Parra Mattas

Region. Housing affordability

2012-02-17T07:51:00.000+11:00

One of the key issues affecting the lives of Western Sydney households, and one which is frequently in the news, is the issue of housing affordability. The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) is planning a high profile summit on this issue for March 26. A range of top-line speakers is being invited with a view to addressing the key factors affecting affordability as a message for government action at both state and federal levels.

Region. New board member

2012-02-17T07:50:00.001+11:00

Brian McHenry, of Lilianfels, in the Blue Mountains, has been appointed a member of the Tourism Industry Council NSW. He joins Barry Baillie, of the Caravan and Camping Industry Association NSW, at Rosehill, who is deputy chairman of the council. “Having board directors from a wide professional cross section of the industry located at destinations such as the Blue Mountains, Port Macquarie, Tweed Heads, South Coast, Pokolbin and Sydney is a great sign of our maturity and position across the industry in this state”, said council GM, Andrew Jefferies.

Region. Jobs to go

2012-02-17T07:49:00.000+11:00

More than 100 jobs are to be shed at its Bonds and Berlei distribution centres in Sydney. Eighteen forklift drivers and packers from the Berlei distribution centre, at Wentworthville, and 88 at the Bonds distribution centre, at Minto, are to be shed. A new distribution centre will be in Melbourne. "It's close to rail, it's close to the air and it's close to the sea, It will allow us to operate a lot more efficiently," a Pacific Brands’ spokesperson said.

Region. Best vacancy rates

2012-02-17T07:48:00.000+11:00

The latest rental vacancy data released by REINSW has revealed Sydney’s best vacancy rates since August 2006. The January rental vacancy rate for the Sydney metropolitan area rose by 0.3 per cent to 1.9 per cent, the largest single increase since July 2010.

All areas of Sydney recorded increases in the percentage of rental properties available: Inner suburbs (0-10km from CBD) rose 0.2 to 1.7 per cent; Middle suburbs (10-25km from CBD) rose 0.1 to 2.1 per cent; Outer suburbs (more than 25 km from CBD) rose 0.4 to 1.8 per cent

Region. Consultation forums

2012-02-17T07:47:00.000+11:00

NSW Trade & Investment will hold a Manufacturing Industry Consultation Forum, at the Campbelltown Arts Centre, between 2.00-4.00pm, on March 13, and a Digital Economy Industry Consultation Forum, at the NSW Trade & Investment Centre, North Parramatta, between 12.00-2.00pm, on March 15.

Region. Arthouse films in the suburbs

2012-02-16T11:15:00.003+11:00

Event Cinemas has commenced programming arthouse and quality films in Parramatta, Castle Hill and Campbelltown, is response to customer demand. Paul Brennan, manager of boutique operations, at Events Cinemas”believes a large number of discerning filmgoers has been neglected for years (in the suburbs). They are largely female, well educated and conservative.

Newington, New CEO

2012-02-16T11:13:00.000+11:00

Polly Bennett has been appointed CEO, of the NSW Food Authority and will commence duty on March 5. Ms Bennett has been working at a senior executive level for more than 20 years in both the public and private sectors and has strong business, communication and planning skills.

She has a wealth of experience in both state and local government with broad knowledge of the resources, agricultural and infrastructure sectors. Most recently she worked at Caltex Australia, as Manager Government Relations. She has also held senior positions with Sydney Ports Corporation and the ACT government.

Penrith. Authority seeks CEO

2012-02-16T11:12:00.000+11:00

The Sydney Catchment Authority, based in Penrith, is seeking a CEO. The organisation is responsible for managing and protecting the bulk water supply for more than 4.5 million customers across Greater Sydney It has a budget of $130 million with a workforce of 250 people.

Region. Airport report ticked off

2012-02-15T08:33:00.002+11:00

The final draft from the task force looking at a second airport for Sydney, is believed to have been ticked off and will go to transport ministers within the next fortnight, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The paper said measures to boost the capacity at Mascot would include regional airlines moved out of Sydney Airport and temporarily based at either RAAF Base Richmond or an expanded Bankstown airport until a full second airport became operational, either at Badgerys Creek or a second option in the Nepean area.

Parramatta. In the running for awards

2012-02-15T08:32:00.000+11:00

Parramatta legal firm, Coleman Greig Lawyers has been named a finalist in two categories of the BRW Client Choice Awards. The awards are one of the most prestigious recognition programs for professional services firms in Australia. The firm has been recognised alongside a number of other prominent firms in the following categories: Best law firm (in Australia) – revenue less than $50 million, and Best professional services firm (in Australia) as rated by the manufacturing, wholesale and retail sector. The winner in each category will be announced at BRW’s Annual Gala Dinner, on 14 March.

Epping. Town centre works

2012-02-14T08:18:00.000+11:00

Parramatta City Council has committed about $900k to the rejuvenation works to the Epping Town Centre, which will commence this week aimed at improving accessibility and public amenity. The work expected to be completed by the end of September 2012.

Macquarie Park Optus switches printers

2012-02-14T08:16:00.000+11:00

Optus, based at Macquarie Park, is believed to be on the verge of signing with Stream Solutions for its $10 million print management contract, previously held by Blue Star IQ. Details remain scarce, with Optus refusing to comment, and Stream Solutions general manager Clive Steele saying he was unable to comment due to a confidentiality agreement.

However, credible industry sources have told ProPrint that Stream has won all of the telco giant's consumer graphic design and print work in a deal valued at almost $10 million per year – though contracts are yet to be signed. The contract would consolidate the telecom company's print at Stream,

Wetherill Park. Into administration

2012-02-14T08:14:00.002+11:00

Bedding chain Sleep City, at Wetherill Park, has been placed in administration amid a continuing downturn in the retail market. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has been appointed voluntary administrator of parent company Furniture and Bedding Concepts Ltd and four other related entities. PwC partners Michael Fung, Greg Hall and Guy Edwards say they had taken control of the 64-store chain, which has about 450 employees.

