Tuesday 1st July 2008

Meeting opened at 'Headlands' at 7.20pm.

ATTENDANCE:Sharon Harrison-Shaw,Shelley Daniew,Steve Melchior,John Noonan,Lynda Starky,Neil& Lesley Craddock,Klaus&Cheryl Herma(?),Ceri Bartlett,Rosie Gudze,Rosemary Goldman,Andrew Sheath,Marilyn Dale,Ian Pepper,Quentin Field,Greg Watts,Warwick Reader,Wendy Eyles,Barry Neill,Pauline Smith,Leila Visser.

APOLOGIES:N.I.O,Picadilly Travel,Symbio Wildlife Park,Centennial Hotel,Party-On,Indulgent Corporate Gifts.

President opened meeting and introduced Susan Dixon & Melinda Hale from the Department of Environment and Climate Change(D.E.C.C), (a state dept ) as the guest speakers.

GUEST SPEAKER:Susan Dixon (the manager of the Illawarra Sustainability Programs-D.E.C.C.<www.environment.nsw.govt.au>) gave an interesting presentation about 'Waste Management and Resource Recovery'-(from recycling).
Benefits for small to medium businesses from improving environmental performance=(a)reduction in :-energy costs,water costs,waste costs,reduction of risk,(b)increased identification of opportunities for improvement,(c)enhanced business reputation/competitive advantage,(d)increased service effectiveness and efficiency,(e)increased customer and staff satisfaction levels.
The Waste Hierarchy:-Avoidance of waste-reduce the waste we generate.
-Resource recovery of materials-reuse,reprocessing,recycling and energy recovery,consistent with the most efficient use of the recovered resources.
-Disposal-includes management of all disposal options in the most environmentally responsible manner.
NSW Resource Recovery Target for the Commercial and Industrial sector:-Increase the recovery and use of secondary materials-from a 28% baseline in 2000 to 63% by 2014(a change of 35% in 11 years).
In 2006, NSW recycled 777,000 tonnes of food,garden and wood waste.
NICC members were then invited to volunteer for a pilot project on reducing waste(10 businesses),project to take place August-September. Audits will then be conducted by D.E.C.C ,before development of a Resource and Waste Management plan ,which will then be made available on the internet.

PRESIDENT:Pauline thanked guest speaker who left forms for interested members who wish to participate in the pilot program.

Informed meeting that police are looking at all areas in Wollongong re a 'commitee' to be set up regarding reporting crime in the area.

Reported 'Indulgent Corporate Gifts' have made the finals in the Illawarra Small Business awards.NICC members invited to attend the awards night.

Reminded members that it`s not too late to attend 'Xmas in July' on Friday 4th at 'Palms' restaurant.

SECRETARY REPORT:Greg passed around the latest version of the member`s directory & location map-still evolving.

Reported NICC has 3 or 4 new members.

Membership flyer recently posted to approx 450 businesses.

TREASURER REPORT:N/A

MEDIA REPORT AND FOCUS GROUP UPDATE:Lynda spoke of ongoing interest in material published in the'Chamber Blast',articles are being picked up by local media and published.

Further meeting being organised with 'Tourist Trails' contributors.There will be no cost to NICC members when these maps are printed.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT:N/A however several renewals have been made.Fees were due by 30thJune.

WEBMASTER REPORT:N/A

MEETINGS/SOCIAL REPORT:N/A

MEMBER PRESENTATION:Shaz from 'Pure-Wipes' gave a demonstration of her products-biodegradable reuseable wipes.These wipes are reconstituted with the application of liquid(good for campers and holiday makers,baby wipes etc) and can be easily carried or packed due to their size.It takes about 35 days for the wipes to breakdown(in compost).
Product is imported and then packaged in Australiashaz@purewipes.com.au.

Marilyn Dale from' Austimer Coachhouse' spoke about her B&B-built in the late 1800`s,can take up to 12 guests.Has been operating for 9 years marilyn@austimercoachhouse.com.au .

GENERAL BUSINESS:Member Rosemary Goldman(Sur La Mer) was contacted recently by Sensis to update her info.Rosemary has once again asked why the Northern IIlawarra
is not represented in map formation in the local directories.This has been an on-going issue which has never been resolved. Several letters protesting about this issue, from previous and current members of NICC ,has not produced a result .

Marilyn (Austimer Coachhouse) suggested B&B`s work together to promote each others businesses(?developing a B&B trail type brochure to be used in conjuction with organised bus groups-further discussion required to clarify at a later date).

Meeting ended 9p.m.

Next meeting AGM Tuesday 5th August.