November 2026
Magazine
CBCC 2026: The Next Chapter Starts Here Canterbury-Bankstown on the Move
New connections. New investment. New opportunities. Inside Your Dynamic Connection to Southwest Sydney's Growth: > The Metro Has Arrived — Now let's bring our CBDs to life > Business & Entrepreneurship Expo 2026 > 10 Years of CBCC > Meet Our Corporate Partners > Save the Dates: Annual Gala & Women in Leadership
TABLE OF CONTENTS Board of Directors
03
CEO Message
04
Business & Entrepreneurship Expo
06
Corporate Partners
08
Upcoming Events
10
Advertise with us
48
Join - Membership Benefits
49
Contact
50
CEO Message
THE METRO HAS ARRIVED. NOW LET’S BRING OUR CBDs TO LIFE. From transport transformation to economic activation. The opening of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest marks a defining moment for Canterbury-Bankstown and the wider Sydney South-West region. It is a significant achievement that will reshape how our communities connect, work, travel and access opportunities. But while we rightly celebrate this milestone, we must now turn our attention to the next challenge: ensuring this investment translates into real economic opportunities for our local businesses and communities. The Metro has arrived. Now we need to activate our CBDs and unlock their full economic potential. Our local Central Business Districts must become more than transport interchanges or places people simply pass through. They need to become vibrant, attractive and welcoming destinations where people want to work, shop, dine, socialise, invest and spend time. We have invested in connecting people to our centres. Now we must give them compelling reasons to stay. An important part of this transformation is the physical presentation and beautification of our CBDs. First impressions matter. Our streets, footpaths, shopfronts and public spaces should reflect the ambition and potential of our region. We need greater investment in streetscaping, landscaping, greenery, public art, contemporary lighting, street furniture, pedestrian-friendly spaces and the ongoing cleanliness and maintenance of our centres. Beautification is not simply about appearances. It is about creating places where people feel welcome, safe and proud to spend time. Well-designed public spaces encourage people to linger, support local businesses and contribute to a stronger sense of community. A critical part of this transformation must also be the development of a genuine After Five Economy. It is time to review and formally remove outdated curfews, unnecessary trading restrictions and regulatory barriers that prevent local
businesses, hospitality venues and entertainment operators from realising their full potential. We cannot afford to build world-class transport infrastructure and then leave our town centres operating with yesterday’s thinking. Our approach to CBD activation must evolve. This is not simply about extending trading hours; it is about creating an environment that encourages investment, supports entrepreneurship and gives people more reasons to experience our local centres. We need to encourage innovative ideas and rethink what our local economic offering can look like. Imagine vibrant evening markets, outdoor dining, live entertainment, cultural festivals, food experiences, pop-up retail, creative industries, family-friendly activities and innovative uses of vacant shopfronts and public spaces. We should be creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, small businesses and emerging industries to experiment, collaborate and introduce experiences that make each centre distinctive. This will require leadership and a coordinated commitment from all levels of government, local councils, property owners, developers, investors and the business community. We need to make it easier to activate spaces, attract private investment, streamline approvals and create safe, clean, attractive and accessible environments throughout the day and into the evening. Importantly, CBD revitalisation must recognise the unique identity, cultural diversity and commercial strengths of each of our local centres. We should not be trying to replicate the same experience everywhere. Instead, we should encourage each CBD to develop its own character, attractions and economic opportunities. Canterbury-Bankstown has the population, infrastructure, cultural diversity and business capability to become one of Sydney’s most exciting economic and lifestyle destinations. The opportunity is enormous, but it will not happen through infrastructure investment alone. It requires ambition, collaboration and a willingness to challenge traditional thinking. At the Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce, we will continue advocating for policies, partnerships and initiatives that strengthen our local economy, support business growth and ensure our members are positioned to benefit from the opportunities ahead. The Metro was the catalyst. The economic transformation of our CBDs must be the legacy. Now is the time to think bigger, invest in our places, work together and bring our centres to life. Wally Mehanna CEO Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce
CBCC
CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BUSINESS / COMMUNITY / CONNECTIONS
Entrepreneurship Business & Expo At CBCC's Business & Entrepreneurship Expo 2026, more than 50 businesses came together around one shared belief: great things happen when people connect.
NSW SMALL BUSINESS MONTH
19 OCTOBER 2026 • CANTERBURY LEAGUE CLUB, BELMORE
Great business stories don't always begin with a business
Yet what made the Expo significant was not simply who
plan. Often, they begin with a conversation.
attended, but what it made possible: an introduction that could lead to a partnership, a fresh idea or a new door
That was the spirit behind the Canterbury Bankstown
opening.
Chamber of Commerce's Business & Entrepreneurship Expo 2026, held at Canterbury League Club on 19 October as part of NSW Small Business Month. The event brought more than 50 businesses together with entrepreneurs, industry leaders, government representatives and a community keen to see Western Sydney thrive.
Good connections outlast great events.
Across the evening, exhibitors showcased products and services, exchanged ideas and met potential customers and collaborators. For established operators, it was a chance to deepen local relationships. For emerging founders, it offered access to new perspectives, experience and opportunities. CBCC was honoured to welcome The Hon. Jihad Dib MP, Kylie Wilkinson MP, the NSW Small Business Commissioner and John Khoury, Deputy Chairman of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Their support reflected the important role government, community and industry can play in helping local enterprise succeed.
Those opportunities were built on strong partnerships. CBCC thanks Unito Property Group, an Event Partner, and MTC FutureReady, Event Partner and Co-Delivery Partner, alongside sponsors Perfect Square Design, Tender Loving Care Disability Services and Canterbury League Club. The Chamber also acknowledges every exhibitor, guest and supporter whose contribution helped bring the Expo to life. As CBCC looks ahead, the message is simple: businesses grow stronger when they know and support one another. The connections made on one October evening can become the collaborations that shape Canterbury-Bankstown's future.
THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES
Join the CBCC network to build relationships, raise your profile and open doors to new opportunities.
cbchamber.org.au/about-us/
CBCC • CONNECT. INSPIRE. ELEVATE.
CORPORATE
PARTNERS
Upcoming Events NOV
2026 ANNUAL GALA
21 MAR
05
2027 WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP Save the Date! Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact Wally.
PO Box CP 156 Condell Park NSW 2200 0416 012 747 ceo@cbchamber.org.au
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