In its most recent accounts, for the year ending June 30, 2010, Sleep City declared a loss of $25 million, a net asset deficiency of more than $55 million and a debt to a related party of more than $52 million. The company said it was economically dependent on its parent, Chinese company Sunbridge Industrial Group, which had provided it with a letter promising continued financial support.

North Ryde,. Hunt fore site

2012-02-14T08:13:00.000+11:00

Stamford Land Corporation, Australasia’s largest independent owner-operator of hotels, and property developer, is on the hunt in North Ryde as it advances plans to redevelop its existing hotel, the Stamford North Ryde, into a 625-apartment complex.

Region. Chambers celebrate

2012-02-13T07:12:00.000+11:00

The Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce marks its 85th anniversary on February14 and the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce celebrates 100 years in the city on February 17.

Blue Mountains. $250,000 grant for projects

2012-02-13T07:10:00.000+11:00

Touch screens, iPhone apps and a loyalty rewards program are among the first local projects to be funded under a $5 million state government program to boost regional tourism, with the Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism has received $250,000 in grants through the Regional Tourism Product Development Funding.

Westmead. $10 million grant

2012-02-13T07:09:00.000+11:00

Professor Phil O’Çonnell, director of the Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research’s Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, is part of a select team of Australian researchers which has received a $10 million National Health and Medical Research (NHMRC) grant from the Australian Government to work on a cure for diabetes.

The team brings together world-renowned Australian researchers who are looking at the role of genetics and autoimmunity that causes diabetes, and the use of pigs to grow replacement insulin-producing cells as a novel treatment for diabetes. Prof O’Connell’s role is in the transplantation and treatment aspects of the program.

Parramatta. Approvals up

2012-02-13T07:08:00.000+11:00

The value of non-residential building approvals by Parramatta City Council was $152.1 million over the year to September 2011, representing a significant annual increase of 38.7 per cent from the value of approvals for the year to September 2010, $109.6 million.

Blacktown. Possible expansion of suburb

2012-02-13T07:07:00.001+11:00

Landcom has asked Blacktown City Council for permission to expand The Ponds by more than a third - from 320 hectares to 465 hectares.to 465. If the request is granted, the suburb will spread from its current western boundary on Ridgeline Drive all the way to Hambledon Rd, taking in a part of Schofields. Landcom said Hambledon Rd, being a future main road, presented a more logical boundary for the suburb.

Noth Ryde. Media training

2012-02-09T08:05:00.000+11:00

Macquarie University has partnered with national broadcaster SBS and the Ethnic Communities' Council of NSW (ECC) to offer free media training and mentoring for up to ten students who are commencing their first year in the university's media programs in 2012. The initiative has been developed in response to concerns about mainstream media portrayal of multicultural communities. It is specifically for Australian students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD), particularly those with a refugee background.

Region. Projects worth $1 billion

2012-02-09T08:04:00.000+11:00

Residential Developer, Crown International Holdings Group, is building approximately $1 billion of apartments in the next two years in Parramatta, Rhodes and above the Top Ryde City shopping centre The company has received DA approval for a 25-storey mixed-use, residential, commercial and ground floor retail precinct, at 45 Macquarie Street, in the Parramatta CBD.

The approval was for the development of 370 apartments, 3000 square metres of commercial floor space, 1500 square metres of ground floor retail space. Construction is expected in early 2012. Estimated end value: $300 million. Crown Group acquired the site in July 2009 from Becton Property Group for $15 million.

Blue Mountains. Hotel for sale

2012-02-09T08:02:00.001+11:00

The Victoria & Albert Hotel, in the Blue Mountains, is for sale at auction through CBRE Hotels. Built around 1914 and retaining many of its original features, the property has 26 guest rooms and 4-bed chalet accommodation.

Erskine Park. Chemical storage facility

2012-02-08T07:59:00.001+11:00

The Department of Planning and Infrastructure is considering an application by Prime Constructions for a proposed chemical storage facility within an approved warehouse complex , in the WestPark Industrial Estate, at Erskine Park. Warehouse B1 will comprise 20,000 square metres warehouse storage and 650 square metres office. It will also include 18 loading docks. It is proposed that the facility will be leased by DHL Supply Chain (Australia Pty Ltd).

Westmead. Community partnership

2012-02-08T07:58:00.000+11:00

The Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI), at Westmead, and Sydney FC have launched a community partnership to raise awareness of research that offers real hope for one in 20 children born with a genetic disease or birth defect. CMRI, Australia’s first dedicated paediatric research facility, employs more than 100 fulltime scientists and PhD students.

Parramatta. New man at the helm

2012-02-08T07:57:00.000+11:00

The board of the Parramatta Eels has appointed Bob Bentley as CEO, of the Parramatta Eels Football Club and Parramatta Leagues Club. Mr Bentley has served as the leagues club CEO since April 2010 and as acting Eels CEO since December 2011 following the resignation of Paul Osborne.

“The leagues club and the football club are intrinsically linked so it makes sense, with the right support structure in place, for us to have a CEO who can implement the board’s strategic direction in both areas,” said Eels chairman, Roy Spagnolo.

North Ryde. Tyrell's takes space

2012-02-07T08:31:00.000+11:00

Tyrell’s Vineyard has leased 306 square metre of office space in Rydecorp, in Macquarie Park, for five years at a rent of $295 per square metre, from Australian Unity Property Investment Management.

