Three initiatives by the Penrith City Council are designed to support small business and encourage investors.
Penrith City Council has committed to being ‘small business friendly’, thanks to its inclusion in a pilot program.
The Office of the New South Wales Small Business Commissioner, in partnership with the NSW Business Chamber, launched the Small Business Friendly Councils (SBFC) Program in September 2014.
Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown said Council had spent 12 months identifying initiatives to support the small business community.
“The program is the first of its kind in Australia. Small businesses frequently interact with Council and rely on positive interactions to achieve success.
“It’s put renewed focus on our efforts to cut red tape and improve support for the sector. Small businesses are key to developing a long term sustainable economy for our City and Council is committed to supporting their development.”
In the past 12 months Council has implemented a number of initiatives to improve business processes and assist small businesses.
Councillor McKeown said that Council had a robust strategy to ensure the City prospers, the economy is boosted and the community benefits.
“As a result of an extensive research and engagement process, Council has also adopted an action plan focused on the transformation of the city centre.
“This plan includes 100 actions to be undertaken in the short, medium and long term to deliver a vibrant and sustainable future for Penrith, which ultimately will assist all local businesses.”
Small business in the City of Penrith is supported through the establishment of a number of work hubs. The hubs provide a solution to the steep set up costs that can be prohibitive to new and small businesses.
The work hub offers a wide range of facilities including fast broadband, Wi-Fi, 40 work stations, four meeting rooms, boardroom facility, collaborative work spaces, colour printer, photocopier, fax and scanner plus more.
The co-working space is ideal for small and home businesses or subcontractors to operate from.
Council has unveiled the ‘New West – Invitation to Partner’, which asks investors for bold ideas to transform two city centre sites. It will be the next step in bringing the New West to life.
Cr McKeown said, “We are calling for innovative development ideas for the land at these sites. As a significant landowner in the city centre, we want to use our assets to unlock Penrith’s potential. We want to turn big ideas into reality.
“Penrith will have a population of 260,000 and an economic catchment of over 1 million people by 2031.”
Cr McKeown said Council was looking for partners to grow the local economy, attract investment and create jobs – as well as cater for the parking needs of the growing Regional City.
The Expression Of Interest process for the two sites follows ‘Penrith Progression: A Plan for Action’ released in February, which provides a vision for the city centre after extensive consultation with residents, business groups, government agencies, investors, the not-for-profit sector and educational groups.
