Region. Self-storage joint venture

Brisbane-based National Storage, which has self-storage facilities in Minchinbury and Seven Hills, has formed a joint venture with the US property giant Heitmann to acquire 22 properties and operating businesses for about $187.5 million. The joint venture intends to grow the self-storage portfolio via more acquisitions.

Parramatta. Meriton project endorsed

Parramatta City Council has endorsed that an application by Meriton Apartments be forwarded to the director general of the Department of Planning The application for the complex on the former David Jones, in Church Street, includes a 22-storey tower containing 170 serviced apartments, a 32-storey tower containing 211 residential apartments, a 3-storey podium including eight commercial tenancies and a 1928-square-metre supermarket. The estimated capital investment is $149.9 million.

St Marys. $209m project wins two awards

Sydney Water has won two major awards for the $209 million St Marys Water Recycling Project. The first was a statewide award for Project Management in the Sustainable Projects Category, at the NSW Project Management Achievement Awards. The second was for Engineering Excellence “Highly Commended” in the Environment and Heritage Category at the Engineers Australia Awards Sydney Division.

Parramatta. More of the same

The new lord mayor of Parramatta, Clr Lorraine Wearne, said of her aims during the next 12 months was to consolidate and build on the work that had made Parramatta a great place to live, work, play, invest and learn. “We need to build on the present recognition of Parramatta as a city of importance and ensure that we are offering an attractive place that residents, businesses and visitors can’t refuse,” she said. Clr Wearne said former civic leader, Clr John Chedid, kept Parramatta at the forefront of the state government’s plans and raised awareness about its key role in the future growth of wider Sydney.

Sydney Olympic Park. More the merrier

Some 12.5 million people accessed Sydney Olympic Park across the 2010-11 period, an increase of 7 per cent compared to 2009-10 data. Over 5000 events held in the park throughout 2010-11, an increase of 6 per cent compared to 2009-10 figures. This increase can be directly linked to the growing number of business events hosted by the park, including speciality trade shows, team building activities, and education functions. Continued growth is expected in the 2011-12 period, when the park welcomes its first residents.

Parramatta. Stadium master plan

Parramatta City Council has given in-principle support to the draft master plan for the Parramatta Stadium, which includes a 500-seat function room and catering for 600 more corporate patrons in corporate boxes, in the eastern stand, and the installation of 3300 seats on the earth mounds, at the north and south of the stadium. This will bring the total public capacity of the venue to 31,300.