UWS academic appointed a director
Tim Hannan, a Senior Lecturer from the School of Psychology at the University of Western Sydney, has been elected as a general director on the Australian Psychological Society's board of directors. The society represents 19,000 members. Mr Hannan will serve a three-year term.
API to rollout plan
A plan by Australian Pharmaceutical Industries, based at Camellia, to accelerate the roll-out of its Priceline beauty and healthcare stores to hit a target of 500 shops in the near term, comes as it claims to have taken market share from the supermarkets and hooked 3.2 million members into its loyalty club.
Allied Brands into administration
Dubai-based Dunkin Brands executive, John Varghese, has flown to Australia to speak with the Baskin Robbins ice cream franchisees, which include outlets at Castle Hill, Kings Langley and Merrylands, following franchise manager, Allied Brands, being stripped of its master franchise.
$11 million plus for researchers
Researchers from Macquarie University will receive more than $11 million in Australian Research Council funding for a variety of projects which commence next year.
Sebel Furniture on the market
Brisbane-based GWA International continues its asset sale program putting its Sebel commercial furniture business, based at Padstow, on the market. It is expected to be sold for less than $50 million, according to The Australian Financial Review.
Shergold is the new Chancellor
Former Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Professor Peter Shergold, has been appointed the new Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney. The UWS Board of Trustees elected Professor Shergold as successor to Mr John Phillips who will retire in December after almost 10 years in the position. Professor Shergold has had a distinguished academic and public service career for over three decades.
Submission on rail link
Parramatta City Council is preparing a submission, outlining why the city should be considered as part of the mooted federal government’s Feasibility Study into the East Coast Fast Rail line between Melbourne and Brisbane. Lord Mayor, John Chedid, said a report will be presented to council in November which addressed the benefits of being included in the East Coast Fast Rail network and how Parramatta could be better connected with Central Coast, Newcastle and Southern Highlands.
Consolidation of lots
Parramatta City Council has received a DA lodged by Ms Maria Cavallaro for the consolidation of lots, demolition of existing showroom and outbuildings and alterations and additions to existing two storey commercial development comprising of a four storey western elevation extension, at 30 and 32 Ross Street, Parramatta. Estimated cost: $2.3 million.
$50 million data centre
Macquarie Telecom has bought two hectares in North Ryde for $10.8 million to build a new data centre facility. The centre, Intelligence 2 is expected to cost close to $50 million to be completed in late 2011 The floor space ratio of the site allows for the potential to build plant and raised floor of 215,000 square feet
$135 million expansion of markets
The owner of Parklea Markets, Almona Pty Ltd, proposes to redevelop the site as a special uses precinct. The existing markets will be retained. Development plans include a 19,200 square-metre, 336-room hotel, an exhibition/convention centre of approxiamtely 21,000 square metres, a 17,000-square-metre growers market and parking for more than 3800 cars. The expected capital investment value is about $135 million
Council seeks move of terminal
Liverpool City Council has voted to support moving the proposed rail and freight terminal, at Moorebank, to federally-owned land at Badgerys Creek. At Monday night’s meeting, the council Council will work with Penrith and Camden councils to lobby the federal and state governments on moving the terminal to the former airport site.
Hotel rebranded
The Singapore-based Pan Pacific Hotels Group, owner of the 196-room Crowne Plaza Parramatta has rebranded it as the Parkroyal Parramatta. The property was named, initially, the Parramatta Parkroyal when it opened three decades ago under the ownership of Southern Pacific Hotels Corporation.
On the market
Expressions of interest have been called for the 10–storey office building, at 80 George Street, in the Parramatta CBD, with a net lettable area of 8120 square metres. Current occupiers include Wipro Ltd, an Indian IT firm, Bridge Personnel Services, Suncorp Commercial Banking-NSW and Westpac.
Centre sold for $18.1 million
CBRE has sold the Cabramatta City Centre, on behalf of Ferrier Hodgson, for $18.1 million to a group of five local investors. The two-level freehold arcade has 37 specialty shops, a 57-basement car spaces and is fully leased. Net passing income is approximately $1.05 million.
Opportunity licensed premises
The Sydney Olympic Park Authority is seeking detail proposals to build, own and operate a 1400-square-metre licensed facility within the town centre, which has 120 organisations and some 10,000 workers. Some 686 apartments are currently under construction. .SOPA expects project covering 1.4 million square metres providing nine combined commercial and residential neighbourhoods, in the coming years.
DA for boutique hotel
ABC Enterprise Pty Ltd has lodged a DA with Parramatta City Council for the conversion of the ground floor and two-level building, formerly occupied by Jean Fox bridal wear, into a boutique hotel containing ground floor cafe / concierge and 20 rooms, at 21 Argyle Street, Parramatta.
DA for data centre
Hewlett Packard (Data) has a DA on public exhibition with the Department of Planning for the fit out and operation of a data storage and distribution centre, at Eastern Creek. The estimated capital investment is $119 million. Construction jobs total 200 workers, and when operational five employees.
GPT offers scholarship to UWS
The GPT Group will offer a $10,000-a-year scholarship and up to four months paid work experience to a student striving to enter the property sector under a new partnership with the University of Western Sydney (UWS). The scholarship program, known as the GPT Award, will be offered within the bachelor of business and commerce (property) course and is set to strengthen sustainability and foster growth in the property sector.
Town centre one of top five
The Rouse Hill town centre has been named as one of the five best new developments in the world in the Urban Land Institute's 2010 global awards for excellence. The centre was developed by the GPT Group and Lend Lease, and includes 220 retailers, 104 apartments, 2800 square metres of office space, 10 restaurants and a cinema.
Property sold for $2.39 million
A local private investor has purchased a property on the corner of Church and Phillip streets in the Parramatta CBD for $2.39 million. The property comprises a two-level commercial building with, Liana’s, a fully licensed Italian restaurant, The 335-square-metre building, with a distinctive green dome, sits on a site area of 250 square metres.
Sydney Water wins four awards
Sydney Water won four awards at the 2010 Australian HR Compass Awards in the categories: Employer of Choice (more than 1000 employees), Best HR Strategy Plan, Best Talent Management Strategy, and Best Employer Branding Strategy. Sydney Water, based in Parramatta, also received a highly commended for its recruitment and retention programs.
$20 million project
The Minister for Western Sydney, David Borger, has announced FDC Construction and Fitout will build a $20 million, six-storey commercial and retail development at Sydney Olympic Park. He said the project will provide for 100 jobs during construction and accommodate 350 workers when complete in late 2012.
Call for helipad
Russ Dickens, a councillor on Blacktiown City Council, has requested a council report on the feasibility of constructing a helipad. He believes the initiative is critical to ensuring Blacktown becomes a regional city and economic hub.
PwC opens an office
PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Clients, which works with small to medium enterprises, including private businesses, family businesses, entrepreneurs and high net wealth individualshas opened an office in Norwest Business Park.