With the election now behind us the path of the economy over the next period is clearer and business can get on with the job, with sustained GDP growth of around 3.5%. The OCR rate is held fast for the time being at 3.5% and inflation is under control. The 45% drop in dairy earnings is being felt throughout the country, although beef prices are hitting record highs and log export prices are on the increase. The housing market continues to be a major driver of the economy, particularly the housing shortage in Auckland and the Christchurch rebuild.
The recent NZ Transport Agency announcement will see priority go to the very congested Penrose Onehunga area and link between SH20 and SH1, but does not address connectivity from East Tamaki to Penrose and Onehunga. GETBA will continue to lobby hard for this vital East West connectivity to be provided for.
Our Spring 2014 Focus Magazine focuses on skills and employment and what is being done in our region to ensure that the current skills shortage is being addressed. Some excellent articles will bring you up to date and show how you can help. There is an outline of a purpose built leadership programme for middle managers which will be run next year.
OHS is seeing big changes with the HSEA Act being amended and Worksafe now in charge. There is the introduction the term PCBU and much higher fines for breaching the act. An article on affordable health and safety for small businesses will be of interest to many as the changes come in to effect in April next year.
As always, the GETBA website is the source for What’s On and other useful information, so please visit this regularly to keep up to date. There is plenty happening in East Tamaki!
Richard Poole