Fast rail hub, ‘New York boroughs’ recommended to make Parramatta a global city

Central Station could be left in the past under an ambitious plan to make Parramatta Australia’s leading city by 2035. See the recommendations, and the city’s latest funding coup.

Parramatta will be a global city in its own right within 13 years, according to an ambitious NSW Government-commissioned report which states a new fast rail hub must be anchored in western Sydney.

The booming city has to be the centre point of a mass transit hub featuring fast rail linking Parramatta to Newcastle and Wollongong, states the “Parramatta 2035: Vibrant, Sustainable, Global”, commissioned by Premier Dominic Perrottet and looking at the city’s future over the next decade.

The report, to be released today, adds the Australian Turf Club must take more “corporate responsibility” over Rosehill Racecourse by pumping money into a facelift for the track, while Parramatta should also pursue New York style “boroughs”, each with its own president, to capitalise on the city’s diverse mix of residents.

Parramatta could be also be the “Saint Pancras of the Southern Hemisphere” – similar to London’s key arterial train station, according to the report, which was authored by Western Sydney University president Professor Barney Glover and the university’s Centre for Western Sydney.

That would be achieved by turning the city into a mass transit hub, making Parramatta the focal point for fast trains better connecting Sydney to Wollongong and Newcastle.

Premier Dominic Perrottet commissioned the report. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Western Sydney University’s vice-chancellor Professor Andy Marks said the report was “about saying it’s Parramatta’s time to come of age”, saying their research pointed to it overtaking Sydney city as the business and transport hub of the city.

“Think about Parramatta as an interchange – for years Central has been the transport interchange, but it doesn’t reflect the centrality of Sydney,” he said.

Kirk Duncan, CEO of The Mobile Apps Man, with the Microsoft HoloLens with medical science student Mary Bul and information and communication technology student Don Caspillo. He’s among the new start-ups forging ahead in Parramatta. Picture: Richard Dobson

“When we hear about the fast rail mooted in state budget, Parramatta should be the interchange for it – that’s how you link Canberra, Newcastle and Wollongong.”

Mr Marks said Parramatta’s accessibility and high proportion of residents born overseas “makes it the best candidate we’ve got for Australia’s best global city”.

For Kirk Duncan, whose business The Mobile Apps Man is based in Western Sydney University’s Engineering Innovation Hub at Parramatta, the future is now.

Mr Duncan’s business focuses on holographic programming – with the latest venture a program which will be able to be used to render crime scenes for the police in a 3D, interactive hologram.

Medical science student Mary Bul and information and communication technology student Don Caspillo using the Microsoft HoloLens at Parramatta. Picture: Richard Dobson

He said the continuing boom of Parramatta made it perfect to attract more start-ups like his in the coming decade.

“From Parramatta’s perspective, it’s a growing and thriving metropolis here,” he said.

“We’ve got brand new buildings going up all around the precinct, proximity to public transport and the university’s facilities here.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet said he looked forward to the presenting the review to the NSW Government for consideration.

“The NSW Government commissioned this important review with Professor Glover’s work to be considered by the Government, which will complement our Six City Strategy that is providing a blueprint to unlock new opportunities for Parramatta,” Mr Perrottet said.

Dog park, BMX, Skate park: Parra’s WestInvest Loot

Parramatta will get a new BMX track and skate park, as well as a swath of new playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment as part of a $15.3 million pre-election cash slash.

The City of Parramatta will receive funding for six community projects from the NSW Government’s WestInvest funding pot, with Treasurer Matt Kean saying the heavy focus on new playgrounds and other recreational equipment suited an area with a ballooning population.

“This project is perfect for a booming city with a high proportion of youngsters growing up in the area,” Mr Kean said.

Parramatta's Centenary Square in 2017. Picture: AAP Image/ Justin Sanson

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the projects were part of making Parramatta “a vibrant cultural hub” with better access to exercise equipment and parks.

The Parramatta cash splash includes $4.6m to improve Somerville Park with new playgrounds, sports courts and outdoor workout stations.

Max Ruddock Reserve will get $3.8m for a new viewing platform to watch local sporting matches from, while Sue Savage Reserve will receive $3.7m for a new skate and BMX park.

Kilpack will get $1.4m for new lighting and paths, while the Dundas Ward will get $1.5m for new play equipment.

An artist’s impression of Centenary Square when the new Parramatta Light Rail is complete.

Dog walkers will also rejoice with $354,725 to go towards a new off-leash dog park at West Epping.

The millions of dollars of funding are the latest commitments to come from the NSW Government’s $5 billion WestInvest funding pot.

Parramatta is eligible for another $12m of funding on projects which are still currently being assessed.

The WestInvest fund includes $2b for Community Project grants, which will result in 15 council areas in west and south west Sydney getting a share of $400m for local work based off their population size.

The WestInvest funding comes from cash the state government made when it sold off its remaining share of the WestConnex highway last year.