Is Riverstone the answer to the state ’ s economic recovery ?
with Suzanne Lawrence , President Riverstone , Schofields & Districts Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc .
With recovery now front and centre of the political stage , the Riverstone Schofields Chamber of Commerce was invited to take part in business forums with both the Government ’ s Western Sydney Business and Community Forum with Premier Dominic Perrottet and the Opposition ’ s Western Sydney Forum with Chris Minns .
Both forums called on business leaders from the western suburbs to discuss the impacts of COVID- 19 on small business . They were focused on creating stimulus opportunities to kick start the economy and provide much needed employment in Western Sydney .
The chamber took the opportunity to give our vision for Riverstone - a plan that will stimulate our local economy and play a vital role in kick starting the state , with potentially as many as 30,000 jobs and $ 4 billion in private investment .
Surrounded by booming housing developments , Riverstone is home to an underutilised heavy rail line , a large industrial area and a town centre begging for urban renewal . It is the missing piece of the North West Growth Area strategy .
The North West Growth Area was planned for the precincts to be released in a staged approach with residential developments supported by an employment precinct at Riverstone West .
This , together with redevelopment of the Riverstone Town Centre , creates a large and diverse range of business opportunities across almost all industry sectors and alleviates the need for local residents to travel outside of the area to get work .
Many of the residential developments have begun or are completed but much of the infrastructure needed to support the burgeoning population are yet to be delivered .
This has a direct effect on businesses in a variety of ways , for example , the increased population has put pressure on local traffic causing problems . However , unlocking just two key precincts creates the potential for economic stimulation in construction , retail , industrial and commercial space . The Riverstone West Precinct is owned by a highly motivated developer ready to begin construction of a multibillion-dollar commercial development , bringing thousands of jobs and businesses to the area .
In addition to the business opportunities presented by Riverstone West , the Riverstone Precinct contains a retail district that also offers the potential for regional economic stimulus .
The Blacktown City Council Town Centre Masterplan for Riverstone contains plans for a multi-story retail shopping complex and housing for over 6,000 people . This is another large-scale , developer-funded project that will generate billions of dollars in investment during construction and create hundreds of business opportunities in the future .
Riverstone is also home to an existing industrial area ; the once profitable area would flourish with direct access to regional roads provided by Riverstone West . This area is also capable of quickly retooling towards recovery , creating addition employment and economic
stimulus right in the middle of the fastest growing population in Australia .
Commencement of developments in Riverstone West and Riverstone Town Centre can provide immediate stimulus for NSW and establish a regional economic hub for NWGA . The Revitalisation of Riverstone by activating the retail and industrial precincts , delivers benefits too big to ignore :
• $ 4 billion of immediate economic stimulus
• 30,000 jobs both during construction and ongoing employment
• 100 ha of green space
• Vital local road infrastructure
• Ample room to deliver the much-needed health and education precinct required to support the growing North West
Riverstone is ready for change . It is ready and the time is now .
Diwali lights up Blacktown
Photo fundraiser for Afghanistan
British-Australian documentary photographer , Mark Parrish , has produced a series of images of Afghan life from his travels to raise funds for AfghanAid , to support emergency aid in the war-torn country .
His ‘ Prints for Afghanistan ’ project with son , Thomas , are a selection of five framed archival prints from the 1970s capturing people in everyday life before the Taliban takeover .
Kabul Tailors ( pictured ) was taken in ‘ Sewing Street ’ among the alleyways of Kabul where trades of similar establishments were clustered in areas adjoining sprawling markets .
There were rows of small open fronted huts with a sewing machine and tailors were squeezed into tiny spaces , making it easy for customers to compare , and competitive for the cheerful tradesmen .
If you ’ d like to know more about this photographic fundraising campaign , go to thomasjamesparrish . com or contact Mark at markparrish @ hotmail . com .
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM and Mayoress Nina Bleasdale , with the winners of the 2020 Blacktown City Diwali Lights Competition in Bungarribee .
Christmas may be just around the corner , but if you ’ ve been seeing homes lit up and decorated with gorgeous light displays this month and last month , you ’ ve been lucky enough to see Blacktown City residents celebrating the ancient Hindu festival of Diwali .
Getting right behind the cultural festival , council holds a competition with cash prizes for the best decorated properties across its five wards .
Judging is now taking place , with Mayor Tony Bleasdale encouraged by the
latest entries .
He said council was proud of its large Hindu population , which has close to 30,000 adherents .
“ Diwali is a significant event on the city ’ s cultural calendar ,” Mayor Bleasdale said .
“ Blacktown City is one of the few council areas that celebrates the festival on a grand scale .”
A cash prize will also be on offer for Best Rangoli for contestants that advance to the final round of judging .
16 ISSUE 08 // NOVEMBER 2021 theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT