Region. Stores to close

The receivers, Ferrier Hodgson, of the debt-ridden Colorado Group, which was placed in administration in March after lenders rejected a proposal to allow it to continue trading, said 100 under performing Colorado stores in Australia would close. The group’s outlets include Williams, Mathers, JAG and Diana Ferrari stores. The most jobs will be lost in NSW, with 43 stores employing 319 people to be shut. Stores to close in Western Sydney have not been identified.

Parramatta. One Silver and two Bronze medals

Local business, Coleman & Grieg, has been awarded a Silver award for its outstanding results in the NSW Government’s Sustainability Advantage program. Moore Stephens Sydney West and Parramatta City Council were awarded Bronze medals by the Minister for the Environment, Robyn Parker, who described the organisations as leaders in their sectors.

Region. Business skills for 'creatives'

Veteran Australian entertainment promoter, Michael Chugg, has officially launched a new program designed to help creative minds gain valuable business skills.The associate degree in creative industries has been developed by UWSCollege to fill a gap in the business education and skills training services available for people already working in creative industries such as film and television, theatre, music, publishing and visual art. UWSCollege, a wholly owned entity of the University of Western Sydney, worked with industry to identify missing or underdeveloped core business, finance, management, legal and communication skills which hold creative professionals back from reaching their full career potential..

Camellia. Online store planned

Health and beauty retailer, Priceline, owned by Australian Pharmaceutical Industries, based at Camellia, is planning to launch an online store early next year to tap into the $100 million Australian spend on cosmetics, perfume and hair and skin-care products on the web, according to The Australian Financial Review. Consumers will not be able to buy prescription medications online.

Eastern Creek. Coke turns first sod

Coca-Cola Amatil has launched the development of a $57 million manufacturing plant, at Eastern Creek. The facility will make plastic bottle caps and PET resin preforms, which are test-tube shaped moulds to make PET plastic beverage bottles. The facility is the final stage of a $450 million investment in bottle manufacturing, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. The total building area is 70,220 square metres on a site are of 151,475 square metres. Car parking: 300 spaces. Truck parking: 114 spaces.

Parramatta. Dr Schott tipped for board

Dr Kerry Schott, who stepped down as MD, of Sydney Water last month is tipped to join the Infrastructure NSW board. She is on the board pf the federal government advisory body, Infrastructure Australia. Prior to joining Sydney Water, Dr Schott, was a former infrastructure investment banker and deputy secretary of the NSW Treasury.

Chipping Norton. $23 million substation

Endeavour Energy plans to build a a $23 million zone substation at Chipping Norton cater for industrial and residential development in the area. "Being located close to the Sydney CBD and easily accessed by the major road and rail routes, the Chipping Norton industrial area is expected to attract new businesses in coming years," said deputy CEO, Rod Howard. "In addition to current applications before us to connect significant new industrial customers to our network, there is 410,000 square metres of vacant or under-utilised land within the industrial area available for business expansion,” he said.

Smeaton Grange. Helicopter rides over estate

The Iron Bark Industrial Estate, at Smeaton Grange, is taking a novel approach to attracting new businesses to the area. Until June 30, free helicopter flights are being offered to business-owners who are considering moving their premises to the estate. Investa Property Group development manager Nick Greenwell said the company had decided the flights would be the best way to show what Smeaton Grange had to offer.