Region. UWS seeks additional academic staff

The University of Western Sydney will launch a recruitment drive in Australia and overseas, in the next few weeks, for 100 academics to meet a surge in student numbers. The deputy vice-chancellor, corporate strategy and services, Professor Rhonda Hawkins, said advertising in Australian newspapers no longer cut it in the recruitment market, according to The Australian Financial Review. The Sydney Graduate School of Business at UWS is looking to fill around 28 positions before the 2011 academic year.

Homebush. DFO sold

CFS Retail Property Trust has acquired the DFO Homebush outlet and three in Victoria, from Austexx, for $498 million to be funded through a new equity sale. Retailers sold $200 million – or $11,400 per square metre – worth of stock last in the DFO Homebush, which operates in an old industrial building opposite the Sydney Olympic Park precinct.

Riverstone. Investment held up

Businesses in Riverstone say they have lost 20 per cent of their income as people increasingly avoid the town centre because of delays at the level crossing. Major investments such as a new shopping centre cannot progress until decisions are made about the location of a new crossing A Transport NSW spokeswoman said a report into the options should be available for public comment towards the end of the year.

Wetherill Park. TAFE wins $5000 grant

Teachers at Wetherill Park TAFE have won a $5000 EnviroFund grant from the Teachers Credit Union for innovative work, using solar energy to power work stations in the automotive section of the college. The move to solar power has significantly reduced power use in the automotive section of the TAFE by addressing the large amounts of electricity used by banks of batteries charging 24 hours a day.

Region. Recycling bins in food courts

Westfield, in partnership with the National Packaging Covenant, will install recycling bins in all its shopping centre food courts by the end of the year. Recycling one aluminium can could save 1.89 litres of fuel, according to NSW Department of Environment and Planet Ark.

Moorebank. Firm wins employer award

Finished Products Pty Ltd, at Moorebank, has won the 2010 CRS Australia NSW/ACT Employer Award for its outstanding commitment to employing people with a disability. The awards recognise employers who show exceptional commitment to providing training and employment opportunities for people with a disability, injury or health condition. Finished Products specialises in contract surface finishing for the manufacturing industry.