Looks like more new skyscrapers are on the way for the Parramatta CBD:

"Top international hotels are flooding the city ahead of the opening of the new Western Sydney Airport, hoping to cash in on lucrative cabin-crew contracts and a new batch of global travellers.

"On Thursday, Marriott Hotels will announce plans to open a 279-bed five-star hotel in Parramatta’s CBD by 2027, joining the InterContinental and QT hotels in developing high-end accommodation in the area.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-unlikely-location-of-sydney-s-newest-five-star-hotel-20250429-p5lv59.html

#urbanism #UrbanPlanning #Parramatta #Sydney #NSW #Australia

In my book, the government investing $50 million in exhibits for the Parramatta Powerhouse Museum when it opens is a *good* thing. The thing the SMH finds "controversial" isn't that sort of money being spent on a cultural institution—it's that the institution in question is in Western Sydney.

https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/price-tag-for-opening-of-parramatta-powerhouse-edges-towards-50-million-20240920-p5kc9z.html #nswpol #auspol #arts #Parramatta

Keep in mind the Art Gallery of NSW — a fantastic cultural institution — has in the past spent $16.2 million on a single painting: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-09-19/nsw-gallery-acquires-162m-cezanne/516396

That decision was, quite rightly, seen as an Investment in the cultural life of the state.

And as the Powerhouse Museum rightly points out, the $50m bill "would compare favourably with … the museum’s inaugural exhibition program at Ultimo in 1988, which was equivalent to $107 million in today’s money".

This investment in exhibitions seeks not only to establish a new national cultural institution, but also the broader project of establishing Parramatta as Australia's next great city.

And in that context, it's entirely appropriate in my book.

Heads up to all walking and cycling advocates.

Parramatta City Council has opened up public consultation about its master plan for a major east–west street through its CBD: https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/about-parramatta/news/media-release/share-your-vision-on-the-transformation-of-george-street

George St is particularly important, because it connects with the future Parramatta Metro Station.

It also has Parramatta Park and the famous gate houses at one end, and it also crosses both Church St and Horwood Place.

While cycling doesn't seem to be on the agenda, really this would be an ideal street to run a protected bike lane down. That would provide an east–west cycling corridor through the middle of the Parra CBD.

From the council:

"Plans to refresh Parramatta’s iconic George Street in the CBD as part of a streetscape master plan to improve the landscape and revitalise the historic neighbourhood are open for community feedback.

"The project focuses on the stretch from O’Connell Street on the west, through the future Civic Link at Horwood Place to Harris Street on the east.

"Design features include the installation of street furniture, CCTV cameras and fibre, tree planting, new granite pavers and the potential for outdoor dining and the community is invited to have their say before a draft master plan is developed."

More details and online feedback form here: https://participate.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/george-street-master-plan

#urbanism #nswpol #auspol #UrbanPlanning #nsw #Australia #bike #bicycle #bicycles #walk #walking #parramatta

Greens voters in Western Sydney: Adam Bandt and Mehreen Faruqi are hosting a campaign rally 6pm this Sunday (13th April) at Parramatta Town Hall. Details & RSVP here: https://contact-nsw.greens.org.au/civicrm/event/info?id=21450&reset=1

"Western Sydney has been ignored by the two major parties for far too long. Communities are sick and tired of being taken for granted, being used as photo ops at our festivals while the issues that matter most to us are ignored.

"This election, that changes. The Greens will be fighting to keep Dutton out and get Labor to act. With a minority government all but guaranteed, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for change – and Western Sydney is key to this.

"Join Australian Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, Deputy Leader, Mehreen Faruqi, and our candidates for Western Sydney at Parramatta Town Hall. Over some food and light refreshments provided by the Greens, you’ll have a perfect opportunity for us to hear from you and you to hear from us about what Greens politics means for Western Sydney and why this election is so important."

Parramatta is set to get a revitalised arts complex, with the plan now open for public consultation.

From ArchitectureAU:

"The $188 million proposal for the redevelopment of Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres is currently on exhibition on the NSW government’s state significant applications portal, with the public invited to have their say on the designs.

"The revitalised building will feature a collection of performance spaces, including a new 1,500-seat Broadway-style Lyric Theatre replacing the building’s existing Lennox and Raffertys Theatres, a refurbished 760-seat Playhouse Theatre, a 341-seat Black Box Drama Theatre and a 116-seat Studio Cinema. A new bar and cafe is also situated on the river side of the proposed building."

https://architectureau.com/articles/design-for-parramatta-riverside-theatres-on-exhibition/

The current building opened in 1988, and it's certainly showing its age.

Current venues in the complex include the 761-seat Riverside Theatre, the 213-seat Lennox Theatre, and the 88-seat Rafferty's Theatre.

So definitely a well-needed upgrade.

You can have your say on the project on the NSW Planning Portal here: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/parramatta-riverside-theatres-redevelopment