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NBN bureaucrats holding us back
MP’s pleas for city connectivity are falling on deaf earsP’s pleas for city connectivity are falling on deaf ears
– Parramatta Chamber
DI BARTOK
BUSINESSES that underpin a firstrate city will not come to Parramatta without the NBN.
Parramatta Chamber of Commerce president Schon Condon was commenting on Federal MP Julie Owens’s campaign to have the NBN installed in what is regarded as Sydney’s second CBD.
Mr Condon said Parramatta was being hindered by remaining on the “to do” list of NBN installation, more than two years since it has been rolled out in other areas across Australia.
“Large parts of the CBD just doesn’t have the NBN and while the existing businesses are coping, those hi tech and creative businesses are not coming here
Mayor Bob Dwyer said, as the Parramatta CBD Planning Proposal went on public exhibition.
The bold blueprint will clear the path for the construction of buildings as high as 243 metres, slender and eye-catching.
“Our comprehensive plan includes controls that facilitate growth while also preserving the elements that make the City liveable – its natural light, heritage areas, views of the river foreshore, and functional and attractive public domains,” Cr Dwyer said.
A 243-metre building is equivalent to approximately 62 storeys in a commercial
Tall and skinny: the future of Parramatta and right, business is pushing for the NBN in the city.
because they need the high speeds,” Mr Condon said.
“A fi rst-rate city needs those types of businesses - the graphic artists, IT developers and the like - and they are avoiding Parramatta.”
Mr Condon said the Chamber had approached the “NBN bureaucrats” numerous times but business entreaties were “falling on deaf ears”.
“We are not getting answers as to why Parramatta is still waiting for the NBN,” he said.
The Federal Government recently announced it would spend $4.5B on upgrading the NBN network to fi bre to homes and businesses, on demand.
Ms Owens, as Parramatta MP, is campaigning to have Parramatta connected offi ce tower or 75 storeys in a residential mixed tower.
Council initiated the Parramatta CBD Planning Proposal to expand the City’s CBD boundaries and increase capacity for commercial opportunities and high-density residential development through changes to planning controls.
The plan lays the foundation for the creation of 50,000 new jobs and 14,000 additional homes in the Parramatta CBD over the next 40 years.
Under the proposal, the city’s wellknown ‘Auto Alley’ will be transformed into a thriving commercial precinct. Offi ce towers will rise to 115 metres or 28 storeys, to the upgraded technology as soon as possible.
“Parramatta is the second CBD, yet parts of Parramatta CBD, Rosehill and Harris Park will not be connected to the National Broadband Network (NBN) until 2022,” Ms Owens said.
“This pretty much makes Parramatta the last on the list.
“Meanwhile, while Parramatta waits and waits and waits, the Morrison Government is going to spend $4.5B to rebuild the NBN with fi bre for 10 million homes and businesses that are already connected.”
Ms Owens fears that as the Government upgrades the existing system, Parramatta was still headed for the “second-rate NBN”. and the precinct will host more than 20,000 new workers and about 2,000 new dwellings.
“Auto Alley is a prominent gateway to our City and this makeover will give the Western Sydney economy a massive boost,” Cr Dwyer said.
As part of the Parramatta CBD Planning Proposal, a Draft Update of Parramatta Floodplain Risk Management Plans will also be on public exhibition. This document details how Council proposes to manage fl ood risks in the Parramatta CBD to support the City’s development and growth.
The Parramatta CBD Planning Proposal
The Times has contacted Infrastructure Australia for comment, which we
Julie Owens COMMENT: 14
Auto Alley transformed under CBD plan
THE sky’s the limit for Parramatta, Lord
hope to feature in our next edition. and Draft Update of Parramatta Floodplain Risk Management Plans can be viewed on Council’s engagement website and in person at City of Parramatta library branches and Council’s Customer Contact Centre.
Council will host an online Community Q&A Session on Tuesday October 13 from 6pm to 7:30pm and is also off ering dedicated out-of-hours phone sessions to answer the community’s questions.
For more information and to provide feedback, visit: https://participate.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/ cbd-planning Submissions must be received by 5pm on Monday, November 2.
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