Huntingwood. Deloitte to sell doughnut chain

Krispy Kreme Australia, based at Huntingwood, has appointed Deloitte Corporate Finance to undertake a sale of 100 per cent of the doughnut chain, which entered the Australian market with the opening of an outlet, at Panthers, in Penrith, in June 2003. The Australian Financial Review said the company, which operates stores in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and the ACT, wants to move to a more wholesale model and away from retail outlets. Last year the chain generated revenues in excess of $50 million. The US-based company announced its first franchise agreement outside of North America, in 2002, awarding development rights for Australia and New Zealand, when it partnered with Borderless Australia Pty Ltd to form Krispy Kreme Australia Pty Ltd.

Parramatta. Presentation of visitor strategy

Almost 100 local tourism industry professionals attended the presentation of a draft strategy to attract more visitors to Parramatta. The presentation outlined a series of recommendations to be considered for implementation over the next five years and covered areas such as product development, infrastructure, marketing and governance of the local tourism offer. Following the presentation, Tanya Gadiel MP, Member for Parramatta, launched the Discover Parramatta visitor guide. Some 70,000 copies of the guide have been produced and will be distributed in key tourist locations across Parramatta, Sydney and around the state. Also, Ms Gadiel said Parramatta City Council would receive $49,000 towards a marketing campaign aimed at attracting visitors to Parramatta. The campaign would run from 1 November 2009 until 31 January 2010.

Region. Program to promote tourism precincts

The $2.7 million Greater Sydney Tourism Partnership Funding Program will support Greater Sydney’s tourism precincts to promote local attractions over the next three years, according to Parramatta MP, Tanya Gadiel. “The program will focus on promoting culture, heritage, shopping, dining and nightlife. The program will increase awareness of the depth and variety of experiences Sydney has to offer beyond the CBD.” Ms Gadiel said the NSW Government has also produced a Sydney Tourism Precinct Toolkit to help local councils and businesses increase awareness of their destinations. “The toolkit includes information about funding opportunities and budgeting, evaluation of tourist experiences and guidance on how to form partnerships with local businesses and larger tourism bodies,” Ms Gadiel said.

Parramatta. Submission on transport plan

Parramatta City Council’s response to State Government’s Metropolitan Transport Plan will considered at the council meeting on April 18.. The plan, announced on February 20, contained key changes of direction for Parramatta. The West Metro was deferred until 2020 along with the further deferral of the Parramatta to Epping Rail Link. The loss of these two projects would have a significant impact on Parramatta and its ability to grow and expand without the continued reliance on the private and the existing traffic congestion, according to council. Council’s Integrated Transport Plan for the Parramatta City Centre – to be discussed at the council meeting on March 22 – retains both of these projects despite State Government deferring them.