City of Parramatta Council has unveiled an innovative proposal to expand the Justice Precinct in the Parramatta CBD, bringing more than 2,200 legal jobs to the City and boosting the local economy by $350 million a year.
Under the proposal, endorsed by Council this week, the expanded precinct would include a permanent Supreme Court circuit, a new law school, and a legal start-up hub to encourage new ideas in the delivery of legal services.
"As a rapidly growing economic powerhouse in the centre of global Sydney, Parramatta needs bold initiatives such as this one to help realise its full potential over the coming years," City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer said.
"We are home to the second largest legal centre in NSW, but only have 5 per cent of Greater Sydney's legal jobs. By growing Parramatta's Justice Precinct, we hope to see more barristers, solicitors, judges and judicial staff based in Parramatta, providing valuable legal services to the people of Western Sydney."
Cr Dwyer said investment in an expanded Parramatta CBD Justice Precinct was vital given the number of legal professionals living within 30 minutes of Parramatta will almost double over the next 15 years.
"With the growth and transformation Parramatta is experiencing, it makes sense that our Justice Precinct grows with it," Cr Dwyer said.
"Not only will an expanded Justice Precinct accommodate the needs of our growing population, but it will also help support and retain local legal talent and encourage new and innovative ways to improve the justice system.
"We look forward to working closely with the relevant state and federal government departments and industry experts to make this vision a reality."
The idea was first brought to Council by former Lord Mayor Cr Andrew Wilson in 2018. In response, Council commissioned an independent report by SGS Economics and Planning analysing the demand for legal services in Parramatta, as well as the economic and service benefits of the precinct to the City.
