WSA Co has today released a Request for Tender for the provision of Geotechnical Investigation Services for the Western Sydney Airport project. This procurement is being undertaken using an open tender approach.

The procurement seeks to obtain high quality geotechnical information which will inform the development of a reference design for all structures, earthworks, pavements and ancillary works required for the Stage 1 airport development.

WSA Co requires a suitably skilled and experienced geotechnical engineering consultant to complete the geotechnical investigation.

A copy of the tender documentation is available on the WSA Co website at www.wsaco.com.au.

The tender will close at 11:59pm (AEDST) on 31 October 2017.

All enquiries relating to the Geotechnical Investigation Services tender should be submitted to tenders@wsaco.com.au

Two of Western Sydney’s key sporting and tourism entities – the Western Sydney Wanderers and Featherdale Wildlife Park - have teamed up in partnership to promote the region’s extensive variety of leisure benefits.

Wanderers Midfielder Roly Bonevacia, who will serve as Featherdale’s Ambassador, recently visited the Park with wife Milou and two children to introduce his young family to the Park’s extensive collection of native Australian animals. Bonevacia has ‘wandered’ all the way from his native Netherlands to call Western Sydney his home, having signed with the team in May 2017.

Featherdale’s CEO, Tony Chiefari said “We are pleased to welcome Roly and the Western Sydney Wanderers to the Featherdale community. With a young family himself, Roly was a perfect choice to represent Featherdale both on and off the field.”

Western Sydney Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said that the club was delighted to be teaming up with Featherdale. “Featherdale has a proud Western Sydney identity so this partnership is a great fit for our club.

“We look forward to working alongside Featherdale this season and hope that our members, fans and also our players can enjoy all that Featherdale offers.”

Featherdale has developed into one of Australia’s finest tourist attractions in Greater Western Sydney and has played an important part in the growth of tourism and awareness of wildlife conservation. Similarly, the Western Sydney Wanderers club has pioneered development programs with school communities, football associations and local football clubs building awareness of the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle.

The aptly named “Wildlife Wanderers” mobile education program is one of Featherdale’s key community initiatives. The program facilitates keeper and wildlife visits to schools, libraries and other community facilities within a 45km radius of the Park, educating outlying communities on the importance of wildlife preservation off site.

To celebrate the partnership, Featherdale Wildlife Park is offering an exclusive Western Sydney Wanderers “Members Only” offer of Free Entry for Children to the Park. Further information can be found at www.featherdale.com.au or by calling 02 9622 1644.

Featherdale is located at 217 Kildare Road, Doonside and is open 9am to 5pm daily

The Premier of NSW, The Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP, recently addressed 550 business leaders at Western Sydney Business Connection’s 'State of the Region Address', where she outlined how the NSW Government’s projected investments are shaping Western Sydney’s future.

The Premier highlighted the extraordinary jobs growth in Western Sydney as a direct result of record Government investment in infrastructure and subsequent private investment.

“Over the next four years, the Government will invest more than $22 billion on major projects to tackle congestion, connect communities and improve services across this region,” the Premier said.

“The Western Sydney commitment is almost a third of our total, state-wide infrastructure commitment of $73 billion."

The latest ABS figures confirmed that since 2011, 142,000 new jobs have been created in Western Sydney – almost 40 per cent of the 361,000 jobs created across the whole of NSW in that time.

"Western Sydney jobs have surged by 12.3% - faster than NSW as a whole and faster than any other state and territory, she said" 

"As the latest ABS figures confirmed last week, the Western Sydney unemployment rate of 5.5% today is the lowest since 2008 and over the past two years alone, Western Sydney has created more jobs than Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania combined, the Premier added.”

As a leading voice in the region, WSBC General Manager Amanda Brisot said, “There are a number of pressing issues facing Western Sydney’s labour market and we need to address them now."

"Whilst we are definitely experiencing employment growth we need to see a dramatic increase in knowledge jobs to ensure and uplift the socio economic conditions within the region."

"Let’s start discussing who will populate the innovation corridors and medical research hubs and how we will attract talent to the region." 

"We have over 300,000 workers leaving Western Sydney every day; how do we connect the people of Western Sydney with local job opportunities?" 

"How are we preparing our young people for what’s to come given half of the people 25 years or younger are currently enrolled in courses that will be dramatically impacted by automation in the next 10-15 years?"

"If Western Sydney doesn’t put strategies in place to develop the labour market and ensure that the talent resides in the area, we will never fully realise the benefits of this once-in-a-generation investment boom." 

"WSBC’s Visitor Strategy initiative, due to be released in December this year, will go some way to attracting talent to the region by positioning its lifestyle attributes and stimulating vibrancy within the visitor sector, creating informal sector and entry level jobs. We must then leverage these opportunities by creating new career pathways within the sector, Ms Brisot added.”

Western Sydney currently accounts for 8% of Australia's GDP, represents 10% of Australia's population, and is expected to account for 15% of Australia's population growth in the next 25 years

Urban growth of this magnitude is a rarity in the cities of advanced nations, so we can't afford to waste the significant momentum and investment. We are at a crucial time of development to establish a legacy that will affect many of Australia's next generations.

