Upcoming events and seminars
You are invited to take part in the following events:
Summary of events: (for more details see below)
Seminars (click to see more)
- Helping you build on Your Bright Idea Tuesday, 6th May – Ballina
- Getting More of the RIGHT Customers – for less than $ 100.00 Wednesday 21st May – Lismore
- Growing Local Living Economies Monday 26th May – Lismore
- How Green is my business? Tuesday 3rd June – Bangalow
Australian Innovation Festival (click to see more)
- Entrepreneurial and Innovation Networking Event Tuesday 6th May
– Ballina Inclusive Business Forum; Info/Trade Stands, Consultation Session & Seminar
Awardsl (click to see more)
- INR Technology & Innovation Award 2008 Entries close 2nd June 2008
- Lismore Business Awards 2008 Entries open from mid June to end July 2008
Taxation Issues l (click to see more)
- Small businesses may be entitled to more fuel tax credits
Building on Bright Ideas Seminar
Do you have a bright idea about a new or improved product, service or process? Do you need assistance in taking it to the next step?
Then come along to this Regional Innovation Advisory Service (RIAS) program in Ballina 6 - 7 May 2008.
The program comprises:
• a two-hour seminar on Tuesday 6 May, which brings together specialists on protecting and commercialising your bright idea; and
• a full day of free one-on-one consultations with an Innovation Advisory Service representative and/or intellectual property professional on Wednesday 7 May.
Speakers include representatives from:
• AusIndustry;
• Davies Collison Cave Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys; and
• Industry Development Centre (Hunter) Ltd (IDC).
This seminar forms part of the Entrepreneurial and Innovation Networking Event (see attachment)
Every Business needs new ideas and innovation to grow, change or just keep pace with the times.
Innovation Northern Rivers is an excellent opportunity for networking, building new connections or simply growing your business.
Find out how attending the Australian Innovation Festival can grow your business or your idea.
Turn the switch ON in the attached invitation and don’t stop there. This invitation is full of interactive capability to let
you know all about the Innovation Festival in the Northern Rivers with links to all the supporting information.
When Tuesday, 6th May 2008
Time 6.00 to 8.00 pm
Where Ainsworth Room, Ramada Hotel & Suites, 2 Martin Street, Ballina
Cost free but places are strictly limited and bookings are essential.
Registrations: by 1 May on 02 4960 1137 or 1800 995 299 or email your details to info@idc-hunter.org.au.
Registration will give you the opportunity for a free individual consultation over the period 9.00am – 5.00pm Wednesday 7 May 2008.
Getting More of the RIGHT Customers – without spending too much
A workshop that gives you a fresh look at growing YOUR business
The fastest way to grow a business is to target the right market. Every business has an ‘ideal buyer’ or an ‘A’ class customer. Knowing who these customers are
will make your marketing more effective and build your customer base quickly without spending a lot of money! Bring along your thinking caps and a pen and
we’ll start growing your business together.
In this ‘Jammed Pack’ session, we will cover:
- How to identify the right customer for your product/service
- Now you know who they are, what’s the right way to reach them
- Strategies to get these customers promoting your business for you
Kym Kranen has owned or managed businesses in the Northern Rivers/Gold Coast area for more than 25 years. Her experience is vast,
gained from working in many different industries. Having learned from the ‘University of Life’, Kym knows what really works (and what doesn’t)
and is very happy to pass these lessons on. Being a business owner herself, she understands the issues and challenges faced by SME’s on a daily basis.
Kym can assist you to solve them or, avoid them altogether.
When Wednesday 21st May 2008
Time: 9 am to 12 noon
Where: DSRD Conference Room, Level 3 – Rous Water Building
218 – 232 Molesworth Street, Lismore
Investment: $ 20.00 incl. GST – Refreshments provided
Booking: Essential – contact the NR BEC on 6622 1933 or 1300 650 058; info@norbas.com.au
Growing Local Living Economies
A unique half-day professional development opportunity for business, professional and community leaders.
Keynote Presenter - Ms Judy Wicks, co-founder of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (USA) and an international pioneer of sustainable business.
Judy will share her experience in building sustainable businesses and stronger regional economies over 25 years.
The seminar includes a discussion panel of five business and community leaders.
When Monday 26th May 2008
Time: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm
Where Lismore Workers Club
To register and for more details please visit: www.climateleadership.net.au
How green is my business?
World Environment Day on 1 June and the growing importance of business sustainability is the impetus for this workshop. Small
business can have a large footprint too. How efficient and sustainable is your business?
