Summary of news and initatives from the region for February 2013.
Free excursions fantastic
FEEDBACK from high school teachers about Sydney Water’s free school excursions at its Water Recycling Education Centre, at St Marys, has been overwhelmingly positive. Ninety two per cent said they would recommend the excursions to other teachers. Ninety four per cent said recent professional development sessions at the centre met their expectations. Sydney Water’s MD, Kevin Young, said the feedback was “fantastic” to hear.
The Hills growth
THE Hills is one of Australia’s fast growing local government areas and that residential growth will continue, particularly around Box Hill and Kellyville North.
Restoring facades
EFFORTS by Katoomba City Council, the Katoomba Chamber of Commerce and the community are under way to restore the art-deco building facades lining the streets of Katoomba’s town centre. Members met late last year to discuss applying for NSW government grants to encourage owners of heritage buildings to paint their facades by providing funding on a dollar-per-dollar spent basis. The grant was offered to landlords of the buildings 10 years ago but the uptake was very low. Members are working on strategies to maximise the grant’s effectiveness if it could be secured again later this year.
Re-enactment preparation
DESCENDANTS of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson have been brought together for the first time in preparation for the re-enactment of the crossing of the Blue Mountains, which will take place over 21 days from May 11 this year.
Squadron reformed
NO.35 Squadron, at the Richmond RAAF base will accommodate 10 new Alenia C-27J Spartan Battlefield aircraft, due to arrive in 2015. The re-establishment of the squadron allays widespread fears the Richmond base was winding down operations with the recent loss of jobs as well as the departure of the Hercules. The re-establishment will make Richmond base its home for the foreseeable future. The aircraft were bought to replace the Caribou aircraft that were retired from service in 2009. The government agreed to the purchase of the new aircraft last May, costing $1.4billion.
Scenic Railway upgrade
THE Scenic Railway will undergo a $30 million redevelopment, from January 14, which will include new top and bottom platforms, rail tracks and historical interpretation. The new Swiss-designed railway carriages will comprise the fifth vehicle to operate on the former coalmine track since 1945. The railway, with a 52-degree incline, the steepest passenger railway in the world, descends 310 metres. Operating since 1945, the attraction has carried 25 million passengers on just under 700,000 journeys.
Most unhealthy area
CAMPBELLTOWN, which is the second-poorest local government area in Sydney – after Fairfield – according to ABS rankings, was found to be Sydney’s most unhealthy area, according to Health Statistics NSW. It was the worst performing areas in every category except alcohol-related hospitalisations. More than a quarter of all women in Campbelltown smoke during pregnancy, compared with about one per cent in Willoughby, Sydney’s healthiest area.
Bus service continues
FAIRFIELD City Council has agreed to keep its free City Connect bus service running and has added several new routes. The service was introduced in July 2012 on a six-month trial period, ending on January 23. Fairfield mayor Frank Carbone said he was excited to see the bus service continue this year. "The City Connect Council Bus Service has been created to alleviate cost of living pressures our residents endure on a daily basis," he said.
$250,000 grant
THE NSW Government has granted Liverpool City Council $250,000 to upgrade boating facilities on the St Georges River, and Moorebank.
Staff share award
BANKSTOWN City Council staff have shared in an award for a project to maintain and revitalise Duck River, which includes 9.2 square kilometres of the Bankstown local government catchment. Mayor Karl Asfour said council developed a holistic to improve Duck River. “A significant part of the project was community education surrounding the importance of Duck River and the impacts of urban development.”
Council seeks GM
CAMDEN Council has advertised for a general manager. Council expects the population of the local government area to increase from 57,000 to 270,000 people over the next 30 years. Applications closed on February 1.
Revenue down slightly
REVENUE in furniture manufacturer and retailer, Fantastic Furniture, at Villawood, was $445.8 million last year, slightly down from estimates, but is projected to be about $470 million in February. The group comprises Fantastic Furniture, Plush, Dare Gallery, Original Mattress Factory and Le Cornu. Stephen Heath is the new CEO, following the resignation of Mark Garwood, in December, The Australian Financial Review reported.
New HO in the CBD
URBANGROWTH NSW – the merger between Landcom and the Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority – officially commenced business at its new HO in the Eclipse Tower, in Station Street, on January 1. Staff complement: 113. Landcom moved from the former David Jones building in Church Street. Water and cost savings PARRAMATTA City Council continued to work with businesses, in 2011/12, through the Sustainability Advantage Program to implement water and cost savings of more than 40 million litres per year, and partnered with Sydney Water to deliver a water efficiency program for small and medium businesses.
Yogurt competition
THE recent boom of frozen low fat yogurt in Australia will see Wowcow, which entered the Parramatta market late last year, soon to meet competition from YogurBerry. YogurBerry Australia is based in Rydalmdere. Both companies have outlets across Sydney.
Council taking action
PARRAMATTA City Council is pursuing legal action against of Bar 35 (Barnaby’s Restaurant) in Phillip Street, in the CBD, of alleged offensive noise at night following complaints by nearby residents.
$450 million project
A 20-storey commercial tower and 35,000 square metres of retail space are part of an estimated $450 million development proposal of the Parramatta Westfield Shopping Centre. The development could create in excess of 700 construction jobs and provide employment for approximately 2000 office workers and more than 200 additional retail jobs.
MP visits India
STATE PM for Parramatta, Dr Geoff Lee, has returned from a privately funded trip to the Indian region of Gujaret, from where most of the Indian population of Parramatta come from. “Indians make up 17 per cent of Parramatta and it is important we show there are great opportunities for them here, particularly students,” he said in the Parramatta Advertiser.
