The Hills. Vision is not WSROC's

The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) has not delivered the infrastructure and funding The Hills Shire Council sought for the North-West and council has resolved to resign from the regional lobby group. “Council will not continue to pay an on-going subscription of nearly $70k for little or no return. The inequity this council received at the hands of WSROC will only hold back future success. We are stronger if we move into the future on our own,” said The Hills Shire Mayor, Clr Peter Dimbrowsky. WSROC’s vision no longer matches the strategic direction for the region. Council will work at strengthening ties with Hawkesbury and Hornsby councils to focus on important issues for the North West, which WSROC has not delivered, he said. WSROC will seek an opportunity to have the decision reversed.

Region. Industrial rents fall

Sydney’s worst hit region for industrial property rents in the past year was the outer west, where average rents fell 9 per cent to $100 a square metre, according to LandMark White. The outer south-west fell 5 per cent to $95 a square metre, and the centre south-west 4 per cent. Sydney’s outer west accounts for more than half the planned supply of industrial buildings, and LandMark White expects planned projects will be pushed back until demand improves, according to The Australian Financial Review.

Region. $21.6 million invested in catchment

The Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Authority invested $21.6 million in improvements over the past year, delivering outcomes that were 250 per cent above the 25 targets identified in a 10-year plan. The authority has secured a 35 per cent funding increase in the year ahead with $14.8 available to invest in new programs. The authority’s office will relocate from Windsor to Penrith to better coordinate operations with the Sydney Catchment Authority and the Office of the Hawkesbury Nepean.