Meeting Minutes: 

Start  7:32am

Council:

• Chris Quilkey passed away last week unexpectedly. We want to take a moment to remember him.

Warren Kirby:

• Hospital News: It is still progressing. 

• Early works starting on Bandon Rd. 

• Officially opened up Tallawong Public School. 

• Nirimba Fields and Tallawong High school coming soon. 

• Riverstone Town Centre: Redesign of Riverstone. A win for the future of Riverstone. 

Town centre shops wont be knocked down until a new one is built. 

RSL Sub-Branch remains and the Memorial Club remains. Keeping history of riverstone remains in the development. 

• Question: Dennis from Target Automative: People who want to stay, do they get rates on the high-rise percentage? 

• Warren: Yes there will be a change in rates because the land value changes and goes up. It will affect landowners here and will be less because they are on smaller land.There are cheaper rates for pensioners, there is also a concession about getting rates on the house only. People can also offset their rate burden until the sale of the property. They can accrue a debt on rates and then pay it back on the sale. Please come and see Moninder to see what is available and what will work best for them. 

• Question Dennis: what concessions can businesses have? 

• Sue: We will look into what impact businesses will have. We can do a group about this and have a working party with council to take the feedback on and work collectively as a chamber to have weight and power. 

• Evelin: Suggestion for a workshop where people get questions and answers. There is a lot of uncertainty with capital gains tax on deceased estates—exemption of this from the ATO?

• Sue: we will identify issues for businesses with this new masterplan. We will make sure everyone is educated about this. 

• Angela: We can have an evening meeting to discuss this in 2 month’s time. Send it through via email and collect this data. See what Service NSW can do and Council and MP and minister for small business. 

• Sue: Bill McNamara passed away 18 months ago. He was a local builder and 200 apprentices. He built marketown was a patron of chamber and local footy club. We have written to council to have a park named after Bill; that the 5 acres of greenspace be named after him instead of the park and the memorial club have backed this as well. 

• Road closures have been the reason why we are not having the parade and the council is contributing $20k to the Riverstone festival and will find some of the rides for free and 500 ice creams for free.

Kurt: 

Festival next Saturday 9am-3pm

Jonathan: 

• Riverstone St Johns Ambulance have created a new division. 8 year olds up to adults. Cadets. Neighbourhood Centre. 

• Jonathan and Sue went to schofields to speak to local businesses about the pressures of local business and get connected with the business bureau to continue growth. 

Kelly: Membership

• Welcome new member: Joseph George: Galileo Capital Partners: Real estate development firm. 

• If you are a guest, please come see me after the meeting for further steps. 

• Checkin on the app, there is an option to add your details at the top to become part of the mailing list so even if someone else registered for you, please add your details in. 

• Set up new location. Business cards in a holder: Wear as a badge. If you want to leave it here you can, I pack it up and bring it back every meeting. 

• Reminder for giving us a Google Review and following us on linkedin. 

• Whatsapp: Help: Need something? Connect with others? Event? Sponsorship? Link is in the Newsletter I sent last night. Whatsapp: Intro post, no spam, ask for help and ask questions in between meetings, turn off notifications and just check when you like. 

Loren Hay: Riverstone Little Athletics

• Riverstone Athletics: 100 to 450 kids. 

• 16 yr old representative australia. Any businesses out there wanting to support this athlete. Looking for multiple sponsors: Need about $10K. 

Angela: North West Community Services

• Got some funding for mental health from 5 to beyond. 

• If you know of anyone who needs support, there is no elibility criteria. It is free. It can be life changing and life saving. 

• Riverstone Memorial Club: supporting women for domestic violence. Seeing amazing outcomes for the pilot. If they have come out of DV, and are looking at ways in which they can build themselves up again. 

• If you know of anyone, please send them their way.You don't have to suffer in silence. We can work together and make a difference. 

Riding for the Disabled: 

• On behalf of Nicole: 

• Bogan Bingo Event. 

