Another fantastic October Breakfast Meeting for the North West Business Chamber, and we're continuing to break attendance records month after month!

The energy in the room is incredible, and it's clear that something exciting is happening across our North West business community.

As our region continues to grow, so too does the importance of having a strong, united voice for local business.

This month, our members came together to discuss the vital role businesses play in shaping the future of the North West and our responsibility as a Chamber to advocate for the infrastructure, investment and opportunities our growing region needs.

We also shared some exciting plans for the upcoming Riverstone Christmas Market, an initiative that will bring our community together while supporting local businesses, families and the wonderful work of North West Community Services.

We're particularly proud to be supporting their Dollars for Dignity Campaign, demonstrating that business success isn't just about economic growth it's also about giving back to the community that supports us.

More members. Record attendance. Stronger connections. A louder voice.

The momentum is building, and we're excited about what lies ahead.

Thank you to everyone who continues to turn up, contribute ideas and help make the North West Business Chamber a thriving voice for our region.

Together, we're not just growing businesses-we're building a stronger North West. 

Riverstone Christmas Markets to Bring Community Together and Support Local Families in Need

A festive celebration of local business, community spirit and giving back is coming to Riverstone this December, with every dollar raised through the administration of the markets going towards the Dollars for Dignity campaign.

The North West Business Chamber (NWBC), in partnership with North West Community Services (NWCS), is delighted to announce the Riverstone Christmas Markets, to be held on Saturday, 5 December 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Sam Lane Complex in Riverstone.

The Christmas Markets will bring together local businesses, artisans, makers, food vendors, community organisations and residents for an evening celebrating the people, businesses and community spirit that make Sydney’s north-west such a special place to live.

With Christmas approaching, the markets will provide an opportunity for residents to shop locally, discover unique gifts, enjoy festive food and entertainment, and connect with the organisations and small businesses that contribute so much to the region.

North West Business Chamber President Sue Lawrence said the markets were about much more than Christmas shopping.

“At the heart of every strong community are the local businesses, volunteers and community organisations that support it.

“The Riverstone Christmas Markets are an opportunity to bring those people together, showcase the incredible talent and enterprise we have across our region, and create a wonderful evening for local families.

“We want to encourage people to shop local this Christmas, support our small and home-based businesses, and discover the talented artisans and makers operating right here in our own backyard.

“But just as importantly, we want this event to make a meaningful difference to families in our community who are doing it tough.”

Christmas Shopping That Gives Back

The Riverstone Christmas Markets will also support Dollars for Dignity, a longstanding community fundraising initiative established by the North West Business Chamber in partnership with North West Community Services.

The campaign raises funds for emergency relief, helping local individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, personal crisis or unexpected circumstances.

Unlike traditional donation drives, Dollars for Dignity provides flexible financial assistance that allows people to access the essentials they need most, whether that is food, medication, transport, clothing, school supplies or other urgent necessities.

The initiative is built around a simple principle: everyone deserves the dignity of choice, particularly during times of hardship.

All funds raised through the administration of the Riverstone Christmas Markets will be donated to Dollars for Dignity, ensuring the event delivers benefits beyond the market itself.

North West Community Services CEO Angels Van Dyke said the initiative was particularly important in the lead-up to Christmas.

“Christmas should be a time of joy and connection, but we know that for many families, the financial pressures of the festive season can be overwhelming,” Ms Van Dyke said.

“Through Dollars for Dignity, we see firsthand how much difference practical assistance can make to individuals and families facing hardship.

“Having the support of our local business community means we can continue helping people access the essentials they need, while ensuring they are treated with dignity, compassion and respect.

“This partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when local businesses and community organisations work together to support the people who need it most.”

Calling Local Businesses, Artisans and Community Groups

The North West Business Chamber is now inviting expressions of interest from local businesses, market stallholders, artists, artisans, food and beverage vendors, sporting clubs, schools, community organisations and local service providers interested in participating.

Community groups are particularly encouraged to consider operating food or beverage stalls as an opportunity to raise funds for their own organisations while contributing to the festive atmosphere.

The Chamber hopes the markets will become a celebration of the diversity, creativity and generosity of the growing north-west Sydney community.

“We have so many wonderful small businesses, talented local makers and dedicated community groups across our region,” Ms Lawrence said.

“This is their opportunity to be seen, supported and celebrated.

“We would love to see our local schools, sporting clubs and community organisations involved, alongside established businesses and people who have turned their creative passions into home-based enterprises.

“By participating in the markets, stallholders will not only have an opportunity to promote their businesses and connect with new customers, but they will also be contributing to a cause that directly supports people in our own community.

“We’re inviting everyone to get behind this initiative and help us create something special for Riverstone.”

Event Details

Riverstone Christmas Markets

Date: Saturday, 5 December 2026

Time: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location: Sam Lane Complex, 9 Park Street, Riverstone NSW 2765

Stallholder EOI closing date: Friday, 6 November 2026

Expressions of interest are now open, with interested stallholders and community organisations encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.

