Region. 'Incredibly short-sighted'

WSROC president, Clr Alison Mclaren, labelled the State Government’s decision to defer the North West Metro and to delay the South West Rail Link as “incredibly short-sighted”, claiming it would condemn the region to traffic gridlock for generations to come unless the Government developed comprehensive alternative transport strategies. She strongly criticised the State Government’s decision to seek Federal Government infrastructure funding for a CBD metro as an example of “discrimination against the people of Western Sydney.”

Parramatta. Roll out of new name

The Parramatta-based Bus and Coach Association (BCA) of NSW is rolling out its new name, BusNSW. “The name will replace the commonly used acronym ‘BCA’ (which) has served us well and is recognised by our members, but we need to broaden our awareness and recognition beyond our membership circle, and BusNSW will achieve this,” said executive director, Darryl Mellish.

Parramatta. More dining in the city

Parramatta’s restaurant sector is expanding, not only in the number of restaurants, particularly in the city centre and Harris Park but also in seating capacity. The Bavarian Bier Café, in the former St Andrews Uniting Church, on the corner of Phillip and Marsden streets, in the CBD, seeks to increase the seating capacity from 180 to 260. The recently opened Corporate Lounge, in the heritage-listed former post office and Telecom Business Office, at 112 Church Street, has applied to council for a 98-seat outdoor dining area in front of the building. An existing licensed restaurant, at 109-116 Wigram Street, Harris Park, wants to increase seating capacity to 521 people

Region. Government's failure to consult

The State Government failed to consult with Custom Coaches, at Smithfield, the only manufacturer of government buses in NSW, prior to announcing its $150 million promise to deliver 300 extra buses, following the cancellation of the NorthWest metro. “We would anticipate the Government talking to us,” said the company’s MD, Mark Burgess,” in The Daily Telegraph. The company, which admitted it did not have enough staff to fill any significant new contract, said it already has an order for about 400 STA buses over the next four years.