Noth Ryde. Media training

Macquarie University has partnered with national broadcaster SBS and the Ethnic Communities' Council of NSW (ECC) to offer free media training and mentoring for up to ten students who are commencing their first year in the university's media programs in 2012. The initiative has been developed in response to concerns about mainstream media portrayal of multicultural communities. It is specifically for Australian students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD), particularly those with a refugee background.

Region. Projects worth $1 billion

Residential Developer, Crown International Holdings Group, is building approximately $1 billion of apartments in the next two years in Parramatta, Rhodes and above the Top Ryde City shopping centre The company has received DA approval for a 25-storey mixed-use, residential, commercial and ground floor retail precinct, at 45 Macquarie Street, in the Parramatta CBD.

The approval was for the development of 370 apartments, 3000 square metres of commercial floor space, 1500 square metres of ground floor retail space. Construction is expected in early 2012. Estimated end value: $300 million. Crown Group acquired the site in July 2009 from Becton Property Group for $15 million.

Blue Mountains. Hotel for sale

The Victoria & Albert Hotel, in the Blue Mountains, is for sale at auction through CBRE Hotels. Built around 1914 and retaining many of its original features, the property has 26 guest rooms and 4-bed chalet accommodation.