Overview - Parramatta City Council - NSW Government

Lord Mayor’s Message
This City, this Century
I am pleased to report that in 2005/06 Parramatta reached
landmark achievements in the transformation of the City into a
dynamic and attractive place in which to live, work and invest.
Economic hub of Western Sydney
Following the NSW Government’s Metropolitan Strategy
identifying the City as the central and economic hub of Western
Sydney, Parramatta benefited from vital Government investment
including major infrastructure funding of the new rail/bus
interchange which opened in February 2006.
Government staff relocating to Parramatta
The burgeoning Justice Precinct is ahead of schedule, with the
Metropolitan Children’s Court to open in November 2006,
followed by other facilities. The State Government’s commitment
to transferring significant government staff to Parramatta will be
realised when the Attorney General’s staff relocation will bring
1400 new workers to the City, with a further 1000 Commonwealth
Bank staff members due to follow suit.
Civic Place leads the way
Construction also began this year on some landmark commercial
developments, answering the rental demand for large, quality
floor space. Indeed, burying the myth that Parramatta is
predominantly a government town, the City is experiencing a
significant upsurge in private sector industry and employment.
The most dynamic example is the Civic Place Redevelopment, with
Council finalising its private-public partnership with Grocon, the
ambitious project ratified by the State Government. Parramatta is
indebted to the industry of Councillors and their scrutiny and
monitoring of one of NSW’s largest urban revitalisation project
this century.
Reviewing our Economic Development Board
Council also achieved milestones in better running its own assets
and improving our public realm. An extensive review of the old
Parramatta Economic Development Board will produce a far more
focused and efficient structure and strategy to promote and
develop the economies of the City.
Improving parking turnover
Parking meters were installed in the Parramatta CBD to stimulate
City activity with improved parking turnover, and to provide an
income for improvements befitting a sophisticated city of this size.
A review was also conducted to judge how the impact of meters
could be adjusted.
Delivering a creative City
Council adopted its Arts Facilities and Cultural Places Framework
as a far reaching arts plan for the City over the next ten years.
Two awards from the Local Government and Shires Association
recognised the extensive expertise and community consultation
which underpins the plan. The State Government pledged support
for an Artists Studio complex for both emerging and established
artists, to open soon in the heart of the City. Parramatta is the
only Council in NSW to run such a complex, as part of its vision to
stimulate creative endeavour and industries in Western Sydney.
Council is also exploring unlocking other sites to provide dance
studios, rehearsal facilities and writers residencies. Young and
creative people seeking culturally-enriched lives and work
opportunities are beginning to discover that they need not leave
Parramatta for the bright lights of inner Sydney.
Listening to Parramatta
The Council continues to enrich its democratic processes and
extend the ways it interacts with and learns from its citizens.
Ward-based Community Council Meetings were trialled this year,
offering citizens a chance to observe meetings in their own ward
as well participate in preceeding community meetings.
The Residents’ Panel continues to inform Council’s policy and
priorities as does my own regular weekly open door Lord Mayoral
meetings with ratepayers, numbering 400 in 2005/06.
Council and I are continuing to review new ways to access and
hear what the community expects of us. Councillors too have
devoted themselves to listening to residents, as well as attending
a large number of workshops, meetings and briefing sessions
within Council. I honour them for their service to Parramatta and
their ability to pull together for the benefit of this great City.
Parramatta, Sydney’s second CBD, deserves nothing less.
Genneral Manager’s Report
The tidal Parramatta River served as the 'highway' between the 1788 farming settlement of Parramatta and the Port of Sydney.
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Cr David Borger
Lord Mayor
Parramatta City Council 2005/06 Annual Report