Bold(er) New Additions for WoomargamaMeet 3 new additions to the Woomargama landscape - 3 massive boulders blasted from the landscape to make way for the Woomargama Hume Highway Bypass.

The 3 boulders were sourced from high-up on the cutting next to Mount McKenzie and will provide an everlasting legacy of the multi-million dollar construction works being undertaken by the Hume Highway Woomargama Alliance to build the new highway bypass.

The largest boulder is estimated at 10 tonnes and will form a plinth The largest boulder is estimated at 10 tonnes and will form a plinth for an attractive piece of art depicting a local icon, most likely a stone for an attractive piece of art depicting a local icon, most likely a stone sculpture of a squirrel glider. A small commemorative plaque is also expected to be placed on the massive boulder, with ground-cover landscaping around the base of the site.

Also featuring as additions to life in Woomargama are the newly elected members of the Woomargama Community Committee, elected at a community meeting on 19th May. The following 9 people comprise an advisory committee to Greater Hume Shire Council to oversee the implementation of actions identified in the Hume Highway Bypass Business Plan by predecessor committee, the

Woomargama Bypass Committee.

The 9 new committee members are:• Virginia Kurtze (Chairperson)• Robert Peardon (Deputy Chairperson)• Glenda Field• Geoff Noakes• David Morton• Darryl Mack• Susan Shanahan• Laura Harrison• Steve Smith

Key initiatives to be addressed by the committee include finalisation Key initiatives to be addressed by the committee include finalisation of the streetscape planning and general village improvements to the of the streetscape planning and general village improvements to the overall amenity of Woomargama Village and to improve business overall amenity of Woomargama Village and to improve business opportunity.

Protect our environment by managing your liquid wasteWhat is liquid trade waste?What is liquid trade waste?Liquid trade waste is any discharge to a sewerage system other than Liquid trade waste is any discharge to a sewerage system other than domestic waste from a hand wash basin, shower, bath or toilet.

Responsibility of a trade waste dischargerA business wishing to discharge trade waste into a Council sewer must first obtain an approval to do so from Council. Either the owner of the premises or the tenant who carries out an activity on the premises may apply for approval. The tenant must have the written consent of the owner in order to apply for an approval.

A discharger is responsible for pre-treating their waste to a level acceptable for discharge to the sewer. To assist applicants, Council can provide information on the type of pre-treatment needed for various trade waste generating activities.

A discharger must consistently comply with all the conditions in Council’s approval.

Volume 1, Issue 7 July 2011

w w w.greaterhume.nsw.gov.au

Pic: Massive boulders at Woomargama

Simply Greater Business

Pic: Woomargama Bypass Committee - L to R - Steve Smith, Glenda Field, Geoff Noakes, Susan Shanahan, David Morton, Virginia Kurtze (Chairperson), Darryl Mack, Robert Peardon (Deputy Chairperson) Absent Laura Harrison

Simply G reater Business

Update on Holbrook bypassA Community Information session for the Holbrook Community was presented by AbiGroup Community Relations Manager, Tony Edwards, at Holbrook CTC on 24th May from 6pm to 8pm with a power point presentation at 6.30pm. Members of the community in attendance were given the opportunity to comment or ask questions and a Feedback Form was available on the night for referral of any issues to AbiGroup. The session focussed on the early works progress on the Hume Highway Holbrook Bypass and timeframe for future major construction activity culminating in completion of works in 2013.

Key features of the bypass

The RTA has advised that the final design for the Holbrook bypass reflects current engineering and road standards, road safety considerations, environmental and community impacts and value for money.

Key features include:

• A four-lane divided carriageway with 110km/h speed limitA four-lane divided carriageway with 110km/h speed limitA f• A full diamond interchange on Wagga Wagga Road• A full diamond southern interchange near the existing Hume

Highway• Twin concrete bridges over Culcairn RoadTwin concrete bridges over Culcairn RoadT• Twin concrete bridges over Ten Mile CreekTwin concrete bridges over Ten Mile CreekT• Landscape and urban design treatments to minimise visual

impact• Sound attenuation works to minimise noise impact

Managing your liquid wasteCouncil is responsible for providing and regulating water supply, sewerage and liquid trade waste services for its community.

