Parramatta to quit Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils amid jealousy claims

I’m sorry that people are so jealous of me. But I can’t help that I’m popular … Parramatta council and Gretchen Weiners seem to have a lot in common.

Parramatta has seen a lot of changes, with councillors arguing it’s just not ‘west’ anymore.

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Parramatta councillors want to pull the plug on their membership of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), suggesting they are not “west” enough for the group anymore.

“There is very little we share in common with WSROC,” Liberal councillor Benjamin Barrak said.

“The city of Parramatta is seen as a central city, we’re seen as having a different dynamic.

“We are seen as being the beneficiary of significant State Government investment and infrastructure and in a sense there’s a lot of jealousy.”

Parramatta councillors channel their inner Mean Girl, claiming other western Sydney councils are “jealous”.

Parramatta Council’s $93,500 membership fee is due for renewal in July, with many councillors arguing the benefits have become less apparent.

“From our $90,000 investment my understanding is we only get a $10,000 return,” Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson said.

Councillors argue the state investment of the Powerhouse Museum has made other council areas jealous.

The Western Sydney Stadium is also seen as a reason for resentment from other areas.

“We used to be seen as a big brother but now we’re seen as a competitor for Liverpool and Penrith.”

Penrith Council made the decision to leave WSROC in May last year. Parramatta, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Hawkesbury and Liverpool councils have remained working together, advocating for transport, infrastructure, health, education and community facilities.

Stephen Bali, WSROC president and Blacktown mayor, said Parramatta Council received $260,000 in benefits last year.

Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) president and Blacktown Council Mayor Stephen Bali.

“WSROC encourages our members to actively look at ways we can continuously improve our representation and value proposition.

“We understand that there was fruitful discussion … (but) western Sydney can only flourish if it has a united voice.”

Labor councillors Donna Davis and Pierre Esber said the council should remain a member of WSROC in order to capitalise on Badgerys Creek airport investment opportunities.

“We should want to be part of the aerotropolis,” Cr Davis said.

“We need to be involved in the conversation, and if we leave WSROC we’ll be cutting off our nose to spite our face.”

Cr Esber said while the group “isn’t perfect”, it was better to be involved in decision making.

“We’ve got to be inside the tent,” he said. “No organisation is perfect, but this is a spring board for us to spring from. Parramatta is a leader in western Sydney, and when you talk western Sydney you’re talking about Parramatta.”

The decision will be debated at council this month.