Parramatta: NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) office opens

The opening of a $2.3 million tribunal at Parramatta is giving momentum for a push to expand the CBD’s justice precinct.

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has opened a $2.3 million registry and hearing rooms at Parramatta, enabling “a dramatic improvement’’ of its capacity to serve the region of two million people.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman visited the George St offices on Monday and said hearing days at the George St office would increase fourfold from five a week in the borrowed hearing room in the Commonwealth Law Courts Complex (Family Court).

“This facility marks a dramatic improvement in NCAT’s capacity in Parramatta,’’ he said.

NCAT has four specialist divisions and an appeal panel that deal with civil matters, including neighbour and tenancy disputes, building works, consumer claims, decisions on guardianship and administrative review of government decisions.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer, Justice Lea Armstrong and Attorney-General Mark Speakman at NCAT’s Parramatta premises. Picture: Monique Harmer

The new NCAT Parramatta includes four hearing rooms equipped with video conferencing technology, five conciliation rooms, a registry, a public service counter and a waiting room.

The new premises come as Parramatta Council continues to advocate for an expanded justice precinct in its CBD.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said NCAT would service a region with more than two million people.

In August, Cr Dwyer revealed bold plans for a permanent Supreme Court and a law school that could inject $353 million into Parramatta’s economy annually by 2036 and double the number of legal jobs in its CBD to 2600.

“Parramatta is home to the second largest legal centre in NSW but only has five per cent of greater Sydney’s legal jobs.’’

NCAT hears matters such as civil matters and tenancy disputes. Picture: Monique Harmer

The council wrote 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.

But he said the legal fraternity must dump their anti-west’’ snobbery to bring the plans to fruition.

Mr Speakman said the Community and Justice Department would move to a new public service hub at 6 Parramatta Square late this year when several teams from Sydney CBD and Ashfield would relocate there.

“The government continually monitors the need for justice-related infrastructure across the state, including in major growth centres such as Parramatta,’’ he said.

“The department will continue to work with the council on any future developments in the area.’’

Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee said the new office would enable many more residents to solve their NCAT disputes locally.

NCAT is in George St, Parramatta. Picture: Monique Harmer

In response to COVID-19, NCAT conducted more than 79,000 hearings on paper, by telephone or by audiovisual link but before the temporary changes were introduced NCAT undertook hearings across 70 locations across the state.

The other NCAT registries are in Sydney CBD, Liverpool, Penrith, Campbelltown, Tamworth, Newcastle and Wollongong, Gosford and Lismore.

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