Details of a report outlining potential options for the proposed line were presented at a special conference in Parramatta on Friday, March 4.
The conference, titled ’15 Minutes: fast tracking the dual CBDs’ was jointly hosted by Parramatta City Council and the Sydney Business Chamber and was an opportunity for various stakeholders and experts to come together and discuss the proposal and the transformational effect it could have on Western Sydney.
The need for improved rail connections between the two CBDs has been identified by Infrastructure Australia as a high priority and the economic benefits of a line from Parramatta to the new airport are obvious.
Transportation is the key to unlocking the economic potential of Badgerys Creek and overseas experience has demonstrated that major cities that have been successful in establishing a viable second airport also have a fast rail link.
With Parramatta acknowledged by the State Government as a key growth area of Sydney for the next 20 years and beyond, it is crucial that transport planning keeps pace with the region’s population growth and Council believes a fast rail link is a vital component of Western Sydney’s future transport needs.
We know that the timing is right to move forward with the idea of building a fast rail line, now we need both the Government and the private sector to take a leap of faith and make it a reality.
Fit for the Future
The State Government’s ‘Fit for the Future’ local government reform process has entered the next phase with submissions to the Boundaries Commission regarding the merger proposals closing in late February.
In its submissions to the two merger proposals affecting Parramatta, Council expressed its disappointment at the decision to remove the Woodville Ward from the LGA but has not argued for its retention due to the Government directive that only minor boundary changes can be considered by the appointed delegates.
Council has proposed a number of minor boundary changes including the addition of small sections of North Epping, Eastwood, Westmead and Winston Hills to the new Parramatta LGA.
We have also proposed that a small section of Granville slated to remain part of Parramatta be included in the new Council entity created by the merger of Holroyd and Auburn councils and Parramatta’s Woodville Ward. This will ensure a better connection between community facilities in that area and the residents they serve.
The model proposed for the new Parramatta LGA is significantly smaller than Council’s own submission to IPART, which would have given Parramatta the scale necessary to underpin the economic growth of Western Sydney, and as such Council believes it is critical that the new LGA not be diminished any further during the next phase of the merger process.
Council has also called for the creation of a Parramatta Act, along similar lines to the City of Sydney Act, to help Parramatta reach its full potential.
Council’s submissions can be viewed via our website, www.parracity.nsw.gov.au. To find out more about the ‘Fit for the Future’ process visit
www.councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au
