Council wins on project, maybe

Parramatta City Council can compulsory acquire property in Darcy Street for its $1.4 billion Civic Place project, following a decision by the NSW Court of Appeal. Property owners, however, have 28 days to appeal. Earlier, the Land and Environment Court decided against council acquiring the properties for its development, with partner Grocon, of a project including a 44-storey office tower, 250 apartments, some 35,000 square metres of retail space and council, community and open spaces. The project could be completed by 2014.