RAPAD Board Meeting 3 July 2020 Communiqué

As a part of normal business, the Board of RAPAD held its seventh scheduled Board meeting for 2020 on July 3 via zoom video conferencing.

Matters covered at the meeting were: Presentations • Small Business Financial Counsellors - Small Business Financial Counsellors

(SBFC), Paul and Paula Misipeka provided an update on their activities. The SBFC program is 100% funded by both the Federal Government and Qld State Government, and RAPAD delivers this program through Rural Financial Counselling Service North Qld. More information about RFCSNQ can be found at www.rfcsnq.com.au . A Small Businesses Financial Counsellors role is varied however their scope is to: o Assist Small-Medium Enterprise (SME) operators’ requesting financial

counselling with a financial analysis consisting of annual, or year in year out cash flow budget, Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Cash flow analysis and options for business improvement,

o When appropriate, assist operators to negotiate arrangements with their financial institutions,

o Encourage and work with operators to seek professional advice to develop longer term strategies and plans to improve preparedness and resilience to downturns caused by natural disasters and climate variability’s,

o Refer operators to a network of professional service providers for advice with legal, accounting and financial planning and investment matters and social and welfare matters.

A Small Businesses Financial Counsellor works through a case management approach with clients. Within this case management framework, the role of the counsellor includes helping clients to: o Understand their financial position, o Understand the benefits and drawbacks of different options to manage financial

issues, o Develop budgets and cash flows, o Negotiate with creditors, o Access dispute resolution services, o Understand their rights and access broader professional advice and support, o Access government and community grants, programs or schemes,

Paul and Paula commenced in April and after quarantining initially on their arrival due to COVID protocols, they have been actively growing awareness of the service across their service area which is the Central West council areas (excluding Blackall-Tambo which is serviced by the other Qld provider), and the lower North West council areas of Richmond, McKinlay and Flinders. To date Paul and Paula collectively have 14 active clients spread through the service region. An active client, in simple terms, may be a client who will spend time with the SBFC, working through issues they, the client, are identifying as financial concerns for them. Apart from this, the SBFC is a source of information about the range of support measures available through government and general enquiries also forms an important part of their role. To date they have had face to face engagement with over 70 business owners

alongside meeting with Shire Councils and local professional services. They have addressed in excess of 20 general enquiries. Paul and Paula have been active in their awareness and promotion of the program having undertaken 4 webinars focused on ‘Restarting Smart’ following the governments business hibernation period and Adaption Grant information sessions and they have also run community workshops delivering Adaption Grant insight and preparedness sessions for small business owners in an concerted effort to draw more funding to the region. Some general themes of what they are hearing from business as they travel through the region is concerns over the impact of ongoing border closures on tourist activity and the financial and staffing repercussions surrounding the cessation of JobKeeper at the end of September. It is a challenge for many small business owners to adapt to the fast-changing economic environment making access to small business education and support essential. More information about Paul and Paula can be found at https://www.rfcsnq.com.au/about/small-businesses-and-individuals-financial-counsellor/ and the brochure attached.

• QCN Fibre (attached) – Mitchell Simpson and Andrew Walpole from QCN Fibre provided the board with detail on the organisation. QCN Fibre is the realisation of the Queensland Government’s 2017 election commitment to investigate unlocking spare capacity in government owned fibre networks to improve digital access and connectivity for regional Queenslanders. QCN Fibre was established in response to the recommendations of the Telecommunications for the Regions Project, which provided its Due Diligence Report to Government in late 2018. This project identified several opportunities to leverage existing government-owned telecommunications infrastructure to improve access to digital capability for those in regional areas. The Queensland Government responded by approving the creation of QCN Fibre to deliver a suite of initiatives to ensure we use existing Queensland Government telecommunication assets more efficiently to improve network connectivity in regional Queensland communities. QCN Fibre is a new government owned telecommunications company, jointly owned by Powerlink Queensland and Energy Queensland and reports to two shareholding Ministers

Business Items • Western Qld Alliance of Councils (WQAC): The CEO and Chair updated on recent

planning activities relating to the upcoming WQAC forum to be held on the 27 and 28 July, and the Chair updated the Board on his recent meeting with Cr O’Toole from the SWLGA and Cr McNamara from NWROC, with the President of LGAQ Cr Mark Jamieson, the reason for which was to outline the intended role of the WQAC.

• Qld Industry Recovery Alliance: The CEO advised and updated on the recent meeting of the Premiers Qld Industry Recovery Alliance (QIRA) on which the CEO sits as a RAPAD representative.

• Finance and related – The CEO provided YTD financials ending May; an extension request relating to a deed of grant, planned asset (vehicle) sales, Remote Area Board program draft contracts, and an update on the upcoming annual audit, and these were all received by the Board.

• Other - The CEO and or directors discussed: o The QRA led COVID recovery regional planning (att graphic)

o The status of the RAPAD election, and COVID recovery strategy, and its recent presentation to the Premier, and upcoming publicity,

o the status of the business case relating to the former Longreach Pastoral College,

o Regulated air routes and likely departmental call of tenders; RAPADs past air transport forum, and the potential for adopting this approach again.

