Council delays Parramatta CBD Planning Proposal delayed again

After almost a decade, debate continues to rage about the development blueprint for Parramatta’s CBD. Critics say it’s a “blow’ for jobs but supporters want it done and dusted. Find out why it’s been delayed again.

The Parramatta CBD Planning Proposal has been delayed yet again after business groups and the Labor-dominated council criticised it for stunting job growth and not preserving the community’s most heritage-rich suburb.

The proposal, which is a blueprint for the city’s future development, was approved by the State Government’s Planning Department in May after nine years of council debate, workshops and public feedback.

The plan allows Parramatta to have 11,000 more homes and 16,000 new jobs but the government made changes to the plan the council endorsed in June last year.

The council criticised those amendments for limiting job growth and not delivering more than 1.97 million sqm of new office space. The government changes equated to a potential loss of 15,280 jobs and 3440 dwellings.

This week, Parramatta’s Labor-controlled chamber voted to defer its response to the government for another fortnight so it could properly view its changes instead of it only having two days to make a decision.

Property Council’s western Sydney regional director Ross Grove objected to the government’s changes, which he said would limit jobs in Parramatta.

“The changes introduced by the state government are a blow to certainty and investor confidence, which, if left unaltered, will result in a flight of capital to other jurisdictions both interstate and overseas,’’ he said.

Mr Grove said the number of apartments in Parramatta warranted more jobs in commercial buildings and requested the Planning Minister consider that so the CBD could “move forward with confidence”.

The planning proposal permits residential towers to reach 70 storeys and 52 storeys for commercial buildings. Picture: David Swift

Lord Mayor Donna Davis condemned the plan for detracting from North Parramatta’s heritage.

“North Parramatta and surrounds hold a vast amount of history of not only First Australians in terms of ancient sites but also of early colonial history,’’ she said.

“The amenity afforded by Parramatta, its tributaries and adjacent parklands will be greatly diminished in the face of increasing development.’’

North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group spokeswoman Suzette Meade wanted to defer the plan because the government had only given the public and council three days to assess changes.

But frustrated independent councillor Lorraine Wearne urged the chamber to accept the government plan.

“Let’s grow and grow forward as part of a bigger economy — Sydney and western Sydney,’’ she said.

“All you’re doing is deferring for what? Deferring for a meeting and another meeting and another meeting so help me God. We can meet with everyone from Adam almost up to God and still not change.

“We’ve all met, we’ve all discussed this, we’ve all had workshops, we’ve had everything we should need to have to take this city forward as a growing entity — not sit on our hands once again.

“We start playing games with this and we will be here two-and-a-half years from now going nowhere.

“The state is trying to help us grow up and be an educated, adult council that can see what is the only way forward for our community and our city.’’

The council’s planning and design executive director Jennifer Concato unsuccessfully urged the chamber against deferring the plan.

“In my opinion we have not rushed the process,’’ she said.

The council will meet the Planning Department to discuss the Parramatta CBD Planning Proposal again and recommend it restore office and commercial floor space, ensure Parramatta River is activated and provide a plan for north of the Parramatta River.

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