Bankstown. Boeing to close factory

Boeing will close its Bankstown factory, in 2012, and consolidate production at its Fishermans Bend, Melbourne plant. Most of the 350 staff affected will be offered jobs in Melbourne, but redundancies are expected as a result of the decision. The consolidation has been driven by the exit of loss-making third-party work and under-utilisation of both the Fishermans Bend and Bankstown sites. “Each facility is at about half capacity and it makes no business sense to carry duplicate overheads,” said Mark Ross, MD, of Boeing Aerostructures Australia. Components produced at Bankstown, including 777 rudders, elevators and cove lip doors, 747-8 wing leading edge, 737 ailerons, C-130 flaps, Bombardier CH300 tail cone, and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile fins will transition to Fishermans Bend over the next 30 months.

North Ryde. Research on rice production

Biomolecular chemist Associate Professor Paul Haynes and plant biologist Associate Professor Brian Atwell, at Macquarie University, are working towards developing simple tests that could help growers better assess the health of their plants and more easily predict crop yields. Rice production in Australia is plummeting and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent

Smithfield. $150 million project

The Department of Planning has on public exhibition a proposal by PBL Media Holdings Pty Ltd to construct and operate a printing facility at 149 McCredie Road, Smithfield. The proposed facility would employ 200 people and has a capital investment value of $150 million.

Parramatta. Seeking to be a broadband partner

In taking the city down the path of being a ‘Smart City’, Parramatta City Council Lord Mayor, Paul Garrard, is seeking to have council partner with the federal government in its $43 billion national broadband network roll out. Upon being elected Lord Mayor, he announced a major mission to strengthen the city’s economy and transform Parramatta’s neighbourhoods, by providing wireless internet access throughout the city. “A bold initiative that will provide a connected environment for business, job creation and information sharing”, he said.

Homebush Bay. $146 million project

The Department of Planning has on pubic exhibition an application by Payce Management Ltd for a three residential flat buildings comprising 601 apartments over basement level car parking. Building A is 4 - 5 storeys and Building B and C are 7 - 8 storeys. The proposal also comprises a community park, extension to Amalfi Drive and associated facilities. The estimated construction cost is $146 million. Construction jobs total 180.

Parramatta. 1900 dwellings in Telopea

Parramatta City Council has on exhibition a Housing NSW proposal for a concept plan for 1900 dwellings over 10 precincts, in Telopea. The project application seeks approval to demolish existing structures and construct 103 residential flat units, on Shortland precinct and 49 residential flat units in Moffatts precinct.

Parramatta. Mission to China

Parramatta City Council and the Parramatta-based Asia Business Connection will host an information session, in the Parramatta Town Hall, on Tuesday, March 9, for business people interested in participating in a trade delegation to Yiwu and the World Trade Expo, in Shanghai, in China, from June 19-26. The mission to be lead by Lord Mayor, Paul Garrard, aims to promote Parramatta as a destination for investment and to facilitate commercial opportunities beneficial to the local business community