Light Rail

The ever popular Eat St.

Lord Mayor calls for support

CITY of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Donna Davis has reinforced calls for the NSW Government to extend its $50M ‘Thank God It’s Friday’ scheme to Parramatta, as local businesses continue to be impacted by the pandemic.

Cr Davis said the NSW Government was neglecting the thousands of struggling businesses in the heart of Greater Sydney by limiting its support and funding to the Sydney CBD.

“The NSW Government must recognise that the challenges presented by the pandemic are not only aff ecting businesses in the Sydney CBD,” Cr Davis said.

“As one of the Local Government Areas placed under strict lockdown last year, Parramatta has been hit particularly hard. Not only have our businesses had to deal with the impacts of COVID restrictions over the past two years, but many have also been impacted by Parramatta Light Rail construction, and now the Omicron wave.

“Our city has taken knock after knock since the pandemic began and all we are asking for is to receive the same support as the Sydney CBD to help our businesses and community bounce back.

“As the centre of global Sydney and one of the state’s fastest growing regions, Parramatta is a driving force in the NSW economy, so it is crucial that we are not overlooked when it comes to recovery plans and funding.

“Not only is Parramatta home to Western Sydney’s premier dining precinct, Eat Street, but across our City we have a wide assortment of restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, and entertainment venues, such as Riverside Theatres, that are itching to welcome locals and visitors back through their doors.

“I call on the NSW Premier and Treasurer to expand their ‘Thank God It’s Friday’ voucher program to the Parramatta CBD, so that our City can get back on its feet as quickly as possible.”

Preview of Ermington’s new park

RESIDENTS of Parramatta are being given a detailed preview of a park to be transformed in 2022, fulfilling a vision developed over two years in partnership with the community.

The multi-million dollar upgrade for a park at Ermington will be funded through the NSW Government’s $50M Parks for People program.

Minister for Planning and Homes Anthony Roberts today released cutting-edge animations of the park, the result of extensive community engagement.

“I’m blown away by the designs we’ve come up with, together with the community – they’re clearly the local experts when it comes to designing our parks,” Mr Roberts said.

“This park will be a legacy for generations to come, combining the vision and ideas of local residents with innovative design to deliver great spaces that give the community even more reason to love the place they live.

“After seeing these designs brought to life through realistic animations, I hope people are as excited as I am for construction to begin.”

Construction is expected to begin by mid-2022. To view the final designs and learn more on Parks for People, visit: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/ premiers-priorities/great-public-spaces/open-space/parks-for-people

COVID-19 Complimentary IR Assistance

Employer access to industrial relations advice and resources on COVID-19 issues such as vaccination.

Includes unlimited access to our specialist advice line; regular expert updates on IR issues; webinars; and industry sector briefings. We specialise in helping employers navigate employment issues. Go to www.aigroup.com.au/covid-19-ir-assistance/

I’m doing retirement my way.

Park Meadows boasts an excellent range of 2 and 3-bedroom apartments designed exclusively for retirement living, conveniently located near the Westmead Health Precinct. Enjoy the pleasures of a true village experience with an onsite café, hair salon, seniors’ gym, exclusive clubroom, outdoor entertainment areas and BBQ facilities. Now selling from $675,000 Call 1800 864 846 or visit uniting.org/parkmeadows

Help preserve place in history

THE Geographical Names Board is seeking community feedback on a proposal by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to name a light rail stop in the suburb of Westmead as Childrens Hospital Light Rail Stop.

Acting Chair of the Geographical Names Board Thomas Grinter said the Board was now seeking feedback to gauge community sentiment for the proposed name.

“We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to provide their feedback on the proposed name to ensure it preserves history and resonates with the local community,” Mr Grinter said.

Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia with a two-way track spanning 12 kilometres and is expected to open in 2023.

The network consists of 16 stops, with Childrens Hospital Light Rail Stop the fi nal stop name to be considered by the Board. The stop is on Hainsworth Street, Westmead, near the Children’s Hospital.

By 2026, about 28,000 people will use Parramatta Light Rail every day and an estimated 130,000 people will be living within walking distance of light rail stops.

Suggestions for alternative names are not being sought at this time.

Details of the proposal can be viewed and submissions lodged on the Geographical Names Board’s website.

