Villawood. Company builds 200 buses

Custom Coaches, in Villawood, will build 200 air-conditioned buses with chassis to be supplied by Volvo and Scania. Minister for Transport John Robertson said the new buses will be built with the latest technology. “The 12.5 metre, air-conditioned, low-floor, rigid buses are the latest and most fuel efficient diesel bus models available, developed by Volvo and Scania,” Mr Robertson said. These new buses are over and above the 1000 buses the Government will purchase over ten years under the Metropolitan Transport Plan

Region. Accor's trading up significantly

Accor’s hotels across Western Sydney benefited throughout 2010 by increases in occupancy across the board as a result of the major events, concerts and sporting fixtures held in Western Sydney, according to spokesperson, Peter Hook Accor’s hotels in Sydney Olympic Park – Pullman, Novotel, Ibis and Formule 1 – experienced an “exceptional” year recording occupancies in the mid 70 per cent range, The Novotel represented an increase from 66 per cent average, for 2009, to 77 per cent in 2010. He said the percentage increase in meetings-related business across its properties in Western Sydney grew 19 per cent in 2010 compared to 2009, and double-digit growth was anticipated in 2011. “No major new supply (hotels) is expected in Western Sydney at least in the short-term, but there has been a continuation in the relocation of businesses to Western Sydney, so we anticipate growth in both occupancy and rate during 2011. Overall, the market is very buoyant and healthy.” he said.

Region. Primo primed for listing

Primo Smallgoods, based at Chullora, is seeking a listing on the Australian Securities Exchange in the first half of 2011, according to The Australian Financial Review. The company, which has facilities at Greenacre and Prestons in Western Sydney, has granted Macquarie Capital the mandate to advise on an ideal public offering that could see the company valued at between $700 million and $800 million.