West Concord. Westpac building for sale

2012-02-07T08:28:00.002+11:00

The National Stock Exchange-listed Australian Property Growth Fund (APGF) has listed the Westpac Concord campus, in Concord West, for sale with the expectations of around $55 million, according to The Australian Financial Review. The property has about 15,700 square metres of office space and 485 car parking spaces. The building houses back office and call centre staff. Westpac has a lease for a further 10 years plus two five-year options. APGF bought the complex for $60.75 million in 2007.

Sydney Olympic Park. 5000 participants

2012-02-07T08:27:00.000+11:00

Gymnastics Australia will hold the combined 2120 Australian Championships of five gymnastics sports and the Olympic Selection trials for Men’s Gymnastics, Women’s Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Trampolining, in a 10-day festival of gymnastics at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, from 21 May to 2 June. The championships are expected to attract up to 2000 participants and 45,000 spectators.

North Ryde. Expansion of service

2012-02-07T08:24:00.000+11:00

Access Macquarie Ltd (Access MQ) has announced an expansion of its innovation and commercialisation service provision. MTBI, the Macquarie Technology Business Incubator. MTBI has contracted Alchemy Equities to provide advisory services to its clients and businesses in Sydney’s north.

Access MQ is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Macquarie University and serves as a link between academics and researchers from Macquarie University and Australian industry. The incubator services include assisting with finding expertise for research projects as well as virtual and serviced office provision.

Sydney Olympic Park. 8-storey project

2012-02-07T08:23:00.000+11:00

The NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure is considering an application for an 8-storey mixed commercial and retail development of 16,749 square metres with two levels of basement car parking, in Sydney Olympic Park. The retail uses proposed included a 785 square metres ground floor supermarket.

Penrith. ATO building sold

2012-02-07T08:22:00.000+11:00

A private investor has bought the office building containing the Australian Tax Office, in Penrith, for about $31 million, from Australian Unity’s unlisted diversified property fund. The building in Henry Street is an A-grade commercial building with a net lettable area of about 15,416 square metres, and 100 underground car spaces.

Marsden Park IKEA to expand

2012-02-06T06:34:00.003+11:00

IKEA is expected to lodge a DA with Blacktown City Council for a new store at Marden Park. The 36,000-square-metre store on Richmond Road will be similar in size to that recently opened at Tempe. Work is expected to commence late this year with an expected opening in 2014-15. IKEA is looking for a fourth store in the est or southwest.MD, David Hood said IKEA had to open more stores because its store at Rhodes was overcrowded.

Prospect. $100 million theme park

2012-02-06T06:07:00.000+11:00

Construction of the $100 million Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney theme park, at Prospect, by Village Roadshow, is expected to begin in a few months in time to open by September 2013. The Department of Planning approved an application in December for the design, construction and operation of stages 1 and 2. The application also sought approval for a Complying Development Code for the future development of Stage 3. The theme park has leased 25 hectares of land from the Western Sydney Parklands Trust. Village is reported to have said 300 jobs would be created during construction and operation of the park and $500 million would be injected into the Western Sydney economy in the first 10 years.

Parramatta. Graduates join Sydney Water

2012-02-06T06:06:00.000+11:00

Eighteen graduates from Sydney and the Illawarra have joined Sydney Water’s 2012 Graduate Program. Kevin Young, managing director of Sydney Water, in Parramatta, said the program employs graduates in a range of fields including engineering, science, commerce and communications. “Sydney Water’s graduates take on a new role every six to 12 months during the three year program, giving them experience in a number of different areas within their field of expertise, he said.

Region. Quicker housing approvals

2012-02-06T06:05:00.000+11:00

Camden, Campbelltown Holroyd and Penrith councils have been selected for an expansion of the Electronic Housing Code, which when operational will allow families to get their home approved in a few days. “Once the code expansion is in place in these council areas, families will be able to get new home and home renovation approvals at the touch of a button,” The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Brad Hazzard, said.

Parramatta. 50 years in the city

2012-02-06T06:03:00.000+11:00

MatthewsFolbigg, a leading legal practice in Parramatta, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year. The practice has grown rapidly since its early beginnings in 1962 when two brothers, Brian and John Folbigg, established one of the first specialist property law practices in Parramatta. Paul Matthews began his practice in Blacktown in 1970, specialising in areas of property and commercial law. The two practices merged in 1997 to form MatthewsFolbigg.

Oatlands. EOI in Oatlands House

2012-02-06T06:02:00.000+11:00

Expressions of interest close on March 1 in the award winning function and reception centre, Oatlands House, which sits on 1.43 hectares within the Oatlands Golf Course. Captain Percy Simpson built the house in the 1830s. He came to Australia in 1822 to take up an appointment as commandant of the convicts’ settlement at Wellington. One of his sons, Sir George Bowen Simpson, was born at Oatlands and became the judge of the colony at the age of 28.

Parramatta. EOI vacancies

2012-02-06T06:01:00.001+11:00

Parramatta. EOI in vacancies

The Parramatta Park Trust has called for expressions of interest for three part-time vacancies on the atatutory body responsible for historic Parramatta Park, an 85-hectare World Heritage Listed parklands estate.

Parramatta. Office vacancy rate

2012-02-02T09:07:00.002+11:00

The vacancy rate in Parramatta decreased from 9.3 percent to 9.1 percent in the six months to January 2012, its lowest level since July 2008. The decrease was due solely to positive demand, with net absorption of 1,063 square metres in the past six months, according to the Property Council of Australia Market Report.

NSW executive director, Glenn Byres, said 25,050 square metres of space is scheduled to enter the Parramatta market in 2012, nothing is scheduled to come online in 2013, 3000 square metres of projects are planned to be completed from 2014 onwards, and 61,905 square metres of space is mooted.

