Council to sell land for police station

Parramatta City Council proposes to sell land it owns at 2-10 Carlton Street, in the Granville town centre, to the NSW Police Force for a new police station in the suburb. The proposal is subject to approval following the public exhibition of the Draft Granville Town Hall Precinct Masterplan from late January for 28 days.

Proceeds from the sale will be put in a special reserve for future use in the acquisition of "strategic purchases" to revitalise the town centre. Council has noted that an estimated $10 million is needed to fund priority works in the town centre.

$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.