Sydney Olympic Park. V8 Supercars

Promoters of the V8 Supercars event, at Sydney Olympic Park, on December 4-6, have sold 138,000 tickets, to date. The target is more than 150,000 over the three days About 25,000 corporate tickets have sold. The State Government has contributed $30 million to support the race for five years. Treasurer, Eric Roozendaal, said the event would generate more than $100 million for the NSW economy during the next five years and create 110 full-time jobs. He said it would attract 15,000 overseas and interstate tourists this year and show off Sydney as a tourist destination, via television coverage in more than 100 countries.

Region. UWS academics win awards

Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) has recognised the outstanding teaching skills of University of Western Sydney academics, Dr Glenn Pearce, from the School of Marketing, and Associate Professor Pauline Ross, from the College of Health and Science. They have been announced as winners of the 2009 Australian Awards for university teaching awards, valued at $25,000. ALTC promotes excellence in higher education by recognising, rewarding and supporting outstanding teaching and learning practice.

Richmond. 'Some elements' for RAAF Base

MD, of Canberra Airport, Stephen Byron, said there probably would never be a true second Sydney Airport - rather a number of existing airports, such as, Newcastle and perhaps Bankstown and Richmond would handle some elements of Sydney's aviation demand. “But Canberra will shoulder the greatest share of that growth over time,” he told a New South Wales Transport. Canberra Airport is currently undergoing a $350 million terminal upgrade which would transform it into a 24-hour freight hub.

Blue Mountains. Tourism awards medal haul

The Blue Mountains has cleaned up at the 2009 NSW Tourism Awards with the region claiming a stunning cache of six gold, two silver and one bronze award. “The Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region tourism industry is delighted to achieve such an outstanding result — our best ever,” said Blue Mountains Tourism chairman, Randall Walker, in the Blue Mountains Gazette.. Gold awards: Blue Mountains National Park, Oberon Visitor Information Centre, Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School and Old Leura Dairy. Silver awards: Jenolan Caves and Old Leura Dairy. Bronze award: Jenolan Caves. Outstanding Contribution by an Individual: Philip Hammon, CEO, of scenic World, Blue Mountains.

Region. New parking spaces

Premier Nathan Rees said work on a new 700-space commuter car park, at Seven Hills station, would commence in January and be finished by November. It will be located at 1Powers Road, immediately to the east of the existing commuter parking station. It would have disabled parking spaces and video surveillance and special lighting. Commuters will also get another 500 spaces, at Blacktown, and 200 spaces at Quakers Hill stations.

Richmond. $292 million contract

Minister for Defence Personnel, Greg Combet, has announced the start of the $292 million, C-130J Hercules, Through Life Support Program, at RAAF Base Richmond. Mr Combet said a total of 12 C-130J Hercules were operated by No. 37 Squadron at the base The initial contract, for five-years, was awarded to Australian Aerospace and sub-contractor Lockheed Martin. Further annual contract extensions would be linked to contractor performance and cost reduction. Under the contract, Australian Aerospace and Lockheed Martin would deliver services including aircraft maintenance, engineering and supply chain management.

Liverpool. Parking meters and restaurants

Liverpool City Council plans parking metres in the Liverpool CBD and paid parking in the Northumberland Street car park, Council GM. Phil Tolhurst, said previously that the proposals were developed in consultation with local businesses and would go a long way to solving the parking problems in the CBD. The draft plan is on exhibition until January 11. Plans are afoot for the creation of a restaurant strip in the CBD, according to the Liverpool City Champion.

Eastern Creek. Coke's $85 million facility

Energy efficiency is a major feature of the new $85million Coca-Cola Amatil distribution centre, at Eastern Creek. The 30,000-square-metre cdentre is partly powered by nearly 700 solar panels, which line the roof. The 110-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system is the largest in the country and cost $1.2 million to install. It is expected to generate 148 megawatt hours of renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 148 tonnes and supply more than 15 per cent of the centre's annual energy needs. Tony Stocken, BP Solar's large commercial project manager for Australasia, said that, so far, this was one of the most significant solar rooftop installations of its kind in Australia. The centre employs 250 staff, according to the St Marys Star.

Parramatta. Projects over budget and delayed

NSW Auditor-General, Peter Achterstraat, has revealed the first stage of Parramatta-based Sydney Water’s customer management system project exceeded the original $21 million budget by $34.3 million The first stage was initially expected to be completed in August, but will be delayed until February 2011, pending further reviews. Another project, the Maximo asset management system implementation, which blew out by $12.9 million from an original budget of $18.4 million, had an August delivery date; this has been revised to October next year. On a positive note, Sydney Water's $8 million field resource management project and $24 million information management program are reported to be on schedule.