Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Spring is almost here, bringing a full calendar of events and new opportunities for businesses across Willoughby. As the weather warms up, more people will be out enjoying our town centres, local shops, cafés, restaurants and community events. Council continues to invest in initiatives that bring more visitors to our local centres, encourage them to stay longer and support local businesses.
One event I would particularly encourage you to attend is our Support Local Showcase Night on Tuesday, 1 September, from 5:00pm to 8:30pm at The Lounge, Chatswood. This free event will bring together local businesses, entrepreneurs and industry leaders for an evening of networking, learning and inspiration. You will hear valuable insights from CommBank iQ on local spending and consumer trends, enjoy a panel discussion featuring local business owners, and connect with fellow members of our business community.
Emerge Festival also returns from 1 September to 11 October, with more than 50 arts, cultural and community events taking place across Willoughby. The festival attracts visitors from across Sydney, particularly for the popular Chatswood StreetFair on 5 September in the Chatswood CBD.
Businesses can get involved by becoming an Emerge Festival sponsor or participating in Chatswood StreetFair as a stallholder. To find out more, visit www.emergefestival.com.au.
We are also looking forward to welcoming the community to the new Willoughby Leisure Centre later this year. As one of the largest community investments in Willoughby City’s history, the Centre is expected to attract thousands of visitors each week, creating new opportunities for surrounding businesses and adding to the vibrancy of the city.
Supporting a vibrant and welcoming city extends beyond new infrastructure. Later this month, we are preparing to submit Chatswood’s Purple Flag accreditation application. This internationally recognised program celebrates safe, vibrant and inclusive evening destinations and reflects our commitment to strengthening Chatswood’s night-time economy. Thank you to everyone involved in the working group, including Chatswood Chamber of Commerce President Jam Xia, for helping bring this submission together.
Thank you for your continued contribution to our local economy and for helping make Willoughby such a vibrant place to live, work and visit.
Yours in community,
Mayor Tanya Taylor