Penrith. Digital transmission provider for TVS

Following the Federal Government's recent decision to allocate digital spectrum and funding for the transition of community television to digital, Penrith-based TVS has announced that Broadcast Australia has been appointed as its digital transmission services provider. TVS CEO, Laurie Patton, said that the move to digital broadcasting was the channel's most significant initiative since its launch in February 2006. "Going digital means that TVS will instantly become available to a wider audience and with more viewers the station will be able to generate much needed additional sponsorship revenue,” he said. Broadcast Australia plans to have TVS simulcasting by March 2010. In addition to supplying the digital transmission facility Broadcast Australia will provide TVS with the technical capability of joining Freeview when its proprietary electronic program guide is launched next year.

Parramatta. Lord mayor leads delegation

The Asia Business Connection and Parramatta City Council is inviting expressions of interest to attend the 2010 trade delegation to Yiwu, in China, in April/May next year. The Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Paul Garrard, will lead the delegation. The mission’s objective is primarily the promotion of Australian products and services to China and the sourcing of competitive products for importation to Australia. The mission will comprise a maximum of 20 members, including representatives from Parramatta City Council and representatives of the Parramatta and Western Sydney business community. There may be Government funding available. The Asia Business Connection, affiliated to the Western Sydney Business Connection, is the only organisation in the Greater West dedicated solely to the development and growth of business in the Asia Pacific region. Council sponsors the Asia Business Connection and its annual Lunar New Year function.

Bankstown. Highest unemployment rate

Almost one in every two teens in the Canterbury-Bankstown area is out of work, with the region now boasting the nation's highest teenage unemployment rate. Forty-six per cent of 15-19-year-olds are unemployed, almost twice the national teenage unemployment rate of 25.8 per cent. Bankstown resident and Islamic Friendship Association spokesman, Keysar Trad, blamed employer prejudice against Muslims and people with Arabic-sounding names for the region's high unemployment rate. Federal Employment Participation Minister, Mark Arbib, said the region was one of a number hard hit by the global financial crisis. The problem was compounded in the Canterbury-Bankstown area because it has fewer people with university degrees, 11.4 per cent compared with 17.4 per cent nationally, and has more people employed in manufacturing and construction, according to The Daily Telegraph