Weekly news from the Bellingen Chamber – 25 May 2020

Business link-up – Wednesday 27 May

Back to basics – this week’s meeting is an opportunity for businesses owners to catch up and talk about what is happening in each of our lives, and to continue the conversation that we started last week.
See below for a brief report on some of the themes that came out of last week’s zoom meeting.
Please join us to share ideas and continue the conversation. Click on this link just before 8am on Wednesday, 27 May at 8am
To join contact for meeting details.
This event is hosted by the Bellingen Chamber of Commerce, Urunga Mylstom Chamber of Commerce and Dorrigo Chamber of Commerce

Last week’s Zoom meeting

Thank you so much to our special guests at last week’s zoom meeting – Rebecca Beaton from Riverside Holiday Resort in Urunga, Ben Garnock from The Dorrigo Butcher and Anna Jandzio from Weave in Bellingen. We really appreciated your contribution to the conversation about the challenges and opportunities for our local economic recovery.
Here are some of the themes that came out of our discussion:

• -We have let go of the past, but we won’t let go of the future!
• -There was a strong sense of optimism about the future and our capacity to recover from the challenges that we’ve all been facing
• -Visitors will start returning soon – we need to make sure we don’t look like we’ve just got out of bed!
• -Our businesses are great at what we do
• -We need to build on our strengths and be proud of what we do
• -Focus on the particular values that our businesses are built on
• -We live and work in an amazing environment, with a wide variety of beautiful natural assets that visitors enjoy
• -Nature based tourism will be important
• -We need to lift each other up, and cross promote each other’s businesses
• -We need to continue the conversation about what kind of place we want Bellingen Shire to be
• -We need to consider replacing old business models with new offerings
• -Michael Grieve will be a special guest for one of our future zoom meetings to talk to us about future tourism and economic development plans

Casual employment ruling

The Full Federal Court last week confirmed its ruling that casual employees working regular and systematic hours with “predictable periods of working time” are likely to be considered permanent employees, regardless of what their contract says and regardless of the payment of a casual loading. This will have significant implications for many of the retail and hospitality businesses across Bellingen Shire who employ casual staff.

Read more about this important ruling at the Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors website
Business NSW have called on the Federal Government to take immediate action to fix the Fair Work Act following this ruling. See their media release here.

Federal Government funding boost

Federal Member for Cowper, Pat Conaghan has issued a press release announcing a major funding boost of more than $5.7m for councils across Cowper, including $594,625 for Bellingen Shire. This funding is for infrastructure projects and will support local jobs and regional economies.  Pat Conaghan noted that councils are well placed to get construction projects happening quickly and have great local procurement connections with local contractors and suppliers.
Click here to read the media release.

Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors free webinar

COVID-19 Employer Update Series:  New Business As Usual
Date: Thursday, 11 June 2020
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm AEST
Where: Online
Presenters: Joe Murphy, Managing Director – National Workplace and Luis Izzo, Managing Director – Sydney Workplace
With businesses evaluating how they return to work, a number of legal and safety issues need to be considered. It’s imperative to manage your employer obligations to ensure a safe return to work for all involved.
Joe Murphy and Luis Izzo will discuss what employers need to consider and answer the burning questions employers are asking. They will bring you the latest updates on Public Health Orders and review the COVID-19 legislation changes and how they impact business.
You will need to register here to attend this webinar.