Requirements include:• adopting a risk management approach to prevent the

degradation of common pool resources, such as land, water or infrastructure

• achieving full cost recovery for water supply, sewerage and trade waste services

• assessment and approval of each trade waste application in accordance with the Liquid Trade Waste Regulation Guidelines, 2009 and Council’s Trade Waste Policy

• monitoring of liquid trade waste discharges to its sewerage system to ensure compliance with Council’s conditions of approval

• ensuring that any trade waste discharges do not adversely affect the environment, the health and safety of the public and Council’s employees

• ensuring that potential reuse of effluent and biosolids produced at the sewage treatment works is not compromised

• sewerage system licence requirements must be met.

Tips to save your money

ecycling whenever possible and complying with any current

high presssure hoses or hoses with trigger nozzles for

educing the load on your pre-treatment equipment and the

screens and basket arrestors in sinks and floor

ing that your pre-treatment equipment operates effectively by reducing the waste load, detergents and hot

egularly monitoring and maintaining your pre-treatment equipment. Ensure timely pump-outs to avoid blockage of your internal sewer pipes and Council non-compliance charges or a

er putting fat, oil, grease or solvents down a sink or drain. Arrange for collection of these wastes by a licensed waste

Tips to save your moneyMinimise your water, sewerage and trade waste bills by:

• using water sparingly and efficiently

• recycling whenever possible and complying with any current water restrictions

• not leaving taps or hoses running

• using water efficient appliances

• using a broom and mop for washing floors - not the hose

• using high presssure hoses or hoses with trigger nozzles for washing vehicles and equipment

• reducing the load on your pre-treatment equipment and the sewerage system by:

1. installing screens and basket arrestors in sinks and floor drains

2. using minimal grease and oil for cooking

3. using trays to catch fat, grease and oil

4. scraping utensils and dishes before washing

• ensuring that your pre-treatment equipment operates effectively by reducing the waste load, detergents and hot water use

• regularly monitoring and maintaining your pre-treatment equipment. Ensure timely pump-outs to avoid blockage of your internal sewer pipes and Council non-compliance charges or a higher liquid trade waste usage charge/kL

• never putting fat, oil, grease or solvents down a sink or drain. Arrange for collection of these wastes by a licensed waste transporter.

Woomargama General Store and Service StationProprietor of the Woomargama Store, Saba Vrbovac, is preparing to meet the challenge of business when the Hume Highway bypass of Woomargama is completed later this year. Saba's thriving business, which he operates with his wife Alma, is a popular stop and relax spot for travellers who can not only get a welcome cuppa but also a wide range of confectionary lines, drinks, milk and bread, basic grocery

lines and some car accessories.

And of course there is plenty of petrol and diesel on hand too!

Saba has been in the business for 9 years and is

no stranger to the daily challenges of business.

He is hopeful that Woomargama will attract a new wave of travellers looking for a quiet respite once the bypass is opened.

Pic: Woomargama General Store & Servo

Simply G reater Business

Plans to slash payroll tax

jobs for NSW.

The proposal is to offer a payroll tax rebate of $4,000 to businesses. This rebate will be equivalent to the annual payroll tax bill for one

To qualify for the rebate under the Government proposal, the job

The NSW Government believes that the payroll tax rebate will give

Managing an ageing workforceAustralia’s population is ageing and population growth is expected to slow. This has direct consequences for businesses in terms of the composition of the Australian workforce and the source of skills and labour. In 1953, three quarters of Australians were under 45 years. Now it is two-thirds and by 2052 it will be just over half. In the next decade, workers aged 15 – 44 years will account for only 15 percent of labour market growth.

The impact of an ageing workforce is beginning to be recognised as a critical business risk, not just a HR concern – with strategic, financial, compliance and operational ramifications.

Most companies are unprepared for this “silver tsunami” and have been slow to adapt to the changing needs of older workers.

Continuing skills shortages and changing labour markets mean it also makes sense to encourage mature age workers to stay within the business.

Mature age workers add value through:• increased retention• lower absenteeism• decreased recruitment costs• greater investment returns on training, and• the maintenance of ‘corporate memory’, the largely

undocumented experience and knowledge of how things have been and are done.

All of these elements combine to make mature age workers valuable employees.

