Region. Councils support inquiry

Western Sydney councils have thrown their support behind calls for a major inquiry into the manufacturing industry with WSROC president Clr Alison McLaren calling for urgent intervention to save the struggling sector. Manufacturing is the traditional lifeblood of Western Sydney. It contributes $13.2 billion of our region’s $85 billion economy and employs more than 102,000 people. Sixty per cent of the all the manufacturing jobs in Sydney are located in Western Sydney and the associated transport and logistics sector accounts for a further 36,000 jobs. Clr McLaren said Western Sydney could provide the perfect template for building a strong and vibrant manufacturing sector for all Australia.

Norwest. First Sydney office

Mining company, Abterra Australia Pty Ltd, whose parent company is based in Singapore, has opened its first Sydney office, at Norwest Business Park, where it has taken a three-year lease of 114-square metre of office space, at a rent of $368 per gross square metre.

Macquarie Park. Restaurant chain sold

The Brisbane-based Coffee Club will open 100 steakhouses throughout Australia, after buying the Ribs and Rumps chain, headquartered at Macquarie Park, for a reported $10 million plus. The Coffee Club’s founding director, Emmanuel Drivas, said the decision to acquire the steakhouse chain was made after careful consideration about the best fit for the company. “The acquisition of Ribs and Rumps is the first step in turning The Coffee Club Group into a multiple brand restaurant company, and hopes to acquire more brands in the near future.” The Meat & Wine Co formerly owned Ribs and Rumps.

Sydney Olympic Park. V8 Supercars to remain

The state government said it will honour the contract to hold the V8 Supercars race at Sydney Olympic Park, until 2013, despite an attempt to move it back to its original location Eastern Creek Greens MP John Kaye said residents "hotly opposed" the event. Tourism and Major Events Minister George Souris said the deal between the former government and V8 Supercars Australia would be honoured.

Region. Planning forums

The NSW government will hold a series of public consultation forums on its proposed changes to state planning legislation. The forums to be held in Western Sydney include: Blue Mountains, September 19; Parramatta, October 18; Campbelltown, October 19; Bankstown, October 20; Liverpool, October 21 and Penrith November 7.

Newington. Infringement

Aristocrat Leisure has commenced proceedings against Ainsworth GameT echnology, at Newington, for infringing a range of the group’s patents...