PARRAMATTA AS A SECOND CBD

Parramatta - nominated as the second CBD for Sydney in 1968 - has been one of the successes of Sydney's centres policy. In 1970 Parramatta had around 10,000 jobs; it currently has around 40,000 jobs. The Parramatta Regional Environmental Plan (REP)forecasts job potential at around 60,000 by 2021 and this is broadly consistent with more recent NSW Government projections.

The relocation of State and Federal Government jobs to Parramatta was the catalyst for its development. Recent commitments have been to locate the headquarters of NSW Police and Sydney Water in Parramatta and to develop the civic and justice precincts. Parramatta has increased jobs in finance and business services and has upgraded cultural and river precincts. Parramatta faces competition from suburban business parks such as Sydney Olympic Park, Rhodes, Macquarie Park and Norwest.