Parramatta Council pushes for Supreme Court, law school
A Supreme Court and a law school could potentially pump $353 million into Parramatta’s economy — but the mayor says the legal fraternity must dump their “anti-west” snobbery for the bold plan to happen.
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A permanent Supreme Court and a law school could potentially pump $353 million into Parramatta’s economy — but Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer has called for the legal fraternity to dump their snobby views of Sydney’s “second city” for the bold plan to proceed.
The vision to expand the precinct could double the number of jobs in the Parramatta CBD to 2600.
The ambitious plan to expand the law courts has surfaced on the council agenda after a study into the proposal was requested in April 2018.
Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said the plan hinged on the establishment of the Supreme Court having a permanent presence. It now only sits at Parramatta when required.
“If we don’t get a Supreme Court, you’re talking to the wind,’’ he said.
“If we bring the Supreme Court to Parramatta, the number of jobs will double and that excites us because at the moment we have 5 per cent of the legal jobs compared to 71 per cent in Sydney.’’
He called for judges to dump out-of-date negative views of Parramatta, which “is growing faster than they think’’.
“These people in the past have had an anti-west view, saying it’s too far to go but they’ve got no excuses now,’’ he said.
“In the past it was seen difficult for Parramatta to get to. I don’t think that’s fair anymore. The train takes 25 minutes (from the city), Metro West will take 20 minutes.
“The M4 is pretty fast.’’
The council will write to the State Government calling for its support, as well as inviting potential stakeholders including the Law Society of NSW and NSW Bar Association to join its campaign.
“We’re pushing ourselves to be the second major city — how about respecting that standing?,’’ Cr Dwyer said.
The council, which also proposes a legal start-up in the CBD, will also approach universities about a law school.
A spokeswoman for Western Sydney University, which has 1800 law students, has welcomed the plan.
“The overwhelming majority of Western Sydney University law graduates go on to work in western Sydney, including Parramatta,’’ she said.
“Many of Western Sydney University’s law graduates are employed at leading firms such as Minters, King & Wood Mallesons, Allens, Coleman Greig, PwC and we have many barristers including Western Sydney University’s own accredited migration law specialist and senior lecturer, Jason Donnelly.’’
The spokeswoman said the law school could assist the economy post pandemic.
“It is very clear that education – law included – will play a major role in economic recovery,’’ she said.
“The university is supportive of measures by council that recognise and support greater access to education. Now is the time to ramp up that support, and local government has an important role to play.’’
NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman said he was also open to more consultation.
“The NSW Government looks forward to seeing Parramatta Council’s proposal for an expanded justice precinct,’’ he said.
“The Sydney West Trial Courts complex in Parramatta is a large and modern court facility dealing with a range of criminal and civil matters.’’
A NSW Law Society spokeswoman said it was engaged in consultation with the government and other relevant stakeholders about the provision of justice facilities.
“We have not been asked to provide any feedback on behalf of the profession in relation to Parramatta Council’s current proposal but will do so, when requested by the relevant authorities,” she said.
The Parramatta Justice Precinct, centred on George and Marsden streets, comprises the local, district, children’s and bail courts as well as the NSW Attorney-General and Justice Department and the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and the Director of Public Prosecutions Office.
The council will vote on whether it should endorse its plan to campaign the State Government on the precinct expansion at its meeting on Monday night.