A new Parramatta council to be known as the ‘City of Parramatta’ has assured new and existing residents and ratepayers that it will be business as usual when accessing local community services and facilities.

 

Centred on the former Parramatta City Council, the boundaries for the new Local Government Area incorporate most of the former Parramatta LGA, with the exclusion of the Woodville Ward, along with parts of the Hills, Hornsby and Auburn council areas, and a small section of the Holroyd LGA.

 

The boundaries have been confirmed as part of the ‘Fit for the Future’ local government reform process and encompass the economic hubs of the Westmead health precinct, the Parramatta CBD, the whole of the Epping town Centre and Sydney Olympic Park, as well as Wentworth Point.

 

The new LGA is primarily bordered by the natural boundaries of the M2 Motorway in the north, and the M4 Motorway in the south and creates a strong economic corridor centred on Global Sydney’s dual CBD.

 

Parramatta City Council’s former Woodville Ward has been merged with parts of the Auburn and Holroyd LGAs to form a new Local Government Area called Cumberland Council.

 

Greg Dyer, formerly the CEO of Parramatta City Council has been appointed as the Interim General Manager of the new City of Parramatta Council. Mr Dyer says council staff have been working behind the scenes with neighbouring councils to achieve a seamless transition to ensure there is no interruption to local services.

 

“We are very happy to welcome our new residents into the new City of Parramatta and I want to assure everyone that all services provided under their previous councils will continue as normal,” Mr Dyer said. 

 

“This means that residents of Hornsby, the Hills, Auburn and Holroyd who are now part of the new City of Parramatta will continue to have the same waste collection arrangements and access to local services such as libraries, child care and seniors support.”

 

The boundary changes announced by the State Government will see Parramatta’s population increase immediately by about 20,000 to more than 216,000.

As a result of the NSW Government’s proclamation of the new boundaries, the Lord Mayor and Councillors no longer hold their roles but can seek re-election at the next local government elections, proposed to be held in September  2017.

In the interim the NSW Government has appointed Amanda Chadwick as Administrator who will perform the civic duties and responsibilities of Councillors. Ms Chadwick’s extensive experience includes numerous NSW State Government appointments at an executive level, most recently as the Executive Director of Policy & Economics at NSW Trade & Investment.

Mr Dyer said the expanded LGA will bring the economic corridor between Westmead, the Parramatta CBD and Sydney Olympic Park under the control of one council and will strengthen Parramatta’s position as Sydney’s dual CBD.

 

“It will allow for the streamlining of planning processes around the Western Sydney light rail network, which will fall entirely within the new LGA, and will enable improved connectivity with communities which have traditionally accessed employment, education and community services in the Parramatta CBD.

 

“Bringing the key economic centres of Westmead, Epping, the Parramatta CBD and Sydney Olympic Park under the one council banner creates an economic powerhouse that will drive the future growth of Western Sydney.

 

“It gives the City of Parramatta a stronger rate base which will help us deliver improved and increased services for residents across the entire LGA, while getting on with the job of building Australia’s next great city here in the heart of Global Sydney.

 

“The creation of a new, larger Parramatta council improves our ability to be a true partner with the State Government on important projects such as the light rail network and the development of the new Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.  It will better enable Parramatta to fulfil its role as Sydney’s dual CBD, as outlined by the Government in its 2014 Metropolitan Strategy,” Mr Dyer said.

 

Residents wanting more information about the changes and council services are encouraged to visit Council’s website www.parracity.nsw.gov.au or contact Council’s Customer Service centre on 1300 617 058.