Hawkesbury. Police centre on campus

The University of Western Sydney will host a NSW Police Force leadership centre on its Hawkesbury campus. NSW Police, under its Education and Training Command, will run the new centre independently of the university. It will be used as the main delivery site for study programs, workshops and courses for members of the force above the rank of inspector. The centre comprises two refurbished cottages, technically advanced facilities, a conference centre and a 30-bed motel. The centre will complement the existing Goulburn Police College where police officers begin their training.

Blacktown. UWS to open new facilities

New teaching facilities for UWSCollege, part of the University of Western Sydney, at the Nirimba Education Precinct, in Blacktown, will be officially opened on Friday, March 27 UWSCollege offers academic pathways to the university, continuing education and professional development programs for Australian and International students. UWS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janice Reid, said the establishment of the college sent a clear signal to the community that UWS was committed to providing a wide range of opportunities for the people of Greater Western Sydney to access high quality tertiary education. "Nirimba offers a unique environment where high schools, TAFE and now UWSCollege provide a variety of educational services to the community in one location," she said.

Region. BankWest staff to go

The West Australia-based BankWest, which has 10 customer services centres/business banking centres in Western Sydney, will make 150 jobs on the east coast redundant All told 400 jobs will go because of the rapidly deteriorating economy. No retail customer-facing roles will be lost in stores and customer help centres nor will any stores close. The decision comes after four years of rapid expansion that has seen BankWest increase its workforce from 3340 to 5100. The CBA took over BankWest in a $2.1 billion deal last year. BankWest will continue to be run as an independent bank headquartered in Perth.

Parramatta. Disparity in internet access

While Parramatta local government area (LGA) has a comparable internet connection, 60 per cent in 2006, to the Sydney Statistical Division, it has a marginally lower broadband figure of 42.7 per cent compared to 42.0 percent Sydneywide. A wide disparity exists in access between the northern and southern suburbs within the LGA. Approximately 30 per cent of households in both areas have no Internet connection

Campbelltown. Site sold for $11 million

A private investor has purchased a 75-hectare block of land at Catherine Field for $11 million, from Macquarie Group unit, Urban Pacific, which bought the land in 2001 for $6.5 million. The Australian Financial Review said the land could hold 400 housing lots.

Westmead. Consultations on LEP

Parramatta City Council will consult with local business owners and residents, major stakeholders and users of services in and around the Westmead business centre regarding likely changes to the Westmead Local Environmental Plan. Council has begun consultations with the business community on what the main issues are in the area, which includes the Westmead hospital precinct, several high schools, a UWS site, and a commercial and professional sector.