A controversial sponsorship deal made behind closed doors between City of Parramatta and the Parramatta Eels has sparked fierce debate, with many calling for the partnership to be canned.
The partnership, decided at a Council meeting in December last year as a confidential matter, faced significant backlash from the community, who voiced their concern over the use of ratepayers’ funds.
It led to Independent Councillor Kellie Darley putting forward a rescission motion at last week’s meeting, where she called for the partnership with the NRL club to be shelved.
However, when the Chamber voted for that motion to also be debated in closed session, a frustrated Darley withdrew it, promising to bring it back at another time.
“In the meantime I will get legal advice and I will ensure that the public actually gets to hear how we’re spending their money,” she said.
Originally set to fund the Eels to the tune of $2.4 million over three years, the confidential session saw a new deal be penned and the funding slashed down to $1.15 million. $383,500 will now be spent each year, with the funds to go towards a scholarship for a young western Sydney woman, player clinics, holiday camps and player appearances at certain events in the first year. The City of Parramatta logo will also appear on the jerseys of the Parramatta NRLW team.
The original decision made in December was supported by nine Councillors, with only five speaking against it.
Many locals shared their annoyance over the partnership again being discussed in closed session, preventing the residents from being privy to the discussion.
Among them was Cheryl Bates, who strongly opposed the use of ratepayers’ funds to support the Parramatta Eels.
“How can Council argue that further funding to one of the wealthiest leagues clubs in NSW can be even considered given the identified needs of the Parramatta Local Government Area,” she said.
“The community has been kept totally in the dark because of the poor application of the confidentiality provisions of the Local Government Act 1993.
“This process is not transparent and ratepayers will not know which Councillors support the agreement and why.”
A petition has also been started online calling for the cancellation of the sponsorship agreement. At the time this story was written, it had already been signed by nearly 400 people.
“The decision was made behind closed doors and without consultation with community members. This is our tax money going to this sponsorship deal that could be better spent,” the petition reads.
“We expect the Parramatta Council to make decisions on how its public funds are spent in an open, transparent and consistent way and by following robust governance procedures.”
The United Services Union also opposed the Council agreement last year and, in December, trucks were spotted around the city criticising the partnership.
But there are also plenty of supporters of the partnership, including President of the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce Luke Magee.
“If it raises Parramatta’s profile, brings more people to the city, activates and unlocks more areas to the city, treats further investment, then this all sounds very positive,” he said.
“Consequently I would urge Councillors to think about what’s best for our city, and vote accordingly.”
Another long term resident also backed the decision, claiming the investment would equate to a contribution of only about $1.50 per resident.
“I applaud the proposed partnership arrangement with Parramatta Eels and really don’t understand why issues have been raised and why there is misinformation spread in the community,” they said.
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.