Regioon. Hotels for sale

2012-02-02T09:07:00.000+11:00

Half of the NLG Hotel Group’s hotel up for sale, through CBRE, are in Western Sydney: Eastwood Hotel, Mt Annan Club Hotel, Royal Hotel Granville, Campbelltown Club hotel, Doonside Hotel, El Cortez Hotel Canley Vale, Keighery Hotel Auburn, Leumeah Club Hotel, Oasis Hotel Bankstown and St Marys Hotel.

Six of a further 11 hotels leased from independent landlords in Western Sydney are for sale: Cabramatta Hotel, Wattle Grove Club Hotel, Royal Hotel Ryde, Cedars Tavern Mt Druitt, Lidcombe Hotel and Brewhouse Lalor Park.

Ermington. 190 jobs to go

2012-02-02T08:18:00.000+11:00

Reckitt Benckiser, which has been making the products since 1963, will axe 190 manufacturing jobs at its Ermington factory. Its products, fly spray Mortein and disinfectant Dettol, will be made offshore from July. A sales force of 300 people will be retained. "Australia's geographical distance from other markets and our relatively small domestic market has made it increasingly difficult to embed our operations into these global arrangements," said. CEO, Lindsay Forrest.

Norwest. Relocation to business park

2012-02-02T08:17:00.001+11:00

Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd, a leading supplier of aggregates, concrete (readymix) and concrete pipe and products, will relocate its Parramatta and Penrith offices to Norwest Business Park. The company, which has leased 1500 square metres in the Vintage building, an A-grade building of 12,278 square metres, has taken a seven-lease at $260 a square metre. The company, which has its Australian head office at Chatswood, has a quarry at Marulan and a distribution centre at Rooty Hill.

Westmead. Plans for UWS site

2012-02-01T08:03:00.000+11:00

The University of Western Sydney will hold an information session, on February 8, regarding its long-term planning process to create a vibrant town centre while retaining an educational presence on the site. The first step in the planning process will be to rezone the land to allow the delivery of a mixed-use development which would include offices, shops and housing.

Sydney Olympic Park. Rebel Sport continues

2012-02-01T08:02:00.000+11:00

Rebel Sport will continue to will operate the ANZ Stadium’s merchandise outlets as well the Rebel Sport shop for a further five years. The company will also invest in signage and other branding

Region. Review of opportrunities

2012-02-01T08:01:00.000+11:00

A Chief Executives’ Review Committee, chaired by the Director-General of the Department of Premier & Cabinet, will oversee the Potential Housing Opportunities on Landowner Nominated Sites Review and make recommendations to the State Government. Twenty of the 29 sites are in Western Sydney. The Penrith local government area tops the list with seven sites. The largest sites in Western Sydney are at Orchard Hills, 1065.9 hectares; Bringelly, 889.2 hectares; and South Campbelltown, 607.0 hectares. It is anticipated that the review will be completed in the first quarter of 2012

Rydalmere. Centre of excellence

2012-02-01T08:00:00.001+11:00

One of Australia’s largest defence contractors, Thales Australia, which has its Centre of Excellence in Underwater Systems, at Rydalmere, will establish a new headquarters in Sydney, investing $10 million and supporting around 500 jobs, when its long term lease at the Navy's Garden Island facility expires in 2013. The company will continue to use Garden Island as a primary ship repair and maintenance base.

Region. Councils object

2012-02-01T07:58:00.001+11:00

Western Sydney councils have vowed to fight back over NSW Government plans to allow developers to decide where and what they build, branding it an insult to local residents and the government’s own planning department. President of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, Clr Alison McLaren, said the government was effectively marginalising the entire community from having any say in the growth and development of their neighbourhoods.

Penrith. Call for quotations

2012-02-01T07:58:00.000+11:00

Penrith City Council has called for quotations for the Penrith City Centre Public Domain Masterplan.

Wetsern Sydney. Demand remains steady

2012-01-31T06:17:00.004+11:00

Tenant demand across Sydney’s west has remained steady over the past six months with the majority of deals done being renewals, according to Collier Sydney Industrial Report for the second term 2011.

Tenants have looked to exercise their lease extension options due to the ongoing uncertainty in the global economy, which continues to keep business confidence low and therefore postponing business expansion plans.

The sub-10,000 square metre market has continued to drive the land market in the region with an increase in the number of owner occupiers purchasing lots in the last six months.

This demand from owner-occupiers has occurred due to the lack of existing suitable properties available for lease or purchase, forcing them into the market to develop a purpose built asset.

This increase in demand also indicates that buyers now see land values have reached a point at which developing a property stacks up financially.

Land values have reminded steady over the past six months ranging from $150 per square metre in the Outer West to $600 per square metre in the Inner West.

Hoxton Park. Large industrial project

2012-01-31T06:15:00.001+11:00

A positive story for the south-west industrial market over the past 12 months has been the success of Mirvac’s Hoxton Distribution Park at the former Hoxton Park Airport. The Hoxton Distribution Park is one of Australia’s largest industrial developments and consists of two state-of-the-art logistics facilities which have been 100 per cent pre-leased to Woolworths Limited, according to Collier Sydney Industrial Report for the second term 2011.

South West. Industrial market

2012-01-31T06:15:00.000+11:00

The Sydney South West industrial market has seen a number of large high quality assets transact over the past six months, according to Collier Sydney Industrial Report for the second term 2011, bucking the trend of the other Sydney markets and providing evidence that prime grade yields in the region have begun to tighten by as much as 25 basis points.

Region. Best rental returns

2012-01-30T05:44:00.000+11:00

Homes in Sydney’s outer west are delivering the best rental returns to investors. Suburbs in the Blacktown and Penrith regions are among those in big demand, with vacancy rates lower than the Sydney average, according to RP Data figures. Convenience and affordability were pulling young renters to Penrith and Blacktown, said Douglas Driscol, of Starr Partners, in the Sun Herald.

