Kaplan buys Franklyn Scholar
US education giant, Kaplan, a subsidiary of the Washington Post Group, has acquired Carrick Education Group, its second major Australian acquisition within a month. Kaplan Australia acquired the registered training business, Melbourne-based Franklyn Scholar, which has its Sydney facility in Macquarie Park, in May.
Multi-purpose raceway
Work is under way at the Eastern Creek International Raceway to turn the motor-sport corridor into a multi-purpose venue. Raceway GM, Geoff Arnold, said a $7 million redevelopment had the support of Blacktown City Council and the state government.
‘Great news for the airport’
Sydney Metro Airport Bankstown has completed the leasing arrangements with aviation manufacturer Quickstep Technologies Pty Ltd. In February 2011, Quickstep secured an agreement with Northrop Grumman Corporation, to manufacture parts for the international F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, over the next 20 years. After an extensive fit out of the premises, the company aims to begin transfer of operations from Western Australia to the site throughout 2012.
$55 million for link road
The NSW government has awarded the contract to build the $55 million Erskine Park Link Road, to NACE Civil Engineering Pty Ltd, which will build the 3.1 km four lane divided road between Lenore Lane, Penrith, and Old Wallgrove Road, Blacktown. Work will start as soon as possible with the main work site established in late July. It’s expected the link will be completed in 2013.
New bank in the CBD
Parramatta City Council has approved an application by the Beirut Hellenic Bank Ltd, to open a branch, in Macquarie Street, in Parramatta. The Bank of Beirut, which is investing $420 million into its Australian subsidiary, will open five new branches by the end of the year, with the first in the former Murray Bros building, in the Parramatta CBD, in July, employing 10 people. The bank, which has branches in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, was formerly known as Laiki Bank Australia, until April 27. It opened in Australia in 2001. The Arab Bank Australia is represented in the city with branches in the Parramatta CBD and Westmead Hospital.
Increase in insolvency work
Schon Condon, managing principal, of Condon Associates, in Parramatta, told The Australian Financial Review that the increase in insolvency work began in November and gained greater momentum after Christmas. Work is coming from the development, building, construction, retail, retail services and hospitality sectors.
New managing director
Minister for Finance and Services, Greg Pearce, has announced that Kevin Young has been appointed as the new managing director of Sydney Water, based in Parramatta, replacing Dr Kerry Schott, who requested that her contract not be extended after serving in the position for five years. Mr Young is currently the MD, of the Hunter Water Corporation and chair of Water Services Association of Australia. He takes up the position on August 1.
Uni wins award
Macquarie University has been recognised as among the best employers for equality in the workplace. The annual Australian Workplace Equality Index ranked the university joint sixth in their Top Ten Australian Employers Awards, alongside household names like IBM, KPMG, Accenture and the Australian Federal Police.
Appointment to legal firm
Dr Bernard Carey most recently the visiting Professor at the Law School University College Dublin, has joined Champion Legal, based in the Parramatta CBD. His former positions include Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) at the University of Western Sydney and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Macquarie University.
CEO promoted
Arnott’s, Australia’s largest biscuit maker, which has its factory at Huntingwood and head office at North Strathfield, is searching for a new CEO after the departure of its Asia-Pacific president, Chris Delaney, who has been appointed to a new business development role in the international division of Arnott’s US parent, Campbell’s Soup Co.
Catholic Education leases property
The Catholic Education Office has signed a one-year and six months lease, at a gross face rent of $20 per square metre, for an industrial property, at Ingleburn, which includes 8000 square metres of yard to be used for storage. Colliers International brokered the deal, on behalf of a lessor.
Skills centre opened
Senator Chris Evans, the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, opened the 3000-square-metre Macarthur Building Industry Skills Centre, in the Ingleburn industrial estate. The centre will deliver a range of pre-employment programs for young people, and will become a hub for the building industry in south west Sydney.
Ferry service retained
The Parramatta to Circular Quay route would be retained under any new contract, Minister for Transport Ms Gladys Berejiklian said, referring to the government’s decision to “franchise” Sydney Ferries. The Sydney Morning Herald reported the potential existed for extra stops for the Parramatta ferry'.
Bledisloe at stadium
NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell, said Sydney will be home to one of sport’s most historic trans-Tasman rivalries, the Bledisloe Cup, for the next ten years. “Sydney is now affirmed the home of international Rugby in Australia …Its also great news for Western Sydney with matches to be played at ANZ Stadium,” he said.
UWS researchers go to China
Researchers from the University of Western Sydney will travel to China to host a workshop on the relationship between robotics and art, at the 2011 International Conference on Robotics and Automation, in Shanghai, which will draw engineers and robotics researchers from across the world to discuss the theme "Better Robots, Better Life".
Economic manager sought
Liverpool City Council has advertised for an economic development manager to develop and implement an economic strategy for the growth of the local governemnt area. Liverpool is the regional city for South West Sydney. The salary range is $116,950 to $136,130.
New head of economic unit
Solaire Eggert has been appointed manager, of Parramatta City Council’s economic development unit. A former project officer with the unit, she has acted in the position for several months, while interviews were undertaken for the position.
$500,000 visitor strategy exhibited
Parramatta City Council’s draft Visitor Strategy for Parramatta, 2011-2016, is currently on public exhibition. The strategy, designed to increase visitation to the city, encourage repeat visits, boost the local economy and improve perception of the city, took 18 months to develop. The strategy was funded by a $500,000 grant from the federal government.
Professor wins fellowship
Professor James Dalziel is one of the five recipients of the prestigious 2011 National Teaching Fellowships awarded by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. The win marks a special milestone for Macquarie University, as it is the first time a National Teaching Fellowship has been awarded to someone from the university.
200 researchers in Liverpool
The Ingham Institute will be a focal point for medical research in south-western Sydney, bringing together more than 200 researchers in the one modern, purpose-built centre on the grounds of Liverpool Hospital. Ground work on the new $46.9 million institute building has begun and will include a wet research lab, a school simulation centre to train doctors and medical professionals, a research linear accelerator for cancer research and a clinical skills centre. Construction is due for completion in mid-2012.
Ray Williams promoted
Hawkesbury State Liberal MP, Ray Williams, has been appointmed as Parliamentary Secretary for Western Sydney. “This appointment is further evidence the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is determined to deliver on our commitments to the people of Western Sydney, who Labor took for granted for 16 years. Working together we will ensure our key policies for Western Sydney are delivered on time and on budget,” said Premier Barry O’Farrell.
Mixed use for airport
NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure has included the historic 148-hectare Schofields Aerodrome site, at Nirimba, in its planning process for the Schofields Precinct. A DOP spokesman said technical studies were nearing completion and a precinct planning report would be finalised along with proposed zoning maps and a draft development control plans. The aerodrome site, built during World War II and owned by the federal government, is set to be developed into a major residential and commercial area.
Policy centre official launched
The University of Western Sydney officially launched its Centre for Citizenship and Public Policy, at its Bankstown campus on May 6. "The centre seeks to promote democratic governance, active citizenship, and a practical awareness of the interdependencies of the political, the social, the economic and the environmental," said the centre’s director, Professor Anna Yeatman.