Parramatta. Council-Grocon deal off

Parramatta City Council will go back to the market and give all developers the opportunity to re-tender for the $1.6 billion Civic Place project after council and Grocon mutually agreed to part ways. “Council remains very committed to the delivery of Civic Place. We will build upon the good work we have undertaken with Grocon and expect to announce updated development plans for Civic Place in the near future, including when the tender process will commence,” Lord Mayor Lorraine Wearne said.

Council would be 'stymied' if appeal were lost

Parramatta City Council’s corporate services group manager, Stephen Kerr, reportedly said its $1.4 billion Civic Place redevelopment project would be “stymied” if council lost its case before the Court Of Appeal. A decision is expected in June and until then Council’s joint venture with Grocon is in limbo. Earlier, the Land and Environment Court refused council’s application to compulsory acquire a number of properties in Darcy Street. Council had hoped that the Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor, would include such acquisitions in new planning laws. This was dropped after significant opposition.