North West. Request for funds refused

Infrastructure Australia has refused a request by the NSW government to fund the $8.5 billion North-West Rail Link saying the project is “not the highest priority for Sydney”. Infrastructure Australia recommended “a broader range of options be considered, in particular, alternate transit solutions (busways) and links to Parramatta” .

Penrith. Funds needed to create jobs

Penrith City Council has joined a local consortium to seek federal government funding to help create about 400 new jobs immediately and about 6000 new permanent ‘knowledge’ jobs longer term. The consortium, which comprises the University of Western Sydney, Penrith City Council and the Penrith Business Alliance, is seeking to develop employment space and a corporate centre at Werrington, which will seed the longer-term development of a comprehensive business park. UWS has 58 hectares of land available for a business park The consortium is seeking $14 million of federal funding to go with $14 million of UWS funding for the $28 million development.