Stakeholder Magazine (Greater Dandenong)

Greater Dandenong’s business news June - September 2011
The Price of Carbon - Page 2
Disaster Management - Page 6
Local wins London bid - Page 11
Preparing your
business

Contacts:
Ron Ghiggino
Manager Economic Development
Sandra George
Manager South East Business Networks
Enquiries to 9238 1550 Fax 9239 5196
www.greaterdandenong.com
Paul Dowling
South East Melbourne Manufacturers
Alliance (SEMMA) Ph: 9238 1565
www.semma.com.au
Deanne Johnson
Greater Dandenong Chamber
of Commerce Ph: 9794 8881
www.greaterdandenongchamber.org
Paula Brennan
Stakeholder Editorial
Ph: 9238 1573
pbrenn@cgd.vic.gov.au
Address:
Business Development Centre
4th Floor, 329 Thomas Street
Dandenong, Victoria 3175
Views expressed by individual contributors in this
publication do not necessarily reflect the views of
the City of Greater Dandenong.
Material from Stakeholder, Greater Dandenong‘s
business news may be reproduced for non-
commercial purposes provided the source is
acknowledged, e.g. ‘This material first appeared
in the City of Greater Dandenong’s Stakeholder
publication, June - September 2011’.
2. Stakeholder June 2011 - September 2011
Focus
What a spectacularly busy few
months we have had. The Melbourne
Food and Wine Festival; the Greater
Dandenong Chamber of Commerce’s
Platinum Regional Business Awards,
the annual Greater Dandenong Race
Day, and commencement of the 2011
awards program; Manufacturing
Week; and the Manufacturing Hall of
Fame and the inaugural Melbourne’s
South East Business Awards - to
mention just a few activities.
The success of the Chamber’s Platinum
Regional Business Awards Gala
Evening, with over 700 attendees, has
set a new benchmark for celebrating
awards for the region. Congratulations
to all the winners and runners-up in the
very competitive field.
The phenomenal success of the ‘Take
a Swing for Charity Golf Day’ has
made a significant contribution to our
community so put 20 February in your
diary to participate in the 2012 event.
There are still more events to come, so
join us to celebrate the winter solstice
at the Shortest Lunch on 22 June.
This edition looks not only at the very
topical “barbecue stopper” of carbon
pricing but also some very positive
outcomes of responding or working
with the environment – about turning
challenges into opportunities ranging
from sustainable building design,
manufactured products, electric vehicles
or to responding to major weather events.
Business continuity is something that is
always with us whether it is succession
planning or responding to a significant
event (or catastrophe) and we hope some
of the articles in this edition are food for
thought for you and your business.
As always enjoy the read and make
sure to check the calendar of events.
Ron Ghiggino
Manager Economic Development
Ron Ghiggino
City of opportunity
WORD FROM THE EXPERT
In recent months the media has been
whipping up a storm over how a carbon
tax will send us all into poverty. The view
has been that a carbon tax is yet another
lever for the government to pull to grab
more revenue and everyone and every
business is going to suffer from a price
being put on carbon.
Here are some realities:
• Australia has commitments under
the UN to reduce national greenhouse
gas emissions;
• Australia won’t be leading the world if it
introduces a carbon tax. Many countries
have already implemented a tax or
scheme for putting a price on carbon;
• A critical issue for businesses will be
keeping a competitive advantage in a
new tax regime.
The bottom line is that a carbon price
will be another risk for businesses to
manage. BUT in some instances, a price
on carbon will provide an opportunity,
both in forcing businesses to review and
update their operations to become more
efficient, and in providing new industries
and products to service a new carbon
regime. How can your business take
advantage of these opportunities?
In this article, I propose that SME leaders
(if they haven’t already) ought to consider
getting a view of how carbon flows
through their business. This will enable
an understanding of how a carbon price
is likely to impact your balance sheet.
A carbon price has never been costed in
our economy before and the environment,
specifically the atmosphere, has carried the
Carbon Pricing and Small
to Medium-Sized Businesses:
Don’t Wait to See What Happens
Article by Turlough Guerin,
Turlough Guerin, Chairman Access Melbourne,
Board Advisor Climate Alliance and Former
Environmental Manager at Telstra, Shell and Rio
Tinto. www.au.linkedin.com/in/turloughguerin
continued page 3

Greater Dandenong’s business news June 2011 - September 2011 3.
INDUSTRY STORIES
weight of years and years of greenhouse
gas emissions from our industrial activity.
There is no point trying to delay or dodge
the inevitable. I agree small businesses
should voice their view on the potential
downside of cheap imports that do not
necessarily properly cost a price of
carbon, but they should also be preparing
themselves for the impact of a carbon price.
Energy and fuel prices are likely to be the
main sources of additional costs for your
business. Based on your current annual
energy and fuel bills you can estimate the
forecasted increases. By knowing where
the carbon flows are in your business,
you can prioritise efforts on where to
reduce or substitute this flow. For other
SMEs that produce large volumes of
waste for landfill, the costs of disposal
will increase because of the greenhouse
impact of methane – a by-product of
landfill waste decomposition.
But the specifics of estimating a
financial impact for your business will
vary according to your own systems,
processes and products. There is no
way to put all the options in this article
for reducing your carbon footprint. In
essence, what will give you a factual
basis for evaluating the carbon risks in
your business is to identify and collate
these carbon emission sources. This is a
basic carbon emissions inventory.
This is not rocket science but it does
require some rigour, attention - detail
and analysis:
1. Prepare a list of the sources of
greenhouse gas emissions in your
business. Look for anything that uses
energy, fuel or contributes to landfill.
Don’t limit yourself to the boundaries of
your own facilities – consider what you
are purchasing in raw materials i.e.
over and above energy and fuel.
2. Rank the sources of carbon according
to the total tonnage of CO2
e (i.e.
equivalent).
3. Identify ways to eliminate or reduce
CO2
e from the main sources.
4. Redesign those “carbon-intensive”2
parts of the business so that a
competitive edge is established. This
is where it counts. It is highly likely
there will be a cost to deliver this
carbon reduction. Funding for business
process redesign should be offset
against the impacts of a carbon price
on your business if you were to make
no changes in the carbon passed
through your business.
With knowledge of your carbon
footprint you can determine the likely
risks you’ll need to manage and plan
for. The bonus of being proactive is
that it will also expose opportunities
for your business to be a low-carbon
provider in your sector. This may give
your business a competitive edge if
you act on this knowledge.
Case study: A recent carbon footprint assessment for part of a large business
yielded some interesting results for the business and its customers1
. It showed that
the environmental impact of its services was predominantly a result of servers
and switching devices (routers) which the customer had to purchase to enable the
services to work. When this information was shared with the customer, they were
able to change their own processes to ensure the most energy-efficient routers
were now used. It also provided a missing piece of information for the customers
undertaking their own carbon emissions inventory.
1
See “Measuring our own carbon
footprint onto our largest customer”
http://slidesha.re/hFNCAz
2
That is, where the tonnes of CO2
e (t CO2
e)
per unit of production or revenue is high
compared to other parts of the business.
With a carbon-constrained world
inevitable it is up to businesses to
set their own sustainability path, and
explore the opportunities that sustainable
practices can bring. One business taking
advantage of these opportunities is Noble
Park company Festo Pty Ltd.
Festo is one of the world’s largest industrial
automation companies, supplying
innovations in pneumatic, process and
electric drive technology delivering
productivity gains for clients.
Festo have taken advantage of the Local
Industry Efficiency Program (LIEP), which
provided an independent review of the
company’s Noble Park site to determine
the sustainability improvement potential
with water, power and waste savings
throughout its production facility.
“Going through the program has re-
educated our business in relation to
energy savings and waste management
on a day-day basis. Incorporating our
company’s strong environmental focus
into our work environment has been easy
to do, and has provided us with ongoing
cost savings,” said Gavin Cocks, Festo
Operations Manager.
Measures implemented on site included
• assessing power use of lights, water
boilers and air conditioners;
• installing low-watt lights in office areas
• putting timers on air conditioners
• investing in programmable water boilers
which operate only during business hours.
Air quality improvements were also
made by fitting larger filters on
compressed air equipment which
improved efficiency and reduced
energy use.
A review of waste materials has also
led to changes at Festo. Compacted
cardboard is now sold to a third party
recycler and is no longer a cost. Festo is
now actively pursuing a similar strategy
for timber waste from inbound shipping.
Another initiative introduced the use of
more environmentally friendly water-
based cutting lubricants, instead of
difficult-dispose-of-oil-based products.
As a company, Festo recognises that its
long-term economic success in a world
of finite resources and limited carrying
capacity of ecosystems necessitates
responsible interaction with the
environment.
Festo has reinforced its commitment to
minimising the environmental impact of
its business and products by joining the
Support 155 Business Program.
www.festo.com.au
Positioning Your Business for the Future

