As promised, we had a great session on the topic of why Festa failed to go ahead this year.

Most members who attended the meeting were very interactive and provided some great feedback that we would not normally get.

This kind of open forum allows each member's voice to be heard, and harnesses the power of the group in unearthing insights and new ideas to improve the chamber and each of our businessess.

Stay tuned for next months topic....

Well – you’ve probably already heard by now … but here’s the run down. Festa 2009 will not proceed this year.

There are 2 basic reasons for this. Time and money. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we were forced to look for a replacement management organization in May. This left us short of time for organising the event.

We are already beginning to set the wheels in motion for the Norton Street Italian Festa 2010 to build on the success of the 2008 Festa.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who put in work and pledged support for this year’s event to try and bring it to life. We are looking forward to working with you in the coming year to create another day of festivities to celebrate with a distinctive Italian flavour and colour.

Please contact us if you have any queries or resources to help ensure Festa 2010 can take place.

Regards
Warwick Plumsted
President

If you haven’t done it yet it’s time to renew your membership for 2009/10.

But why? Having the Leichhardt Chamber of Commerce thrive and grow will help you.

As a member of the Chamber you gain by having other members support your business by networking and collective marketing opportunities.

And without your support we don’t have the funding or resources to keep working on critical community events and promotions – such as the Norton Street Italian Festa. Membership numbers equate with strength in our negotiations with local council and potential sponsors.

So to reward you for your sustained commitment to growing your business and our local community we would like to offer you extra value as part of your membership with the Chamber, including:

• Bonus CD of essential business tools and resources
• VIP tickets to future Chamber events
• Free listing in the local businesses directory of the Leichhardt Village Community website
• Members access to the Leichhardt Village community website Small Bizz Marketing Resources
• Members discount on advertising in the Leichhardt Village community website
• Members priority to showcase your business in local promotions and events organized by the Chamber
• Members discount on hire fees of market stalls at the Norton Street Italian Festa 2009
• Regular business education and networking events

Renew for FREE!
Here’s an incentive for you. To help us build on the strengths of the Chamber and reach more local businesses we would like to offer you an exciting opportunity. Just bring 2 new members (fully paid) to the Chamber then you will receive your annual membership free.

To receive your membership rewards please complete and return the Membership Form. If you have any questions please feel free to call us.

Get the form here

The Fair Work Act 2009 came into effect on July 1, 2009. There are changes in all areas of employment law, however the following will have the most significant impact:

• Unfair dismissal: Available to all employees, however employers of less than 15 employees will be protected if they comply with the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code.
• Transmission of business: Significant changes when a sale of business takes place mainly designed to protect the existing terms and conditions of transmitted employees.
• Union right of entry: Unions have right of entry into any workplace where they are entitled to represent an employee (24 hours notice is required) and broad access to records.
• Agreement making: A new “Better Off Overall Test” will be used when comparing the Agreement with the relevant Award and “good faith bargaining” obligates an employer to bargain.
• Industrial Action: A secret ballot and notice is required.
• Employee Records and Payslips: Must keep all employment details recorded for seven years and employees must receive detailed pay slips. (Templates are available at 3www.fwo.gov.au/Fact‐sheets.)
• Modernised National Awards and 10 National Employment Standards (NES) take effect on January 1, 2010. Redundancy Pay will be legislated.
• Compliance and Enforcement: Penalties of up to $6600 for an individual or up to $33,000 for employer per breach of the NES, awards or agreements. The Fair Work Ombudsman will have the power to investigate and prosecute.

For more info click here

Are you: Facing cashflow issues and looking for advice? Looking for marketing ideas? Wanting to run a business idea by someone? Keep in mind that your sounding board, The Business Advisory Service, is available at Sydney office, Bondi Junction, Bankstown, Marrickville and Five Dock and Canterbury. And even better, it's free!

To book your 45 minute appointment with a business facilitator, please call: Business Enterprise Centre on 9089 7606.

Leichhardt Council would like to invite you to a meeting to seek your input into this proposal.