Presented by Sue Lennox, co-founder of Oz GREEN and leading social entrepreneur, this workshop looks at how ‘going green’ is good
for your business. Filled with practical case studies, it will give you business-efficiency strategies to face up to our big challenges and
build pathways to a sustainable future.
With a particular emphasis on regional NSW, this dynamic workshop will change your perspective on your business and help you to
understand and prepare for the future.
When: Tuesday 3rd June
Time: 9.15 am for 9.30 am – 1.00 pm
Where Bangalow Bowling Club, Byron Street, Bangalow
Investment: Free seminar – Refreshments provided
Registration: contact the NR Business Advisory Service on 1300 650 058 or 02 6622 1933 or 07 5523 2088
Email: info@norbas.com.au
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Entrepreneurial and Innovation Networking Event
Every Business needs new ideas and innovation to grow, change or just keep pace with the times.
Innovation Northern Rivers is an excellent opportunity for networking, building new connections or simply growing your business.
Find out how attending the Australian Innovation Festival can grow your business or your idea.
Turn the switch ON in the attached invitation and don’t stop there. This invitation is full of interactive capability to let
you know all about the Innovation Festival in the Northern Rivers with links to all the supporting information.
(Note you need to make sure you get the hand and a symbol on the links to be able to access all the supporting information, registration forms etc).
Once you have opened this you may need to escape from full screen view to be able enlarge or reduce the text to a suitable viewing size.
To exit from the black screen – please press the Escape button on the computer.
Registrations are required by 1 May 2008.
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Invest NR Technology and Innovation Award 2008
Has your business developed an exciting new technology or approach? Have you created a new widget in your back shed which is ready to develop into a commercial product?
Invest Northern Rivers is calling on inventors and businesses to enter the 2008 INR Technology and Innovation Awards. There’s a $10,000 first prize and a lot of business
support for your new idea. For more information call 6622 4011 or go to www.investnorthernrivers..com.au
Lismore Business Awards 2008
It’s official! The date for Lismore’s premier business event, The Business Awards 2008, has been announced.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday 6th of September 2008.
Entries for the business awards will be open from mid June to end July 2008 to allow for judging and preparation.
More information coming soon…
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A note from the Tax Office re the fuel tax credit scheme:
This is an article outlining changes to the fuel tax credits scheme.
The changes mean many businesses will be eligible to claim fuel tax credits for the first time, while many others will be entitled to claim additional fuel tax credits.
Small businesses may be entitled to more fuel tax credits
From 1 July this year many small businesses will be able to claim fuel tax credits for the first time, and many others will be able to claim additional fuel tax credits.
The Tax Office is encouraging small business owners to find out if they can save money on their business fuel costs.
In the past, businesses have only been able to claim a fuel tax credit for fuel used in heavy vehicles, such as trucks and specific activities, such as primary production.
Under the expansion, fuel tax credits can be claimed for the majority of fuel used in business – whether it’s used in lawn mowers, whipper-snippers, blower vacuums or cement mixers.
The exceptions are:
• alternative fuels such:
- liquefied petroleum gas
- compressed natural gas
- liquefied natural gas
- ethanol and biodiesel, and
• fuel used in light weight vehicles travelling on public roads, such as cars or small vans.
How much a business claims depends on how the fuel is used. The table below explains what a business may be entitled to claim.
Activities |
Rates as at 1 July 2008 |
Fuel used in vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) greater than 4.5 tonne travelling on a public road. |
18.51 cents per litre* |
Fuel used in specified activities in agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, marine and rail transport, and nursing and medical that have been eligible since 1 July 2006. |
38.143 cents per litre |
Fuel used in all other business activities, machinery, plant and equipment, such as a wide range of construction, wholesale, retail, property management and landscaping activities. |
19.0715 cents per litre ** |
*This rate will change on 1 January 2009. Fore more information on rates visit www.ato.gov.au/fuelschemes or phone 13 28 66.
**The rate of 19.0715 cents per litre is 50% of the full rate of 38.143 cents per litre. The full rate will apply to all these activities from 1 July 2012.
Get on board
If you’re registered for goods and services tax but not fuel tax credits, it’s easy to get on board – just phone 13 72 26 anytime (24 hours a day, seven days a week). Make sure you have your Australian business number and your tax file number handy when you call.
Once registered, an additional label will be added to your business activity statement (BAS) and the Tax Office will send you information on how to claim.
Claiming is easy
Simply keep any records that prove you bought fuel and how it was used for your business. You can calculate your claim by visiting www.ato.gov.au/businesses and selecting ‘Rates, calculators and tools’ on the left hand side.
To find out if your business is eligible or for further information go to www.ato.gov.au/fuelschemes or phone 13 28 66 between 8.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday.
