City of Parramatta Council is calling on the NSW Government to support a suite of ready-to-go projects that will help stimulate Sydney's economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and create more jobs.
Council has asked the NSW Government to prioritise both public and private investment in the Central River City, including through its new $3 billion Infrastructure and Job Acceleration Fund.
"Parramatta is fast emerging as the economic powerhouse at the centre of global Sydney," City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said.
"With a rapidly growing number of residents, workers and visitors, Parramatta is going through an unprecedented period of growth and is in a unique position to lead Sydney's economic recovery.
"We have a long list of construction and infrastructure projects already underway, from Parramatta Light Rail to Parramatta Square, and many more in the pipeline that will benefit not just Parramatta but Sydney as a whole.
"To do this, however, and help get all of Sydney back on its feet, we need assistance from the State Government to commit to public investment and prioritise approvals to encourage private investment in our City."
Council has asked the NSW Government to consider several key priorities, including:
• The delivery of more than $6 billion worth of city-shaping projects, plus the $20 billion Sydney Metro West, which combined will create almost 21,400 jobs in the short term and upwards of 6,000 jobs in the long term.
• The acceleration of State Government-funded projects, including Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 and planning for Sydney Metro West and Powerhouse Museum, as well as a commitment to projects such as Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2.
• Support with financial assistance and approvals, the acceleration of Council's works programs - worth more than $500 million, including the new Parramatta Aquatic and Leisure Centre and Riverside Theatres.
• Working with the private sector to identify and remove barriers to help accelerate the $1.7 billion worth of approved private developments in the Local Government Area.
• Support the immediate start of City of Parramatta's shovel-ready projects, including 42 projects worth $64 million that can be delivered in the next 12 months and employ 180 locals, through additional funding and fast-tracked approvals.
Cr Dwyer thanked the NSW Government for committing to relocate the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta, which will create more than 2300 jobs during construction, and agreeing to bring forward some construction work on Parramatta Light Rail during this quieter period, including the relocation of vital utilities in the CBD, and extending work hours.
"While we appreciate the effort that has gone into fast-tracking some aspects of Parramatta Light Rail, we want to ensure it has a material impact on the overall delivery of the route," Cr Dwyer said.
"We are asking for the NSW Government to allocate more resources to this major project so it can be completed as soon as possible.
"Doing this work now will minimise the disruption later and help these businesses - especially those on Parramatta's iconic 'Eat Street' - get back on their feet faster once the Coronavirus crisis is over. Our local businesses are the backbone of this City, and I want to ensure they're still here at the end of all this."
Cr Dwyer is also urging the State Government to commit to delivering Stage 2 of Parramatta Light Rail. Extending from the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park, Stage 2 of the project is expected to connect suburbs such as Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point with the Parramatta CBD and Sydney Olympic Park.
"The delivery of this second stage is critical in addressing the lack of public transport options in and around these newer areas," Cr Dwyer said.
"By accelerating the delivery of Parramatta Light Rail Stages 1 and 2, the NSW Government can help reignite the local economy and ensure we not only bounce back, but continue to thrive, after this difficult period."
