Parramatta. Proposed pharmacy in George Street

A DA has been lodged with Parramatta Council, by M & Y Attia Services & Trading Pty Ltd, for a pharmacy with an associated medical centre, at 46 George Street, in the Parramatta CBD core. The premises was formerly occupied by Harris Technology, which relocated to North Ryde.

Parramatta. Greek presence in Chinatown

Parramatta’s Chinatown, now renamed by council as the Asian Precinct, in the general area of Westfield, may need a new name if a Mediterranean influence takes off. Vefsi, a restaurant expected to open sometime in January, on the former fire station site, which includes a 25-storey residential building,

Parramatta. Tender for council catering

Parramatta City Council has called for tenders to provide catering at all council functions for a period of up to three years. It includes the provision of meals prior to council meetings, workshops, civic functions and other business functions organised by council. Tenders close on February 3, 2009.

Camden. AGL bids for Sydney Gas

AGL has launched a $171 million takeover offer for its joint venturer, coal seam gas producer, Sydney Gas, which has production facilities, at Camden, contributing something less than 4 per cent of NSW’s gas requirements. Last week, AGL paid AJ Lucas and Milopo Australia $370 million for its reserves in the Gloucester Basin, in the Hunter Valley.

Granville. $4.5 million showroom refused

Council has refused a DA for a three-storey commercial building containing a motor showroom at 17-21 Woodville Road and 2-4 Milton Street, Granville. The building was to be over two levels of basement parking and a three-storey commercial building containing a mechanical workshop, auto retail store and two levels of commercial suites over one level of basement parking. Estimated cost of construction was $4.5 million.

Parramatta. EOI for cycle hire service

Council will prepare a report on the feasibility of establishing a cycle hire or lending service in the CBD and call for expressions of interest from the private sector. The 2006 census shows 0.4 per cent of people travel by bike to work in the CBD. Also, council officers are working with Pedapod, a pedal-powered taxi service, in the hope of undertaking a trial in the CBD and surrounds in 2009. Pedapod has expressed a desire to operate in the city.

Parramatta. Opposition to successful project

The NSW Taxi Council and State MP for Parramatta, Tanya Gadiel, have opposed a car share project saying council should not support it as it competes with public transport including taxis. Council has reported a 12-month trial a success. “The trial has resulted in 72 car share members making 410 trips using car share cars in Parramatta. On average 1-2 members used a car share each day to travel an average of 32-kilometres each trip. The cars have been booked for 3637 hours and have travelled 13,120 kilometres,” said a council report.

Windsor. Plans to become an iconic brands

Premium cracker make, Kurrajong Kitchens, at South Windsor, has plans not only to survive the current economic climate but to make sure it becomes an iconic Australian brand. Maintaining strong communication channels with its customers, suppliers, bank and staff are key to its growth plans, along with exporting and new products. The 15-year-old family-owned business produces 45,000 packets of gourmet cracker breads a week, according to The Australian Financial Review.

Region. Housing upgrades brought forward

Western Sydney, along with the Hunter, Illawarra, Central Coast and North Coast, have been included in the NSW Government’s “renovation rescue” package which will see 10 years’ of upgrades to public housing to be done in the next 24 months to help the building industry. The $220 million of upgrades are expected top generate more than 2500 jobs for trades people across NSW.

Parramatta. Commission now part of DOP

The Parramatta-based Growth Centres Commission is now part of the Department of Planning. The first development in Sydney’s growth centres kicked off this month with major civil works starting at Oran Park Town, the NSW Government has rezoned over 5000 new lots in the North Kellyville precinct. Draft precinct plans for 15,000 lots in Riverstone and Alex Avenue in Sydney’s northwest growth area are on exhibition for public comment until 6 February 2009.

Region. Demand for places at UWS

Demand to study at the University of Western Sydney is on the rise, with
UWS increasing its first preferences to over 9000 since September - an
increase of 14.4 per cent. This builds on the strong results for the University recorded in September, with UWS experiencing a 7.1 per cent increase in first preferences at the end of September 2008, compared with September 2007. UWS vice-chancellor Professor Janice Reid said UWS was a university of first choice for many
students, particularly those living in Greater Western Sydney.

Parramatta. Unemployment rate rise marginally

The unemployment rate in the Parramatta local government area was 4.1 per cent in the September quarter 2008, compared to 3.8 per cent in the previous quarter. The quarterly figure is the same as for the same quarter 2007. The figure for the metropolitan area was 4.2, with the highest recorded in Blacktown South-West, with 13.1 per cent, according to the ABS.