WALLSEND TOWN COMMITTEE
BUSINESS RETENTION EXPANSION PROJECT
2008
PART A: LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
Of businesses surveyed, 41.9% indicated that Wallsend was a moderate place to conduct business and 35.5% indicated that it was good.
The main assets of the community as a place to live and own a business were felt to be associated with the growth of Maryland, Minmi and Fletcher, schools, Wallsend Plaza, and its proximity to major facilities such as the John Hunter Hospital, library, Parks, freeway and RTA. However, it was felt that better parks and entertainment was required for teenagers.
A majority of respondents felt that beautification (i.e. cleaner streets, building paint works) were required to make the local economy stronger and to create more jobs. Further, some respondents felt that more retail shops were required having less of a focus on welfare and second-hand goods. Entertainment was also highlighted as a main focus for a stronger economy. A stronger police presence with emphasis on vandalism, assaults and shop-lifting was also mentioned. Some respondents felt that a strategic interaction between the main street and the plaza was needed. Further, more car-parking and improved drainage to the area was a further concern for making the local economy stronger. Finally, better promotion/advertising was also mentioned.
Similar to above many respondents felt that the main changes they would like to see to improve the area in Wallsend were reduced crime, a larger variety of service businesses to the main street, and beautification. Increased parking was also a concern, and a change from welfare, op-shop focus to retail/business culture. Again, a strategic interaction between the Wallsend Plaza and the main street was highlighted along with more entertainment businesses to operate with the Wallsend area such as a cinema. A further highlight was better signage in the area directing traffic to the main street and better and increased advertisement. A greater police presence and improved drainage was also a factor for improvements to the area.
The overall satisfaction with services and infrastructure to the area was as follows:-
• 59.4% of businesses felt that access to airport were moderate to good. • 84.4% of businesses felt that access to highway/roadway were good to
excellent
• 74.2% of businesses felt that the access to markets were anywhere between moderate to excellent
• 58% of businesses felt that the availability of rail transport services were between good and moderate
• 41.9% of businesses felt that the availability of warehousing were moderate
• 68.8% of businesses felt that disposal of waste material were moderate to good
• 40.6% of businesses felt that recycling was moderate
• 45.2% of businesses felt that inspections such as licensing were moderate • 44.4% of businesses felt that development approval process were
moderate
• 41.9% of businesses felt that internet services were good • 40.6% of businesses felt that telephone services were good
• 60.7% of businesses felt that availability of appropriately zoned land was between moderate to good
• 71.9% of businesses felt that water and sewerage were moderate to good Local council services were thought to be moderate and drainage was thought to be poor.
Suggestions for improving the services and infrastructure listed above were local markets to the town area, fixing the drainage, faster DA processes and a train service from Wallsend to the Central Coast and Sydney.
In the terms of the cost of doing business respondents rated this community as follows:
• 58.6% of businesses felt that labour was moderate
• 48.3% of businesses felt that transportation was moderate • 42.9% of businesses felt that Storage was moderate
• 55.2% of businesses felt that energy was moderate
• 50% of businesses felt that development approval was moderate • 48.3% of businesses felt that raw materials was moderate
• 55.2% of businesses felt that Council rates were moderate • 64.3% of businesses felt that land was moderate
• 62.1% of businesses felt that buildings were moderate • 56.7% of businesses felt that leasing space was moderate • 55.6% of businesses felt that construction was moderate
PART B: YOUR BUSINESS
53.6% of respondents indicated that they had established their businesses in the year 2000 onwards followed by 28.6% who indicated that they had established their business in the 1990s and 14.3% in the 1980s.
54.8% indicated that they had established their business themselves and 45.2% indicated that they had not established their business themselves.
63.6% of respondents indicated that they had relocated their business from another location in this area and 27.3% indicated that they had relocated from elsewhere in this region. 9.1% indicated that they had relocated from elsewhere in Australia.
The reason given for relocation was to relocate to a larger premise, seeking better opportunities and more patronage and parking.
Some of the main products and services provided in Wallsend Town are: • Gaming, food, entertainment and function facilities
• Giftware and houseware • Restaurant food and services • Travel agents
• Accountant, taxation advice, business advice, financial planning • Education
• Banking
• Employment services for job seekers, recruitment services for employees • Corporate, sporting and school wear and embroidery, contract
embroidery
• Wholesale and retail workwear • Accommodation
• Beauty treatments • Legal services
• Podiatry clinical care • Health care
• Construction of new housing, renovations and additions • Food retail and take away food outlets
• Medicines, health and beauty products • Car parts
• Hairdressing services • Travel agent services
PART C: YOUR MARKETS
• 96.2% of businesses reported that between 80% and 100% of their products/services were sold locally.
