Parramatta. Deferral on levy funds

Parramatta City Council has deferred a decision on the allocation of economic development special levy funds and will discuss the issue at a workshop. A council report noted that $50,000 was made available to support activities such as the Suncorp Western Sydney Awards, sponsorship of the Asia Business Connection, Parramatta Business Access Magazine and Greater Western Sydney Lifestyle Magazine.

Region. Councils included in funds distribution

Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, said Bankstown City Council, Blacktown City Council and The Hills Shire were among seven NSW councils included in the distribution of $280,000 in funding towards delivery of 10-day online planning approvals.

Region. $45 million Indian education campus

A leading Indian education provider, S P Jain Center of Management, will invest $45 million to set up a new education campus in a location to be identified in Western Sydney. Its first students are expected in 2012. Some 50 full-time jobs and 100 part-time jobs will be created over the next five years. The campus is the first investment in education in NSW by an education provider from India. The school has been ranked among the top 10 business schools in India for its MBA programs.

Region. Bunnings boosts outlets and jobs

Wesfarmer’s hardware chain Bunnings, which is building a new store at Seven Hills and scheduled to open next month, has identified sites at Castle Hill, Greenacre, Rouse Hill and Smithfield as part of its $600 million investment to open 15 new warehouses and three additional stores in NSW over the next three years, supporting 6600 jobs.

Parramatta. Technology to boost economy

Parramatta City Council Lord Mayor, Paul Garrard, believes that with continued commitment to new technologies, international trade and the development of Civic Place, Parramatta can become one of the nation’s leading cities. He said his ‘smart-city’ approach was aimed at strengthening the connection between business, residents and the wider community. “My aim was to strengthen the city’s economy and transform our neighbourhoods, by not only providing wireless internet access throughout the area but also using new technology to offer a connected environment for business, job creation and information sharing,” he said in a statement when stepping down as lord mayor.

Granville. Concern over government decision

Parramatta City Council Lord Mayor, Paul Garrard, has questioned the value of a new state authority aimed at developing future housing and commercial projects in Granville and other sites across Sydney. He said the Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority announced by Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, would do little to facilitate or support future growth in Western Sydney and he was concerned that Granville was chosen as a “priority area” for future development. He was keen to know why the Granville Town Centre and Auto Alley had been targeted by the state government and how its re-development will benefit the future growth of Western Sydney. “Future investment surely must be targeted towards the Parramatta CBD, home to the sixth biggest economy in the country and gateway to Western Sydney,” he said.

Revesby. Company re-turfs SCG

M.Collins and Sons, at Revesby, won the contract to re-turf the Sydney Cricket Ground, which has not been re-turfed since 2000. MD, Matthew Collins said the company had based its turf and soil operations in the Macarthur area for the last 40 years. “We employ about 50 local people: the turf farm workers, truck drivers and people on sites. It’s very much a Macarthur effort,” he said.