Last month was a busy one for the Property Council across NSW and here in the Hunter.
From an advocacy perspective, I have been working with local council’s to understand their local strategic planning statement processes and where we can provide input from the property industry in this process. Many of them are also looking at their local housing strategies in parallel to this and we will continue to engage with council’s throughout their consultation and development.
August saw a few great Property Council events in the Hunter with a boardroom lunch with the Hon. Rob Stokes talking directly to members around challenges and priorities for the region as well as our monthly lunch which took a look at hotels investment in the region. This was a great presentation from DOMA and Crystalbrook on their upcoming developments and attendees were provided with a real sense of not only what the developments will look like but why our city and region is attracting such great investment. Topping off our events for August was the Future Directions presentation on the vision for Newcastle to 2030, with a really interesting panel discussion and record numbers.
As you may be aware, the Property Council is celebrating its 50th birthday this year with celebrations starting this week. Join our social media campaign by sharing snippets of your day in the Hunter property industry and tagging #iworkinproperty. Let’s show the rest of the state how it’s done – I look forward to seeing the photos!
Last but definitely not least, September’s Women in Leadership event is going to be a great one so head over to the website, book your tickets, bring your colleagues along and don’t forget to come and say hi to me at the event.
Thanks
Anita
Partnership helping businesses save water
Hunter Water is working together with businesses across the Lower Hunter to help them find practical water-saving solutions in their operations.
In response to NSW experiencing one of its worst droughts on record, Hunter Water will introduce Level 1 water restrictions for the first time in 25 years, starting on Monday 16 September.
Hunter Water is seeking a deeper engagement with businesses and its community partners to drive awareness of how they use water and to encourage lasting conservation behaviour.
Acting Executive Manager Customer Strategy & Retail Glen Robinson said Hunter Water’s water efficiency program was helping businesses find opportunities to conserve drinking water.
“While non-residential customers make up only five per cent of our total customer base, they consume almost a third of the region’s total drinking water supply.
“With our region’s dams now at their lowest levels in more than two decades, we’re committed to working with all businesses, both large and small, to find ways to save water together.
“By working with our large customers in particular, which includes 45 who each use more than 30 million litres of water a year, Hunter Water aims to identify ways to save water and find cost savings for businesses.
“We do this by utilising data loggers, or real time monitoring, to better understand their water demand patterns and by undertaking detailed water audits and specialised reviews known as Water Efficiency Management Plans (WEMPs).
“Last financial year we helped our large customers achieve ongoing water savings of 335 million litres per year, which is equivalent to the yearly water usage of almost 2000 households in the region,” said Mr Robinson.
For more information, businesses are encouraged to contact Hunter Water on (02) 4064 7816.
Jacobs opens new office in Newcastle
Jacobs recently celebrated their move to a new office and over 40 years of operations in the Newcastle region, hosting around 70 staff and guests at an official opening ceremony where they shared their vision for how sustainability, technology and connectivity can give regional cities an edge in the future
“We’ve been through a number of moves over the years and this latest move is one of the most exciting because it also marks 40 years of operation in Newcastle,” said Jacobs Kim Collings, Principal – Environment, Newcastle Office Manager.
“Over that time, we’ve witnessed the region grow into a thriving regional city capable of attracting new people and investment in its own right. We’ve worked closely with many of our clients to support and encourage that growth and we’re excited to continue to work with them in the years to come.”
The new office space is inviting, with a fantastic view of the Harbour, plenty of break out space, technology upgrade throughout and a collection of photographs of local and surrounding landmarks taken by their talented staff.
Visit Jacobs at The Gateway, Level 4 12 Stewart Avenue Newcastle West.
Member profile: Officepace
A big welcome to new member Officepace. I caught up with OfficePace Project Director Joel Kennard recently and had a look around their great space at Wickham.
Joel has a strong background in Finance, Sales and Marketing to underpin industry expertise and a passion for delivering exceptional service through high-value, quality solutions that meet their clients’ expectations.
For generations OfficePace has been making it easy for Australian designers, architects, builders and business owners to create exceptional office spaces that inspire great work.
Joel explained that their office furniture is designed and produced to the highest standards. “We’re much more than a supplier: our in-house manufacturing capabilities mean that our products reflect pride, quality and commitment like no other.”
“Our proven engineering expertise and large local production facility based on the Central Coast provides value and total flexibility. We can craft exactly what you need, from budget-friendly standard styles to complete furniture customisation.”
“We handle all-sized projects with quick turnaround, surprising affordability and end-to-end convenience that includes custom joinery, installation and dedicated after-sales service. Talk to the OfficePace team about your next project.”
“Newcastle and the surrounding region is experiencing unprecedented growth and development, which we are proud to be part of. As a truly local manufacturer in this region, we are fiercely passionate about supporting the changes happening in Newcastle and are really excited to be working with some of the major players in the property sector,” Joel said.
Hunter Chapter Committee
A dedicated team of individuals give their time freely to be part of the Hunter Chapter and Hunter Future Directions committees. If you get the chance at an event and you haven’t met them yet, introduce yourself or reach out to them through their organisations. We will endeavour to get their photos added to the website as they become available so you can put a face to the name but in the meantime take a minute to familiarise yourself with their names and we will feature our Future Directions Committee in next month’s newsletter.
Hunter Chapter
- Neil Petherbridge – Northrop Consulting Engineers (Chair)
- Carmel Foster – Port Stephens Council (Deputy Chair)
- Amanda Wetzel – City Plan Services
- Angus Rose – dwp|design worldwide partnership
- Chris Travers – Stockland
- David Antcliff – Lake Macquarie Council
- Ed Crawford – University of Newcastle
- Gillian Geraghty – Health Infrastructure
- Glen Spicer – EJE Architecture
- Jade Curtis – Lake Macquarie council
- Jenny Roberts – Castlecrest Consultants
- Joanne Lever – GHD
- Jodie Drysdale – TSA Management
- Jonathon Hainsworth – Coffey
- Julie Rich – University of Newcastle
- Katrina Reye – Hall and Wilcox
- Kristy Benson – GPT Group
- Lyndall Robertson – Compass Housing
- Peter Macadam – Colliers International
- Robert Dwyer – RPS Australia
- Sally Eagleton – Onesteel
- Shannon Hunter – Charter Hall
- Stephen Leathley – INSITE Planning Services