Region. AusIndustry grants

AusIndustry grants, totalling $2.5 million, will be made available to small businesses in the textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) sector, in a new funding round for the TCF Small Business Program. Businesses can apply for grants of up to $50,000 a project, which will boost the competitiveness of smaller Australian designers and manufacturers in domestic and overseas markets

Riverstone. 400 submissions received

The Department of Planning has received almost 400 submissions on the draft plans for Riverstone and Alex Avenue precincts, and is still considering a number of the issues raised in those submissions. The department is working closely with other agencies to ensure precinct planning is coordinated and consistent with other strategic directions of the NSW Government. The department anticipates the Riverstone and Alex Avenue precincts will be rezoned “soon”.

North West. Calls for comment on job hub

The Minister for Planning, Kristine Keneally, has called for public comment on draft plans for a new employment hub, at Marsden Park, which could support 10,000 jobs. "While predominantly an employment zone, the draft plans would also allow for 1121 new residential dwellings to house 3,200 people close to the planned Marsden Park town centre to the north. The plans also feature 92 hectares of conservation land and open space,” she said. Brad Hazzard, Shadow Minister for Planning, and Sylvia Hale, Greens spokesperson for Planning, have both accused Ms Keneally of “promoting” the project which was currently being considered by her department.

Region. Department reviewing precincts

The Department of Planning is currently reviewing the Austral and Leppington North precincts, in the South West Growth Centre, and Schofields, Box Hill and Box Hill Industrial precincts, in the North West Growth Centre.

Parramatta. Landcom approval

Landcom, which is located in the office component of the Brand Smart complex, in the former David Jones building, in Church Street, has won approval from Parramatta City Council to use empty shops 12 and 13 for commercial use. Harris Farm, a food outlet, a newsagent and Sydney Technical Institute are the only occupants of the 50 plus shops in the centre. The head office of Suzzanegrea and Sportsgirl NSW State Office are tenants, along with the Landcom head office, in the Brand Smart Corporate Centre, above the three-level shopping centre.

Parramatta. Consultation tender deferred

Parramatta City Council has deferred the tender for provision of research and community consultation services pending the holding of a workshop to discuss what consultations are being undertaken, why they are being undertaken together with the provision of relevant financial information.