As my term as Mayor of Georges River Council draws to a close, I reflect on our achievements with pride. It has been an honour to lead a community defined by resilience and togetherness, and I am filled with a profound sense of pride.

Our Council listens to your needs and aims to serve you now and in the future, and are dedicated to delivering projects that enhance our community, focusing on improving the places and spaces where we unite, connect, and build together.

We've tackled challenges like the cost of living and housing crises worsened by the pandemic. Our Council actively seeks solutions and collaborates for better housing options.

Community is about shared experiences and cooperation. We've improved our gathering places such as Memorial Square and MacMahon Courtyard, as well as upgrading facilities such as the skate park at Olds Park.

Looking ahead, we're working on strategic initiatives such as a new aquatic facility in Carss Park and e-scooter trials in Kogarah to transform our centres for the future.

Our diverse culture is our strength and we have launched a Social Justice Charter to host events such as the Lunar New Year celebrations and multicultural food festivals that bring us together.

We support local artistry through events like Battle of the Beats and the Un[contained] Art Festival, fostering creative expression in our community.

Looking ahead, the next Local Government Election will be held on 14 September 2024. With 15 publicly elected Councillors to be chosen for a four-year term, your vote is important in shaping our future. Please visit Council's website for more information.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the people in our community for their unwavering support and trust. I am confident that Council will continue to work hard to deliver initiatives that support and enrich our community.

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your Mayor.
Social media marketing is a powerful communications tool Georges River Council uses to bolster its reputation, increase civic participation and create a more connected and informed community. 

By utilising platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn Council can deliver simple and effective two-way communications and engagement. These platforms are used by Council to inform residents about community events, local initiatives, and important news. They similarly provide residents with a forum to voice their opinions, as well as ask questions and participate in discussions, fostering a sense of transparency and inclusivity.   

Social media marketing allows Council to target specific demographics, tailoring messaging to different age groups or interest areas. This approach can enhance the effectiveness of campaigns and initiatives, ensuring maximum reach and impact. 

The image above highlights a selection of key analytics data from Council-led community activities in 2024 to date.
The Night Manifesto 

Council has launched The Night Manifesto to support the vision of a safe, locally connected and bold and creative night time economy. The Night Manifesto provides different avenues for individuals, organisations and businesses to get involved. We would also like to highlight the Community Improvement Districts; an opportunity for businesses to help develop the local economy. This program is designed to enhance precincts and gain access to funding opportunities of up to $400,000 in addition to the Uptown Accelerator grants. 

Register with VendorPanel for Procurement Opportunities  

Georges River Council is actively building a network of qualified suppliers and contractors to help us deliver a range of exciting upcoming events and activations across our public spaces. 

We're inviting you to register your business on our procurement portal VendorPanel. Registering is simple and takes just a few minutes. Once registered, you'll gain access to upcoming opportunities that align with your expertise and interests. 

New Guide Helps Small Businesses Access Advocacy Support 

The NSW Small Business Commission released its Advocacy Services Guide, a new resource that details the Commission’s advocacy services can assist small businesses. The Advocacy Services Guide explains how the Commission's advocacy services and methods for assisting small businesses. The guide also outlines how the Commission may be able to advocate on the behalf of small businesses in various circumstances. 

Georges River Council Community Grants & Micro Grants

Georges River Council is accepting applications for two grant programs: 
  • Community Grants: For organisations to deliver projects that meet identified community needs and encourage participation and inclusion: Small up to $10,000, including new ‘Better Together’ category for anti-racism projects; or Major up to $25,000.
  • Micro Grants: Up to $1,000 for individuals, sole traders, small businesses, community organisations and groups for grassroots initiatives.
The Grants Help Hub has in-person and online workshops and information sessions or book an individual grant meeting. 

For more information visit Council’s Grants and Sponsorship page. 

New Hospitality Concierge Simplifies Liquor License Reforms 

The Hospitality Concierge is a new ‘one stop shop’ for hospitality businesses. The Hospitality Concierge contains information about the new liquor licence reforms and initiatives aimed at reducing red tape for the hospitality industry. 

Sound NSW Report Maps Out State of Live Music in NSW 

Sound NSW has published a new report examining the full social and economic landscape of the NSW live music ecosystem after various consultations with industry stakeholders. The State of the Scene 2024 report provides an important evaluation of the economic impact of the live music industry, its workers, and has counted and categorised live music venues across the state.    

Free Webinar: Supercharge Your Small Business with AI 

Join the upcoming FREE webinar from Realise Business Latest AI Tools to Supercharge Your Small Business and Increase Sales. Discover simple strategies to improve marketing, boost sales and enhance efficiency with insights from Kachina Dimmock founder of Australia's first AI marketing agency Collective Catalysts.  

NSW Extends Trading Hours for Olympic Broadcasts 

Olympics fans will be able to watch many of the major events at the Paris Games live at pubs, clubs and bars across the state, thanks to the NSW Government’s Special Event Extended Trading. Venues can trade during the early hours of the morning if they screen selected 2024 Olympics events for patrons. These include every Matildas match in the women’s football competition along with swimming finals. 
The St George Business Chamber is thrilled to announce its upcoming Southern Sydney Skills and Jobs Expo hosted in partnership with Local Jobs - Sydney East Metro and Training Services NSW.  

