Auburn. SOPA's proposal is 'not on'

The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) strongly opposes the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) – a NSW Government entity – seeking local government funds for its own use. “We are against SOPA’s proposals to acquire funds from Auburn City Council to pay for services provided within the park precincts – it is just not on. The proposal is another a good example of ‘cost shifting’ to local government,” said WSROC president, Alison McLaren. She said Auburn lost in the region of $20 million in rate revenue during the creation of Sydney Olympic Park and when that was added to the rate pegging currently in place, council had gone backward financially.

Region. New appointment at UWS

The University of Western Sydney has appointed Michael Kirby AC CMG as Adjunct Professor to the School of Law. Professor Michael Adams, head of the School of Law, said the appointment was in recognition of the significant contribution he has made to the school. In addition to the appointment he will become as patron of the UWS Ally Network - a university endorsed group of staff and students who are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful culture at UWS for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) community members.

North Ryde. $1.7b expansion over 40 years

The NSW Government has approved a development at Macquarie University in which more than 80 per cent of construction on the 126-hectare site will be devoted to commercial space. Under the plan, 400,000 square metres of commercial building space will be added, far outweighing the 61,000 square metres of extra academic space. The plan also provides for an increase in on-campus accommodation. Capacity will more than triple from 1550 students to 5000 in the $1.7 billion expansion to take place over the next 40 years. Earlier this year the Government approved construction of the $130 million Cochlear Limited global headquarters, on the site, which is expected to be complete mid-2010. The $200 million Macquarie University Hospital is under construction, as well as a $100 million library.