Parramatta. Possible site for US retailer

The US-based Costco Wholesale, the world’s 12th largest retailer, is seeking an amendment to a draft Parramatta local environment plan (LEP), to permit its second outlet in Australia, on a vacant 69,000-square-metre industrial site, at 181 James Ruse Drive, Camellia, which was formally occupied by James Hardie and owned by Sydney Water. The LEP aims to permit big-box bulky goods retailing such as Bunnings and Officeworks. The proposed Costco project is not currently permitted as it would include the sale of foodstuffs and clothing. The company proposes to open its first Australian store, in Melbourne, in July.

Parramatta. Housing stress causes revision

The level of housing stress in the Parramatta LGA has increased in recent years requiring the revision of council’s 2003 draft Parramatta Affordable Housing Scheme. Over 7140 households, or 14 per cent, in 2006, were in housing stress which is regarded as low to modertae income earners paying over 30 per cent of their gross income on housing. The figure was higher than the Sydney and Western Sydney average and has grown from 8.8 per cent in 2001.Those most affected are low to moderate income earners who are renting and who account for 72 per cent of all housing stress, acoording to a council report.

Region. RailCorp faces parking problems

RailCorp is searching for facilities to store 498 non air-conditioned carriages, the oldest of which are 37 years old, it intends to retire, plus 626 new trains as they progressively come on line. With the State Government cancelling the $1.36 billion South West Rail Link, which included a multi-million dollar stabling facility, RailCorp is looking at a facility at Auburn, which will not be completed before 2014,and “exploring options”, at Emu Plains, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

St Marys. Progress on ADI site at St Marys

The NSW Department of Planning has approved an amendment to a Sydney regional environmental plan (SREP) that will support the creation of up to 3000 jobs at the employment and residential precinct once completed on the 1545-hectare former ADI site, at St Marys. The amendment involves the consolidation of the employment zones into one precinct at the centre of the site and the establishment of better road access to this precinct, particularly from the nearby Dunheved Industrial Estate. Penrith City Council has a approved a blueprint for a residential development of 3420houses despite objections from two State Government departments.

Peospect. NSW depot for transport firm

The West Australian-based WA Freightline Group has leased a 3111-square-metre office/warehouse, at 13 Rowood Road, Prospect, from Rosehill Properties Pty Ltd, for its NSW depot. The group was originally founded in 1991 as WA Freightlines Pty Ltd to service West Australian companies and West Australian branches of national companies. The transport company was named as the winner of the trucking industry’s 2008 Training Excellence Award. The space was leased at $95 a square metre.