Checklist for employers:-• Explore issues of demography and their impact on your business• Examine the effect that demographic shifts are having on Examine the effect that demographic shifts are having on Examine the eff

business strategy• Recognise innovative practices, challenges and opportunities• Outline how to assess your business’ performance in employing

mature age workers• Identify strategies to retain your company ‘know how’• Outline the key issues and strategies in providing a safe and

healthy workplace for mature workers• Define and discuss discrimination on the grounds of age and

carer responsibilities and flexible work practices• Identify government funding opportunities, and

• Discuss the retirement intentions of mature age workers.

This approach will enable managers to be equipped to identify and implement effective strategies for the recruitment, retention and management of an ageing workforce.

• Environmental controls to minimise impacts on nearby waterways and natural areas.

The bypass is being built by Abigroup and managed by the RTA. The contractor is responsible for all construction activities (excluding landscaping) during the project and the RTA will supervise the contractor to ensure compliance with all project requirements.

Landscaping will be carried out by a specialist landscape contractor once the major engineering works have been completed.

The trees to be used for landscaping will generally be tube stock so it will be some time before the full effects of the landscaping treatments are realised.

Holbrook will be a very busy place during the next two years of construction including changes to the entry points of town, traffic movement and an increased number of workers. The community will be advised by Abigroup at the appropriate time before the planned changes occur.

Further informationFor further information on the Holbrook bypass please contact Abigroup.Project information line: 1800 224 202Email: Holbrook@abigroup.com.auWrite to: PO Box 192, Holbrook NSW 2644Website: www.rta.nsw.gov.au

provide a welcome incentive for a new round of business investment in the shire. Two major business expansions are currently progressing well-McHardy Pinter new factory at the Jindera Industrial Estate and Albury Galvanising also at Jindera Industrial Estate.

With reticulation of services currently underway at the new Industrial Park in Holbrook and early enquiry for land in the Park, Greater Hume Shire Council is looking forward to welcoming more business and economic development in the shire in the business year ahead.

Plans to slash payroll taxPayroll tax has long been considered as an impediment to conducting business in NSW and a recent announcement by the NSW Government is likely to pave the way for payroll tax rebates. In a media release dated 14th June 2011 Premier Barry O’ Farrell has indicated that the NSW Government will introduce legislation to slash payroll tax as part of a campaign to create up to 100,000 extra jobs for NSW.

The proposal is to offer a payroll tax rebate of $4,000 to businesses. This rebate will be equivalent to the annual payroll tax bill for one employee on the average wage and will be paid in two parts at 12 months and 24 months after the employee is hired.

To qualify for the rebate under the Government proposal, the job must be a genuinely new position-defined as an increase in employee numbers over and above the highest number of NSW employees at the company over the last 12 months. The wages of the new position must be liable for payroll tax in NSW.

The NSW Government believes that the payroll tax rebate will give employers greater confidence to accelerate the expansion of their business and their workforce.

At a time when there are major changes in the shire that will provide new business opportunities - such as the Hume Highway bypasses of Holbrook and Woomargama, the new Holbrook Industrial Park and Stage 2 of the Jindera Industrial Estate - relief from payroll tax is sure to stimulate the interest of business operators and hopefully

AusIndustryGilli WilliamsRegional Manager South West NSWTel: (02) 6921 1828email: gilli.williams@innovation.gov.auWebsite: www.ausindustry.gov.au

Greater Hume Shire CouncilPeter DaleEconomic Development OfficerTel: (02) 6036 0100Email: pdale@greaterhume.nsw.gov.auWebsite: www. greaterhume.nsw.gov.au

Industry and Investment NSWLouise ConibearCommunity Economic Development OfficerTel: (02) 6921 6422Email: louise.conibear@business.nsw.gov.auWayne MurphyExport AdvisorTel: (02) 6921 6422Email: wayne.murphy@business.nsw.gov.auPeter WhiteheadBusiness Development OfficerTel: (02) 6041 4808Email: peter.whitehead@business.nsw.gov.auWebsite: www.business.nsw.gov.au

Industry Capability NetworkKlaus BaumgartelSouthern NSW Region ManagerTel: (02) 6041 5226Email: klausb@icnnsw.org.auWebsite: www.icnnsw.org.au

Murray Hume Business Enterprise CentreTel: (02) 6055 9100Website: www.mhbec.com.au