Industry stories
The cleantech industry is growing
exponentially across the world. In
Australia, Victoria is leading the nation
in terms of the number of companies
involved, the people employed, and
industry turnover.
To ensure it stays this way, the Victorian
Government and its Department of
Business and Innovation (DBI) recently
organised trade missions to the USA
and India.
The first mission to the USA was in pursuit
of approved water projects with the
United Nations and the World Bank. The
14-delegate mission returned in February
with significant new business for the
Australian businesses who attended.
The second mission to India in
April highlighted Victoria’s general
cleantech industry capabilities with
the aim to maximise export and
partnership opportunities.
Every participant in the Indian trade
mission had a tailored program of
one-on-one meetings in addition to joint
activities such as site visits. Austrade
auspiced the Indian trade mission and
ensured that participants were matched
with suitable Indian organisations.
Three capability presentations were also
organised so each participant could
present to a hand-picked audience of
about 40 Indian companies.
The trade mission to India was the first
of a number planned by the Victorian
Government. Eligible companies were
also provided a $3000 rebate to assist
with airfares and accommodation costs.
The multi-sector trade missions are part
of the Victorian Government’s focus
on India, which aims to achieve $60
million of additional exports in the next
two years in addition to the existing $2
billion of Victorian exports to India.
The Trade Mission’s visit in April set the
tone for larger trade missions, targeted
missions and industry promotion over
the next two years.
A 2008 ICN report estimated that
19,000 people were employed by more
than 300 companies in the cleantech
industry, which produced revenues of
$3.5 billion. This number is expected to
double by 2020.
To register interest in future cleantech
trade missions, contact Peter Hansford at
Peter.Hansford@dbi.vic.gov.au.
Agricultural crops-such as grapes,
potatoes and other vegetables,
fruits, cereals and even nuts-are facing
an increasing prevalence of fungi and
microbial plant pathogens.
One innovative Noble Park business has
invented a multi-purpose solution to fight
these diseases on greenhouse productions,
in-field throughout the plant’s development
and also in post-harvest storages.
Jaegar Australia, one of Australia’s
foremost ‘creative formulators’ of
industrial and commercial cleaning
and sanitation agents, has developed
a product Peratec Fungicide that
is gaining widespread recognition
nationally and overseas.
Mario Azzopardi, Jaegar’s Managing
Director, said there several unique features
of Peratec, which is environmentally
friendly and can kill botrytis and other
infections such as powdery and downy
mildew in the one application.
“Peratec utilises per-oxygen chemistry
that does not leave toxic residues or
pose any risk to human health. It is
biodegradable and only has a one-day
withholding period, so crops can be
sprayed one day and harvested the next.
Most other fungicides have a seven-day
withholding period,” he said.
“Farmers know if it’s working within half
an hour as affected leaves start to change
colour. It’s that immediate. And the beauty of
Peratec is that it not only kills the infection, it
also kills the spore or eggs of the infection.”
The savings in using one application
rather than three aren’t just restricted
to the cost of purchasing products. The
labour and fuel costs involved in having
to do three applications at different times
can be considerable.
Established in 1989, Jaegar remains a
small operation with less than 10 staff.
However, with the success of Peratec
and other products, including a non-toxic
biodegradable graffiti remover, Jaegar’s
turnover has doubled this year, which
points to a healthy growth path.
www.jaegaraustralia.com.au
Victoria Leads in Cleantech Industry
Jaeger Formulation
is the Farmer’s Friend
Before.
After.

Industry stories
Sustainability has become an essential
ingredient for any new development.
The Beaumont Tiles building in Abbotts
Road Dandenong South, constructed in
late 2009 by the Pellicano Group, was
a leading example of incorporating
sustainability into the planning, design
and construction thus reducing the
environmental impact of the building.
More recently Australand announced
that one of its latest projects, a
27,200-square-metre office and
warehouse to be built on The Key estate
in Greens Road Dandenong South, is
expected to be one of Australia’s first
Green Star-rated industrial buildings.
The Australand project will aim for a
four-star Green Star Design, leading
the charge for industrial developments
to follow standards previously set in the
commercial marketplace.
The company expects the project to have
an end value of about $25 million and to
be retained within the investment property
portfolio of the Australand Property Group.
Australand has been involved in the
development of the Green Star Industrial
tool, working with the Green Building
Council of Australia (GBCA), the City of
Greater Dandenong and the end owner,
Australand Property Trust.
Chris Mackenzie, Australand’s
commercial and industrial General
Manager of Development and a member
of the GBCA committee that developed
the tool, said Australand was confident
about the demand for green industrial
buildings. ‘’Tenants and investors are
increasingly recognising the advantages
of properties with strong environmental
credentials,’’ he said.
Implementing the next step is the
nearby VicUrban LOGIS North estate
which will set a new standard for entire
industrial precincts by incorporating a
host of cost-effective and future-friendly
sustainable design features – including
water-sensitive urban design, energy-
efficient street lighting, recycled water
and smart building design.
Greater Dandenong is privileged to be
the home of these developments which
are clearly setting the standard for
others to follow.
www.gbca.org.au
The new Ikea and Harvey Norman
Homemaker Centre in Springvale
is a great example of a sustainable
development.
With the building nine metres longer
than the Empire State Building is tall,
this means plenty of roof space —
approximately 55,000 square metres
— to capture rainwater.
Steve Evans, Director of Leffler Simes
Architects, designer of the building, said
every bit of water is used throughout
the complex.
“In total, 4.8 million litres of rainwater
are stored, which is used to flush
toilets, top-up the air cooling towers
and irrigate the landscape. It can also
be used for general non-potable use
such as cleaning the building and
loading docks.”
Other sustainable features to conserve
energy and materials include:
* Skylights deliver a happy balance
between providing natural light and
heat transfer issues. Approximately five
per cent of the roof is translucent glass
with high-UV values.
* Natural car park ventilation. Because
the building is relatively narrow it
can rely on wind pressure to vent
the car parking levels that have an
open facade. Additional ventilation
is provided via fans that activate
when carbon monoxide sensors are
triggered. This eliminates the use
of exhaust ducts and also reduces
energy consumption.
* Insulation. The building is insulated
above the recommended level to ensure
the mechanical system works to its peak.
* Windows. All the glazing is shaded,
providing natural light but preventing
heat transfer by direct sunlight hitting
the glass.
* Air cooling. The Ikea store uses an
innovative ‘chilled beam’, water-
based cooling system where a
‘beam’ (radiator) suspended from the
ceiling allows denser cool air to fall
to the floor, replaced by warmer air
moving up from below. The running
cost is approximately 16 per cent of a
standard system.
www.ikea.com
www.harveynorman.com.au
Leading the way in Industrial Design
Green Building Designs
Adapt to Changing Climate
Beaumont Tiles site
in Abbotts Road
Ikea/Harvey
Norman on-site
rainwater storage

