CommBank has expanded its support for Western Sydney to help the region recover and re-build after being one of the hardest hit in the country with COVID-19 lock-downs.
As part of its expanded commitment, the bank has today announced two significant investments, a multi-year partnership for a Western Sydney landmark and funding to help local small businesses with the opportunity to connect with more customers.
The multi-year partnership with Venues NSW is for the naming-rights of Western Sydney Stadium. Bankwest Stadium will officially become known as CommBank Stadium from Friday 1 October. Located in the heart of Parramatta, the 30,000-seat stadium has firmly established itself as an iconic and critical piece of community infrastructure for sport and entertainment, as well as for diverse business, cultural and community events.
CommBank has also announced a $120,000 investment to help small businesses in the 12 Western Sydney Local Government Areas (LGA) that have been subject to the harder lockdown restrictions. CommBank will be working with Chamber Alliance of Western Sydney to help small business in these LGAs to market their activities as the region comes out of lock down in the lead up to Christmas. Activities will include local advertising and social media, to tailored initiatives for small businesses in these areas.
Commonwealth Bank CEO, Matt Comyn, said: “Western Sydney is one of fastest growing regions in the country, and a key engine room for the national economy. We know the area has been hit hard by the recent COVID-19 restrictions and we’re committed to investing in Western Sydney to help businesses get back on their feet and re-build after an incredibly challenging 2021.”
“We are committed to their long-term success and we want to re-connect small businesses with their communities, because these businesses are the lifeline of our economy.
“We’re also excited to continue backing the stadium within the CBA Group – it has been a valuable facility in providing economic opportunities to the area and will continue to be an important part of the community, particularly through recovery as the local areas and New South Wales starts to reopen,” Mr Comyn said.
Minister for Western Sydney, The Hon. Stuart Ayres, said: “Western Sydney businesses and communities are resilient and we will re-build to be stronger, but it will take the support of many and it’s encouraging to see CBA committed to supporting small businesses and Greater Western Sydney.”
Minister for Sport, Natalie Ward, said: “The stadium offers a world-class experience and has fast become a fan favourite. It will be fantastic to see supporters back at the newly-named CommBank Stadium, once the health advice says it’s safe to do so.”
The announcement follows yesterday’s NSW Government announcement of the new WestInvest Fund for Western Sydney.
CBA’s investment in Western Sydney complements the bank’s existing partnerships with Football Australia as the official naming rights partner and bank of the national women’s team, the Matildas, Junior Matildas and Young Matildas.
The Western Sydney Stadium partnership and Chamber Alliance program are in addition to other local support measures offered by the bank, which include: coronavirus support measures, opening 14 dedicated vaccination centres for staff and members of their household across various LGAs of concern and providing small businesses with access to counselling services to help alleviate any mental stress.
For small businesses, CBA is also running a webinar series throughout October, specifically for Western Sydney businesses to help them navigate the flow on impacts of the COVID-19 restrictions. Topics will cover ecommerce strategy, safely receiving payments online, driving sales online and mental health webinars facilitated by Smiling Mind.
Working with the Stadium, CBA is also scheduling a business fair early in the New Year to support Western Sydney businesses.