NSW Business ChamberBen FoleyMurray-Riverina Regional ManagerTel: (02) 6041 4867Email: ben.foley@nswbc.com.auWebsite: www.nswbusinesschamber.com.au

Regional Development Australia - MurrayNicole DoughtyTeam Leader Murray NowTel: (02) 6058 0600Email: nicole.doughty@murraynow.com.auWebsite: www.murraynow.com.au

Greater Hume Shire Council

39 Young StreetP O Box 99HOLBROOK NSW 2644Tel: (02) 6036 0100Fax: (02) 6036 2683

40 Balfour StreetCULCAIRN NSW 2660Tel: (02) 6029 8588Fax: (02) 6029 8607

www.greaterhume.nsw.gov.au

Important contacts for business assistance and advice

Simply G reater Business

Don’t risk a fineTime is running out to appoint your Food Safety Supervisor

The time to act is NOW!

NSW/FA/FI116/1105

Training is needed

Complete the process— Notify your FSS

Do you have a story idea?The

achievements, promoting upcoming training and seminars, providing updates on major projects in the region and supplying information on

business community, we’d love to hear from you. You can also access the

www.greaterhume.nsw.gov.au/businessinvestment.aspxTo contribute story ideas, make a suggestion or register for an electronic

Do you have a story idea?Do you have a story idea?The The Simply Greater Business Simply Greater Business newsletter is designed to assist local businesses to grow and become sustainable. It does this by highlighting local business to grow and become sustainable. It does this by highlighting local business achievements, promoting upcoming training and seminars, providing achievements, promoting upcoming training and seminars, providing updates on major projects in the region and supplying information on updates on major projects in the region and supplying information on projects or programs that might affect business. projects or programs that might affect business.

If you have a story you would like to share with the Greater Hume If you have a story you would like to share with the Greater Hume business community, we’d love to hear from you. You can also access the business community, we’d love to hear from you. You can also access the newsletter and previous issues online at newsletter and previous issues online at www.greaterhume.nsw.gov.au/businessinvestment.aspxwww.greaterhume.nsw.gov.au/businessinvestment.aspxTo contribute story ideas, make a suggestion or register for an electronic version of the newsletter contact Council’s Economic Development Officer, Peter Dale, Tel: 6036 0100.

Do you have a story idea? Do you have a story idea?

Businesses that do not have a trained and notified Food Safety Supervisor by 1 October 2011 risk being fined.By 1 October most food service businesses, such as restaurants, takeaways, pubs, clubs, caterers, bakeries, and supermarkets selling hot food, must have a trained and notified Food Safety Supervisor hot food, must have a trained and notified Food Safety Supervisor hot food, must have a trained and notified Food Safety Supervisor hot food, must have a trained and notified Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) working in their business. Businesses that do not comply will (FSS) working in their business. Businesses that do not comply will (FSS) working in their business. Businesses that do not comply will (FSS) working in their business. Businesses that do not comply will be breaking the law.be breaking the law.be breaking the law.

A Food Safety Supervisor is a person who: holds an FSS certificate that is no more than five years old, and is not an FSS for any other food premises or any other mobile

catering businesses, andhas has the authority to supervise other people handling food and the authority to supervise other people handling food and the authority to supervise other people handling food and the authority to supervise other people handling food and to see that the handling is done safely.to see that the handling is done safely.

Training is neededFood Safety Supervisors must have completed training in specified units of competency at a Registered Training Organisation approved

by the NSW Food Authority. (See the Authority’s website for the list of approved training providers.)

Training can be done face-to-face, online, in the workplace, by correspondence, or through a combination of these. Training delivered face-to-face should take at least seven hours.

Complete the process— Notify your FSSAfter appointing and training an FSS, the business owner must notify the relevant enforcement agency (usually the local council) of who their FSS is, either online at www.foodnotify.nsw.gov.au, or via a form available from, and submitted to Greater Hume Shire Council.

The Guideline to Food Safety Supervisor Requirements on the Authority’s website, in eight languages, describes all requirements in detail.

Website: www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/fss-food-safety-supervisors/ Helpline: 1300 552 406 Email: contact@foodauthority.nsw.gov.auSource: NSW/FA/FI116/1105