Region. Review of Metropolitan Strategy

The Department of Planning has released a discussion paper named, Sydney Towards 2036 as a first step in its review of Sydney’s Metropolitan Strategy The paper highlights key challenges including jobs growth in Western Sydney, making Sydney climate change-ready, placing new homes close to services and infrastructure and revitalising our centres. Community and stakeholder consultation, which closes on April 30, is now underway and running, hand in hand, with the exhibition of the $50 billion Metropolitan Transport Plan until April 30 – linking land-use and transport planning. Following feedback on both documents, a single Metropolitan Plan will be created and released in the second half of 2010.

North Ryde. Sonic pursues expansion

Pathology and radiology provider, Sonic Healthcare Limited, at Macquarie Park, said it remains on track to deliver profit growth of 10-15 per cent as it pursues expansion in the USA and Europe. Earlier this year the company acquired 100 per cent of the Medhold Group, in Belgium, and 100 per cent of the Lademannbogen Laboratory, in Germany.

Parramatta. Council initiatives underway

Parramatta City Council is currently looking to develop an E-parra Strategy to deliver a wireless city program for Parramatta. Council intends to develop a plan for the project by September this year. Council’s Draft Tourism and Visitor Strategy is being finalised following focus group and market research. Council has launched its discoverparramatta.com website promoting the city. Council is also looking into options for the redevelopment of Rydalmere.

Bankstown. GPT sells property for $25.2m

Property group GPT Group (GPT) has sold its Homemaker City Bankstown for $25.2 million to a private investor. The group said the sale was in line with its strategy to sell all non-core assets and representing a five per cent premium to the $24 million fair value at December 31, 2009, AAP reported

Region. New website has 91 'fans' to-date

The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) has launched its “Western Sydney 2030” online campaign about the future shape of the region. The website (westernsydney2030.com.au) aims to provide the latest information about important issues like future population growth, future employment opportunities, transportation needs, environmental resources like water and agricultural land, and how much recreational space a healthy community needs. It will give people the opportunity to make suggestions, have discussions, arrange meetings, and share their experience and knowledge with a panel of regional planning, environmental and transportation experts. The site, launched on March 10, has 91 “fans” to-date (March 18)