Region. Boosting business efficiencies

An innovative program to help practising accountants and managers wrestle energy costs and boost business efficiencies will be developed and piloted by the University of Western Sydney. The project is being funded by a grant of almost $350,000 from the NSW Government's Office of Environment and Heritage as part of their Energy Efficiency Training Program. Architect of the “Energy Efficiency Matters” training project, Dr Anne Abraham, says rapidly rising energy costs and moves towards a low carbon economy are concerning many businesses. Partners in the program are: accountancy firm, Moore Stephens Sydney West; energy consultants Energetics Pty Ltd; the Institute of Public Accountants; the Western Sydney Business Connection; the NSW Business Chamber; and eLearning specialists, Cadre Design.

North Ryde. DOP considering $1 billion project

Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly said that plans for a $1 billion residential and commercial redevelopment around North Ryde station would be considered by the Department of Planning. If approved, the development would deliver more than 3000 new dwellings and over 50,000 square metres of retail/commercial floor space. The 14-hectare precinct is within the Macquarie Park Specialised Centre, which is designated in the Metropolitan Plan as a key centre for jobs and housing growth over the next 25 years. The plans include development of a number of buildings up to 30 storeys in height.

Penrith. $138 million hospital project

The NSW Government has given planning approval for the latest stage of the $138 million redevelopment of the Nepean health campus, including a refurbished and expanded intensive care unit ward and new three-level hospital building, The project includes six additional operating theatres and pre- and post-operative areas, extra day only and extended day only beds, two new purpose-built 30-bed surgical wards to replace older style existing wards and a new 12-bed intensive care pod including six additional ICU beds. The project has the potential to create some 150 construction jobs.