The Hills. Driver of growth

The main driver of this growth in The Hills is the Norwest business park, which is expanding rapidly, according to the Invest Sydney Hills E-Business Newsletter – October issue. The largest industries in The Hills in 2001 were professional, scientific and technical services, and manufacturing. By 2010, growth in finance and insurance had overtaken these two to become the largest industry, worth $941 billion and accounting for 16.7 per cent of The Hills’ economic output. In contrast, manufacturing, while still increasing in dollar terms, declined from 12.0 per cent to 11.4 per cent of output in the same timeframe.

North Ryde. Media trailblazer

Macvquarie Univerity’s vice-chancellor, Professor Steven Schwartz, is one of Australia's social media trailblazers, according to a report published by the Guardian Professional Network. In a report profiling ten Australian social media identities, Professor Schwartz was identified as having built a reputation of excellence for Macquarie University, especially through social engagement.

Moorebank. Impact statement ordered

The federal government has ordered a full environmental impact statement on the controversial Moorebank intermodal terminal project. The Department of the Environment has decided the project should be assessed as a controlled action under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act, including a period for public consultation. The decision means the project will need to be signed off by federal Environment Minister Tony Burke before it can go ahead.

Region. New WSROC CEO

Kerry Bartlett, a former member of the Australian House of Representatives representing the Division of Macquarie, NSW, has been appointed CEO, of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), based in Blacktown.