• Horses birthday lunch event. 

• Line dancing in the afternoon. 

Sue: 9th May Riverstone Festival: 5,000 people come, please come along and support local businesses and local groups.

Kurt: Riverstone Festival Stall Applications are closing today.

Jonathan: If you have a podcast or business event coming up, we will put that in the Newsletter.

WhatsApp Group: Intro post, no spam, ask for help and ask questions in between meetings.

Warren: Local MP

Changes to iCare event.

16th April Youth Forum: If you have any youths who want to contribute, email the Chamber.

2nd May: Wazza’s Mad Mullet Bingo Bonanza. Fundraising event for Riverstone Electorate. Warren welcomes all types of groups. Party pies and sausage rolls. $60 a ticket and brings community together.

Riverstone Town Centre update: It has been signed off by the Minister, awaiting final assent before it can go out.

More inconvenience: Treatment plant up the hill is getting an upgrade (power upgrade). Looking at how to minimise the impact to the community.

Set of lights at Tallawong Rd resolved quickly—trying to get resolved so the road can get reopened. Tallawong school opens 22nd April so this is crucial.

Planning work has begun on Garfield Rd West and on Townsend Rd. Garfield Rd East is starting soon. Clarke St will open quickly but will be closed again and then closed permanently. Hambledon Rd North won’t be open when they work on Garfield Rd East.

Moninder: Council update

ABS data has come: 450,000 people, growing by 10,000 a year (Riverstone alone is 10,000 a year).

Pablo and Brad: Business Concierges

Business Connect: Provides 8 hours per financial year for the business for free; they cancelled it and now it is going ahead again. Consultation process: Have your say on the government program (need to say the tax and super). Ask about gaps in your skillset. People will have their say for this new program.

Brad is Hills and Pablo is Blacktown. Support businesses in their local LGA. Can meet in Tallawong Service Centre.

Connect people to local businesses and recommend within the Chamber.

Our brief is licensing, regulation, work out what type of business you are and funnel it down. Don’t overpromise on grants and rebates (not really), more education and help. Guides and connections.

Sue: Anytime Fitness: R U OK Day: Mental health support. Support them in their venture. Lifting the load: 8 exercises for 8 days.

Youth Group in our Chamber: Seth and Jami trying to change the world and advocate for youth. If any youth has a passion or is an entrepreneur, speak to us about this. Speak about starting up a business.

Phil from the Riverstone Razorback Football Club: We give a lot to the kids. 40% increase in costs for the Junior League. Need sponsorships if possible. Goes towards jerseys and lowering registration fees and having a smile on their face and having fun. Around since 1915.

Back to Rivo Day on same day as Riverstone Festival. Everyone welcome to come down and watch the games; goes all day. Fundraising event.

Any other things? Bruce has ANZAC Day coming up. Start at 6:00 am spot on. Out the front of sub-branch at 5:45 am (be there 5:30 am), wear your medals. Anyone can march. Wear on right, not left-hand side. Proud of anyone to march with us. Well over 5,000 people turn up. Over 30 schools laid wreaths last year.

Evelyn has a thank you for the $20 gift voucher. It was lovely and recommend the place.

Kelly:

WhatsApp: Intro post, no spam, ask for help and ask questions in between meetings, turn off notifications and just check when you like.

Newsletter: Chamber@nwbc.biz. send us your events. 

LinkedIn Page: Take a photo and tag us. Google review:

Remember to check in: If your name didn’t come up at the plus one, just come and see me at the end.

Bigger is better for the Chamber!

Introduce New Members

Brendan Corr: Australian Christian College http://www.acc.edu.au/marsdenpark

Cameron McDonald: Futurefit Leadership https://cameronlmcdonald.com/

Bradley and Pablo: Service NSW Business Bureau

Meeting Minutes: North West Business Chamber (NWBC)

Date: Friday, 6th March 2026

Time: 7:30 am

1. Local Member Update (Warren)

• Infrastructure: Construction has officially commenced on the Rouse Hill Hospital.

