Region. Extended hours could affect trading

Westfield aims to make the Sydney CBD a retail destination in a move which could affect trading in regional shopping centres, with plans to extend trading in its $1.2 billion Pitt Street Mall redevelopment by six hours a week. Westfield spokeswoman Julia Clarke said the company was extending the trading hours to help reinstate the city as a retail destination. Some 100 retail outlets are expected to reopen before Christmas as part of the first phase of the redevelopment. The move could affect trading at regional shopping centres, which has been increasing for many years at the expense of that in the Sydney CBD.

Parramatta. Council 'kept in the dark'

Parramatta Lord Mayor, Paul Garrard, has serious concerns about the state government’s Telopea Urban Renewal Concept Plan after the proposal to increase both public and private housing by 1900 dwellings, over the next 10 years, failed to address a number of key issues. The plan’s first stage includes the development of 500 public housing dwellings, followed by a further 1400 dwellings for private use. “This is a massive re-development which will have a significant impact on the area, yet residents and other key stakeholders, including Council, continue to be kept in the dark,” Clr Garrard said.

North Ryde. Macquarie Uni gets research funds

Macquarie University will receive $33.4 million from the federal government’s Australian Research Council (ARC) over the next seven years to fund two new research centres, namely, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems, which will receive $12.4 million to develop new frameworks for mineral and energy exploration based on fundamental advances in geodynamics, and a new understanding of fluid transport at lithosphere scales; and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Study of Cognition and its Disorders, which will receive $21 million to undertake research to help improve the diagnosis and treatment of a range of cognitive disorders, including dyslexia, language impairment, autism, dementia and schizophrenia.

Region. New board members.

Sue McAvoy, of Busy Bookkeeping Blacktown, Seven Hills, and Frank Webb, of Business Clarity, Parramatta, have been elected board members of Basi Business Advisory Services. Basi is a non-government and not-for-profit organisation, with expertise in the areas of business advisory and support services. The services provided are partially funded by the Australian Government. The business advisory program is funded by the NSW Department of Industry & Investment.