Homebush Bay. Threat to $300 milion marina

State Government plans to develop a $300 million marina on an 18-hectare site, on Wentworth Point on the western arm of Homebush Bay, may be scuttled by its own environment department, which says the project would expose people to serious health risks from pollution, according to The Daily Telegraph. Documents obtained by the Opposition under FOI laws show the project can be expected to disturb contaminated sediment, which is laced with dioxin from the former Union Carbide factory across the bay. The marina and boatyard development could also compromise some of the remediation work completed since a clean-up began in 2005. The Government said it would call for expressions of interest in January, with a view to work beginning in the middle of next year.

Penrith. DCP for new urban area

The new development control plan (DCP) for the new urban area of Caddens, which forms part of the Werrington Enterprise Living and Learning Precinct, came into effect on October 6, following gazettal of the Caddens Local Environmental Plan (LEP) on September 25. The LEP rezoned land for anew residential neighbourhood including 1247 homes, parks, local shoppjkng centre and a conservation area.

Warrick Farm. AJC to sell land worth $34m

The Australian Jockey Club is set to divest itself of about 20 hectares of surplus land including industrial/bulky goods and some residential land, worth $34 million, surrounding Warwick Farm Racecourse. The funds will be used to raise capital for a major refurbishment. Of the amenities and track at the racecourse, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Parramatta 'Breaking down the digital divide'.

Parramatta City Council’s new lord mayor, Clr Paul Garrard, wants Parramatta to be “a completely wireless city … breaking down the digital divide between the haves and the have nots” in the city. Access (2006) to the internet in the local government area (LGA) ranges from 42.7 per cent of all households, in South Granville, to 74.4 per cent in Epping; the figure for the LGA is 59.6 per cent. Broadband connection ranges from 30.) per cent in South Granville to 58.2 per cent in Epping; the figure for the LGA is 42.4.
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Parramatta. Events boost city and tourism

Parramatta City Council places great store in events helping to raise the profile of the city while contributing tourists’ dollars into the local economy. On October 11, Deepavali Fair, the Indian Festival of Lights will be held at the Parramatta Stadium for the first time. Last year it attracted 20,000 to Sydney Olympic Park; 25,000 are expected. The Loy Krathong Thai water festival will be held on October 31, as part of the Riverbeats 2009 event. 2009 Supercross Australasian Championships will be held at the stadium on November 11. Over 15,000 people attended the event last year and promoters expect attendance of 18,500 this year. The event is expected to contribute $1.3 million to the economy. The gross revenue generated by businesses and organisations in Parramatta to service demand generated by tourists to the area is estimated at $830 million, with the city’s hospitality sector contributing $138 million. Council will soon establish a dedicated website to showcase its attractions and boost visitation