The aim of the forum was to provide information about the business operations of council, and share priorities and plans to support, grow and attract business to Bathurst.

Bathurst mayor Gary Rush said the meeting was also about sharing with the business community the work of council, and how they can contribute to they city’s economic development. 

“We all have a shared responsibility in increasing the prosperity of the Bathurst region,” Cr Rush said.

As key speaker, he shared with business leaders information on the size of council, the work being carried out by council, and council’s plans are for the future.

“I shared my view that Bathurst is a very progressive and stable council, and a very progressive region,” he said.

“I also spoke about the need to look at how we achieve that.”

Cr Rush said council targeted particular businesses because of their sponsorship and support of economic development projects.

“These are businesses council has a good relationship with,” he said.

He said it is important that, as a community, we all take the opportunity to support local business where we can.

Cr Rush said this is the first time the business leader’s forum has been held in the past two years. Council will now focus on making it an annual event. The event was sponsored by Bathurst Regional Council as part of its Economic Development Strategy.