Ingleburn. Broens tooling contract

The government’s NSW Office of Defence is mounting an advertising campaign to demonstrate its commitment to growing the NSW defence industry. An advertisement notes that the NSW government helped Broens Industries, at Ingleburn, win a Joint Strike Fighter Tooling Project, creating at least 79 new jobs and making NSW a donminant supplier to tooling for the project.

Penrith. Symposium for fresh thinking

Penrith councillor, Jim Aitken who holds the position of deputy chair of the National Growth Areas Alliance (NGAA), will join key government speakers, industry leaders and academics to discuss population growth at the Property Council of Australia’s (NSW Division) Great Growth Symposium on November 5. Clr Aitken said the symposium would be highly significant in initiating fresh thinking about growth issues for areas like Penrith City.

Castle Hill. 18-storey tower in 'leafy' suburb

Castle Hill residents fear their suburb will become a "mini Manhattan", after the Hills Council revealed plans for a landmark 18-storey tower on a site bounded by Gay Street, Old Castle Hill Road and Pennant Street. The original plan allowed about 100 units on the site, which would include a mix of townhouses and apartments ranging from two to four storeys. The new plan allows for three-tiered buildings, as well as private and public open spaces. "This is a leafy, quiet, semi-rural area, it isn't made for high rises . . . it's almost as if the council idea is to turn us into another Bangkok," a resident said.

Region. Water wise businesses

The NSW government today named the following among greater Sydney’s most water wise businesses as finalists for Sydney Water’s 7th annual business water efficiency awards: Swift Electroplaters, Silverwater – save water by recycling the rinse water they use in the electroplating process; Diageo Australia, Huntingwood – save water by improving maintenance and continuing to look for opportunities to improve water efficiency in the manufacturing process; Merck, Sharp & Dohme, South Granville – save water by re-directing clean waste water from is purified water systems to the utilities cooling tower, and improving water efficiency in taps, toilets and showers; and TAFE NSW - South Western Sydney Institute, Granville College – save water by collecting and reusing rinse water used during paint cleaning in the painting and decorating department.

Blue mountains. AOK for Medlow Bath hotel

The Western Sydney Joint Regional Planning Panel has granted consent for the revitalisation and extension of the Hydro Majestic Hotel, at Medlow Bath, following an application lodged on the behalf of proprietors George Saad and Huong Nguyen, who also own Lilianfels Resort and Spa, and Echoes Boutique Hotel. Hotel is expected to reopen in 2012.

Camden. AGL submits new plan

AGL has resubmitted its plan for stage three of the Camden Gas Project to Campbelltown City Council. In this submission the gas plant has been scrapped but six gas wells in the "protected" Scenic Hills area still remain The revised plan has two proposed gas wells for Denham Court, two in Varroville and two in the non-residential area of Eschol Park. Some wells are also planned to be built in Camden. The gas wells will link to the existing Rosalind Park Gas Processing Plant in Menangle Park.

Parramatta. CBD building sold for $1.45 million

An owner-occupier has bought a two-storey, free-standing building, with a net lettable area of 428 square metres, at 15 hunter Street, in the Parramatta CBD, for $1.45 million, from Graeber Properties.

Minto. $110 million malt factory at Minto

Global agribusiness company, Viterra, is establishing a $110 million malt house and container packing facility at Minto. The investment will generate 53 construction jobs during its establishment phase through to the end of 2011, and create at least 40 new jobs when operational. Once complete, the facility will produce up to 110,000 tonnes of malt each year for Australian and international brewers. The container packing facility will handle 250,000 tonnes of malt and other commodities. The facility will provide an ongoing source of business for NSW barley growers and contribute to NSW's food processing and export base.

Region. Export Award winners

2010 Premier’s NSW Export Award winners are: NSW Asian Exporter Award – Homart Pharmaceuticals, St Marys; NSW Export Scholarship - Devine Cosmetics, West Ryde; and NSW Young Exporter of the Year Award – Matthew Taylor, Blacktown Timber, St Marys. National Award Categories: Large Advanced Manufacturer Award – ResMed, Bella Vista; and Small to Medium Manufacturer Award – PCT Global, Seven Hills. Cordina Chicken Farms, at Girraween was Highly Commended, in the National Award Categories.