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Business continuity management can
be divided into two segments: the
known risk factors that will affect your
business and the more frequent unknown
factors, which can strike at any time.
Perhaps the most well-planned for
‘known’ factor was the Y2K ‘bug’,
with businesses investing resources
to ensure minimal disruption. The
increasing costs of oil and electricity
also fall into this category.
Fires, floods and earthquakes are
disasters that are beyond our control
and highlight our vulnerability. Add to
this energy disruptions, such as the
Longford gas explosion in 1998 when
there was no gas supply for nearly
three weeks.
That’s why it’s important to be prepared.
You need to identify preventive and
alternative measures to manage risks
through a business continuity plan.
Risks need to be identified, assessed,
analysed and tested; then monitored
and reviewed regularly.
This, along with good financial plans
and comprehensive insurances, should
be in place to protect your business and
reduce the impact on the business and
your employees’ lives.
Do your processes allow you to continue
to operate the business if such a disaster
occurred? How soon could your
business re-open and operate effectively
after a major disruption? Would your
back-ups really be effective if everything
on site was lost? Are you sufficiently
insured for such a business disaster?
To help business respond to those
questions and develop their own
plan, the Victorian Government Office
of Small Business has produced an
information sheet available online at
www.business.vic.gov.au by searching
for ‘Emergency Contingency Planner”.
Did you know that each Council has a
Municipal Emergency Management
Plan (MEMP) - an over-arching document
facilitating council’s total emergency
management planning response and
recovery initiatives?
The MEMP is developed and
implemented in partnership with
lead emergency agencies to address
emergency issues which may occur
within the municipality. These events
could include major fire, flood,
earthquake or any other emergency
event which could have a broad impact
on the local community.
The aim of the MEMP is to detail
arrangements to minimise, respond to
and recover from emergencies that could
occur in the City of Greater Dandenong.
Activating and coordinating emergency
resources is an integral part of the
council’s day-to-day operations.
Accordingly, levels of response can be
increased or decreased without the need
for formal declaration of an emergency
or activation of the MEMP.
This MEMP is administered and
maintained by the municipal
emergency management team and
chaired by the Municipal Emergency
Response Officer (MERO) Oliver Vido,
Council’s Manager Infrastructure
Services. Test exercises are conducted
annually to ensure council’s systems
and procedures detailed in the plan are
up to date. Test exercises also ensure
the Municipal Emergency Control
Centre (MECC) is ready to operate in
the case of a major emergency.
We are relieved that the MEMP and
MECC have not often been called upon,
but they were invoked recently when
severe flooding occurred in several parts
of the municipality.
During the 4 February flooding event
the MECC was activated in order to
guide council’s response and recovery
to the event. The MECC consisted of a
team, including emergency partners
such as the SES and Victoria Police, that
coordinated emergency responses to
minimise the impact of the event.
This included emergency response
staff from various services, including
Council, working night and day to
manage the emergency activities
including traffic management, road
closures, monitoring of stream levels,
planning for escalation scenarios and
evacuation of affected residents.
Planning
for all
Contingencies
Responding to
Major Emergencies

Industry Stories
Prepare for the Inevitable
Apower failure is one of the worst
events to occur for any business.
Whether it’s caused by a lightning strike,
a vehicle crash, power grid overload or
earthworks gone wrong, it can happen.
The effects of a sudden power failure
can be devastating if no preparation has
been made for a “graceful shutdown” of
computers, point of sale, manufacturing
systems and other important equipment.
Damage can also occur to sensitive
electronics through spikes, surges,
brownouts and noise, which are
usually more frequent than blackouts.
Businesses can be prepared for
such events with an uninterruptible
power supply (UPS), which regulates
the incoming power to acceptable
parameters and can supply a limited
amount of power when mains power fails.
Dandenong South business Upsonic
Power supplies three levels of UPS that
suit small, medium or large business.
Paul Riva, Upsonic’s Managing Director,
said every business has a different need.
“We sit down with the customer and
ascertain what their load is and how
long they need to support that load for.
We then design a system to fit, build
the system for them, install it and then
maintain it.”
With UPS costs starting from about $165,
it is a worthwhile investment in “business
continuity management”.
Upsonic Power supply uninterrupted
power services to Council across its
various sites.
www.upsonic.com.au
When fire engulfed and destroyed the
Compleat Angler store in Langhorne
Street Dandenong in November last
year, it was thanks to diligent business
procedures that it was able to open
three weeks later and capture important
Christmas and holiday trade.
Vowing not to let the fire destroy the
business, the first step co-owner Glenys
Cooper Loft took a search for new
premises.
“I was confident that once we had a
new store, we could get stock and start
trading quickly. We had comfort in
knowing that we had off-site backups of
all our data,” Glenys said.
“After buying a new laptop, reloading MYOB
Retail Manager and data from our backups,
our team went to work creating purchase
orders. Our suppliers were great. They had
stock processed ready to ship just waiting
for the new delivery address.”
Knowing that virtually everything
was covered by insurance provided
valuable security.
“Earlier in the year, with our broker,
I had completed a total review of our
insurance, which involved updating and
amending the policy to ensure that if
there was a total loss, as happened in our
case, the loss would be reduced.
“We included items such as loss of profit,
business interruption, updated inventory
values and considered seasonal stock
adjustments. This process ensured we
got back on our feet quicker.
“A flyer mailed to 19,000 customers
announcing the relocation was
out within three weeks and helped
generate business.
“The shock of the fire affected all the
staff, but with teamwork the grief was
eased as everyone worked towards the
common goal of re-opening.”
Glenys’ key tips are:
* make sure backups are done regularly
and test the backup copy
* store backups off-site
* review insurance policies regularly
* maintain monthly/seasonal buying
procedures
* maintain a supplier contact database
* maintain a customer database for
quick mailouts
* have a disaster management plan
www.compleatangler.com.au
Diligent Procedures
Save Retailer from $1M+ Loss
Images courtesy of Keith Pakenham -
CFA Strategic Communications

Statistics
City of Greater Dandenong Economic Activity Indicators
Property Sales Activity January to March 2011
As anticipated, the March 2011 property sales data shows
improvement in the property market with small rises in median
prices as well as number of sales compared to the December 2010
quarter. The sharp slowdown of activity in the property market
observed during the 2010 4th quarter seems to have had very little
effect on property prices.
With 159 properties sold at a median price of $377,000, the capital
improved residential properties sales during the first 2011 quarter
showed a slight improvement when compared to the 148 properties
sold at a median price of $373,750 during the last three months of 2010.
The median residential site value price decreased from $329,000
in the previous quarter to $275,000 during the first 2011 quarter,
however the number of sites sold increased significantly from six to
41. This median price change seems to be the result of a greater
number of smaller blocks sold during the three months to March
2011 compared to the last 2010 quarter.
Industrial capital improved property sales slightly decreased from
24 in the December 2010 quarter to 21 in the March 2011 quarter with
the median price falling from last year’s peak of $572,500 during the
December 2010 quarter to $470,000 during the March 2011 quarter.
This median is still higher than the $437,500 median recorded during
the 2010 March, June and September quarters.
Remarkably, commercial capital improved property doubled in
median price from $320,000 during the December 2010 quarter to
$640,000 during the March 2011 quarter but limited sales - 7 and 6
sales respectively - mean the increase in median price could be
an isolated occurrence or simply related to parcel size rather than
price per M². Industrial and commercial property vacant sales
showed very little activity with only one vacant industrial property
sold during the March 2011 quarter.
As expected, during the March 2011 quarter market prices
increased especially in terms of capital improved properties,
which is the most considerable property sector in the City of
Greater Dandenong.
The suburbs with highest median prices during the March
2011 quarter were Keysborough and Springvale South with
$410, 000 median price followed by Noble Park North and
Median Residential Prices by Suburb City of Greater Dandenong
December Quarter 2010 March Quarter 2011
No. of Sales Improved No. of Sales Improved
Dandenong 45 $333,500 32 $281,500
Noble Park 36 $340,750 46 $346,000
Dandenong North 22 $380,893 23 $369,000
Springvale 11 $490,000 15 $395,000
Noble Park North 8 $373,750 16 $405,600
Keysborough 13 $430,000 17 $410,000
Springvale South 13 $425,000 10 $410,000
*property values not shown for Dec-10 and Mar-11 due to insufficient number of sales to establish a median. Source: City of Greater Dandenong
*

