Liverpool. More than $1m for institute

Bob Ingham, owner of Inghams Enterprises based in Liverpool, donated $1 million to the Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, in Liverpool, at the Narellan Rotary Club’s Annual Night to Remember charity ball. Long-time supporter Lady Mary Fairfax gave $150,000. This is the fourth year that both donors made a contribution to the institute. “The awarding of these funds comes at a very important time for the institute, helping to further speed up the translation of the institute's discoveries into benefits for patients and the wider community," said institute chairman, Terry Goldacre.

Parramatta. New facilitator

Ian Frame is the new facilitator at the Western Sydney Manufacturers Connection, a group within the Parramatta-based Western Sydney Business Connection. He will foster links between manufacturing leaders, facilitating discussion on issues impacting in Western Sydney as well as encouraging development of business-to-business with a strong focus on those companies involved in manufacturing in Western Sydney. Mr Frame, who had worked in the Australian building industry for 40 years, retired in 2009.

Ermington. Six sites for sale

Defence Housing Australia has six lots for sale on the former Ermington Naval Stores site, on the northern banks of the Parramatta River, at Ermington. The sites, to be sold separately or in one line, range from 2019 square metres to 9462 square metres. The site, with a total area of 20,385 square metres, is zoned R4 High Density.

Top Ryde. EOI in shopping centre

Expressions of interest are expected to be called in the Top Ryde shopping centre. Jones Lang Ls Salle is expected to call for expressions of interest on August 23 in the centre which cost $800 million to develop, and was valued in May around $300 million. Numerous potential buyers have taken a look since administrators, BRI Ferrier, took control of the centre in February 2011, The Australian Financial Review said.

Region. Less prestigious place

The perception of Western Sydney or its “stigma” as a less prestigious business location, particularly in comparison to Sydney’s Global Corridor and the Sydney CBD, is a key issue when trying to attract service and knowledge based jobs, according to Strategies for Change/Arup report for the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils.

Parramatta,.Expansion by Deloitte

Professional services firm, Deloitte, will boost its presence in Parramatta by taking 5800 square metres – up 86 per cent – when it relocates to the $170 million Eclipse Tower, next February. Deloitte, the only “big four” accounting firm in Western Sydney plans to boost staff numbers in its Parramatta office by 127 per cent, to 500 people by 2015. Deloitte also plans to enlarge its footprint with a “hub and spoke” strategy aimed at flying the flag in other locations across the region to meet the demand for professional services.

Liverpool. Boost in retail spending

Retail expenditure in the Liverpool catchment area is estimated to increase by a massive 77 per cent over the next two decades thanks to population growth and increasing affluence. A Hill PDA report estimated retail spending in the catchment generated around $4.5 billion, in 2011, which is forecast to increase to $8 billion, by 2031. These figures are contained in the Liverpool Retail Centres Hierarchy Report, which was commissioned by Liverpool City Council.