St Marys. ADI site cleared for housing

Bulldozers have moved into the 230-hectare western portion of the former Commonwealth-owned Australian Defence Industries (ADI) site, at St Marys, clearing it for housing, despite last minute appeals from the Western Sydney Conservation Alliance asking the federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, to intervene and protect remnants of the Cumberland Plain Woodland

Region. UWS boosts student numbers

The University of Western Sydney has exceeded the federal government's cap on students it is allowed to enroll in its courses by a record 15 per cent this year. That figure may reach nearly 20 per cent depending on the university's midyear intake, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.. UWS vice-chancellor, Professor Janice Reid, said the university's higher enrolment rate was a response to the government's higher education reforms, particularly the need to boost participation rates for students from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds. Professor Reid said it was better to increase student numbers progressively rather than suddenly absorb a much larger student cohort in 2012. More than $300 million had been spent on teaching and research buildings, she said, with plans to expand on-campus student accommodation and full-time staff numbers.

Parramatta. Transformation of suburb

Parramatta City Council proposes to allocate $90,000 to investigate options to transform the Rydalmere precinct into a technology and knowledge centre. Council regards Rydalmere as a major component of the Parramatta Primary Centre, the economic hub of the city. The proposal is contingent on council obtaining approval from the Department of Local Government to continue a special rate for economic development. Council’s aims for the rundown industrial precinct around railway station include the encouragement of a vibrant industrial, educational and research precinct; and the development of strong links between UWS and industry both inside and outside the precinct.

Penrith. TV head calls it a day

Laurie Paton, CEO, of Sydney's community channel, TVS, steps down from the position at the end of the week, after six years at the helm of the station based at the University of Western Sydney, at Penrith. “Now that the federal government has guaranteed the future of community TV in a multi-channel digital world, it is imperative that the sector lives up to its promise by screening high quality watchable locally made programs", he said. Volunteers and not-for-profit organisations create most of the programs screened on TVS.