WSBC General Manager, Michael Sugg, was invited and attended yesterday's 2014 Business Leadership Forum to represent WSBC members, the SME businesses of Western Sydney.

A new report from the NSW Government shows the NSW economy is strengthening its position in key sectors including manufacturing, creative industries and the digital economy.

Released by Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade & Investment Andrew Stoner at the NSW Business Leadership Forum, the latest Progress Report on the NSW Economic Development Framework shows improvement in NSW’s contribution to National Industry Value Add over the last five years in all these sectors.

Mr Stoner said the State Government’s revitalised partnership with industry and the research sector has been essential in building a platform for economic growth in NSW.

“NSW is now clearly emerging as the engine room of Australia’s economic future,” Mr Stoner said.

“We’re seeing growth in household demand, improving business confidence, and NSW leading the nation on key economic measures including State Final Demand and jobs growth, with above-trend growth forecast for 2014/15 and 2015/16.

“Government and industry are working together to lay the foundations for long-term growth in NSW, investing in our State’s diversity, bolstering priority industry sectors and supporting the key drivers of growth, including housing, jobs and infrastructure.”

The 2014 Progress Report on the NSW Economic Development Framework shows significant progress has been made against 34 priority actions, with more than half of these developed, or implemented in partnership with, industry and research stakeholders.

Highlights include:

·        the establishment of five NSW Knowledge Hubs - for Digital Creative, Financial Services, Medical Technology, Energy Innovation, and Transport, Logistics and Rail;

·         increased support for International Education through StudyNSW and appointment of a high level advisory board to position NSW in key global markets as a leader in international education;

·         support for SMEs with actions including design-led innovation workshops, a Supply Chain Accelerator pilot to integrate local SMEs into major domestic and global supply chain opportunities, an Export Accelerator program to help exporters win more international business, and the ongoing delivery of services from SmallBiz Connect;

·         the creation of Smart Work Hubs in Oran Park, Rouse Hill, Penrith, Gosford and Wyong, to offer alternative, innovative work options for those in high commuter areas; and

·         significantly enhanced international engagement, including new NSW trade and investment specialists in Japan and Korea.

WSBC will keep you up to date with any further developments and also the NSW government's economic development strategy for Western Sydney as details become available. 

The finalised scope for a $29 million upgrade to Parramatta’s Pirtek Stadium has been announced.

After consultation and agreement with the two major hirers of the Stadium, the Parramatta Eels and the Western Sydney Wanderers, the tenders have gone out for the first package of works.

Construction is expected to commence on the Stadium in mid-October.

The upgrade includes rebuilding the player change-rooms to contemporary international standards, an additional 2,000 seats behind the existing terraces at the north and south ends, a seating upgrade and wi-fi connectivity.

The taxi surcharge on card payments will be halved in time for the busy holiday season.

Currently, taxi customers are charged a 10% surcharge when they pay their fare with a credit or debit card. This money goes to the provider of the taxi’s electronic payment system. 

The new Passenger Transport Act passed through Parliament last month, paving the way for changes including a 5% cap on taxi surcharges.

The changes begin on 12 December 2014, meaning customers will have more money in their pockets in time for the Christmas period, when taxis are at their busiest.

Imagine pitting a team of key celebrities and business giants against the Parramatta Eels in a game of touch football, in front of a crowd of 10,000+ at Pirtek Stadium.

That's exactly what is going to happen. Parramatta Mission, in association with the Parramatta Eels, is holding a celebrity Family Day Football Challenge on Saturday December 6 at 3pm at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta. The aim is to collect much needed funds to ensure the continuance of Parramatta Mission's Meals Plus program.

There will be rides, meet and greet opportunities, pre game and half time entertainment and of course the game. You can even fundraise to get yourself on the field!

Tickets will be available from Ticketmaster mid October.

There will be opportunities for sponsorship, corporate boxes and chances to get on the field with your idols.....our website event page is currently under construction but will be live very soon with all the details.

We are very excited about the event and the chance to promote Parramatta Mission in our community. We invite you to spread the word and bring friends and family along.

If you have contact with any corporates or celebrities who may like to get involved, please contact fundraising@parramattamission.org.au or call Nicole or Jenny on 02 8836 2015.

Platinum Partner Parramatta City Council invites you to take a journey through Parramatta and discover gourmet street foods, pop up bars, live music, art installations and surprising performances around every corner.

Parramatta Lanes runs from Tuesday 7^th October through to Friday 10^th October from 5.00pm to 10.00pm.

Platinum Partner PARKROYAL Parramatta is the proud accommodation sponsor of this event.

Ten more speed cameras are to be removed across NSW under the State Governments commitment to remove any speed camera lacking a proven road safety benefit.

Locations where cameras are to be ripped out include Delhi Road at Macquarie Park, General Holmes Drive at Botany, the Hume Highway at Burwood and the M4 at Wentworthville. Visit nsw.gov.au for a complete list of locations. 