Information: • Media since last meeting:

o https://www.rapad.com.au/news/blog/rapad-welcomes-queensland-governments-cluster-fencing-funding/

o https://www.rapad.com.au/news/blog/keep-it-coming-western-queensland-covid-19-recovery-receives-roads-funding-boost/

• RFCSNQ:

Small Business Financial Counsellors, Paul and Paula Misipeka can be found at: o https://www.rfcsnq.com.au/about/small-business-and-individuals-financial-

counsellor/paula-misipeka/ o https://www.rfcsnq.com.au/about/small-business-and-individuals-financial-

counsellor/paul-misipeka/ Rural Financial Counsellors, Rachel Bock and Emma Cook, can be found at: o https://www.rfcsnq.com.au/about/our-rural-financial-counsellors/issac/ o https://www.rfcsnq.com.au/about/our-rural-financial-counsellors/longreach/

• Annual Report: https://www.rapad.com.au/publications/annual-report/ • RAPAD Constitution: https://www.rapad.com.au/about/strategic-plan/ • RAPAD Skilling for your training needs. www.rapadskilling.com.au • Want to watch Outback Hubs on demand webinars? Go to

www.outbackhubs.com.au

The Drought Communities Small Business Support Program is funded by the Australian Government. The Rural Financial Counselling Service is supported by the Australian and Queensland Governments.

The Rural Financial Counselling Service is supported by the Australian and Queensland Governments

ContaCt PaULa MisiPeka.Phone: 0422 875 551 Email: paula@rfcsnq.com.au

ContaCt PaUL MisiPeka.Phone: 0407 289 375 Email: paul@rfcsnq.com.au

rfcsnq.com.au

The inTended ouTcomes of The program are To:• assist eligible small businesses impacted by

drought and downturns to understand their financialpositionandidentifyoptionsandimplementplanstoimprovetheviabilityoftheir enterprise,

• Withinacasemanagementframework,theroleofthecounsellorincludeshelpingclients:

• understandtheirfinancialposition,• understandthebenefitsanddrawbacksofdifferentoptionstomanagefinancialissues,

• developbudgetsandcashflows,• negotiate with creditors,• access dispute resolution services,• understand their rights and accessbroaderprofessionaladvice and support,

• access government and community grants, programs or schemes.

Small BuSineSS FinanCial COunSellORS

faCing finanCiaL hardshiP? The small Business financial counsellors provide assistance to small business ownerswhoaresufferingfromfinancialhardship to manage the challenges ofindustrychange,adjustmentandsustainabilityastheresultofdroughtandongoing adverse economic conditions.

•Barcaldine•Longreach•Barcoo•Boulia•diamantina•Winton

•richmond•flinders•mcKinlay

Or other western areas where required.

areas serviced:

• financiaL informaTion

•opTions•decision supporT

•referraLs To oTher sources of assisTance

faCing finanCiaL hardshiP dUe to the droUght or Covid-19?

rfcsnq.com.au

paula is a motivated and experienced business consultant,trainer,mentorandpublicspeakerwho has helped establish and support over 100 micro business start-ups on the sunshine coast, Queensland. her ability to connect with a broad cross-sectionofsocietyhasmadehernotonlypopular but well respected with the ability to grow an organisation’s reach with her natural andauthenticnetworkingstyle.SheholdsaDiplomaofCounselling,aCertificateIVSmallbusinessmanagement,acertificateinTrainingandassessment.

Paulaisalsoexperiencedatwritinguser-specificsupport programs including ‘The australian Job Loss SupportGuide’arapidresponsesupportpacktotheunwantednewsofredundancy,alongsideco-developingthe‘RestartSMART’program,offeringpathwaysofrecoveryforbusinessownerswhohaveexperiencedafailedventureandarelivingwiththeassociatedfinancial,emotionalandsocialcostsofthatfailure.Herpracticalsolution-basedperspectivebrings a rational and calculated approach to recovery.

Havinglivedthroughabusinessfailurein2009,sheknowsfirst-handthepotentialchallengesthatarefaced,andstepsneededtoestablisharecoverypathway.Sheiscurrentlywritingabookthatwillassist those who are going through a business associatedfinancialloss-helpingthemtoidentifykeycomponentsoftheirdescentandofferingsignposts to recovery.

paul is an experienced business consultant, mentor and trainer with vast experience in small business supportandcounsellingandhasworkedregionallyaroundQueenslandforthelast5years,specialisingin mature aged restarts. his training and teaching experience have helped many clients establish and growsuccessfulbusinesses.HeholdsaDiplomaincounselling,aCertificateIVinSmallbusinessmanagementandaCertificateinTrainingandassessment.

Paulwasthefounderanddirectorofatelecommunications company that grew over 18yearsfromoneemployeeto50fulltimestaffoperating in 10 regional Queensland and nsW towns, he won multiple Telstra state and national awardsforhisintelligentandinnovativewaysofgrowing his business.

