Parramatta is being positioned as a ‘smart city’ with the development of a Technology Masterplan for Parramatta Square and the creation of a Smart City Masterplan.

 

The plans will provide a strategy for how technology initiatives can be efficiently planned for and incorporated into new developments and projects across Parramatta.

 

Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Scott Lloyd says that with so much urban renewal taking place across the city, Council is taking the time now to find innovative solutions to address issues such as telecommunications planning, power infrastructure and public Wi-Fi in current and future projects.

 

“Applying the masterplans to development areas such as Parramatta Square will serve to guide the types of technologies, standards and approaches that Council will follow in its planning and which developers should adopt in their building designs,” Cr Lloyd said.

 

“Digital technologies are critical drivers of innovative and productive, liveable cities.

 

“Council is committed to advancing connective technologies to create a better social, environmental and economic way of life. These masterplans will go a long way to embedding this vision.”

 

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Steven Issa, and Chairman of Council’s ParraConnect Committee that has been driving a number of smart city projects, says the Masterplans will help establish a connected community.

 

“The creation of these masterplans will support our long-term vision for a smart city by guiding the use and integration of leading-edge technologies,” Cr Issa said.

 

“It means we are creating a city centre where workers, residents and visitors can readily interact with state-of-the-art technologies.”

 

The work will be supported by a Smart City Strategic Project Officer. The newly created position will coordinate strategic relationships relevant to innovation, education and technology and represent the interests of Council in technology-focussed partnership initiatives.

 

Since 2009, Parramatta City Council has undertaken a number of initiatives to position itself as an emerging smart city, including the ParraSync smart card, free Wi-Fi in libraries and wireless solar powered CCTV.

 

These initiatives have been led by ParraConnect, a community partnership advisory committee, which aims to foster new digital initiatives in local public precincts.

 

Further information on Parramatta City Council’s focus for becoming a smart city can be found here: http://www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/work/economic_development/strategy/smart_city