Penrith. Challenges affecting economic growth

The challenges affecting Penrith’s economic growth include low local employment self sufficiency, post-school qualifications well below the Sydney average, infrastructure planning and delivery, particularly in new employment areas has stalled local industrial employment growth, and suburbs such as North St Marys, St Marys and Oxley Park recorded high unemployment rates. These issues were raised by the Penrith Business Alliance, in its submission to the NSW Government Western Sydney Jobs Summit, January.

Region. Sydney Rovers FC looking regionally

The Sydney Rovers A-League Club has sent out expressions of interest for its headquarters to Campbelltown, Liverpool, Fairfield, Holroyd, Auburn, Bankstown and Blacktown councils and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. The Rovers has also begun negotiations with Parramatta Stadium, CUA Stadium, Sydney Showground, ANZ Stadium and Campbelltown Stadium to become the team’s home ground.

Bankstown. Jobs for 400 seekers

Some 5000 jobseekers attended a Centrelink Expo, in Bankstown, which attracted about 100 employers offering 1600 positions. The Daily Telegraph reported that about 400 jobseekers walked away with a position. Employment Parliamentary Secretary, Jason Clare, said the event was a key part of the government’s recession-busting strategy.

Region. Lack of communication

The Western Sydney Regional Organisations of Councils (WSROC) lacks a communications process to build and sustain its positioning as the leading advocate for a strategic regional approach to planning for Western Sydney’s future, according to Jeremy Goff, WSROC’s executive director. He will report to the WSROC board meeting, on February 18, that an informal review revealed a lack of strategic coordination between the combined resources of member councils and other stakeholders in the region. The recommendation is that a communication framework, through which regional planning issues and strategies can be communicated to a political and media audience, be presented to the board for endorsement at the April meeting.

Penrith. Seeking support for health hub

The Penrith Business Alliance has sought NSW Government support and recognition of Penrith’s role and position as an emerging centre of excellence for the health and wellness industry, which created the largest number of jobs over the past 10 years. “To leverage this growth, Penrith is developing a range of economic strategies to position the city as a centre of excellence for health and wellbeing,” according to the alliance in its submission to the NSW Government Western Sydney Jobs Summit, January.

Parramatta. Lord Mayor survey held over

Parramatta City Council has resolved that the Popularly Elected Lord Mayor Survey 2009 report be further discussed at its meeting on March 22 and that a workshop be conducted in the meantime to discuss the issue. The report noted that 64 per cent of respondents supported a popularly elected lord mayor.

Parramatta. Special rates options

Councillors on Parramatta City Council will discuss a notice of motion to rescind a decision, made at the meeting on December 14, that council, in part, endorse preliminary work on assessing community views on the continuation of expiring special rates and other rating options, and review the effectiveness of the current economic development rate and prepare options for this rate to be used for the benefit of council. The issue will be discussed at a council meeting on February 22.