Australia's 3rd Largest Economy

Member News


  • 23-May-2014 17:30 | Deleted user

    WSBC General Manager, Michael Sugg, continues to engage and collaborate with Western Sydney organisations to voice your needs for Western Sydney and ultimately enhance your business growth.


    Here’s a snippet of Michael’s last week:

    • Michael met with The Committee for Sydney. The meeting resulted in a joint project to benefit all SMEs in Western Sydney. More information will be released soon.
    • He represented WSBC at a talking heads session on the Strategy for Western Sydney. The session was organised by NSW Trade & Investment.
    • A meeting with NSW Trade & Investment followed to discuss Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chain resulting in our call for manufacturing success stories for Western Sydney.
    • Attended and represented WSBC at the NSW Trade & Investment Breakfast to launch the National Manufacturing Week.
    • Attended the National Manufacturing Week Exhibition.
    • Received an invitation to be the speaker at the TAFEWSi Manufacturing Engineering Logistics and Transport Group (MELT) Dinner on 27 May.
    • Hosted the inspiring Western Sydney Business Transformation Story of the Panthers Group, with CEO Warren Wilson and Executive General Manager of Rugby League, Phil Gould.
    • Represented WSBC at the Committee for Sydney event in Parramatta with the Hon Stuart Ayres MP.

  • 23-May-2014 13:51 | Deleted user

    Membership renewals are approaching and we would like to offer all members who renew and pay before 6 June 2014, an additional two complimentary seats to the GWS Employment Forum on the 12 June. We would also like to take this opportunity to remind you of the membership benefits by following the links at the bottom of this email.


    It has been a very positive year for WSBC and our members. Although markets are tough there appears to be a more positive sentiment to business in the West. It is the prime focus of politicians, advocacy groups and companies now recognising the opportunities that exist and investing their time and dollars.


    There are also many positive examples of businesses in the West that are succeeding and together with Newscorp we have profiled some of them in their ‘Champions of The West Campaign’. WSBC will continue to profile these organisations and highlight other success stories in our new strategy, complementing our traditional focus as a “Business Connector” with a new role that serves as a “Voice” of SME businesses in Western Sydney.


    We are following up a number of manufacturing success stories and would love for you to get in touch with us and let us know your story too. Our Platinum Partners and Gold members are doing just that at present and I look forward to catching up with you all in the coming weeks to discuss the enhanced benefits and programs we have for you in the coming year.


    Membership growth has continued to improve and we have grown our gold membership by 100% in the past 8 months. This means that we will have new and more people in the room for you to engage and connect with. On top of this we have introduced a facility for you to update your own company details to increase your profile and to inform WSBC and other members who you are looking to connect with. These are already delivering results and we have been able to connect a number of our members to one another.


    With a variety of new networking events, partnerships and subjects for our major business leader luncheons planned, the 2014/15 membership year is shaping up to be an even better year. Key to this is understanding how the region can be shaped to deliver an optimised economic environment to maximise business success based on the needs of our members.


    As such we offer a flexible approach to our membership and work in assisting you and our other members on achieving your business aims. We are not offering a membership in a box where one size fits all. This means that we will work with you to achieve your objectives and connect you for lead generation, development and growth of your business and in turn the growth of the Western Sydney economy.


    If you have any questions regarding your renewal or you would like to discuss how you can gain maximum return on your membership next year please get in touch with us.


    We look forward to working with you in the year ahead as we drive forward with our new strategy and deliver on our role as a business connector for your business and the “Voice” of SME business in Western Sydney.

  • 23-May-2014 13:45 | Deleted user

    HWL Ebsworth has further expanded its Norwest offering with the addition of Dorota Bryks as an Associate in the commercial team.

     

    Dorota will work with Partners Matt Rowe and Brendon Noney and has expertise in the preparation and negotiation of contracts, business acquisitions and disposals including due diligence and business structuring.  She also provides clients with advice in areas of competition and consumer law, the Personal Property Securities Act and information and communications technology.  She is known for providing prompt, commercially-focused advice that is tailored to her client’s individual needs.

     

    Dorota has experience across a wide range of industries including health, manufacturing, construction and consumer goods and she has serviced multinationals and their subsidiaries and small to medium enterprises.

     

    HWL Ebsworth is the only national law firm with a presence and dedication to Greater Western Sydney having a fully integrated office at Norwest Business Park staffed by 5 Partners and 15 other legal and support staff.  Following the firm's upcoming acquisition of Adelaide independent law firm Kelly & Co, HWL Ebsworth will be ranked as the third largest legal partnership in Australia. This expansion will create a fully integrated national firm which will comprise 905 staff including: 187 Partners, 425 other legal staff and 293 support staff across offices in seven locations – Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Norwest (North West Sydney), Perth and Sydney.