Parramatta. Proposal to sell site

2012-01-30T05:43:00.001+11:00

Parramatta City Council has put out a request for proposal for the sale and development of the council-owned 0.5-hectare Lennox Bridge Carpark, behind Church Street, between Phillip Street and the Parramatta River.

The development opportunity, facing the Parramatta River, consists of a premier residential development on the site expected to exceed 24,000 square metres GFA, and the design and construction of public infrastructure (council works) in the form of a 3500-square-metre “discovery centre”, multi-function spaces, associated retail and public domain together with related infrastructure associated with such works and works all to be owned by council.

“This opportunity, is unique and one of kind, which will set new urban benchmarks for residential development,” council said.

Moorebank. Proposal to Canberra

2012-01-30T05:40:00.000+11:00

SIMTA – consisting of Stockland, QR National and Qube Logistics – lodge an environmental referral of its proposed fright hub, at Moorebank, to the federal government. The general manager of Stockland, Stephen Bull said SIMTA would also lodge its environmental assessment to the NSW government before the end of this month to be placed on public exhibition.

Parramatta.Project withdrawn

2012-01-30T05:39:00.000+11:00

The application to construct a 21-storey residential development containing 49 apartments and four levels of underground parking, at 64 Phillip Street, in the Parramatta CBD, has been withdrawn by Wallaroo Properties Pty Ltd The property comprises Barnaby’s restaurant.

Region. Tomatoes in parkland

2012-01-30T05:37:00.002+11:00

The NSW Government has granted a lease for a $24 million glasshouse project to Bennelong Holdings Pty Ltd, on 16 hectares of Western Sydney Parklands, to grow tomatoes. The project would create 110 full time jobs and 6.5 million kilograms of truss tomatoes. Bennelong Holdings executive director, James Hamilton, said the project was the first in a series of national large-scale urban glasshouse developments being planned by the company.

Parramatta. New Landcom chairman

2012-01-30T05:37:00.001+11:00

Former NSW Liberal leader, John Brogden, has been named chairman of the state land development body, Landcom, based in the Parramatta CBD. Hi appointment follows the resignation of incumbent, William Kirky-Jones, after 15 years as chairman. Landcom deputy chairman, Neil Bird, is retiring also.

Region. EOI on board position

2012-01-30T05:37:00.000+11:00

The NSW Government has called for expression of interest for a non-executive director on the Western Sydney Parklands Trust Board and its audit and risk committee. The parklands run is a 27-kilometre corridor along the M4 and M7 motorways and between the north- and south-west land release areas and the Western Sydney Employment Hub through Blacktown, Fairfield and Liverpool.

Pressure on universities

2012-01-27T05:57:00.003+11:00

More than 400 doctors, medical researchers and scientists have formed a powerful lobby group, Friends of Science in Medicine, to pressure universities, such as the University of Western Sydney, to close down alternative medical degrees for “what in many cases would be better described as ‘quackery’ and by ‘failing to champion evidence-based science and medicine’.

Richmond. Spillover airport

2012-01-27T05:57:00.002+11:00

The federal government’s review into the location of the second airport for Sydney is expected to be released soon. The Sydney Morning Herald said “it is understood it will shy away from a making a definitive statement ... instead it is more likely to recommend using a Royal Australian Air Force base at Richmond as a spillover airport for some domestic flights and then nominate several long-term opinions for a second site.”

The Hills. Need for graduate school

2012-01-25T08:01:00.000+11:00

The Hills Shire Council is calling on residents to have their say on establishing a graduate school of management in The Sydney Hills. Council has been working in conjunction with local business leaders to investigate the potential demand for a graduate school in the Norwest area by calling on as many people as possible fill in an online survey to determine the capacity for a new higher educational facility and the degree qualifications it should offer.

Council said this would not only be a major coup for Norwest Business Park and The Sydney Hills but an opportunity for local residents to undertake postgraduate studies close to home and work. With an estimated 100,000 new residents coming to the region in the next 20 years, planning for our future needs makes good sense. The survey can be accessed at https://www.research.net/s/norwestuniversity and only takes two minutes to complete.

Liverpool. Inghams is a winner

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000+11:00

Inghams Enterprises, in Liverpool, won the Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System category, in WorkCover’s SafetyWork Awards 2011. Inghams, a household name in food, particularly poultry, employees 2300 people and deals with more than 250 contractors in NSW. Over the past three years, Inghams has achieved a five per cent reduction in claims, a 38 per cent reduction in the number of incidents and a 35 per cent reduction in lost time injuries.

Region. New member on council

2012-01-25T07:55:00.003+11:00

Professor Janice Reid, vice-chancellor and president, of University of Western Sydney, and convenor of NSW vice chancellors' committee, has been appointed a member of the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council. The council provides expertise across a wide spectrum including academia, economics and finance, creative industries, science, ICT, robotics, and the community and government sectors.

Parramatta. Banking job losses

2012-01-25T07:55:00.002+11:00

Job losses in the Australia banking sector are likely to stymie the growth prospects of listed office landlords in the coming years, UBS analysts predict. The Commonwealth Property Office Fund is the most exposed to bank job losses, with 10.4 per cent of its portfolio leased to the Commonswealth Bank of Australia, and leases expiring in Melbourne and Parramatta in 2014 and 2015, according to The Australian Financial Review.

Rosehill. Application approved

2012-01-25T07:55:00.000+11:00

Parramatta City Council has approved an application for the construction of a digital screen to display races and betting information at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse. The screen will have a height of two metres and surface width of 440 square metres.

