REX - Regional Express

news&views The time is right With interest rates at historic lows, now is the time for businesses to lock in long-term cheap debt for their business needs – such as vehicles, equipment and property – says equipment finance specialist Mark O'Donoghue from Finlease. Always striving to go above and beyond for his small business customers, O'Donoghue says that regional Australia is "on the whole, a confident, stable environment" at the moment and that robust businesses are sensibly using the climate to expand. Assisting businesses with their finance for more than 25 years, Finlease is currently a team of 50 spread across Australia that can handle anything from total debt restructures to funding millions of dollars worth of heavy machinery or one single piece of equipment. "Without being reckless, the forecast looks good enough to 'clear-fell a few more paddocks'," says O'Donoghue. For more information, get in touch with the Finlease team on 1800 358 658 or at www.finlease.com.au. Landcare Awards 2013 Nominations are open for the 2013 State & Territory Landcare Awards. Australia can be proud: it has more than 4,000 community Landcare groups, 2,000 Coastcare groups and many thousands of volunteers, all of whom play an active part in caring for our natural resources. Senator Joe Ludwig, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, recognises the importance of honouring the vital work being undertaken by these groups and individuals. "Across the country, hundreds of thousands of volunteers, land managers, Indigenous people and farmers have adopted the Landcare ethic to the benefit of their local communities and they deserve to be recognised," he said in a statement about the awards. Jane Stewart of Landcare Australia agrees, saying, "The Landcare Awards are a fantastic way of sharing the inspirational stories from the Landcare movement and celebrating the amazing work being done." A natural acquisition MWH Global has purchased Outback Ecology, an Australian environmental consultancy associated with the natural resources and mining industry for more than 20 years. The acquisition provides an opportunity to combine MWH current product offerings, from water management and natural resources engineering to mine remediation, with Outback Ecology's specialised services in environmental management. "MWH is pleased to welcome Outback Ecology's 75 employees, including scientists and specialists who will continue to work with clients across the lifecycle of mining and energy projects from evaluation and permitting through reclamation and beyond," said Joseph Adams, president of the Energy & Industry business at MWH. "The Outback Ecology leadership team committed early on that if we were ever to be acquired, we would join a growing, but stable firm that has similar values and offers our staff enhanced opportunities in Asia Pacific and globally. We believe MWH is that firm," said Harley Lacy, Outback Ecology chairman and founder. MWH has more than 500 employees in Australia and has a history in the Asia-Pacific region that goes back 40 years. Outback Ecology will transition its name to MWH. Eco and efficient business a winner Proving its quick-to-erect claim, innovative building company, The House Factory, has recently completed a new display home in just 30 days. The new home is part of the Breezes Estate Muirhead Darwin, and was built 'turnkey'. It has an 8-star energy rating and had almost a third Indigenous engagement. The House Factory specialises in affordable, energy efficient and fast-built homes across Australia's Top End. It won WA Small Business of the Year 2012 and has since gone from strength to strength with expansion is Queensland as well as a second factory in Darwin. The company has also set up a new steel roof truss machine to compliment its flat packed housing model for servicing remote and regional areas. Steel trusses are produced in the factory, and delivered to site completed, or flat packed for erection on site depending on the location. www.thehousefactory.com.au 48

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