Region. Fewer beds,staff and GPs

An audit by the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) has found that Western Sydney had about 10 per cent fewer beds per 100,000 residents than eastern, northern and southern areas, and significantly fewer staff, 10.55 per 1000 patients compared to 11.18, even though more people use hospitals in the west. For the west to have the same proportion of beds as the rest of Sydney, 462 more would be needed at a cost of about $180 million a year. By 2036, the west’s population is expected to reach 2.68 million – up from 1.93 million – meaning 2473 more beds would be needed in the next 24 years. The report also revealed an under supply of GPs, with an average of one GP per 1049 people in Western Sydney, compared to one per 754 for the rest of Sydney.

Ryde. $350 million project

Lend Lease, as preferred developers, is on track to build a $350 million civic precinct for Ryde City Council, according to The Australian Financial Review. The company has proposed 622 apartments a council-owned 400-seat auditorium, meeting rooms, council chambers and administrative offices and a 1200-square-metre public square. Council will vote on the proposal this month.

Parramatta. 400 scholars at conference

Some 400 national and international scholars will attend the 19th biennial conference of the UWS Asian Studies Association of Australia, at the UWS Parramatta campus, on July 11-13. India will be the focus of the event.

Region. Strong economic area

A report commissioned by Parramatta City Council regards the area between Parramatta and Burwood as the Global Economic Western Corridor which is developing as a strong economic area in its own right. The corridor contained specialised centres at Westmead, Sydney Olympic Park and Rhodes. The corridor contains some of the most significant areas for further urban renewal along Parramatta Road, Parramatta River and the rail corridor.

Parramatta. Tender called soon

Parramatta City Council says an invitation to tender for the transport study of the Western Sydney Light Rail feasibility study will be release shortly along with commissions for economic, social, environmental and land use studies, and a communications package.