Region. University offers

2012-01-24T08:04:00.001+11:00

The University of Western Sydney is making 11,334 offers to prospective students this year - the largest number of university offers of any university in NSW and ACT.Large numbers of offers are being made across the university’s programs, with many of the popular course trends in 2012 linked to workforce demand, national skills shortages and emerging career opportunities. UWS experienced an overall increase in first preferences of 2.5 per cent this year. Demand has been particularly strong among school leavers, with a 4.8 per cent increase.

Westmead. Professor at Stanford - again

2012-01-24T08:02:00.001+11:00

Stanford University, in the USA, has invited Professor Lea Williams, director, of the Brain Dynamics Centre, at the Westmead Millennium Institute, to return for a second year as a visiting professional scholar. The position is exceptionally prestigious, as Stanford is one of the top three universities in the world. Few are accepted for even one year, and even fewer are asked to return for a second year, the institute said.Professor Williams is focusing on the iSPOT-D study looking at how to improve treatment for depression. Brain Dynamics Centre and Stanford are collaborating sites in the study.

Region. Lack of business voice

2012-01-23T05:28:00.000+11:00

A submission to the NSW Government’s Professional Services Industry Action Plan by the Parramatta-based RDA Sydney, said concerns in the consultation process were raised about the lack of a unified business voice for Western Sydney.

Although there are a number of small chambers of commerce, it was felt that there was a need for a coordinating body to get partners together to work on strategic local economic development drivers, the submission said.

RDA Sydney is one of 55 voluntary committees across Australia working in partnership with federal, state and local governments to strengthen regional communities.

Wetherill Park. Creative people needed

2012-01-23T05:26:00.001+11:00

Stockland Wetherill Park has called for expressions of interest from local creative people, social enterprises and community organisations to share their ideas for a new cultural creative community space at the centre. Stockland has joined forces with Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE), based in Parramatta, and The Lot and want to hear from individuals and groups who are interested in being part of this space as users, participants or managers.

Penrith. Hospital expansion

2012-01-23T05:25:00.000+11:00

The $87.1 million East Block, at Nepean Hospital, Penrith, is expected to open on February 20. It will house six new operating theatres, an ambulatory procedures centre, two new 30-bed wards, and extra day-only beds. There will also be a 12-bed intensive care pod, including five more intensive care unit beds and more renal dialysis beds The East Block construction is part of the $137.8 million campus redevelopment, which will also feature a $40 million mental health unit and a multi-storey, 650-space carpark.

Region. Sheedy on apprenticeships

2012-01-23T05:24:00.000+11:00

Greater Western Sydney Giants coach, Kevin Sheedy, wants more people to take up apprenticeships and stick out the journey to gaining their qualification, especially in Western Sydney. Mr Sheedy, a qualified plumber, is one of five apprenticeship ambassadors who will work with the Gillard government and industry groups to promote Australian apprenticeships.

Penrith. Online forum

2012-01-23T05:23:00.000+11:00

An online forum is available to Penrith rural landholders to share ideas, discuss problems and explore opportunities to help farmers grow and sell their produce locally. Penrith Council environmental health co-ordinator Anthony Price said the idea came from workshops with rural landholders.

Sydney Olympic Park. Residents move in

2012-01-23T05:21:00.000+11:00

The completion of the 16-storey Tower B in Australia Towers Stage 1, in Sydney Olympic Park, will see the arrival of some of the 150-200 residents. The 24-storey Tower A will be completed in February with an estimated 250-300 residents in 140 apartments.

Penrith, Indoor skydiving

2012-01-23T05:20:00.003+11:00

Raybal Building Services, of West Gosford, has lodged a development application with Penrith City Council to build an indoor skydiving centre adjacent to Penrith Panthers. The indoor skydiving experience is created by fans that generate 150 miles per hour wind capable of lifting flyers into the air within a specially designed flight chamber. The company said that it is possible that the facility will be used for the training of military personnel whose job can include skydiving. The development application is currently on display at Penrith City Council.

Region. Image is a problem

2012-01-23T05:20:00.002+11:00

A problem with Western Sydney in attracting and retaining professional skilled staff was its image in the business community, according to a submission, by the Parramatta-based Regional Development Australia-Sydney, on the Professional Services Industry Action Plan being developed.by the NSW government.

Other issues raised included professional services were Sydney-CBD centric; the sector’s presence in these areas could contribute to the establishment of business parks, close to existing transport and infrastructure; and the reason why finance, property and professional business services are underrepresented in Western Sydney was not fully known.

Region. Investment in rail

2012-01-20T08:04:00.000+11:00

Premier Barry O’Farrell will lead trade missions to China, India and the United Arab Emirates this year seeking interest in investment in infrastructures projects, such as, the north-west and south-west rail links.

Homebush. Plan for 650 units

2012-01-20T08:02:00.001+11:00

The Department of Planning has on public exhibition, until February 29, a concept plan application for a mixed-use development consisting of five buildings with eight towers, ranging in height from two to 21 storeys, at Columbria Precinct, Parramatta, Road, Homebush. The plan provides approximately 650 residential units, 17,240 square metres of commercial floorspace, 4800 square metres of retail floorspace, 920 square metres of community space, and basement parking for approximately 800 vehicles. The proponents are David Lhuede Pty Ltd, Kennards Self Storage and Hai Phong Properties.

Region. Water entitlements purchased

2012-01-20T08:00:00.001+11:00

The Office of Environment and Heritage has purchased 4900 megalitres of river water entitlements from water users across the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment, at a cost of $5.7 million, as part of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River recovery Program. The water was previously available for licence holders to extract for irrigation and other purposes. Now the water purchases will be reserved for environmental flows

Parramatta. Rudd at Lunar function

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000+11:00

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd, will be guest speaker at the Lunar New Year function of the Asia Business Connection on February 2, at the Parkroyal Parramatta. In addition, Adam Liaw - winner of Australia's MasterChef Series 2, 2010 - will share his journey from being a successful corporate lawyer to a man who made his dreams a reality.

