Parramatta. Only one of its kind

Parramatta City Council has taken a lead role in the social enterprise sector and in the past five years has invested $439,700 (up 263 per cent) in 24 social enterprises in the local area, according to a council report. Social enterprises are business trading for social, environmental and cultural purposes. Council says its social enterprise program is the only one of its kind in local government in Australia, and, has been recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in its field, the report said.

Parramatta. First in Australia

Parramatta City Council is the only local government authority in Australia with a dedicated social enterprise department. It opened in 2007. "Social enterprise is emerging in Australia as an area of work in its own right. An academic project [at Queensland University of Technology] estimates there are about 20,000 social enterprises in Australia." said co-ordinator, Joanne McNeil

Parramatta. Mobile coffee cart approved

Parramatta City Council has approved the operation of a mobile coffee cart outside Parramatta City Library, in Civic Place. The application was made by Mars Hill Café, which operates in Church Street. A council report noted that the application would be in the public interest, being for a social enterprise project providing a daily service to workers and visitors. The Department of Education, Employment and Work Place Relations funded the project. Council’s social enterprise program aims to make a positive contribution towards improving social wellbeing. It does this through attracting, incubating and growing social enterprise opportunities to increase local sustainable employment opportunities and pathways for those experiencing social exclusion across the LGA.