Kellyville. Eco-homes at The Ponds

A partnership between Landcom and Clarendon Homes will build mass-produced eco-homes, at the Ponds Estate, at Kellyville, featuring the latest recycling and energy-saving ideas. Work will begin within months and be completed by the end of the year. The government has sought registrations of interest from manufacturers and distributors of “sustainable” products to become involved in the program.

Blacktown. Possible 41,000-seat stadium

The NSW government has entered a series of confidential agreements for the biggest upgrade of sporting facilities since the Olympic Games that will take effect if Australia wins its bid to host the football World Cup, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. The government has negotiated cost-sharing principles with the federal government under which it will help fund a new $270 million soccer stadium at Blacktown and upgrades at three other stadiums. The biggest cost will be to a 41,000-seat stadium, at Blacktown, where the Olympic baseball fields were built.

Norwest. Wyeth building on the market

The corporate office of Wyeth Australia, in Norwest Business Park, is for sale or lease. The lake side, six-level building, with over 300 car spaces, has a net leasing area of 7974 square metres on a 1.8-hectare site. Pfizer received clearance from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, in September, to acquire Wyeth. Pfizer has its Australia head office, at West Ryde. Expressions of interest to Jones LangLaSalle close on July 15.

Region. International collaboration is vital

Collaboration with international scientific organisations is vital to the success of Australian research, according to Professor Andrew Cheetam, pro vice-chancellor, research, at the University of Western Sydney. “But it is not clear to me [that governments] fully understand its importance and consequently do not fund such collaboration and participation at a high enough level. There are schemes available but in reality they are quite small in scale and scope,” he said in an article in the latest About the House magazine published by the Department of the House of Representatives. The article, Knowledge Networks, noted the value of international collaboration leading to important scientific breakthroughs.

Parramatta. Restaurant for sale at $3.5 million

One of Parramata’s established restaurants, Barnaby’s, in Phillip street in the CBD, is on the market., at $3.5 million, negotiable, for the freehold site overlooking the Parramatta River. The restaurant, which has operated for some 35 years, was previously owned by local identity, Michael Fisher, who sold it several years ago. A number of attempts to sell the property have been made in recent years. One of the restaurant’s high profile guests was Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former US president, Bill Clinton, who dined there during the 2000 Olympic Games.

Blacktown. Take over bid for local company

Melbourne-based consumer and industrial products supplier, GUD Holdings, has offered $83.8 million to take over storage products maker, Dexion, which has its head office and industrial production at Kings Park. Dexion manufactures and markets a broad range of storage products within Australia, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. The company has 55 regional distribution points across Asia and the Middle East, with regional headquarters in Dubai and Kuala Lumpur.