Innovation Soars in Canterbury Bankstown

With billions of dollars of investment rolling in, flying cars set for take-off and global entrepreneurs setting up shop, leaders from across the region gathered at the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue’s Canterbury-Bankstown Beyond forum to explore the city “Where Interesting Happens”.  

Held at Western Sydney University’s Bankstown CBD Campus, with NSW Ministers Ryan Park and Jihad Dib and Mayor Bilal El-Hayek, the event brought together more than 150 government, industry, academic and community leaders to discuss the growth of Canterbury-Bankstown as a centre for innovation, enterprise and investment. 

At the event, Minister for Health Ryan Park announced the new concept designs for Bankstown Hospital, the next phase in delivering the largest health infrastructure project in New South Wales. 

The Minister told the forum that it would deliver “a health and innovation precinct, not just a hospital”. 

“We are building Bankstown’s hospital of the future. Each floor of the new hospital is being developed in close consultation with our hard-working health staff, clinicians and community. 

“This new $2 billion hospital will ensure the community has access to high-quality and timely care now and into the future. We are investing more in health than any other time in our state’s history – more hospitals, more beds and lower wait times.” 

The Dialogue’s Chief Executive Officer, Adam Leto, said the region was laying the foundation for a new generation of thinkers and makers. 

“This is a city of new beginnings, a place where you can take your first steps and turn them into something special,” he said. 

“Innovation is at the heart of what this city is about. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, academic, athlete or business owner, no matter what your background, this is a place that embraces new ideas and people who are prepared to have a crack.

“It is home to so much talent, and there’s more on the way, and the rest of the city is starting to realise it.”  

That spirit was embodied by local innovators Ali “Chebbo” Chebbani, Founder of Chebbo’s Burgers, and Dr Adriano Di Pietro, Chief Executive Officer of AMSL Aero, who shared their stories of growth and grit.   

Chebbo’s Burgers began humbly during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when Ali Chebbani started cooking burgers in his Bankstown driveway and sharing the process on TikTok, while AMSL Aero, based at Bankstown Aerodrome, is designing Australia’s first zero-emissions hydrogen-electric flying car, the Vertiia.  

Event guest speakers explored the transformation of Canterbury-Bankstown into a centre for innovation, enterprise and growth, including Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek, who said the region is at the centre of Sydney’s next growth story.  

“Canterbury-Bankstown is Sydney’s multicultural centre, home to around 400,000 people from more than 150 countries. We are excited and ready to go with our partners, creating the jobs, investment and opportunities all our residents and beyond can benefit from,” the Mayor said. “We’ve laid the foundations, now it’s time to build greatness — together.” 

The packed program featured a series of panels and conversations focused on health, housing, economy and culture, including:  

• Angela Jeffery (Sydney Metro), Sonia Marshall (South Western Sydney Local Health District), Emma Skulander (Health Infrastructure) and Distinguished Professor George Williams AO (Western Sydney University), discussed how the new Bankstown Hospital and its surrounding education and transport investments will spark new opportunities for smart jobs, innovation and urban amenity.

• Jihad Dib MP reflected on the city’s identity and future, from jobs and digital transformation to cultural pride and community cohesion, and how local leadership can unlock Bankstown’s potential. 

• Joseph Ajaka (Barings Real Estate Australia), Michael Clancy (Bankstown Sports Club), Trevan Robinson (Vicinity Centres), and Amanda Harvey (Mecone) discussed how new development and urban renewal are delivering a more liveable, connected city.

• The program concluded with a Fireside Chat featuring Dr Michael Mohammed Ahmad (Sweatshop Literacy Movement) and Sara Mansour (Bankstown Poetry Slam) and Dialogue Chairman, Christopher Brown AM, reflecting on how storytelling shapes community pride.