Business News Releases

Sky-high Sydney opportunity for startups

BUSINESSES and tech startups can rise to the next level with the City of Sydney seeking expressions of interest for an operator to lease an affordable innovation space in Sydney’s soon-to-be tallest commercial skyscraper.

The 53-storey tower at 180 George Street is under construction and will be Sydney’s tallest office building when it is completed mid-2022.

Located within Lendlease’s broader precinct between George and Pitt Streets, the new precinct is a joint venture between Lendlease, China’s Ping An Real Estate and Japan’s Mitsubishi Estate Asia.

The City and Lendlease are working together to create new community infrastructure in the 180 George Street precinct including the business innovation space, a public plaza, retail laneways, bicycle hub, public art and a new hospitality venue on the site of the former Jacksons on George.

Applications are being sought from organisations to act as operator of a new City of Sydney business innovation space that will operate over three floors of the tower. The lease of the affordable space will run for five years, with a possibility of a further five-year extension. 

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the availability of affordable office space in the city is critical to the ability of startups to grow.

“Technology entrepreneurs tell us that the lack of affordable office space in the city is one of the biggest challenges they face,” Cr Moore said.

“It is essential that Sydney maintains its status as Australia’s leading knowledge based economy and global city, and we can only do that by fostering and supporting a culture of innovation.

“We’re delighted to be able to offer our startup ecosystem a place in the heart of the city with our new affordable workspace, which will ultimately create more jobs, boost Sydney’s economy, strengthen global connections and make the city a more desirable place to live, work and visit.”

Applications must include a proposed operating model, program and outcomes. These will be assessed under strict guidelines to ensure they meet the City’s objectives.

Applications should detail:

  • support for startups to launch into global markets with a focus on Asia;
  • a core theme and focus industries (if relevant) for the space;
  • measurable community benefits in line with the rental subsidy requested;
  • the average rental subsidy to be provided to startups;
  • details of proposed programming and activities that build connection, community, partnerships, skills, knowledge and capability within a start-up ecosystem;
  • activation of the event space and engagement and contribution to the local startup community;
  • sustainability focused practices such as waste, water and energy use;
  • a commitment to social inclusion practices, including policy or programing, and measurable indicators.

Applicants can review the expressions of interest document and attachments and apply through the City’s online grants management system SmartyGrants. The EOI closes on November 14, 2019.

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Service NSW celebrates small business milestone

NEW figures released today show 5000 small business owners have received help from Service NSW’s one-stop shop Business Concierge service.

Service NSW for Business executive director Bridget Barrett said the service is all about helping people start, grow or run their small business, potentially saving them time and money.

“Service NSW has become more than just a one-stop shop for individual customers, it is also a one-stop shop for small business customers,” Ms Barrett said.

“We make government easier to navigate by reducing paperwork and eliminating duplication so customers can focus on what they do best - running their business.”

The service includes personalised support from Service NSW’s Business Concierge and a digital platform which outlines the regulations and licences needed to start a small business across a range of sectors.

The figures released today also show owners of cafes, restaurants and small bars have saved up to 86 hours of effort. Service NSW has also helped slashed the time it takes to open a small bar by almost six months.

“We’re getting great feedback from business owners who are really satisfied with the help they’ve received and they’re telling others about the service,” Ms Barrett said.

“The Business Concierge had helped 1000 business owners by November 2018. Since then we’ve seen customer numbers sky rocket and we expect that to continue.”

The Business Concierge can help with everything from getting a council development application right the first time, to applying for outdoor dining and liquor licencing.

The initiative is delivered by Service NSW in partnership with the NSW Small Business Commission and Better Regulation Division. More information is available on the website.

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Committee considers export opportunities

ON FRIDAY, October 18, 2019, the Trade and Investment Growth Committee is holding a public hearing in Canberra as part of its Inquiry into Supporting Australia’s Exports and Attracting Investment.

Representatives from the business, education, defence export, agricultural and film and entertainment sectors will meet with the Committee to discuss how to boost Australian exports and stimulate investment.

The committee is looking into Australian businesses' ambitions to grow via export and attracting investment; local regulatory barriers to businesses being able to realise their ambitions; and best practice regulation that evidence shows supports export and investment growth, whilst protecting the national interest.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 18 October 2019
Time: 9.15am to 1.30pm
Location: Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

Further information about the Committee’s inquiry, including the public hearing program is available on the committee’s webpage.

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Ombudsman congratulates Outstanding Western Sydney Women

THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell has congratulated the winners of the Outstanding Western Sydney Women Awards, many of whom are hard-working small and family business owners.

The Outstanding Western Sydney Women Awards, held in Parramatta last night, recognised the achievements of several exceptional women from Western Sydney.

“Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists, especially Tania MacLeod of The Stage Door Performing Arts, who was named the overall Outstanding Western Sydney Woman,” Ms Carnell said.

“Tania’s dance school has been in operation for more than 20 years and is well-established in the small business and local community.

“She’s taught more than 10,000 students and her work in providing scholarships to disadvantaged young people is commendable. Tania has also developed a dance program for children with disabilities.

“In fact all of the finalists this year have achieved great things as community leaders, entrepreneurs and tradies," Ms Carnell said.

“My office is a proud partner of these awards and supports the efforts of Western Sydney Women, which has been very effective in connecting women in the region and assisting them in achieving their business and career goals.

“Research tells us the most successful start-ups are created by those who have a network or mentors for support.

“That’s why organisations such as Western Sydney Women are so important in creating a critical mass of female entrepreneurial role models," she said.

“It was an honour to be part of this year’s Outstanding Western Sydney Women Awards and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of these talented women.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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National capital in the spotlight

THE Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories will hear from the National Capital Authority about its role and present issues relating to the national capital on Thursday, at the Committee’s biannual public briefing.

Thursday’s briefing is the first to be held in the 46th Parliament following the 2019 federal election. The last briefing was held in December 2018.

Committee chair Keith Pitt MP said,  “The National Capital Authority exercises broad functions in representing and maintaining the Commonwealth’s interests in the national capital. Thursday’s hearing provides Committee members with an opportunity to become more familiar with the Authority’s current work and consider other matters that are of interest in the nation’s capital."

Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe the proceedings. Audio of the hearing will also be webcast live on the Australian Parliament’s website.

Further information may be found on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details
Date: Thursday 17 October 2019
Time: 10.15am to 11am (approx.)
Location: Committee Room 2R2, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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