Parramatta's Transport Pressure

Parramatta's stature as the second CBD for Sydney continues to rise as more and more commercial and commercial/residential developments transform the face and nature of our city. The $1.6 billion Civic Place project due to commence its 10 year construction period mid next year will form the centrepiece of a revitalized city core for Parramatta. Civic place itself is certain to draw additional development to the city precinct as will the purchase of the former David Jones store by Meriton Apartments. The intention for this prime riverbank site is a twin-towered multi-use building that will include 400 residential units.

Parramatta CBD has already become home to the Justice Precinct, the head offices of the Attorney General's department, Sydney Water and the NSW Police. All of these developments will combine to draw continued investment as our city becomes more and more a desirable working environment.

But there is a problem: transport.

Transport to and from Parramatta is inadequate, most particularly in the North West environs. Council has done a great job putting the loop bus service in place and for people living in the CBD and for those who have "arrived" transport and pedestrian access have improved immensely. But getting to Parramatta remains a serious and threatening problem.

The answer is mass transit public transport that runs from the outer developments around Rouse Hill and Kellyville and in an arc across to Blacktown. Gridlocked roads are detrimental to the aspirations of a city and its people. Both sides and all factions and parties in NSW need to have transport as a key policy item for discussion and solution between now and next March.