Region. Honorary doctorates

2012-01-19T08:30:00.002+11:00

Honorary doctorates were presented to Emeritus Professor Bruce Barraclough AO, Professor Alexandra Bune AM and Mr Peter Brennan AM in recognition of their distinguished community service, at the inaugural University of Western Sydney School of Medicine graduation ceremony.
Emeritus Professor Bruce Barraclough is regarded as a clinical and governance leader across the field of cancer care and treatment. Professor Alexandra Bune came to UWS as a member of the Medical School Expert Advisory Group and subsequently took up the role of Associate Dean (Academic Planning). Mr Peter Brennan AM, Chief Executive Officer of Bradcorp, has been a long time advocate of social and corporate responsibility.

Vice-chancellor Professor Janice Reid said each recipient has contributed in different ways to the success of the UWS School of Medicine and advanced the health and wellbeing of people in Greater Western Sydney and beyond.

North Ryde. Uni placed fourth

2012-01-19T08:24:00.000+11:00

Macquarie University has made the prestigious Lieden list of the top 500 universities in the world in terms of scientific impact. The Leiden Ranking 2011/2012 has the university ranked 202 in the world and fourth in Australia behind the ANU and the universities of Melbourne and Queensland.

The ranking measures the scientific performance of 500 major universities worldwide. Using a sophisticated set of bibliometric indicators, it aims to provide highly accurate measurements of the scientific impact of universities and of universities' involvement in scientific collaboration.

Region. UWS receives $29.8 million

2012-01-19T08:22:00.002+11:00

The University of Western Sydney has received $29.8 million from the federal government to significantly expand its flagship UWSCollege of higher education and to establish a new tertiary education facility in Lithgow - the first in the region

The expansion will see it significantly increase its enrolments to 5500 students within the next decade, with brand new facilities at Lithgow and the University's Penrith and Bankstown campuses, as well as enhanced facilities at the main UWSCollege site at Blacktown.

UWSCollege was established by UWS in 2006 to provide a supportive pathway to university and improve access to higher education for students who may not have had the same academic preparation to gain a place in a university course.

In addition to the federal funding, UWS is investing $15 million of its own to support the initiative.

North Ryde. Celebration of agreement

2012-01-19T08:22:00.000+11:00

Edward Jung, who made his name at Microsoft Corporation where he was chief architect and advisor to executive staff, visited Macquarie University on a recent visit to Australia to celebrate the new commercialisation agreement between the university and Intellectual Ventures, the company Jung co-founded after leaving Microsoft.

The agreement enables Macquarie to submit inventions within Intellectual Venture's portfolio of interest for evaluation. If the evaluation is positive, Intellectual Ventures will effectively purchase the intellectual property and put its substantial funds under management to commercialise it.

Region. Independents suffer

2012-01-18T09:05:00.000+11:00

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has approved Woolworths’and Lowe’s acquisition of two Home Timber and Hardware stores in the NSW Southern Highlands from former franchisees, as independent retailers quit the sector in face of increased competition. Mark Burrows, GM, of Home Timber and Hardware, which has stores across Western Sydney, said more acquisitions were under consideration.

Parramatta. Companies lodge bids

2012-01-18T09:04:00.000+11:00

Three short-listed bidders, British-based Serco, French firm Veolia Transdev with Sydney-based Transfield Services, and Queensland ferry operator Transit Systems with Forgacs Engineering, have lodged bids to run Sydney’s ferry fleet. The new operator is expected to be in place by the end of the year, with the government retaining control over routes and rates.

Marsden Park. Stockland acquires land

2012-01-18T09:03:00.001+11:00

Property developer Stockland has acquired a parcel of land in Sydney's northwest growth corridor with the potential for about 2300 new homes. Stockland bought the 163-hectare site in Marsden Park for $165 million, on deferred payment terms, from the private Winten Property Group. The land, about 5 kilometres from Riverstone railway station and 15 minutes’ drive from Norwest Business Park, is adjacent to Marsden Park Industrial Precinct, which is under development.

Region. 'We have failed dismally'.

2012-01-18T09:03:00.000+11:00

High-tech and manufacturing in Australia has been left behind, according to Phillip Toner, at the Centre for Industry and Innovation, at the University of Western Sydney.

“Unlike Norway and Brazil, we have failed dismally to exploit the opportunities of a temporary resource boom to create high-tech service and manufacturing industries,” Mr Toner said in a letter published in The Australian Financial Review (AFR).

“Eighty per cent of capital equipment used for the LNG boom will be imported.”

Mr Toner said the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics said the total sales of local high-tech services and manufacturing firms to mining was a “tiny” $9 million a year.

“Does the AFR, (in an editorial ‘Making the mining boom pay off’) seriously endorse an economic structure akin to a third-world to a ‘resource enclave’, reliant on unprocessed mineral and agricultural exports and tourism?”, he said.

“Such enclave economics are marked by large income disparities across regions, regional separatism and boom-bust economic growth.

“Can we maintain first-world living standards while embarking on a strategy of technological backwardness?”

Blacktown. $125 million hospital upgrade

2012-01-17T09:03:00.001+11:00

The $125 million upgrade of Blacktown-Mt Druitt Hospital will start late next year. Blacktown Labor MP and opposition leader John Robertson said the upgrade was half of what a Labor government would have delivered. Senior staff are concerned it still doesn’t meet the requirements of a two-stage $550 million upgrade to help the hospital cope with rising demand.

Liverpool. $5.7 million grant

2012-01-17T09:02:00.000+11:00

The Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research has received a $5.7 million program grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council for a new cancer project that uses an MRI coupled linear accelerator (MRI-Linac). The MRI-Linac is a revolutionary piece of technology that is set to redefine cancer treatment by accurately locating tumours during a radiation therapy treatment session in real time. The MRI-Linac will be housed in a research bunker as part of the institute's new research premises within Liverpool Hospital and is set for launch in July.

