Central Coast businesses are getting hit from every angle: rising costs, tighter labour markets, infrastructure bottlenecks, insurance pressure, and now AI accelerating the gap between operators who adapt and those who get left behind.

In this episode of The Smart Energy Podcast, Matthew Jones sits down with Scott Goold (Regional Director, Business NSW - Central Coast) to unpack what’s really happening on the ground, what decision-makers respond to, and where the biggest leverage is for business owners over the next 12 to 36 months.

You’ll hear:

• The 3 biggest pressures Central Coast operators are facing right now and the one most underestimated
• What evidence-based advocacy actually looks like when you need outcomes, not “noted”
• The behind-the-scenes reality of the workers comp premium freeze and what it takes to win results
• The infrastructure bottleneck that could unlock the next wave of private investment
• What businesses should do now on energy strategy to protect margin and reduce risk
• Where AI and automation are already creating advantage for early movers in regional markets
• Scott’s single best piece of advice for owners who want to be stronger three years from now than they are today

If you’re building on the Central Coast and want practical insight, not commentary, this one is for you.