North Ryde. Decline in vacancy rate

North Ryde was one of only two NSW office markets to witness a decline in its vacancy rate during the second half of 2009, according to the latest Colliers Sydney Metropolitan Office Research & Forecast Report. The total vacancy rate in the North Ryde office market declined by 0.1 per cent over the course of the six-month period from 12.1 per cent in July 2009 to 12.2 per cent in January 2010. Both the A- and B-grade markets witnessed a decline in vacancy of a similar size with the A-grade market declining to 13.7 per cent and the B-grade market to 8.4 per cent.

Mt Druitt. Universities in partnership

Housing NSW has joined forces with faculties of two Sydney universities for a community regeneration project to empower and strengthen the Mt Druitt community and reduce crime in the area. The Community and Environment Project (CEP) is a joint partnership between Housing NSW, the University of Technology (UTS) Built Environment – Designing Out Crime Research Centre and the University of Western Sydney (UWS) Social Work Unit. The multidisciplinary partnership links Housing NSW and the Mt Druitt community with academics in design, criminology, public housing, social work and urban planning. Housing NSW will contribute 50 per cent of the funding for the $500,000 project, matched by funding from the two universities, said Ken Bone, GM, of Greater Western Sydney Housing Services, Housing NSW.

South West. Mortgage pain

Doug Driscoll, CEO, of real estate group, Starr Partners, which has offices throughout Western Sydney, said mortgage pain was centred around suburbs like Campbelltown and Ingleburn, which were considered less desirable and have not benefited like other areas from a flight of more affordable housing.

Huntingwood. Arnott's CEO promoted

Arnott’s, Australia’s largest biscuit maker, which has its factory at Huntingwood and head office at North Strathfield, is searching for a new CEO after the departure of its Asia-Pacific president, Chris Delaney, who has been appointed to a new business development role in the international division of Arnott’s US parent, Campbell’s Soup Co.

Ingleburn. Catholic Education leases property

The Catholic Education Office has signed a one-year and six months lease, at a gross face rent of $20 per square metre, for an industrial property, at Ingleburn, which includes 8000 square metres of yard to be used for storage. Colliers International brokered the deal, on behalf of lessor, EA2 & EH2.