Parramatta. New head of economic unit

Solaire Eggert has been appointed manager of Parramatta City Council’s economic development unit. A former project officer with the unit, she has acted in the position for several months, while interviews were undertaken for the job.

Parramatta. $500,000 strategy exhibited

Parramatta City Council’s draft Visitor Strategy for Parramatta, 2011-2016, is currently on public exhibition. The strategy, designed to increase visitation to the city, encourage repeat visits, boost the local economy and improve perception of the city, took 18 months to develop. The strategy was funded by a $500,000 grant from the federal government

Region. Crane Group delisted

The Crane Group, which has facilities in Western Sydney has been delisted from the Australian Securities Exchange after Fletcher Building, based in New Zealand, completed its compulsory acquisition of all the group’s shares.

Region. University student decline

The Smith Family’s Unequal Opportunities report states only 15.1 per cent of university students, in 2009, came from a low socio-economic background, signalling a fall from 16.4 per cent in 2008.

Region. Growth in engineering course

The University of Western Sydney has reported a strong growth in student numbers, 22.1 per cent, in engineering, according to a survey by The Australian Financial Review. “The growth (in engineering and other courses) curbed concern that areas of skills shortages would not benefit as the government lifted enrolment caps if students have no incentive to study in these fields”, the paper said.

North Ryde. Professor wins fellowship

Professor James Dalziel is one of the five recipients of the prestigious 2011 National Teaching Fellowships awarded by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council The win marks a special milestone for Macquarie University, as it is the first time a National Teaching Fellowship has been awarded to someone from the university.