KaLIBA News

Each month, KaLIBA produces and distributes an email news bulletin to around 3,000 local businesses and other key stakeholders.

KaLIBA bulletins provide a single avenue to register for events, read about key issues, take advantage of support programs and keep up to date on the latest news within the Kentish and Latrobe business communities.

The latest edition is below or to view past editions, click on this link.

KaLIBA also produces public Board Highlights Reports emailed to all staekholders, which contain the key outcomes of Board meetings but with confidential elements removed. Click to view these reports:

November 2023 Board Meeting Highlights Report

January 2024 Board Meeting Highlights Report

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(Pronunciation: Caliber. /ˈkalɪbə/ – Noun: quality of character and excellence of ability)
KaLIBA - a powerful, independent voice for Kentish and Latrobe businesses

FEBRUARY 2024

KaLIBA gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Kentish and Latrobe Councils.
This email is intended for local Kentish and Latrobe business people, who are automatically entitled to free membership in the KaLIBA business association, as well as other people interested in the prosperity of those regions. If you have received this in error, please use the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email

In this Bulletin:

KaLIBA : 2023 KaLIBA year in review

KaLIBA Local News

2024 monthly events calendar
Cethana Pumped Hydro community consultation
KaLIBA online business directory and website
Monthly KaLIBA in-depth report
Get Your Issues on KaLIBA's agenda
New promotional and advertising opportunities for your business
Stay in the Know - KaLIBA Facebook page
KaLIBA Core Principles - What? How? Why?

The Broader Business Landscape

Telstra 3G Network closure, will you be affected?
Tasmanian Fire Service signalling upgrade deadline 31 December
2024 Apprentice and Trainee Training Fund now open

Business Shorts

New rules for fixed-term contracts
Protect your business this bushfire season
Savour Tasmania inbound trade mission

KaLIBA Events

KaLIBA 2024 Events Calendar

KaLIBA has a full range of events to provide local businesses with education, networking and the latest information to make your business thrive.

Booking early for events guarantees your place. The full range of KaLIBA business events is available at this link

February Event - Kickstart 2024: Strategic Planning Workshop

As a dedicated small business owner, the pursuit of continuous growth and development is undoubtedly at the forefront of your priorities. To support you on this journey, KaLIBA extends an invitation to an exclusive workshop led by Jess Jansz.

Key Learning Objectives:

1. Refreshing or Developing Your Business Purpose: Align your business objectives with a renewed sense of purpose to drive sustainable growth.

2. Identifying the Gaps in Your Business: Gain insights into potential areas for improvement and optimization within your operations.

3. Establishing Priorities and an Action Plan for 2024: Craft a strategic roadmap for the upcoming year, ensuring your business is well-positioned for success.

Jess Jansz specializes in practical leadership and team development. Her insights are not only proven but tailored to yield tangible results. Jess is a distinguished principal trainer and coach, boasting a track record of ten-plus years of leadership experience in competitive environments. Having delivered over 600 hours of accredited training across diverse industries,
Jess brings a wealth of knowledge. Her background includes serving as the Immediate Past President of the Central Coast Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Ignite Woman Tasmania, alongside holding a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Tasmania.

Join KaLIBA for an interactive session that promises to equip you with the tools and strategies needed to navigate the challenges of 2024 and beyond.
Secure your spot at this workshop at this link.

Date: Wednesday 21 February 2024
Time: 6.00pm to 8.30pm
Venue: The Crowded Lounge Cafe
Cost: Free
Light supper included
RSVP: at this link

KaLIBA Local News

KaLIBA unveils Paid Membership Benefits Program 2024

Launching this February!

KaLIBA offers a range of membership tiers catering to the unique needs of businesses in the Kentish & Latrobe regions. From Free Memberships providing essential listings to Leading Business Memberships offering premier visibility, there's a tier for every business.

Elevate your business profile to KaLIBA’s audience of nearly 3000 other local businesses and stakeholder. Paid membership offers exclusive benefits, including feature articles, premium online business directory listings.

For Free Members seeking ad hoc advertising or Paid members desiring additional exposure flexible advertising opportunities are available. Discover cost-effective ways to showcase your business to a broader audience.

Explore the extended membership benefits and unlock the full potential of your business.

For more detailed information contact Nicole Schultz on 0437 830 094 or email nicole.schultz@kaliba.org.au

Cethana Pumped Hydro – Workshop with Local Businesses

Are you keen to find out about future business opportunities associated with Hydro Tasmania's Cethana pumped hydro project?

Are you interested in discussing how to 'ready' your business to capitalise on these opportunities? We invite local businesses from across the Kentish and Latrobe Local Government Areas to participate in a Hydro Tasmania facilitated workshop about the Cethana pumped hydro project. It's early days yet for the project, however, the team from Hydro Tasmania would like to share details of the project and learn more from workshop participants on business challenges and barriers to potential participation in future project opportunities.

Date: Wednesday 28 February 2024
Time: 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm
Venue: Sheffield Bowls Club
Light supper provided
Cost: Free
RSVP: for catering purposes: Nicole.schultz@kaliba.org.au

Looking for further information?
Email Bronwyn at bronwyn.pressland@hydro.com.au or phone 0457 237 453

Visit the Cethana project website: https://connect.hydro.com.au/cethana-pumpedhydro

KaLIBA online business directory and website are live

Be sure your business is listed in the Kentish and Latrobe online business directory at www.kaliba.org.au

The Kentish and Latrobe Online Business Directory currently contains 691 local businesses.

New content and functions will be added continually. If you have a suggestion please email contactus@kaliba.org.au

Get your issues on KaLIBA's agenda

KaLIBA's role is to promote your business, provide you with advice, support and networking opportunities, and advocate and lobby on your behalf.

