Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Passion For Business Park Wins City’s Corporate Citizen Award

MEDIA RELEASE

30 May 2018

Blacktown City Council has named the owner and the developer of Sydney Business Park as joint winners of the 2018 Blacktown Corporate Citizens of the year.

Robert Wearn and Owen Walsh were recognised today as business leaders in Blacktown City.

Mr Wearn bought the Sydney Business Park land with Bryan Singh in the mid 1990’s, and the pair is focused on creating a modern business hub. Mr Walsh has been the manager of the Sydney Business Park project since it was established in 2005.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said: “We are proud to recognise two outstanding businessmen as our Corporate Citizens of the Year.

“The social responsibility programs that these two men engage actively sets a fine example to all business leaders in our community,” he said.

Mr Walsh supports many local Blacktown schools and job placements through his work with the Beacon Foundation and Marist 180.

Mr Wearn works very closely with many western Sydney charities including Thorndale, Royal Far West and the Great Walk Foundation, as well as being on the board of the Penrith Panthers.

“The effort Rob and Owen have both put into the business and the community is truly remarkable,” Mayor Bali said.

“The Business Park is twice the size of the Sydney CBD and there is a big future for the privately owned mixed use business park in Marsden Park.

“There are plans to secure more than $3 billion of investment and create 30,000 jobs for Blacktown City.

“I am pleased to see western Sydney leaders such as Mr Wearn who grew up in the area give back to our community and raise the business profile of this region,” Mayor Bali said.

Mr Wearn worked in earth moving and quarrying before taking over the family business in 1986 with a vision to create a lasting positive legacy for the community.

In accepting the award Mr Wearn said: “I am extremely proud of what Sydney Business Park has achieved to date, and seeing the positive difference that has been made in the community and the broader Blacktown region.”

Mayor Bali said he is pleased to see that the campus-style development at Sydney Business Park is seeking to raise the standards for innovative design, amenity and environmental sustainability and provide a platform to attract high quality jobs and investment to Blacktown.

“This is what a modern city looks like, and the fact that we have this in Blacktown City makes me even more proud.

“Council takes pride in recognising businesses that not only contribute to the economy of our growing City, but also go beyond the core essence of their business and reach out to the community,” Mayor Bali said.

The 2018 Blacktown Corporate Citizens of the year, Owen

 Walsh and Robert Wearn are available for interviews upon request.

Information on Sydney Business Park below:

Manager of Sydney Business Park, Owen Walsh, Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP, Owner Sydney Business Park, Robert Wearn

Information on Sydney Business Park:

Sydney Business Park has a target to secure more than $3 billion of investment and to create 30,000 jobs for Blacktown City. The Sydney Business Park is expected to continue through its initial development phase for the next ten years.

The campus style development is seeking to raise the standards for innovative design, amenity and environmental sustainability and provide a platform to attract high quality jobs and investment to Blacktown.

Still in its early stages, Sydney Business Park is proud to have:

•Secured over $650 million in investment in new facilities,

•Created over 3,200 full time jobs,

•Worked closely with Blacktown City Council and the State Government on significant infrastructure, road, rail and transport upgrades for the broader region, and

•Created the Marsden Park Employment & Education Initiative.

Sydney Business Park recognises the significant role that this development plays in building the sustainable communities for the future. As part of the social responsibility program, Sydney Business Park is especially focused on the adjoining areas where there is high youth unemployment and social disadvantage. The Business Park has teamed up with the Beacon Foundation and Marist 180 to create the Marsden Park Employment & Education Initiative, which seeks to encourage new businesses to:

•Support local skills development and education

•Employ locally

•Support further education, training and employment of local long-term unemployed

•Provide ongoing support for incoming employees and businesses.

The 2018 Blacktown Corporate Citizen of the year, Owen Walsh and Robert Wearn are available for interviews upon request.