Fairfield. $6 million grandstand

2012-01-17T09:00:00.000+11:00

Fairfield City Council has allowed Mounties to lodge a development application to build a new $6 million grandstand.. The development involves building a grandstand with covered seating for 1000 spectators on the council-owned Mt Pritchard Oval, and a media room, function rooms, change rooms and a canteen on the western boundary. Council is negotiating with Mounties to develop a new plan of management as the current one does not allow a development of the proposed size.

The Hills. Bulky goods proposal

2012-01-17T08:59:00.000+11:00

The Hills Shire Council has approved a planning proposal to enable construction of bulky-goods premises, landscape supply establishments and office warehouses at Commercial Road, Rouse Hill. Mayor, Greg Burnett, said the proposal would benefit the local economy through new job creation and meet expected demand for bulky-goods retailing. The proposal will be forwarded to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure for finalisation.

Liverpool. Rates could rise

2012-01-17T08:58:00.000+11:00

Liverpool City Council rates could rise because of development in Austral and Leppington North. Liverpool ratepayers may have to cover a $63 million shortfall for community and major recreation facilities in the precincts. At the end of last year the state government announced more than 50,000 new residents, 16,000 houses, 10 schools, 89 hectares of parks, and 59 hectares of sporting fields were planned for the new release site. Council may have to pay an estimated $105 million from its pocket too because state legislation limits section 94 developer contributions to $30,000 a lot.

Liverpool. TAFE head honoured

2012-01-17T08:57:00.000+11:00

Damien Prentice, director, learning environment, of South Western Sydney TAFE Institute’s nine campuses, including sites at Liverpool and Miller. has been given a Director-General’s award for excellent service to public education. Mr Prentice is a former teacher, who has been with TAFE for 28 years. He was instrumental in a customer service review aimed at improving the overall studying experience for students.

Penrith. First woman to hold position

2012-01-17T08:55:00.000+11:00

Rita Mallia, of Penrith, and recently elected NSW president of CFMEU’s construction division, is the first woman to hold a senior position within the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) in NSW. The main trade union in construction, forestry and forest products, mining and energy products has had women hold senior positions before, but never in NSW, until now. After studying law and economics at Sydney University, Ms Mallia worked in immigration law and then arrived at the CFMEU as a legal officer 15 years ago.

Parramatta. Festival off to a great start

2012-01-17T08:53:00.002+11:00

The Sydney Festival's ambitious push into the western suburbs is off to a solid start, with thousands braving the rain to attend opening night of the inaugural Sydney Festival Parramatta, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Parramatta Lord Mayor, Lorraine Wearne, said arts audiences in the west had been neglected, lacking the facilities and events available in central Sydney. ''There has been a perception about the socio-economic dynamic that lives in the west and there has been an element of elitism in all that, especially in eastern Sydney “

It's elitist to assume [arts facilities and cultural events] are only there for the centre of Sydney and that the many millions who live further out to the west don't have the same right to that kind of enjoyment,”she said.

Cr Wearne said the festival's Parramatta programming would prove that ''people in the west will support good, worthwhile entertainment in their own area. There is an enormous arts and cultural base in Parramatta.''

Festival director, Lindy Hume, said: ''It was very successful, both artistically and in terms of community interest,'' Hume said. ''If we are genuine about reflecting Sydney as it is rather than as it is perceived, we need to look to the growth areas of Sydney … In terms of this deepening of engagement [with the west], the time has come for everyone to step up to the plate.''

Fairfield. Call for admendment

2012-01-17T08:53:00.000+11:00

Fairfield City Council is to “strongly advocate” to Premier Barry O’Farrell to amend a proposal that could see millions of dollars in community funding stripped from the area and spent elsewhere. Last year Fairfield community groups and sporting organisations received $1.89 million, the highest amount of community funding in NSW.

Harris Park. Shuttle bus marketing plan

2012-01-16T08:11:00.000+11:00

Parramatta City Council will create a marketing plan for the Harris Park Hop, a free shuttle bus service between the Parramatta CBD and the Harris Park business centre, in conjunction with the Harris Park business community. Council will allocate $30,000 to allow the continuation of the service for three months Council will also approach the state government to increase the off-peak public transport between the CBD and Harris Park.

Sydney Olympic Park. Eight storey project

2012-01-16T08:10:00.000+11:00

The Sydney Olympic Park Authority and Capital Corporation have agreed to construct an eight storey mixed commercial and retail development, on the corner of Australia and Herb Elliott Avenues. The proposed the new development, currently on public exhibition until January 31, will offer office space, two levels of basement parking, retail shops and the first supermarket to service the park. The development is to be constructed in stages providing for 42,000 square metres of gross floor area in total.

Parramatta. Major drivers of grwoth

2012-01-16T08:09:00.000+11:00

The Parramatta local government area is home to 15,500 businesses (2006), 45 per cent, or 7000, of which are based in the CBD, with 93 per of the CBD total classified as “small”. The 0.5 per cent, or 33, of large businesses are mostly known brand names, most of which are back offices, call centres and processing units. These organisations and numerous government departments have been the major drivers of employment growth in Parramatta over the past 10 years, according to Parramatta City Council’s Economic Development Strategy 2011-2016.

Newington. USA expansion

2012-01-16T08:07:00.000+11:00

Ainsworth Games Technology, with its headquarters and poker-machine design facility based at Newington, has expanded its operations in the USA after posting a 24 per cent growth; almost half its international revenue is raised in the USA The company opened a 4650-square-metre site in Las Vegas, late last year, replacing a smaller facility in Florida.