2 Jul 2009

CHAMBER CHATTER

In This Issue

Chamber Supporters 2009
ADVANCE DIARY DATES
Jill's Journeys out and about
Member of the Month
New Chamber Members
Our Next CRS Small Business Support Group Host Profiled
Annual Member Certificate Presentation Dinner
Fair Work Legislation kicks in
Combined Chambers July Function
Christmas In July Race Night
Consider this....
Chamber of Commerce Golf Challenge
New Pay by the Month Option online soon
Penrith Valley Fund
Our Not For Profit members at work
Penrith City Council - Marketing Blogspot

Chamber Function
Series Sponsor

Corporate Partners

Chamber Supporters 2009

Corporate Partners

ADVANCE DIARY DATES

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
Jun 28	Jun 29	Jun 30	1	2	3	4
5	6	7 OIR Workshop, Penrith RSL	8 Combined Chamber Function with Biznet	9	10	11
12	13	14 MEMBER Certificate Presentation Dinner	15	16	17 Cool Country Business Centre Coffee Break for Prospects	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30 Chamber Fundraiser Race Night, Penrith Paceway	31	Aug 1

Corporate Partners

Jamie Stewart, Barry O'Farrell and Andrew McKenzie at Erskine Park

Lenore Lane and on to the missing link

Andrew MacKenzie, Peter McGhee, David Garghan and Jamie Stewart sharing in depth views on the missing link road

Jill's Journeys out and about

Hullo Everyone,
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What a week it has been! Most of us have survived the rush of end of financial year and can now plan ahead. Many businesses use this time to introduce new systems and procedures, some have taken on new opportunities and even products and services.

Whatever it is you are doing in your business take comfort knowing others in some cases are also in a similar boat. That is why attending networking functions and keeping in touch regularly with other members can help ease the pressures, simply through sharing experiences. Come and enjoy all the activities in July with us, just book online!
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There are a number of challenges facing us as a region, and even more so as the state’s economic growth slows, unemployment rises and cost to operating businesses continue to rise. That means investment in infrastructure is one very big key.

Governments must take responsibility for ensuring the infrastructure to build the connections vital for new investments, and protecting local advantages are put soundly in place through proper management, budgets and resources.

Members know the Chamber has been lobbying hard for the delivery of two key projects clearly identified as critical to the prosperity of this region moving forward. The area undisputedly offers a significant vein of economic growth for the region and for NSW. This means opportunities for you and your businesses, a strong future for you and your families. We must be vigilant in pressing for the right decisions from governments at all levels.

Our local newspapers are to be commended on their individual efforts to keep our projects to the forefront of serious hot news items. We will not go away!
Following on from our Business Matters Luncheon with Minister for Planning Kristina Keneally when our hopes were dashed waiting on some definitive announcements, it appears a number of other politicians in Macquarie Street are now sitting up and listening to our concerns.

While at this point we remain hopeful that commitment to see both the Erskine Park Lenore Lane missing link road to the M7, and funding for the Dunheved Master Plan, will still be delivered by our current State government, time marches on. It seems to those of us on the outside, that inter departmental red tape and budget inefficiencies continue to stall these vital projects.

But not so Barry O’Farrell, Leader of the Opposition and Minister for Western Sydney who contacted me this week. His Office has been closely watching our repeated efforts to seek commonsense outcomes and recognised the need to find out more firsthand. The Chamber welcomes every opportunity to raise such matters with any key people who can influence the required results.

Mr O’Farrell was keen to meet with those stakeholders in Erskine Park feeling most hampered by such inordinate delays, and see for himself how the area is being stifled. He brought with him the Shadow Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Brad Hazzard MP, and Marie Ficarra MLC and Liberal Duty Senator for NSW.
As well, Josh Murphy from the Channel Ten Newsroom came along to cover the fact finding mission. His excellent report can be seen in this newsletter, just click on the link.

Jamie Stewart from Fitzpatrick Investments and Andrew MacKenzie from CSR Property [also on the new PVEDC Board], whose employers are both major developers of massive land holdings both sides of Lenore Lane were quick to pull out the aerial maps of the region too, which instantly demonstrated the need to complete the missing 3.4 kms of road.

And why was the Chamber beating the drum in Lenore Lane this week, and the reasons are almost identical for Dunheved too, but that visit for another day soon! Since we remain an apolitical organisation we will use every opportunity to highlight our businesses and our priorities to all those who are the real decision makers.

We want to reap the enormous financial benefits of completing the missing link road and revitalising Dunheved, through delivery to our immediate region. We want the employment opportunities thousands more jobs can create.

We know we are already in danger of losing high profile companies currently thinking of relocating or setting up in Erskine Park. We have already lost some to other parts of the Sydney basin. Businesses already established here such as Bluescope Steel, Corporate Express, Woolworths, Hasbro, Koorong Books, Strand Bags, Stramit,and numerous others went ahead and built their complexes all in good faith, on the promise from government the link would be completed quickly. They moved here to gain easy access to the nearby free way system and beyond to the national routes. They chose to locate in this specific purpose commercial and industrial sector.

Completion of the missing link will allow 24/7 access for these major distribution companies to stay right away from the residential roads their B doubles and other huge vehicles are currently forced to use around Erskine Park. These companies see it in perspective. A shorter direct route will immediately return them a cost benefit as they rid themselves of additional kilometres haulage rates, being forced onto longer routes now.

More importantly however, these companies and particularly their drivers do not enjoy navigating roads not designed for their heavy haulage, especially because of the obvious safety and noise pollution issues these huge transports impose on families in suburbia.

These large tracts of industrial land must be opened up for new investment and development. We need the governments to fix Western Sydney. Let’s focus on our people, our region and keep local people working. We are part of the 3rd largest economy in Australia behind the Sydney CBD and South Eastern Queensland, covering 14 local government areas.

We need to unlock this future wealth and help improve the standards of living for the people of this entire region. We want to see leadership from those with the ability to remove the nonsense hindrances, whether they still be individuals with their own seemingly petty agendas, or various government departments who stand in the way of delivering these overwhelmingly beneficial projects?

The Chamber is committed to working closely with all key stakeholders to make these projects a reality. Who in government will demonstrate the leadership and assume responsibility? Who will give us the solutions to stimulate business growth and ensure our futures?
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Thanks to the crack team at Stralia Web for working without any notice to link the Channel Ten coverage to this newsletter for you. Great effort Ben and team!
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See or hear from you very soon I hope.
Have a great week!
cheers, Jill