Castle Hill. Waterford Wedgwood Aust is OK

Waterford Wedgwood Australia, based at Castle Hill, has insisted that the 250-year-old UK-based company going into administration had not affected its Australian operations. “We are not in any form of administration or receivership. The Australian operations … are separate corporate entities within the global. It’s business as usual,” said spokesperson, Lesa Horntvedt. The collapse of the company was blamed on the slump in the demand for luxury goods and the poor sales in North America, the company’s main market

Parramatta. City will 'work with business'

“We will work with local business and provide the necessary support to keep business up and running as we continue to make Parramatta a centre of commercial activity,” said Lord Mayor Tony Issa on the outlook for 2009. “By striving ahead with the Civic Place development and by enhancing services to business, Parramatta will remain an attractive region for investment and move the city forward over the next 12 months,” he said.

Westmead. Hospitals sign agreement

The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Beijing Children’s Hospital have agreed to collaborate in education, research and training activities after many years of development. Professor Kunling Shen, vice-president, of the Beijing Children’s Hospital, who came to Westmead for the signing, worked in respiratory medicine at Westmead in 1998 and 1999. Since then three doctors from China have worked in respiratory medicine at Westmead.

Westmead. Call to defer application

Holroyd Council has asked Parramatta Council to defer a development application for a controversial education precinct, at Westmead, until issues have been resolved. Holroyd is upset that it had not been officially notified of the proposed development, which is in the Parramatta local government area, but has implications in the Holroyd LGA, according to the Parramatta Advertiser. The Parramatta Catholic Diocese plans the construction of a new primary school for 420 students, construction of a 50-place out-of-school-hours centre and a 90-place long-day care centre. The total number of students on the site would be 2510. Estimated cost of development is $40,928,466. Lend Lease proposes a redevelopment of an adjacent UWS campus including a hotel, 500 plus apartments, retail outlets and 1800 car spaces.