Parramatta. Dramatic decrease in jobs growth

The trend in jobs growth in the Parramatta CBD has been dramatically reduced by the Department of Transport. Its Data Transport Centre currently forecasts growth of around 11,000 additional employees in the CBD over the 30 years from 2006 to 2036, compared with an additional 20,000 by 2021, in the 2005 Metropolitan Strategy, and boosted to approximately 27,500 by 2031, in the 2007 West Central Subregional Strategy. Parramatta City Council currently states the increase as 30,000 additional CBD workers. Compared to an increase of approximately 70 per cent, the new figure represents an increase of 27 per cent. A department spokesperson said: “This is largely a trend-based projection, partially reflecting its low historical growth (which showed Parramatta did not grow in employment terms between the 2001 and 2006 Census) and plans for increased development in a range of other areas such as Olympic Park and Macquarie Park, Western Sydney Employment Area, Green Square and Barangaroo.”

The Hills. New women's network

Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, the arts, industry and skill – among other attributes – is coming to The Hills district, in the form of the Athena Network, an organisation entering the competitive market of women’s networks, in Australia. Suzy Jacobs, the Australian national director, of the organisation, promoted as the UK's premier business networking organisation, said it would appeal to women who have had bad experiences networking or who have never been part of a networking community. The first meeting, in Western Sydney, will be held over lunch, at the Hills Lodge, on March 9. Details: suzy@theathenanetwork.com.au or 9113 0777.