Breakfast Conversation Series ‘More than Bricks’

HomelessnessMedia Release

November 2, 2016

Western Sydney Community Forum was pleased to host the ‘More than Bricks’ Breakfast Conversation on the 27 October 2016 on housing, affordability and social infrastructure in partnership with Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, Deloitte and the Western Sydney Business Chamber.

The Breakfast Conversations Series provides a platform for escalating and intensifying social and cultural goals within the public policy debate in Western Sydney.

The event was moderated by Professor James Arvanitakis from Western Sydney University and presented an opportunity to discuss innovative housing solutions across the business, government and community sectors.

Forum Chief Executive Billie Sankovic opened the address, saying

“It is time to talk about the whole spectrum of housing priorities and view housing as more than just bricks….optimal outcomes are achieved when we put people at the centre of our decision making and communities at the centre of our thinking’.

The Breakfast panelists agreed social infrastructure was a key ingredient to ensure housing and communities are livable places.

Social Commissioner Heather Nesbitt from the Greater Sydney Commission stated that

“Livability needs to be maintained and enhanced and that Sydney, including Western Sydney, must be thought of as a shared city in order to do this”

The panelists highlighted the importance of community participation and collaboration on planning and infrastructure priorities.

David Borger, Director of the Western Sydney Business Chamber, commented that

“Ways to achieve progressive change is to collaborate with a number of groups and present a coordinated position….and decision makers are more likely to listen.”

Matthew Beggs, Urban Growth’s head for Western Sydney, added that

“We need to provide the housing industry with effective models to replicate.”

Panel members included Social Commissioner for the Greater Sydney Commission Heather Nesbitt, Chief Executive of Western Sydney Community Forum Billie Sankovic, Director of the Western Sydney Business Chamber David Borger, Chief Executive of Evolve Housing Andrea Galloway, Head of Western Sydney Projects at Urban Growth Matthew Beggs, Academic at Western Sydney University Dr Louise Crabtree.

Further Breakfast Conversations will be held in Western Sydney throughout 2017.

Media Contact:
Thea Bainbridge
Communications Officer
(02) 9687 9669

Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth

Some positive signs in the budget, but more needs to be done to address inequity in Western Sydney

May 12, 2023

Since the budget announcement on Tuesday night, I have been reflecting on what all this means for the community and human services industry, and more importantly for the people of Western Sydney that we support. On budget night, I saw a shift in the national narrative with the Government’s approach to people experiencing vulnerabilities. I saw a shift in how income support and rental assistance was viewed, that it is a security safety net for times when people are in need and at times of crisis.

Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth

Economies thrive when communities do – Equity and the NSW State Budget 2020-21

November 19, 2020

As I tuned into the NSW Government’s Budget 2020-21 announcement on Tuesday, I couldn’t help but hold a level of anticipation. Amid recent announcements that Australia is facing a recession, I needed to know as I scanned the influx of media announcements – was Western Sydney going to be a ‘winner’ in this year’s budget?

Latest NewsMedia Release

One Small Step Towards Reconciliation

June 16, 2020

Western Sydney Community Forum welcomes a recent Mayoral Minute adopted by Council as a measure towards reconciliation for communities in Western Sydney. Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne of The Hills Shire Council made a significant motion regarding reconciliation in the region. The Mayoral minute was unanimously endorsed by Council where an invitation will be extended to local Aboriginal Elders to meet with Council, and an Acknowledgement to Country will be included in Citizenship Ceremonies and at major community events.

Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth

Construction and cranes only get us so far – Equity and the State Budget

June 25, 2018

The NSW Government released its much-anticipated Budget this week. I was excited. We had the recent signing of the Western Sydney City Deal. We saw a strong public discourse of governing ‘with heart’. And we have an election(s) looming. I was excited and keen to hear how this would all play out in reality, to get to the heart of priorities across Western Sydney and beyond, in NSW. What I found is that this Budget, in the main, begins to address some of the infrastructure priorities of the region but has some considerable way to go before it gets close to being a Budget that will foster, sustain and improve community wellbeing and liveability.

Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth

Communities of Change Report Launch Snapshots the Future of Western Sydney

May 25, 2018

Joint Media Release St Vincent de Paul Society NSW and Western Sydney Community Forum Parramatta, 23 May 2018: The release of a major report on the changing landscape of Western Sydney reveals important insights which could impact future planning and investment in community health and wellbeing. The ‘Communities of Change: Western Sydney Now and Into the Future’ report, a collaboration between Western Sydney Community Forum and St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, highlights areas of potential shortfalls in investment and service delivery.

EventsLatest NewsMedia Release

International Women’s Day retrospective in film, with a song by Aunty Jacinta Tobin

March 6, 2018

Western Sydney Community Forum 's design and events team have collaborated to produce this film retrospective, showcasing some of the events and women throughout the region, celebrating International Women’s Day in 2017.

November 8, 2023

The escalation of violent conflict in Israel and Gaza is being felt by communities in Western Sydney, and it may be affecting your staff or the people you work with. Multicultural NSW has developed a list of support services available for people who may be impacted at this time.

NSW Budget 2023 Statement

September 22, 2023

With the unveiling of the first Budget by a NSW Labor Government in 12 years, I—like many others in Western Sydney’s community sector—watched with interest for signs that the new government was committed to taking the bold steps needed to address the challenges facing the region. However, what I witnessed this week was a budget that did not step up to those challenges.

Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth

Latest News & Media