Western Sydney is one of Australia’s largest and most diverse economies with an annual Gross Regional Product (GRP) of about $95.6 billion (2010-11) – again nearly one third of the Sydney Metropolitan GRP.
GWS remains one of Australia’s fastest growing regional economies.
In April this year, the NSW Business Chamber launched an election year initiative campaign called “Small Business. Too Big to Ignore.”.
More than 700 small business people came together early one morning at Homebush to participate in the launch.
In just the first two months some 20,000 active voices added their voice to the campaign for small business via the website www.toobigtoignore.org.au - now over 56,000 have added their support.
The campaign is delivering a powerful national platform for small business to be heard in Canberra and has uncovered four main concerns of small business called the “big four you can’t ignore”.
These include:
• To cut down on red tape.
• Simplify the tax system.
• Make it easier to employ people and;
• To build a better infrastructure.
In June our own Sydney Hills Business Chamber joined the NSW Business Chamber Alliance and embarked on another for the great businesses of GWS.
From 6.30am on Wednesday, August 14 some 2,000 local business owners, managers and supporters will gather at the Hillsong Convention Centre, Norwest Business Park for the fourth annual Small Business Summit.
This big event for small business will welcome panellists from federal, state and local government, business groups and local chambers throughout GWS.
Some of the high profile panellists include Alex Hawke MP, Dr Jim Taggart OAM; Chairman Greater Western Sydney Regional Roundtable, Yasmin King; Small Business Commissioner NSW, Dr Michelle Byrne; Hills Shire Mayor, Lyall Gorman; Executive Chairman GWS Wanderers and David Borger; Western Sydney Director Sydney Business Chamber.
Designed to present useful information and discuss issues relevant to small business in the region, the Small Business Summit for GWS will look at three main topic areas:
• Government plans that affect growth in the region.
• Overcoming obstacles to doing business in GWS.
• Forms of support available to small business.
Key subject areas such as the NBN rollout, transport infrastructure, a second airport and economic development for the region will be discussed in this open forum.
Over 25 key panellists have been personally selected including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition leader Tony Abbott, ministers from both sides of politics as well as business leaders and local dignitaries.
The event will be also be MC’d by a Sky Business personality. The Summit starts at 6.30am for a 7am start with networking and breakfast provided in the Hillsong Foyer.
Guests will then be escorted to the main convention centre for the Summit which begins at 8am and runs through until 10am. Cost is just $42 and registrations can be made at http://gwssummit.eventbrite.com
For more details about other events and workshops by the Sydney Hills Business Chamber visit www.sydneyhillsbusiness.com.au.
As a reader of WSBA you can attend events as a guest (except the GWS Small Business Summit) at the special member’s rate of $38.50. To register email info@sydneyhillsbusiness.com.au
