Rosehill. AJC gives OK for merger with STC

Some 85 per cent of voting members of the Australian Jockey Club have agreed to a merger with the Sydney Turf Club. “Should STC members agree to support the merger, Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens will become modern, world-class racing and multi-purpose events venues and Sydney racing will have two shinning jewels in the Australian racing crown,” said AJC chairman, Ron Finemore. He said the merger would mean a green light for the $150 million redevelopment of Royal Randwick and a $24 million dollar rejuvenation of Rosehill Gardens. STC members will vote on Monday night.

Rosehill. Merger vote on Monday

The Sydney Turf Club will vote on Monday on a merger with the Australian Jockey Club. Tabcorp has reached a $150 million in-principle agreement to refurbish the Randwick racecourse, conditional on the merger, according to The Australian Financial Review.

Parramatta. Modification to high rise building

Parramatta City Council has received an application from H S D (Parra) Pty Limited to modify an approved DA for a 17 storey mixed use development containing 118 apartments and two commercial tenancies, at 9 Hassall Street, in the Parramatta CBD. The modification includes two additional floors to both towers, increase in number of residential units from 141 to 164, reconfiguration of internal layout of block A and reconfiguration of basement carparking resulting in an additional 23 spaces.

Region. Attracting tourists out of Sydney CBD

A University of Technology Sydney study of 40 backpackers found just five went somewhere other than the CBD or Manly - to Palm Beach, Watsons Bay, Parramatta, Beverly Hills and Homebush Bay. "As an outcome of the NSW Tourism Strategy in 2008, the Government introduced measures to encourage visitors to explore beyond the CBD, including a $2.7 million investment over three years to promote local events throughout Sydney's diverse tourism precincts," said a spokesman for NSW Tourism Minister, Jodi McKay. Precincts like Chinatown, Campbelltown, Bondi and Parramatta have all received funding support in encouraging tourist out of the Sydney CBD.

Parramatta. Epping rail link has lower prioroty

Transport NSW ''Updated Transport Submission to Infrastructure Australia'', lists the north-west rail link as a higher priority than the Epping-Parramatta link, which was announced by the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, during the federal election campaign, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Parramatta. Discussion on sustainability

The Western Sydney Manufacturers Network (WSMN) will hold a presentation and panel discussion on sustainable manufacturing, how to achieve it and what is the timeline. Guest speakers will be Associate Professor Sami Kara, director of research, School & Manufacturing Engineering, UNSW; Freddy Sharpe, CEO, Climate Friendly Pty Ltd; and Bob Paton, CEO Manufacturing Skills Australia. A spokesperson said the function, which will be held at the Crowne Plaza Parramatta on October 21, from11.00am to 2.00pm, would appeal to MDs, CEOs, CFOs, logistics, supply chain, manufacturing and operations personnel. The WSMN is affiliated with the Western Sydney Business Connection, in Parramatta

Minto. Mall up for sale

Receivers KordaMentha have decided to sell the under performing Minto Mall shopping centre, which includes two supermarkets, 66 specialty shops and stand alone Aldi and Hungry Jack’s outlets. The centre has about 1000 car spaces. World Best Holdings went into receivership in August.

Macquarie Park. $50 million defence hub

The NSW Government has officially launched a $75 million initiative to boost the state’s defence industry, which has already succeeded in securing 275 high-tech jobs for NSW. The initiative to secure new defence industries and jobs to NSW, announced as part of this year’s NSW Budget, includes a $50 million site at Macquarie Park to develop a defence and related technology hub. “The NSW government’s commitment is for NSW to secure 30 per cent of Australia’s in-country defence spend by 2019. We aim to create more than 1,500 new jobs in Defence-related industries by 2013,” said NSW Treasurer and Minister for State and Regional Development, Eric Roozendaal.

Bankstown. Workshop on aerospace industry

RDA Sydney will conduct a workshop to bring together the key industry companies and stakeholders in the aerospace and defence industry for an update on the progress made since an initial meeting, in March 2009, and discuss the key issues affecting the industry in Sydney. Government, defence and industry stakeholders will outline current and future major national and international defence and aerospace opportunities. The function will be held at Bankstown City Council chamber, on October 27, commencing at 8.00am. An RDA aim is to be a point of reference for federal, state and local government programs which have key relevance to economic development and job creation in Sydney.

Blue Mountains. Sale and EOI

A commercial 162-square-metre property, at Springwood, has been sold for $1.7 million. Two tenants provide a net income of about $105,000 annually. EOI have been called for 6500-square-metre Hillcrest Coachman Estate, at Leura. It has commercial leases in place and a DA approved for a boutique hotel. The estate has an approved liquor licence.

Region. Properties sold

A private investor has bought a shopping centre occupied by an IGA supermarket, 12 specialty shops and including six apartments, at Minto, for $1.5 million. An automotive franchise has bought an industrial complex, in South Penrith, for $1.42 million