Council objects to station relocation

Blacktown City Council has objected in the strongest terms to the proposed relocation of Schofields railway station, without any consultation, to approximately 800 metres south of the current station, towards Quakers Hill. Among council’s reasons for objecting were the impact on the local retail economy clustered around the station and the proposed relocation would include at least some retail facilities, which would further limit the ability of the existing shops to compete and remain economically viable. Approximately 300 people residing in and around Schofields attended a public meeting.

Economic contribution of Bankstown Airport

Bankstown Airport, in which over $30 million has been invested in the past two years, has completed its second economic impact study. It has identified over 6000 jobs and $733 million per annum in direct economic impact. This equals $1.37 billion gross output after flow-on impacts. Household impacts total $416 million. “These figures highlight the importance of our airport … and the aviation industry has on the Bankstown, Western Sydney and NSW economies. It also shows clearly why the airport needs to grow and develop and create even more jobs and put more money into the economy. We provide quality skilled employment to the people of Western Sydney, and have a direct role in improving the productivity, the sustainability and the liveability of the region,” an airport spokesperson said.

Seek and you may find a job in Parramatta

Parramatta City Council has launched a new web portal to help jobseekers find work in the city. Entitled “Welcome to Your New Work City”, the portal is a council initiative in partnership with employment website, Seek, to build detailed profiles of key industries, companies and recruitment agencies that exist within Parramatta. The website would be promoted through an extensive marketing campaign with outdoor billboards on major roads and public transport as well as a wide-reaching online campaign. “As a transport hub serviced by the river and train lines connecting north, south, east and west, Parramatta is already attracting highly skilled people, particularly in law, health, recruitment and service industry management,” the Lord Mayor, Paul Barber, said.

UWS plans to make retail industry 'sexy'

The University of Western Sydney plans to overhaul the image of the retail industry through courses designed to convince people to pursue careers in retail management.In April this year, UWS approved articulation of the Seed Diploma of Retail Management into its Bachelor of Business and Commerce degree, specialising in retail management. Seed is an online training program. UWS proposes to introduce a masters of retail management in 2009. “Kids don’t find retail and the logistics area very sexy… they don’t understand the opportunities the exist,” said Robyn McGuiggan, dean, of the UWS business school, in The Australian Financial Review.

Integral Energy plans to be carbon neutral by 2020

Integral Energy has announced its goal to be carbon neutral for direct emissions by 2020. “We’re making a public commitment which will significantly reduce Integral Energy’s overall carbon footprint by June 2020. “We estimate our corporation’s direct emissions are approximately 27,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per annum. We forecast that between now and June 2020, Integral Energy will abate over 180,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide to achieve our target, equivalent to removing around 45,000 cars from NSW roads,” said CEO, Vince Graham.

Application to use restaurant for education

An application, from Apex Institute of Education, is under assessment by Parramatta City Council for the use of the ground floor of the existing premises, at 2 Sorrell Street, overlooking the Parramatta River in the CBD, as an educational establishment of 163 students. The River Palace Chinese restaurant closed on the site more than decade ago.

Coles Supermarket proposed for Parramatta

Parramatta City Council is assessing an application from Plazawest Pty Ltd, developers of a mixed-use 4/5-storey building including 127 residential units, on the corner of Victoria Road and Church Street, for a Coles Supermarket. Approval is also sought to occupy part of the basement for associated offices and back of house areas.

Shell's profit rise in spite of problems at Clyde

In spite of reliability problems at its Clyde and Geelong refineries, Shell Australia, recorded a 14 per cent increase in profit for calendar year 2007, to $283.1 million. Finished products were imported to make up for the reliability issues. Shell was continuing to bear the cost of complying with the Clean Fuels standards introduced in 2006 and continued to invest in its refineries “to meet stringent, legislated fuel quality standards,” The Australian Financial Review reported. Elsewhere, Andrea Thomas, in Penrith, who has two disabled children, was presented with a new car to enable the family to travel more easily, thanks to Shell's workers and contractors, Transfield Services, at the Clyde Refinery, who donated for each working day free of a recordable injury or lost time.