Region. Productive farmland

The large areas of farmland in Western Sydney include some of the most productive agricultural land in Australia, according to a WSROC submission to the National Food Plan Green Paper. The agricultural industry, which is comprised mainly of fresh fruit and vegetables, poultry, horticulture and turf farms, is worth around $1.5 billion a year. The region produces 12 per cent of NSW’s total agricultural production and employs 11 per cent of the state’s workforce. In addition, the Sydney region contributes over 15 percent of NSW’s total vegetable production.

Region. Asian food production

Peri-urban agriculture needs to be recognised for the important role it plays in the economy, not just in growing food for local use but in the potential for exports and employment. For example 90 per cent of NSW’s supply of Asian vegetables is grown in the Sydney basin, which could have export potential to China and other areas, and the food processing industry is a significant proportion of Western Sydney’s manufacturing base which is still the region’s largest employer, according to a WSROC submission to the National Food Plan Green Paper.

Moorebank. Air quality assessment

A spokesperson for the proposed federal government’s intermodal terminal at Moorebank has rejected comments from Liverpool City Council general manager, Farooq Portelli, that the air quality assessment will not include "all potential pollution occurring from an intermodal facility".

Liverpool. PM to open institute

The $50 milion Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, in Liverpool, is making final preparations ahead of its official opening next Tuesday. Prime Minister Julia Gillard will do the honours. The new laboratories are equipped with some of the most high-tech equipment in the country and the facility will become home to about 200 researchers.