Sydney Olympic Park. 5-star Pullman opened

The new NSW Minister for Tourism, Jodi McKay, officially opened the $70 million, 5-five star Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park, a 16-storey, 212-room hotel, opposite the Novotel and Ibis properties, which, along with the recently opened Formule 1 hotel nearby, are all managed by Accor Asia Pacific. The four properties represent nearly 700 rooms. The hotel is the first Pullman in Australia, the first 5-star hotel developed in Sydney since 2000 and the first 5-star hotel in Western Sydney. The hotel is aimed at the premium business, conference and leisure travel markets.

Baulkham Hills. Council uses blended biodiesel

Baulkham Hills Shire Council has opted to use blended biodiesel fuel, B20 blend, to power 90 per cent of its diesel plant, following a successful six-month trial earlier this year on four work vehicles. Only a handful of local councils in Australia run their operational fleets on biodiesel blends, said council’s manager of operations, Ken Willimott.