Ms Brisot noted that the human capital solution requires collaboration and commitment from both industry and Government and WSBC will continue to provide that important link between the two.

Western Sydney Business Connection is the prime facilitator of business engagement and growth in Western Sydney.

The Western Sydney Business Connection (WSBC) has received an investment boost from the NSW Government towards its Visitor Network Strategy.

WSBC General Manager Amanda Brisot thanked the NSW Government, Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall and said the $100,000 investment means a lot to the region and the development of the visitor economy in Western Sydney.

“This is about Industry and government coming together in a pubic private partnership to promote western Sydney’s hidden gems – the great outdoors, the multicultural cuisine, our unique arts and culture offering and attractions such as Featherdale and Wet n Wild,” Mrs Brisot said.

“WSBC set out to deliver a co-ordinated strategy providing a vital link between all levels of government and this investment from the NSW Government confirms the WSBC Visitor Network Strategy as a true public private partnership and takes us another step closer to delivering on our goals.” she said.

The WSBC Visitor Network Strategy was initiated in December 2016. Its founding members include; City of Parramatta, Campbelltown City Council, Parramatta Leagues Club, Penrith Panthers, Rooty Hill RSL, Wet n Wild, Sydney Zoo, Australian Turf Club, Museum of Applied Arts & Science and TAFE NSW.

The strategy will drive incremental visitation that will achieve an increase in the area’s tourism value add to $10.2 billion by 2030.

“WSBC will promote the many hidden gems of western Sydney via a smart phone app and a website designed to be a one stop shop for visitors to plan a great day out, find somewhere to stay or a bite to eat,” said Mrs Brisot.

“This money will go towards developing three experience trails across western Sydney – we will start off with cycling, walking and cuisine and later look to add heritage and other great trails.

“It’s time to start promoting what is great about western Sydney and WSBC's strategy does that.

“It is important for industry and local government to see this commitment from State government. It sends a very strong message. It not only gives them confidence for the future but provides that vital link to Sydney and to Destination NSW's resources and marketing channels.

“We are confident the State Government’s commitment will potentially be worth more than the investment alone by boosting confidence in the project and will encourage more investment to reach the $1 million required for the initial stages of the project.”

Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts, has issued a formal order for the creation of a new Western City District, after the merger of the West and South West Districts.

The new Western City District encompasses eight local council areas from north of the Hawkesbury River to Bargo in the south and west into the Blue Mountains.

Minster Roberts appointed the Greater Sydney Commission’s Deputy Chief Commissioner and Economic Commissioner, Geoff Roberts, as Interim Commissioner for Western City District.

Minister Roberts has thanked the outgoing District Commissioners Sean O'Toole (West) and Sheridan Dudley (South West) for their contribution and commitment to their Districts and their work as Sydney Planning Panel Chairs.

The Minister is also taking the opportunity to rename two of the other five districts within Greater Sydney, to provide greater clarity around their location within the “Three Cities” vision:

• The Central West District has been renamed the Central City District.
• The Central District has been renamed the Eastern City District.
• The North and South districts remain the same.

Find out more about the Western City District here.

Courtesy of Greater Sydney Commission

BOOMTOWN is Western Sydney’s premier property and infrastructure summit, promoting the major projects that will help to build, connect and grow the cities of Greater Western Sydney.

The summit, to be held on November 22nd, will showcase the major projects, unpack the funding models, explore ‘City Deals’ and their potential to kick-start growth-generating transport infrastructure and social housing and examine urban transformation projects which underpin the wave of economic development impacting Greater Western Sydney. With $50b+ in projects, every decision-maker in attendance and 400 deals to be done, this year's BOOMTOWN Summit is not to be missed!

Click here to view the BOOMTOWN Event Program. 

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has taken action against two companies in a bid to protect small Australian businesses from unfair contracts.

Changes to the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) came into effect in November 2016 now provide the ACCC with the ability to bring actions against companies that include unfair terms in their contracts with small businesses.

In September, JJ Richards & Sons (JJ Richards), one of Australia’s largest, privately owned waste management companies, was the first to be taken to task by ACCC since those changes. Now a second company has had proceedings brought against it.

The ACCC alleges that up until April this year, JJ Richards’ standard form contract with small businesses included terms that caused damage to those businesses. These terms included binding customers to further contracts unless they cancelled the current one within 30 days of it ending, allowing JJ Richards to increase its prices, giving exclusive rights to remove waste from a property and allowing them to suspend collection service if payments were not paid within 7 days.

While proceedings against JJ Richards have only just begun, the ACCC has also bought an action against Servcorp, which supplies office space and virtual office services worldwide.

Servcorp’s contract terms allegedly include unfair terms that allow Servcorp to increase its contract price, terminate contracts and impose penalty-type consequences on the customer, limit Servcorp’s liability while imposing unreasonable liability on the customer, and acquire a customer’s property without notice.

What does this mean for your business?

Whether you’re a large business that maintains contracts with smaller businesses, or you are one of those smaller businesses, you should consider reviewing any agreements for terms which may be deemed "unfair".

