Region. Company into voluntary liquidation

Cumberland Industries Limited, headquartered at Auburn, with operations throughout Western Sydney, has been placed into voluntary liquidation, according to the Penrith-based Western Weekender newspaper. A spokesperson, who confirmed that Peter Hedge and Associates had been appointed as the administrator, said it was “business as usual” while the administrators assessed the situation. “The decision was made to ensure the long term viability of Cumberland and secure the ongoing future employment for our 600 people with a disability,” the spokesperson said. Cumberland Industries has been providing employment, training and vocational support opportunities for people with disabilities since 1962.

Parramatta. Express ferries to Sydney

The NSW Government will spend $4 million over two years to set up an express RiverCat service, between Parramatta and the King's Street Wharf, in the Sydney CBD, Premier Nathan Rees said. The service, due to begin later this year and expected to take less than 55 minutes, will run hourly between 7am and 7pm on weekdays and from 8am to 6pm on weekends.

Region. UWS wins award for call centre

The UWS Contact Service Centre (CSC) has been ranked the top performer among tertiary call centres in the January-March 2009 report issued by Customer Service Benchmarking Australia (CSBA). The report showed that the UWS CSC outperformed 139 companies including banks, telcos, utilities, councils, financial institutions and airlines, setting the standard for customer service excellence. The CSC also received the Best Telephone Customer Service Award, at the Australian Tertiary Education Management (ATEM) Student Service Centre Conference, in which over 40 tertiary institutions were surveyed by CSBA

Region. Business students help charities

Fifty UWS business students, enrolled in the Convention and Special Event Management subject, spent a good part of their semester working on fundraising efforts as a way to put their event management skills into practice. Their work paid off raising over $22,000 for the following charities: Breast Cancer Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Northcott Foundation, Wenty Wheelchair Kings, Wheelchair Sports NSW and Youth Off The Streets. Catherine Link, Lecturer in the School of Management, said she was proud of the students' work and pleased with their outstanding result.

Parramatta. Debt recovery services accepted

Parramatta City Council has accepted the tender submitted by Recoveries & Reconstruction (Aust) Pty Ltd for the provision of debt recovery services. Council requested the company “to exercise compassion and inform clients that council is available to help establish payment plans.” The company has offices at Kogarah and Hurstville.

Region. $22 million upgrade of parkland

More than $22 million will be spent on upgrading the massive 5280-hectare Western Sydney Parkland, the largest urban park in the world, which covers 27 kilometres from Quakers Hills to Leppington. The funding includes $8 million from the June 16 NSW Budget, with the balance rolled out over three years, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Pwnrith. EOIs called for urban design panel

Penrith City Council has called for expressions of interest from architects interested in being appointed as members of its Urban Design Review Panel which may be called upon to provide advice regarding a range of developments including new commercial buildings in Penrith and St Marys,, other large-scale developments such as hospitals, schools, shopping centres and large development of gateway sites

Region. Two awards go West

The Lilianfels Blue Mountains won the Restaurant of the Year category, and the Loxley on Bellbird Hill won the Mid-Range Hotel of the Year category, in the 2009 AHA (NSW) Accommodation Division Awards for Excellence Awards.

Baulkham Hills. Plug pulled on 'junkets'

The Hills Shire Council has pulled the plug on its Sister Cities program, not because such programs are not worthwhile but for the “junkets that got out of hand”, according to Mayor, Larry Bollitho. The Northern News reported that more than $100,000 in ratepayers’ dollars was wasted on controversial junkets by successive mayor and council staff. While the committee has been disbanded, council would maintain relationships with Cootamundra and Wexford, in Ireland.

Homebush.BP Solar facility sold

Silex Systems Limited has agreed to buy the BP Solar manufacturing facility, at Homebush, and further develop the facility as a manufacturing base for solar cells, employing 165 people. Silex Systems CEO, Dr Michael Goldsworthy, said the purchase of the facility was a win-win result which would kick-start the company’s efforts in solar manufacturing. The decision to sell was part of a global drive by BP Solar to reduce the cost of renewable energy technology. Premier Nathan Rees said the deal would generate $30 million in investment over the next five years. The NSW Government worked to secure the sale of the operation to Silex through assistance provided by the Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD).

Region. No toll on the M7

The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils Ltd (WSROC) wants the M4 motorway to be toll free. “WSROC is aware that the toll on the M4 motorway is due to expire in February next year. It will surely then be time to revert this roadway to a freeway and, therefore, make sure that we at least maintain the status quo with private vehicle users,” said WSROC president, Clr Alison McLaren. She said the M4 cashback scheme that now operates, was available to NSW residents, the majority of whom live in Western Sydney, who drive their car for private use.