1 July 2022

Dear @{aspediacrm-person-firstname} 

Happy end of financial year – it’s hard to believe we are now halfway through 2022! It has been an exciting month in our region, with the inclusion of $1.3 billion for a new Toowoomba hospital as part of the Queensland Government’s 2022/23 Budget. The new hospital will provide construction jobs and a significant boost to our local economy, but more importantly it will provide the region with the latest technology which will in turn attract the brightest medical staff to improve our health outcomes. This is a game changer for our local health sector and something that TSBE has been advocating for over a number of years.  

This month we launched our Toowoomba Development Status Report (DSR), which identified $18.8 billion in the pipeline of significant projects. The DSR is one of our most important publications which is updated every 18 months and gives local businesses a complete list of all the major projects they can work on as well as providing investors with the confidence in our region. Renewable energy continues to contribute to the large pipeline of projects, such as the $2 billion MacIntyre Wind Farm, the proposed Pumped Hydro project ($980 million) and the Bulli Creek Solar Farm ($1 billion). Of course, Inland Rail also features heavily with $5.4 billion scheduled to be spent in our region.

Inland Rail was again the centre of focus at this month’s Enterprise Evening. There were more than two hundred business leaders in attendance gaining tips about how engage with the proponents on this project. Our political leaders also took to the stage to discuss the state of the region and their plans on stimulating regional growth.
 
At a Boardroom Briefing, we heard from BE Power about its proposed Big-T Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project at Lake Cressbrook. The impressive clean energy project brings ample opportunities for economic growth, creating up to five hundred jobs during construction, and thirty during operations and will provide the region with deep storage for renewable energy.  
 
There’s plenty more exciting events coming up – on Thursday 7 July is our Chinchilla Enterprise evening which is focussed on the progress of the Wambo Wind Farm, following a $374 million investment from the Queensland Government in its 2022/23 Budget. Save your appetite for Friday 8 July when we host our gourmet Chef’s Table, showcasing the Western Down’s best produce in a four-course menu. We also have our  first Hydrogen Enterprise Evening in Sydney on Thursday 21 July, which will explore the ways in which industry can adopt and foster H2 development in our region, to lower Australia’s emissions and to help the transition from traditional energy sources.
 
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact TSBE if we can help link your business with an opportunity. I’d like to thank all our members for their continued support.

Ali Davenport

TSBE CEO

• Drayton Medical - Silver
• Radial Systems - Bronze
• Key Data Consulting - Base

• JESI Management Solutions - Bronze
• RB Finance - Base

• MNP Security - Base
• Cooper Machinery Services - Base

Energy Crisis – Summary and Diversity

What a month it has been for the energy sector, with the regulator stepping in for the first time to support the delivery of reliable, cheap power into the market.

As we transition to lower emissions and diversity from a range of large scale energy sources, the use of battery and storage techniques will be essential to stabilise the grid and supply reliable power. This creates further opportunities to implement new technology to our existing and new energy assets in natural gas, thermal and also renewable projects, which means new skills, jobs, and highlights the important role that the Surat plays in powering Australia.  

Surat Basin Energy Summit - 16 August 2022

TSBE is excited to announce the first Surat Basin Energy Summit in Dalby on 16 August. The summit will bring industry leaders together to explore how the Surat Basin can continue to deliver diverse energy production, ensuring economic growth for decades to come.

Attendees will get an update on the current energy market both nationally and globally, with a focus on the Surat Basin’s role as the energy capital of Queensland. Speakers will discuss what future projects and infrastructure will drive further investment as we transition utilising new lower emissions practices. Tickets are now on sale here. 

July Enterprise Evening - 7 July - Chinchilla

Next week on 7 July we will be hosting our July Enterprise Evening in Chinchilla to meet Cubico Sustainable Investments Australia, Stanwell and Powerlink who will be speaking about the Wambo Wind Farm project, particularly the important milestones and supply chain opportunities.

The Wambo Wind Farm (project) is a proposed wind energy development located near Jandowae in the Western Downs region of Queensland. The project, which is due for completion in 2024, will feature up to 110 turbines contributing approximately 500MW of renewable energy to the national electricity grid. The site will also include a 50MW/200MWh battery storage and associated infrastructure. The project will help the Queensland Government reach its renewable energy generation target of 50 per cent by 2030 as the state transitions to a low carbon emissions future. Book here.