Event highlights will include: 
  • Access to over 40 local businesses.
  • Networking opportunities.
  • Skill development workshops.
  • Career guidance and job opportunities. 
Tickets for this free event are moving fast, so don't miss your chance to connect with industry leaders and explore exciting career paths! 

Date: 29 August 2024
Time: 10am-2pm (Registration 9.30am-9.45am)
Location: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah

Register now via Eventbrite!
Coombes Property Group Shines at 2024 Urban Taskforce Awards 

The Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards 2024 acknowledged urban developments that achieved the best outcomes for all stakeholders in terms of client requirements, environment, business and community considerations. 

Georges River Council congratulates One Hurstville Place and Humphrey’s Hotel + Hatch by Coombes Property Group for winning the prestigious Mixed Use Development Award

Georges River Council Secures a Places to Love Grant to Transform the Night 

Georges River Council has been announced as a round three partner under Transport for NSW’s Places to Love program. 

This grant, proudly funded by the NSW Government, gives Georges River the opportunity to explore how public spaces, such as streets, open spaces and public facilities, can be used for temporary night time activities. We will be seeking your feedback during these events to get a better understanding of what types of activations you want to see in your community. 

We are very excited to announce that we have engaged The Shift Agency as the event producer to deliver Skate, Break & Build at Olds Park in Penshurst.  

The Shift Agency are experienced event management professionals with a specialty in delivering action sporting events including Red Bull Sporting Events, FIFA and Vans Off The Wall experiences. 

Spark Sydney South Ignites Local Innovation Scene 

Spark Sydney South was held at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Thursday 20 June. This event was a showcase of innovators, entrepreneurs and thought leaders in our local startup scene. Spark South Sydney was a collaboration between Spark Festival, Georges River Council and ANSTO

The keynote speech was given by Maria MacNamara, founder of the Space Industry Association of Australia. Maria shared her remarkable journey, underscoring the omnipresence of space-related industries in our daily lives. This was followed by a panel discussion featuring Emma Earley from Remarkable Tech, Carol Azzam Mackay from the Nandin Innovation Centre and Nick Karahlis from Compass IoT.   

Get Listed on the New Discover Georges River Website for Free 

Georges River Council is excited to unveil the brand-new Discover Georges River website! It's your one-stop shop to explore everything that makes our region a truly special place to live, work and play.  

Would you like to expand the reach of your cafe, restaurant, bar or hotel by featuring your business on this website? All you need to do is register your business’s details for free via the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW).  

Local Business Excellence Celebrated at Georges River Awards 

The 2024 Georges River Local Business Awards hosted by Precedent Productions and sponsored by Georges River Council acknowledged the drive and dedication required to succeed in business in the Georges River LGA. It recognised the best in local industry across over 25 categories. These awards not only recognise excellence but also emphasise the role local businesses play in our connected community. A very special congratulations to Business Person of the Year, Jack Huggett from REALM Property Group and Business of the Year My Little Sunshine Early Learning Centre

Final Council Meeting Before Election Caretaker Period 

The final Georges River Council meeting before entering caretaker mode was held on Monday 22 July 2024. The meeting brought 20 public speakers together, with 45 in-person attendees and more online. Several Councillors congratulated Council staff on their hard work in the day-to-day operations of Council. They acknowledged the quality and dedication that has gone into Council reports, strategies and projects.  

The full Council meeting agenda and papers can be found on the Georges River website.
Skate, Break and Build | Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 August | Leveraging on the excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Olds Park will come alive as our new skatepark plays host to two evenings of skateboarding and breakdancing demos, food, street art workshops and live broadcasts.    

2024 Business Summit: Inspire, Connect & Grow | Tuesday 6 August 2024 | An evening of innovation, opportunities to connect with local business leaders and be inspired by a lineup of distinguished speakers. 

Choose Tourism NSW Webinar Series | Wednesday 7 August and Thursday 8 August | Destination NSW are hosting two webinars from industry experts who will provide practical examples of how to attract and build a skilled workforce through a positive workplace culture, strong business practices in customer service. 

Southern Sydney Jobs & Skills Fair | Thursday 29 August 2024 | Hosted by St George Business Chamber and supported by the Local Jobs Program this event will unite jobseekers, employers, schools and support services from across St George and Southern Sydney. 

Spark Festival | 2-6 September 2024 | A series of events that will spark engagement into and across the NSW startup ecosystem. 

2024 Startup Daily Best in Tech Awards Gala Event | Wednesday 4 September 2024 | A major gala awards ceremony and dinner that celebrates the innovation, impact and diversity of Australia’s tech startup and scaleup community. 

Sydney Awards | Thursday 12 September 2024 | The Committee for Sydney's Sydney Awards is a prestigious gala ceremony celebrating the people who make our city special. This year's award categories include the Sydneysider of the Year, Young Sydneysider of the Year, Unsung Hero, Project of the Year and People's Choice Award. 

2024 NSW Local Government Election | Saturday 14 September 2024 | With 15 publicly elected Councillors to be chosen for a four-year term, your vote is important in shaping our future. Visit Council's website for more information. 
Tell us what else you would like to see in
BUSINESS UNITE via email 
business@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au

Georges River Council
Corner MacMahon and Dora Streets
Hurstville NSW 2220

Phone: (02) 9330 6400

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