Moorebank. Assessment lodged

Qube Logistics and QR National have submitted an environmental assessment of their plans for a freight terminal, at Moorebank, to the Department of Planning and the Environment. Qube and QR plan to operate the terminal jointly for at least 10 years, according to The Australian Financial Review.

Region. Invest in urban renewal

Nick Greiner, Infrastructure NSW chairman and former NSW premier, has urged the NSW government to invest in urban renewal in areas such as Western Sydney to boost economic activity across the state. Infrastructure NSW will release a 20-year plan for NSW in September.

Region. Upgrades for hospitals

The NSW government has stepped up its financial commitment to hospitals in the region. An upgrade worth $280 million will go to Blacktown Hospital with the remaining $20 million to be spent at Mt Druitt Hospital..Work would begin in August at Blacktown and in November at Mt Druitt. The upgrades are due to be complete by 2016. The NSW government contributed $42.6 million as part of a $130 million investment in the redevelopment of Nepean Hospital. The $87 million E wing surgical complex was officially opened recently.

Region. Employer of choice

The University of Western Sydney has been recognised with an Employer of Choice for Women (EOCFW) citation for the ninth consecutive year. “The Employer of Choice for Women citation is a significant honour. I am particularly proud that it recognises the university’s commitment to reducing the gender pay equity gap as well as its record of having one of the highest levels of representation of senior women across the tertiary sector,” said UWS acting vice-chancellor, Professor Wayne McKenna.

Parramatta. Upgrades of properties easier

Parramatta City Council is one of only two councils in NSW – the other is Sydney City Council – to establish environmental upgrade agreements (EUAs), which aim to make it easier for building owners to implement upgrades to their properties. Council said EUAs in Parramatta’s CBD alone can potentially attract $150 million of investment in building upgrades; create148 full-time jobs; and reduce building owners’ outgoing costs by $26 million through water and electricity savings. A EUA is an agreement between a building owner, financier and the local council to finance building upgrades to existing non-residential buildings.

Region. Freight terminals

Sydney Ports Corporation says freight terminals at Moorebank and Eastern Creek are required “within two to three years” to support the state government’s target to double the proportion of rail freight to and from Port Botany to 28 per cent by 2020.