Written submissions can also be mailed to the Secretary, Geographical Names Board, 346 Panorama Ave, Bathurst, NSW 2795.

The closing date for submissions is February 28, 2022.

Please note the NSW Place Naming Policy does not allow apostrophes to be included in geographical names with a fi nal ‘s’ or a possessive ‘s, e.g., Georges River not George’s River.

Work on the Light Rail at Westmead.

Ambulance response rates concerning

NSW Ambulance response times are the worst they have been in at least a decade while the NSW Government has cut spending to the service, according to the latest Productivity Commission report.

The average wait time for the most urgent cases in the 2020/21 fi nancial year were one full minute longer than the previous year in NSW, up to 12.3 minutes from 11.3 minutes–again exceeding the accepted target of 10 minutes.

It is the sixth slowest ambulance response time for urgent cases in capital cities across the country behind the ACT at 9 minutes, WA at 9.4 minutes, the NT at 9.5 minutes, Victoria at 10 minutes and Queensland at 11.3 minutes.

The report also found spending on NSW Ambulance went backwards at $140.9 per person in the population from $142.05 in the previous fi nancial year.

The NSW Ambulance service remains critically under-resourced per head of population with only the St John’s Ambulance in Western Australia having fewer paramedics per 100,000 people.

“The NSW Government’s decision to spend less on paramedics during the worst pandemic in 100 years is incomprehensible,” said Health Services Union NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes.

WHERE TO GET THE TIMES

Grab a copy of the Parramatta Times at any of these popular distribution outlets

Winston Hills Shopping Mall Caroline Chilsholm Dr Shops Parramatta LGA libraries Toongabbie Bowling Club Carlingford Bowling Club Holiday Inn Parramatta Mercure Parramatta Lake Parramatta Shops Northmead Sports Cub Westmead Sub newagency Westmead Health precinct Parramatta KPMG Building Parramatta Chamber Events SOP Quest SOP Novotel Merrylands Bowling Club

Cumberland Council The Fiddler Hotel Granville RSL Cumberland Council Library Parramatta Council Cafés in Parramatta LGA

Voice of Australia’s most progressive city ParramattA TIMES TIMESISSUE 11 | June 2021 | www.parramattatimes.com.au

DON’T GO BATTY BATTY

THIS EDITION Lord Mayor popular vote: 5 Lighyt Rail structure in place: 7

WHILE Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) is urging community members to avoid handling bats after the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) was recently detected among bats in the area, a wildlife expert doesn't want Parramatta Park users to go all batty. “The simple message is that you can only be infected by bats if you handle them–such as picking up injured bats or trying to free them from netting,” said Sandra Guy from Sydney Wildlife Rescue Service. Relevance a Chamber priority: 10 Facelift for justice pillar: 12 The new trend in travel: 16

PARRAMATTA PARK USERS FEAR BAT BITES

“I don’t want people to think that bats from the camp of 15,000 grey-headed ying foxes are going to swoop down on them. Bats may annoy people living near them with noise and smell but they are essential for pollinating native trees and have been there before European settlement.”’ Still, 11 people have been referred to the Public Health Unit at Westmead Hospital after being scratched or bitten by bats so far this year. Story page 3. www.wexpo.com.au 23 SEPTEMBER 2021

CLUB PARRAMATTA

y handle them–picking up injured bats or trying to m from netting,” said Sandra Guy dney Wildlife Rescue Service. CONNECT & GROW YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS IN PARRAMATTA & WESTERN SYDNEY

d to the Public Health Unit at Westmead Hospital after being scratched or bitten by bats so far this year. Story page 3.

www.wwe e ex x p poo. c om.au 23 SEPT T E EM M B E ER 2021 CLUB PPA A R RR R RA A MATTA CONNECT & GROW YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS IN PARRAMATTA & WESTERN SYDNEY

Voice of Australia’s most progressive city ParramattA TIMESISSUE 12 | July 2021 | www.parramattatimes.com.au rramattatimes.com.au

WITH hardly any time to spare, Parramatta Council submitted its CBD planning proposal to the State Government before going into caretaker mode ahead of the September 4 local government election. The proposal,

CBD PLAN ON TRACK

eight years in the making, sets the building codes and planning strategies for Sydney’s second CBD and the State Government was getting antsy over the time council was taking in submitting the code for ratification. See page 3.

