Region. News Ltd wants space

News Ltd is looking for 2500 square metres to 12,000 square metres of high-grade office space, in a building with large footplates, to lease in the medium to long-term, in Western Sydney, as well as Chatswood. Industry sources suggest the space could be used to house its NSW community news group, NewsLocal, formerly know as Cumberland Courier Newspapers, which is now currently headquartered at 142 Macquarie Street, Parramatta. In 2011, approval was granted for stage 1 for the demolition and construction of stage 1, of a six-storey retail/commercial building, and stage 2 conceptual approval for stage 2, a 37,873-square-metre commercial building. Estimated cost of the work: $52 million.

North Ryde. Uni in top 2 per cent

Macquarie University has been named in the top 2 per cent of universities worldwide in 13 different disciplines according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject. Using data from research citations and global surveys of academics and employers, QS ranked its top 200 universities in 29 different subject areas. Last year Macquarie was ranked Number 1 in Australia and New Zealand and 14th in the world by the UK Times Higher Education for citations impact in environmental science and ecology research.

Parramatta. Conference attracts 400 speakers

An international conference hosted by the University of Western Sydney will see experts from Australia and abroad outline new ways to better understand Asia in the Asian Century. The Knowing Asia: Asian Studies in an Asian Century conference will be held at the UWS Parramatta campus from July 11 – 13. More than 400 speakers, including some of Asia's most distinguished thinkers, will address the critical issues now facing one of the fastest changing regions in the world today, and reflect upon the challenges and opportunities Asia poses to Australia.

Parramatta. 334-seat restaurant

Marrace Pty Ltd has made an application to Parramatta City Council for alterations and additions to a vacant commercial building, owned by council, to be used as a restaurant with198 seats in the indoor seating area and 80 seats in the mezzanine seating area to be constructed, providing a total of 278 seats indoors. The outdoor dining area is to contain 56 seats. In total the proposal comprises 334 seats.

Parramatta. Roof top gardens

Parramatta City Council will consider a motion at its meeting on July 9 that a report be prepared outlining the costs and incentives required to encourage the installation of rooftop gardens on apartment buildings.