  • 21-May-2014 09:08 | Deleted user

    In just two years Penrith Panthers have gone from the brink of insolvency to a business powerhouse planning an $850 million precinct.


    Warren Wilson and Phil Gould are keynote speakers at the Western Sydney Business Connecti

    Warren Wilson and Phil Gould are keynote speakers at the Western Sydney Business Connection lunch. (Photo: Matt Sullivan) Source: News Limited


    Panthers CEO Warren Wilson and Executive General Manager of Rugby League Phil Gould last week shared how the business survived and thrived with the Western Sydney Business Connection.


    Mr Wilson said it was important to share the company’s story.


    Business leaders gather to gear the Panthers Transformation story. (Photo: Matt Sullivan)

    Business leaders gather to gear the Panthers Transformation story. (Photo: Matt Sullivan) Source: News Limited


    “We are a major player in Penrith and we think the Western Sydney area hasn’t been on the top of everyone’s list for many years,” Mr Wilson said.


    “It’s about time that politicians, business organisations, and other groups recognise what we are trying to do out here and what’s available.


    “We’re right in the middle of it in sport, community and business and we’re quite happy to put our hand up for Western Sydney, so this is a great opportunity to do that and share our story.”


    The lunch gave business owners the chance to learn first-hand the key drivers behind the change, how to identify which areas of the organisation were in need of improvement, and more.


    Michael Sugg, the General Manager of The Western Sydney Business Connection opens the lun

    Michael Sugg, the General Manager of The Western Sydney Business Connection opens the lunch. (Photo: Matt Sullivan) Source: News Limited


    WSBC General Manager Michael Sugg said the purpose of the lunches was to connect business leaders.


    “Panthers are one of our platinum partners and they are one of the success stories,” Mr Sugg said.


    “Today is about education and helping our members who are in business within Western Sydney, there are lots of things that you can take away as learning points and things that can be applied into one’s own business.”


    WHAT MANAGEMENT FACED:

    • A debt of $95 million
    • No strategic plan
    • Massively complicated and costly company structure
    • Wrong people in the wrong positions
    • Lack of reinvestment over last 10 years
    • Poor internal reporting

    THE FUTURE:

    The Panthers master plan includes residential, commercial and entertainment developments.

    Panthers Master Plan. (Credit: Architectus Group)

    Panthers Master Plan. (Credit: Architectus Group) Source: Supplied


    Source: NewsLocal - Penrith Press by Kristine Tarbert. Original article.

  • 20-May-2014 15:58 | Deleted user

    WSBC is proud to share an article featuring QuickStep from our WSBC Gold Member Bankstown City Council after connecting them with The Daily Telegraph. WSBC has endeavoured to connect a number of manufacturing organisations to our Platinum Media Partner resulting in numerous nominations for Champions of the West and promotion for our Western Sydney businesses.


    Article published in the Daily Telegraph by Bruce McDougall.


    Nominated in the Innovation and Manufacturing category of The Telegraph’s Champions of the West awards program, sponsored by AGL, Quickstep Technology has grown rapidly since landing a long-term agreement with US aerospace giant Northrop Grumman to supply Joint Strike Fighter components.


    In just 18 months this Western Sydney company has put Bankstown on the world aviation map, providing state-of-the-art components for the likes of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.


    The advanced composites firm, which relocated to Bankstown from Western Australia in 2012, is also supplying highly specialised wing flaps for C130J Hercules military transport aircraft.


    The company is also at the centre of cutting-edge developments in the global automotive industry.


    Chief executive Philippe Odouard said the operation that started with 30 staff in a small Perth factory now employed 120 and was expected to grow to 150 by the end of the year.


    “We found very good premises at Bankstown that could do the job undefined and there is more support in Sydney for maintaining our facilities and for servicing.


    “We manufacture carbon fibre parts for the Joint Strike Fighter and export them to the US for Northrop Grumman,” he said.


    Mr Odouard said Quickstep was “ramping up” its work at the speed necessary to handle the volume of work.


    The Bankstown facility has won lavish praise from Northrop Grumman, indicating its skilled workforce and resources offered the opportunity for yet more large-scale aerospace manufacturing contracts.


    “It’s the most advanced technology for carbon fibre in the world. The US was looking for people who could do that work,” Mr Odouard said.


