The focus of attention of these cities is the 3,000 public servants which Premier Barry O’Farrell plans to relocate to Western Sydney from 2015.
A month or so before the announcement, Liverpool City Council was concerned the government favoured Parramatta and Penrith with government departments.
A council document, The Case for Relocation of Public Service Activity to Liverpool, called for a boost to the number of public servants in the city.
Liverpool, Western Sydney’s third regional city, had been “neglected” in comparison with Penrith and Parramatta in the allocation of public service agencies.
“Liverpool, as the gateway to South West Sydney, needs to provide a range of sophisticated services to its growing residential and business population,” it said.
Mayor, Ned Mannoun, remarked: “To deliver on our potential, Liverpool needs an investment commitment by the NSW government to decentralise a significant government department to Liverpool as a catalyst for further commercial development and as a strong signal to investors about a confident future for South Western Sydney.”
Clr Mannoun presented the document to Premier O’Farrell during a function for the business community in the city.
His plea has been answered with the relocation of the Community Relations Commission and divisions within Family and Community Services.
Parramatta will gain the Office of Environment and Heritage, EPA and Office of State Revenue, and the Ambulance Service of NSW.
“This decision is a real vote of confidence in our council’s pro-growth vision,” said Lord Mayor, John Chedid
Parramatta Chamber of Commerce president, Roger Byrne, said the additional jobs would be a huge boost for small businesses.
Penrith scores the relocation of the Department of Sport and Recreation.
“It will be of benefit to the community, local businesses and our future growth as a regional city to have this development in the heart of Penrith city - in the city centre,” Mayor, Ross Fowler, said.
Paul Brennan, chairman, of the Penrith Progression, an initiative of the Penrith Business Alliance and Penrith City Council to revitalise the CBD, supports Clr Fowler.
Campbelltown Chamber of Commerce has voiced its disappointment on missing out on relocation.
President, Anne Parnham, said she had campaigned for years to have government departments in Macarthur to create local jobs
“The Macarthur Regional Organisation of Councils should have done more to sell the benefits of Campbelltown as a base,” she said.
Blacktown? A week or so before Premier O’Farrell’s announcement council voted unanimously for Parliament House in Macquarie Street, in the Sydney CBD, to be relocated to Blacktown to boost the region.
Since the announcement, Mayor, Len Robinson, has sought an explanation from the Premier why the city was overlooked.
