Region. Centres of population

The centre of population for NSW was on the banks of the Hawkesbury River in the LGA of Baulkham Hills, at June 2008. Between June 2003 and June 2008 the centre moved approximately 1.4 kilometres east, reflecting relatively high population growth along the coast of NSW. The centre of population of the Sydney SD, at June 2008, was in the suburb of Ermington..

Parramatta. New serviced apartments

Meriton Apartments Pty Ltd has applied to Parramatta City Council to convert all 28 apartments in block D, from level 4 upwards, to serviced apartments, at its property on the corner of Charles and George streets, in the CBD. Blocks B and C are used as serviced apartments. The property also includes residential apartments.

Parramatta. Upgrade of RSL Club

Parramatta City Council has approved an application by Paynter Dixon Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd, for alterations and additions to the Parramatta RSL Club, including changes to the internal layout to increase the size of the first floor eastern terrace, at an estimated cost of $550,000

Westmead. $1.5 million medical centre

Health Projects International Pty Ltd has had its application approved by Parramatta City Council for the construction of a 3-level commercial building for use as a medical centre, plus a shop at the ground floor level, over two levels of basement car parking, at 18 Mons Road, Westmead. Estimated construction cost: $1.5 million

Parramatta. Office pipeline impacted

Sydney’s metropolitan office markets faced a tough six months as the impact of the global economic crisis worsened. Parramatta’s development pipeline was particularly impacted by the economic crisis, as no new available supply was scheduled for completion over 2009-2011, said Felice Spark, director of commercial research, at Colliers International, in its Sydney Metropolitan Office Market Indicator Report – Autumn 2009.

Parramatta. Large firms looking to Parramatta

Parramatta is well positioned as an affordable alternative for cost conscious tenants considering moving their back office operations out of the Sydney CBD, according to Jones Lang LaSalle’s new head of sales and leasing at Parramatta, Nicholas Hogg. “Large tenants are currently reassessing their accommodation … to take advantage of the infrastructure on offer at Parramatta and the personal savings for employees in transport costs.costs and considering Parramatta,” he said. Mr Hogg believed such factors favour the Parramatta commercial market, even though demand in 2009 had weakened due to the broader economic environment.

Region. First home buyers favour the west

Office of State Revenue figures showed first home buyers favoured Western Sydney. There was a 37 per cent increase in Blacktown that had an average of 61 new buyers a month, up from 44 a month before the Federal Government’s grant was increased. Parramatta and Bankstown North registered a 37 per cent increase also, each with almost 40 new buyers a month. Liverpool, Casula and Mount Pritchard filed the most applications, with 22 per cent increases. This pushed the number of grants above 80 a month, The Sydney Morning Herald reported