Applications will assist organisers in assessing stall requirements, allocating spaces and coordinating the event.

For further information or to discuss individual stall requirements before applying, please contact Sue Lawrence or Jonathan Agius from the North West Business Chamber.

The Chamber also encourages local businesses, residents and community organisations to share the opportunity across their networks.

“Let’s make this Christmas about more than what we give each other. Let’s make it about what we can achieve together as a community.”

The North West Business Chamber continues to go from strength to strength, proudly celebrating a growing membership of 118 businesses and community representatives at our recent Sundowner Dinner.

The evening was a wonderful opportunity to bring members together, celebrate the strength of our local business community and recognise the people who contribute to the Chamber’s continued success.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of membership certificates and Chamber lapel pins, recognising our members and their commitment to being part of a connected, collaborative and thriving business community.

With membership now reaching 118, the Chamber continues to build momentum as a strong and influential voice for businesses across North West Sydney.

Our growth reflects the increasing value local businesses place on connection, collaboration, advocacy and having a collective voice in shaping the future of our rapidly expanding region.

We are building a stronger business community

The North West Business Chamber is about much more than networking. It is about building meaningful relationships, creating opportunities, supporting local enterprise and ensuring the needs of our business community are heard.

As our region continues to grow, so too does the importance of having a strong, united business community advocating for the infrastructure, investment, employment opportunities and services needed to support our future.

Every new member strengthens that collective voice.

Our Sundowner Dinner was a reminder that behind every successful business community are passionate individuals who believe in supporting one another and working together.

Looking Ahead

With 118 members and growing, the North West Business Chamber is excited about what lies ahead.

We remain committed to creating opportunities for our members, championing local businesses, encouraging collaboration and ensuring North West Sydney continues to be a place where businesses can establish, grow and thrive.

To our existing members, thank you for your continued support, enthusiasm and commitment. To our newest members, welcome to the Chamber family!

Together, we are building more than a business network. We are building a stronger future for North West Sydney.

Interested in becoming part of our growing business community? Join the North West Business Chamber and help shape the future of business in our region.

Blueprint forum welcomes investment in the North West and puts local jobs in focus 

The North West Business Chamber has welcomed the investment in the region’s future following its Blueprint 2026 forum, which brought together 72 members of the local business community on Wednesday, 7 October.

Held at Riverstone Business Park, “Blueprint 2026 – From Plan to Place: Jobs, Growth and Riverstone’s Next Chapter” featured presentations from Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby MP, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully MP, and Richards master planner Soren Yde Jensen.

The forum focused on how planning, infrastructure and investment can turn the North West’s population growth into local employment and business opportunities.

In its opening address, the Chamber urged participants to look beyond housing growth and consider the kind of community being created.

“Our vision shouldn’t simply be about building more homes and finding better ways to move people out of the North West every morning,” Sue Lawrence Chamber President  stated.

“It should be about creating a place where people can live, work, learn, build businesses and create opportunities right here.”

Minister Scully outlined the Sydney Plan’s approach to aligning homes, jobs and infrastructure, with more homes in Sydney’s east and more jobs in the west.

“Homes, jobs, and transport must be planned together – at the same time,” Minister Scully said.

He outlined a target of approximately 105,000 to 124,000 additional jobs across Blacktown, The Hills and Hawkesbury by 2046, emphasising that these were ambitious targets rather than forecasts.

The Minister also highlighted the Riverstone Town Centre rezoning, which he said could unlock up to 2,850 homes, approximately 1,200 jobs and more than 10 hectares of new or improved open space.

His address pointed to investment in Garfield Road East, Richmond Road and the new Rouse Hill Hospital as part of the infrastructure supporting the region’s future

The Chamber is incredibly grateful for the investment in our community’s future and for the opportunity to hear directly from the Minister about how local businesses fit into the broader plan.

For our members, connecting housing with employment, transport and services is essential to building a region where businesses can find staff, residents can work closer to home and families have more time to participate in community life.

The Chamber thanked Warren Kirby MP for helping bring the Minister into this local conversation and for his continued advocacy for Riverstone and the wider North West. Minister Scully’s address acknowledged Mr Kirby’s persistent advocacy in securing the Riverstone Town Centre Masterplan.

The Chamber also thanked Soren Yde Jensen for his presentation, and the Riverstone Business Park team for hosting the forum and its continued support of the local business community.

Blueprint provided an opportunity for business owners to ask questions, make connections and contribute to the conversation about the region’s next chapter.

The Chamber looks forward to continuing that conversation with government, industry and the community as plans become places where people can build their futures.

Small businesses are the backbone of our local communities creating jobs, supporting families and helping our neighbourhoods thrive.

This Small Business Month, we want to make sure local business owners know there is practical support available through the Service NSW Business Bureau.

Business owners can access additional tailored support, including face-to-face appointments at more than 30 Service NSW Centres, as well as specialised programs supporting First Nations, multicultural and female founders.

