Region. Distribution centre

Woolworths plans a new distribution centre in Western Sydney which will employ 350 people, part of the 10,000 new jobs to be created this financial year in Australia and New Zealand. The group plans to grow its total number of stores by 117, compared to 73 in financial year 2011.

Region. Deals done

Reflex Equip has leased 1840 square metres of industrial space, at 47 Frank Street, Wetherill Park, from Hultex Holdings for a 3-year term at an approximate rent of $95 [per square metre. An undisclosed private investor has purchased a 2534 square metre office/warehouse, at 6-7 Bushells Road, Wetherill Park from Altendorf for $3.75 million.

North Ryde. Funding for research

Over $6 million in funding has been given to Macquarie University research projects in the latest round of grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC). A total of 29 projects will receive ARC funding from 2012, encompassing areas such as astronomy, indigenous education and climate reconstructions.

Parramatta. 12 storey project

Parramatta City Council is considering an application, lodged by Vince Bilotta, for the construction of a 12 storey mixed use development with 88 dwellings, at 184 George Street, Parramatta. Estimated cost of work: $18.6 million.

North Ryde. First for Sydney

Macquarie University is planning to become the first Sydney university to adopt the controversial ‘‘Bologna model’’ and restructure its degrees, it announced yesterday. One element of the model is to replace the one-year honours degree with a two-year masters degree which the university said was more in line with institutions in North America, Europe and China.

Penrith. Opposition to disposal

Penrith City Council will write to Premier Barry O’Farrell stating its unanimous opposition to the dumping of any hazardous waste at Kemps Creek, “We have also sought an urgent report on the terminology used to ensure there is no confusion or semantics about the terms ‘hazardous’ versus ‘radioactive’,” Mayor Greg Davies said.

Parramatta. Top economist at forum

Economist Chris Richardson, director, of Deloitte Access Economics, will be guest speaker at the Parramasala Business Forum, in Parramatta, today. He will speak on the Rise of South Asia and the implications for Western Sydney. A panel will comprise Patricia Forysthe, executive director, of the Sydney Business Chamber, Neville Roach, advisory board chairman, of Tata Consultancy Services and Professor Peter Shergold, Chancellor, of Western Sydney University. Deloitte will present the forum.

Parramatta. Centre of education

Developing Parramatta as a centre of education excellence in health sciences, and the re-engineering of Parramatta River to link employment precincts via water transport, were just some ideas that flourished at an IBM Innovation Discovery Workshop held in Parramatta recently. Parramatta City Council, in partnership with IBM, hosted the two-day workshop, which offered over 100 key stakeholders from business, health, technology and education sectors to explore ideas for digital and social innovation in the city.

Region. Funds needed for projects

A CBRE report on the impact of transport infrastructure on industrial property has identified a number of major projects in Western Sydney, which require approval in readiness for funding through the proposed infrastructure bonds: the Southern Sydney Rail Freight line, the Intermodal Logistics Centre, at Enfield, the Moorebank Intermodal Freight, the Eastern Park Link Road, the widening of the M5 and the links from the M4 to the City Westlink The NSW Government has decided to offer bonds to raise capital specifically for infrastructure