“We need to get community representation back on council. Parramatta is a centre for commerce and businesses in our community need to make sure they register to vote and have a voice,” said Parramatta Chamber of Commerce president David Hill.
Mr Hill said the election would signal the end of more than 12 months of administration which he described as “a whole bunch of bureaucrats acting outside the democratic process.”
But to ensure candidates fully understand the issues facing the growth city, Mr Hill said he would like to see them meet with local business people ahead of polling day to hear the concerns of locals and to outline their policies.
As for what the Chamber saw as they key issues facing Parramatta ahead of the election, Mr Hill said core council responsibilities like the CBD streetscape and lighting had been neglected and the Chamber was keen to see the new council take on a “fine-grained approach”.
He said other issues included the NBN – “fibre to the premises is essential to make us a smart city yet we’ve not seen anything smart come of it. Our internet speed is so slow that businesses do not have the basic tools to be able to do business”, public transport – “if we’re going to bring so many people into the suburbs of Parramatta we have to consider how do we move them around Parramatta and into the city. We need a fully linked heavy rail system”, and heritage – “we have extraordinary opportunities to focus on heritage yet so many of our historic places are not fully opened up to the public. Just conserving the buildings is not treating it as it should be treated”.
Mr Hill said local representation on council was not just about greater transparency but also accountability.
“There has been none of that for a while now,” he said.
Non Parramatta residents can register to vote if they own or lease rateable land in one of the five council wards. To register, contact Parramatta Council on 9806 5050.
