Geoff Lee

from Parramatta Times - July 2021

by Community Broadcast Network (CBN)

CMRC

Celebrating the contribution of refugees

THE Parramatta Light Rail project is proud to provide employment opportunities to new humanitarian entrants and recognise their important contribution during National Refugee Week, which was held in June.

Dr Geoff Lee, Member for Parramatta said the contributions made by refugees on the project has been incredibly positive on both the work produced and the bonds formed by the crews on site.

“We recognise and celebrating refugees who have joined our workforce and have been part of delivering this major transport project to Western Sydney, said Dr Lee.

“We have seen our team members benefi t from the sharing of skills, knowledge and culture on the project.”

Working in partnership with not-for-profi t organisations such as Green Connect and CareerSeekers, who provide new humanitarian entrants an employment pathway, Transport for NSW has six refugees working on the project.

Dr Lee said these organisations are essential to providing support to people who have the skills and ability to work, however need some assistance in entering the workforce.

“By collaborating with Green Connect and CareerSeekers, we are able to assist refugees who have the right skills and aptitude to be matched with a project, and to give them the opportunity to showcase their work and experience,” Dr Lee said.

Arriving in Australia from Iraq in 2013, Harith joined the Parramatta Light Rail team through an internship placed by CareerSeekers while studying engineering at the University of Technology Sydney. "I’m lucky to contribute to the Parramatta Light Rail project. The internship matched my studies perfectly and has helped me become a better engineer,” Harith said.

The Parramatta Light Rail project also off ers a Pre-Employment Program, which helps participants from a range of backgrounds, including Aboriginal people and new humanitarian entrants, develop skills to gain work in the construction industry.

The $2.4B Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia and is expected to open in 2023.

For more information, visit www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au

Name: Jalal. Role: Landscaper. Came to Australia from: Iran

GEOFF LEE Delivering for

Name: Fady. Role: General Labourer. Came to Australia from: Syria

Name: Harith. Role: Engineer. Came to Australia from: Iraq

Geoff LEE MP

Member for Parramatta

02 9891 4722 parramatta@parliament.nsw.gov.au Ground Floor, 60 Macquarie Street, Parramatta NSW 2150

Mural transforms Rydalmere shopfront

The new mural.

ACOLOURFUL new mural featuring native Australian plants and animals has transformed a 40-metre shopfront in Rydalmere, breathing new life into the industrial hub’s main shopping strip.

The large-scale public artwork by artist Claire Foxton is at the heart of City of Parramatta Council’s $670,000 revitalisation of Brodie Street shops, delivered under its Better Neighbourhoods Program. It 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 Cr 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 coff ee or a bite to eat.”

Wollongong-based mural artist Claire Foxton said she was proud to work with Council and street art agency Blank Walls to bring the 40mx5m 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. I feel chuff ed that this is one of the fi rst public artworks activating this area of Western Sydney and hope it leads to more!” Ms Foxton said.

“The idea was to bring a feeling of nature and calm to a fairly built-up area. The work features native fl ora and fauna species found locally, some of which are threatened, endangered or vulnerable.”

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-fl ower; birds including the Eastern Rosella, Scarlet Robin, and endangered Regent Honeyeater; and the Caper White Butterfl y.

The Brodie Street upgrade, scheduled for completion in September 2021, was informed by signifi cant community consultation. It will include new granite paving, bespoke 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.