Region. Funds for infrastructure

The NSW government will spend more than $650 million over the next financial year on renewing Sydney Water’s critical infrastructure and expanding into new urban growth areas. “This year $101.2 million will be invested in new systems in urban growth areas, such as the North and South West Growth Centres, to support residential and commercial development,” the Minister for Finance and Services, Greg Pearce, said.

Region. Funds for rail links

The NSW Budget includes $397 million for the South West Rail Link, with a total four-year spend of $1.4 billion, and $360 million for the North West Rail Link in 2012-13, with a total four-year spend $3.3 billion. 248 million for M2, M5 and F5 motorway upgrades, including building the Erskine Park Link Road.

Region. New urban body

A centrepiece of the NSW Budget is the Building the State package, which includes the creation of Urbangrowth NSW – a new agency blending Landcom, based in Parramatta, and the Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority to drive urban renewal and land release, Urbangrowth NSW will integrate Landcom and the Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority as a new driver for housing and precinct delivery. The Budget also contains $75 million through the Sydney Region Development Fund to acquire land for regional open space and transport corridors. The government intends to have the new organisation up and running by mid July.

Penrith. Digital strategy

Penrith City Council has commissioned Attentive Consulting, digital local government experts, to develop a digital economy strategy for the Penrith local government area. The consultation will involve a series of interactive public and business workshops where participants will have the opportunity to express their views on the potential opportunities presented by the introduction of the NBN and other digital technologies in the Penrith region.

Parramatta. Council in Singapore

Parramatta City Council will attend the 2012 Real Estate Conference and Exhibition, in Singapore, from 27-28 June 2012 conference as a trade exhibitor. The Lord Mayor, Lorraine Wearne, CEO, Dr Robert Lang, and up to three relevant staff will represent council at the conference. The event provides an opportunity to engage and interact with industry leaders from around the world, learn about the recent trends in the Asia-Pacific property market and help position Parramatta as an attractive investment destination, council said.

North West. Interest on the rise

Buyers in Sydney’s north-west suburbs is one the rise, as the development of the long-promised North West Rail Link looks ever more certain, according to The Australian Financial Review. Transport NSW proposes to hold an industry briefing on the 23-kilometre link, on June 26.

Parramatta. Bid for A-League team

Parramatta City Council will present a proposal to the Football Federation Australia to base the Western Sydney A-League team at Parramatta stadium. The package, valued at over $100,000, includes office and retail space in a council-owned building, rent free for 12 months and assistance in promoting the team. “We expect at least 10 games to be played at the stadium each season. Our modelling suggests a Parramatta-based A-League team will generate about $2 million for the local economy for each home game, which is equivalent to nine new jobs per game,” Lord Mayor, Lorraine Wearne, said. A decision is expected by June 25.