Blue Mountains. Fall in tourist numbers

Tourism Research Australia figures show the number of trips to the Blue Mountains is down by almost half since 1999, when 1.1 million were recorded. Between 2008 and 2009, the number of trips, including an overnight stay, fell from 687,000 to 563,000 - an 18 per cent drop. Locals blame worsening traffic problems and the decline of the area's grandest hotels. These include the $50 million redevelopment of the Hydro Majestic, at Medlow Bath, which has been closed for two years and not scheduled to reopen until 2012, and the Fairmont Resort, at Leura, now in receivers' hands.

Minto. Mall on the market

KordaMentha is the receiver and manager of the Minto Mall shopping centre. Peter Marsden from RSM Bird Cameron has been appointed liquidator. Former owners Michael Kwok and Helen James, of Kapb Management in St Leonards, own Miller and Greystanes shopping centres and also owned the Fairmont Resort in the Blue Mountains. Industry sources said it could sell for between $20 to $30 million.

Glendenning. Consul general at centre opening

Kumho Tyres has officially opened its $10 million distribution centre at Glendenning. The 5000-square-metre purpose-built centre will hold up to 100,000 tyres and dispatch more than five truckloads a day to retailers around Australia. MD, Edmund Cho, said the new building would help bump production by 190 per cent on Kuhmo’s previous warehouse at Girraween. Jin Soo Kim, Consul-General for the Korean Republic, attended the opening.

Bankstown. Company expands at airport

Bankstown Airport Limited (BAL) has finalised discussions with Aeromil Pacific Pty Ltd to expand its activities at the airport. The expansion of Aeromil Pacific’s aviation operations will provide significantly increased capacity with hangar space of 3000 square metres a dedicated apron area for aircraft parking. “With ever increasing costs to business aviation using Sydney International Airport …we intend to make it substantially easier for domestic and international business aircraft to use Bankstown, as a viable and attractive alternative destination in Sydney,” said Aeromil Pacific MD, Steve Padgett. The company is expected to commence expanded operations in the last quarter of 2010

Smeaton Grange. $200,000 for jobs growth

Funding of $200,000 through the NSW government’s Industry & Investment’s Western Sydney Business Employment Fund will support the creation of up to 50 new jobs at Global Cartridge Supplies, at Smeaton Grange, which has grown rapidly since it was established only ten months ago, said Small Business Minister, Frank Terenzini. “This new facility will provide an international head office where the company can expand its global operation,” he said.

Ingleburn. Dexus buys $23.5m property

Dexus Wholesale Property Fund has bought a property tenanted by Colgate Palmolive, at Ingleburn, for $23.5 million. The property, which includes a 25,807-square-metre warehouse used by the company as a storage and distribution centre, was bought off-market.