Safety works such as additional signage, barriers and markings are carried out before any camera is removed, and all revenue from speed camera fines is directed back into road safety programs.

This year’s Speed Camera Performance Review found fixed speed cameras have saved 53 lives and prevented 919 people from being injured in the last five years.

Official figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show housing approvals in NSW are at their highest level since the 12 month period ending in May 2000. 

In a major boost to housing affordability, more than 52,000 housing approvals have been recorded in the twelve months to August 2014 - around 1,000 new homes per week.

With another two million extra people expected to be living in NSW by 2031, the State will require about a million additional homes.

The NSW Government has already started work on delivering the homes needed for the future with more than 4,200 dwelling approvals in August.

An extra 520 weekly bus services for Sydney’s North West will take the total number of weekly public transport services introduced by the NSW Government to more than 9,500. 

The latest boost to bus services will benefit customers in the growing Hills district, including Baulkham Hills, Kellyville, Beaumont Hills, Rouse Hill, Seven Hills, Pendle Hill and Bella Vista. 

The number of customers catching buses in the North West is increasing at a rapid rate. The increase in bus services has been made possible by our multi-million dollar investment in brand new accessible buses.

Since March 2011, the NSW Government have delivered more than 8,200 extra bus, 1,190 extra train and 220 extra ferry services.

Visit transportnsw.info to find out more about extra services and timetable information.

Signs of a turnaround, albeit a fragile one, among SME manufacturers have come out of the MYOB Business Monitor report for September.

The national survey, conducted quarterly, of owners and directors found that 21 per cent of all SMEs reported increased revenue, though this figure was higher among manufacturing and wholesale businesses at 29 per cent.

A revenue decline was reported by 32 per cent of those in the sector, far better than the 43 per cent in the results for SMEs overall.

Optimism among SME manufacturing and wholesale businesses was also slightly higher than other SMEs, with 35 per cent predicting revenue increases in the next year compared to 32 per cent overall.

Tim Reed, the CEO of MYOB, said that manufacturers had struggled with issues including around currency and international trade in recent years, but there were signs of a turnaround in the sector.

“It’s extremely pleasing, therefore, to see the sector turning a corner in this latest Business Monitor survey – demonstrating both the resilience and the productivity gains seen in the sector,” he said in a statement.

The growth was fragile though, said Reed.

There were also five areas cited where manufacturing/wholesale businesses were feeling more pressure than other SMEs. These were:

1. Attracting new customers – 47% (32% for all SMEs)

2. Price margins – 39% (28% for all SMEs)

3. Fuel prices – 39% (33% for all SMEs)

4. Timing of customer payments – 38% (27% for all SMEs)

5. Competitive activity – 37% (26% for all SMEs)

Post your feedback or view by clicking on Add Comment below.

Source: Manufacturers Monthly by Brent Balinski

Click here for original article.

Parramatta City Council last night elected Cr Scott Lloyd as the new Lord Mayor, with Cr Steven Issa elected as Deputy Lord Mayor.

Cr Lloyd, 36, was first elected to Council in 2008 and serves the Caroline Chisholm Ward. He replaces outgoing Lord Mayor Cr John Chedid, who has held the position for the past two years.  

 “I am honoured to have been elected as Lord Mayor of Parramatta,” Cr Lloyd said. “It’s a great city and I’m passionate about leading a strong team to achieve solid outcomes for our residents.”   

“I would like to thank my colleagues for putting their faith in me to continue Parramatta’s exciting journey. I thank Cr Chedid for the fantastic work he has done in the role over the past two years, and he can be proud of the many achievements of our Council under his strong leadership.

“I congratulate Cr Steven Issa on being elected Deputy Lord Mayor and I am looking forward to working closely with him and all of the other Councillors over the next year. 

“It is a pleasure to be part of a team committed to see this City become an even greater place to live, work and play. As I have lived in Parramatta all my life, I am passionate about this great City and will relish the chance to play a key role in furthering its enormous potential.   

“My new role has so many challenges, from continuing to work on planning for the new Western Sydney Light Rail Network to developing our Parramatta Square urban renewal project and building on our strategic alliances with education providers such as UWS and UNE.     

“I would like to continue our partnerships with our national sporting teams and events with the Eels, Wanderers, Rams, Golden Slipper and open the door to GWS Giants and the Sydney Thunder.   

“I am committed to continuing the Healthy Generations initiative and encouraging more people to become volunteers for the many valuable charities we have in our community.

“I will also push for improvements for the Westmead Hospital medical precinct and continue our upgrades of parks and public spaces.

“As Lord Mayor, I am here to serve our community members. If any residents or business owners have any ideas on how we improve our great City, I would love to hear from them. I encourage them to write to me or email me at scottlloyd@parralordmayor.com.au.”