Parramatta on the radar screen

Some of the big traditional North Sydney tenants such as the information technology industry are no longer hestitant about Parramatta or Macquarie Park, satellite areas once deemed "too far from the action", according to Simon Hemphill, strategic analyst for NSW at Jones Lang LaSalle Research and Consulting. JLL reports there are about half a dozen corporate occupiers in Sydney looking for space over 5000 square metres in the greater Sydney metropolitan area.

Mixed retail results

Two regional retailers had mixed results in the first quarter of 2007-08. Chester Hill-based Fantastic Furniture has reported good sales growth in the first quarter but warned that rising home ownership costs and the federal election could dampen consumer sentiment. Meanwhile women's fashion group Noni B said sales had been flat and expected weak first-half sales because of a difficult retail market in NSW and the federal election.