Minto. $1 million contract for printing company

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed details of one of the year's biggest jobs, the 2011 census, with a $1million contract to the mailing company, Camerons Group, at Minto. The ABS published details of two separate envelope contracts handed to Camerons Group. They total $1,080,973, comprising pressure-sealed envelopes containing variable data as well as mail-back and privacy envelopes. The census is due to take place in August.

Region. Representation needed in Cabinet

The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) said newly elected Western Sydney MPs must be considered for cabinet positions to ensure the needs of the region are not overlooked under the newly elected Coalition government, said WSROC president, Clr Alison McLaren. “WSROC looked forward to working with the incoming government to ensure Western Sydney gets the vital infrastructure and services which will allow it to thrive. As the former Shadow Minister for Western Sydney, Mr O’Farrell is already aware of how important these projects are and we would like him to guarantee they will proceed now that he has won government,” she said.

Parramatta. Winning design for $111m project

Tony Caro Architecture has won the design competition for a proposed mixed-use residential development on the former David Jones site, at 330 Church Street, in the Parramatta CBD. The $111 million redevelopment of the site is being proposed by Meriton Apartments Pty Ltd., with the winning design including two separate residential towers of 34 and 22 storeys, a public square and stepped terraces down to the edge of the Parramatta River. “The revitalisation of areas along the Parramatta River is a strong focus for council, and it's important that any future foreshore development provide the right mix of commercial, retail, community and recreational Space,” said Lord Mayor, John Chedid. Meriton can now formally lodge an application with the Department of Planning, which will undertake a full merit based assessment of the scheme. This will include consultation with Parramatta City Council.

Region. Arabic businesses overlooked

A study of Arabic businesses in Western Sydney has found they could be tapped to generate a far greater share of the 61,000 new jobs needed in the region by 2031, given with the right support The study by the University of Western Sydney's Urban Research Centre, in Parramatta, focused on Arabic businesses in the Auburn-Bankstown corridor. Principal researcher on the project, Dr Felicity Wray, said despite the strong presence in the region, Arabic businesses appear to be overlooked as a key driver in the local economy of the Auburn-Bankstown corridor or Sydney's West Central region.

Parramatta. New location for legal services

The University of Western Sydney's Parramatta Community Justice Clinic (PCJC), a practical legal training program which provides free professional legal information and referral services to the people of Greater Western Sydney, will relocate to the Parramatta Local Court. Professor Michael Adams, head of the School of Law, at UWS, said the new location is right at the heart of where access to the service is needed most. The PCJC is staffed by UWS law students under the close supervision of practicing solicitors and is utilised by disadvantaged members of the community who cannot afford legal advice. The PCJC is an initiative of the University of Western Sydney in partnership with Macquarie Legal Centre, the NSW Department of Justice and Attorney General, and Parramatta City Council. It is also strongly supported by members of the Parramatta and Greater Western Sydney legal profession, local businesses and community groups.