Region. West Metro in the plans

The West Metro would be built within five years and light rail would be built in the CBD, ccording to the transport blueprint that Kristina Keneally will release this month, government sources say, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. It is understood the $8 billion to $10 billion Western Metro will go from Westmead to Pyrmont. Original plans for a $5.3 billion CBD Metro to Rozelle will be dumped. Money for the West Metro will come from the sale of electricity assets and from increases expected in revenues as the economy recovers, sources said. The executive director of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, Brendan Lyon, backed the West Metro yesterday. The north-west of the city will remain largely neglected in the plan. The government's attitude is that there are not enough marginal Labor seats there and that there is more population in the west to serve first

Homebush. Waterfront complex renamed

Waterfront residential complex, at Homebush, has been renamed Wentworth Point, following Japan’s Sekisui House purchasing a 75 per cent stake in property developer Payce Consolidated’s flagship development. In late 2009, a residential development with 215 apartments was released on the 8.3-hecrare site, overlooking the Parramatta River, with 104 off-the-shelf sales recorded by December. The DA has been approved for 1946 apartments. Payce retains a 25 per cent stake in the project.

Sydney Olympic Park. Strategic investment

Matt Eady, CEO, of Tourism Asset Holdings, said the five-star Pullman Olympic Park hotel, represented a strategic investment in the Sydney Olympic Park and complemented the company’s Novotel, Ibis and Formule 1 hotels in the precinct, which are managed by Accor Hotels and Resorts.

North Ryde. Sonic continues expansion

Australia’s largest pathology provider, Sonic Healthcare, based at Macquarie Park, plans to outlay $366 million to purchase Belgium-based laboratory group. Medhold, as part of its efforts to expand operations in Western Europe. Last year, the company acquired three labs in the USW and one in Germany, according to The Australian Financial Review.

Parramatta. $672,500 wharf upgrade finished

The completion of the $672,500 upgrade to the Wharf Road Boat Ramp, at Ermington, is part of several projects which will see the completion of the foreshore linkage from Gladesville Hospital to the Parramatta CBD. The project, a joint venture between Parramatta and Ryde City councils and funded by a State Government grant through the NSW Maritime Authority under the Better Boating Program, was managed by Parramatta City Council, including the design, project management and construction of all works.

North Ryde. Head of uni's research company

David Wright, formerly director of commercialisation,, at National Information and Communications Technology Australia, at the Australia Technology Park, at Eveleigh, has been appointed MD, of Access Macquarie, Macquarie University’s research commercialisation company. Mr Wright has been head of several technology start-up companies.

Parramatta. Manager for creative program

The Parramatta-based Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) has advertised for a manager of its newly created Creative Enterprise Program, which seeds creative social enterprises, and develops employment, training and professional development opportunities for artists and communities in Western Sydney. Part of the successful; applicant’s responsibilities will be existing projects such as Artfiles (a professional development initiative for artists in Western Sydney) and Switch Digital Media and Arts Centre and overseeing the establishment of ICE’s Creative Enterprise Hub. Remuneration up to a $75,000 package.

Parramatta. Unemployment rate increases

The unemployment rate has increased in the three areas in the Parramatta LGA, as defined by the Australian Government Parramatta-South had the highest unemployment rate at 12.6 per cent in the three months to September 2009, up from 11.8 per cent in the previous quarter, and 9.0 per cent in the same period 2008. The rate in Parramatta-North East was 4.1 per cent, up from 3.7 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively. The rate in Parramatta-North West was 3.8 per cent, up from 3.4 per cent and 2.6 per cent respectively. The highest unemployment rates in Western Sydney were 14.5 per cent in Blacktown-South West and 14.3 per cent in Fairfield-East. The lowest rates were in Bankstown-South, 3.9 per cent, and Baulkham Hills-Central, 4.2 per cent. The rate for the Sydney SSD was 5.9 per cent.

South-West. Industry briefing on rail link

The Transport Industry Development Corporation will hold an industry briefing on the South-West Rail Link and the Northern Sydney Freight Corridor Program. The briefing will be held at the Zenith Theatre and Convention Centre, Chatswood, from 11am-12pm , on February 23.

Region. Most vulnerable labour markets

The top 10 most vulnerable labour markets are in Western Sydney, according to the latest Australian Government’s Small Area Labour Markets report, September quarter 2009. Areas with a 10.0 per cent or higher unemployment rate are Blacktown-South West, 14.5 per cent (up from 13.6 per cent same quarter 2008), Fairfield-East, 14.3 per cent (9.4 per cent), Parramatta-South 12.6 per cent (9.0 per cent), Campbelltown-North, 10.8 per cent (7.7 per cent), Bankstown-North East, 10.8 per cent (8.6 per cent), Campbelltown-South, 10.0 per cent (7.1 per cent). The unemployment rate for the Sydney Statistical Local Area was 5.9 per cent (4.3 per cent)..