News and Events


Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Small Business Program
Grants of up to $50,000 are available under the Australian Government's fourth round of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Small Business Program. More>>

Newcastle Safety Clothing Manufacturer Awarded AusIndusty Grant
Safety clothing manufacturer, Sisley Clothing Australia has received a $36,950 grant to introduce computer-aided design and pattern making technoloygy as part of AusIndustry's TCF Small Business Program. More>>

DSRD Launches Small Business Toolkit
As part of Small Business September '08 initiatives, the NSW Department of State and Regional Development has developed a free online Small Business Toolkit comprising podcasts and downloadable information about trade finance, business risk, climate change, running a business in a local government area, and other topics to help you manage and grow your business. More>>

The Leadership Award 2008 
The Leadership Award, presented by the University of Newcastle, aims to recognise and encourage emerging leaders in the Hunter, Central Coast and Mid North Coast Regions, and to provide the winner with additional training and support to nurture their leadership skills. More>>

Business Centre Wins National Award
The Newcastle based Hunter Business Centre has won a prestigious Australian Government Business Special Commendation Trophy. The award, which was presented to General Manager, Narelle McClelland at a national conference earlier this week recognises the Centre's contribution to business in regional Australia. More>>

2009 Young Guns series
Are you under 35 and running or commercialising a unique business/not-for-profit/service/invention? ABC's Catapult and triple j are calling for entries for the 2009 Young Guns series. More>>

NSW Women in Manufacturing 2009
This Program provides learning opportunities for women in manufacturing to foster best-practice and help increase competitiveness, growth and sustainability of manufacturing in New South Wales. Program details for 2009 are now available. More>>

NSW Pitch '08 Winners Announced
Co-hosted by NSW Department of State of Regional Development (DSRD) and the Australian Small Scale Offerings Board, the NSW Pitch ’08 challenge saw SMS Poll Pty Ltd take out the grand prize for their pitch, followed by Evolution Tankers Pty Ltd and The Invisible Clothesline Pty Ltd, in second and third places respectively. More>>

ACCC launches new Little Black Book of Scams
The little black book of scams highlights a variety of popular scams that regularly target Australian consumers and small business in areas such as fake lotteries, internet shopping, mobile phones, online banking, employment and investment opportunities. More>>

2008 Hunter Investment Prospectus
The Hon. Michael Costa, Treasurer, Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for the Hunter recently launched the 2008 Hunter Investment Prospectus. The publication includes information such as economic drivers, major industries, the workforce, industrial land, commercial developments, transport and access to markets, the Port of Newcastle, airports, lifestyle, local government areas and more. To receive a copy of the 2008 Hunter Investment Prospectus, please contact the Hunter Economic Development Corporation.

Government Launches $250 Million Enterprise Connect Network
The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, has launched the Rudd Labor Government's $251 million Enterprise Connect network. Enterprise Connect will provide Australia's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with access to the best advice, technology and research. The centres will offer top quality business and management advisory services. More>>

Visiting Patent Attorney Service
The IDC is offering innovators a free initial consultation with a Patent Attorney from Davies Collison Cave, a leading Australian Patent and Trade Mark Attorney firm. Every month the IDC in conjunction with Davies Collison Cave Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, undertake consultations with innovators, giving legal advice on innovations and how to protect them. More>>

Clean Business Australia
The Government has allocated $240 million to Clean Busines Australia to establish a partnership with business and industry to deliver energy and water efficient projects with a focus on productivity and innovation. More>>