Hydrogen Enterprise Evening in Sydney 

We invite you to join TSBE for our Hydrogen Enterprise Evening in Sydney on Thursday 21 July, which will explore the ways in which industry can adopt hydrogen development. Commercial production of hydrogen is one of the next big opportunities for growing the diversity of energy production in the Surat Basin, and Sydney has a number of companies first to market hydrogen plants for domestic use.

Businesses can connect directly with opportunities within the supply chain. The audience will be made up of developers, constructors, engineers, infrastructure owners, transport operators from the power, gas, renewable and local Government sectors. More  information or book here.

If you are Queensland based but have Sydney based representatives, we encourage you to invite them along. On the night we will hear from industry experts during an interactive panel discussion to speak on the diversification of existing infrastructure and energy assets to support hydrogen production. So organise your flights and accommodation now, and fly the maroon flag.

Southern Queensland Hydrogen Industry Institute 

The TSBE cluster, Southern Queensland Hydrogen Industry Institute, exhibited at APPEA’s National event for the oil, gas and petroleum sector. It was a huge three day conference and it was amazing to see so many members. The takeaway from the industry was there is a clear link between the skills and expertise in that sector and how that applies to hydrogen production, storage, distribution and management. As the region is so heavily invested in traditional resource production, TSBE has committed to a skills project to be announced shortly. It will be for businesses, individuals and members in the supply chain to understand clear pathways into renewable and low emissions projects like hydrogen. This is critical to all businesses and community, local and state government.

TSBE has a membership model with a range of tailored commercial services to assist with your project progress, promote your interest in the hydrogen sector, connect you with others and relevant industry, and research information on hydrogen. You can connect with Reagan the project manager here. 

June Enterprise Evening

During our June Enterprise Evening we heard from the project director of Freight Connect, the awarded consortium of the Central Civil Works Program of the Inland Rail project. Reese Deaves introduced us to the Freight Connect consortium, discussed delivery timeframes and gave attendees an update on how and when packages will be procured. 

Development Status Report

At the June Enterprise Evening we released the Toowoomba Development Status Report (DSR). This is a fantastic document that highlights why Toowoomba’s infrastructure pipeline is the envy of most regional towns, and is also a great tool for tracking the status of over $18 billion in infrastructure projects.

The diversity of the projects includes road, rail, aviation, health, waste, water, and ultimately major building projects that are going to shape the landscape of our region, and create thousands of jobs. To get your copy or to understand how your business can tap into these projects, stop into the TSBE office or contact exchange@tsbe.com.au.   

Food Leaders Australia AgTech and Innovation

As we rapidly approach our major conference of the year, the 400M Agrifood Innovation Forum on 13 July, we are very pleased to announce a very full program that is gaining much interest from right along the agrifood supply chain. View the program here.

We encourage you to join us for 400M, which includes trade stalls, a dinner where innovators are pitching their solutions to investors and industry shark tank style, and an optional site tour of farms in the region who are demonstrating innovative practices in their business. More information or register here. 

Virtual June Meetup

On 21 June, we held a virtual meetup where we assisted the AgTech and Logistics Hub to showcase their next Open Innovation Challenge which is focused upon solving the on-farm inorganic waste problem. 

With speakers such as Associate Professor Polly Burey from the University of Southern Queensland and Connor Clarke from Plastics Pirate, the meetup was well received. 

If you missed this event, you can watch the recording here.

Catching up with FLA Members

June was a very busy month with attendance at Farmfest, where we tracked down many of our members and amplified their message beyond the Farmfest paddock. Our Innovation Manager, Stephen, made the journey down to Wagga Wagga for the Digital Agrifood Summit 2022. He caught up with and supported TSBE members and stakeholders down there, including QDAF, AGTECH360, Agrifutures Aust, Food Agility, AACo, Austrade and Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment. This event was a good opportunity to explore other opportunities in the Agrifood sector for the region and our members with a particular focus on sustainability and circular economy. 

Closer to home, we hosted the Austrade Tokyo delegation as they explore opportunities for our AgTech ecosystem to expand into the Japanese market. Locally, we also took part in the Toowoomba Region Planning Scheme Workshop which was looking at concerns that the Intensive Agriculture industry has in relation to the scheme. 

FLA joined the CSIRO Protein Futures symposium that addressed the challenges and current state of science and technology in protein production. TSBE will continue to look at how we can position our members and the region to benefit from the additional $13 billion complementary protein opportunity.

