Council has allocated $4.3M to a project and seeks to have the work completed prior to disruption along Church Street, the main thoroughfare in the CBD.
A notice of motion tabled by Cr Martin Zaiter at a recent council meeting requesting the funding, noted the construction would cause “some disruption” to trading in the precinct.
Operators of restaurants and cafes in the precinct, mindful of the loss of business and closures during construction of light rail along George Street, in the Sydney CBD, may question Cr Zaiter’s optimistic assessment.
“We love light rail, but we also love eat street as a vital part of the Parramatta experience … we need to support those businesses so the precinct continues to have a strong future in Parramatta in the short to medium term,” said Cr Zaiter addressing the notice of motion.
Councillors agreed to allocate the funds for stage one of the project from the CBD Infrastructure Special Rate
Council plans to transform part of Phillip Street, which intersects with Church Street, to help the viability of the precinct throughout the construction period and meet the demand for additional eating and entertainment venues.
“The Phillip Street precinct, particularly between the northern side of Phillip Street and the Parramatta River, is going through significant change – [it] will be home to over 4500 new residents,” Cr Zaiter, a chartered accountant who represents the Parramatta Ward, said.
Council aims to create a new tree-lined and wider pedestrian area along the southern side of Phillip Street, with space for an expanded outdoor dining precinct, in the first stage of the project, estimated to cost $4.3 million
“This project schedule must be staged so that as much of the work as possible is completed prior to light rail construction,” Cr Zaiter said.
Council, which invested over $100,000 in designing the project, would consult with local property owners and businesses, regarding final design, retail opportunities, construction timelines, and impact on services.
Following a report back to council anticipated construction could commence in the first half of 2019.
Council’s investment is tacit acknowledgement of the contribution the city’s food sector makes to the local economy.
Growth of the sector increased by 43 per cent during the 2009-2015 period, and largely contributed to the growth of the city’s night time economy, according to a council-commission document, City of Parramatta Night Time Economy Discussion Paper (Micromex, August 2017).
Elsewhere, disruption by construction to upgrade High Street to meet Penrith Council’s aim to boost the CBD night time economy continues a decline in foot traffic and affecting trading by local businesses.
