Region. Myer stores get modest sales boost

Myer stores in mortgage-belt cities such as Parramatta, Penrith and Blacktown received only a modest short-term boost in sales from the Rudd government’s $10.4 billion stimulus package last year, according to Myer CEO, Bernie Brookes, in The Australian Financial Review. “They did benefit from the stimulus package for the first two weeks after the cheques arrived but not sine then, and there was no impact in our CBD stores or stores with higher-earning consumers,” he said. Mr Brookes said sales could be difficult for 12 months.

Parramatta. New restaurants

Parramatta City Council has approved an application for alterations and additions to an existing heritage-listed building, at 65a Wigram Street, Harris Park, for use as a restaurant. The estimated cost of development is $250,000. Council has also approved the fit out and use of premises in the 25-storey residential building, at 140 Church Street, opposite Westfield, for use as a cafe/restaurant.

Parramatta. New educational facilities

Parramatta City Council has on public exhibition a DA for the occupation of the ground and first floor of a commercial building, at 25 Cowper Street, as an educational establishment for up to 300 students. Also on exhibition is a DA for a proposed educational college for hairdressing and associated hair salon, in the Commonwealth Bank building, on the corner of Church and George streets, in the CBD. The applicant is Quick and Farst Pty Ltd. The Parramatta & District Synagogue has approval to use an existing hall as a school for 20 students, at 114-118 Victoria Road.

Penrith. Nominations for design awards

Penrith City Council has called for nominations for the Penrith Excellence in Design Awards for 2009. The awards, which seek to encourage, reward and promote quality design in the city, are open to owners and individuals or organisations that have completed buildings or design projects in the city between 2005 and 2008. Nominations may be made across a range of categories including residential, commercial and industrial, outdoor place or master plans. Entries close on May 8.

Parramatta. GROW dies

The Parramatta-based, GROW Sydney ACC (Area Consultative Committee) has become part of the Commonwealth Government’s Regional Development Australia (RDA), a new network to help guide economic growth. The existing NSW Government’s 13 regional development boards, including the Greater Western Sydney Economic Development Board in Parramatta, were brought together with the Commonwealth Government’s 14 ACCs to form RAD, from January 1. "This is an historic occasion which will benefit the people of NSW with future regional development initiatives,” the NSW Minister for Regional Development, Phillip Costa, said. The new organisations will be fully operational by 1 July 2009. GROW undertook projects that helped to decrease the level of disadvantage across the Sydney metropolitan area.

Camden. Approval for $25 million facility

The Minister for Planning, Kristina Keneally, has approved the application for a Soft Drink and Fruit Juice Manufacturing Facility for P&N, at Smeaton Grange. The estimated value of the project is $25 million. Some 40 people will be employed on its construction, with 272 employed when operational

Horsley Park. Approval for $95 million project

The Department of Planning has approved a Goodman International project for the construction of a regional distribution park of warehouses, distribution centres and freight logistics facilities on 62 hectares of land adjacent to the Sydney Water Pipeline, and provide associated infrastructure. A DHL Logistics Hub and associated infrastructure is within the Oakdale Central project. The estimated cost of construction is $95 million. When operational the project will employ 1200 people.

Penrith. NAB keen to recover $1.8 million

Secured creditor, National Australia Bank, which appointed receiver PKF to sell the Penrith-based Western Weekender newspaper, on January 7, seeks to recover a debt of $1.8 million. It is understood the paper earns about $3 million a year. The paper’s owner,Greg Evans, was the former of the Sydney Spirit NBL basketball team. Mr Evans was board member of the Greater Western Sydney Economic Development Board, from March 2004 40 June 2008.