.

The Hunter's 20 Year Vision

Author: Hunter Economic Development Corporation

The HEDC is developing a new 20-year economic development strategy for the Hunter region, setting a long-term framework for economic development and jobs growth into the future.

The new strategy, which has been supported by funding from the NSW Department of State and Regional Development, will build upon the previous regional strategies for the Hunter and be consistent with the State Plan and the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy.

Consuls General Impressed with the Hunter

Author: Hunter Economic Development Corporation

The Hunter Export Centre coordinated a three day visit to Newcastle and the Hunter by a delegation of Consul-Generals. The group included representatives from Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg, France, Netherlands, Romania, Indonesia, Thailand, India and Uruguay.

New advisors for the Hunter Export Centre

The Hunter Export Centre has recently appointed its new Advisory Board for the 2007/08 year. Appointments are made from the Hunter Export Centre (HEC) membership.

New Hunter Ambassadors

Author: Hunter Economic Development Corporation

For several years now, the HEDC has invited businesses to become Hunter Ambassadors as part of an awareness campaign to increase promotion of the region and build local confidence.

137 Hunter business representatives have now registered as Hunter Ambassadors and we are encouraging you to do the same.

Wine-growers face ban

Picture by: eacathcart2002 (flickr name)

Author: CATHARINE MUNRO Source: Sydney Morning Herald

HUNTER wine-growers and thoroughbred breeders may still be banned from taking water from their river at the end of the month, despite the flooding of the region.

The Department of Environment is still expected to slash the amount of water that licence holders on the Hunter are permitted to take when they review entitlements on July 1.

A briefing by a department official, obtained by the Herald, says unless Glennies Creek Dam and Glenbawn Dam recover to a combined level of 37 per cent, licence holders will not be allowed to take water.

Most of the rain that devastated the lower Hunter in the past fortnight drained into the Goulburn River, leaving the dams at only about 30 per cent capacity.