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IDC Hunter HERITAGE TIMELINE

The Industry Development Centre (Hunter) Limited (IDC Hunter) is a not-for-profit business services organisation established in 1992 to assist industry development in the Hunter Region and thereby create employment opportunities. Originally funded through a Federal Government initiative IDC Hunter is now funded through fee-for-service activities and up to 30 June 2009, a well-established conference centre, and tenancy and business services. Over the years IDC has also proudly delivered various government-sponsored initiatives to assist innovative individuals and SMEs.

Since establishment, IDC Hunter has evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of business and has extended beyond the Hunter to service the needs of innovative individuals and businesses throughout Australia. A historical continuum of services, programs and initiatives delivered by IDC Hunter since establishment is presented below.

1992 – IDC Established

The IDC, a not-for-profit business services organisation was established - funded through a Federal Government initiative to assist industry development in the Hunter region and thereby create employment opportunities.

1996 – Cluster Mapping Program

In association with the Hunter Regional Development Organisation (HURDO), IDC undertook an extensive Cluster Mapping Program which culminated in the first draft publication of the Hunter Economic Development Strategy – Hunter Advantage in 1996. Cluster mapping studies were completed on the following industries within the Hunter:

  • Equine;
  • Engineering;
  • Community Education and Training;
  • Surf;
  • IT;
  • Defence;
  • Sustainable Industries;
  • Wine;
  • Arts; and
  • Mining.

As a result of this program the IDC provided enabling funding and support to establish clusters with average memberships of 25 businesses in:

  • Building and construction;
  • Community based education and training;
  • Defence industries; and
  • Sustainable industries.

1996 - Bizlink Program

IDC established expert advice and support in the delivery of information through the Federal Government Bizlink program. This was a crucial service at the time in Newcastle with the wind down of BHP and the growth of the individual contractor sector. The program provided the link between SMEs and the various Government initiatives at the time.

1998 – Industry Capability Network (ICN)

IDC provided underwriting sponsorship to enable the establishment of an Industrial Supplies Office (now ICN) in the Hunter. This service is now well established and provides an invaluable resource to the Region. More...

1995 to 1998 - Business Networks Program

IDC was the host organisation for the Federal Government Business Networks Program in the Hunter. Eight Feasibility and Business Plan studies were completed over the three year program. The Business Network Program involved identifying and recruiting individual businesses to come together to form a hard network to achieve outcomes that they would not have been able to achieve on their own. Often these member businesses would be competitors in the business world but the process enabled the development of trust leading to feasibility plans for the network and eventually business plans supporting the ongoing network. Networks were established in Wine, Sustainable Industries, Water Pipeline and Glass Pressure Chamber.

As a result of the Water Pipeline Network the IDC provided initial support for the Pokolbin pipeline project which combined private sector and Government funding that drought proofed the Pokolbin Region through a Private Irrigation District (PID).

2000 – Research and Development (R&D) Grants

IDC facilitated a number of Hunter based businesses access to R&D Grants. In particular the success of Sensational Foods in 2000 receiving the then highest R&D Start program in the Hunter.

2001 to 2002 - Business Builders Program

IDC secured funding under the Federal Government “Business Builder Program” and delivered a successful trade mission for the building products and services related industries into the Pacific Islands market region. Some 30 firms were involved in the program which culminated in the group attending a trade show in Fiji and securing a number of export orders for group members.

2006 to present - Australian Patent Attorney Directory

IDC launched the Australian Patent Attorney Directory in April 2006 in aim of providing a leading referral point for inventors and innovation small businesses seeking patent attorney services. The Directory was launched as part of the Australian Innovation Festival and coincided with World IP Day. More...

2000 to 2008 - Innovation Cluster Programs

Building on the previous work with clusters and networks IDC delivered successful Innovation Cluster programs funded by Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW). Cluster programs managed by the IDC included:

  • Building and Construction Cluster - This cluster delivered technology awareness, business practice improvement and networking to a range of SMEs in the Hunter's building and construction industry (45 firms as members);
  • Advanced Manufacturing Cluster - The need for this cluster was identified through research into the Textile, Clothing and Footwear industry in the Hunter. The focus was extended to provide support to a range of manufacturing SMEs in latest technology and business practices; and
  • Aquaculture Technology Awareness Group

2007 to present - Hunter Founders Forum

Founders Forum is an angel investor network devoted to assisting early-stage investment opportunities. Members from throughout the Hunter invest, sit on boards, make introductions, consult and share their experiences with other angels and business associates. IDC's Executive Officer, Darrell Nicholls is a Nominated Advisor (NOMAD) and also Member of the Hunter Founders Forum Support Committee. More...

