Outer west orbital on government's agenda

A State Government submission to the Federal Government’s Infrastructure Australia has indicated an outer Western Sydney orbital motorway running 70 kilometres from Casula, in the south-west, through Penrith, to Rouse Hill, in the north-west, which could cost $3 billion in today’s dollars, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Sartor asked to decide on proposals

Holroyd Council will ask the Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor, not to consider two major redevelopment proposals until the Westmead Precinct Planning Controls were finalised as they are considered an over development of the area. The Parramatta Catholic Diocese plans to redevelop the Parramatta Marist High and Catherine McAulay School site into an expanded education precinct. Lend Lease proposes a redevelopment of an adjacent UWS campus including a hotel, 500 plus apartments, retail outlets and 1800 car spaces.

Budget jeweller has closed with $20m debts

The Australian-based, privately owned, budget jeweller, Kleins, which has 200 outlets across the country, including Western Sydney, New Zealand and South Africa, has collapsed with debts of more than $20 million and ceased trading. The company collapsed because it failed to move with the times, it relied on a business model built on franchise subsidies and with management failing to to keep its eye on the balls, said, administer, James Stewart, of Ferrier Hodgson, in The Australian Financial Review. The company had a turnover to about $40 million.

Businesses in the Mountains on the ball

Over 30 local businesses took part in a successful Blue Mountains Business Advantage program, an initiative of the Blue Mountains City Council, Blue Mountains Tourism and Biznet aimed at providing a competitive advantage to businesses operating in the Blue Mountains region. Since 2006, an estimated 300 business people have completed the course and gained accreditation.