Parramatta. Appointment to legal frim

Dr Bernard Carey most recently the visiting Professor at the Law School University College Dublin, has joined Champion Legal, based in the Parramatta CB. His former positions include Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) at the University of Western Sydney and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Macquarie University. “Bernard brings with him a unique blend of skills and qualifications. He takes a strategic management view, in addition to considering the legal implications when dealing with our clients and their issues,” said Champion Legal Chairman Geoffrey Roberson. The College of Law has appointed Mr Roberson an emeritus member, the highest honour it can award.

North West. All trains through Chatswood

The state government is racing ahead with a plan for its centrepiece north-west rail link that would require all trains from the new line to run through Chatswood and onto the crowded North Shore line, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. On Transport NSW's own figures, this would allow it to run as few as two trains an hour from the north-west to the city before it had to start cutting other services on the north shore. Early plans for the link, a 23-kilometre stretch of track from Rouse Hill to Epping, allowed for trains to run from Epping to the city both via Chatswood and south through Strathfield. This would spread the load across the crowded CityRail network. The tender documents describe plans for a 15.5-kilometre tunnel straight from Epping station almost as far as Kellyville.

South West. Premier inspects rail track

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian inspected the first new track laid as part of the $2.1 billion South West Rail Link project. Mr O’Farrell said the 11-kilometre twin-track line would connect Glenfield to Leppington via Edmondson Park Trains are expected to start running on the link in 2016. An estimated 110,000 new homes would be built in this area over the next 30 years – and the population would grow by 300,000.

Norwest. Vacancy rate increases slightly

Vacancy within the Norwest office market increased slightly over the second half of 2009, from 10 per cent in July 2009 to 11 per cent in January 2010, according to the latest Colliers Sydney Metropolitan Office Research & Forecast Report. This increase occurred due to the completion of the new Norwest C3 development, which increased supply while at the same time tenant demand and enquiry remained stable. The largest deal to be completed in the Norwest market, over the past six months, was at the new Atlas development with Virgin Active Gymnasium committing to 4000 square metres.