Allan McKinnon

This coming Friday, 31 July, at a lunch promoting the Suncorp Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence being held at Courtyard by Marriott, Allan McKinnon, Strategy and Major Projects Manager, AFL (NSW/ACT) Commission Ltd, who has played a key role in the code’s expansion strategies in NSW and the ACT for more than ten years and is currently part of the executive team putting together a new AFL Club to be based in Western Sydney, will share his views on the planned expansion and the benefits for businesses in Western Sydney.

Allan joined the AFL in 1998 to head up its operations in the ACT and southern NSW.  Overseeing significant governance and management changes in Canberra, Allan was a key influence in securing a major redevelopment of Manuka Oval and was a founding director of the Manuka Oval Management Company.  As a result, AFL Premiership season games were able to be played in the ACT on a regular basis.

Since 2003, Allan has been responsible for much of the AFL’s strategic groundwork in Greater Western Sydney, the base for the 18th AFL Club in 2012. 

Key partnerships with local government, major facility developments at Blacktown Olympic Park and Rouse Hill, community initiatives such as Indigenous Academies in Macquarie Fields and at Doonside/Rooty Hill and rapidly expanding business connections, are critical to the AFL’s success in Western Sydney.

Allan spent eight years at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), where he established and led a program of management and governance reforms and amalgamations of national sporting organisations.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree, a Graduate Diploma in Recreation Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

To enquire as to the availability of seats for this lunch and hear the AFL’s plans for Western Sydney, contact the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce on 9683 6655, or visit www.parramattachamber.com.au or for information on the awards visit www.businessexcellenceawards.com.au without delay.

New housing and employment land releases in Sydney must be backed up by public transport

NSW Business Chamber Western Sydney supports the planning for potential housing and employment land in North West and South West Sydney but it must be accompanied by a plan to deliver public transport options at the same time.

“The potential release of land for housing and employment in the North West and South West will provide new opportunities for the building industry – an industry that is vital to the Sydney economy, as well as long term employment for local residents,” said John Pearson, NSW Business Chamber Western Sydney Regional Manager.

“The challenge for the NSW Government is to learn the lessons of previous land releases and roll out public transport options as residents and businesses move into the area – not 10, 20 or 30 years later.

“If we are to encourage efficient public transport use in Sydney and reduce congestion, public transport options for workers and the general public, need to be available from day one.”

Mr Pearson said that possible residents and business owners would be sceptical about moving to these new areas until the Government can demonstrate a clear plan to deliver public transport that is fully costed.

“The Government’s ‘will they, won’t they’ approach to the North West and South West rail links has undermined the public’s confidence in new large scale public transport projects. 

“The Government will have its work cut out for it to convince new residents, employers and investors that they are serious about accessibility in these new development areas,” Mr Pearson said.

BizNews Highlights

• Confidence in Parramatta's future as the capital of western Sydney is high with the $15 million purchase by property developer Crown International Holdings Group (known as Crown) last week of a CBD site at 45 Macquarie St from the Becton Property Group.

• Traffic turmoil at Epping can be blamed on the NSW Government’s failure to finish the proposed Parramatta to Chatswood Rail Link and North- West Rail Link, according to Hornsby mayor Nick Berman. “The missing rail link between Epping and Parramatta has turned neighbourhoods at Epping into de facto commuter car parks for vast areas of northwest Sydney," Cr Berman said. Parramatta Lord Mayor Tony Issa pledged council support. The two councils have joined forces to form the Epping Traffic and Parking Joint Lobbying Committee.

• Parramatta City Council in partnership with Planet Ark are calling on Parramatta residents to get involved in Australia's biggest community tree-planting event, National Tree Day on Sunday 2 August.

Viewpoint:

Preparing Your Business for Flu Pandemic

This winter, according to the NSW Department of Health, H1N1 influenza 09 will continue to spread within the population of NSW. Businesses can prepare for this flu season by taking steps to minimise the spread of infection by staff education and the provision of cough and hand hygiene materials in the workplace.

Evaluating specific risks and planning well beforehand for a variety of potential emergencies that could disrupt day-to-day business is critical, no matter how big or small your organisation may be.

If your business operations could be severely disrupted by a flu pandemic then here are a few points you should consider:

• Have you determined the minimal staff and resources level at which your business could operate? Do you have plans to stay open for business, even if you and your employees need to work from home?

• If your employees need to operate from home, do they have the necessary telecommunications and computer capacity to function? An important aspect of this is the issue of having your vital records protected, yet accessible from alternative work locations such as your employees’ homes.

• Many companies need to have their salespeople or business development staff attend meetings, conferences, seminars and expos. Have you considered the impact on your business of not attending these external events?

• Have you considered alternatives if your current supplier cannot deliver, or if your customer base is affected by a flu pandemic?

• The most basic advice is the most effective way to minimise transmission. If staff members are sick with an influenza-like illness, they should be advised to stay at home and limit contact with other people to avoid infecting them.

***Upcoming Events

Business Excellence Lunch
Guest Speaker: Allan McKinnon AFL NSW/ACT
Friday 31 July
Courtyard by Marriott
12.30 pm
Cost $70.00 per head includes 2 course meal and drinks

Business after Five
Novotel Sydney Olympic Park
Tuesday 4 August
5.30 pm
Cost: $20.00 members and guests
$40.00 non members

Awards Close 7 August 2009

Contact Parramatta Chamber on 96836655 or info@parramattachamber.com.au or visit our website www.parramattachamber.com.au for more information or
for an invitation to attend.

Platinum Supporter:   
Suncorp

Major Supporters:
Parramatta City Council
Snap Printing
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