Statistics, GRANTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Grow Me the Money is an online program designed to
help small-to-medium-sized businesses become more
sustainable and save money. It provides businesses with the
tools, resources and support to use less energy and water,
create less waste and save money.
Grow Me the Money has been designed around the needs
of small-to-medium business, but the program is open to
all Victorian businesses interested in reducing resource
consumption and improving environmental sustainability.
Contact (03) 8662 5480 or visit www.growmethemoney.com.au
The Australian Tax Office offers FREE assistance visits to small
businesses. These visits are covered by the Commissioner’s
guarantee, are educational in nature, and the information shared is
confidential and will not be used for any other purpose. The service
can also be used to help set-up programs such as the Australian
Taxation Office’s (ATO’s) ‘Business Portal’ – a fast, convenient and
secure way to lodge and view activity statements, request refunds
and communicate on specific topics.
The Tax Office also has measures to help small businesses
struggling to manage their tax payment obligations. This
assistance can incorporate negotiated payment arrangements,
deferred activity statement dates and a free electronic calendar
to help small businesses meet their tax and superannuation
guarantee obligations. Visit www.ato.gov.au or phone 13 72 26
The Australian Government’s Enterprise Connect offices provide
a range of services and grants to business. These include:
• Free Business Review conducted by skilled industry
business advisers. These reviews will help businesses better
understand their business strengths and weaknesses and
provide them with strategies to achieve their goals.
• Tailored Advisory Services (TAS) grants can help businesses
follow through on the recommendations of a Business Review.
TAS grants reimburse half the cost up to a maximum of
$20,000 (excluding GST) to engage a consultant/s to make
those changes.
• A Researchers in Business (RIB) grant allows businesses
to have a researcher from a university or public research
agency within their business to help develop and implement
new commercial ideas. RIB grants provide funding for up
to 50 per cent of salary costs, to a maximum of $50,000, for
each placement between two and 12 months.
www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au
Springvale with $405,600 and $395,000 respectively. During
the same period, the highest demand for housing was in
Noble Park with 46 and Dandenong with 32 properties sold.
When comparing the last 2010 quarter and the first 2011
quarter, all suburbs exhibit variations in median price.
Most CGD suburbs offer various housing stock available for
sale ranging from small units to second and third home-
buyer family homes. Hence the differences in prices depend
on the type of stock available at the time.
Building Investment
The total value of all building works in the City of Greater
Dandenong increased by more than 20 per cent during the
December 2010 quarter compared to the September 2010
quarter. This amounts to over $152 million or 3.32 per cent of all
building works in the Metropolitan Melbourne area.
The value of commercial building work increased by an
amazing 40 per cent amounting to over $67 million during the
same period representing over 41 per cent of all commercial
works in the Melbourne South East (MSE) region and 9 per
cent in Metropolitan Melbourne.
Domestic and Residential (Housing) works were worth over
$56 million with 371 permits issued in the three months to
December. In total, there were 478 permits issued in the City of
Greater Dandenong during the December 2010 quarter.
Building permits City of Greater Dandenong
October to December 2010
Housing Commercial Industrial Other Non Housing Total
City of Greater
Dandenong
Value of Building Work $m $56.87 $67.39 $6.70 $21.20 $152.16
Number of Permits 371 68.00 18 21 478
Metropolitan
Melbourne
Value of Building Work $m $3,205.96 $790.71 $44.19 $539.37 $4,580.23
Number of Permits 16437 1764 107 646 18954
MSE Value of Building Work $m $364.73 $165.18 $10.74 $87.22 $627.86
Number of Permits 2410 213 34 80 2737
% of MSE (Melbourne
South East)
Value of Building Work 16% 41% 62% 24% 24%
Number of Permits 15% 32% 53% 26% 17%
% of Melbourne Value of Building Work 2% 9% 15% 4% 3%
Number of Permits 2% 3% 17% 3% 3%
Source:BuildingCommission,buildingactivitydata
Grants and Opportunities

New Technologies
The City of Greater Dandenong is
part of the collaborative South
East Melbourne Innovation Precinct
(SEMIP) project – a unique partnership
between the Victorian Government,
CSIRO, Monash University, Australian
Synchrotron, Small Technologies
Cluster, and Greater Dandenong,
Kingston, Knox and Monash councils
working in consultation with industry.
SEMIP has three key themes:
CONNECT businesses and researchers
ACCELERATE development of new
innovative businesses
EXCITE by creating places to learn, work,
live and invest.
Consistent with those themes, SEMIP
continues to host a series of innovation
workshops aimed at encouraging
researchers and local businesses to
gather and discover new opportunities for
collaboration and innovation.
The latest of these events was ‘Hungry
for Innovation’ a food and packaging
innovation workshop held in April.
The event attracted food and packaging
businesses from across the precinct to
hear Tony Bird from CSIRO’s Food Futures
Flagship present on the development
of BARLEYMax™ a new super grain.
Steven Strong from Dandenong South
food manufacturer, Popina Foods then
presented on how Popina secured the
rights to commercialise the grain, and
market it through a series of products
readily available on supermarket shelves.
Andrew Scully from CSIRO’s Future
Manufacturing Flagship gave an overview
of the CSIRO’s progress on developing
effective flexible electronics into
packaging, which could revolutionise the
packaging industry.
On 16 June SEMIP will be holding its first
Innovation Showcase, a full day event
providing opportunities for innovative
business people to interact with fellow
innovators, local researchers and
government partners. Register now at
www.innovation2011.com.au or email
register@innovation2011.com.au
The Victorian Direct Manufacturing
Centre (VDMTC) has been
established in Melbourne by a
consortium led by CSIRO to help make
the state’s manufacturing industries more
environmentally friendly, productive and
globally competitive.
Direct manufacturing is a revolutionary
concept where components are
manufactured directly from powder,
ribbon or wire in a layered manner.
Direct manufacturing will increase
flexibility and customer responsiveness –
and significantly reduce time to market,
costs, energy consumption and waste.
Established with the support of the
Victorian Government, the consortium
includes 10 Victorian companies,
Swinburne University of Technology,
Deakin University and CSIRO as
research providers.
The centre will strengthen engagement
between Victorian industries and
research agencies, revitalise key
manufacturing sectors, create
new highly-skilled jobs and reduce
manufacturing’s environmental impact.
The technology is particularly suited to
low-medium volume, higher value and
difficult-to-manufacture materials and
products Also called 3D-printing or
additive manufacturing, the technology
can result in savings in labour, time,
materials and energy-leading to less
impact on the environment. Additionally,
the process allows parts to be produced
from difficult-to-fabricate materials such
as titanium, for advanced applications
in the aerospace, defence, mining,
biomedical and automotive industries.
Sound interesting? Visit www.business.
vic.gov.au and search Victorian Direct
Manufacturing Centre or contact Dr
Mahnaz Jahedi Director of the Centre at
Mahnaz.Jahedi@csiro.au
Leading the way in
new manufacturing
Local Food
Manufacturer Pops
into Innovation Event
The new Popina BARLEYMax™ range