• 30.8% of businesses reported that on average 29.1% of their produce or service were sold elsewhere within New South Wales.
• 15.4% of businesses reported that on average 10.4% of their produce or service was sold elsewhere in Australia.
• No businesses reported selling their produce or service to overseas markets.
92.3% of businesses indicated that they were not interested in exporting their products or services. A further 7.7% indicated that they were unsure.
PART D: EMPLOYEES
83.9% of businesses reported that on average they employ 5.7 persons on a permanent full time basis.
45.2% of businesses reported that on average they employ 4.4 persons on a permanent part time basis.
67.7% of businesses reported that on average they employ 5.4 persons on a casual basis.
During the last two years there has been a reduction in the amount of full-time staff with 75% of businesses indicating a reduction and only 25% of businesses indicating an increase. Likewise, there has been a reduction in the amount of part-time employment with 50% of businesses indicating that their part-time staff decreased and only 33.3% indicating an increase. Casual employment has increased with 66.7% of businesses indicating such and only 12.5% indicating a reduction of casual staff.
Over the next two years 75% of businesses indicated that they expect to see an increase in full-time employment of staff and a reduction in the employment of casual staff.
53.6% of businesses indicated that they are experiencing difficulty in finding suitable employees for their business.
Of the types of industry having trouble finding suitable employment 45.5% of businesses indicated clerical staffs are hard to find and 45.5% of businesses indicated unskilled labour as being hard to find.
62.1% of businesses indicated that they do not currently employ trainees and or apprentices and 76% indicated that they are not interested in employing trainees or apprentices.
PART E: BUSINESS PLANS AND DECISIONS
51.7% of businesses expect that in the next two years they will experience an increase in turnover and 44.8% expect no significant change. 55.2% of businesses expect that they will experience an increase in profit and 41.4% expect no significant change.
62.1% of businesses indicated that over the next two years they expect an increase in the demand for their services/product and 34.5% indicated that they expect no significant change.
62.1% of businesses indicated that they are not considering expansion within the next two years; however, 37.9% of businesses indicated that they are considering expansion. Of those businesses that are considering expansion the nature of this expansion is primarily an increase in staff with 66.7% of businesses indicating so. This is followed by additional services for customers. The major constraints on businesses expansion are finance with 60% of businesses indicating such followed by lack of suitable premises, lack of suitable staff and local regulations such as rezoning.
86.4% of businesses indicated that they have not approached local, state, or commonwealth governments or business development organisations to discuss expansion plans. 13.6% of businesses indicated that they had approached the arms of government or services in relation to expansion plans. Of those who hard approached services 66.7% indicated that service to be Local Council and 66.7% indicated that service to be the Chamber of Commerce.
75% of businesses indicated that they could work in a cooperative way with advertising and 75% indicated that they could work in a cooperative way with referral of work. Other cooperative ventures included discussion groups, group purchasing of inputs and sharing distribution service. The inputs businesses would like to purchase locally included business equipment and servicing consumable products, fresh meat for animals, landscaping supplies, seafood and raw material, staff and maintenance services obtained locally.
88.5% of businesses indicated that they are not considering changing the location of their business. However, 11.5% indicated that they are considering changing the location of their business. Of those who answered that they are considering changing the location of their business 66.7% indicated that change
were no water, better business exposure and lease provides a better financial outlook, the customer target market has better accessibility and RDI equates to business decisions and investigations of options.
80% of businesses indicated that they were not interested in being approached by the New South Wales Department of State and Regional Development in relation to expansion and or relocation plans. 20% indicated that they were interested in this process.
PART F: YOU AND BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES
On average businesses indicated that they considered themselves to have good people management and time management skills and were moderate to good at balancing work and life. Businesses indicated that succession planning was moderate and planning, organising work and business systems was moderate. Businesses indicated that planning and organising production and service process was good and that improving production or service processes were good. Businesses also indicated that quality assurance and accreditation was good; however, risk identification and management was moderate to good. Businesses indicated that business strategy was good and financial management was moderate. Legal regulatory requirements were rated as moderate and marketing was rated as good. Businesses indicated that developing commercialising new products and services was moderate and rated information technology applications as moderate to good. Businesses indicated that sustainable business practices were good. Overall, all businesses indicated that they wanted to excel in all these areas and are not currently meeting their desired outcomes of excellence.
42.9% of businesses indicated that they would desire to receive training and information on the above skills and applications. 57.1% indicated no interest. Of the methods this information could be delivered 77.8% indicated that they would like to receive this through a newsletter. 11.1% indicated that they would prefer a business breakfast and 11.1% indicated that they would prefer 2 to 3 hour work shops.
