Parramatta could be an ‘events mecca’ if more NSW Government funding was invested in Sydney’s west

The City of Parramatta is calling on the NSW Government to increase its funding in Sydney’s west to enable the hosting of major events and festivals after a record-breaking Parramatta Lanes festival last week.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Pierre Esber noted "Parramatta is Sydney's true beating heart and can be an events mecca - we just need to add funding."

More than 180,000 people from all over Sydney swarmed Parramatta over four nights last week to enjoy the best food, art and music on offer including an estimated 70,000 people on Saturday night alone - the equivalent of last year's total festival attendance.

Lord Mayor Esber shared "we promised Parramatta Lanes was going to be bigger and better and we well and truly smashed attendance figures from 2022.

"We know how valuable events like Lanes are for local business - they don't just drive big crowds to Parramatta for four nights, they give people a taste of our City and encourage them to keep coming back.

"Council will invest millions in events and festivals this year but to amplify those impacts we need the NSW Government to look outside the Sydney CBD and invest in more events in Sydney's global centre at Parramatta."

“In the past seven years, Destination NSW has invested in more than 354 sports, cultural, creative and arts events in Sydney's east compared to 137 in Sydney's west.

"It's high time the west got a fairer share.

"In 10 to 15 years, there will be more people living west of Parramatta than to its east so it just makes sense that the NSW Government would invest in events that are more accessible to the broader population.

Parramatta Lanes was held across 15 locations hosting more than 120 musicians, 45 food and drink stalls and incredible art installations.

This year marked the City’s 12th Lanes festival with a jam-packed, free four-day program of eats, beats, and art, from 11th to 14th October.