    Quickstep expects work on the Joint Strike Fighter will generate up to $700 million over 20 years and the C130J Hercules aircraft $75m to $100m over five years.


    More than 3000 F-35s will be produced by 2036 making it the biggest aircraft production outside the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.


    The advanced composites produced by Quickstep are high strength fibres such as carbon fibre embedded with performance resins.


    These materials are used extensively in the aerospace and defence industries and increasingly in high performance and electric-powered cars.


    Quickstep hopes to start shipping equipment to major global customers soon to make parts for superlight cars.
  • 19-May-2014 17:02 | Deleted user

    The North Connex project will link the M1 (F3) with the M2 and take at least 5,000 trucks a day off Pennant Hills Road. The construction will consist of twin tunnels, nine kilometres in length bypassing 21 sets of traffic lights. The more efficient movement of freight will deliver major benefits to the Australian and NSW economies, linking Newcastle and the Central Coast, Western and South Western Sydney and Melbourne by one continuous motorway. 



    North Connex will feature the longest road tunnels in this country. The construction of tunnels of this magnitude will require extensive consultation with the community prior to being approved. 

    Seven News covered recent developments concerning North Connex and a video of the story is available here


  • 15-May-2014 14:58 | Deleted user

    Liberal Holroyd councillor Ross Grove has praised the federal budget as a ‘‘$6.4 billion infrastructure bonanza for western Sydney’’, while Labor’s Greg Cummings is concerned it will not do enough to create employment.


    In an emailed statement to the Sun, Cr Grove welcomed what he called the federal government’s ‘‘visionary approach’’ that he said would see western Sydney ‘‘take its rightful place as the centre of growth in Australia’’.


    ‘‘This was not an easy budget for the new government, but they have kept their eye on the ball when it comes to unlocking the potential of western Sydney,’’ Cr Grove said.


    ‘‘For all the negatives, if we’re getting the funds to build infrastructure that connects western Sydney to the rest of the world, we’re doing okay when it comes to the feds.’’


    Cr Grove said the Abbott government should be applauded for allocating $2.9 billion towards roads to connect to the airport site at Badgerys Creek, and for putting $77.8 million over four years towards the establishment of a dedicated western Sydney infrastructure unit to progress the airport.


    He says the government also deserves credit for ‘‘putting their money where their mouth is” and backing Stage 2 of the WestConnex project with $1.5 billion and a $2 billion concessional loan.


    But Labor’s Greg Cummings told the Sun he was concerned about budget changes to Medicare and a lack of focus on jobs creation.


    ‘‘I’m concerned with the charge now for Medicare, that will affect our local residents. I don’t mind the infrastructure, but what we really need is jobs and I don’t see how in the long-term this is going to generate jobs,’’ Cr Cummings said.


    ‘‘Thirty per cent of school leavers in the western suburbs don’t complete their HSC.’’


    Cr Cummings said a tightening of Newstart eligibility would have flow-on effects for families.


    ‘‘All it’s going to do is force them to stay home longer with mum and dad. Unless there can be some incentives for jobs creation for school leavers, we’re going to have a lost generation stuck in no man’s land. For the great country we have got, I think we could be doing a lot more.”


    An organiser for the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, Cr Cummings said he visited two manufacturing companies yesterday that were offering workers voluntary redundancies. One, a company that manufactures meters for reading electricity consumption, will cease manufacturing next year.


    ‘‘That’s the biggest issue I see for Australia. Where are the semi-skilled and unskilled going to get work? They can’t all work in the retail and service industries.


    ‘‘If all we’re going to do is import goods and not manufacture ourselves, what do you get? A large shed and a couple of forklift drivers? We need jobs.’’


    Source: The Sun by Vanessa Watson. Original article.

  • 12-May-2014 14:02 | Deleted user

    Work on billions of dollars in major road infrastructure to support Sydney’s second airport at Badgerys Creek will be fast-tracked to begin this year.


    After Tony Abbott’s promise of a $3.5 billion roads upgrade package for Western Sydney last month, both the NSW and federal governments want the projects to become operational “as quickly as possible”.


    NSW roads minister Duncan Gay and federal assistant minister for infrastructure and regional development Jamie Briggs announced planning on the $1.25 billion East-West Airport Motorway, to link the new airport with the M7 Motorway, will start later this year.


    It will include the construction of the $500 million first stage of transforming Bringelly Road from two to four lanes, between King Street at Rossmore and Camden Valley Way at Horningsea Park.


    Detailed design work has already started on the first stage of the $1.6 billion upgrade of The Northern Road between Camden Valley Way at Narellan through to Peter Brock Drive at Oran Park.

