Planning Minister Stephen Kamper calls Parramatta Council boss’ jobs concern ‘crazy’
A senior minister has dismissed a council boss’ criticisms over a shortfall of jobs at a planned housing precinct in Sydney’s west after reading about the “silly” story.
NSW
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The NSW Lands and Property Minister has laughed off Parramatta Council’s concerns that the upzoned Parramatta North housing precinct won’t have enough space for offices, calling it “crazy”.
Stephen Kamper made the remarks at a NSW budget estimates hearing at Parliament on Wednesday when state opposition housing spokesman Scott Farlow fired off questions about the site, which proposes 2000 homes, 12,000 jobs and 25,000 students over 42 hectares.
Mr Kamper raised an article published by this masthead on Tuesday that highlighted concerns Parramatta Council chief executive Gail Connolly and planning executive director Jennifer Concato had raised about the masterplan.
A key concern was a lack of commercial space for jobs to support the population influx.
“I noticed there was some silly article yesterday from – I hope it’s not the mayor,’’ he said.
“The general manager of Parramatta Council was talking about ‘we don’t want homes, we want more employment space’. Well really crazy that she should be focusing on …’’
His comment sparked laughs from other members in the session who were surprised the request for more jobs was labelled “crazy”.
“It’s not crazy,’’ One Nation MP Tania Mihailuk said.
Mr Farlow responded: “We don’t want jobs now, Minister? Aren’t you the Minister for Small Business? You don’t want jobs? It’s crazy, apparently.’’
Mr Kamper went on to say Parramatta had 20 per cent vacancy rates in office space.
“I think the council would be best served focusing on some type of strategic planning to sort that out,’’ he said.
“We’re going to create jobs and homes here, and complete an unfinished part of Parramatta.’’
The council did not respond to questions about Mr Kamper’s comments but reiterated its priority for generating employment so the “housing crisis of today, does not become the jobs crisis of tomorrow’’.
“Council has an adopted jobs target of 150,000 jobs by 2050 and we need to ensure land is zoned to protect job capacity for future generations,’’ a spokeswoman said.
“This is about longer-term planning for the future of the city and ensuring the balance between housing and jobs is right to deliver on our vision for the next 25 years.’’
Mr Kamper was also asked about his government being on a “collision course” with the Albanese government after Parramatta federal Labor MP Andrew Charlton requested the government hit pause on the project, for heritage and overdevelopment reasons.
Mr Kamper said: “It’s only positive for Parramatta and it’s not time to pause. It’s time to press accelerate.’’
“We're moving forward with this, it’s going to be fantastic for Parramatta as a whole.’’
Asked whether Mr Charlton’s comments about the development threatening a potential World Heritage listing for the Parramatta Female Factory were unfounded, Mr Kamper said the community showed strong support for the project.
“I think we’ve got the balance right,” he said.
“Dr Charlton’s entitled to his position, but as far as I’m concerned, we’re consulting with the community, and overwhelmingly I think the community’s quite positive about it.’’
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