Business Briefs

RDA Central Coast appoints Executive Officer 

Regional Development Australia – Central Coast has appointed Anthony Dow as Executive Officer. He takes up his position on the 1st February.

Mr Dow was formerly Economic and Social Development Manager for Rodney District Council in North Auckland – a position he has held since 1996.

Mr Dow has had extensive experience in the private sector in New Zealand, the United States and Europe as a consultant in media, telcos, energy and software.

On of his responsibilities at Rodney Council were to maximize the Auckland Region’s share of New Zealand’s investment in the roll-out of the country’s broadband infrastructure.

He has also been involved in New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup programme in respect to tourism marketing and attraction of investment to Auckland.

“My first priority will be to build relationships with the business and wider community. To attract investment, both public and private, everyone has to work together and that will be my aim,” said Mr Dow.

Mr Dow attended the Australian Regional Economies Conference at Terrigal in 2008. “Attending this conference gave me the opportunity to meet many Central Coast people with an interest in economic and social development. It is a coincidence that this position came up at this time,” he said.

The Rudd Government has established RDA Committees throughout Australia as a first point of contact for regional communities across all levels of government to promote regional initiatives and partnerships.

The Central Coast is one of fourteen RDA regions in NSW.


New service to provide advice on solar hot water

Matthew Jones has established SolarWise Plumbing to provide professional services and advice to customers in respect to their investment in solar hot water systems.

A licensed plumber, drainer and gasfitter, Mr Jones operated Matthew Jones Plumbing for 5 years until 1998.

He subsequently entered corporate life working in senior management roles at Macquarie Leisure Operations, Sara Lee International and Sydney Attractions Group. This led him to set up Jones Consulting Group in 2007 where he worked with businesses to develop and implement strategies designed to ensure potential growth.

SolarWise Plumbing is based on the Central Coast and has installation teams also in Sydney and Newcastle.

They have an affiliation with Rheem who provide the company with technical knowledge and backing in terms of system sizing and design.


New CEO for Central Coast Tourism

Central Coast Tourism has announced the appointment of Oliver Philpot as CEO.

He succeeds Horst Endrulat who left the organisation towards the end of 2009 after fifteen years in the position.

Mr Philpot has worked in the tourism industry for a period of ten years, in a variety of domestic and international marketing roles at Tourism Queensland, including Director of International Marketing and most recently as the Australian Product Manager for Virgin Blue Holidays.

He pioneered the “Great Sunshine Way” international marketing campaign, raising the profile of Southern Queensland in international markets, and was heavily involved in the “Best Job in the World” campaign that received worldwide acclaim for its innovation and cut through.

In announcing the appointment in early December, Central Coast Tourism Chairman, Barton Lawler said he was delighted to welcome Mr Philpot, following a strong response from national and international candidates for the position.

“We are fortunate to have someone who displays a strong mix of passion for the industry and our destination, as well as strong leadership experience across a variety of tourism management disciplines.”

Mr Lawler said that one of Mr Philpot’s first tasks will be to undertake a comprehensive review of Central Coast Tourism and its operations.

“Part of that process will include the finalisation of a strategic plan to lay out the future direction of tourism on the Central Coast in order to take our industry to new heights,” Mr Lawler said.

“Oliver has a great deal of experience in destination management planning, and we are eager to use his expertise to ensure we have a clear vision for the future of our region as a tourism destination.”
“Central Coast Tourism has gained a leader who can take the destination to market with confidence and with a great deal of tourism marketing knowledge,” he said.

Mr Philpot said he was excited about his appointment and was looking forward to working with the board, staff and members to review the business and implement effective strategies to increase the value of tourism to the local community.

New owner for Coast take away chicken shop

Mark Sheehan has sold the Umina Charcoal Chicken shop in West Street, Umina which he has owned for the past six years.

Established for over thirty years, this business has a turnover of around $25,000 per week in normal times, selling over 1,000 South Australian chickens and 1,500 kilos of chips per week plus salads and drinks, and is considered to have the highest turnover of any store of its kind on the Coast.

The new owner is Matt Anthony who plans to run the business in the same manner that it has always operated.

Scott McMullen of Argyle Estates Business Brokers who negotiated the sale said that there was strong interest in the business which was on the market for about two months.

Brian Hilton takes back Alpha Romeo dealership

The Brian Hilton Motor Group has regained the Alfa Romeo dealership after ten years.

Brian Hilton was originally appointed dealer for Alfa Romeo in the 1970s and successfully held the franchise for twenty years until Alfa withdrew from the marketplace.

The company returned to the Australian market in 2006 with its all-new Alfa 159 sports sedan which was launched in Australia in June that year, heralding a whole new family of cars from the Italian performance car maker.

In late 2009 Brian Hilton Motor Group were given another opportunity to take on the prestige Italian brand. “In my time as a Dealer, my family and I grew to love the marquee for its passion and driving excitement,” said Brian Hilton.

The company plans to eventually build a new showroom for Alfa Romeo.

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