Region. Woman of the West named

Jan Nicoll won the Women of the West Award from the University of Western Sydney, at a ceremony to mark International Women's Day. Ms Nicoll was acknowledged for her tireless contributions to the local community and passionate advocacy for young people and families in the Campbelltown region. Samah Hadid, a resident of Greenacre, was nominated for the Young Women of the West Award for her commitment to championing the issues and concerns of young people, particularly from culturally and religiously diverse backgrounds. Rosemary Kariuki, of Macquarie Fields, received the Highly Commended award for her work as a leader among African women in NSW and Joyce Bellchambers, of Cranebrook, and Barbara Curtin, of Auburn, also received Commended awards.

Region. UWS program for SMEs

The University of Western Sydney has developed a free online, interactive platform to help small businesses improve skills and performance. It also provides business students with a practical approach to learning. There are over 50 short courses and other relevant information on the website. Dr Geoff Lee, associate dean, engagement, from the UWS College of Business said the program, SMExecellence, stemmed from the fact that, although SMEs account for 30 per cent of Australia’s economic activity, they remain an area that was not comprehensively addressed by Australian universities. The program can be viewed at www.smexcellence.com.au

Parramatta. Cost of parking up 51 per cent

NSW Government legislation, which will come into effect from July, will raise the levy for off-street parking in Parramatta from $470 to $710 a year, up 51 per cent. The legislation will increase the levy charged to car-park operators for every off-street space not used for residential purposes, from $950 to $2000 a year in the Sydney CBD and from $470 to $710 in Parramatta, Bondi Junction, Chatswood and St Leonards. The Parking Operators Association and the NRMA oppose the levy. The association’s Garth Mathews said operators would have no option but to pass the increase on to customers

Parramatta. Motion to expand DA period

Cr Paul Garrard, proposes to present a Notice of Motion at Parramatta City Council’s March 23 meeting, which seeks to extend development approvals for an extra 12-month period, up to a maximum of 5 years. “While Parramatta is holding up better then many other areas (in the current economic meltdown), promoting the idea of lengthening DA approvals will effectively give more time to applicants to weather the economic storm and at the same time allow more flexibility for millions of dollars of construction work to begin within the next two years," he said on the Woodville Independents website. “This will result in millions of dollar being injected into the local economy, which would have been other wise lost.”

Liverpool. Westfield submission on market

Westfield has lodged a submission with Liverpool City Council over the opening, on March 28, of the Orange Grove weekend retail market which will house 225 traders selling goods including up-market fashion, craft and food. The original Orange Grove complex was closed down when the Supreme Court ruled council had wrongly approved it four years ago. The land was rezoned by the State Government last year, according to the Sun Herald

Parramatta. CBD restaurant expands seating

The Bavarian Bier Café, in Phillip Street in the CBD will be able to seat 471 patrons following approvals by Parramatta City Council. Indoor seating has been increased from 180 to 260 while outdoor seating has been boosted from 40 to 211. The restaurant occupies the former St Andrews Church and the adjoining former church hall is used for entertainment. Elsewhere in the CBD. Council has approved a DA for a restaurant, on the ground floor of an office building, at 25 Smith Street, which will seat 21 people outdoors.

North Ryde. Steggles now in finger food

Steggles Foods, a division of North-Ryde-based, Bartter-Steggles, largest producer and marketer of chicken and turkey products in Australia, has been moving into non-poultry categories as part of a strategy to broaden its business. The latest move is the launch in Woolworths supermarkets in all states, this week, of a new range of Steggles “bites”, or small finger-food products, including two beef lines. A pork “bite” has been launched in three states. Bartter-Steggles has 4500 employees across Australia and generates revenues in excess of $870 million