CONGRATULATIONS
Nissan
Casting turns
over a new
LEAF
One of the first things Jill Long from
Sports Technology International (STI)
did when she started with the company
was open a new project folder on a tender
that wasn’t to be issued for five years.
That was back in 2005 when Dandenong
South businesses, STI and its sister
company, Advanced Polymer Technology
Australasia (APTA) heard that London
had won the right to host the 2012
Olympic Games.
Before STI could tender for the supply and
construction of the Olympic hockey pitches
it had to pre-qualify, which involved a
submission of several hundred pages.
From scores of submissions only four were
invited to tender, including STI.
Competing against leading European
and North American suppliers, STI was
awarded the tender in the latter half of
2010, but it wasn’t until the end of March
this year that it was officially announced.
“LOCOG (London 2012 Organising
Committee) and FIH (International
Hockey Federation) had a lot of planning
and testing to do before details could be
announced,” Jill said.
In a dramatic departure from the
traditional green hockey surface, the
colour of STI’s Poligras Olympia pitches
for London 2012 Olympics will be the
striking colour combination of blue pitch
and pink surrounds.
“The blue and pink combination was one of
the suggested layouts by us, so it’s gratifying
they settled on this colour combination.”
It’s not STI’s first break with tradition.
For the Sydney Olympics, the STI/APTA
team pioneered an alternative colour
pitch combination when it designed and
manufactured a rust terracotta colour
surrounds. And for the Beijing Olympics,
STI/APTA produced red and gold
surrounds to the pitches.
“We respond to every tender with a fresh
and clean approach; there’s no cutting and
pasting from other tenders. We give it the
respect and attention it deserves,” Jill said.
Once STI had won the tender,
extensive testing was carried out by
everyone involved including officials,
photographers, broadcasters and the
STI/APTA team in London and Australia.
Large samples were air freighted to
London with investigations looking at UV
stability and playability with top hockey
players called in to play on it.
Testing of the vibrant blue and pink
colours was undertaken for people in
the venue, such as umpires, players and
the audience, and for broadcasting,
with filming under every possible light
condition including natural light, half-light
and artificial light.
“While STI has its name on the tender,
just as important is Advanced Polymer
Technology, which is the manufacturer
of Poligras.
“Both companies work out of the same
facility and we have a very experienced
team on site including engineers,
designers, chemists, scientists, admin
people and tech people. We work as a
team and that’s what helps us win these
large and prestigious tenders.”
www.sti-sports.com
A$21 million deal was secured by Nissan
Casting in Dandenong to manufacture
three components for Nissan’s new all-
electric LEAF vehicle.
Manufacturing, Exports and Trade Minister
Richard Dalla-Riva announced the contract
at the plant in March with Victorian State
Manager Jayne Facey and Nissan Australia
CEO Dan Thompson.
“This contract, which was won against the
odds of strong global competition, is a terrific
win for Nissan Casting Australia, for our
automotive components sector and for local
manufacturing,” he said.
The contract secures the jobs of more than
100 workers at the Dandenong plant and will
drive exports worth up to $160 million.
The plant is currently being upgraded in
preparation for the contract with production
scheduled to start in mid 2012. By 2013 the
plant is expected to be producing 22,000
components per month.
The Federal and State Government have
contributed to the investment through the
Green Car Innovation Fund and the Victorian
Government Business Assistance Grant.
The LEAF vehicle, the world’s first zero-
emissions five-door family hatch, is already
available in the United States, Japan and
the United Kingdom and will be available in
Australia in mid-2012.
www.nissan.com.au
London Olympics
Contract for STI

SOUTH EAST BUSINESS NETWORKS (SEBN)... bringing people
These pages feature stories from Council’s Business Networking Department,
South East Business Networks (SEBN), together with the South East Melbourne
Manufacturers’ Alliance (SEMMA Inc) highlighting their work with industry and
the diversity and innovation typical of the manufacturing sector in this region.
2011 Networks
Programs
Regular Network Groups:
• General Manufacturing
• Export
• OHS
• South East Quality Network
• Manufacturing ‘Xcellence’
• Women in Business
• ‘Manufacturing –
Beyond 2010’
• Tomorrow’s Business
Leaders
Programs:
• 5S Visual Workplace
• Lean Leadership Academy
• Lean to Green Academy
• ‘Generation Next’
Leadership Forum
(partnership with Burke
Corporate Advisory)
• CEO MasterMind Group
(partnership with
CEO Institute)
For information on these and
other SEBN activities, phone
Manager Sandra George on
9238 1576 or email
sgeorg@cgd.vic.gov.au
Focus on Export
South East Business
Networks (SEBN) is
continuing its focus on export,
partnering on a number of
occasions in 2011 with the
Department of Business
Innovation to deliver a series
that is both relevant and topical
for local exporters.
The first seminar in April
focused on Free Trade
Agreements (FTA) and how
Victorian companies can
actively use an FTA to drive
export growth with their
international customers.
Danny Burrows from
TradeWorthy Consulting
provided participants with
information on the steps
required to comply with an FTA
and how to use this information
to negotiate improved margins
with their customer base.
Companies wanting to know
more about FTAs can find
further information at www.
export.business.vic.gov.au
Managing Currency was
the key issue at the following
seminar. With the Australian
dollar hitting a record high
against the US dollar in recent
months, Victorian exporters
- particularly those in the
manufacturing sector - are
seeing their profit margins
decline. The seminar covered
key economic factors driving
our currency; what foreign
exchange risk means for
exporters, and practical
management strategies for
exporters to protect against
foreign exchange losses.
Another seminar on this topic is
being planned so keep
an eye out for details on the
next event.
Meet the
Buyer Series
SEMMA’s 2011 Meet the Buyer
series is designed to raise
awareness of the procurement
practices and capability
requirements of some of our
local manufacturing icons
and educate members on
the processes and policies
required to conduct business
with them.
Companies including Siemens,
Bolwell, Jayco, Volgren and
Toyota have presented at
these forums – all identifying
potential opportunities and the
series also enables commercial
opportunities between
members to be identified.
More than 80 members
attended the March forum
with Bombardier which
highlighted the global nature
of local procurement and the
opportunities that many local
manufacturers may have as
global suppliers.
The next forum is scheduled for
August and open to SEMMA
members only.
The 2nd City of Greater
Dandenong – Industry
‘Take a Swing for Charity’
Golf Day held on 21 February
at the Sandhurst Club
achieved its target $50,000 for
Wallara Australia.
This phenomenal result for
a local charity event was
made possible thanks to
the incredible generosity of
the business community –
especially the major sponsors,
KPJ Group (Gold); Grenda
Corporation (Silver); the ARM
Group and Norden Conversion
(Bronze). Kia Dandenong
provided the Hole-in-One
opportunity. Many other
businesses supplied goods
and services to make the day a
very special event in the City of
Greater Dandenong calendar.
The Sandhurst course
once again provided a
challenge to the players, but
professional Craig Spence
was at hand for all to buy
‘tips and tricks’ to help them
out. A great day was had by
all, with many commenting
on the great atmosphere of
the day, certainly helped by
Mayor Roz Blades inviting
Wallara client Andrew to help
read her welcome speech!
The day concluded with a
dinner and auction which
raised in excess of $11,000 with
auctioneer John Shore’s talents
raising $400 for ‘nothing’ from
one local company!
A great ‘team’ event between
CGD, industry, Wallara
and the community that we
encourage all to put MONDAY,
20 FEBRUARY 2012 in their
diaries now and if anyone
would like to sponsor next
year’s event – contact Sandra
George on 9238 1576 or email
SEBN@cgd.vic.gov.au
Craig Spence
takes a swing
Take a Swing for
Charity Golf Day

together to strengthen manufacturing knowledge and capability
National Youth Services Week
CGD Youth Services and
SEBN teamed up to run a
Youth Mentoring Breakfast as
part of National Youth Week.
Mayor Roz Blades welcomed
45 local secondary school
students who engaged with
more than 50 local business
mentors volunteering their time
to enjoy a conversation with
students on career choices
and workforce expectations.
Two young business leaders
- Daniel Flynn (Thankyou
Water) and Tirren Staaf
(Obese Records) spoke about
their business experiences,
inspiring the young leaders
of tomorrow to ‘have a go’! A
great time was enjoyed by all,
with additional mentoring and
work experience offered and
plenty of new schools-industry
initiatives being discussed.
Preparing tomorrow’s business leaders.
Where is your company at?Article by Michael Burke
It is becoming an all too
common occurrence.
Picture this - business
owners heading towards
their 60s at a rapid rate and
desperately wanting more
work-life balance, but actually
working longer hours. With
question marks over potential
internal successors and no
documented plan in place to
address the situation. Sound
familiar? If so, read on.
Five years ago everyone was
talking about succession
planning and the need for it.
Not many of us took it seriously.
Then the GFC came along and
distracted us. As we emerge
into the next phase of growth
(at least according to most
economists and the OECD),
handing over the business
to someone else has now
become a harsh urgent reality
for many. Succession is back
on the agenda but is now an
urgent issue.
The key question is, “Is your
business ready to hand over
the baton?” There are three
key things you need to do.
Get yourself ready
When the penny drops that
you will need to exit your
business smoothly, the biggest
barrier to your exit will be you.
This business has been yours.
For many business owners
they were there at the start. It
is hard to let go.
The starting point is to look at
how you want to be spending
your time in three years
time. Is it travelling, playing
lots of golf, more time with
the grandchildren, monthly
lunch with the mates and so
on. Maybe you want to be
working on some high-level
business opportunities two
days per week to help the
business. Whatever you want
to do, if you can identify how
you will spend your time this
should give you a goal to start
wanting to ease out of the
business. Unless you want to
ease out of the business, then
chances are you won’t!
Identify and skill-up successors
You need to think about
potential successors. Get your
potential successor leading a
small part of the business, to
get them understanding the
role of a leader. Maybe it is a
pilot project. If you can, make
sure it is heading a team of
people that will challenge them.
In the early days they may
be vulnerable as a potential
leader and more likely to make
mistakes so the first point is to
make sure they have mentoring
built into their training program.
The mentor should ideally be
someone who has been through
a similar experience and seen
the lessons and mistakes of
succession with their own eyes.
Secondly, organise a
training program that covers
leadership skills, general
commercial training and
people skills. Get them to mix
and network with other young
leaders who are at a similar
stage of development.
Make sure you back your
potential successor every
time. Don’t talk behind their
backs; don’t chastise them in
front of others. In fact, build
them up in front of others,
as long as it is not false. You
also need to accept that the
successor is not you, and nor
will they ever be. Accept the
differences and move on.
People start to become great
leaders when they start to
build confidence in their
ability to deal with any issues
that come their way. The
early stage of succession is
about building confidence.
Write down a plan
Your next steps from this
article should be to:
• write down the things that
you need to do over the next
30 days to start planning
to “hand over the baton”
– make sure you put dates
against these actions
• jot down the name of two or
three potential successors in
the business
• write down your plan B if
your preferred successor
doesn’t work out.
Michael Burke is a Business
Improvement Specialist
and accredited facilitator of
the consulting and senior
management network,
Mindshop. He also leads the
South East Business Networks
Generation Next program. For
more details contact Michael
via email at mburke@bcag.
net.au or at www.bcag.net.au
or Sandra George at South
East Business Networks on
sgeorg@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Michael Burke and the “Generation Next” group.
This mentoring program is now accepting new
participants. Contact Sandra George.

