Committed to small business

Monday, 30 November 2015

Council has committed to being ‘small business friendly’, thanks to its inclusion in a pilot program.

The Office of the NSW 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," Cr McKeown said. "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, including the following:

• Implementing an "on time payment policy" to ensure businesses are paid on time.
• Identifying issues and opportunities for local small businesses through a Business Sentiment Survey.
• Creating a model aimed at supporting major proposals through the Council system, from first enquiry to operation.
• Preparing an economy strategy to support and foster our night time economy, to build the vibrancy of the city centre and support existing operators.
• Undertaking a short term accommodation study into the demand and feasibility of short term accommodation in Penrith, to help in the marketing of Penrith as a destination.

Council has a robust strategy to ensure the City prospers, our 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," Cr McKeown said.

"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."

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Monday, 30 November 2015.