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SEACHANGE - Penguin supports preservation
By ABBM Mike Gosper

Volume 50, No.5, April 05, 2007
 
PRESERVED: Lower level of the former Submarine Miners’ Depot, built in 1891 and used as a storage area for bombs.
Photo: Courtesy of the National Trust
 
"You may not have thought about it before, but we all like to belong to an organisation with a strong social conscience. We can say, with pride, that we agree with the ideals of the organisation, including its care for the environment and the community.
Sea Change supports the Navy values of Honour, Honesty, Courage, Integrity and Loyalty and demonstrates this in a number of ways including its work in Key Area 4 to protect and promote Navy’s image, ethos and pride.
The Navy has always been very conscious of its responsibility to the community, to the environment and to the preservation of our history. We are privileged to have access to some of the most spectacular locations in Sydney and must do all we can to preserve these special place.
The following story demonstrates the practical ways in which Navy are achieving this aim."

The Mosman based Headland Preservation Group (HPG) celebrated its victorious ten year struggle to save the historical military site at Chowder Bay from proposed commercial development on March 2.

In attendance were Mr Tony Abbott MP, Federal Member for Warringah, Ms Jillian Skinner MP State member for North Shore, Chief Justice Barry O’Keefe, AM, QC, President of the National Trust (NSW) and representing CMDR HMAS Penguin, the Executive Officer of the establishment, LCDR G.M. Shaw.

The Headland Preservation Group was formed by local Mosman residents, who enthusiastically embarked on their cause to save the Chowder Bay and George’s Heights military depots from development in 1996 because the two sites were key aspects of Australia’s earliest Defence infrastructure and part of the Defence Estate for more than 150 years, and so were worthy of preservation as significant aspects of Australia’s military heritage.

More than eight years ago, the then Commanding Officer of Penguin, CMDR Theodore (Ted) B. Wynberg, endorsed the group’s aims and ever since Penguin has maintained a close, supportive relationship with the HPG, which continues with the current CO.

Penguin’s support of the construction of the widely popular public walking track, which snakes down the establishment’s western fence line through the Angophora forest from Middle Head Road to Balmoral Beach, was particularly appreciated and has further contributed to the close relationship between Penguin and the local community.

The President of the Headland Preservation Group, Mr Don Goodsir, said, “Penguin’s co-operation is very important…”.

In his speech at the HPG’s celebrations on March 2, Mr Goodsir stated, “The Headland Preservation Group wishes to express its gratitude to HMAS Penguin and the Royal Australian Navy for its support.”

In a later interview, Mr Goodsir added, “The people of Mosman and the Headland Preservation Group have welcomed, and will continue to welcome the presence and support of the Navy.”

The development of Middle Head still continues with the impending release of the Middle Head Management Plan. The plan includes the development proposals for the former 10 Terminal Regiment and School of Pacific Administration sites.

Sea Change encourages everyone to make use of the new walking track and to take the time to enjoy this beautiful location.


 Focus groups, submissions for ADF reviews
Do you hear there!

There have been several recent reviews that have commenced on behalf of ADF members.

For the Military Superannuation Review and the Shared Parental Responsibility Review, Focus Groups in ships and establishments have been engaged for feedback and input. Submissions closed at the end of March 2007.

If you want to have a say in the Strategic Career Management Framework Project—Australian Defence Force Recruitment and Retention Initiative, submissions are due by April 9.

The framework will be underpinned by two key principles: support to individual members to be their own career manager by providing flexibility and choice, and secondly to give the Service Chiefs greater flexibility to effectively manage their workforces.

For more information on these topics, or any Sea Change initiatives go to:
http://navy.defence.gov.au/SCIMARS/index.asp


Looking at super contributions after tax
By Mrs Heather Gill, Acting Director Superannuation

"Avoid a nasty surprise – give your Tax File Number to all your super funds! ADF members should contact ComSuper on 1300 001 877 to give theirs to MSBS or DFRDB."

In the last two editions of Navy News, we have alerted members to upcoming changes in superannuation laws. These changes will take effect on July 1.

ADF members need to think carefully about how they will be affected. The previous article talked about changes affecting pre-tax (concessional) contributions.

This article talks about changes that affect post-tax (non-concessional) contributions.

An article in the next edition will focus on tax changes to superannuation benefits.

From July 1 2007, contributions made from post-tax income will be called non-concessional contributions.

Non-concessional contributions will be capped and taxed as follows:
- If you do not provide your Tax File Number to your fund, your fund will not be able to accept any non-concessional contributions. This will in turn affect your retirement benefit.
- Non-concessional contributions will be capped at $150,000 per year. This cap is the total of all non-concessional contributions that you make to all your superannuation funds.
- Non-concessional contributions are post-tax. You will not be taxed a second time when you pay them, provided you stay under the cap.
- Any non-concessional contributions over the cap will be taxed at a total of 46.5%. This tax will be imposed on you. You will have no option but to withdraw an amount from your super fund equal to your tax liability.
- The previous article explained that concessional (pre-tax) contributions will be capped at $50,000. Concessional contributions in excess of $50,000 will count towards the non-concessional cap.
- The cap will apply to all non-concessional contributions made on behalf of an individual. For example, contributions made by one spouse for the benefit of the other will be counted against the receiving spouse’s cap.
- To allow for larger contributions, members aged under 65 will be able to bring forward up to two years of non-concessional contributions.

For example, you can contribute up to $450,000 in the 2007-2008 financial year but will not be able to make further non-concessional contributions until the 2010-2011 financial year.

These changes will affect all members of superannuation funds. Seeking financial advice can help you make the right decision for your future.

You can view a list of financial planners : Financial Planning Association at www.fpa.asn.au; CPA Australia at www.cpaaustralia.com.au, and Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia at www.icaa.com.au.