![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/619727b2b94efdbaef1143d8/6681f02c6e39220586e83f6a_Matt1.jpg)
Welcome to the July newsletter.
The June month was as usual a busy time of all and the end of financial year has finally arrived with a number of changes coming into play from 1 July 2024.
The Shop Local campaign was a raging success with $1,232,077.26 in receipts over the 10 week program. On Sunday 16 June we gathered in Fitzroy Plaza with all 10 lucky key winners with Craig Wallace opening the car door and becoming the overall winner this year. Craig shopped at Total Tools and walked away with some new tools and a Skoda Scala Ambition – not a bad result. I want to do a huge shout out again to Woodleys Motors and Skoda for their ongoing support and to our other major sponsors Tamworth Regional Council and Centrepoint Tamworth for their involvement this year. Of course these campaigns don’t happen without our supporting sponsors who this year included Rhythm Digital, Indigico, Allsopp Signs, Radio 88.9, Radio 2TM & 92.9, NBN Television, Win Television, Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth Shopping World, Tamworth Car and Dog Wash, Home of Strength Gym, Bakers Delight Shoppingworld, MassageLand, Illegal Lengths and Chris Watson Travel. With over 130 participating businesses and over 8,800 entries this year the campaign was evidence of the strength of the Tamworth economy and the value of supporting local businesses by buying locally.
From 1 July there are a number of changes that will impact business owners. These include the stage 3 tax cut that come into effect on 1 July. Employers will need to ensure that they have updated their payroll software and made changes to any automated transfers to staff bank accounts ahead of the first pay in July. The payroll software should also update the SGC amount to 11.5% from July too. Whilst on a payroll matters the ATO are reminding employers to finalise their single touch payroll information by 14 July with extensions only applying for closely held employees. We note that from 1 July the cents per kilometre rate have increased to 88c for the 2025 income year. This is relevant for employers who choose to pay travel allowances for staff based on the ATO rate. We should also see the energy rebates announced in the Federal and the NSW State budgets to appear on statements from 1 July for eligible recipients.
During the month we also launched the 40th QBA awards with nominations now open until 19 July with business nominations flooding in already. Remember to nominate your favourite business, employer or employee or even nominate yourself to celebrate the past twelve months in business. As always judging is undertaken by independent judges from across the region. If you think you have the knack to be a judge (or you just want an excuse to shop) reach out to the office and register yourself as a judge now. Judging closes on 9 August and all judges receive a ticket to the main gala event on 6th September so it is well worth the effort to get involved. Tickets for the event will go on sale soon and based on previous years get in early to avoid disappointment.
Finally we have a number of key events being scheduled over the coming months including a new approach to our monthly networking events kicking off with the Business After 5 event at Apollo Engineering. These events will be a chance for business to showcase what is being achieved locally and serve as a good networking opportunity for new and old members to gather together and share stories. This month we have also locked in the State of the Region and the State of the State leaders forums. Both forums will be highly informative and well worth the time to come and hear what is happening locally from our local and State leaders.