Parramatta. 'Discover Parramatta' online soon

Parramatta City Council’s Discover Parramatta website is expected to be operational in January. The site will feature information about cultural and sporting events, restaurants and art galleries as well as the many historic locations and buildings around Parramatta. On the latter, council ignored the historical value of George Street as a suggested route in its “Walk Parramatta – Discover Parramatta on Foot”, pamphlet. George Street has a building or location of note every 200 metres or so, yet “walkers” would leave Parramatta without knowing that it is the city’s most historic thoroughfare.

Parramatta. Is Civic Place ready to commence?

Parramatta City Council CEO, Dr Robert Lang said in the September Quarterly Review that he “remained confident that work (on the Civic Place redevelopment) will commence before the end of this year”. A council spokesperson has said Dr Lang was referring to the calendar year 2009, not the 2009/10 financial year.

Parramatta. Indian nationals on the increase

The increasing number of Indian restaurants, retail outlets and training establishments in the Parramatta area is indicative of the significant boost in the number of Indian nationals living in the city. In the 2001 census, 3346 Indians resided in Parramatta. By the 2006 census, the number had increased to 7088, a dramatic increase of 111.8 per cent. Approximately 58.7 per cent live in the area focussing on the CBD (1457), Harris Park (1173), Westmead (1107) and the suburb of Parramatta, excluding the CBD, (1030). In the Parramatta local government area, Chinese nationals topped the list of people from non-English speaking backgrounds (nEsb) followed by Indian nationals. Harris Park had the highest percentage (62.2 per cent) of people from nEsb. The total number of people in the city from nEsb in 2001 was 44,064. In 2006, this figure increased by 18.5 per cent to 52,206, representing 34.9 per cent of the city’s population of 149,534, according to Parramatta City Council’s Community Profile.

Parramatta. 'New vision' for Rydalmere

Parramatta City Council will undertake a study aimed at developing a “new vision” for the long-established Rydalmere Industrial Estate, leveraging off the adjacent Rydalmere campus of the Univerity of Western Sydney. The motion put by Clr Michael McDermott, said, in part: “Identify the economic future of the estate to enable its transformation into a technology and knowledge centre for hi-tech, emerging technologies and knowledge-based businesses.” Clr McDermott said the study should consider a range of options for the redefinition of the role and purpose of the precinct, given its strategic location. He said the precinct should contain residential units. Council resolved to give the study the highest priority.

Wetherill Park. Pallet firm may float

The Melbourne-based national material handling hire company, Loscam Limited, which has branches at Wetherill Park and Sydney Markets, is expected to float on the stock exchange. The company is likely to be valued as much as $500 million, according to The Australian Financial Review. Loscam’s pallets are lighter those of competitor, Brambles, and made of softer wood.

Region. St Marys highest in the nation

Mortgage holders in St Marys owe an average of 67.5 per cent of the value of their home, the highest in the country, according to a survey by international ratings agency, Fitch Ratings. The highest average loan-to-value ratio in Australia showed Mount Druitt, second, with 66.6 per cent, Minto, eighth, with 64.6 per cent, Plumpton, ninth, with 64.4 per cent, and Rooty Hill tenth, with 63.9 per cent.

Parramatta. $20m sale a 'much needed boost'

Becton Office Property Fund No 2 has sold the six-storey office building, at 93 George Street, in the corporate precinct of the Parramatta CBD, to Melbourne-based Quintessential Constructions, for about $20 million. The yield is believed to be well above 9 per cent, said The Australian Financial Review. Becton bought the building in 2002 for $19.1 million. The sale is a much needed boost for Sydney’s outer metropolitan market where few buildings have changed hands this year,” the paper said.

Region. Demand for study at UWS

Demand to study at the University of Western Sydney is on the rise, with UWS experiencing an increase in first preferences for 2010 to over 9500 - a jump of almost 5 per cent from last year. UWS has recorded a 16.3 per cent increase in first preferences from 30 September to 30 November. It has increased its number of total preferences for 2010 to over 62,000 - the second largest in NSW and the ACT.

Parramatta. DAs approved

The Sydney Turf Club has obtained approval from Parramatta City Council to use Rosehill Gardens Racecourse for non-racing events including functions, conferences, exhibitions, shows and up to six concerts in a calendar year. Inside Out Restaurant, in the CBD is permitted to increase hours of operation, Monday to Saturdays, from 8.00am to 2.00am, increase in number of staff to accommodate the use of the premises for the sale of alcohol without consuming a meal.

Region. UWS introduces new courses

UWS has introduced a number of new courses for 2010, including the Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Physiotherapy, the Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Podiatric Medicine, and the Bachelor of Social Science/Master of Urban Management and Planning. Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), Professor Campbell, said the new degrees were designed to address workforce demand and emerging career opportunities, particularly within the Greater Western Sydney region. “Western Sydney is one of Australia's most diverse and dynamic regions, and is expected to significantly change over the next decade as businesses, industry and residents are drawn into the area,” he said.