For more information regarding what is considered to be ‘unfair’ terms, click here to read our full article.

Alternatively, if you would like advice regarding contract terms, please get in touch with Jacqui Barrett at Hall & Wilcox on + 61 2 8896 6037.

Enjoy a Wanderers match day in style within the comfort of our corporate hospitality spaces.

With varying options from entry level rooms to exclusive private suites, Wanderers hospitality has everything you need. Whether it is for a corporate outing, a client meeting or a birthday party our array of options will satisfy all your needs.

Purchase Wanderers corporate hospitality by the 3rd of October to go into the draw to win an on field experience for two people.

Wanderers corporate hospitality prices start from as little as $180 per person.

Sydney Derby Chairman’s Dinner (ANZ Stadium)

This exclusive event brings together the most influential individuals in business across Western Sydney.

Ambassadors Lounge (Both Venues)

The ultimate match day experience soaking up the atmosphere in the comfortable setting of the Ambassadors Lounge along with your chance to meet the players and fellow Ambassadors of the Wanderers

Sky Deck (Spotless Stadium)

Experience your Wanderers match day hospitality in one of the most unique viewing platforms in the Sydney sporting venue landscape.

Sydney Derby Sports Bar (ANZ Stadium)

Experience one of the best live sporting events in Australia in a fun and exciting sports bar environment. – suitable for all ages.

W-League Mentoring Program

As part of our ongoing support commitments to women’s football, the W-League Mentoring Program has been designed to help our elite women’s players plan for success. Get involved by joining us at one of our W-League networking sessions.

Contact details

For bookings or any additional information, please contact Dimitri on:

P: 02 8602 6413

E: ddroulias@wswanderersfc.com.au

W: www.wanderland.com.au/corporate

One Hotels and Apartments is a part of Parramatta Mission - working to grow stronger communities by supporting individuals in need, providing meals, accommodation, support services and mental health services across Greater Western Sydney. 

One Hotels and Apartments oversees the operation of the Westmead motel, 175, and the non-for-profit program Wesley Apartments. The goal is to provide hospitality with a heart as our Wesley Apartments accommodates families for long term whilst their loved ones are being treated in the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. 

At the same time our Motel (175) is re-invested in the Wesley Apartments program enabling Wesley Apartments to continue to operate independent of external funding. The surplus has allowed Wesley Apartments to charge the residents a minimum accommodation fee and support the families with an onsite support worker. The extra financial contribution has allowed Wesley Apartments to adopt a Hospitality Fund, which permits management to provide free phone and internet service, welcome packs of food, toiletries & general household supplies, along with additional food/fuel vouchers, food packs, gift vouchers, personal hygiene packs, books/magazines and DVD’s to the families that reside at Wesley Apartments. The families usually come to the apartments with only the clothes on their backs and limited amount of money, so these initiatives are very important, most welcomed and appreciated by these families.

The purpose of the motel is to provide a standard of accommodation to the guests and designed to contribute financially to the non-government services provided by Parramatta Mission, in particular One Hotels and Apartments - support to the operations of Wesley Apartments, funding the shortfall sustained by offering discounted accommodation.

Wesley Apartments was opened in February 2010 and has been operating successfully for over 7 years. The surplus of 175 motel has enabled Wesley Apartments to operate without the need for government assistance. Surplus enables Parramatta Mission to run many of their welfare programs such as Mealsplus, along with providing Chaplin’s to the Westmead Hospitals and soon to University of Western Sydney’s CBD campus with no assists of government funding. This has resulted in the organisation being able to ensure sustainability. 

Growth continues progressing the training and development model within the hospitality sector of Parramatta. The training and development model will see an increase of Youth within our programs contributing back to the community of Greater Western Sydney and eventually being the trainers and mentors for new youth coming through the programs.

If you need accommodation please contact 02 9635 1233 or visit onehotelsapartments.com.au/175/

2017 Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence Winner

Category: Excellence in Social Enterprise

Events by ATC at The Australian Turf Club has once again taken top honours at the 2017 Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence – NSW in the category of Function/ Convention Centre Caterer.

Beating 8 other finalists for the top nod, the award is in recognition of the dedicated and talented function and culinary team at The Australian Turf Club for Golden Slipper – Gold Room Luncheon.

The Awards for Excellence is a nationally recognised, independently judged awards program that celebrates exceptional service and culinary talent across the state. The Awards for Excellence is the only program in Australia where the judging criteria is determined by consumers who rank what is important to them in the dining experience.

With a major $28million dollar refurbishment at Rosehill Gardens, The Australia Turf Club is proud to be showcasing and promoting its functions which are a reflection of our professional team of industry specialists. The award was accepted by Head of Sales, Jimmy Busteed.

Previous Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Award wins for The Australian Turf Club include:

The 2014 ‘Function/ Convention Centre Caterer’

The 2015 ‘Caterer at a Major Event’,

The 2016 Awards for Excellence NSW – Events Caterer.

The Australian Turf Club will progress to the nationals held in Victoria on the 30th October 2017.