The Association is here to help you on your business journey. Get in touch to advise:

Any business needs and challenges you think should be added to the KaLIBA Board's monthly meeting Agenda
Helping promote your business successes - eg. if you have a new product or service, won an award, secured a grant, been featured in an article or radio interview, or are hosting an event
The KaLIBA team continues to contact local businesses to ensure contact information is up to date, to find out your needs, and offer free support services. With around 3000 local business contacts they cannot get to every business regularly. So please help by contacting KaLIBA if your business or contact information changes.

For all these areas please contact KaLIBA at contactus@kaliba.org.au

Stay in the Know - KaLIBA Facebook Page

KaLIBA now has a Facebook page so you can stay up to date and also comment and discuss issues and opportunities affecting businesses across the Kentish and Latrobe municipalities.

Please like and follow KaLIBA at this link.

KaLIBA Core Principles - What? How? Why?

KaLIBA represents and supports EVERY business across the Kentish and Latrobe municipalities with free membership, regardless of industry, size, or location
KaLIBA is independent, while collaborating and cooperating with all tiers of government, industry associations, and other relevant organisations
KaLIBA is focused on the needs of businesses to support their wellbeing and prosperity
KaLIBA delivers business support, engagement, education, promotion, lobbying, networking, and mentoring
KaLIBA engages with all businesses to create a united voice that fosters increased economic activity, for the benefit of businesses and communities

The Broader Business Landscape
Is your EFTPOS machine running off Telstra’s 3G Network?

Telstra will be closing its 3G network June 30th 2024 to allow for future technology growth including 5G rollouts, as demand for mobile data grows by around 30 percent each year.

Ahead of the 3G network closure, Telstra strongly advises you check if your devices including EFTPOS machines are connected to the 3G network. If you do have an EFTPOS machine currently connected to the 3G network you must contact your bank or device vendor to transition as the device will no longer work after 30 June 2024.

EFTPOS machines connected to the NBN will not be affected by the 3G network closure and Telstra encourages you to explore or seek help to determine the source of your devices connectivity.

For more information on 3G closure at this link or if you have concerns contact us and we’ll connect you with the local Telstra Regional Australia team.

Cyber Security Resources for Local Businesses

The Australian Cyber Security Centre has released new resources to help local businesses strengthen their cyber security and support them to recover in the event of a cyber-attack.

The Business Continuity in a Box tool available at this link, helps businesses re-establish their critical business functions and restore compromised systems. It includes step-by-step instructions to identify and set up an interim solution that helps basic business operations to continue during or after a cyber incident.

Securing Customer Personal Data for Small and Medium Businesses publication available at this link helps secure personal information or business data, plus practical information on strong data security, collection and usage practices.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre hotline provides additional personal support, reporting and assistance on 1300 292 371

Important changes to Workers Compensation claims

The 2024 Apprentice and Trainee Training Fund (ATTF) is open for applications.

On 1 February 2024 WorkSafe Tasmania will release a new Workers Compensation Claim Form and Workers Compensation Certificate of Capacity (medical certificate).

The new Workers Compensation Claim Form will be available via the WorkSafe website.

The WorkSafe Tasmania website will be updated on 1 February 2024 to accompany the release of the claim form and certificate. As well as providing access to the claim form, there be changes to supporting information and guides.).

Workers compensation form
Medical certificate

Federal Government on-farm connectivity program

The On Farm Connectivity Program is an Australian Government-funded program that provides $30 million over 2 years to help primary producers improve connectivity and adopt on-farm technology.

Also, eligible equipment suppliers can receive up to $30,000 rebate for sales of digital farming technology to eligible Primary Producers to help improve their connectivity and productivity. The program is part of the Better Connectivity Plan for Rural and Regional Australia.

For more information on the Federal Government On Farm Connectivity Program go to this link.

nbn Fixed Wireless Upgrades for Kentish and Latrobe LGA’s

Work is continuing on upgrades to the nbn Fixed Wireless network across the Kentish and Latrobe LGA’s.

The upgrades will result in:

Faster download speeds - Up to 130Mbps potential wholesale download speeds to be available across the entire Fixed Wireless footprint and up to 325Mbps potential wholesale download speeds to be available to up to approximately 85% of the expanded Fixed Wireless footprint

Faster busy hour speeds - Typical (average measured over a two-week period) wholesale busy period speeds to increase to at least 50Mbps (download)

To enable the upgrades, nbn is introducing new technology and replacing some hardware on their fixed wireless towers. This will mean some planned outages that may impact homes and businesses.

After the tower works are completed, nbn expect that many customers should experience an improvement in speeds on their nbn Fixed Wireless service. The tower works will not impact nbn fixed line or nbn Sky Muster satellite services.

Impacted homes and businesses will be notified of any outages via their retail service provider. Information will also be available via the network status page on the nbn website.
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Grants

Improving workplace literacy

Grants of up to $50,000 are available to Tasmanian employers for projects to increase the literacy and numeracy skills of their workers. .

Example projects include:
* improving reading, writing, maths and digital skills of employees
* training employees to write work documents in plain English
* training supervisors and managers to support workers to build their literacy and numeracy skills.

The 2023-24 grant round will close Friday, 16 February 2024.

For more information and to apply, visit 26TEN Workplace Grants at this link.

Business Shorts

Superannuation in the National Employment Standards

If your business has employees on fixed-term contracts, there are important changes coming into effect on 6 December 2023.

From 1 January 2024, super is an entitlement under the National Employment Standards. For more information on these important changes visit the Superannuation Guarantee laws at this link.