Erskine Park. $55 million link road

The NSW government has awarded the contract for the $55 million Erskine Park Link Road to NACE Civil Engineering Pty Ltd, at Prestons, to build the 3.1 km four lane divided road between Lenore Lane, Penrith, and Old Wallgrove Road, Blacktown. Work will start as soon as possible with the main work site established in late July. It’s expected the link will be completed in 2013. “The Erskine Park Link Road connecting Lenore Lane and Old Wallgrove Road will unlock hundreds of hectares of new employment lands within the Western Sydney Employment Area,” Premier Barry O’Farrell said.

Region. Call to prioritise issues

Regional Development Australia – Sydney (RDA Sydney), based in Parramatta, brought together representatives from councils and stakeholders to conduct an information session on the Australian Government’s Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF), and gather input into the update of RDA Sydney’s 2011 Regional Plan. Executive officer, Bob Germaine, said RDA Sydney’s role was to prioritise issues, which were not yet being addressed and develop long-term strategies and activities, in partnership with key stakeholders. Transport, infrastructure, skills development, jobs closer to home and health and aged care were among the issues raised.

Parramatta. New bank in the CBD

Parramatta City Council has approved an application by the Beirut Hellenic Bank Ltd, to open a branch, in Macquarie Street, in Parramatta. The Bank of Beirut, which is investing $420 million into its Australian subsidiary, will open five new branches by the end of the year, with the first in the former Murray Bros building, in the Parramatta CBD, in July, employing 10 people. The bank, which has branches in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney branches, was formerly known as Laiki Bank Australia, until April 27. It opened in Australia in 2001. The Arab Bank Australia is represented in the city with branches in the Parramatta CBD and Westmead Hospital.

North Ryde. Department leases space

The federal government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has pre-committed to lease 10,270 square metres in the Precinct Corporate Centre on Delhi Road, North Ryde. The office and laboratory space has been leased from Goodman Australia Industrial Fund for a 20-year term at a rent of $350 per square metre.

Greystanes. Shopping centre sold

Fabcot has purchased Greystanes Shopping Centre at 665 Merrylands Road, Greystanes, for $25.5 million. The neighbourhood centre has been purchased on a yield reflecting 9.5 per cent.