1995 to 2009 - Hunter Innovation Advisory Service

Under the auspice of Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) IDC Hunter established the Hunter Innovation Advisory Service. This service also extended to regional NSW. The role of the service was to assist inventors and innovative small businesses take their ideas to market through free advice and referral and partially subsidised innovation assessments and market research. Through the service IDC delivered the following outcomes:

  • A range of seminars and workshops on commercialising innovation/s;
  • Developed and implemented commercialisation plans with, and for clients;
  • Provided linkages through an effective network of industry, professional and government agencies;
  • Connected qualified clients with programs such as COMET, R&D Tax Concessions, Australian Technology Showcase; and
  • Delivered Regional Innovation Advisory Service programs to regional areas. This seminar and consultation series presented advice on Commercialisation, Intellectual Property and Grants and Support (AusIndustry and Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW)). Programs were delivered in Albury, Queanbeyan, Wollongong, Tamworth, Orange, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Tweed Heads, Ballina and Lismore.

1995 to 2012 - Innovation Development Services

IDC Hunter remains Australia’s leading innovation-development services firm, delivering a suite of specialised commercialisation products and services to help inventors and innovative small businesses evaluate, develop, protect and commercialise new ideas. Each year IDC Hunter provides help to more than 1000 innovators from across Australia. More...

2010 to 2011 – Hunter Central Coast Export Centre (HCCEC)

IDC Hunter became custodian of the Hunter Central Coast Export Centre (HCCEC). HCCEC is a network of experienced exporters and business operators from the Hunter and Central Coast and is supported by the New South Wales government through Industry & Investment (I&I NSW). Through this strong association with the State government, HCCEC network members enjoy access to, and support with, export planning, export based training courses, access to business experts in various fields, trade missions and market visit support, as well as introductions to government funding. HCCEC hosts the annual Hunter Central Coast Export Awards that recognise the outstanding achievements of local exporters and provide a springboard to further recognition through state and national awards programs. The HCCEC also provides members with access to information on export related issues through its website and electronic newsletters. In addition the HCCEC hosts four major networking events each year, which bring together HCCEC members and high profile speakers from international markets. More...

2010 to present – Creative Industries Project

This project aims to develop and implement an initiative to support small enterprises in the creative industries to grow and become profitable.

The target enterprises will have a turnover of less than $1million and may include not-for-profit organisations. They may deliver products or services that are completely focussed on a creative output (e.g. architecture, software design, music or fashion) or may draw on value-adding outputs from the creative industries to enhance their services or other offerings.

The first stage of the initiative will focus on determining what areas of the Hunter's creative industries are strongest or have the most potential for growth and those which are most likely to benefit from the additional support that IDC Hunter can provide. It will also outline the form of support most appropriate to generate improved productivity (e.g. redesigned service delivery, extended use of web-based strategies or better marketing and business acumen) or market penetration either directly through collaborative ventures or indirectly through expanded services to third party enterprises.

In doing so, we will aim to form a realistic picture of creative industries in the Hunter and existing government and non-government support and to develop a model for an effective sustainable social enterprise adding productivity and employment opportunities to the sector.

The project will then move over a two-year period, to implement a recommended model of support with the aim of developing a sustainable social enterprise as a vehicle for the industry's growth.

2010 to present – International Trade Course

IDC Hunter became auspice organisation for a new course launched by TAFE NSW Hunter Institute, Faculty of Business and Computing. The course consists of selected units in 17895: Certificate IV in International Trade (BSB41107) including:

  • Finance, Insurance, Risk Management;
  • Customs Clearance Practices;
  • International Documentation;
  • Research International Business Opportunities;
  • Market Goods and Services Internationally;
  • International Conventions, Laws, Finance;
  • Plan for International Trade;
  • Quarantine Procedures;
  • Taxes and Duties.

More...

2011 – Upper Hunter Business Investment Advisory Forum (UHBIAF)