Newington. $100 million smart grid trial

Energy Australia has been chosen to run a three-year smart grid trial with $100 million of federal funding that would put smart metres into 50,000 homes in Newington, Kur-ring-gai, Sydney CDB Newcastle and Scone. Energy Australia began a $10 million smart utilities trial in Newington last year, in conjunction with Sydney Water, that has already installed smart metres in about 800 homes. Winning the Smart Grid, Smart Cities bid is an exciting opportunity to expand our smart grid rollout even further, at a much faster rate and on a greater scale than we’ve seen. Energy Australia’s plan includes the trial of new technology to help test the National Broadband Network roll out,” said MD, George Maltabarow.

Region. Industrial development in the region

Jason Little, Goodman Group’s general manager, said the company has an overall occupancy rate of 99 per cent across its Western Sydney portfolio, which includes $1.65 billion worth of assets, excluding developments and land bank. Most of the properties are in Smithfield and Wetherill Park and major customers include DHL Supply Chain, NYK Logistics and Cannon Australia. Australand Property group will build a $44 million national warehouse for Best and Less, at Eastern Creek. Mirvac Group will develop a $200 million distribution facility for Woolworths, at Hoxton Park.

Sydney Olympic Park. $45m development

The state government has approved a $45 million redevelopment of the Sydney Showground to house a second Sydney AFL team. The redevelopment has been opposed by the NRL because the government has already spent $27 million developing a training ground for the Greater Western Sydney team at Blacktown, which some say is now likely to be abandoned, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.The Greater Western Sydney team is expected to play only nine games at the 30,000-seat showground site. The AFL expects crowds of only 15,000 to 17,000. The team is due to enter the AFL competition in 2012.

Region. $43 million for urban renewal

Federal Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek, and NSW Minister for Housing, Frank
Terenzini, announced a new partnership that will invest $43 million in urban renewal and affordable housing projects. The projects in Western Sydney include: $12.96 million at Claymore to develop vacant land, provide necessary infrastructure and connect roads: $8 million will fund infrastructure at the Seven Hills Central Precinct; $650,000 to prepare a master plan for the Villawood East Estate; $1.21 million to prepare a local area plan for Chester Hill; $500,000 for a master plan for the Wentworthville townhouses public housing precinct; and $500,000 to create a master plan for the Prospect public estate, which will consider redevelopment, rezoning, and improved design.

Penrith. $6 million for new hospital beds

Nepean Hospital has received $6 million for 26 beds which will be operational from July 1 this year. The new beds will operate across a range of medical and surgical specialties. Recruitment has commenced for 49 full-time equivalent staff to complement the new beds, including 29 nurses and four medical staff. Federal Member for Lindsay, David Bradbury, said the new beds would build on the $138 million redevelopment currently underway to deliver world-class facilities at the hospital.