Parramatta. The Octagon for sale

Expressions of interest have been called on The Octagon office building, which has frontages to Phillip and George streets, in the corporate precinct in the Parramatta CBD. The RTA, which contributes 86 per cent of rent, BankWest and Servcorp are among the tenants. About $8.3 million has been spent on refurbishment over the past four years.

Region. Support for Badgerys Creek

Political support is growing form a second Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek and a scoping study was unlikely to recommend a site at Wilton, said Chris Brown, an author of an $8 million joint federal and NSW government study on aviation capacity, according to The Australian Financial Review.

“I would be astounded if the Wilton study comes back saying there’s any chance at all of Wilton being able to host a second international airport for Sydney, based on topography, based on distance, based on growth corridors, based on everything. [Politicians] have to find the courage to come out and say no,” he said.

Region. Funds for housing

The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the Premier’s announcement that government buildings with a combined value of $300 million would be sold and the money redirected to kickstart housing infrastructure. Property to be sold in Western Sydney are Vacant land in the Parramatta Justice Precinct and the government offices at 2-6 Station Street, in Penrith.

Region. Hospital infrastructure

The NSW Government’s latest infrastructure report includes an expenditure of $486 million on three hospital projects: Blacktown Mt Druitt Hospital – Stage 1 expansion $300 million; completion expected by end of 2016; Campbelltown Hospital redevelopment $139 million; completion by 2016; Nepean Hospital – redevelopment Stage 3A (Mental Health Unit), $46.77 million; completion by mid 2013. A further $55 million is being spent on the Westmead Medical Research Institute’s new facility, $55 million; completion in 2014.