With the release of Infrastructure Australia’s 2019 Audit I note the following two quotes

"Population growth offers enormous economic opportunity but the risk is our infrastructure fails to keep pace with demand. This obviously impacts productivity, quality of life and the liveability of our cities and regional centres." (Ms Madew Director Infrastructure Australia August 2019 )

"At this critical time when economic growth is the slowest it has been in 10 years, wages are stagnant, and living standards are going backwards, Australians are demanding the Morrison Government produce a real plan for infrastructure." ( Minister Alan Tudge August 2019)

I am not sure I have seen a more fitting statement to explain the situation in Riverstone for the last 10 years.

As a result the Riverstone Schofields and Districts Chamber has today lodged and Application to have Riverstone and the Northwest Growth Centre included in their Infrastructure Australia Priority list for 2020.

Stay Tuned for further updates.

After countless letters and meetings yesterday we were granted a meeting with the Minister for Planning to discuss the Riverstone Town centre and a traffic solution for Riverstone.

The process started with a meeting with Blacktown Council to discuss our response to the Town Centre Masterplan. Both Council and the Chamber agreed on solutions to improve the Town Centre but they would have little result without a traffic solution.

Supported by the Mayor Stephen Bali we then took our issue to our State Member Kevin Conolly.

During our meeting with Kevin and Stephen we all agreed Riverstone needs a solution and it could not wait any further.

Taking the lead Kevin secured us a meeting with the Ministers for Planning and Ministers for Transport and off we went to Parliament House.

We all agreed the answer for Riverstone is to fastrack Bandon Rd, Masterplan Riverstone and Marsden Park ensuring we would be equip to support a growing population and investigate the Bypass solution.

The Ministers clearly understood our concerns and we are expecting a positive response in the next few weeks.

Thank you to both Kevin Conolly and Stephen Bali for their support and putting our community first.
#fixRivo #bettertogether #Riverstoneinreview #ChamberCouncilConolly

The AGM for the Riverstone Schofields Chamber of Commerce was held last night 09/7/2019

During the meeting all executive positions were declared vacant and the Chamber Executives for 2020 were elected.

Congratulations to ;

• Sue Hunter-Lawrence President
• Warren Kirby  Vice President 
• Mike Shervington  Secretary 
• Ann Bodziony Treasurer

Additionally we have introduced a new position Membership coordinator which will be performed by Kelly Adams.

We would like to Thank Kurt Hippe who has step down from the Chamber Executive after 4 years . We appreciate your support and dedication. 

We look forward to our Networking Breakfast 2 August 2019 at the Commonwealth Bank Riverstone .

Come along to hear our plans for 2020, and meet the New Executive, Our Honorary Members and our Patron

Remember we are better together if you want to be part of the future of

Riverstone come along or better still bring a friend along

Hope to see you there

 

A well-attended monthly meeting which only took 60 minutes! Plenty of animated discussions on helping businesses on Rev Up Rivo Saturdays, the Chamber's encouraging meetings with Blacktown City Council, and future events. Thanks to all those who came along, see you on Friday at our Networking Brekky @ Norwest CC

Chamber Minutes May 2019.pdf

Many congratulations to Chamber member Craig Laffin for being awarded the Order of Australia Medal for years of dedicated service to the community. A full account of all that Craig has done and continues to do is in this week's Hawkebury Gazette: https://www.hawkesburygazette.com.au/story/5868495/richmonds-craig-laffin-dedicates-oam-to-his-community/ Photo: Geoff Jones

We will be soon be launching a number of short profiles of our members and their businesses, and how they are fighting hard to grow, often despite the conditions out there. Get hold of us through our Chamber website if you want to be part of this initiative! #bettertogether #topupyourbottom 

• Schofields West submission responses
• Marsden Park North submission responses
• Infrastructure is needed before the development begins
• The need to get trucks off Garfield Road and get families back
• The Bandon Road bypass needs to be a significantly higher priority

Riverstone has received a welcome boost with the opening of VicFresh IGA.

The supermarket, located inside Riverstone Village means the local shopping centre is now a one-stop-shop for customers. Local resident Debbie Paszyn has worked for 7 different owners of the supermarket says this one is definitely the best so far.

“This is my 7th different uniform, it really is exciting! For the first time we have everything you need right here.”

And the evidence is clear, the completely renovated store has a large and well stocked fresh food section along with shelves packed with a huge range of product lines.

The VicFresh IGA is holding an open day on Saturday, 8th September. The Chamber will be there in support along with Riverstone Public School. 

Why not come on down and check out the opening specials for yourself? 

The Chamber (and about a hundred others!) went to the Ettamogah Hotel last night and listened to Dr Annemarie Christie (Labor candidate) and Luke Foley (Shadow NSW Opposition Leader) answer questions on their vision for Riverstone's future. The hot topics - our overheating schools, our terrible traffic, our straining infrastructure. Both made a commitment to visit Rivo very soon to see the situation for themselves.