Artist impression of a future Parramatta CBD.

THIS EDITION THIS EDITION

Seniors have reasons to be chirpy: 15

Where the kids are the artists: 5

www.wexpo.com.au 23 SEPTEMBER 2021 CLUB PARRAMATTA CONNECT & GROW YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS IN PARRAMATTA & WESTERN SYDNEY

ParramattA TIMES

IT’S MISSION CONTROL Intelligent driving switched on

Inside the Traffic Management Centre.

INTELLIGENT technology has helped slash the number of accidents, shorten travel times and improve efficiency along the M4 from Penrith to Parramatta a year after being permanently switched on.

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the NSW Government’s $600M investment in the state’s fi rst fully operated smart motorway has delivered impressive safety results along with faster, more effi cient journeys.

“In December 2020 we offi cially fl icked the switch and we’re thrilled with the results so far. In the 12 months since, the total number of accidents has dropped 40 per cent and travel times are down 20 per cent on pre-upgrade fi gures from 2016,” Mrs Ward said.

“There’s also been a jump of around 10 per cent in usage in recent years, with up to 35 thousand additional daily trips, as more people recognise the time saving benefi ts.”

Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said this crucial stretch between Penrith and Parramatta featured an automated and responsive operating system.

“This means more than 1,300 road sensors located every 500 metres and on ramps with CCTV work together in real time to prompt operator control of variable message signs, variable speed signs, lane control signs and ramp signals,” Mr Ayres said.

“The sensors detect congestion and automatically lowers the speed limit on the variable signs. They also activate the entry ramps’ traffi c lights to optimise traffi c fl ow.”

Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said that real time information feeding back to the Transport Management Centre identifi es incidents as they happen.

“We are resolving incidents 20 per cent faster and relaying live traffi c information to motorists through signs and third-party map services before they get stuck in a jam, making trips smoother and faster,” Mrs Davies said.

Transport for NSW is in the planning stages for future smart motorway projects, including the Western Distributor from the ANZAC Bridge to the Warringah Freeway. For more information, see www.roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au

$5,000

IMPROVING ENERGY AFFORDABILITY Free solar program for locals

THE NSW Government is currently trialing an exciting new way to assist people on low incomes with their power bills.

The program will see free 3kW solar systems installed on up to 3000 eligible households in place of the Low-Income Household Rebate.

It is being run by SAE Group and it aims to improve energy aff ordability by helping households unlock long terms savings on their electricity bills.

SAE Group Managing Director Glen Ashton outlined the groundbreaking new program to consumers.

“While this means you will no longer receive the $285 annual rebate on your electricity bill, you could receive up to $600 in savings per year from your new solar system.”

“The program is only available to a limited number of households that live in the region and meet the eligibility criteria,” Mr Ashton said.

“When participating in this program households will receive a free, fully installed 3kW solar system in place of their Low-Income Household Rebate,” he said.

SAE Group are the only approved provider, designing and installing solar systems to eligible homes across NSW.

To be eligible you must: • Currently be receiving the Low-Income Household Rebate. • Agree not to receive the rebate for 10 years. • Own your own home.. • Not already have a solar PV system. • Hold a valid Pensioner Concession

Card or a Department of Veteran

Affairs Gold Card

If you are not the registered homeowner, but your spouse is, you may be considered eligible collectively as a household.

Mr Ashton said a 3kW system was designed to generate an average of 12.6kwh per day.

“This will deliver electricity savings depending on each household’s energy consumption.”

“We know electricity bills continue to place a lot of pressure on households and we are pleased to be working with the NSW Government to help ease the pressure on low income households.”

SAE Group is a Clean Energy Council Approved Retailer and hold accreditations ISO 9001, AS/NZS4801 for safety and quality systems as well as being Gold Accredited Master Electricians.

‘Safety is paramount to us and it is our goal to ensure we provide quality solar systems to eligible households that will deliver ongoing savings for many years to come,” Mr Ashton said.

For details visit: https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/ solar-low-income-households This allows consumers to check their eligibility and apply online. Alternatively, visit www.saegroup.com.au or phone SAE Group on 02 66 389 439. The Solar for Low Income Household Trial is supported by the NSW Government