Parramatta. The Loop needs State funds

Parramatta City Council has urged the State Government to make an investment in its free Loop CBD bus service, similar to that in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong services, “The Loop has had no State Government contribution to this vital public transport solution for Parramatta. Since its launch in August 2008. It has become a run-away success, carrying an average of 4000 commuters around the Parramatta CBD everyday,” said Lord Mayor, Paul Garrard. He called on the State Government to make the same investment in Parramatta as they have in the other major centres in order to provide and improve this service, helping to connect tourists, residents and commuters to the commercial, retail, recreational and dinning hubs of the city. In the past 18 months the service has carried one million passengers.

Blue Mountains. Surge in visitors

A record-smashing late surge in day visitors to the Upper Mountains helped bring about an overall good trading result for most tourist-related businesses leading up to New Year’s Day, following a rainy Christmas, according to the Blue Mountains Gazette. Queues at the tourist bus stops on Katoomba Street stretched beyond 30 metres at times and there was traffic gridlock on Katoomba, Main and Parke Streets. Carrington Hotel co-owner, Mark Jarvis, said the Katoomba Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas shopping initiative proved to be successful and the town was very busy after Christmas. Leura Village Association president, Mark Alchin, said while the early rain kept some people away, it made shopping in the town the thing to do. “Since Christmas, it’s been choc-a-bloc in Leura.”

Ryde. City's new GM

Former Parramatta City Council GM and executive director of the National Trust of Australia (NSW), John Neish, has taken up his GM’s position at Ryde City Council. He will be heavily involved in the $1.7 billion Macquarie Park business precinct plan, the biggest single development area in Australia, and the ambitious expansion planned for the adjoining Macquarie University. Another major development is the Top Ryde City shopping centre, Australia’s largest mixed-use development, which already boasts 120 new retail stores and a food court attracting crowds of shoppers from across Sydney’s north. When it is completed towards the end of this year, the $470 million project will boast 270 retail stores, 11,800sq m of commercial office space and about 425 apartments.

Norwest. Medical premises near hospital

The new $35 million Q Central offers medical practitioners and associated services office accommodation close to the recently opened $140 million Norwest Private Hospital. Peter Campbell, MD, of Lindsay Bennelong Developments, said the demand for A-grade quality workplaces was strong in the north-west. He said the building would raise the bar for future development in the region.

Blue Mountains. Council seeks new GM

Blue Mountains City Council will start 2010 looking for a new general manager following the resignation of Phil Pinyon who will take up the role of general manager, at Wagga Wagga City Council, in February. Mayor, Adam Searle, said achievements during Mr Pinyon’s time as general manager included the redevelopment of the Lawson town centre, considerable progress with the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre development, substantial improvements to employee morale and staff turnover.

Rouse Hill. Local brew on tap

The Australian Hotel and Brewery, owned by the Colosimo family, is expected to have a staged opening, with the TAB, gaming room and bar set to open in March, followed by the rest of the venue in June. A micro brewery adjoins the beer garden allowing patrons to see beer being brewed. Patrons will be able to brew their own beer. The Colosimo family aims to operate the greenest pub in Sydney, run on solar energy using recycled water.

Katoomba. Largest in the mountains

Woolworths proposes to establish the largest liquor shop in the Blue Mountains by applying to transfer an existing liquor licence it holds in Jindabyne to Katoomba. A DA states the company plans to build a 1420 square metre liquor shop, with 57 off-street car parking spaces in the vacant block next to the Blackburn’s Family Hotel and Bottlemart outlet The application has attracted strong opposition including a submission by the Katoomba Chamber of Commerce and some strong words from Blue Mountains deputy mayor Janet Mays. Hundreds of people have signed a petition aimed at stopping a Woolworths-owned liquor store opening in Springwood.