communitynow N E W S L E T T E R W I N T E R 2 0 1 7

A H U B

f o r g a m e r s !

When Dave Kinney decided to open Spoiler Alert!, a local gaming start-up in

the Ritz Centre – Port Macquarie, he didn’t expect to receive so much help and support in getting his dream off the ground.

The new venture is part of Council's Start-Up Spaces program, which aims to bring local entrepreneurs and landlords together in an effort to revitalise empty shop fronts by filling them with pop-up stores and start-up businesses.

“Expanding our online store to include a shopfront in town has meant we can offer a unique experience, test our ideas and build a local customer base that just wouldn’t have happened without the support of Council,” Dave said.

Dave and his wife Emily, alongside business partners Kerry and Joe are over the moon with the progress they’ve made since opening late last year, and love that they can now give something back to the community.

“We’ve really been given the opportunity to focus

on growing an audience and delivering a great product, without the added stress and financial pressures of starting a new business.

“On Mondays we run a ‘dim down for autism’ meet-up, where people with sensory issues can come in, play games and chill out without being overwhelmed,” explained Dave.

The Start-Up Spaces program has helped a number of local entrepreneurs like Spoiler Alert!, and Beeline Toys in Clarence St embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, while providing property owners the chance to receive a return on their real estate investments.

“I’m living my dream right now, and I’m really grateful to be given the opportunity to thrive in business in beautiful Port Macquarie,” added Dave.

With Port Macquarie being a desirable place to visit and live, the Start-Up Spaces program is one of the many ways we’re supporting the growth of our local economy and fostering entrepreneurship.

If you’re interested in growing your business, visit pmhc.nsw.gov.au/businessadvice.

P A Y Y O U R R A T E S o n l i n eDid you know you can pay your rates and water bill using our online payment portal?

Save time and pay online at pmhc.nsw.gov.au/paymyrates

Spoiler Alert!'s Dave Kinney

From the Deputy Mayor

Welcome to the winter edition of the Community Now newsletter. You can’t help but notice the amount of Council activity occurring right across our region at the moment, as we continue to meet the needs of our growing

community. Thanks to residents for their patience while essential road, bridge and other public works are delivered. Council is always interested to receive your

feedback and suggestions for the future. You can contact councillors at councillors@pmhc.nsw.gov.au. Our Facebook page at facebook.com/pmhc2444 is also a great way to stay up to date.

Lisa Intemann Port Macquarie-Hastings Deputy Mayor

We’ve all heard of the expression ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’, and while important work takes time, you could

be forgiven for thinking our region has jumped leaps and bounds overnight.

With a new university, hospital expansion, shopping centres, residential housing boom and new infrastructure projects the Port Macquarie-Hastings is definitely on the move as people flock to live, learn, work, play and invest in our region.

For Council’s Development Assessment Team, this means non-stop inspections, assessments and approvals as residents and investors apply to build new homes, renovate existing homes and develop commercial property.

With our population expected to rise to over 100,000 by 2036 (up 28.24%), it’s no wonder the local construction industry is going hammer and tongs to keep up with the demand.

So what does an increase in Development Applications (DAs) really mean?

On the surface, an increase in DAs indicates a healthy and growing economy, but on closer inspection can mean much more. For budding builders and tradies, a simple DA can open the doors to a career at home, without having to pack up the tools and head to the big smoke.

“We’ve seen $250 million worth of building approvals

come through in 2016, which is huge compared to only a short time ago, where in 2012 the value of approvals hovered around $126 million,” said Council Development Assessment Group Manager, Dan Croft.

“You could say if you’re a tradesman, we are the construction epicentre of the east coast, and that’s not expected to slow down in the coming years,” Dan said.

Partnerships between Council and supporting organisations such as the Master Builders Association, North Coast TAFE and Apprenticeship Centres have led to more jobs and training opportunities in the local construction industry, particularly for young people.

Council’s Economic Development Officer, David Archer understands the many opportunities that exist and how to access them.

“By engaging students, career advisors and parents at events like the Mid Coast Careers Market, we’re able to promote the employment pathways on offer to school leavers that may be interested in starting a construction career locally,” he said.

So the next time you’re embarking on a building project, extending the back deck, or building a new shed, be proud in the fact that you’re contributing to our thriving local economy, and helping others build new careers and bright futures.

B U I L D I N G

b r i g h t f u t u r e s

Delivering for our growing community We’re focussed on renovating and rejuvenating our many community assets, continuing to deliver major infrastructure projects and ensuring our region remains the best place to live, learn, work, play and invest.

Houston Mitchell Drive Reconstruction> The $7 million reconstruction to improve safety and road

conditions of the ’ghost road’ between Bonny Hills and the Pacific Highway is approaching completion.

Port Macquarie CBD Developments> In partnership with the Town Centre Master Plan (TCMP),

facelifts to the Town Green and Town Square in Port Macquarie are well underway and scheduled for completion in December.

Laurieton Dog Park > The new Henry Kendall Reserve Dog Park has been

unleashed. Why not take Buster down to enjoy the new exercise equipment and stretch the ol’ hind legs.

Bago Road Upgrade> The $365,000 upgrade to Bago Rd is now complete,

improving safety on the important stretch of road.

New Environmental Lab/CSU Collaboration > Council’s new state-of-the-art environmental lab is now open

on the Charles Sturt University (CSU) campus.

Tastings on Hastings> Save the date for our regions premier local produce event

which is back for its 15th year on the weekend of October 27-29.

A H U B

f o r g a m e r s !

1. Get advice Discuss your proposal with a Council Duty Planner/Surveyor. It’s a free service and can save you time and money. They’ll let you know what fees, approvals and documents are required. 2. Obtain a fee quote Before you can lodge an application you need a fee quote, which is available from Council. Fees are calculated on the cost of works and can include administrative and other statutory fees such as advertising notices and external agency consultation.3. Pay your fee and lodge your application Lodge your application and pay your DA fee at any of our offices or over the phone on (02) 6581 8111. You can submit your application in hard copy or digital formats.

4. We’ll review your DA When a complete application is received you will be advised by email of your application number for example DA2016-123. You can then follow the progress of your DA using our online Application Tracker: pmhc.nsw.gov.au/applicationtracker5. Outcome of your DA Some application types are

referred to independent panels, Council meetings and state or regional planning bodies for a decision. Once an outcome has been decided you will be notified by email. After a Development Application (DA) is approved, a Construction Certificate is needed before building starts. A Construction Certificate can be issued by Council or by an Accredited Private Certifier.For more information on how to lodge a Development Application, visit pmhc.nsw.gov.au/building-planning

17 Burrawan Street, Port Macquarie NSW 2444

49 High Street, Wauchope NSW 2446

9 Laurie Street, Laurieton NSW 2443

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There’s always something happening in the Port Macquarie-Hastings – from sporting events to art festivals, concerts to exhibitions, conventions to celebrations.

See what's on at pmhc.nsw.gov.au/events

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t: 02 6581 8111 e: council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

F i v e S i m p l e S t e p s

What’s a ‘DA’ and who needs one?The DA is a written request for permission from Council to carry out building or development work. In general you will need an approval from Council to build a new house, subdivide a parcel of land or add an extension to an existing home.

pmhc.nsw.gov.au/building-planning