Region. Investment in rail

Premier Barry O’Farrell will lead trade missions to China, India and the United Arab Emirates this year seeking interest in investment in infrastructures projects, such as, the north-west and south-west rail links.

Homebush. Plan for 650 units

The Department of Planning has on public exhibition, until February 29, a concept plan application for a mixed-use development consisting of five buildings with eight towers, ranging in height from two to 21 storeys, at Columbria Precinct, Parramatta, Road, Homebush. The plan provides approximately 650 residential units, 17,240 square metres of commercial floorspace, 4800 square metres of retail floorspace, 920 square metres of community space, and basement parking for approximately 800 vehicles. The proponents are David Lhuede Pty Ltd, Kennards Self Storage and Hai Phong Properties.

Region. Water entitlements purchased

The Office of Environment and Heritage has purchased 4900 megalitres of river water entitlements from water users across the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment, at a cost of $5.7 million, as part of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River recovery Program. The water was previously available for licence holders to extract for irrigation and other purposes. Now the water purchases will be reserved for environmental flows

Parramatta. Rudd at Lunar function

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd, will be guest speaker at the Lunar New Year function of the Asia Business Connection on February 2, at the Parkroyal Parramatta. In addition, Adam Liaw - winner of Australia's MasterChef Series 2, 2010 - will share his journey from being a successful corporate lawyer to a man who made his dreams a reality.