27/08/2026
EDITORIAL: Visitors contribute well over $20B to Greater Sydney's other C*D, thanks to it's globally significant ~9km long cultural ribbon stretching all the way from Woolloomooloo to Darling Harbour - incorporating dozens of world class destinations, venues, museums, theatres, galleries and collecting institutions, linked by grand public and publicly-owned spaces.
Imagine how much Parramatta's visitor economy would grow were we to create a comparable ~3km long cultural ribbon of enhanced public and publicly-owned spaces and destinations along the upper Parramatta River, stretching from the Charles Street Weir in the southeast, to the confluence of Toongabbie and Darling Mills Creeks (and Parramatta Gaol) in the Northwest.
Why have our State (Donna Davis MP) and Federal (Andrew Charlton MP) representatives, both formerly vocal supporters of broader UNESCO World Heritage recognition for this place and opponents of the proposed rezoning, changed their tunes on both fronts since being reelected? Why have we abandoned the WHL application? Why have we approved yet another rezoning? Where is the accountability? Where is the vision and aspiration?
Slicing up the north end of this remnant historical landscape of unparalleled significance and opportunity will go down as one of the greatest planning mistake in the history of this settlement, come town, come city, come C*D - and squander Parramatta's chance to become a truly great regional centre for Entertainment, Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Education in Western Sydney.
LNP, or Labor. It's second best for the west, no matter who's in charge... or what they say.
Visitors contribute $3.3 billion annually to Parramatta's economy, with the City outperforming Greater Sydney in visitor spending and tourism employment growth.
Parramatta is proposing to explore a dedicated visitor booth in the C*D to help people navigate the City’s diverse range of attractions as it becomes Greater Sydney's fastest-growing visitor destination.
Council will now proceed with a feasibility study to identify a suitable location with PHIVE and Parramatta Square earmarked as potential options.
The feasibility study will also explore partnership opportunities with government agencies, tourism bodies and local businesses to support the visitor booth.
A feasibility report is expected to come back to Council for consideration by March 2027.
