Sydney’s Western Parkland City is set to become Australia’s biggest hyper-connected, future-focussed Smart City with the release of the Smart Western City Program at the NSW Smart Places Summit.

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Program will catapult Western Sydney to the 22nd Century and leverage Sydney’s new ‘hi-tech’ city of Bradfield; making sure the benefits of today’s technologies are realised and building strong foundations to support growth and innovation.

“Digital connectivity is essential infrastructure. It facilitates education, employment opportunities, entertainment and service delivery. It will enable the city of Bradfield to become an innovative ecosystem at the Aerotropolis, and it is also the powerhouse of smart and connected solutions for communities; attracting investment, sparking innovation and supporting knowledge industries.

“The Smart Western City Program sets out steps we can take now to secure a digitally connected future; creating a City that is a virtual 0.03-second city as well as a 30-minute city,” said Minister Ayres.

The Smart Western City Program was co-created over 24 months with industry, local government and State Government. It delivers on one commitment as part of the 20-year Western Sydney city deal and covers eight local council areas - Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly.

“The Program lays out a game plan for what we need to do to address the digital divide and unleash the smart potential of the West,” said Minister Ayres.

Minister Ayres also comments that work was progressing in earnest in the Western Parkland City, with funding from the Smart Places Acceleration Program.

“We have already contributed NSW Government funds to pilots exploring the potential of smart solutions.

“This includes a trial to pilot innovative technologies and digital systems to collect and collate data on kerb space allocation and use in Liverpool. This data will help us better manage kerbsides, providing opportunities for better active and public transport options and better safety outcomes for pedestrians and cyclists.”

“This is just one way smart solutions will deliver for the Western City. We envisage a future where smart technologies support sustainability and efficient resource use, grow communities and allow the City and its people to set the pace for innovation internationally,” said Minister Ayres.

The NSW Smart Places Summit will be hosted virtually on 6 August and will provide an opportunity for Government and industry to collaborate on best practice ways to deliver outcomes for people using smart solutions.

To view the agenda for the Smart Places Summit and to register your attendance click here. 

The City of Parramatta is driving forward its ambitious redevelopment of the iconic Riverside Theatres after Council approved the next steps to progress its new concept proposal.

The Riverside Theatres Redevelopment Concept Proposal outlines Council’s vision for a major upgrade and significant expansion of Riverside Theatres, which includes new venues and increased capacity at the existing site.

Council agreed last night to begin exploring design options, developing functional specifications and validating cost estimates.

“Riverside Theatres is the heart and soul of performance culture in Western Sydney and for more than 30 years has attracted some of the world’s best artists, nurtured local talent and showcased the diverse and vibrant stories of Sydney’s Central River City,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer said.

“We are ready to take Riverside into the future and are excited to reinvigorate plans for its redevelopment.

“Council remains committed to investing the $100 million generated by the sale of land for the Powerhouse Parramatta into a redeveloped Riverside Theatres. We look forward to working with partners in the government and private sectors to breathe new life into the iconic theatre.

“Our vision is that Riverside Theatres will become the centrepiece of Parramatta’s revitalised arts and culture precinct: a hub of performance excellence that attracts talent and investment, complements the Powerhouse Parramatta, and welcomes the whole community.”

Riverside Theatres’ incoming director Craig McMaster said the aim of the redevelopment is to build on the Riverside legacy.

“We are creating a centre for living culture and aspire to make the theatres accessible and inclusive for all,” Mr McMaster said.

“The performing arts in Western Sydney have been growing significantly over the past 30 years and we need a world-class space that will nurture local culture, support performance development, and provide the capacity needed for the growing Central River City.”

The Riverside redevelopment is an important community priority reflected in Council’s Cultural Plan for Parramatta’s CBD 2017-2022.

Council proposes bringing a Riverside redevelopment scheme, budget and operating model to Councillors for endorsement early next year.

The Council owned and operated theatre, which opened in 1988, attracts more than 180,000 patrons to up to 1000 performances and events every year.

Riverside Theatres is home to the National Theatre of Parramatta, which cultivates Western Sydney’s next generation of artists, performers and creators, and FORM Dance Projects, a presenter of independent contemporary dance. It also offers an extensive educational program for young people and people with disability.

Next Wednesday, Western Sydney University will be launching its Future Directions report. This report is a comprehensive evaluation of the direction of the economies of the Central City District, an assessment of the impacts of COVID-19, and an appraisal of the options for the future success of these economies.

The launch event will feature:

• An address by Ms Jackie Taranto, Economic Commissioner, Greater Sydney Commission
• Illustrated talks by Professor Phillip O’Neill (report co-author) and Mr Rob Hall, senior economist from the data analysts .id 
• Participation by key economic and strategic planners from local government and state government agencies, planning consultancies, and Westpac (project funder)
• Q and A, chaired by Associate Professor Kathy Tannous (report co-author)

Launch Details

Date: Wednesday 4 August 2021

Time: Waiting room opens at 9.50am; Proceedings from 10.00 am to 11.30am

RSVP: Please notify Professor Phillip O’Neill of your attendance at p.oneill@westernsydney.edu.au

Zoom Meeting Link: https://uws.zoom.us/j/84504928828?pwd=cGF1alJFQ3lsdSt1ZWp3TDdLbDdwdz09

Meeting ID: 845 0492 8828 Password: 786985

The Report

Click here to download a copy of the report. 

The Western Sydney Business Connection (WSBC) is delighted to welcome Efficiency Works as its newest Platinum Partner.

