$6.3 million spent on infrastructure works

Parramatta City Council has completed a range of infrastructure works totalling $6.3 million to date as part of its 10-year City Centre Infrastructure Enhancement Program Special Rate. The projects include Eat Street from Market to Phillip Street, $1.5 million; Church Street Mall between Macquarie and George streets, $3 million; the foreshore from Lennox Bridge to Barry Wilde Bridge, $1 million; Barry Wilde Bridge to the RiverCat ferry wharf, $800,000. The are currently under construction in Church Street South, between the Great Western Highway and Aird Street is estimated to cost $1.9 million.

Future projects, in order of priority, are Church Street mall between Argyle and Macquarie Street, $450,000; Church Street North between Victoria Road and Ross Street, $1.9 million; connect the Parramatta Justice precinct between Marsden and Church streets, $800,000; Arthur Phillip High school, Smith street footpath, $1 million; foreshore (south side) from RiverCat ferry wharf to Gasworks bridge, $900,000; and Prince Alfred Park, $700,000. The estimated cost of streetscape improvements work in George and Macquarie streets yet to be announced.

In recognition of the need to revitalise the Parramatta city centre, the minister for local government, in 2000, approved a council submission to levy a special rate of approximately $1.2 million annually on all business properties within the city centre over a period of 10 years.