Fine Foods Melbourne 

After a series of postponements and cancellations, TSBE is pleased to be presenting regional Queensland premium foods in September at Fine Foods Melbourne.

We are proud to be showcasing nine regional members at Australia’s leading food and hospitality trade event. This year’s delegation includes Barambah Organics, Clayton’s Organics, Four Daughters, Inglewood Organics, Jim’s Jerky, Mighty Good Foods, Kialla Pure Foods, Mort & Co and Grassland Goats.

Product within this group includes beef, goat, dairy, organics, and poultry.

India Breakfast 

At the start of June, our SQ Export Hub team travelled to Brisbane to attend Austrade’s AIBX India Market Update. India is one of Australia’s most important growth markets for exporters and education providers.

The recently signed Australia India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement is a large milestone in our bilateral economic relationship with India that TSBE identifies has considerable potential for businesses in our region. New market openings for sheep meat, wool, seafood, barley, oats, lentils, nuts, fruit, vegetables, and resources are now being made available with preferential tariffs.

To understand more about how your business can access these opportunities, please contact Molly molly@tsbe.com.au.  

SQ Export Hub – Oil, Gas & Energy Resources  

Our SQ Export Hub Oil, Gas & Energy Resources team have spent the last month working with our METS participants to develop their businesses marketing collateral and unique selling proposition via a digital capability statement.

Digital capability statements make a great marketing asset for businesses to have on hand, and go a long way when pitching their products to new customers, both B2B and B2C.

In undertaking this process, TSBE has engaged performance counts to workshop the fundamentals behind a digital capability statement. After one-on-one audit sessions with each participant, we will shortly begin filming to produce videos. We look forward to sharing these videos once completed.   

Emerging Exporters Digital Workshop  

With great success from our recent E-Ag program facilitated by member and local e-commerce specialist Swanky, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, TSBE is excited to be hosting another e-commerce workshop for our Emerging Exporters participants.

The upcoming workshop facilitated by Swanky, will be tailored to food and ag businesses embarking on or are mid-way through their export journey. Due to COVID-19 and the affect it had on border closures, international commercial outcomes between producers and retailers, distributors and the like, were forced to occur digitally. E-commerce platforms are now more relevant than ever, and serve a vital role in helping Australian exporters reach an international market.  

Shell's QGC Emerging Exporters Program 2022 

TSBE is looking forward to welcoming our new cohort of Emerging Exporters on July 20 in Chinchilla with our Annual Dinner. In August, we begin delivery of the program with three targeted workshops and one-on-one support to give the participants the tools and key export learnings to become competent, sustainable exporters who can manage risk and make informed decisions before embarking on their export journey. 

EOI – Japan Trade Mission 

As one of the world’s economic powerhouses, Japan and Australia have a close relationship. The Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement delivers significant opportunities for Australian farmers to access the country's high levels of disposable income which leads the nation's demand for premium, high end produce.

Australia is a key exporter to service this want, one in which is supported by the country's sophisticated supply chain, highly developed retail and foodservice sectors. Australian processed foods and beef currently have strong brand image among imported products underpinned by our nation's safe, healthy, and high-quality reputation. TSBE has identified Japanese processes, wholesalers, restaurant chains, supermarkets and premium food stores proactively looking for new Australian products.

To service this demand, the SQ Export Hub is now calling on all food businesses interested in participating in a trade mission delegation to Japan. This targeted trip will feature a Japan market insights & trade readiness session and buyer matching. If you are interested in participating in this trade mission, please contact Molly molly@tsbe.com.au.  

New Toowoomba Hospital

It was great news to see the funding announced last week for Toowoomba’s new hospital thanks to the $1.3 billion investment from the Queensland Government allocated in the State Budget. With the additional specialist services and an extra 118 beds, the world-class medical facility will drive investment and create additional opportunities for the region.  However, the new hospital is not a miracle cure for our strained public hospitals.

There are some other exciting opportunities around innovation that can help us overcome future issues in the healthcare industry. With a worker shortage which is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, it is important for us to promote local placements and education, because we know if students study in the region, they’re more likely to stay in the region. It is good news that the State Budget included $943.5 million funding over seven years to replace rural and remote health facilities and staff accommodation under Phase 2 of the Building Rural and Remote Health Program. Further supporting recruitment and retention, the Queensland Government is utilising standard designs to provide staff accommodation in rural and remote areas, investing $115 million over five years.