At the Council’s Ordinary Meeting held on 26 May 2009 it resolved the following:

MOTIONS OF WHICH DUE NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN

ITEM 28 SMOKE FREE POLICY - ALFRESCO DINING

1. Council to conduct an investigation/review of its policy regarding smoking at places which have alfresco dining. The investigation/review should seek input from local Chambers of Commerce and local Precincts.

2. A report should be presented to Council to assist with the review of Council policy regarding smoking at places used for alfresco dining.

Council has conducted research on this and would like to now present this information to you and seek your comments on the proposed policy. This is your opportunity to feedback to Council on this matter, before a report is presented to Council for consideration at a Council Ordinary meeting.

The meeting will be held on MONDAY, 31 AUGUST 2009 AT 6.00pm to 7.30pm in the SUPPER ROOM, top floor, LEICHHARDT TOWN HALL, entry off Marion St, Leichhardt. Refreshments will be provided. The meeting will have a speaker from The Cancer Council NSW &/or the Heart Foundation to outline the health benefits for a smoke free policy, their work with other Councils on this etc as well as Council officers, to provide technical ways for a staged implementation on the proposed policy, should there be support for this , along with other information.

For catering purposes, it would be appreciated if you could confirm your attendance at this meeting by return email by Friday 28 August.

Should you require any further information, please contact me as detailed below.

Kind regards

Louise Keightley
Community Liaison Officer
Leichhardt Council
7-15 Wetherill St, PO Box 45
LEICHHARDT NSW 2040
Tel: 9367 9047 Fax: 9367 9103 Mobile: 0418 973 673
Email: Louisek@lmc.nsw.gov.au
www.lmc.nsw.gov.au

If you’re looking for free software, take a look at this month’s edition of
2Raising Funds at http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/raisingfunds

This lists a number of free software opportunities, including computer cleaners such as CCleaner and Eraser, file recover programs such as Recurva and Restoration, and disc defragmenting programs such as Defraggler and JK Defrag.

The article is the second in a two‐part series on free software. Last edition provided information on free word processing, graphics, presentations, database and spreadsheet programs, as well as anti‐virus software and spam
filters.

Important information about the latest change to the bridge construction exclusion zone on the waters of the Iron Cove is now available on our website, please click here to read.

Please click here to see the August Community Update.

We will continue to keep you updated on the progress of the project. For further information please call or write to the project team:

Phone: 1300 780 841
Email: victoriaroad@btba.com.au
Write: PO Box 743, Drummoyne, NSW, 1471

Andrew Davidson
Senior Project Manager
Roads and Traffic Authority
Community Relations
Bridge to Bay Alliance – Inner West Busway along Victoria Road
W www.innerwestbusway.com.au

The online Community Calendar at ‘Our Community’ features all of the nationally significant events focussed around a major community or advocacy/awareness issues in Australia. Some events taking place in September are:

• National Literacy & Numeracy Week: August 31‐September 6
• Gold Bow Day: September 1
• Landcare Week: September 1‐7
• Eczema Awareness Week: September 8‐13
• White Balloon Day: September 8
• National Stroke Week: September 14‐20

More events, plus the full listing for each event, can be found at www.ourcommunity.com.au/calendar

Leichhardt Council e-News will be a monthly service to update the community on Council services, projects and programs. If you are interested in receiving this new service each month, see below.

If you would like to receive their e-newsletter, send an email with the words "Subscribe to e-newsletter" in the subject line to:
shanem@lmc.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 9367 9351

Members of the Chamber who are JP’s:
Gina Bortolin Papa – La Gardenia Childrens Wear
Jennifer Aaron – Jennifer Aaron Real Estate
Peter Howard - Royal Hotel
Simon Dyer – Norton Plaza, available during business hours

JP services available:
Thursday 2-4pm, Saturday 10-2pm, MarketPlace Leichhardt, Community Room

Other local JP’s:
Maria Pellicotti – Co.As.It.
Silvana Cibei – Co.As.It.

If you wish to make contact with our local Crime Prevention Officer regarding security assessment of your business please call:

James Riganias - Senior Constable, Crime Prevention Officer
Glebe Police Station, NSW Police Force
Tel: 9552 8099
Mob: 0412 200 100