Parramatta has vision to become a global city by 2050

A significant 25-year plan to transform the western Sydney suburb of Parramatta into a global city has been revealed.

Comprising six key city-shaping initiatives, the draft 25-year vision has been described by the City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Pierre Esber as “Council’s pitch to secure Parramatta’s position on the world stage” and is underpinned by six areas of focus including culture and creativity.

The creativity focus will build on the reimagined Riverside Theatres and the soon-to-open Powerhouse Parramatta, with a new contemporary art gallery and additional live music venues in the works to help boost the city’s night-time economy.

Mayor Esber added “we want to see Parramatta recognised internationally as a place where people gather to share their ideas and collaborate, create firsts and where great ideas can build momentum.”

Along with creativity is a focus on Parramatta’s entertainment offering, with a multi-purpose indoor arena set to make Parramatta a key host for festivals, sporting events and other large-scale entertainment events.

Draft Parramatta 2050 also aims to position the city as a world leader in First Nations partnerships, and utilise its location on the Parramatta River to become an “unrivalled River City with a continuous green corridor between Lake Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park.”

Plans for a new university campus at Westmead also aim to position Parramatta as the most globally connected university city in Australia.

The draft Parramatta 2050 plan appears to be comprehensive with the plan forming part of a wider vision for the Western Sydney region.

The draft Parramatta 2050 document is on exhibition for public comment until Friday, 19th July.