Just as important is harnessing new tools and ways of thinking in our health industry. Digital technologies are critical enablers of quality health outcomes and have the potential to change how we deliver health care. The 2022-23 Budget provides additional funding of $300 million over five years for the continued roll-out of the electronic medical record program to more hospitals in Queensland.

This is good news for the healthcare industry and our region as we transform our health system to meet the demands of tomorrow.

TSBE Health Manager Role

We are seeking a Health Manager to help continue to grow the economy through health by linking TSBE's members to opportunities. 

Key duties and accountabilities of the role are as follows:

- Work with the members of TSBE Heath to deliver membership value

- Grow the membership base of TSBE Health

- Connect members to opportunities

- Advocate on behalf of the health sector

- Assist with investment attraction and inward investment introductions, specifically in relation to the health sector

- Actively look for new grant opportunities that will benefit the region

For information about this position, please contact Jaden Frame, General Manager, TSBE Health and Education here. View the role here.

Industry Opportunities for Teachers

On 23 June, teachers from St Mary's College and St Joseph's College Toowoomba spent time with Arun Pratap, CEO of TSBE Member Pyrocal Pty Ltd, to learn about how they are innovating in the waste management sector, creating multiple value streams from what might otherwise go into landfill.

Industry opportunities like these enable teachers to deliver more engaging content to students through linking learning concepts with local business examples.

As influencers of the region’s future workforce, it’s great for our teachers and schools to have awareness of local businesses when having conversations with students about future employment opportunities and pathways.

If your business is interested in hosting student or teacher groups, please contact TSBE Education Manager, Shamus. 

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.

Jenn Henning is bridging the gap for those women who can’t get to her beauty salon in Jandowae launching her online shop ‘Beauty on the Land’.

Beauty on the Land is an online skincare and beauty shop connecting with women living and working on the land. The platform is to guide, encourage, inform, and celebrate rural women and the work they do.

The team at Business Navigator has helped Jenn set-up her new Beauty on the Land ecommerce platform. Visit online here. 

Petunia’s Fashion, a Chinchilla based fashion store, unveiled their rebranding with a fresh new logo in June followed closely by their new online store www.petuniasfashion.com.au.

Migrating to the Shopify platform Petunia’s is now offering customers a seamless shopping experience with a wide range of shopping cart functionalities, local pickup plus selling across a range of channels, including in-store, online and social media.

Ailsa Cass, Marketing Advisor, has worked with Petunia’s building the Shopify store with the user interface having greater responsiveness and providing more functionality.

We are on the lookout for some extra support to join our small but growing team helping small business owners of the Western Downs. We are looking for a passionate Small Business Marketer Adviser who is good at building rapport with both clients and the team.

Job applications for the Small Business Marketing Adviser role close on Friday 8 July 2022. For more information please contact Paulene Rorich on 0499 029 779.

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Head to the link for a full job description and how to apply here.

Congratulations to IOR! 

With capabilities throughout the entire Australian fuel supply chain, IOR is one of the largest 100% Australian-owned and operated refuelling and equipment providers in Australia. Committed to working closely with customers to understand their needs, IOR is known for delivering industry leading fuel distribution, fuel storage, and fuel management solutions throughout regional Australia.

Core to IOR's business is its refuelling network, serving the needs of Australia's transport industry. IOR operates over 80 refuelling sites across Australia in strategic locations along major transport routes.

IOR recently announced that its primary fuel distribution business has rebranded from IOR Petroleum to IOR as the company sets its long-term vision to support customers with the fuels of today and tomorrow. Read more here.

ior.com.au

• Clifford Gouldson Lawyers Media Release - minimum wage increase announced: What employers need to know - read more here.
• Whole of System Natural Resource Management Workshops - free community workshop to be held on 20 July. More information here.
• Ignite Ideas Fund - ignite Ideas funding is available to commercialise highly innovative and new products or services that are at minimum viable product stage or beyond. Applications close 7 July. More information here.

• Join Infinite HQ for an interactive workshop on 19 July to explore effective learning principles, demystify online terminology and consider an analysis tool to help you make the right decisions for your organisation. There are more options than ever in Learning & Development! Please RSVP to hello@infinitehq.com.au by Thursday, 14 July 2022

Contact Us

 
P: (07) 4639 4600
F: (07) 4639 3416
E: info@tsbe.com.au

Postal

PO Box 658
Toowoomba, QLD

4350

TSBE

 
ABN:  85155004523

ACN: 155 004 523

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