July 1: Join a webinar from 5.30pm to learn more about starting an online business with business coach Steven Smit. Cost: $50. Click here for details.
July 2: News businesses can find out how to get known, informed and connected with the free Smart Start workshop by The Hills Council. From 9.30am-12.30pm. Details: Stephen Garrard, 9762 1108 or sgarrard@thehills.nsw.gov.au.
July 3: The Sunsuper Employer briefing session in Parramatta is aimed at talking employers through the challenges that an ageing population will present for the workplace. Free. Register here.
July 7: Webinar - Learn 10 ways to get more from your business website in 2015 with digital marketing expert Benjamin Knight. Cost: $30 (non-members). Register here.
July 9: She Business’ monthly Sapphire Forum in Parramatta presents interesting content for business women provided by informative guest speakers. Cost: $75. Details/register here.
July 14: The Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Christmas in July networking event at the St Marys Band Club. Cost: $35 or $55 (non-members). Book here.
July 15: The two-hour ‘Start a Business Workshop’ will will guide entrepreneurs through the most common issues of getting a business up and running. From 10am-noon in Blacktown. Cost: $50. Click here for details.
July 15: Breed Business Centre runs monthly seminars at the Nirimba Education Precinct in Quakers Hill. Today the topic is the end of financial year checklist. Time: 5.30pm. Click here for details.
July 16: The Success Womens’ Network has a networking lunch with guest speaker Abbie Widin of One Extra Zero. From noon-2pm at Rydges Parramatta. Cost: $65 (non-member). For details click here.
July 28: Webinar - Where is your business for this year and how can you kick off the new year on the right foot? Catherine Jacob from Footprint Consulting will discuss how businesses can get their priorities in line. Cost: $30 (non-member). Register here.
July 31: The Success Womens’ Network has a networking lunch with host Natalie Moutia. From noon-2pm at the Bella Vista Hotel. Cost: $60 (non-member). Click here for details.
Sydney Business Chamber executive director Patricia Forsythe and western Sydney director David Borger discuss infrastructure projects and how they effect western Sydney commuters.
■ Investment in transport
Patricia Forsythe believes the government's plans to build a "stronger western Sydney" by investing more than $1 billion in infrastructure to enhance Sydney's global appeal.
She said the funding allocated for Sydney Metro rail projects would "reshape" the city and improve connections for millions of commuters each day.
"Transport congestion has had a productivity challenge in Sydney for too long," she said in a statement on June 23.
Western Sydney director David Borger agreed, adding the light rail had the "potential to transform western Sydney".
"The $19 million to begin planning for a western Sydney light rail based in Parramatta is a process that can't start soon enough," he said.
■ WestConnex
News from the Western Sydney Business Chamber (released on June 4): Mr Borger said the release of designs for the M4 East tunnels would "significantly improve the road link between Parramatta and eastern Sydney".
"WestConnex will remove up to 3000 trucks per day from Parramatta Road, which will be a significant first step in 'civilising' Parramatta Road," he said. Citing the next necessary step should be to reduce car traffic and allow urban renewal along the corridor, Mr Borger also pointed out better transport would aid connections between employment centres.
"Significant travel time savings between Parramatta and Sydney Airport will be achieved with an estimated 40-minute cut from a peak hour journey ... reducing journey times will strengthen the economic connection between these key centres of activity."
■ Sydney Metro System
Ms Forsythe said changing the name of the North West Rail Link to Sydney Metro System gave clarity to the system that is based on high-frequency trains and, as a system, is widely understood around the world.
"Sydney will soon have a transport network that includes a hierarchy of light rail, metro and heavy rail as well as a strong bus and ferry network," she said.
