The Sydney Olympic Park Business Association in partnership with the Western Sydney Business Chamber, last week released a Five-Point Plan titled Relight the Flame at our second annual POP! (Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula) Conference held at NSW Parliament House.

David Borger, Director of the Western Sydney Business Chamber, delivered the Five-Point plan which focused on the key areas to complete the Olympic Vision including transport infrastructure, local infrastructure, governance, venue, business and tourism infrastructure and the need for future world-class events.

A feature of the event was a presentation from Dr. Tim Williams, Australasian Cities Leader from international consultancy Arup, highlighting the game-changing importance of Metro West to the future economic growth of Greater Sydney, a view supported by compelling research data.

Dr Williams also participated in a panel discussion ‘How the Olympic Peninsula can reach its full potential’ together with Gabriel Metcalf, the new CEO of the Committee for Sydney, Margy Osmond, CEO of the Tourism and Transport Forum Australia and Paul Walker, Development Director – Retail and Mixed Services, GPT Group.

The Conference was attended by both major political parties with Jodi McKay MP, Shadow Minister for Transport, Shadow Minister for Roads, Freight and Maritime responding on behalf of the opposition and Hon. Stuart Ayres MP, Minister for Western Sydney, Minister for WestConnex, and Minister for Sport, responding on behalf of the Premier and NSW government.

I’m delighted to report that the forum was an outstanding success with a clear bi-partisan commitment from both sides of politics to the construction of Sydney Metro West and positive acknowledgement of the importance of the other key elements of the five-point plan to complete the Olympic vision.

The media coverage has been positive, and the five-point plan has garnered considerable industry and third-party support from organisations including Regional Development Australia, the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue and the National Rugby League, amongst others.

Ultimately, our Five-Point plan has achieved significant traction and the infrastructure needs of Olympic Park and surrounding areas are not only top of mind in the lead up to the NSW General election but also acknowledged by politicians, business and the public alike, as critically important to the future development, jobs growth and liveability of this city.

Amid a very busy couple of weeks, we have also launched the Business Association’s new website. There are still a few glitches we are sorting through as we learn and navigate the workings of the new system, but your feedback would be much appreciated. Go to www.sopba.com.au and let us know what you think.

In the spirit of our long overdue online refresh, we have also developed a new look monthly newsletter with this March issue being the first. Again, your thoughts and/ or suggestions are most welcome.

Enjoy the start of Autumn, in my view, Sydney’s most pleasant season, as we hurtle into the second quarter of 2019.

And of course, Happy International Women’s Day for tomorrow, Friday 8 March. #BalanceforBetter

Warmest regards,

Allison Taylor

CEO

Sydney Olympic Park Business Association Inc.