The new BTS employment forecast of 52,000 additional jobs in Parramatta by 2036 is almost 50 percent higher than the current official target of 27,000 set by the NSW Government’s Metropolitan Plan for Sydney.
Council predicted these figures last year when we launched our Parramatta 10,000 target – to create 10,000 new jobs in the next five years. We envisioned that Parramatta CBD would need about 50,000 more employment opportunities in the CBD over the next 25 years.
As a positive indicator for the growth of our City, the latest Census figures show that the biggest increase in jobs between 2006 and 2011 were in knowledge-based professions including public administration (up 27%), healthcare (up 9.5%) and Professional, Technical & Scientific professions (up 7.3%). This means that our workforce is becoming increasingly more professional and qualified.
These new figures do not even take into account the wider residential and employment growth expected to occur throughout Western Sydney, adding pressure for more jobs closer to where people live; jobs in Parramatta, for better road and rail capacity and regional connections.
As we move into the Federal Election campaign period, Council is stepping up its efforts to lobby both parties to deliver the infrastructure and resources we need to accommodate growth.
We are also determined to get the State Government to commit to delivering projects such as the City ring road and our regional light rail network.
Council is already doing its fair share in this regard after committing up to $1 million for a feasibility study into the light rail network.
However, Council is not just looking at the big projects, we are also driving smaller projects we are confident will meet the needs of a bigger, more diverse and professional workforce.
This is why I sought late last year to deliver a program to activate areas like Church Street Mall and the River Foreshore and boost safety in our City.
I want to improve the on-the-ground experience for our community – in terms of improving safety, streetscape and environment and recreational, arts and cultural facilities. This is, after all, our core business and what Council is good at delivering.
Our City Activation Program is allowing Council to trial new programs and activities that will offer our residents, visitors and workers new experiences, such as our row boats on the River.
If these activities are successful, we will look to the private sector to operate these ventures. We see our City Activation Program as de-risking or testing the market for private operators.
I have been heartened by the level of business interest in our City Activation Program. I have spoken to many small business owners who have come to me with new ideas to activate the City. It is an exciting time for Parramatta, with the City growing at a rapid pace and with that change, we are coming up with and delivering new and innovative ways to make Parramatta a better place to live, work, play, learn and invest.
