Region. More power for Western Express

The $870 million being spent on a network upgrade for the new $4.5 billion Western Express project, between Western Sydney and Wynyard, is unlikely to be enough to power them, according to The Daily Telegraph. Premier Kristine Keneally announced earlier this year the project would use dedicated lines to fast-track commuters from the west on 10 or 12-car trains. New substations and more than 60 kilometres of overhead wiring are planned to stop the network collapsing if too many trains are in use at the same time. Other works include platform extensions at Emu Plains, Penrith, Kingswood, Werrington, St Marys, Mount Druitt and Blacktown stations; stabling extensions at Emu Plains and Flemington; and track revamps at Homebush, Strathfield and St Marys.

Region. Big boost in bus services

Commuters and residents living and working in Parramatta, Carlingford, Epping, Macquarie University and Macquarie Park will benefit from an increase of nearly 500 bus services a week with the start of the new Metrobus Route M54. Minister for Transport, John Robertson, said Metrobuses will more than double the number of buses between Parramatta and Macquarie Park along Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford Rd and Epping Road each week from 385 to 840 services.

Norwest. Landcom and Clarendon Homes

Clarendon Homes, based at Norwest Business Park, will be Landcom’s building partner to construct Eco-Living Display Homes at The Ponds. Three display homes will be built showcasing innovative sustainability concepts and products for the project home industry and general housing market. “We expect to complete the project within the next 12 months, with construction of the first house to start in the next couple of months,” said Maurice Felizzi, CEO, of Clarendon Residential Homes.

Parramatta. Sustainability strategy

The Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE), based in Parramatta, has engaged two Macquarie University students to work with its research and policy department to develop a sustainability strategy The creative and digital content industries, and community-based and social services, are as energy-consuming as many others, and also produce emissions and waste, ICE said. “Western Sydney is also a region facing many environmental and sustainability challenges. The communities and artists of Western Sydney have a lot to gain from being informed and engaged around these issues,” ICE said.

Bankstwon. Incentive to use airport

As part of a program to support new general aviation operators, Bankstown Airport is offering an incentive to encourage aircraft owners to consider the airport as a permanent base for their aircraft, by offering a two-year 50 per cent discount to all new aircraft that permanently base themselves there between 1 October 2010 and 31 March 2011.

Parramatta. Social enterprise hub

Thirteen social enterprises have received a total of $250,000 in seed funding from Parramatta City Council under the federal government's Jobs Fund, over the past three years, to create a social enterprise hub in the city.

North Ryde. Office space absorption

Knight Frank research shows absorption for the first half of 2010 in the NorthRyde/Macquarie Park market was 17,960 square metres, helping drive vacancy down, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. The Property Council of Australia’s report for the six months to July showed the vacancy rate for the precinct was down from 12.1 per cent to 11.3 per cent.