Parramatta. Fingers crossed on decisions

The city’s number one challenge was the High Court of Australia’s imminent decision on the compulsory acquisition of several properties as part of its Civic Place redevelopment project. In case of an unfavourable decision, council was seeking the support from the Premier and local MPs, to obtain a legislative remedy to acquire the balance of the properties in Civic Place. Dr Lang also said council was negotiating with the State Government to secure a building in the Old King’s School site and funds to restore and open it to the public. “We understand a cabinet decision on the site is pending,” he said at the annual State of the City address

Bankstown. Seminar on aerospace issues

The Greater Western Economic Development Board will host a seminar bringing together the key industry companies and stakeholders in the aerospace business to discuss the key issues affecting the industry in Sydney. The aerospace and defence industries are facing some serious issues in the current economic climate, as well as significant opportunities. Metropolitan Sydney is home to a large range of innovative, specialist and high-tech companies servicing domestic and global aerospace and defence supply chains. The seminar will be held at Bankstown City Council, on March 25, from 8.00am to 10.00am

Penrith. Bunnings site for sale

A new building leased as a Bunnings Warehouse, until June 2019, in Castlereagh Road, Penrith, is on the market. The site has a land area of approximately 3996 hectares. The income from the property is approximately $1.7 million annually, plus outgoings. Expressions of interest, through Jones Lang LaSalle, close on April 9

Parramatta. Business opportunity categories

Parramatta has business opportunities in a host of categories in which the city is under represented, with the exception of manufacturing, financial and business services, public administration and safety, and health care and social assistance, when the local economy was benchmarked against the Greater Sydney region, according to council’s latest Biz Facts publication.

Penrith. $4.4 million demolition

Hi Quality Quarry (NSW) Pty Ltd has an application, before Penrith City Council, for the demolition of existing buildings, extension to existing quarry office, road transport terminal and boundary adjustment, 1513-1519 Elizabeth Drive, Kemps Creek. The estimated cost is $4.4 million. Submissions close on April 10.

Parramatta. Approvals and value down

The number of total building approvals in the Parramatta LGA was 940 to the year ending December 2008, a decrease of 21.8 per cent over the previous year. The total value of residential building approvals was $177 million, decrease of 19.7 per cent. The value of non-dwelling buildings was $118.8 million, a decrease of 13.1 per cent. The overall value of building approvals was $295.8 million, a decrease of 17.2 per cent, according to council’s latest Biz Facts publication.

Parramatta. Mall a crime hot spot

Parramatta’s Church Street Mall and its surrounding streets are regarded, by the NSW Attorney General’s Department, for high levels of antisocial behaviour and street gang activity, in a list of publicly identified crime hot spots, so the Sunday Telegraph reported. The department regarded them as “priority crime-prevention locations.” The paper also reported on the “Parra Boyz”, a group of hoodlums causing havoc around Parramatta. The group, which more recently became known as Asesinoz MC, has about 42 followers, all of Middle Eastern background, the paper said.

Region. Aldi plans new centre

German discount supermarket chain, Aldi, with headquarters at Minchinbury, plans a new quality products in the metropolitan area, as part of a $1 billion capital works program in the next three years, including an upgrading of 150 of its 203 stores nationwide. Parramatta City Council has approved the demolition and construction of a 2 storey mixed use development containing an Aldi supermarket, on the corner of Kleins and Brians roads, Northmead. Aldi stores in the Parramatta area include Parramatta CBD, Rosehill, Wentworthville and North Rocks. Aldi entered the Australian market in 2001.

Parramatta. Increase in GRP

The major contributors to the city’s $11.7 billion gross regional product (GRP), in 2007/08, were the finance and insurance industry, 17.0 per cent, property and business services, 11.6 per cent and manufacturing, 10.9 per cent. Parramatta’s GRP, which increased by 9.1 per cent over 2006/07, contributes 5.3 per cent to the Sydney gross regional product, according to council's latest Biz Facts publication.