Region. Best for rents and capital growth

Sydney’s outer ring housing market, particularly in the south-west and west, would outperform other Sydney areas in rents and capital growth in 2011, according to SQM Research’s MD, Louis Christopher, in The Australian Financial Review. Dr Andrew Wilson, senior economist with Australian Property Monitors, said Sydney would remain the gold standard for housing investment in Australia. “Constrained by geographical barriers, a chronic shortage of housing stock is unable to satisfy its growing populace,” he said.

Parramatta. Mall a 'magnet' for crime

The Church Street Mall, between Darcy and Macquarie streets has become a magnet for crime gangs and drug users who terrorise shoppers and business owners, according to The Sunday Telegraph. Parramatta Chamber of Commerce president, Trevor Oldfield, said the mall had become an embarrassment. Parramatta Lord Mayor, John Chedid, said businesses were concerned about their safety and the future of their businesses. The paper reported that police commander, Superintendent Robert Redfern, did not believe there was a serious problem in the mall.

Silverwater. Rebel has tough times

Sportsgoods retailer Rebel Group, headquarted at Silverwater and with outlets across Western Sydney, is unlikely to relist on the stock exchange in the next 12 months after reporting flat 2009-10 sales. The dire state of the retail market and its own performance is expected to lead to plans of an imminent return to the stockmarket to be shelved.

Blacktown. Beverage profit drops

Diageo Australia, the local arm of the UK-based beverages group, which has its production and distribution facility at Huntingwood, had a profit drop of 43.6 per cent from $39.37 million to $22.22 million, in 2009-10. MD, Tim Salt said Johnnie Walker was an outstanding performer, growing 19 per cent over 2009-10.

Region. Question over Colorado's future

A PricewaterhouseCoopers report on Brisbane-based, Colorado, which has Colorado, Jag, diana ferrari, Williams and Mathers outlets across Western Sydney, stated: “There is uncertainty whether the group will continue as a going concern.” PWC said consumer confidence and deep discounting with in the fashion sector were hurting the company’s returns.

Blacktown. Top council staff resign

Two of Blacktown City Council’s staff, director, Bob Macklinshaw and Liz Jeremy, have resigned, and the manager of communications, events and industrial liaisons, Leighton Farrell, has been moved to work at Blacktown Olympic Park promoting events. Mayor, Alan Pendleton, said the vacant positions had not been advertised and that the general manager, Ron Moore, had considered reshaping management roles.