Industry INVESTMENT
Smart Location for
Community Kitchen Gardens
The GPT Group’s Parkmore Shopping
Centre has introduced an innovative
approach to teach children where their
food comes from.
The Centre has created two kitchen
gardens filled with more than 100
seasonal herb and vegetable plants that
can also be harvested by shoppers to use
at home.
A large rooftop garden (12 crates)
and a smaller interior garden in the
fresh food hall (5 crates) are part of
GPT’s partnership with the Stephanie
Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
and its social investment program
aimed at enhancing the well-being of the
communities in which GPT operates.
As part of its partnership, GPT has
introduced The Magic of Growth Program,
which includes events designed to help
promote the Foundation’s principles of
pleasurable food education and positively
influence children’s food choices.
Joel Bridgwood, Parkmore’s Marketing
Manager, said the Magic of Growth
program of activities includes the Little
Growers Workshops held during school
holidays.
“These workshops include seasonal
cooking demonstrations, hands-on pot
decorating and potting a plant, which
children can then take home.
“Our future marketing is themed
around fresh food. Rather than children
thinking that oranges are grown on the
supermarket fruit tree, they can learn
what the process is and how enjoyable
fresh food is to eat.”
Parkmore’s rooftop garden has been
designed as a community kitchen
garden with free membership where
members look after their garden, sow
new crops and harvest crops according
to the season. A monthly workshop with
a guest presenter and a newsletter
featuring a recipe from Stephanie
Alexander are included.
Community and school groups are invited
to visit and tend the garden at any time.
magicofgrowth.gpt.com.au
parkmoreshopping.com.au
kitchengardenfoundation.org.au
A Super New Store
Among other significant
investments in the local retail
market, Australia’s largest discount
furniture and bedding retailer,
Super A-Mart has announced that it
is coming to Dandenong.
The company has almost 30
across five states, and has now
signed a 12-year lease for an 8000
square metre facility at 132- 140
Frankston Dandenong Road, the
former home of Mercury Marine
which is moving to VicUrban’s
Logis Industrial Estate in nearby
Greens Road.
CB Richard Ellis Senior Manager
Chris Parry and Cameron
Industrial Commercial Director,
Ben Cooper negotiated the lease.
“This lease was one of the largest
single bulk goods deals to be
completed in the Victorian market
for some time,” said Mr Parry.
“Despite the challenging
market conditions, retailers are
committing to longer leases in
the Victorian bulk goods sector,
underpinned by population growth
and forecast growth in household
expenditure,” he added.
According to Mr Cooper the
State Government’s $290 million
revitalisation of Dandenong is
renewing investor and tenant
confidence in the area. This
lease closely follows two significant
property sales in the main street of
Dandenong for more than $2 million.
The Super A-Mart Homemaker
Centre will employ about 35
people when it opens later this
year and will be its third Victorian
store.
Investment in Greater Dandenong
has not been limited to the industrial,
commercial and retail markets, with
another new building about to crop up at
Chisholm TAFE’s Dandenong site.
The DREAM project, a new $9.5
million trade training centre, has
been enabled by a consortium of five
secondary schools in the Dandenong
area, and funded through a Federal
Government initiative.
The centre will give students of all five
schools access to a single, centrally
located facility with state-of-the-art
equipment, providing students a fast-
track into a wide range of careers.
Due to launch late this year, the two-
storey centre will offer trade training
programs including building and
construction, plumbing, engineering
studies and hairdressing.
By working in partnership with the
local schools Chisholm is continuing to
be a catalyst for career pathways for
people in this region.
Fulfilling local dreams

investment
One of Australia’s top 10 law firms has
opened an office in Dandenong.
In March this year Gadens lawyers,
which has been providing services
to Victorians since 1845, commenced
business with a full complement of
professional and support staff.
The office will soon have five partners,
two senior associates and a three-
person support team operating from
its Robinson Street office. Some of the
partners studied and undertook their
articles in Greater Dandenong.
Patrick Walsh, Chairman of Gadens
Melbourne, said establishing in
Dandenong was a strategic decision
and one that was supported by the
State Government’s identification of
Dandenong as a growth area and its
$290 million revitalisation investment.
“The businesses we have met are
inspirational, particularly those at the
Premier Regional Business Awards. It
reinforces our decision to invest here and
further service our Victorian client base.”
David Stevens, General Manager of
Gadens Dandenong said, “We view
Greater Dandenong as a major hub of
Victoria’s manufacturing industry, which
makes a very important contribution to
the state’s economy”.
In addition to corporate services,
Gadens Dandenong provides
private client legal services
including family law, wills and
estates, and property law.
www.gadensdandenong.com.au
Rollforming Sets up Own Home
Australian Rollforming has left ‘home’
and bought new premises in Gaine
Road, Dandenong South.
When the company was established in
2001, its main customer was Bombardier
from whom it leased factory space.
“Back then it was very convenient,”
said Henry Wolfkamp, Australian
Rollforming’s Managing Director. “We
took over the factory that was used to
make Melbourne’s W-class green and
yellow trams.
“However, now that Bombardier has won
contracts to make Melbourne’s new trams,
they need the space back, so we’ve been
thrown out of home!,’’ he laughed.
Australian Rollforming is widely regarded
as Australia’s leading special sections
metal rollforming company with more than
1300 different products on its books.
It provides a world-class metal design,
rollforming, fabrication and project
management service to a wide range of
national and international engineering
projects. Each year more than 270,000
metres of metal are rollformed, shaped,
drilled, punched and cut with precision
accuracy for each millimetre.
“We are still a major supplier to Bombardier
and our new, larger premises will better
position us to serve an increasingly diverse
customer base,” Henry said.
The company has made a $5 million
investment in Greater Dandenong through
its new property purchase and fitout.
www.ausrollform.com.au
Top Ten Law Firm Investment
The new Gadens
Dandenong Team

