Parramatta City Council has proposed an expanded Local Government Area with the scale and capacity to drive Sydney’s future economic growth and development in response to the State Government’s ‘Fit for the Future’ local government reform process.

Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Cr Scott Lloyd said the proposal would create a new Parramatta LGA which would be at the centre of Sydney’s largest growth corridor and would provide the basis for improving community services and value for money for ratepayers.

The proposal would see the boundaries of the Parramatta local government area redrawn to include the whole of the current Parramatta and Holroyd LGAs, and portions of the Auburn LGA, Ryde LGA, and the Hills and Hornsby council areas.

The new council’s boundaries would be defined using existing infrastructure and the natural landscape wherever possible, and would incorporate the business hubs at Macquarie Park, Epping and Sydney Olympic Park.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to redefine the future of local government in NSW and is strongly aligned with the Government’s Metropolitan Strategy, ‘A Plan for Growing Sydney’”, Cr Lloyd said.

“We believe the current scale and capacity of our council make is difficult to maximise Parramatta’s potential as Sydney’s dual CBD, and an expanded council should be created with a stronger revenue base and improved resources.

“A new LGA would bring with it a significantly expanded residential, commercial and industrial rate base capable of generating at least $500 million a year in revenue to provide improved services for the community. It would also allow the council to become a true partner to the State and Federal Governments in supporting the ongoing growth in the geographic centre of global Sydney.

“Parramatta could not respond directly to the Government’s proposed merger model for our LGA as we were unable to secure support to carry out the analysis required from our neighbours, Holroyd, Auburn, Ryde and the Hills councils.

“Our model will not only benefit Parramatta, it will benefit all communities in the new LGA through the council’s increased capacity to deliver services and support growth.”

Cr Lloyd said Parramatta will ask the State Government to establish specific legislation for the new council similar to the arrangements currently in place under the ‘City of Sydney Act’.

This would recognise the administrative and economic importance of the Parramatta region, and facilitate a coordinated approach to planning, transport and traffic management.

“The next big step for Sydney is to develop the economic region surrounding Parramatta comprehensively and well.  Parramatta and its future development have significance well beyond the current LGA. This is an opportunity for important reform that must not be missed,” Cr Lloyd said.

Parramatta City Council is calling for a detailed review to be conducted to determine the exact scale and scope of this new proposed LGA and is seeking to work with the NSW Government to define its boundaries.

“We now have the opportunity to move from being a well-run suburban council to a strong regional council with expanded scale and capacity. We believe this would place Council in the best possible position to serve our community and contribute to the vision for Sydney.

“In terms of the future of Parramatta, doing nothing is inconceivable,” Cr Lloyd said.