Penrith. Forum on fresh food marketing

The Minister for Western Sydney, David Borger, will open the forum, Invigorating Town Centres through Alternate Local Fresh Food Marketing Strategies, at Penrith, on May 4, which will address issues raised at the NSW Primary Industries Sydney Agriculture Forum, including: influencing farm economic sustainability, and linking consumers with local farm producers through alternative marketing. Hosts are the Greater Western Sydney Economic Development Board, the NSW Department of State and Regional Development and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Region. UWS and USA uni join forces

The UWS Social Justice Social and Change Research Centre has established a research relationship with the Centre for Urban Research and Learning, at Loyola University, Chicago. The relationship between the two institutions would focus on utilising the combined experiences of researchers and practitioners to develop a comprehensive understanding of the issues and experiences of living in areas of concentrated public housing.

Parramatta. Forum on the economy

The Whitlam Institute, within the University of Western Sydney, and the UWS School of Economics and Finance are bringing together leading economists with a wide range of backgrounds and viewpoints for the “Getting to Grips with the Economy” series. The first forum, “Australia's economy: Staying afloat in the global storm”, will be held on Tuesday, May 20, at the Parramatta Riverside Theatres. Dr David Gruen, executive director, Macroeconomic Group, Australian Treasury, will give the keynote address.

Region. Population growth

Blacktown had the largest population increase of any LGA in NSW, in the year to June 2008, up 5300 people, followed by Parramatta, 4000 people. Large population growth also occurred in Baulkham Hills, 3300 people and Liverpool, 3200 people. Auburn experienced the fastest growth of any Sydney LGA, at 3.1 per cent, followed by Parramatta at 2.5 per cent.. Other LGAs with fast growth included Camden, 2.2 per cent, and Holroyd, 2.1 per cent. The population of the Sydney SD increased by 1.3 per cent to 4.4 million people. The Sydney SD represented around 63 per cent of the NSW population.

Region. Mortgage defaults high in the west

Katoomba, Greenacre, Guildford, Fairfield and St Marys are among the top areas defaulting on their mortgages by being a month in arrears, according to The Daily Telegraph. An analysis by the Parramatta-based UWS Urban Research Centre found areas along the M4, Windsor Road and Canterbury, and the Central Coast, were bearing the brunt of the recession.

Parramatta. Free parking in the CBD

Parramatta City Council will reset 40 parking meters in the retail core of the CBD to permit free, 15-minute parking. The highest demand for such parking is located around “hot spots’ like ATMs, banks, the post office and the library. Current ticket revenue from these meters equates to around $40,000 annually.

Gtranville. Funding application is successful

Parramatta City Council’s application to the Federal Government for funds for the South Street, Granville, Revitalisation Project has been successful. The funding of $2.45 million will provide for the construction of streetscape and landscaping in a section of South Street.

Parramatta. Options on noise pollution

Restaurant and cafes owners and staff along the Church Street dining precinct have complained to Lord Mayor, Tony Issa, of the noise pollution from illegally modified vehicles and its negative affect on patrons. Council wants a report on its options to minimise the intrusion. Cr John Chedid suggested the closing off part of the street at night.