Parramatta (Donna Davis media release, 9 Feb 2023): Lord Mayor of Parramatta and Labor Candidate for Parramatta Donna Davis has welcomed much needed investment in community projects for Parramatta through WestInvest.
The City of Parramatta put forward a number of proposals for WestInvest funding to ensure infrastructure and services can keep up with the record growth Parramatta has experienced.
While the injection of money is welcome, the WestInvest fund is an admission by the NSW Government that Western Sydney has been neglected after its 12 years in office.
Parramatta’s community organisations have been successful in advocating for projects that will help revitalise our community after pleading for years.
Funding has been allocated for the projects below.
Funding to these projects will be delivered regardless of which Party wins the election.
COMMUNITY & COMPETITIVE STREAM
- $78.5 million for Western Sydney University to deliver the Indigenous Centre of Excellence project at Rydalemere that will generate enduring benefits for Indigenous communities across the region.
- $10.7 million for City of Parramatta Council to deliver the $11 million Parramatta CBD Cycleway project which will connect the M4 Cycleway and Haslams Creek paths.
- $40 million for City of Parramatta Council to deliver the $142.5 million Theatres Redevelopment project which will revitalise the Riverside Theatres and cultural arts centre to provide a state-of the-art performance and theatre centre.
- $26 million for City of Parramatta Council to deliver the $28.3 million Western Parramatta River and CBD Precinct Connections project that will connect the Parramatta City Centre, its river and Parramatta Park, to promote walking and cycling.
- $9 million for City of Parramatta Council to deliver the Eastern Parramatta River and CBD Precinct Connections project that will increase the safety, capacity and experience along the Parramatta foreshore for pedestrians and cyclists.
- $585,000 for the Anglican Church Property Trust Diocese of Sydney to deliver the $1.9 million Shepherds Wharf Ministry Centre and Community Hub project which will convert an existing building to support range of community needs.
- $9.8 million for City of Parramatta Council to deliver the Finlaysons Creek Regional Cycleway project to link the M4 and Prospect Canal cycleways to the T-Way Cycleway and Parramatta Valley Cycleway via a safe and accessible path along Finlaysons Creek in Wentworthville and Westmead.
- $6.1 million for City of Parramatta Council to deliver the Carter Street Precinct Community Centre Cold Shell Fit-Out project which will transform the facility into a functional community space.
- $26.9 million for City of Parramatta Council to deliver the $27.2 million the Duck River Nature Trail project which will deliver a high amenity walking and cycling track along Duck River connecting the M4 Cycleway and Paramatta Valley off road Cycleway.
COUNCIL STREAM (announced 2022)
- Doyle Ground Sports Facility improvements Stage 1 – $8,317,000
- Active Youth Are Healthy Youth embellish a youth-focused play activity and provide additional youth play facilities in the Dundas Ward parks – $1.5M
- Refurbish Rydalmere Bowling Club into a new Multi-purpose Community Facility – $5,530,193.15Quotes attributable to Donna Davis, Labor Candidate for Parramatta
“As a Councillor and Lord Mayor of Parramatta, and now as Labor Candidate, my priority has always been listening to our community.
“That’s why I have been so proud to work with our community organisations and council team to champion these projects, and I’m pleased to see them receive the support they need.
“The projects that we put forward for funding will see our City gain increased access to recreational and community spaces, support arts and culture in Parramatta, and make the heart of greater Sydney an even better place to live.
“While I welcome the funding of these projects, we can not and must not forget that the WestInvest fund is this Government’s admission that over the past 12 years it has neglected Western Sydney.
Investments in infrastructure and services for growing communities like ours should be bread and butter for a state government, not a last minute, pre-election cash splash.”
(Donna Davis is a Labor Candidate for Parramatta in the coming NSW State election.)
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