Region. Allied Brands into administration

Dubai-based Dunkin Brands executive, John Varghese, has flown to Australia to speak with the Baskin Robbins ice cream franchisees, which include outlets at Castle Hill, Kings Langley and Merrylands, following franchise manager, Allied Brands, being stripped of its master franchise. Allied Brands, which also has among its brands, Kenny's Cardiology, Cookie Man in numerous outlets in Western Sydney, has gone into voluntary administration. Peter Dinoris and Peter Biazos, of Vincents Chartered Accountants, have been appointed joint administrators.

Region. Western Express possible pipe dream

The $4.5 billion Western Express project will remain nothing more than a pipe dream if, as expected, Labor loses the March 2011 election, according to The Daily Telegraph. The Opposition has refused to support the extra rail lines aimed at bringing commuters from Western Sydney into the city on longer, faster trains The Daily Telegraph revealed that the Western Express also includes a provision to build a tunnel under Sydney Harbour from Wynyard to St Leonards. More Western Express tender documents were released yesterday, revealing seven more studies into the project were under way.

North Ryde. $11 million plus for researchers

Researchers from Macquarie University will receive more than $11 million in Australian Research Council funding for a variety of projects which commence next year.

Parramatta. DA for 10-storey building

The Hunt Group Pty Ltd has lodged a DA with Parramatta City Council for a 10-storey mixed use project, at 5 Hunter Street, in the Parramatta CBD. The estimated cost of the work:$9.9 million