Winton. Elders not consulted

The chief executive of the Thurawal Local Aboriginal Land Council, Greg Bondar said the federal government had made no attempt to contact the land council regarding the proposed airport at Wilton. “It's a total disregard for the community, both the traditional and the current," he said.

Richmond/ RAAF base could be modernised

The RAAF supports opening up the Richmond base to civil access, as it is compatible with its plans for a reduced presence and would extend the life of the RAAF base at the location, said the authors of the Joint Study on aviation capacity for the Sydney region. It said RAAF Richmond could be modernised for as little as $150 million to handle around a million passengers a year. Providing civilian access to the site based on use of the existing runway would serve the growth of North West Sydney and Western Sydney.” the study said

Liverpool. Blocking access denied

Heavy vehicles and semi-trailers will travel up and down several local roads during the construction of the Southern Sydney Freight Line after Liverpool Council was unsuccessful in blocking access to the vehicles. There will be 10 to 40 truck movements daily. The Southern Freight Link, an alliance between Australian Rail Track Corporation and Leighton Contractors, is building the freight line. Access to the freight line through the local roads will be allowed until February next year

Liverpool. Town the size of Wagga

A town the size of Wagga Wagga is to be built on land at Austral and Leppington North with rezoning expected later this year. “All together there will be potential for 16,500 homes in Austral and Leppington North," Paul Robilliard from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure said at a Liverpool Chamber of Commerce meeting. He said the Leppington Major Town Centre will attract about 13,000 jobs and include a TAFE and a major health facility

Chipping Norton. DLP revived

Chipping Norton local Michael Byrne will revive the Democratic Labor Party in Liverpool. No stranger to politics, Mr Byrne will start a Liverpool branch of the DLP before the September 8 local government election. Mr Byrne, who previously stood as an independent at state and council elections, said he felt the two major parties were not suitable options for Liverpool. He said the main aim of the branch would be to fight the Moorebank Intermodal freight projects.

Schofields. Land release rezoned

TheSchofields land release has been rezoned paving the way for more than 3000 homes. Planning Minister Brad Hazzard said the 465-hectare precinct will beome a community of about 8000 people when fully developed. “The Mirimba Education precinct which includes two high schools, a TAFE college and a [UWS] university campus is included within the Schofields Precinct boundarÿ,” the minister said. The development could provide more than 10,000 jobs.

Parramatta. Attraction program

Parramatta City Council will mount a business attraction program to encourage businesses and investors to come to Parramatta, Lord Mayor, Lorraine Wearne, said at the Parramatta Economic Development Forum

Rydalmere. UWS acquiring 21 hectares

The University of Western Sydney is currently is in the process of acquiring 21 hectares of land adjoining it Parramatta campus, at Rydalmere. “Their plans have opened up the prospect of a knowledge-based business park, at Rydalmere, with strong links to the university’s research centres, following in the footsteps of Macquarie Park at Ryde,” said Parramatta City Council CEO, Dr Robert Lang, at the Parramatta Economic Development Forum. He said such a precinct could support another 11,000 new knowledge jobs and add 20 per cent to the overall output of Parramatta.

Parrammatta. Decisions required now.

Transformative decision are required now to create a sustainable Sydney, a liveable global city for business and residents alike. “Our transport networks need to have a polycentric focus and provide the proper support for Sydney's two CBDs. Parramatta needs to be the central transport connection and through the development of stronger north-south links, we can better connect residents to jobs, education, health and other services,” Parramatta City Council’s CEO, Dr Robert Lang, said at the Parramatta Economic Development Forum.