• Roadworks: The widening of Richmond Road has begun, and Pelican Road is now open at the Schofields Road intersection.

• Education: Schofields Public School is fully operational, replacing all demountable buildings with 24 permanent classrooms in under a year.

• Town Centre: The Riverstone Town Centre project is nearing its next stage; an update is expected by the next meeting.

• Action: Members are encouraged to follow Warren’s Facebook page for real-time updates.

2. Council Representative Update (Moninder)

• Telecommunications: A proposal is underway for 13 new telecom tower sites (currently only 3 exist).

• Pedestrian Access: The footpath on Schofields Road is now complete.

• Parks & Recreation: Council is reviewing submissions for more open space. Boundary Road Park is progressing well and is slated to open by year-end.

• Road Maintenance: "The Dip" on Cudgegong Road has been repaired.

3. Local Police Update

• Staffing: Five new graduates recently joined the force, with three more arriving soon.

• Crime Alert: A spike in break-and-enters began on 8th February at Glenwood and Colby shopping centres.

  • Method: Offenders on mopeds/motorbikes kick in glass doors between 2:00 am and 4:00 am.

  • Advice: Businesses in Tallawong and Riverstone should review cash handling. Use "No Cash on Premises" and CCTV signage.

• Recent Arrests:

  • One offender charged for break-and-enter (Woolworths Schofields).

  • Three robberies solved at Stanhope Village; two at Quakers Hill Railway Station.

  • A habitual offender was charged with parcel theft, and a youth group was apprehended for retail theft.

• Operations: "Operation Bluejay" (a retail-focused operation) is currently active.

• Community Engagement: Police will attend the Riverstone High School Careers Expo to encourage recruitment.

4. Developer & Business Updates

Sakara Update (David):

• Bandon Road is being upgraded to accommodate heavy vehicles.

• The Denmark Link has received "approval in principle" for traffic lights, marking the first step for the "Spine Road."

NWBC & Community Services (Jonathan, Kurt, Alex and Kelly):

• Riverstone Festival: Saturday, 9th May (9:00 am – 3:00 pm).

• Action: Members can apply for stalls via the Council website. Food stalls are nearly at capacity.

• Chamber Support: Help is needed at the Chamber stall for recruitment. Please share the QR code to vote for local businesses in the Business Awards.

• North West Community Services: Now registered as a "Return and Earn" charity for direct donations.

• Local Growth: Rico’s Restaurant is now open (behind Anytime Fitness). Renovations at the Memorial Club (gaming and amenities) are starting soon.

• Remember to register for the Chamber events and checkin on our new app. 

• Business Help: Cass - free delivery for orders over $100 locally. John - Hillside Excavations and Plumbing - Excavation operator wanted. Nige Taylor - Has moved from Grays Online to Manheim Auctions. Kelly - RKA Industrial Solutions is paying a $2000 finder's fee for anyone who brings an experienced Overhead Crane Technician who stays beyond their probation of 6 months. 

• Promotion (Alex): Distributed twenty $20 vouchers for Rico’s Restaurant to the women in attendance in honor of International Women's Day. These vouchers were donated by Riverstone Schofields Memorial Club and NWBC.

• Next Meeting: Friday 10th April 2026

Smooth Blend Cafe (Cass):

• Shifting focus toward catering and delivery (free delivery for orders over $100 in local areas).

• Recent clients include McDonald’s Head Office and the University of Canberra.

5. General Business & Upcoming Events

• Road Safety (Scotty): Reported four near-head-on crashes on Garfield Road near Hannah’s Haulage. As this is a State Road, the issue will be escalated to the Transport Minister via Sue.

• Riding for the Disabled (Nicole): Reminder for the Barefoot Bowls fundraiser on Friday, 13th March (4:30 pm – 6:30 pm). Tickets are still available.

• ANZAC Day (Bruce): Anyone wishing to lay a wreath must notify Bruce by 1st April.