There’s also up to four hours of free, independent business advice available through the new Small Business Advisory program.

And locally, there’s a familiar face who can help.

Pablo, our local Service NSW Business Bureau representative, is a regular at North West Business Chamber events and is always happy to have a conversation with local business owners about the support, advice and services available to them.

If you’d like the opportunity to chat with Pablo at an upcoming Chamber event, comment below and we’ll help connect you.

Running a small business takes courage, long hours and determination but you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.

This Small Business Month, shop local, support local and make sure our local businesses know where to turn when they need a hand.

Our Chamber continues to go from strength to strength, bringing together local businesses, creating new connections and making sure the voice of our business community is heard.

A huge thank you toMichelle Rowland MP, Warren Kirby MP and Moninder Singh for their ongoing support of the Chamber and our local business community.

It’s exciting to see the energy building at each event, with new faces, new ideas and new opportunities to work together.

The North West is growing — and so is our business community.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us this morning. We look forward to seeing you at the next one!

THE North West Business Chamber says delivering local jobs must be the primary focus as the NSW Government begins implementing the new Sydney Plan released on August 13, 2026.

The Chamber welcomes the NSW Government’s commitment to planning jobs, housing and infrastructure together. Riverstone West, now known as Richards, provides an ideal demonstration precinct for translating the Sydney Plan’s vision into practical and lasting outcomes for the North West Growth Area.

The Chamber welcomes the significant infrastructure investment now being delivered by the State and Federal governments.

After years of extraordinary population growth, the North West is finally benefiting from meaningful investment in roads, new and upgraded schools, additional commuter parking at Tallawong and the long-awaited Rouse Hill Hospital.

With around 300,000 people ultimately expected to call the North West Growth Area home, infrastructure investment must now be matched by an equally strong and immediate commitment to substantial local employment.

Local jobs must be treated as essential economic infrastructure not an optional addition to residential growth.

Riverstone has a proud history of local employment. Established by Benjamin Richards in 1878, the Riverstone Meatworks became one of the region’s largest employers, providing more than 2,000 jobs at its peak.

The meatworks helped shape Riverstone, supporting workers’ housing, local businesses, schools and community services. The Chamber believes Richards can continue that legacy through a modern precinct providing professional, technical, health, education, commercial and service-sector employment.

Local jobs would give more residents the opportunity to work within approximately 15 minutes of home, easing congestion and returning valuable time to workers and their families.

The former Riverstone Meatworks, now known as Richards, was fast-tracked in 2009 as the employment precinct for the North West Growth Area but remains undelivered.

Located beside the T1 heavy rail line, the precinct has the potential to support up to 20,000 jobs.

Better infrastructure will improve people’s lives, but its full value will never be realised without substantial local employment to support a balanced, connected and economically sustainable community.

“Every additional lane on Windsor Road and Richmond Road will eventually fill if our population continues growing without local employment growing alongside it,” Kurt Hippe Chamber Vice President said.

“The same applies to trains and commuter car parks. Better transport is vital, but we must also reduce the need for thousands of residents to make long journeys away from their homes every day.”

They would also strengthen the local economy. Residents working nearby are more likely to shop locally, use local services and support cafés, retailers and small businesses, keeping more household income circulating within their local community.

“Transport should connect our residents with the rest of Sydney, but success should not be measured only by how quickly we can move people out of the North West each morning to find work,”

“Richards gives the North West the opportunity to create jobs here, use existing rail and road infrastructure more effectively and build a more balanced community.”

The Chamber is calling for government, Council, industry and the community to work together on a clear delivery pathway for Richards.

“The infrastructure investment is arriving, and we welcome it,” the Chamber said. “The Sydney Plan must now help deliver the local jobs that will sustain our growing communities.

Lest we Forget 

After years of uncertainty, the finalisation of the Riverstone Town Centre Masterplan brings long-awaited clarity, confidence, and momentum back to one of the North West’s most historic and important centres a real turning point for Riverstone.

The North West Business Chamber acknowledges and thanks State Member Warren Kirby MP and the Minns Government for their leadership and advocacy in bringing this plan to completion.

For too long, Riverstone businesses have operated in a holding pattern, investing in their community, employing locals, and keeping the town centre alive despite a lack of clear direction and limited investment.

And today his plan delivers the certainty local businesses have long been calling for and rightfully deserve. It unlocks a future where Riverstone can once again thrive as a strategic centre of the North West.

https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ppr/post-exhibition/riverstone-town-centre

This morning, the North West Business Chamber proudly celebrated International Women’s Day with a special breakfast recognising the incredible women who help drive our local business community.

Across the North West, women are leading successful businesses, creating jobs, supporting families and shaping the future of our region. Their innovation, resilience and determination are at the heart of a thriving local economy.

The North West Business Chamber is proud to be supported by so many strong, capable and visionary women. Their willingness to collaborate, mentor and uplift others is what makes our business community so special.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this morning to celebrate the achievements of women across the North West.

Happy International Women’s Day.