Projects Activities
Moving through Dandenong
The City of Greater Dandenong’s new Free
City Shuttle bus service was officially
launched in April by Mayor Roz Blades
Following on from the success of the
Courtesy Bus, the Free City Shuttle is a
new larger bus, with a new name and a
bright new look.
The Courtesy bus provided free travel for
over half a million passengers since it was
introduced in 1996 and is a much-loved
service for residents and visitors alike.
The Free City Shuttle is a larger bus
seating 32 passengers, with two doors
and a low floor allowing easy access for
prams and shopping jeeps.
The new look Free City Shuttle will allow
more residents and visitors to utilise all
that Central Dandenong has to offer.
Visit www.greaterdandenong.com and
search Free Dandenong City Shuttle.
Food Lovers were full of great
things to say about the local
events held as part of the Melbourne
Food and Wine Festival. People
came from all over Victoria to attend
events and most were eager to return
to dine and shop.
Following on from this success, a
local event has been chosen as one
of 25 highlight events for The Roast
Collection which is another Melbourne
Food and Wine Festival initiative.
Pita Lounge in Noble Park is hosting
a three-course feast and will
showcase their SAC cooking method
using hot coals surrounding the
baking dish to enhance the wonderful
flavours of their traditional Bosnian-
style roast. They will be holding two
events on Wednesday 8 and Saturday
25 June at 7pm.
Also for food lovers, there are a range
of great tours available and the not-to-
be-missed Shortest Lunch celebrating
the wonderful food and culture here in
Dandenong on the winter solstice on
Wednesday 22 June.
To make a booking for these events or
to learn more about other tours and
food events in Greater Dandenong go to:
www.greaterdandenong.com/tours
Highlight
on Food
A Fresh Start
The Dandenong Market’s $26
million make-over is now
complete with the official opening
to take place on 4 June.
Works have been completed in
several stages over the past six
years with the finishing touches
set to ensure that that the market
continues to be a vital part of the
City’s economy now and into the
long-term future.
The market has been a drawcard
for shoppers since it first opened
in 1866 and the new and improved
market will attract a new
generation of shoppers.
The revitalised market boasts
an exciting new Meat, Fish and
Deli Hall – with a wide selection
of quality meats, poultry, fish and
smallgoods; a refurbished and
expanded fruit and vegetable
section – offering the best of
seasonal produce, nuts and
spices; the bustling new General
Merchandise hall – with plenty of
bargains to explore.
The official opening commences
from 10.30am and will include
multicultural performers,
cooking demonstrations, roving
entertainers and give-aways.
www.dandenongmarket.com.au

Projects Activities
Business leaders from the south-east
metropolitan region met the Minister
for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade,
Richard Dalla-Riva in March, to discuss
the challenges facing manufacturers and
ways they can be more competitive.
The roundtable was held at the
Victorian Business Centre (VBC) on
Thomas Street in Dandenong, and was
chaired by its Regional Director, Terry
Dyson. The 12 key business leaders
that joined the roundtable represented
a cross-section of manufacturing
industries, plus representatives from
the Industry Capability Network
(ICN) and the South East Melbourne
Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA).
There are more than 224,000 businesses
in the south-east metropolitan region.
The region’s manufacturers contribute
40 per cent of the state’s manufacturing
output, making it the largest
manufacturing hub in Victoria. This was
the second manufacturing business
roundtable hosted by the Minister and
is part of the Government’s initiative to
support Victoria’s manufacturing sector.
Following last year’s release of
the Economic Development and
Infrastructure Committee (EDIC)
report ‘Manufacturing In Victoria’ the
Victorian Government has asked the
Victorian Competition and Efficiency
Commission to conduct an inquiry
into a ‘More Competitive Victorian
Manufacturing Industry’
The inquiry will seek to add to the
recommendations of the previous EDIC
inquiry by engaging with government
departments, agencies, industry
associations and manufacturers to gain
input and recommendations on areas not
previously covered.
The objective of the inquiry is to
provide recommendations to the State
Government regarding:
• the changing nature of Victorian
manufacturing
• the key drivers of future growth in
Victorian manufacturing
• unnecessary regulatory burdens
imposed on manufacturing activity and
investment.
These recommendations will create the
basis for the Government to compile and
implement strategy and policy for the
future development of an internationally
competitive and productive manufacturing
sector in Victoria.
In recognising the importance of these
inquiries in assisting to shape future
manufacturing policy and the positive
influence that local government and
industry associations can have on this
process both, City of Greater Dandenong
and SEMMA have provided detailed
submissions based on local industry
experiences and views.
Submissions are now closed, but for
further information contact the Victorian
Competition and Efficiency Commission
on 03 9092 5823, manufacturing@vcec.
vic.gov.au or visit www.vcec.vic.gov.au
Scholarships Can Help Skills Shortages
“There’s a skills shortage,” is a common
cry from local businesses. Now businesses
can help rectify the situation by sponsoring
a grant in an industry and a vocation of
their choice.
The Caroline Chisholm Education
Foundation (CCEF) is an independent
charitable trust, initiated and supported
by Chisholm Institute of TAFE to provide
educational grants to members of
the community.
It aims to encourage philanthropy
towards vocational education and
educational projects that perpetuate the
philosophies of Caroline Chisholm, who
had a practical approach to social justice
by assisting those adversely affected in
accessing education and employment.
Jo Saunders, Executive Officer of CCEF,
said businesses and individuals can
sponsor a student who has left secondary
school and wants to do further studies but
can’t afford the fees.
“Most businesses sponsor a student into
specific vocational studies reflecting
their industry and often from their
geographic region. For example,
Grenda’s scholarship is in the automotive
industry whereas the Dandenong Tax
Office wanted their student to come from
the City of Greater Dandenong,” she said.
“While businesses don’t normally
take the person on at the end of their
apprenticeship or studies, some students
do establish and maintain contact
with their sponsor. Some are invited
to visit or tour their sponsor’s facility
and provide updates on how they are
progressing, which can be reported in
staff newsletters.
The City of Greater Dandenong is also a
great supporter of the program, funding
two scholarships, with one being in
honour of the late Ian Tatterson.
“While the minimum sponsorship is $500,
most scholarships are $1000 and above.
It’s a growing program with more than
120 recipients so far this year,” Jo added.
www.carolinechisholm.org.au
Visit Chisholm’s new ‘myJobs’ site to see
how your business can make the most of
this free online recruitment service which
aims to match present and graduated
Chisholm students with job opportunities
in their chosen field. Any employer can
post job vacancies free of charge and
in doing so access current students and
graduates to fill job vacancies.
www.myjobs.chisholm.edu.au
Minister meets key manufacturers at the VBC in Dandenong
Paul Dowling, Minister
Dalla-Riva and Terry Dyson

