Parramatta. Nick Hogg returns to Jones Lang

Nicholas Hogg has been appointed director, commercial sales and leasing, in Jones Lang LaSalle’s Parramatta office after 14 years at Knight Frank in the city. He has spent a total of 25 years in commercial leasing and sales markets. “Having worked through the last recession in the early 1990’s in the Parramatta CBD, I am well armed to provide my clients innovative asset solutions,” he said.

Parramatta. Merger of architectural firms

The Sydney office of Thomson Adsett, the Brisbane-based architectural firm, has merged with Parramatta-based Glanville Architects to form Thomson Adsett NSW Pty Ltd. Charles Glanville will become managing director of the new practice located in Parramatta. The total number of employees is 40 architects and support staff.

Parramatta. Launch of new advisory service

The Commonwealth Government has announced that BEC Northside under its trading name Parramatta Business Enterprise Centre (PBEC) has been approved to provide advisory services for small businesses during the global financial crisis, as foreshadowed by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, at the Small Business Summit. Parramatta BEC will assist small businesses in preparing business planning advice during the global financial crisis. The launch of the advisory service will be held at the Parramatta Town Hall, at 3.30pm, on May 6.

Parramatta. $4 million hotel expansion

The Commercial Hotel, on the corner of Hassall and Station streets, in the Parramatta CBD, has won DA approval for alterations and additions to the heritage-listed property including changes to the internal layout, ground floor extension and the conversion of the first floor manager’s residence to a bistro and bar area. The estimated cost of construction is $4 million.

Winston Hills. $25m retirement project

Parramatta City Council has approved a DA for additional housing at The Willows’ Retirement Village, at Winston Hills, comprising a 60-bed care facility, 17 hostel units and 74-self-contained dwellings. Construction costs are estimated at $25 million. The facility, located on a 19.5-hectare site, on Windsor Road, currently includes 48 serviced, self-care apartments and 141 self-contained dwellings.

North Rocks. Unilever sacks seven staff

Unilever Australasia, based at Epping, has sacked seven employees at its factory in North Rocks. The factory, which supplies domestic and overseas markets, has restructured its operations to remain competitive in the Asian market, a spokesman for the company said. He said the restructuring had been discussed with employees for a number of months. The factory employs about 120 workers.