Business NSW Central Coast Economic Breakfast focus on Business Conditions

More than 240 Central Coast business leaders attended the Central Coast Economic Breakfast at Mingara Recreation Club on Friday May 31 hosted by NSW Business Chamber Central Coast.

Opened by the Hon. David Harris MP Minister for Central Coast, Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, Gaming and Racing, Veterans and Medical Research, Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris MP, made a particular point that council needs to address the critical issue of approving industrial developments as it is industry that employs people. At the same time approving residential zonings and development applications for housing is important, he said. “People need to live somewhere.”

One of the key takeaways from his comments was the importance of the upcoming elections for Central Coast Council, which has had a host of challenges over the last few years. He said we need to elect those wo will put the local community first, whatever their political alignment, and not those that are interested in playing politics or in it for their own benefit.

Other speakers included CBA Senior Economist Belinda Allen, Business NSW CEO Dan Hunter, and Business NSW Chief Economist Dr Sherman Chan.

Dr Chan provided an overview of business conditions in NSW with the launch of the Business NSW quarter two Business Conditions Survey,

She noted that business confidence was weak with challenging economic conditions. Business confidence on the Central Coast has declined over the past two quarters with no improvement in sight according to the Business Confidence Index.

Business costs highlighted in the Survey were: Insurance, Energy, Taxes and other government charges, supplier costs, wages, transport, rent and loan repayments.

A panel discussion on Central Coast renewable energy opportunities include:

Clare Larkin-Sykes, Managing Director Forelight Advisory and Co-Lead of NewH2: the Hunter Hydrogen Technology Cluster

Ian Smith, Executive Director, Office of Regional Economic Development

Richard Wrightson, Chief Executive Officer, Delta Electricity (Coal) Darren Clarke, Director Planning and Policy, EnergyCo