Plans to kick-start the State’s economic recovery will be enhanced and more targeted following feedback and ideas put forward by Western and South-Western Sydney business and community representatives at a virtual forum yesterday.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet hosted the online forum which was introduced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian with Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres and Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope.
Representatives from chambers of commerce, peak bodies and community organisations and local businesses outlined the issues people are facing on the ground and presented potential solutions to reignite our economy during the two-hour event.
Mr Perrottet said the communities of Western and South-Western Sydney have shown incredible resilience in recent months and he is confident they will play a key role in driving the State’s economic recovery.
“We thank all of the participants for taking part in this forum where we heard a range of great ideas on how we can help kick start the region’s recovery,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The Government will look at every single idea raised as we finalise strategies for our economic recovery, because we know if it works in Western and South-Western Sydney it will work across NSW.
“These areas are the heart and soul of Australia’s biggest city and it is imperative we get them pumping again as quickly as possible. We are all in this together now and we will come out together, too.”
A range of ideas were presented at the forum including; a reopening package tailored to the region, upskilling young people for the post-lockdown economy, small infrastructure projects and housing affordability opportunities.
Mr Ayres said with almost a quarter of our population living in the West and SouthWest of Sydney, its recovery would determine how quickly the rest of the city bounced back.
“These communities have been through an incredibly tough period and it’s really inspiring to see everyone working together to find the best ways of moving forward,” Mr Ayres said.
“Western Sydney is ready to bounce back strongly but we know it won’t just happen on its own, so the ideas raised during this forum will play a vital role in developing the strategies to make it happen.”
Other ideas put forward to reboot business activity included employment incentives and confidence-building initiatives aimed at getting more people back to work.
Mr Tudehope said small businesses would be front and centre of our economic recovery and the Government is committed to providing the support they need to get back on their feet.
“This is not just about recovery – it’s about making sure businesses come out of this stronger,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Western Sydney is the engine room of NSW, driven by thousands of hardworking small businesses. Turbocharging their recovery with innovative ideas and solutions is my number one priority.”
Ideas and proposals put forward at the forum will help shape the NSW Government’s economic recovery efforts for Western and Southwest Sydney as well the rest of the State.