While most areas of NSW are struggling in tough economic times, Bankstown is moving ahead with at least eight new major companies, including a number of multi-nationals, establishing their businesses in the city over the past 12 months.

Mayor Khal Asfour said this $130 million investment has resulted in hundreds of new jobs.

“In fact, around 1,000 positions have been created with the majority snapped up by local residents,” Mayor Asfour said.

“This is further proof Bankstown is the gateway to Sydney’s western suburbs, located just 20 kilometres from Sydney’s CBD.

The new businesses include:

• Volkswagen - Australian headquarters at Chullora ($28.5 million and 280 jobs);
• Quickstep – carbon fibre aircraft part manufacturing operations at Bankstown Airport ($15 million and 200 jobs);
• Oriental Merchant Group – 11,000 sq/m warehouse and distribution centre currently under construction at Chullora for its Asian grocery lines (43 jobs);
• Cosentino – Australian headquarters for its natural stone and quartz manufacturing business ($15 million and 40 jobs);
• Coles Supermarket – new store at Greenacre ($16.3 million and 100 jobs);
• Bunnings - opened 200th warehouse store at Greenacre (100 jobs);
• Woolworths – to open one of its first Masters Home Improvement Centre next month ($10.4 million and 150 jobs); and
• Aldi Supermarket – new store at Chullora Marketplace ($9.9 million and 50 jobs).

On top of this, the NSW Departments of Family and Community Services, Education, and Police and Emergency Services are all now based in the Bankstown City Council headquarters, Civic Tower.

Mayor Asfour said the latest tenants are the police.

“They are basing one of their three new Sydney transport police units here in Bankstown, including 30 officers,” Mayor Asfour said.

“Bankstown is attracting a high calibre of national and international enterprises due to the city’s geographic location, availability of affordable land and Council’s successful business campaigns and promotions.

“Council has now joined forces with the Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) which has secured three-year funding to provide even greater assistance to small businesses in Bankstown.

“BEC can now expand its services through our Bankstown Business Advisory Service (BBAS) to mentor, coach and train our small businesses.

“Here in Bankstown, we’re looking at the big picture by assisting both large and small businesses in their growth, and development of our city as an economic leader.”