Parramatta. Trust members reappointed

Members of the Parramatta Stadium Trust have been reappointed for another four-year term, by Kevin Greene, Minister for Sport and Recreation. Trust members are John Brown, Doris Drewery, Denis Fitzgerald, Craig Gallagher (chairman), Alan Overton, Pam Smith (deputy chairwoman) and Patrick Smith.

Parramatta. Grants to creative organisations

The critical mass of creative industries is an important aspect of a city’s role in the “new economy”. NSW Arts Minister, Virgina Judge, has allocated grants totalling $248,872 to Parramatta’s creative organisations: Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE), $95,000, including $75,000 for the capital redevelopment of a digital arts and creative enterprise centre; Parramatta Riverside Theatres, $103,872; and Parramatta Artists Studios, $70,000.

Parramatta. Referendum on lord mayor

Parramatta City Council Lord Mayor, Paul Garrard, said a referendum on whether the lord mayor should be publicly elected, could be held either before, or at the time of, the local gocvernment elections in 2011. If agreed to, a four-year term would commence in 2015.

Parramatta. Call for rail usage

A coalition of rail unions, transport and motoring groups wants each state and territory to introduce a uniform amendment to their dangerous goods acts that would require hazardous materials, such as petrol and other chemicals, to be transported to and from the nearest available rail hub, following a spate of fatal accidents over Christmas and the new year. Late last year, the NRMA's chief executive, Tony Stuart, expressed his concern that Shell had decided to stop using rail to transport petrol from its Sydney refinery, at Clyde. to regional NSW, citing ''efficiency'' reasons. ''Whilst the decision Shell has taken has been based on financial considerations, clearly the wider economic and safety concerns have been ignored or at best overlooked,'' he said.

Region. M7 toll rises

The maximum and minimum toll on the M7 has risen, from January 1, to $6.73 and 45 cents respectively. Following a consumer price index (CPI)-indexed toll adjustment. The adjustment is in accordance with the Project Deed signed between the Westlink M7 and the NSW Roads & Traffic Authority, in 2003.

Region. Manufacturing shows a fall

The latest Australian Industry Group/ProcewaterhouseCoopers, Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index, showed a 2.7 point fall to 48.5 in December, reflecting drops in production, new orders and the purchase of raw materials. An index score of less than 50 means the sector contracted. Manufacturing is the engine of the Western Sydney economy. It is the largest employer in Western Sydney and accounts for more of the region’s economy - $12 billion plus or 16 per cent – than any other sector.