Parramatta. $14 million revamp completed

The Parramatta Courthouse has reopened after an 11-month upgrading costing $14 million; the largest renovation since it was opened 35 years ago. The building has undergone a 21st century makeover internally, with all public areas refurbished and new videoconferencing technology installed in most courtrooms. Videoconferencing enables the court to hear bail applications made from prison and evidence from witnesses who are overseas or otherwise unable to attend court. Parramatta has had the second highest Local Court workload in NSW. More than 315,000 cases have been heard over the past 10 years.

Rooty Hill. AFL complex opened

Some 400 business people attended the opening of the training and administration complex for the 18th AFL franchise, at the Blacktown Olympic Park, at Rooty Hill, by AFL CEO, Andrew Demetriou. The AFL has contributed $2.5 million to the $30 million multi-sport complex. The AFL has set up an 11-person Western Sydney advisory group with a brief to assist the AFL in building awareness of the team, which “won’t be the second team in Sydney, it will be the first team in Western Sydney,” Mr Demetriou said. The team is expected to enter the competition in 2012.

Parramatta. EOI for 16-storey office tower

Expressions of interest have been called for a prominent site of approximately 4900 square metres, with frontages to Macquarie, Marsden and Hunter streets, in the western precinct of the Parramatta CBD. A DA has been approved for a 16-storey, mixed-use complex with 32,650 square metres of office space, plus 2000 square metres of retail space. Khoury & Partners is handling the sale.

Ingleburn. Pet food plant on the market

The receiver, PricewaterhouseCoopers, has called for expressions of interest in the business and assets of the Sydney-based Bush’s International Group, Australia’s largest independent pet food manufacturer, which has a factory at Ingleburn among its activities. The company, produces own brands along with private labels and contract manufacturing, and has net sales in excess of $165 million. Some 45 per cent of its sales are overseas. The Ingleburn plant is one of the most innovative plants of its type in the world, embracing the latest equipment and technology to supply quality pet food to Australia and the world.

Parramatta. Council seeks general counsel

Parramatta City Council has advertised the position of general counsel to manager its legal services panel to maximise value across a range of matters including commercial litigation through to property, planning, contract and industrial matters