Blacktown. Residential 'hot spot'

The Housing Industry Association has picked Blacktown as one of the top 20 residential and building hot spots in Australia. The city has an annual population growth rate of 4.5 per cent – exceeding the national rate of 1.7 per cent in the year to June 2010. The value of residential building work approved in Blacktown hit $228 million last year, according to The Australian Financial Review.

Blacktown. New 500-space car park

Construction of a 500-space commuter carpark on the northern side of Blacktown station is due to commence in the coming weeks. The project will provide parking over four levels and include lifts, lighting and CCTV surveillance cameras. Transport Construction Authority contractor, AW Edwards, will start by installing 124 piles, using a 70-tonne piling rig at the First Avenue site, with completion scheduled for mid-2011.

Blacktown. City is a ' total disgrace'

Councillors at Blacktown City Council have accused the State Government of favouring Parramatta with big-money office blocks including a new justice precinct, Sydney Water and a police HQ, according to The Daily Telegraph. At Wednesday's council meeting, councillors discussed inviting Premier Kristina Keneally to the "derelict CBD" to show her its potential for future government departments. "You can wear all the T-shirts you like saying, 'I love Blacktown' but when you come to the city it's a total disgrace," councillor Jess Diaz told the meeting. "If you want major investment you have to face facts and have the infrastructure to support it," said Pierre Esber, on Parramatta City Council.