The Parramatta Lord Mayor has urged both major parties not to ignore western Sydney, as the Council calls for funding commitments to a range of projects ahead of the Federal Election.
With the Federal Election now confirmed for May, Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter has released a wish-list of local projects he believes are deserving of funding – including the multi-million dollar redevelopment of Riverside Theatres.
Speaking at the latest Council meeting, Zaiter said the upcoming election comes at a “critical turning point” for the City of Parramatta – one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.
“By 2050, Parramatta will be a city of up to 500,000 people with more people living west of Parramatta than to its east,” he said.
“For this reason, it is absolutely critical that all major parties and pre-selected local candidates place Parramatta front and centre in their election strategy and plans for the future.”
Zaiter called on both the current Federal Government and his own party, the Liberals, to commit to investment in critical infrastructure, construction projects and support for local families and businesses.
“This includes funding the redevelopment and expansion of the Riverside Theatres to establish it as the leading performing arts venue of scale in western Sydney,” he said.
“Key transport connections including a High Speed Rail station in Parramatta, a direct metro connection between Parramatta and the new Western Sydney Airport and a new Metro station within Camellia Rosehill, are also highlighted.”
At the end of last year, The Daily Telegraph reported the redevelopment of the Riverside Theatres now has up to a $90 million funding gap, pushing the cost of the project well over the original price tag of $188 million.
The final decision to fund and commence the Riverside Theatres Redevelopment Project will not be made until the May meeting, where Council will be presented with an updated project budget and cost plan.
Other notable projects listed by the Council include a commitment to establish a new dedicated production hub for SBS in Parramatta, as well as funding to support a Council acquisition of the Roxy Theatre to ensure it remains a permanent theatre.
The Lord Mayor said he will write to all major party pre-selected candidates for the City of Parramatta Federal electorates to advocate for the funding.
Zaiter also called on his fellow Councillors to consult with their respective parties to ensure investment in the critical projects.
“Hopefully over the next four to six weeks we start seeing commitments,” he added.
“Western Sydney is going to be key to whoever is going to be the future Prime Minister of this country and it would astound me if our leaders were to ignore us.”
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.