Parramatta. Council approves DAs

Council has approved the following development applications: alterations and fit-out to an existing shop adjacent to Positanos restaurant, on the corner of Church and Phillip streets, and use it as part of the restaurant; change of use of a premises, at 267 Church Street, to an Ella Bache’ beautician and skincare shop, change of use and fit out for a bakery shop, at 188 Church Street; alterations and additions to the first floor, at 302 Church Street, and continue to use it as a comedy club; and use of first floor of the heritage-listed building, on the corner of Church and Macquarie streets, as a tenpin blowing centre, at an estimated construction costs of $1.5 million.

Parramatta. Harris Technology closes shop

Harris Technology (HT) has closed its outlet in George Street, Parramatta. It had operated on the site, opposite Officeworks, for the past five years. It has been relocated to the head office, at North Ryde. “We announced in June the future of the Harris Technology channel of the Officeworks business,” said MD, Mark Ward. “Our intention is to strengthen Harris Technology by going back to the original business strategy, which includes one strategically located store in each capital city. During the transition of the business back to its (web-based) roots there will be a number of store closures over the next year.” The company has stores at Alexandria and North Sydney. Staff will be employed alternative HT or Officeworks locations,

Parramatta. Leagues club to sell properties

Parramatta Leagues Club has called for expressions of interest in the Two Blues Club plus two cottages, overlooking the Parramatta Golf Course and the CBD, and a site on the corner of Grose and Villiers streets, which has a DA approved for 27 units and ground floor commercial. EOIs close on September 5.

Sydney Olympic Park. New RAS president

Robertson beef cattle breeder, Glenn Dudley, has been elected as president of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS). He took over from John Fairfax, who was acting in the position following the unexpected resignation of Rob Vickery, a Tamworth beef cattle farmer. Mr Dudley served as acting CEO from June to November 2007, then took up the position of RAS treasurer. “Encouraging the sustainable development of agriculture is fundamental to everything we do at the RAS. As climate change, wide-spread drought and world food shortages continue to hit the headlines sustainable agricultural practices will be increasingly important,” Mr Dudley said.

Bankstown. Submission on aviation issues

Bankstown Airport Limited has lodged a submission to the Australia Government’s national aviation policy process, which presents the case for the Sydney Basin to be managed as a single, highly efficient, integrated aviation site, with each of the four airports in the basin focusing on what it does best: Sydney KSA for high quality gateway passenger operations, Richmond Airport for defence, dedicated freighter and medium and heavy maintenance; Bankstown Airport as a multi use airport for general aviation and limited point to point passenger services; and Camden Airport as a light sport and recreation aviation hub.

Region. UWS appoints new finance professor

Professor Ronald Ratti has been appointed as new professor of finance, at the UWS School of Economics and Finance. He was formerly professor of economics at the University of Missouri-Columbia, for 20 years. Head of the UWS School of Economics and Finance, Professor John Lodewijks, said the appointment strengthened the university's already strong reputation in the finance and economics fields "He was widely regarded as the finest teacher in his Department at the University of Missouri (and) would be ranked in the top three or four Australian economics and finance professors in terms of the number of high quality publications he has produced."