An eye catching mural has added a new vibrant flare to Rydalmere shop fronts, as part of a wider-suburb revitalisation program.
The 40-metre long shop front was transformed by artist Claire Foxton as part of City of Parramatta Council’s $670,000 revitalisation of Brodie Street shops, delivered under its Better Neighbourhoods Program.
The large-scale colourful piece will face Rydalmere’s forthcoming Parramatta Light Rail station.
“With its bright splashes of purple, blue and red, the eye-catching new mural will become an iconic feature of Rydalmere’s shopping and dining strip,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said.
“Rydalmere is a growing hub in the City of Parramatta − home to a Western Sydney University campus, a diverse selection of businesses, and soon its own Parramatta Light Rail stop. Our upgrades and stunning mural will make the town centre even more welcoming for people to stop by for a coffee or a bite to eat.”
Ms Foxton is a Wollongong-based mural artist and said she was proud to work with Council and street art agency Blank Walls to bring the mural to life.
“I really wanted the work to brighten this little corner of Rydalmere and act as a warm welcome for commuters with the new light rail stop opening opposite the mural,” she said.
“I feel chuffed that this is one of the first public artworks activating this area of western Sydney and hope it leads to more in the future.”
Ms Foxton said the idea of the piece was to bring a feeling of calm and nature to the busy built-up area.
“The work features native flora and fauna species found locally, some of which are threatened, endangered or vulnerable,” she said.
The mural at 11 Brodie Street took eight days to paint and features Australian native plants such as the Blackthorn, Flowering Gum, Crimson Bottlebrush, and endangered Spiked Rice-flower; birds including the Eastern Rosella, Scarlet Robin, and endangered Regent Honeyeater; and the Caper White Butterfly.
The Brodie Street upgrade is scheduled for completion in September 2021 and will include new granite paving, street furniture, wider footpaths to accommodate more outdoor dining and new mature trees, in addition to the mural.
Council’s Better Neighbourhood Program, operating since 1999, is focused on revitalising local centres outside the Parramatta CBD, including areas like Rydalmere.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.