As others see us

While Parramatta stands as the gateway to Western Sydney, driving along the main arteries to our city gives one little sense of "arrival". Victoria and Parramatta Roads link Parramatta to Sydney by an unbroken chain of suburbs. Even looking west from Sydney there is no clear, unique skyline outline to distinguish this great city on approach.

Certainly the proposed Civic Place will create a sense of place within the city and will add to the visual profile, but more is needed. More investment in high rise in the metropolis itself and that high rise also needs to include residential living.

People bring vibrancy, fill jobs and create them and keep the economic development ticking along. There is the sense of a living city; a living and growing city that people can call home.

The proposed high rise apartment development of the well positioned Brand Smart building is a sign that investor confidence in Parramatta is high and a development of this nature will add significantly to the development of a signature skyline.

Without advocating a concrete jungle, there is nevertheless a real need for such high rise commercial and residential buildings for the look of success and that feeling of destination and arrival that a city like Parramatta needs.

Trevor Oldfield AM JP

President