Behind the scenes

This festive time of year sees the Parramatta CBD at its best. The streets are lit by the lights of busy restaurants and strollers amble along the vibrant al fresco dining strip. Music thumps in the background from the livelier establishments and the goodwill is palpable.

However, look past the glow of the night life at the lifeless spaces available for lease - they are plentiful and silent. This is not prime real estate; it is definitely second string stock and not even the heritage of many of the buildings can evince any real commercial interest. Perhaps though, a little bit of lateral thinking wouldn't go astray.

Many of these spaces would accommodate an "industry" - something Parramatta could attract and make itself the centre of. Certainly Parramatta is a well established now as a festival city - so how about some spin-offs from these?

Music festivals need music. Rehearsal and recording space is difficult for budding or even established musicians to come by so - maybe Council could get together with landlords and "industry" people and set up some purpose built space. It doesn't have to be music or limited to one industry - but if cost effective useful space is made available then - if you build it; they will come.

Trevor Oldfield AM JP

President