Sydney Olympic Park. $51 million hospital

The NSW Government has approved construction of a $51 million sports medicine and an injury orthopaedic hospital, at Sydney Olympic Park. The 94-bed hospital, to be operated by Owen Ferguson Health, will have some 200 operational staff. “The development will further boost the ongoing viability and vibrancy of Sydney Olympic Park, as well as creating a significant employment base in Western Sydney,” said the Minister for Western Sydney, David Borger. Construction of the hospital would generate about 100 jobs. Owen Ferguson Health currently owns and operates Canada Bay Private Hospital.

Region. Employment growth

Western Sydney had mixed results in research on employment released in the Bankwest Employment Growth Corridors report. Results ranged from Central Western Sydney – a “hot spot” – comprising the Auburn, Holroyd and Parramatta local government authorities (LGA), which showed a growth rate of 6 per cent in employment since the economic crisis began in November 2007, to Outer South West Sydney – a “cold spot” – comprising Camden, Campbelltown and Wollondilly LGA, which recorded a fall of 5 per cent. Lower Northern Sydney, comprising Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney, Ryde and Willoughby LGAs recorded a growth rate of 13 per cent, the highest in NSW

Region. $94.2 million in grants to councils

Thirteen local government authorities (LGA) in Western Sydney have received a total of $94.2 million in the Federal Government’s Financial Assistance Grants to Local Government program. The grants are untied so councils can spend the funds on local priorities such as local roads, parks and pools, libraries, community centres and waste, environmental and other services. The grants ranged form $3.5 million in the Holroyd LGA to $16.5 million in the Blacktown LGA.

Liverpool. Strong growth prospects

Investors and developers have snapped up property worth more than $12 million in Liverpool, amid strong growth forecasts for the overall south-western Sydney market, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. By 2020, the city’s population is expected to swell from 160,000 to 250,000 representing an annual average growth rate of 2.5 per cent, against 0.8 per cent for the Sydney metropolitan area.