Live from Melbourne, the informative, entertaining and inspirational entrepreneur will share his insights and knowledge to make your business succeed in the current climate.

Born in Patagonia, Gus arrived in Australia when he was 17. By the time he was 22, he set up his first business and landed his dream job at Lonely Planet.

Fast forward a few more years and he was leading the company globally, working with companies such as Google X, Nokia and Amazon on the latest technology, creative cultures and high performing teams.

If you own a small, medium or large business, Gus Balbontin's presentation will resonate.

The BizMonth business lunch is on at BMEC on Tuesday, September 29 from noon to 2pm.

To book, visit www.bathurstbusinesshub.com.au. Tickets cost $35. Sales close at 5pm today.

Dam levels

THE water started flowing over the spillway on Monday and what a sight it was.

With Chifley Dam now at capacity, I would like to remind everyone that we are still on high level water restrictions.

It is important to continue to be water wise heading into the warmer months.

For more information, visit www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/waterrestrictions

Race week off-track events

CHILDREN, families and friends can enjoy the excitement of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 with a variety of off-track events.

While the off-track events will be very different to previous years, we can implement activities in a safe way that support the local economy over race week.

We can still celebrate Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and we have some activities planned that will add to the excitement and support our local businesses at the same time.

Activities include a scavenger hunt, a colouring-in competition and a window display.

We are asking our local businesses to become involved as well by encouraging them to host race week-themed events or by creating a window display.

I would like to thank VERTO for sponsoring the scavenger hunt.

Program

VERTO Scavenger Hunt

Grab your friends, kids or go solo to explore and discover the Bathurst region. Gain points for every task to go into the draw to win one of 30 prizes. Runs from September 25 to October 18.

Colouring-in competition

Show us your best and brightest colours for your chance to win one of 80 Supercars-themed stationery packs. Entries close at 5pm on October 18. Download a copy at www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Window display and business events

If your business is hosting a breakfast, running a best-dressed competition or simply showing the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on the big screen, we want to know about it.

Register on council's website to promote your event.

If hosting something isn't applicable to your business, we still want you to get involved and register for our window display packs.

For more information on any of these activities, visit www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

WITH the devastation of the 2019/20 summer bushfires fresh in our mind, I strongly encourage residents to get ready for the upcoming bushfire season by ensuring they have their home prepared and they have an up-to-date bushfire action plan.

The Get Ready weekend that has just passed provided a great opportunity for families to get to know their local firefighters, find out fire risks in their area and gain advice on effective fire safety and planning.

It's not too late to update your knowledge, with this information and guidance being available online.

The recent bushfires showed how quickly fires can develop, threatening many homes and lives.

It also highlighted the importance of the community's role. Taking just five minutes from your day to make a fire plan and having a well-prepared property makes all the difference if you should be threatened by a bushfire.

The top four tips for getting ready for bushfire season are:

To prepare your bushfire plan, visit myfireplan.com.au/. For more information on local future activities, visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/getready

Kelso to Raglan upgrade

RESIDENTS, visitors to the region and freight industries have shown excitement about a major upgrade to the Great Western Highway section from Kelso to Raglan and I encourage local businesses to find out how they can be involved in this project.

This $45 million upgrade will provide improved safety and travel time for motorists.

Traffic lights will also be installed to give better access to the Bathurst Airport and improve intersections.

Shifting alignment will also be put in place to ensure that traffic can still flow on the existing highway during the construction to avoid travel dilemmas.

Moving closer to the construction phase, prospective contractors and suppliers are invited to learn more about the upcoming opportunities.

Transport for NSW will hold an online industry information session for local businesses on Monday, September 28.

To register your interest to attend the industry online information session, visit nswroads.work/kelsotoraglan or email western.projects@rms.nsw.gov.au

Apply for new Clubgrants funding

BUILDING, repairs and upgrades for community organisations could be on the agenda with the next round of applications for the Infrastructure Grants program opening earlier this week.

These grants are made possible by the Clubgrants Category 3 Fund, which reinvests profits from registered clubs' gaming machines into a pool for large-scale community projects.

Grants are made available across a range of facilities including arts and culture, sport and recreation, disaster readiness and community infrastructure.

The program's last round gave much weight to project repairs and rebuilds mainly surrounding the bushfires and COVID-19 and that will again be the case for this funding round.

To find out more information or to apply, please visit responsiblegambling.nsw.gov.au. Applications close October 12.