World Expo 88: Parramatta plans for an ‘expo’ to showcase its city
Parramatta business and political leaders have begun talks on a “signature event” to show Australia and the world how far the city has come — and there is one particular event they have in mind.
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It was the event that marked the transformation of Brisbane from a backwater town to a modern metropolis, with a catchy jingle that dominated Australian TV.
Just over three decades since Queen Elizabeth II declared open World Expo 88, a Sydney city is hoping to follow in Brisbane’s footsteps.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal talks are underway among senior tourism chiefs at staging a similar event in Parramatta to coincide with the opening of the Powerhouse Museum.
Slated for 2024, the event would also showcase the city’s new infrastructure from the light rail and Parramatta Square and Civic Centre to Bankwest Stadium and the new high-rise Arthur Phillip High School.
The idea was put forward by Western Sydney Business Chamber director David Borger, with officials understood to be keen to pursue the idea.
More than 18 million visitors attended the Queensland World Expo — more than double the number expected — and it featured international 100 pavilions, sculptures and a purpose-built monorail.
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Dubbed “Leisure In The Age of Technology”, the expo was designed to promote Queensland as a tourist destination while driving development.
While the Brisbane expo went for six months, Mr Borger said the vision for Parramatta was a 10-week event with domestic and international patronage.
“People loved Expo ’88. Anyone who went to it has fond memories, but it never happened again,” he said.
“The idea of the Expo was to show of our city, and Parramatta will soon have a lot to show off from the Powerhouse Museum to the new light rail.
“It is early days but there are talks on potentially having one in Parramatta.”
The Powerhouse Museum is scheduled to open in 2024, with the light rail to be completed the year earlier.
Parramatta Square and Civid Centre is due to be finished in 2022 as is the new Parramatta Function Centre.
Both the Hilton Hotel Parramatta and QT Hotel are scheduled to open in 2023.
The idea for a major event followed research that found an overwhelming desire among locals for Parramatta to host more major festivals.
Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said there was a need for Parramatta to host a “signature event” to show Australia how much it had grown.
He said the view that Parramatta did not have the cafes, restaurants and entertainment options as other parts of Sydney needed to be challenged.
“People think they know Parramatta when they haven’t bloody come out here,” he said.
“It’s a hidden treasure. We’ve got good restaurants, cafes.
“We need something really big and I think David is on the right track. Let’s give it a try. What have we got to lose? If it comes off, it’ll be fantastic.”
Mr Dwyer said the next step would be to seek expert advice on such a proposal.