Region. Properties in the west

Listed property giant, GPT Group, has purchased two properties, the Blue Star Print Group’s property in Silverwater, and the ASICS Oceania headquarters, at Eastern Creek, $53.6 million. Pharmaceuticals distributor, AM Solutions, has secured a 6325-square-metre industrial property, at Glendenning, for $632,500 a year net, according to The Australian Financial Review.

Region. Promoting the region

Western Sydney must have its own separate regional development authority (RDA) to oversee the regeneration and promotion of the region into the nation’s leading economic powerhouse, according to a report commissioned by the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC). “Our region’s economy is already worth $85 billion a year – making it the nation’s third largest after Sydney and Melbourne – and yet the city of Melbourne has four separate RDAs. But for too long Western Sydney has just been regarded as a giant dormitory for the Sydney CBD. It is time it was recognised in its own right and on its own merits,” said. Clr Alison McLaren, WSROC president. Clr McLaren said WSROC had taken the first steps to promote the region in commissioning a Future Directions paper which identified a series of key steps to building a new identity for the region.

Sydney Olympic Park. Redevelopment of site

Property developer Capital Corporation has received approval for the redevelopment of AXIS @ Sydney Olympic Park, located at 2 Australia Avenue. This is the first site within Sydney Olympic Park to be converted from leasehold to freehold. Capital Corporation was able to successfully negotiate the conversion during the process of acquiring the adjoining 3115 square metres of land from Sydney Olympic Park Authority, on the corner of Australia Avenue and Herb Elliot Drive. The redevelopment is a master planned, three-stage, 40,000-square-metre commercial development. It will consist of two towers overlooking a central piazza and landscaped surrounds connected via common basement parking.

Penrith. New jobs in the city

Sydney West Constructions, a family-owned business based in Penrith and anchor tenant of a new AMF ten-pin bowling centre, in Jamisontown, which is expected to hire 70 jobs. McDonald’s new restaurant, in North Penrith, has engaged 130 staff and nine managers. It is expected the restaurant will have a major spin off for other businesses in the area.

Sydney Olympic Park. Quest to open soon

Quest at Sydney Olympic Park is expected to open in late October, comprising 140 fully self-contained apartments. Quest,Australia's largest serviced accommodation provider has properties in Western Sydney in Campbelltown, Castle Hill, North Ryde and Rosehill.

Parramatta. $1 million to bury pipeline

Parramatta City Council will investigate the options regarding the relocation of the 500mm diameter sewer pipeline which crosses the Parramatta River, underneath the Barry Wilde Bridge, in the CBD. The pipeline and the adjacent footbridge present a barrier to floodwaters. An engineering report indicated that the pipeline could be buried under the river at an approximate cost of $1 million.