Homebush. Markets to markets

Sydney Markets, at Homebush, is being reconsidered as the site of the auction room and wholesale facilities, of the Sydney Fish Markets, at Pyrmont, three months after a $40 million revamp of the site was rejected. The idea to move the wholesale operations to Homebush was raised five years ago as part of a proposal to relocate the market to Glebe Island, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Of 3.5 million people who visit the fish market each year, about 30 per cent are interstate or international visitors.

Sydney Olympic Park. Biggest event in history

The Sydney Showground hosted biggest event in the history of AIMEX, one of the world’s top mining exhibitions, attracting more than 600 exhibiting companies – 20 per cent larger than the previous AIMEX show in 2007. The four-day AIMEX 2011 was spread over 11 venues taking up more than 50,000 square metres of exhibition space, “No other venue in Australia could cater for an event like AIMEX,” said Paul Baker, exhibition director, for Reed Mining Events.

Campbelltown. City seeks new status

Campbelltown City Council believes official recognition of Campbelltown as a "regional city" would give the area a stronger case for private development and better infrastructure. Council's director of planning and environment, Jeff Lawrence, said Campbelltown was growing and already had drawcards such as the hospital, UWS, Macarthur Square and the Campbelltown Arts Centre. He said status as a regional city would send a strong signal to the private sector, development and finance that there's a future for Campbelltown in terms of jobs. Parramatta, Penrith and Liverpool are the current regional cities in Western Sydney.

Penrith. Medical research project

Nepean Hospital is searching for up to 5000 square metres of land on which to build a multimillion-dollar medical research institute to be on par with similar facilities at Westmead and Liverpool. The University of Sydney has vowed to help front the $3 million to $4 million it will cost for an appropriate-sized lot. Westpac is backing the project but the Penrith Business Alliance (PBA), which is leading the project, has yet to release any cost estimates for construction. PBA chairman, Paul Brennan, said the institute would be similar to the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, under construction at Liverpool Hospital.