Parramatta. $500,000 donation to UWS

The University of Western Sydney has received a $500,000 donation to help students learn more about Chinese culture and society from businessman and philanthropist William Chiu. In attendance at the presentation to vice-chancellor, Professor Jancie Reid, at the Parramatta campus, was Demin Zheng, Consul for Education, representing the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China, in Sydney, Professor Xiaojia Wang, head of education, Consulate of the People’s Republic of China, in Sydney, and Jim Harrowell, president of the Australia China Business Council in NSW.

North West. More buses for commuters

Twenty four new buses and 46 new services will be introduced in coming months to service Sydney’s north west during peak hours to meet demand for travel to the Sydney CBD, Macquarie Park and Parramatta.

Auburn. WOW outlet closes

Queensland-based retailer WOW Audio Visual Superstores Pty. Ltd will close all of its 15 stores, one of which is in Auburn, resulting in around 580 job losses. The company was placed into receivership on February 27, 2012 under the control of Ferrier Hodgson. The company owes unsecured creditors about $25 million.

Homebush. Lion signs on for 12 years

The Lion Group has fully leased GPT’s 12,200-square-metre project, at 5 Murray Rose Avenue, Homebush on a 12-year term. The building is due to complete in April. FDC has commenced work on a six-storey commercial building of circa 5800 square metres with completion due late 2012. In nearby Rhodes, the next project to complete will be Australand’s 17,700-square-metre speculative Building F, at Rhodes Corporate Park, which is due to complete in 2013.

Parramatta. Change of use

An application from Meriton Property Services to Parramatta City Council seeks to convert 24 residential apartments into 23 services apartments, in its property, on the corner of George and Charles streets, in the CBD.