4
LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROFILE
Parramatta:
AUSTRALIA’S
RISING STAR
What notable projects are underway in the Parramatta
region to boost economic and/or social development?
Parramatta is stepping up as the
business and economic capital of
Western Sydney. In this edition of
Govlink magazine we speak with
Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr John
Chedid about the region’s growth,
how the council plans to attract
new business investment, and the
plans for Parramatta’s future.
In November 2013, Council launched a unique
initiative, Activate Parramatta, to bring to life
innovative and creative business ideas that will
activate key areas of Parramatta’s CBD.
Set-up as an Expression of Interest program, Activate
Parramatta is providing grants of $10,000 to help
businesses get started in Parramatta.
The goal is to encourage entrepreneurs with business
ideas that is original, has commercial potential and will
contribute to the diversity and vibrancy of Parramatta.
Are any notable environmental projects underway?
Parramatta CBD is being rejuvenated. Half of its CBD
office space was built during the 1980’s building
boom. Over the next decade, the majority of these
buildings will need upgrading.
High vacancy levels, lower rents and high maintenance
costs are common in these older buildings. Property
owners are upgrading their buildings to generate
market interest.
So far Council has received 24 submissions with
successful applicants already activating our public spaces.
We’re actively working with this sector to support
those upgrades and one way for businesses to do so is
through Council’s Environmental Upgrade Agreement
(EUA) Finance Program, which helps building owners
develop their building upgrade projects.
Flip Out, Australia’s largest trampoline playground,
brought its mobile trampoline to Parramatta River’s
foreshore during the school holidays. An activity that
has never been offered in the local government area,
Flip Out was a huge success entertaining thousands of
families while helping keep kids physically fit.
The scheme has seen three EUAs in New South Wales
already with the first delivered in Parramatta. The EUA
for 10 Valentine Avenue, Parramatta was used for a
lighting upgrade which delivered an estimated 60 per
cent reduction in lighting bills and increased the value
of the building.
International hotelier, Park Royal, came to Council
with the idea of installing a pop-up bar and food stalls
every Friday night during February and March in a
public space opposite its hotel. Run off the back of the
success of Council’s annual Parramatta Lanes event,
this initiative provided a vibrant and fun outdoor space
attracting workers for Friday night drinks.
This trend continued with 20 Macquarie Street,
Parramatta which is one step away from modernising
its interior, exterior, and building services.
In addition, EUA legislation permits property owners to
recover contributions from tenants that are equal to the
energy or water cost savings resulting from the upgrades.
As part of ongoing dialogue with the business
community, Council also established a new local
business partnership forum to give local businesses
the opportunity to discuss what they need to prosper
and grow in Parramatta.
We’re using the forum to hear from local business
about why they came to Parramatta and what will
keep them here.
Govlink I Issue 1 2014
In many cases, these contributions can provide for 3040% of the upgrade costs. As the tenant is financially
no worse off and enjoys a better work environment,
it’s a ‘win-win’ outcome.
We’re currently having discussions with several other
parties that are interested in modernising their older
buildings using EUA Finance.