Region. New body to create awareness

Over 60 “enthusiastic” key industry members and government representatives have agreed that an organisation, such as, the Sydney Aerospace and Defence Interest Group (SADIG) was needed to provide better awareness of key supply chains and collaboration in tackling key issues, and supported by an industry database, “enormous potential could be seen in industries working together”. "We are aggressively pursuing aerospace and defensible projects that capitalise on Sydney's comprehensive industrial base and skilled workforce. SADIG has an important role in establishing an environment where companies can come together to pursue opportunities on a collaborative basis", said Steven Kerlandar senior manager, of DTIRIS Defence NSW. An executive committee will be announced shortly and a SADIG website will be launched coinciding with the announcement.

Region. UWS seeks WSROC support

The University of Western Sydney has sought Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Council’s (WSROC) support for a new initiative for the region: the development of a Regional Centre for Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development or “RCE”. The RCEs are a project of the United Nations University and the acceptance of the UWS bid will represent a significant achievement for UWS and a greater international profile and the region.The vision of the RCE is to establish, in part, GWS as a living laboratory of environmental, economic and social sustainability If successful, the RCE will provide world class opportunities in sustainability education for residents of Western Sydney and a R&D facility for regional agencies, including WSROC, to develop world's best practice sustainability partnership projects.

Riverstone. Town to be included in NBN

Riverstone is one of new locations around Australia to be included in the national broadband network (NBN), over the next six months, according to Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy. The company delivering the will start work on another six new sites in Queensland, NSW and the ACT over the next six months.

Region. Device to represent Australia

An innovative hand-washing device for the developing world, designed at the University of Western Sydney, is representing Australia in a prestigious international design award. Industrial Design honours student, Balin Lee, was nominated for his design 'Kopper', which cleanses contaminated water by processing it through a micro-filtration and electrolysis system. Mr Lee says Kopper is designed to be powered by kinetic energy and would be made of recyclable materials that cost less than $2.50, making it an affordable option for people and aid groups in the developing world. "Balin was able to synthesise technological, social, economic and environmental dimensions into a project of considerable intellectual property potential," said the associate head of the UWS School of Engineering and head of the Industrial Design program, Dr Sasha Alexander,

Liverpool.. Report on former council site

Liverpool City Council will commission a report into the potential future uses of its former administration and council chambers before it asks the community for input. The fire-damaged precinct also includes a former roller skating rink and land along Brickmakers Creek.

Castle Hill. Briefing on rail link

More than 300 representatives from leading national and international construction and infrastructure firms registered for the high level briefing in Castle Hill to hear Premier, Barry O’Farrell, and Transport Minister, Gladys Berejiklian, at a major industry briefing on the North West Rail Link The 23-kilometre line will extend from Epping to Rouse Hill, and will feature at least six new stations as well as major park and ride and bus interchange facilities. It will require approximately 15-kilometres of tunnelling, making it Sydney’s longest rail tunnelling project.