As we near the end of 2021 I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our members for your support, during what’s been another busy but still challenging year for businesses. Whilst many sectors have boomed, there have been significant supply issues, especially in the construction sector, as well as skills shortages felt throughout the region.  Despite these challenges, our diverse economy has once again proven to be our region’s greatest strength and things certainly aren’t slowing down just yet.

 

This month we hosted 160+ people in Chinchilla for the November Enterprise Evening. Our speakers included Andrew Bills, CEO of CS Energy who discussed their upcoming hydrogen project and Jason Eldering, CEO of Southern Cross Care who spoke of their major multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the Illoura Aged Care Facility. Sponsored by Intura, the night was a great success.

 

The conversation around energy continued at our Boardroom Briefing lunch with Mike Kaiser, Director General of the Department of Resources. It was a great opportunity for our Gold, Platinum and Diamond members to hear about the challenges and opportunities for the energy and resources sector, including the transition towards net zero.  Mike acknowledged the Surat Basin as one of Australia’s most significant energy production regions with coal, natural gas, wind, solar, battery storage, biomethane and soon to be hydrogen.     

 

Last week I was very excited to hear the announcement that Qantas will resume interstate travel from Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport from February next year. Well done to everyone involved in the recommencement of the Toowoomba-Sydney return Qantas flights.   

 

We look forward to hearing from Boeing Defence Australia and Wagner Corporation at our Christmas Enterprise Evening on 9 December at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport. The region is set to become an aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing hub with the new Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct launched by Wagner Corporation.  There will be some big announcements on the night and we’re also hoping that we will be able to do a tour of the completed sections of the quarantine facility (weather depending). If you haven’t already registered, I’d encourage you to do so here to avoid missing out.

 

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact TSBE if we can help link your business with an opportunity and I’d like to thank all of our members for your continued support.      

 

Ali Davenport

TSBE CEO

DID YOU KNOW...that the TSBE Exchange is a platform used by TSBE to get information, industry intel, EOI’s and event information out to our members. It’s a simple part of your membership registration. We have had 75 different communications on the exchange platform in the last 12 months. Register for TSBE Exchange here: EconomX

 

ESG – What Is It?

 

The COP 26 conference has shone the light on a need for energy sustainability and highlighted the 'ESG' topic. There is a lot of media on this topic at present and in industry we are often accused of using jargon and acronyms. For over 10 years TSBE has been helping shape the discussion around ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting. In a practical view ESG is run from the top down and is a leadership stance - it’s about the right people in regions aligned to a company's long term vision to working and maximising social, economic and local content outcomes in the communities and regions they work. ESG criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments.

We have had some amazing outcomes over the last 10 years developing one of the most diverse energy regions in Australia but this could not have been done without working with some of the industry leaders and early adopters of ESG. From these partnerships, we run game changing social and economic projects to support ESG and make change in regions. But now that this discussion is headlining global media, we now can lead the way with our industry partners to set best practice benchmarks outcomes for industry and tell the great story.

Workplace Wellness Challenge Coming

 

TSBE is soon launching another workplace challenge which will take place in February 2022.

If you would like to register your interest for your workplace, please email jaden@tsbe.com.au

Business Navigator Western Downs is a business growth and innovation advisory service for start ups and small businesses with growth potential, supported by Shell’s QGC business. 

• With projects starting to escalate in price both from supply chain and resources, it is a great time to understand how you can save costs by implementing and undertaking a procurement review and strategy. Check out how TSBE members Promitheia Procurement have supported Thomas Foods Internationals  supply chain and saved time, effort and profit:  Strengthening TFI’s supply chain – Promitheia Procurement

• Fantastic news for the region with Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport announcing that Qantas will recommence flights to Sydney from 14 February next year. Qantas will offer 12 return flights each week, operated on the Dash-8 Q400 aircraft. The new business-friendly schedule will provide double daily weekday flights, along with daily weekend flights.

• The Chronicle is hosting Future Toowoomba to help identify the legacy opportunities and how the region can benefit over the next 10 years and for decades to come by hosting a major lunch event at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport on Friday, 3 December 2021. Book tickets to the Future Toowoomba luncheon here: https://bit.ly/3nvTfYN
• Well done to Four Daughters Beef on winning the 2021 Shine Youth Award!
• Australia's most comprehensive hydrogen project has started making green hydrogen available for home, business, and transport use in New South Wales for the first time. TSBE member, Jemena has announced that green hydrogen from its $15 million Western Sydney Green Hydrogen Hub, co-funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), is being blended into and stored in Jemena’s gas distribution network. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gQBBfce5
• Well done to Stockyard Beef for their Gold medal win at the World Steak Challenge 2021 for their premium grain fed Angus sirloin.
• Energy Synapse has been selected as a finalist for the 2021 Climate Tech Impact Award from a pool of over 100 climate related start-ups across Australia. It is truly wonderful to see that the hard work on the Energy Synapse Platform is being recognised as a technology that could have one of the biggest impacts in helping to mitigate climate change. Find out more about Energy Synapse's platform here: https://energysynapse.com.au/
• Great article in The Australian from our TSBE Chairman and University of Southern Queensland - Australia Executive Director (Institute for Resilient Regions) Professor Hon. John McVeigh about being proactive for our social, economic and environmental future. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3H7iKYd
• Welcome to Mena Tawfik as the new Head of Commercial with Harvey Norman Commercial ICT Toowoomba. Mena has spent the last 12 years in Southwest Queensland (Goondiwindi, Roma and Charleville) in finance and banking roles as well in Oil & Gas managing a Distribution Centre. He is excited about this opportunity to lead the Commercial Sales team at Harvey Norman and has a passion for helping customers. Please contact Mena about any of your business ICT requirements at mena.tawfik@au.harveynorman.com or call 0457 780 034.
• Check out the 10 Reasons why you should relocate to the Maranoa: www.maranoa.qld.gov.au/moving-maranoa. Located 480kms west of Brisbane, the Maranoa region is renowned for its prosperous rural lifestyle and friendly communities. The region has a population of around 12,688 but services a broader population of nearly 30,000 people across South-West Queensland. 
• Are you looking to Study in Toowoomba? Toowoomba has world-class education facilities and with the help of Study Toowoomba we are encouraging people to live, study and work here!

 

This email was originally sent to: @{aspediacrm-person-email} If you'd prefer not to receive updates, you can manage your communications preferences or unsubscribe.