Parramatta. Slippage in office additions

Net additions in the Parramatta office market slipped back below the five-year historic average of 21,703 square metres during 2008, with 12,204 square metres of additions recorded, according to the CBRE Sydney Metropolitan Office Marketview. With grade A vacancy near record lows, Parramatta needs the quality, contiguous space. This is unlikely in the short-term with tenants largely unable to commit and developers unable to finance speculative buildings given current financial conditions. It is expected that potential development sites would come on-line towards 2012 and 2013, when confidence returns to the market.

Region. Call to form food cluster

Western Sydney-based food manufacturers will be encouraged to form an ongoing business cluster to discuss sustainability issues and opportunities, and to develop strategies and actions that can be jointly pursued, at the Western Sydney Food Industry Sustainability Forum, during Western Sydney Manufacturing Week, May 18-22

Liverpool. $390 million project approved

The Minister for Planning, Kristina Keneally, has approved a $390 million project for infrastructure and ancillary works, at Liverpool Hospital, including an 800-space multi-storey car park and new pedestrian and vehicular bridges over the railway line Late last year, an application for stage 2 of a new clinical services complex was approved.