Chance for community to help shape future of Parramatta

Community workshops that will give hundreds of locals a chance to have their say on neighbourhood priorities and the vision for the City of Parramatta are set to become a regular part of the City’s engagement program from next year.

Council this week backed plans to lock in five workshops, incorporating a CALD session within each, between March and June next year. This will help shape local strategic priorities, the Parramatta 2050 vision and ward-based projects earmarked for Council’s 2024/25 operational plan.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Pierre Esber said everyone needs to work together to continue our legacy of being the most liveable community in Greater Sydney.

“City of Parramatta is a council that puts the community first,” Cr Esber said.

“Our community workshops allow us to listen and act on the ideas of those who are most affected by our decisions – our diverse, innovative, and forward-thinking community.”

Council also backed plans to make the workshops part of annual programming in the years ahead.

More than 200 people attended five ward-based workshops between June and September this year, telling Council they want more infrastructure investment, affordable homes, community events and environmental initiatives.

Attendees surveyed at the workshops showed 94 per cent of people found them interesting and 75 per cent would recommend them to family and friends.

“It’s a chance for our community to share their feedback and ideas to make our City even stronger. I look forward to hearing more feedback in 2024,” Cr Esber said.