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Demolition of the existing Manly jetcat access platforms, half of the central ramp access, the passenger shelter and the elevated roof on the eastern side of the wharf will begin this month.  From July 24, three morning peak-hour jetcat services will be suspended, leading to “some minor delays during peak hours,” Transport Minister John Watkins warned.

“To allow this part of the upgrade to be finished as quickly as possible, all ferry and jetcat services will run from the western side of the wharf,” Mr Watkins said. “That means the ferry timetable has been rewritten to accommodate jetcats using the same side of the wharf.  Manly ferry and jetcat passengers should allow additional travel time and check the new timetable before the works start.  The minor inconvenience now will be more than rewarded with the $15 million improvement to passenger facilities and vessel loading.”

Manly residents and tourists are keeping their fingers crossed.

Many small business operators are not aware of the help that is available from both the Commonwealth and State Governments when they are setting up or expanding their businesses. Steve Marcus, of Taylors Doors and Frames in Orchard Road, Brookvale, discovered the benefits in 2003 and hasn’t looked back.

A consultant suggested to Steve that he contact the NSW Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD) about getting assistance in developing a professional business plan. He made a one-hour appointment with Martin Smee, Business Development Manager from DSRD, which turned into a productive five-hour discussion. Since then Steve has worked closely with DSRD while enlarging and refining the operations of Taylors Doors & Frames.

With the help of the Department, Steve has expanded into the export of fire doors to New Zealand, and has plans to extend his market further.
This is just one of the success stories which are told in much greater detail on the DSRD’s web site. It’s worth a look if you would like to expand your business but aren’t quite sure of the best way to go about it.

The Commonwealth Government also offers a wide range of assistance to new and established businesses. You will find all the details here.

At the age of 70, most of us expect to be taking it easy.  Not so Ron Bloom of Inkredible Inks in Pittwater Road, Brookvale.

Speaking recently to the Sydney Morning Herald, Ron said that one year of retirement was as much as he could manage.  Dabbling in the stock market, and the other “retiree” pastimes soon palled.  He decided to use the knowledge and experience gained from a career in the computer industry to establish a business selling printer inks and toner cartridges.  The small start from his own home soon developed into a big enough enterprise to warrant a move to larger premises here in Brookvale.

Ron’s story is a great example of two important current trends in business.  One is the number of mature people staying in, or re-entering the work force, and the other is the move to the Northern Beaches by both small businesses and investors looking for better returns than they might make in the more established areas.

It’s been happening for quite a while now, with a number of high profile companies already located in the Brookvale area.  These include Blackmores, Fujitsu, Dell Lexmark, Apple, Carter Wallace and Avon.

The Sydney Morning Herald notes that strata developments and smaller office and industrial business parks are opening from Manly through to Mona Vale and investors are showing a great deal of interest.

People living and working in the Northern Beaches area already know what a great place it is.  And with so many new opportunities in the pipeline, the future is looking good.  And it looks like part of that future will be more people like Ron Bloom who know they have what it takes to keep on growing.

 

Thank goodness the State Government has finally had the sense to ban fizzy soft drinks from school canteens.  It’s a good start.  But Dr.Mukesh Haikerwal, the President of the AMA, is not overly impressed.  He told Melissa Doyle, on Channel 7’s Sunrise yesterday that fruit juice was almost as bad as a source of excess sugar, and added: “obviously, if they are thirsty, water is the best replacement for that water that they’re losing during the course of the day”.  It’s a revolutionary concept but one that has caught on in some sectors of the population.  All those jocks and joggers running around clutching water bottles are setting a fine example to anyone who thinks about it, but until kids stop being bombarded with TV commercials telling them food has to be “exciting” and “fun”, a conscientious parent proffering a glass of plain old water is fighting an uphill battle. 

Our local Member, the Minister for Health, has flatly refused to consider a ban on those commercials. 

A straw poll of readers of The Age supported the Victorian Government’s banning of high-sugar soft drinks 85% to 15%.  If anyone asked them, they might express the same opinion about the commercials pushing the drinks.