Networking in the region
Western Sydney has increasing concentrations of industry yet low rates of organised networking and representation. This impacts on the region’s ability to engage in public debate and meaningfully influence policy, according to Parramatta City Council’s economic development strategy. Several Sydney-based organisations have expressed interest in broadening their networks and activity in Western Sydney: The Property Industry Foundation, the Institute of Company Directors, the Sydney Business Chamber and the Property Council of Australia.
City has potential
Parramatta has the potential to absorb greater residential and commercial density and to further develop agglomerations of economic activity in Greater Western Sydney that leverage its existing commercial and other infrastructure and exploit its central location in the region, according to an Ernst & Young report prepared for Parramatta City Council.
UWS lead institution
The University of Western Sydney is the lead institution of a project involved on the Bridges to Higher Education project to increase the numbers of students from low socio-economic backgrounds in higher education. The University of Sydney, University of Technology, Sydney, Macquarie University, and the Australian Catholic University are also involved. The five universities will work together, with the announcement of $21.2 million in federal government funding over four years.
Council will put the case
Parramatta City Council will put its case for a greater government focus and investment in the development of the city and Western Sydney present to Infrastructure Australia and Infrastructure NSW, following the success of its economic development forum earlier this year. Council has resolved, in part, to develop a report on an implementation and advocacy plan to attract state government departments.
2036 goal
A goal of Parramatta City Council’s economic development strategy is the development of a least 550,000 square metre of commercial or industrial space, including council-owned sites, to house 27,000 additional employees, by 2036.
Sold for $350,000
Parramatta City Council has resolved to sell 64 Phillip Street, an area of 94.9 square metres, to the owner of the adjacent property housing Barnaby’s restaurant, for $350,000. Wallaroo Properties Pty Ltd has lodged a DA with council for alterations to the heritage listed building, at 66-68 Phillip Street, and construction of a 21 storey residential development containing 49 apartments over four levels of basement carparking. Barnaby’s restaurant will be used as a restaurant/cafe. The estimated cost of work: $15.3 million. The Western Sydney Joint Regional Planning Panel will determine the proposal.
Forum in 2012
Following the success of its one-day economic development forum, in March this year, Parramatta City Council plans to hold a similar event, possibly over two days, May 2012. The initial date of the event was March 2012.
Student placements
Stephen Frost, MD, of the Blacktown Regional Economic and Employment Development (BREED) Taskforce has placed over 3500 students from 21 different high schools, TAFE WSI and trade schools, into businesses for Structured Work Placement, across 13 different vocational frameworks. BREED has worked with over 400 businesses and numerous organisations as partners, and has assisted over 100 students to stay at school and finish year 12, find employment or helped them into other educational pathways.
Vocal advocate for greater Sydney
Chris Jordan, chairman, of the new look Committee of Sydney, said reliance on the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House had been the focus for far too long, and other parts of Sydney, particularly Western Sydney needed to be part of the picture. Dr Tim Williams, the committee’s strategic adviser, said: “The global city is greater Sydney, and that’s the message we want to get out.” The committee wants to be “a vocal advocate for greater Sydney” and perceived less as a “lunch club”, according to a report in The Australian Financial Review
‘Pure nonsense’
The headline of an editorial in The Australian Financial Review (December 15) said: “O’Farrell should rethink rail plan.” The paper went on to say: “NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell’s claim that his government’s planned $8.5 billion North West Rail Link is as important to Sydney as the Harbour Bridge is pure nonsense. The project is an expensive misdirection of taxpayers” money that was proposed by the Coalition only to win seats in the area from Labor ant the last state election.”
Stores to close
Fletcher Jones stores at Campbelltown and Rouse Hill are among those to be closed nationwide following the Victorian clothing manufacturer being placed in receivership, owing about $10 million in debts.
Competitors join together
Fairfax Media and News Ltd are in talks about sharing printing and distribution facilities at Chullora and Melbourne. “Both companies believe there is a good deal to do,” said Fairfax CEO, Greg Hywood, in The Australian Financial Review. Industry sources said News Ltd’s CEO, Kim Williams was keen to strike a deal to cut costs.
Shopping centre knocked down
The state government will knock down the Totally Home Centre shopping centre, at Bella Vista to build a station at the start of a four-kilometre ''sky train'' segment of the North West Rail Link. The centre is owned by the superannuation fund ISPT, and includes Harvey Norman, Nick Scali and Freedom Furniture among about 20 retail occupants. A spokesman for the North West Rail Link said the project team would offer assistance to leaseholders but would need control of the centre by the first half of 2013.
Objection to sky train
Mayor of the Hills Shire Council, Greg Burnett, says he does not support the four kilometre, 10-metre high heavy rail bridge section of the North West Rail Link and will lobby the government for it to be abandoned. "Council's position has been that we want to see the entire length underground," he said on ABC Radio. Transport Minister, Gladys Berejiklian, says she will listen to the criticism but is unlikely to change the plans.
Masterplan for CBD
Blacktown Mayor Alan Pendleton said a new master plan for the CBD will give developers the certainty they need to invest in major building projects and turn Blacktown into a regional city. The master plan opens the door for 16-storey buildings up to 64 metres high in some parts of the city. The plan, on public exhibition, allows for a CBD with 36 hectares of commercial and mixed-use retail/residential space and about 30,000 jobs by 2036.
Town centre expanded
The Hills Council has approved an expansion of Baulkham Hills town centre to include a 13,845 square metre site. The site borders the northern end of the town centre, opposite Stockland Mall on Windsor Road. The proposal will be forwarded to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure for final approval.
$20m plant under threat
Solaris Paper is reviewing the future of its $20 million plant, at Greystanes, after "intimidation" from environmental group Greenpeace cost it major supermarket orders. The facility, which has the capacity to employ 25-30 workers, but at present it is almost idle, might soon be shut down entirely. The company been accused by Greenpeace of using an Indonesian supplier, related company Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), which harvests rainforests and puts the disappearing Sumatran tiger at further risk.
Landfill site opened
Premier Barry O’Farrell has opened Dial a Dump’s new dry waste landfill and recycling facility at Eastern Creek, which is expected to process and sell up to two million tonnes of recyclable and quarried materials per annum. The site, known as Genesis, is the largest integrated landfill and recycling facility in the southern hemisphere. The process centre can recycle 92 per cent mixed waste.
Mission to Brazil
Two Western Sydney firms are among eight NSW companies on a business mission organised by NSW Trade & Investment for the Australian International Sporting Events Secretariat, seeking business opportunities with the world's two premier sporting events, the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympics Games, in Brazil. The companies are Sebel Furniture, Padstow, (seating design and production providing solutions for sports and other venues, corporate and public developments); and Thin Blue Line Consulting, Homebush, (consultants in security, protection and public order planning
MOU – Uni and Ryde
Macquarie University and City of Ryde Council announced a new partnership. The memorandum of understanding marks a strengthening of the relationship between the university and the city, and provides greater opportunities for research projects that will benefit the local community. The "town and gown" partnership will allow the City of Ryde to leverage the world-class research capabilities of the university in delivering its 2021 Community Strategic Plan. In return, staff and students will be able to undertake unique research projects and see their results applied to real-world situations in the local community. Projects proposed under the program include research into implementing a domestic waste to energy conversion process, analysis of traffic movement patterns to enable better planning, and design and planning of upgrades to local town centres.