Aftersufferingsignificantfinanciallossesin2009followingtheGlobalFinancialcrisishebeganresearchingtherecoverypathwaysforbusinesspeoplewhoweresufferingthefinancial,emotionalandsocialimpactofbusinessloss,andestablishedwithhiswifethefirstEntrepreneursrecoveryprogramin2012inAustralia.Asanexpert in recovery he has the depth and capacity to assist those who are experiencing a decline in their personalfinancialsituation.

sMaLL BUsiness finanCiaL CoUseLLor PrograM

PaULa MisiPeka.

PaUL MisiPeka.

Meet our Small Business Financial Counsellors

Breaking down the digital divide

Our Mission

To break down the digital divide in QueenslandBy unlocking spare capacity in Government-

owned fibre assets

Why was QCNFibre established

QCN Fibre is the realisation of the Queensland Government’s 2017 election commitment to investigate unlocking spare capacity in government owned fibre networks to improve digital access and connectivity for regional Queenslanders.

QCN Fibre was established in response to the recommendations of the

Telecommunications for the Regions Project, which provided its Due Diligence Report to Government in late 2018.

This project identified several opportunities to leverage existing government-owned telecommunications infrastructure to improve access to digital capability for those in regional areas.

The Queensland Government responded by approving the creation of QCN Fibre to deliver a suite of initiatives to ensure we use existing Queensland Government telecommunication assets more efficiently to improve network connectivity in regional Queensland communities.

QCNFibre is a Government owned Corporation

QCN Fibre is a new government owned telecommunications company, jointly owned by Powerlink Queensland and Energy Queensland and reports to two shareholding Ministers:

• Hon. Jackie Trad MP – Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships; and

• Dr. Anthony Lynham – Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy

• The Minister responsible for QCN Fibre is the Honourable Kate Jones MP, Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development, Minister for Cross River Rail.

About QCN fibre

Powerlink Energy Queensland

51% 49%

2017 2018 2019 2020Election

CommitmentCBRC Submission “FibreCo”

QCN Fibre Formed

StructureRegulationCompliance

“Pre-Season”Telco Team

Network UpgradeOperational Systems

In Market PilotsPipeline Book Build

AprilIn Market

Services Available

How bad is it really?

Retail in BrisbaneWholesale in Emerald100Mbps @ $4,000 per Month

Wholesale in Goondiwindi200Mbps @ $3,000 per month

Wholesale in Blackwater 100Mbps @$1,900 per month

Sources: Channel Wireless, MarchNet, Torus et al

1,000 Mbps @ $799 per Month

Competition in Regional Queensland

Duopoly Market:• In a duopoly market, there are two sellers selling a similar

product in the market.

• There are barriers to enter the market.

• Therefore, the price charged by the duopolists is higher than the perfectly competitive market.

Just a few who can now (competitively) enter

Powerlink - Ready Made Fibre Optic Network

• 6,000 Km of Fibre• 6, 12, 24 Pairs• Almost 50% unused Fibre Pairs• Existing Telco grade network• Existing Telco customers

• Not core business• <0.5% of Core revenue

Coverage

Tech Talk : What’s Backhaul?

You Local Exchange

Other Carriers

Data Centres Internet

International

Last Mile

Backhaul

Local ISP

But wait, there’s more

• Powerlink = Intercity (town)• Energy Queensland = Intracity• Closer to the customer• Reduced intermediaries• Reduced implementation costs

• Local ISPs are able to compete

Tech Talk : Capacity

Product Potential• 192 Wavelengths• 100Gbps per Wavelength• 1 Gbps = 1,000,000,000 bps

1 X Fibre Pair = 19.2Tbps

19,200,000,000,000 bps(oodles, on just one pair of fibres)

Enough for 3,000,000 users @ 50Mbps

(on a 1:10 contention ratio)

QCN Network “Edge” UpgradePhase I April – July 2020

• NBN Regional POIs• Cairns• Townsville• Mackay• Rockhampton• Bundaberg• Maroochydore• Toowoomba

Delivering capacity increase of 10 to 100 times

What do these speeds enableConnectivity - enabling Everything in a modern world

Applications• Telehealth• Data Centre Connectivity• Cloud Base applications

• Google, Azure, Amazon• AgTech

• IoT• Education• E-commerce

Benefit• Remote clinical procedures/consult• Virtual compute – Reducing cost,

reduced carbon footprint• Government and commerce compute• Farmer use of technology – improving

methods & results• Access to resources for Education• Speed of transaction, access to real

time communications

Funding the Last Mile – Collaboration is the Key

Sate Government

Enterprise Councils/Local Government

Commercial and Community Federal Government

CollaborationAccess/Connectivity

Co-funding/Joint benefits

Level 2, The Precinct, TC Beirne Building 315 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley 4006 QLDPO Box 210, Fortitude Valley 4006 QLD

QCNFIBRE.COM.AU

Mitchell Simpson – Engagement Director

MB : 0418 182 491

EM : Mitchell.Simpson@qcnfibre.com.au