Sydney Olympic Park. SilexSolar ceases

Silex Solar, Australia's only manufacturer of solar panels, has suspended manufacturing operations at Sydney Olympic Park, just months after discontinuing production of its in-house manufactured solar cells and the loss of about 30 manufacturing jobs. The Sydney Morning Herald states the park’s facility, previously a BP solar panel manufacturing plant, has ceased production operations and 45 jobs have been lost. The company said Chinese imports, the high dollar and a lack of support from state and federal governments were the reasons.

Region. Deals done

KinCare has leased 2161 square metres, in Norwest Business Park. The office space has been leased for a 10-year term at a net rent of $284 per square metre. Ikea has purchased a development site in the Sydney Business Park precinct at Marsden Park reportedly for $29.5 million. The 73,550-square-metre site has been purchased with the intention to build an Ikea “concept store”. Exalt Group has leased 3300 square metres, at Smeaton Grange. The warehouse has been leased for a 3-year term at an undisclosed rent. Hallite Seals Australia Pty Ltd has leased 1539 square metres, at Blacktown. The warehouse has been leased from Lend Lease for a 5- year term at a net rent of $110 per square metre. HeartWare International has leased 1400 square metre, at Wetherill Park. The industrial facility has been leased for a 3-year term at a net rent of $110 per square metre.

Noerh Ryde. Uni adopts new degree

Macquarie University has announced it will adopt a new postgraduate degree structure from 2013, making it the first Australian university to fully align with European, North Americans and Asian qualifications. The Academic Senate voted in favour of a new research training masters degree consistent with the well-known ‘Bologna model’. Deputy vice-chancellor (research), Professor Jim Piper, said that the new model demonstrates a commitment to research excellence, with the university offering a two-year masters degree as the standard pathway to PhD study, providing a more intensive research experience for students before beginning doctoral study.