Revitalising Central Dandenong is a partnership between the City of
Greater Dandenong and the State Government, through VicUrban.
For more information on this project, phone Council’s Revitalisating
Central Dandenong Manager Kevin van Boxtel on 9239 5100.
Greater Dandenong showcased its
support for local manufacturing by
featuring the sector on all flags across
the municipality during the period 17 May
to 3 June this year.
Other activities highlighting the strength,
success and potential careers available
in local manufacturing included posters
on display in Council offices, libraries
and the Dandenong Plaza shopping
centre. Free bookmarks were also
given to borrowers using Council’s
library service.
Each year Council takes action to
raise the profile of the sector. Previous
activities included a DVD to promote the
array of career opportunities available
in the sector to students, and public
displays in Palm Plaza showcasing
recognisable and innovative items
produced locally.
Paula Brennan, Council’s Industry
Development Coordinator said this
year’s flag display was particularly
bright, and being located at various
key sites around the municipality gave
our local manufacturing sector wide-
spread recognition.
“We should all be proud of the local
manufacturing sector and all that it offers
to our local residents,” she said.
Manufacturing week was officially held
from 23 to 27th May with the Victorian
Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards
held at Crown Palladium on Thursday
26 May. The premier event, hosted by
Livinia Nixon and Ed Phillips and with
entertainment by Kate Cebrano, featured
the best of Victoria’s manufacturers all
vying for the prestigious award.
www.business.vic.gov.au
PROJECTS updates
As part of the Revitalising Central
Dandenong initiative, infrastructure
works have been taking place on the
west of Lonsdale Street to improve north/
south and east/west linkages through
central Dandenong.
The upgrade of Walker Street in central
Dandenong has provided a more efficient
east/west link between Cheltenham Road
and Lonsdale Street for pedestrians,
cyclists, vehicles and buses.
VicUrban development director Christopher
Hermann said, together with Stockmans
Bridge, Walker Street’s realignment,
streetscape works and new signalised
intersections contribute to a new western
entrance to central Dandenong.
“Formerly, Walker Street effectively
terminated at Robinson Street. Works
to realign Walker Street with the new
Stockmans Bridge have provided a
more direct link to and from central
Dandenong over the railway line,” Mr
Hermann said.
Walker Street features a dedicated bus
lane operating in each direction during
the morning and afternoon peak. During
off-peak, one traffic lane operates in
each direction while 36 two-hour car
parks are available.
A dedicated bike path from Cheltenham
Road to the intersection of Walker and
Thomas Streets has been completed
which provides a safer route for cyclists
entering central Dandenong.
Walker Street features 55 Jeffersred
Autumn Blaze trees, new street lighting
and granite paving on the northern
footpath from Lonsdale Street to
Stockmans Bridge. The granite paving
will be replicated on the southern
footpath as the Government Services
Office opens in late 2011.
The upgraded Mason Street has
delivered an improved north/south link
for vehicles and pedestrians accessing
Foster Street and Little India.
Mr Hermann said the new streetscape in
Mason Street reflects the changing face
of Dandenong.
“The upgrade has delivered a wider
road, and introduced granite kerbs, new
footpaths and 18 Waterhousea trees.
In addition, 15 car parks have been
reinstated on Mason Street and in late
2010 the intersection of Walker and Mason
Street was upgraded to a signalised
intersection,” Mr Hermann said.
Vehicles travelling from the Princes
Highway along Robinson Street can veer
down Mason Street before turning at
Foster Street to go to Cheltenham Road
or reconnect to the Princes Highway and
vice versa.
Following the upgrade of Mason Street,
Robinson Street has permanently closed
between Foster and Walker streets to
allow for the construction of Station
North Plaza.
The Revitalising Central Dandenong
initiative aims to encourage more people
to live, work, learn, visit, socialise and
invest in central Dandenong.
www.revitalisingcentraldandenong.com
This information was prepared with reasonable care and
was, to the best of VicUrban’s knowledge, correct at the time
of publication. Unforeseen circumstances, such as inclement
weather, may prevent the indicative timeframes outlined
above from being achieved
Improving links to and
through central Dandenong
Celebrating Local
Manufacturing
The upgraded Walker Street.

About our Business Events
South East Business Networks
(SEBN) Industry Events
The industry breakfast series provides
presentations by keynote speakers on
issues of relevance to the local business
community and provides the opportunity
for business networking and the building
of collaborative relationships.
SEBN Showcasing
Women in Business
The Showcasing WIB series is
designed to highlight women in
business who have achieved in their
chosen career and are prepared to
share their own experiences and
journey with local audiences. The
series brings women from all walks of
life to you so you don’t need to leave
the area is be inspired. Gentleman are
most welcome and are an important
part of the audience.
SEMIP Innovation Workshops
The South East Melbourne Innovation
Precinct (SEMIP) Innovation Workshop
Series provides innovative businesses
and researchers the opportunity to
participate in interactive sessions related
to premier research facilities. Each
workshop will explore challenges to
business innovation and possibilities for
using new knowledge and technologies
available now in Melbourne’s south east.
Greater Dandenong
Chamber of Commerce
Breakfast series
The Greater Dandenong Chamber of
Commerce hosts regular breakfasts
to announce nominees to the Premier
Regional Business Awards. Members and
non-members are both welcome to attend
the events which are an opportunity for
networking and to learn more about local
successful businesses.
Dandenong Retail Traders
Association (DRTA) meetings
Formed in 1997, the DRTA represents a
diverse cross-section of Dandenong’s
retail businesses. They aim to promote
the area and conduct programs to assist
businesses and the community. General
Meetings feature a guest speaker and are
open to all central Dandenong retailers.
SEBN networks
Small roundtable business groups
meeting monthly/six weekly for
workshops, presentations and site visits
that focus on issues determined by the
participating companies. Currently
SEBN is delivering Manufacturing
(General, Xcellence and Beyond 2010),
Export, OHS, Quality, Women in
Business, and Tomorrow’s Business
Leaders networks as well as various
programs including Lean to Green. For
further information phone 9238 1576.
New
Beginnings
for Retailers
Central Dandenong businesses
were the first to benefit from the
Economic Development Unit’s New
Beginnings Program.
The first session of the program,
which took place in March, invited
central Dandenong retailers to
learn from an expert strategies to
ensure the success and growth of
their business.
The businesses who attended found
the training to be very beneficial.
“This program gives businesses the
opportunity to learn tips to plan for
the future of their business,” said
Economic Development Business
Liaison Officer Kay Moran.
This program is offered at no
charge to retailers. To resister your
interest for future sessions call Kay
on 9238 1550 or email kmoran@cgd.
vic.gov.au.
Refer back cover for dates and details
Business Awards
It has been a busy few months for
the Greater Dandenong Chamber
of Commerce.
A new year of Awards breakfasts began in
May, after the platinum year culminated in
a fantastic awards Gala Dinner in March.
Make sure you read the liftout in this
edition about the Gala event and all of
the winners.
The Chamber held its annual Greater
Dandenong Race Day in May which
was well-attended and lots of fun for
families and businesses. This event is
one of the high-profile occasions in the
Dandenong calendar where it is great
to see both business and the local
community get involved.
At the time of going to print the Golf
Day is looking to be a great success.
www.greaterdandenongchamber.org
Chamber Chat

JUN11
June
Dandenong Retail
Traders Association
General Meeting
• Tuesday 7 June 6pm – 7.30pm
• Guest Speaker: Ross Wade,
Sign-A-Rama Dandenong
• Subject: Signage and Your Business
• Ramada Encore Hotel, 50 McCrae St
• Enquiries Roy Aspinall Ph. 9793 3487
South East Melbourne
Innovation Precinct
Innovation Showcase
• Thursday 16 June 9am – 5pm
• Hemisphere Conference Centre,
488 South Rd Moorabbin
• Bookings www.innovation2011.com.au
CGD South East Business Networks
Showcasing Women In Business
• Breakfast series showcasing women who
have achieved in their chosen field
• Friday 17 June 7am – 9am
• Cost $45pp Corporate Tables of 10
available $400
• Bookings Rachel 9238 1566 or
sebn@cgd.vic.gov.au
JuLY
Dandenong Retail
Traders Association
General Meeting
• Tuesday 5 July 6pm – 7.30pm
• Guest Speaker: Harry Mechielsen,
Charlwoods, Accountants
• Subject: Taxation
Greater Dandenong
Chamber of Commerce
Premier Regional Business
Awards Breakfast
• Wednesday 27 July
• 6.45am for 7am start
• Cost $48 for members or
$58 for non-members
• Sandhurst Club
• Bookings Deanne on 9794 8881 or
greaterdandychamber@bigpond.com
AUGUST
Dandenong Retail
Traders Association
Networking Evening
• Tuesday 2 August 6pm – 7.30pm
CGD South East
Business Networks
18th Annual Dinner
• Key networking event for business and
industry featuring a prominent speaker.
• Thursday 11 August 6.30 – 10pm
• Cost $80pp – 3 course meal
+ beer/wine/soft drink
• Corporate tables of 10 available
sebn@cgd.vic.gov.au
Greater Dandenong
Chamber of Commerce
Premier Regional Business
Awards Breakfast
• Wednesday 31 August
• 6.45am for 7am start
• Cost $48 for members or
$58 for non-members
• Sandhurst Club
• Bookings Deanne on 9794 8881 or
greaterdandychamber@bigpond.com
SEPTEMBER
CGD South East
Business Networks
Showcasing Women In Business
• Breakfast series showcasing
women who have achieved in
their chosen field
• Thursday 1 September
7am – 9am
• Cost $45pp Corporate Tables of 10
available $400
sebn@cgd.vic.gov.au
Dandenong Retail
Traders Association
General Meeting
• Tuesday 6 September
6pm – 7.30pm
• Guest Speaker:
Deborah Peppard, HRstaffn’stuff
• Subject: Training Session
South East Melbourne
Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA)
Lunch with the Winners
• Event highlighting careers
through local industry leaders
• Tuesday 6 September
12pm – 2.30pm
• Cost $44pp Students $22pp
sebn@cgd.vic.gov.au
Calendar of Events from June to September 2011 inclusive.
2 011J UN J U L A U G S E P

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