Region. Residents map the future

The federal Parliamentary Secretary of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Maxine McKew, has launched a website which allows Western Sydney residents to participate in the future of the region. “It’s a collaborative approach to future planning that breaks down barriers, between the 11 member (WSROC) councils and the communities they serve,” she said at the launch of Futuremaps, in Parramatta, attended by about 40 representatives of government departments and regional councils. Clr Alison McLaren, WSROC president, said Futuremaps was part of WSROC’s Western Sydney 2030 campaign. “I find the Western Sydney 2030 project very encouraging,” Ms McKew said. She said many critical decisions had to be made over the next few years “which are crucially important in getting ourselves ready for the future– which is exactly what WSROC is seeking to do”.

Region. Manufacturing is a key sector

Manufacturing was one of five key sectors identified by the NSW Government to be targeted for innovation-led economic growth, the Minister for Small Business, Peter P Primrose, told some 300 guests at the Western Sydney Manufacturing Leaders Forum, the highlight event of NSW Manufacturing Week 2010. He said NSW had the largest manufacturing sector in Australia and was the second largest industry in NSW accounting for12 per cent of industry value-adding in the State. “Here in Western Sydney, manufacturing is the largest industry in the region, valued at $10.3 billion, in 2007-08, or 13% of the region’s $80 billion economy employing around 100,000 employees earning around $5 billion annually Our plan for manufacturing in NSW is to ensure manufacturers innovate, remain competitive, and continue to make a strong contribution to our economy,” he said. RDA Sydney hosted the function.

Eastern Creek. Best and Less moves west

Best and Less will boost its 15,000 square metres of warehouse and distribution space, at Kingsgrove, when it relocates to a $44 million, 36,000-square metre development currently under construction, in the Eastern Creek Business Park. The facility is expected to support the company’s growth for the next 10 years, according to The Australian Financial Review. The building to service the company’s national outlets and due for completion early next year, is the first project in the 117-hectare stage 3 of Australand’s Eastern Creek Business Park development.

Parramatta. Importance of city not recognised

Parramatta City Council’s submission on the government’s Metropolitan Transport Plan stated it has three significant concerns: the lack of support for Parramatta as “the second city”; funding for projects over a 10-year period for “far too short” in the context of urban development; and the creation of the Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority created a further level of bureaucracy rather than reforming the governance of metropolitan Sydney. “Parramatta City Council would argue that this transport plan does not integrate or recognise the importance of the Metropolitan Strategy and will do nothing to enhance the importance of Parramatta in the short- or long-term,” the submission said.

Villawood. Furniture sales down

Furniture retailer, Fantastic Holdings, at Villawood, reported its net profit for the full year to June would now be in the range of $19 million to $21 million, against $18.6 million in 2009. 'The Fantastic Furniture brand, particularly, as a mortgage-belt retailer, is susceptible to early changes in consumer spending patterns. We believe this fall in purchase decisions is a direct consequence of continuing interest rate increases,” the company said. The company operates over 110 stores across five furniture retail chains.

Parramatta. Confidence 'diminishing'

Parramatta City Council, while supporting several proposed actions in the NSW government’s Metropolitan Strategy Review discussion paper, said the confidence in the government to deliver important infrastructure was diminishing. “In Parramatta, this stems from the Epping to Parramatta rail link bot being delivered, ferry services not being appropriately supported, the CBD Loop not being (funded), and the West Metro being taken off the agenda in the short-term.”