    Picture: Daily Telegraph

    Picture: Daily Telegraph Source: DailyTelegraph


    The Northern Road will become a four-lane arterial between Narellan and the M4 Motorway at Orchard Hills.


    There are also preliminary plans being drawn up for a diversion of The Northern Road, which currently runs through the site of the new airport.


    As part of the roads spending announcement made last month, the federal government is contributing $2.9 billion over the next eight years, with $1.2 billion of that coming over the next four years.


    NSW is contributing 20 per cent of the cost.


    The Prime Minister predicted the package will result in 4000 new jobs in road construction alone.


    Mr Briggs and Mr Gay undefined who have joint responsibility to implement the road infrastructure plan, prioritise funding of projects and consider future projects to be funded undefined were in Western Sydney this month to tour current and proposed construction sites along with local state and federal MPs.


    Duncan Gay, Macarthur Federal Liberal MP Russell Matheson and Jamie Briggs meet at Bringe

    Duncan Gay, Macarthur Federal Liberal MP Russell Matheson and Jamie Briggs meet at Bringelly Rd near Camden Valley Way to discuss Badgerys Creek airport and the infrastructure projects needed to accommodate it. Picture: Timothy Clapin Source: News Corp Australia


    “Both governments are serious about building these vital economic roads projects as quickly as possible to get Western Sydney moving, which is why construction work is being fast-tracked to commence this year,” Mr Briggs said.


    “The Australian government’s investment in Western Sydney’s future is a key pillar of our broader Economic Action Strategy and builds on significant commitments we’ve already made, including $1.5 billion towards building WestConnex, $405 million towards NorthConnex and developing the Moorebank intermodal terminal.


    “These commitments, coupled with our responsible management of the budget, will not only ensure Western Sydney gets the fair go it deserves, but that it continues to grow into one of the economic powerhouses of Australia,” Mr Briggs said.


    Mr Gay said the NSW government will soon be calling tenders for the 5.5km Stage 1 of the Bringelly Road upgrade, with construction to be completed around the end of 2017.


    Planning will begin this year for the $1.25 billion Airport Motorway undefined along Elizabeth Drive undefined between the M7 and The Northern Road.


    Source: News Corp by Jim O'Rourke from The Daily Telegraph. Original article

  • 12-May-2014 11:57 | Deleted user

    WSBC is pleased to collaborate with business networking groups in Northwest Sydney to assist businesses to plan their engagement activities effectively. The result is a calendar of upcoming events where businesses can find opportunities to connect and engage with other organisations as well as stay up to date with the latest news, trends and development in Western Sydney.


    To download the calendar of events, please click here.




  • 09-May-2014 09:37 | Deleted user

    Submit your preliminary Expressions of Interest for the South Korean business mission.

     

    Bankstown City Council, in partnership with its counterpart at Canterbury and with the support of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, is investigating the feasibility of a business mission to South Korea for a five-day period during October 2014.   


    The key objective of the proposed mission is to deepen and expand trade and investment relations between local and South Korean businesses by:

    • identifying export opportunities;
    • providing information on opportunities for direct investment and joint ventures;
    • building technical collaboration between local and South Korean businesses, through shared R&D projects, licensing agreements and technology transfer;
    • sharing insights into product and process innovation;
    • identifying the latest available technologies;
    • sharing intelligence on new market opportunities;
    • establishing a basis for joint bidding for projects; and
    • promoting Bankstown-Canterbury as a place to visit, invest and do business.

    The proposed outlay by each local participant is expected to be approximately $2,000 plus airfares, accommodation and hospitality. This will cover the costs of:

    • a detailed business matching exercise for each participant;
    • a pre-departure briefing featuring experts from Austrade and the South Korean Consulate in Sydney;
    • a major business briefing/networking function in Seoul; and
    • ground transport in South Korea.

    These costs are likely to be eligible for partial reimbursement under Austrade’s Export Market Development Grants Scheme.


    The timing of this initiative is regarded as ideal. South Korea is already  Australia’s fourth-largest export market, and the two countries have just concluded a Free Trade Agreement which is expected to generate a range of new opportunities.  Manufacturing accounts for more than 40% of South Korea’s GDP, which augurs well for potential collaboration with an economy such as Bankstown’s, which also features a strong manufacturing sector.


    If interested, please contact Paul Judge, ph. 9707 9261 or email paul.judge@bankstown.nsw.gov.au  and we will be in touch with you to discuss this exciting opportunity in more detail.

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