Labor candidate for Parramatta Andrew Charlton has announced a Labor Government will advocate for UNESCO World Heritage Listing of the Parramatta Female Factory.
Mr Charlton revealed Labor will fight to protect Parramatta’s history during a visit to the site last week.
“Today, we’re announcing that a Labor Government will advocate for UNESCO World Heritage Listing of Parramatta’s famous Female Factory. And this is just the start, there is so much history and heritage in Parramatta,” he said.
“I think this precinct could be amazing. You can imagine this being a bustling part of Parramatta where people are coming on the weekends, they’re bringing their families, there are markets, stalls [and] walking trails – a really exciting place.”
The announcement comes after it was revealed earlier this year that, despite former Arts and Heritage Minister Don Harwin’s commitment to work towards securing the listing, work had not progressed on achieving World Heritage status for the precinct.
Parramatta Female Factory Friends Vice President Frank Williams was grateful for Mr Charlton’s announcement.
“I would like to thank him in supporting our submission to the Federal Government for World Heritage listing of this site,” Mr Williams said.
“This is a very important site, it was the incorporation of female convicts into Australian society and it would be great to have people recognise and know where this site is.”
North Parramatta Residents Action Group (NPRAG) Secretary Suzette Mead said members have lobbied for over seven years to get the Parramatta Female Factory Precinct its “deserved” UNESCO World Heritage listing.
“To hear that Andrew Charlton is committing to that is exceptional news. We have such untapped resources in Parramatta and we would love to see this be a place that people come and visit from all over Australia,” she said.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis said the Parramatta Female Factory is “precious” to Australia.
“The Parramatta Female Factory Institutions Precinct is a very important piece of heritage, not just for our city, but for our nation,” she said.
“One in seven Australians can find their heritage roots here on this site, that’s why it is so important that we achieve World Heritage Listing.”
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.