Quakers Hill. State-of-the-art facility

An $8 million state-of-the art facility for training in the emerging green-collar industry has been officially opened at TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute, Nirimba College in Quaker’s Hill. The Western Sydney GreenSkills Hub is a “living laboratory” designed to model sustainable practices and provide innovative training in the subject areas of green electrical engineering, plumbing, refrigeration and information technology The hub also includes the EcoSkills Centre, at Richmond College, and is funded under the federal government’s Training Infrastructure Investment for Tomorrow initiative.

Prospect. First step of $80 million project

Village Roadshow has submitted a Part 3A Preliminary Environment Assessment Report to the Department of Planning of the proposed $80 million Wet 'n' Wild Sydney theme park, at Prospect. It is the first formal step in the planning process for the park at Reservoir Road. Village Roadshow director of corporate strategy Clark Kirby said he was overwhelmed by the support received since the project was first announced.

Campbelltown. Top award to engineer

Project manager, David Bobyreff, a professional engineer with development and consultancy firm Lean & Hayward, in Campbelltown, has received the Urban Development Institute of Australia's NSW Landcom Young Developer Award. Mr Bobyreff, a junior partner at the firm, has worked on development projects such as Park Central and Macarthur Gardens.

Wetherill Park. Firm and school partnership

Diesel engine manufacturer, Cummins South Pacific, at Wetherill Park, has signed a memorandum of understating with Bossley Park High School to work together giving students, teachers and Cummins' staff, opportunities to share expertise, knowledge, experiences and use of facilities. South West Connect, which co-ordinates structured vocational learning between schools and local business, forged the partnership. The school’s executive officer, Carol Richardson, said the partnership was designed to "make classroom learning more relevant and to provide links from school to career".

North West. Boost to local tourism

Hills Shire Council and Tourism NSW partnered with Hills Hawkesbury and Riverlands Tourism (HHART) in initiatives to ensure the tourism industry was an on-going viable and growing industry for the area, which attracts. an estimated 2.4 million visitors every year producing an estimated $200 million dollars to the local economy. HHART has launched its first regional destination guide and website for potential visitors to the area.

Moorebank. Report to Department of Planning

The Sydney Intermodal Terminal Alliance (SIMTA) has lodged its preliminary environmental assessment of the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal project with the Department of Planning. Development could commence in 2013 if the project is approved. The federal government allocated $70 million in this year’s budget for planning the terminal. A total of $300 million will go towards the freight hub

Penrith. Firm rated No. 1

Production Automotive, at Penrith, has been rated the No.1 mechanical workshop in NSW, scoring 99.68 per cent for customer relations and service. The firm has grown from a team of two, to seven in 12 months, with 90 per cent of new customers coming from referrals from existing customers.

Old Toongabbie. A $12 million investment

Baxter Healthcare, at Old Toongabbie, has launched it’s $12 million compounding facility, which replaces the current plant ensuring supply for the growing demand for compounded medications over the next decade. It will accommodate up to 150 pharmacy staff when at full capacity. The investment, which provides aseptic compounded drug therapy to 200 public and private hospitals across Australia produces over 650,000 patient specific doses per annum. Parramatta City Council has approved a DA for the construction of a 3 storey office building and landscaping works, provision of an additional 139 at-grade car parking spaces and land consolidation. The estimated cost of the work: $9.9 million.