Parramatta City Council has adopted a Smart City Masterplan which will guide the integration of leading-edge technology and future town planning designs in new developments across the City, including the $2 billion Parramatta Square project.
As part of a commitment to build a world-class Smart City, Council has appointed a dedicated Strategic Project Officer to implement the blueprint and oversee the roll-out of future Smart City initiatives.
“With so much urban renewal taking place across the city, Parramatta City Council is determined to be a leader when it comes to finding innovative solutions,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Scott Lloyd said.
“The Masterplan will position Parramatta to achieve its ambition to become Australia’s next great city, and a world-class Smart City.”
Chairman of the Parraconnect Committee and Deputy Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Steven Issa said council was actively promoting private and public collaboration in the development of Parramatta’s Smart City program.
“Parramatta throughout the ages has been known as a place of major trade and innovation. Our new Smart City program will enable research institutions, businesses, residents and the City Council to collaborate on tech solutions to improve the quality of life and accelerate economic growth in our region,” Cr Issa said.
Previously a strategic partnerships consultant for the National Retailers’ Association and Director of Executive Women Australia, Tara Cheesman is Australia’s first local government appointed Strategic Smart City Officer.
“Parramatta’s Smart City initiatives will enable us to become a well-connected, prosperous and resilient city,” Ms Cheesman said.
“Cities, locally, nationally and abroad, are competing for top talent and trade and they must provide compelling offerings to their investors, employers, employees, patrons and residents.
“Our new Smart City program will provide us with the perfect engagement tools and platforms to source the best ideas and technologies to make it easier for people to connect, share, collaborate, and innovate. Our Smart City program will allow us to evaluate applicable technologies to improve the city’s liveability, sustainability, and develop local attractions.”
Parramatta’s new Smart City Masterplan states: “Parramatta will be a Smart City that leverages the foundations of good urban planning, transparent governance, open data and enabling technologies that will underpin our position as a vibrant, people-centric, connected and economically prosperous city.”
Cr Lloyd said the Masterplan and appointment of a full-time Strategic Project Officer are tangible examples of what Council is doing to position Parramatta as a true city of the 21st Century.
“We already have convenient public transport and the city’s workforce has easy access to great amenities, shopping, cafes, parks and restaurants – these are all characteristics of a Smart City.
“Parramatta’s Smart City Masterplan and Tara’s role will ensure that Parramatta is competing on a global stage. By joining the global Smart City ISO standards, Parramatta will soon be able to compare its ‘smart’ efforts against Amsterdam, London, Barcelona, Melbourne and Brisbane.
“Potential Smart City initiatives include open data, a state-of-the-art library of the future, a new Discovery Centre, street sign way finders and free public WiFi.”
The Smart City Masterplan has been developed by leading innovation and Building Technology Strategist Bruce Duyshart of Meld Strategies, who previously played a key role as Technology Development Manager for the Barrangaroo South Project.
The Masterplan has provided a work-ready matrix to ensure each project can be assessed against its alignment with the Council’s current strategic planning priorities to 2038.
UWS’s timely move to a vertical campus on Parramatta Square with 10,000 ‘tech-savvy’ students will also enable Council to progress healthy discussions on the future needs of the city.
PCC Smart City Masterplan
