Rydalmere. Solarhart seeks ioverseas manager

Solarhart, a manufacturer and distributor of solar water heaters, a major subsidiary of Rheem Australia, and based at Rheem’s head office, at Rydalmere, has advertised for an international manager to build its current international domestic and commercial markets.

Parramatta. Tustle over site

The Kenneally government is blocking a plan to turn derelict buildings on the old King’s School site, over looking the Parramatta, in the Parramatta CBD into an arts hub backed by Parramatta City Council, after intense lobbying by the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, which wants the land and buildings, adjacent to St Patrick’s Cathedral, for its own use. The arts hub proposal has the backing of the Planning Minister, Tony Kelly, Arts Minister, Virginia Judge and the Minister for Western Sydney, David Borger. The Diocese of Parramatta has argued the area had “more pressing needs” than an arts centre.

Region. Lack of industrial supply affects market

The lack of supply of prime grade buildings above 5000 square metres for lease in Western Sydney is driving major tenants to commit to long rental terms which have not been seen in the market for 10 years, according to Colliers International. Gavin Bishop, Colliers International national director of industrial, said rather than committing to a usual three to five years, recent deals have seen tenants sign leases for up to a decade for the initial term. “The types of businesses that have been committing to these buildings are manufacturing, warehouse and distribution, transport groups and government agencies,” he said.

Region. Vacancies tight in the sourh-west

Sydney's rental crisis has worsened and the more affordable south-west suburbs and popular inner-city enclaves are feeling the most strain, the Real Estate Institute of NSW said. Property analysts SQM Research said vacancies were tightest in the south-west. In Bonnyrigg, the vacancy rate was 0.3 per cent in October, the lowest in Sydney. In Bankstown, the rate was 0.4 per cent and in Campbelltown, 0.8 per cent. The city-wide vacancy rate had fallen to 1.1 per cent, the tightest market in six months, the institute said. ''That situation will only continue to worsen as we enter 2011, when available rental accommodation will be further squeezed by growing demand from tertiary students seeking properties,'' said the institute's president, Wayne Stewart.

Parramatta. Future of firm undecided

The future of Shaw Stockbroking, which has an office in the Parramatta CBD as well as Sydney and Melbourne, is up in the air with the departure of a key director and big shareholder, Harold Shapiro, according to The Australian Financial Review. Mr Shapiro, who was its long–term MD until last year, said he would sell his 27 per cent stake in the firm, valued at more than $4 million. The Fin Review said the firm has been involved in talks with several firms over the past year. Shaw Stockbroking (formerly BOS Stockbroking) was founded in 1987, and is one of Australia's largest independently owned full service stockbroking firms with private client and institutional advisors, supported by staff and a research department

Wentworthville. Mall sold for $18.3 million

Property development and investment, project management company, Metroland Australia, has sold its recently refurbished neighbourhood shopping centre, Wentworthville Mall, to a local investor for $18.3 million. The centre, which has a total GLA of 5467 square metres features a Franklins supermarket, 30 specialty retailers and commercial offices, has an annual income of $1.73 million annually fully leased. A DA has been approved for 67 residential units and an additional 500 square metres of retail floor space.

Parramatta. Business college relocates

The Parramatta campus of the Australian Business College has relocated from Macquarie House, on the corner of Macquarie and Smith streets in the CBD, to 85 George Street. Macquarie House, owned by Parramatta City Council, will eventually be demolished and the site will be incorporated into council’s $1.6 billion Civic Place project. Australian Business College, which has campuses at Liverpool and Wollongong, The college has been preparing school leavers, since 1996, for their future careers and assisting individuals to re enter the workforce or to pursue new directions.

Parramatta. Economic strategy in 2001

Parramatta City Council’s economic development strategy is expected to be an item on the business paper for council’s first meeting in 2011, on February 1. A tourism strategy is expected to be tabled early in 2011.

Parramatta. Scores on Doors signees

Seven Parramatta restaurants, to date, have singed up for Scores on Doors, a statewide system to rate the food safety and hygiene standards of foodservice businesses. The restaurants in Parramatta are McDonalds North Parramatta, Hungry Jacks Westfield, Wrap Station Parramatta, Oriental Tuckerbox, Sicilian Restaurant Parramatta, The Bite Parramatta and Bar Qualia Parramatta. Those participating in the program are inspected and graded with an A (excellent), B (good), C (acceptable) or P (pending). The establishments must display their scores in their shop window. The program will be reviewed at the end of the trial period, and the NSW Food Authority will officially introduce it if all goes well in NSW in July 2011.