Region. Rail links not a priority

Infrastructure Australia's (IA) annual report said it was disappointing more projects had not advanced further on its pipeline of priority projects, which guides private and government investment. Sydney's northwest and southwest rail links are not on the current priority list, although IA is likely to consider the projects for next year's report. A spokesman for Premier Barry O'Farrell said these projects should be at the top of the list for commonwealth funding. "These are the areas which need rail services more than anywhere else in Australia and the commonwealth needs to recognise this. The people of NSW made it clear at the March election that they want these lines built and the federal government needs to listen" the spokesman said

Region. Push on with rail links

The NSW government would build the north west and south west rail links regardless of the Commonwealth’s stance and would “fight for a fair share of federal funding” to ensure they were built quickly. NSW Transport will hold a high-level “market sounding” briefing for industry, on July 28, on the delivery strategy, procurement and construction of the North West Rail Link.

Granville. Legal battle

The Granville-based TMA Group is embroiled in a legal battle with the Philippines' national lottery body over a contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is trying to cancel a 25-year contractual joint venture under which TMA is set to build a $100m thermal coating plant in Manila. TMA’s manufacturing capabilities encompass tickets, tags, thermal paper products, register rolls, integrated labels and other associated printed media material, coupled with secure warehousing and national distribution facilities

Region. Tourism awards

Auburn City Festival, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Hawkesbury Festival, Sydney Carnival at Rosehill are among the 20 Western Sydney finalists, in the Greater Sydney Tourism Awards. The winners will be announced on July 28.