Parramatta. Koreans on the rise

The opening soon of yet another Korean-Japanese restaurant – Asadal, in Phillip Street, in the CBD, to join the other dozen or so in and around Parramatta – reflects the increasing number of Korean nationals in the region. Parramatta City Council’s Community Profile ranked Korean nationals sixth in its non-English speaking background top 10 ladder (Japanese nationals were not included in the top 10). Of the 2611 Koreans living in the city, in 2006, up to some 50 per cent lived in the north-east sector of the local government area (e,g, Epping, Carlingford, Dundas). Some 682 live in and around the CBD – 322 in the suburb of Parramatta,which includes the CBD, 213 in Rydalmere and 147 in Westmead. The Korean population increased by 8 per cent in the 2001-2006 census period.

Region. Businesses sign up for program

More than 45 businesses have so far registered to participate in the Streamline sustainable business program, launched by Clean Up Australia chairman, Ian Kiernan. The program is a collaboration between Parramatta and Auburn councils to help businesses in the Camellia and Silverwater areas, of the Duck River Catchment, to reduce water and energy use and minimise waste production in one of Sydney’s most significant industrial hubs. Parramatta City Council Lord Mayor, Paul Garrard, was encouraged by the initial response and invited other like-minded businesses to join the program to show their commitment to sustainable growth of the local area. The program has been made possible through funding from the NSW Environment Trust.

Region. Tourism to get a boost

The Western Sydney local government sector plans to boost the region’s tourism industry – and employment – in 2010, with the launch of a website. The 11-member Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils Ltd (WSROC) is building a cultural tourism strategy with member councils and other stakeholders such as the National Trust and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. Parramatta City Council also plans to launch its Discover Parramatta website highlighting the city’s attractions, in the new year. A council report states the gross revenue generated by businesses and organisations in Parramatta to service demand generated by tourists to the area is estimated at $830 million

Sydney Olympic Park. Site on the market

The Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) is calling for expressions of interest in a commercially-zoned site of 5400 square metres NLA, opposite the Sydney Olympic Park railway station. SOPA, as the landowner, will sell the site via a 99-year lease through an open tender process. The successful developer has a limited option on the adjoining development site.

Parramatta. Drilling for Sydney Metro

Geotechnical investigations are being undertaken at various locations along the proposed route of the Sydney Metro, in the Parramatta area. This work helps determine where it will be best to design and construct the tunnels. A series of bore holes, each with a diameter of 10cm will be drilled and a core sample will be taken from each hole to provide a snapshot of the underground rock conditions in the area.

North Ryde. Uni gets maximum rating

Macquarie University has received a maximum five rating for its research in Physical Sciences and in Earth Sciences, following the Australian Research Council's first Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) trial. This places the university in the top group of Australian universities in these key science disciplines The three rating received for Chemical Sciences is also above both the Australian average and benchmarked world performance.

Parramatta. DA for liquor licence

KMC Interiors has lodged a DA with Parramatta City Council for modifications to the café in the Jessie Street Centre, on the corner of Macquarie and O’Connell streets, to include a liquor licence and increased operating hours of 6.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Thursday, 6.00am to 12.00am Fridays and 7.00am to 12.00am Saturdays.

Region. Delay on train contract

Manufacturing and testing delays have been blamed for a Newcastle train builder, United Rail, being $11 million over-budget and three years behind schedule with the first two stages of the major Outer Suburban rail contract. Stage one for 41 rail cars came in on budget at $171 million but it was 36 months behind schedule. There has been an 11-month delay in the completion of stage two for 81 rail cars, with the final bill now tallying $279 million, according to the NSW auditor-general, Peter Achterstraat. United recently began work on the third stage which is due for completion in 2012, said ABC News..

Region. WSROC pleased with decision

The Council of Australian Government’s (COAG) Capital City Strategic Planning System could not have come at a better time, said the president, of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), Clr Alison McLaren. The decision offered hope for the 43 per cent of Sydney’s residents living in Greater Western Sydney, on issues of transport, housing, infrastructure and urban development. Western Sydney’s $80 billion plus economy was the third largest regional economy after CBD Sydney and Melbourne. However, affordable housing, transport and infrastructure remained challenges, which contributed to social exclusion and are deterrents to raising the education and skills of the region, she said.