Year By Year 2003

Illawarra Mercury

Friday April 11, 2008

TELSTRA Country Wide Southern Tablelands and Shoalhaven Area general manager Mark McKenzie took on additional responsibilities and prepared to move to a new regional office in Crown St after the IBC highlighted the need for such an office at the Senate inquiry into Australian telecommunications.

IBC announces a series of workshops to help the region's businesses gain a competitive advantage.

? Election battle

The IBC demanded equal billing after Premier Bob Carr announced his vision for the Hunter and unveiled concept plans for the redevelopment of Newcastle's port and former BHP land, and appointment of a new minister for the Hunter.

In April David Campbell became the first state MP from the Illawarra to be a minister in 20 years when he was sworn in as Minister for the Illawarra and Minister for Small Business and Regional Development.

The IBC welcomed the announcement of Southern Highlands MP Peta Seaton as opposition spokesperson for the Illawarra.

? New CEO

IBC CEO Ken Sullivan resigned to become Wollondilly Council's Director of Planning Services.

IBC named Tim Lewis as its new CEO. The former Royal Australian Air Force technician said it was not politicians who created jobs but business-people who had ideas and were prepared to take risks.

? Website launched

IBC launched a new web site making it easier for members to use the organisation's many services. www.illawarrabusiness.com was created by Wollongong-based company Internetrix as a promotional tool as well as resource hub for the chamber's services.

? Lawrence Hargrave fiasco

Businesses on Lawrence Hargrave Dr feared financial ruin when the road was closed because of wet weather, then the state government announced its closure for more than two years to allow a new bridge to be built.

IBC CEO Tim Lewis welcomed the government's $2 million community fund but said the chamber also had a review under way to discover the true extent of the economic impact to the business community.

? Cluster's success

IBC CEO Tim Lewis said he would like to see other industries such as Illawarra's IT sector, follow Wollongong Manufacturing Cluster i3net's lead after it attracted enormous interest at National Manufacturing Week in Melbourne.

? Skills in demand

IBC policy manager Mark Grimson told the Senate Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business that access to skilled labour was the number one issue concerning Illawarra employers.

? Executive lunch

IBC's executive business lunch concept took off with the inaugural event featuring Wing Commander Steve "Zed" Roberton who had recently returned from Iraq and who would shortly become one of Australia's youngest commanding officers of a fighter squadron. NSW Opposition Leader John Brogden spoke about regional and state issues at an executive lunch later in the year.

? Members meet

Speaking at the inaugural IBC member-meets-member event, Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell said work was continuing on the feasibility study into a faster rail link between Wollongong and Sydney. He said that whatever the verdict, the community would have to use public transport more to reduce pressure on the road network.

? Rugby excellence

Department of State and Regional Development Director-General Loftus Harris said Wollongong had organised one of the best Rugby World Cup business programs in the state as he launched the three-day Illawarra on Show trade expo at the WIN Sports and Entertainment Centre.

He said work done by the Illawarra Rugby World Cup Business Taskforce, Illawarra Business Chamber and department representatives showed an extraordinary degree of cooperation.

IBC CEO Tim Lewis described the three days of Rugby World Cup activity in Wollongong in November as sensational and said the success of combining the Rugby World Cup with Viva la Gong showed what the city was capable of as a unique location for sporting and entertainment events. He said the week showed just how well business and public organisations could work together.

? Selling the city

IBC delegates were among a delegation of 50 business people who attended an unprecedented, State Government-organised forum to promote the Illawarra to business and government leaders in Sydney.

IBC CEO Tim Lewis said the Illawarra had all the infrastructure a business centre requires, access to an excellent labour market and excellent training institutions.

? Apprenticeship plan

IBC policy manager Mark Grimson said positive discussions with Employment Services minister Mal Brough and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations had resulted in a decision to lodge a funding submission with the Employment Innovation Fund for a project to create hundreds of apprenticeships in the Illawarra.

The innovative pilot was the result of two years work by an Illawarra Apprenticeship and Training Committee chaired by Throsby MP Jennie George.

The pilot aimed to provide 220 apprenticeship opportunities to young people over the next three years.

? Tory best business

Tory Toyota was named Illawarra Business of the Year at the 2003 Integral Energy Illawarra Business Awards attended by about 550 people at the University of Wollongong Great Hall.

The Illawarra Business Person of the Year was Air Affairs general manager Chris Sievers of Nowra.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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