Efficiency Works partners with organisations and individuals throughout Australia and beyond that are striving to enhance performance and maximise results.

They are practical, action oriented, highly experienced business improvement trainers and consultants, with an approach that brings immediate efficiency to teams and organisations.

Proudly Australian owned and operated since 2007, Efficiency Works facilitates business transformation through consultancy and training, focusing on people and process. Their goal is to provide you with the diagnostics and framework to achieve operational excellence.

INTRODUCTORY OFFER

Until 31st August 2021, Efficiency Works are offering the WSBC community a 50% reduction on the following non-certified online courses:

• Project Management
• Agile
• Lean Six Sigma Belts

To redeem this special offer enter the promo code – WSBC or click here to get in contact with Efficiency Works.  

As Jeans for Genes Day approaches on August 6th, everyone in Western Sydney is being encouraged to stay home, stay safe and support this Westmead-based charity online!

Jeans for Genes is always celebrated on the first Friday in August and is a major fundraiser for the scientists who are still working hard in the labs at Children’s Medical Research Institute.

For the second year in a row, they won’t have volunteers on local streets selling badges and seeking donations – but there are plenty of ways to support them online.

You can get fit and take part in Sofa to 6km, or if you’d prefer something more indulgent, then organise a Bake it Blue or Wear Jeans online event– or simply sign up to fundraise and get all your friends to support you through social media.

Children’s Medical Research Institute Director, Professor Roger Reddel, said the pandemic had really brought home to Australians why research is so important.

"What everyone has seen during this pandemic is researchers around the world rallying to develop vaccines,’’ Professor Reddel said. “What I see on a daily basis at Children's Medical Research Institute is world-leading research that has the ability to change the lives of the 1 in 20 children with other serious illnesses.

"What constantly amazes me is how generous Australians are in supporting medical research, even in uncertain and difficult times.

"For many people, the experience of living through a pandemic during the last 18 months has really opened their eyes to the power of research to change the world. Now we are asking Australians to see the potential of our research to change the world for children living with genetic diseases.

"This Jeans for Genes Day is the second year in a row that we can’t have volunteers on the streets in every capital city as we have had for more than 26 years. So, we are asking instead that that people go online to donate."

Visit Jeansforgenes.org.au

Successful transformation projects are grounded on the premise that in an era of accelerated change and disruption, stronger performance will hinge on having the right mindset and behaviours to drive alignment, change and growth.

Sadly, engagement surveys and qualitative culture assessments can tell only part of the story.

Join Efficiency Works and Industry Partners Australia for a free webinar at 10am on Thursday 19th August, and learn how to link people and culture to your P&L for top-line growth and bottom-line profitability!

During this webinar, participants will learn how to:

• Link people and culture to profits, performance and growth
• Quantify change readiness and measure return on investment in people
• Manage constraints to growth, alignment and success
• Link change readiness to the bottom line
• Validate gut feelings about readiness for change
• Apply new insights and practical tips to change management activities

Who Should Attend?

CEO's, General Managers and Professionals responsible for change within their organisations.

Click here to learn more or to register your virtual seat.

Laser Wizard is excited to be awarded the opportunity to supply Sheetmetal components for Transport for NSW’s $2.6b Sydney Gateway project.

The project, which is being delivered by the John Holland/Seymour Whyte Joint Venture, will support thousands of jobs and cut travel times for commuters using Sydney roads. 

After being introduced at Western Sydney Business Connection’s Meet the Buyer event, Seymour Whyte was impressed with Laser Wizard’s capability and invited them to tender.

“We were looking for a local manufacturer who we were confident could deliver on such a critical project and Laser Wizard ticked all the boxes," said Tim Grigg from Seymour Whyte.

Supplying Sheetmetal components for such an important project provides Laser Wizard the opportunity to demonstrate their vast array of advanced manufacturing capabilities, all of which are achieved from their local St Marys facility.

Laser Wizard is proud to be associated with such an amazing project and they look forward to many more future opportunities.

“In 2026 I will be able to say, ‘I helped build that’,” said Design Trainee Samantha Salkeld, one of four local trainees learning new skills at Western Sydney Airport (WSA).

The recent school leavers and Western Sydney locals are taking part in a new 12-month program which includes splitting their time with hands-on experience on the site of the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, while completing further study at TAFE NSW.

The trainees are studying to become the next generation of airport leaders and are working in various functions across the organisation including in Corporate Affairs, Technology, Design, and Commercial and Delivery.

The program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity designed to kick-start their careers and support WSA’s commitment to developing current and future skills, with a focus on developing capability.

Find out more about Samantha’s journey at WSA by checking out the short video below. You can also find videos on all the trainees here.

The NSW Government has provided further detail on the 2021 COVID-19 Business Grant including greater clarity around the eligibility requirements and the documentation required for application.

The program provides grants of between $7,500 and $15,000 to eligible businesses with annual Australian wages up to $10 million.

Read More

Scott Morrison, Gladys Berejiklian and Dominic Perrottet have jointly announced a raft of new support measures for the state of NSW in response to the prolonged lockdown in Greater Sydney.

The Federal and NSW Governments will jointly fund a new Small and Medium Business Support Payments for eligible NSW businesses. In addition, the NSW Government has expanded the previously announced grants and introduced some additional support measures for businesses.

In his announcement, the Prime Minister declared that these support packages would be available to any state or territory that experienced an extended lockdown.

William Buck have summarised the support available to businesses and how you can access it.