July 2019

SAMEER PANDEY Labor Councillor, Ward,

It is an exciting time for City of Parramatta. A period of dramatic change and transformation. It has been an extremely busy 3 months at council, with 7 meetings between Feb and These changes and transformations create enormous opportunities as well as challenges. March including 2 Extra ordinary meetings. There has been significant changes in the senior There's a need to become more strategic and innovative in respomanagement of council during this period. A new acting CEO has nding to these opportunities been appointed and we and challenges with people at its heart. City of Parramatta is farewelled acting CEO Sue Coleman. Council has embarked on sevevery diverse and multicultural, and ral new projects and we must celebrate the strength and potential this brings. initiatives over the last quarter. Among other initiatives in the Parramatta ward, I am keenly looking at improving our parks, health and well–being programs, setting up an all ability With your support, I am keen to be part of building 'swater play and a community hub. I have acted on several feedbac next great city that’s healthy, ks and ideas from the liveable, community and would love to hear your ideas, concerns & feedbac sustainable and inclusive. I have received and acted on several ks. feedbacks and ideas from the community and would love to hear your ideas, concerns & feedbacks. Thank you and I look forward to connecting with you soon. Thank you and I look forward to connecting with you soon. Sameer Pandey Sameer Pandey | Councillor, Parramatta ward, City of Parramatta

Online Rates Notice We’ve made it easier than ever to receive your rates, with the introduction of a new digital rates delivery platform ‐ Payreq MyBills. Simply register your email address through your Payreq MyBills account to receive your rates notices electronically. If you are a business, you can receive your Council rates directly to Xero or MYOB through your Payreq MyBills account. Register before 10 October for a chance to

win an iPad mini! eEscarpment Boardwalk

The Escarpment Boardwalk project will complete the walking and cycling path on the northern bank of the , connecting Parramatta Park to Meadowbank. Expression of Interest for shortlist tender have released. Shortlist will be presented to council in Sep 2019. Work to commence early 2020

Cladding Issue Local Government Election Media recently incorrectly reported numbers relating to Costs non‐compliant cladding within City of Parramatta. There IPART report recommends a significant increase in the have been 174 buildings in the Parramatta LGA reported amount councils will be required to pay the NSW to have some form of cladding identified. Council has Electoral Commission to conduct their elections in undertaken initial site inspections of all 174 buildings. 74 2020. On average, councils will be required to pay 62% of these were found to be compliant. Of the 100 buildings more than they were required to pay for the still under investigation, six were found to have the non‐ 2016/2017 elections. This is a significant cost for all compliant cladding and Council has issued orders to councils and a submission has been made. ensure these buildings are rectified. Ward Matters

Sue Savage Masterplan – Currently working with water to determine the design and location of amenities block. Final design for Skate Park due by Nov 2019. T ender process to commence in Nov 2019

Constitution Hills Shops Upgrade ‐ New planter boxes, paving and landscaping around the Emma Cres entrance. Construction completed, some tree planting pending.

Phillip Street – Smart Street Project – Tender has been completed and a preferred contractor has been selected. Stage 1 currently awaiting heritage approval.

Marsden Street Bridge, Parramatta, Railing

Milestones / Deliverables Target Date Detailed survey, design and relevant September 2019 approvals of extended footpath, lane (subject to any Traffic narrowing and pedestrian fence Committee approvals) Planning and procurement of capital September 2019 ‐ works delivery December 2019 Commence construction January 2020

Complete construction February 2020

Better Neighbourhoods Program‐ Following 3 programs have been completed as part of 2017‐2019 BNP

 Constitution Hill Shops upgrade – New planter boxes, paving and landscape around the shop entrance (Emma Crescent)  Station Road Shops upgrade – Formalise street parking in McCoy Street and Street tree planting.  Wentworthville Station shops upgrade – Pedestrian improvement streetscape and tree planting.

Better Neighbourhoods Program 2019‐ 2021 ‐ Following 3 projects will commence as part of BNP 2019 – 2021

 Wentworth Avenue shops, Toongabbie Station ‐ Economic activation, minor capital work.

 Bungaree Road Shops – Streetscape and public domain

 Picasso Road Shops – Park and Tennis Court Upgrade

Caloola Reserve – A meeting was held with The Hon Robert Stokes MP on 16th May to discuss the dedication of Caloola Reserve as a public park. We are still awaiting a final response from the Minister.

St Johns Cathedral Feature Lighting Treatment ‐ In final stages of detailed design. A DA and heritage approvals are required before delivery of the project begins

Detailed design currently underway for Installation of a pedestrian refuge Island (plus lighting upgrade) to allow pedestrian to cross Fitzwilliam Road, west of Picasso Cres, , in two stages

Ashley Lane, Westmead – Work nearing completion to Install the missing footpath and widen the existing footpath to improve pedestrian safety. Church Street Frontage improvement program ‐ A pilot grant program is underway that financially incentivises commercial property owners and te nants along Church Street to improve the visual appearance and quality of their building facades, shopfronts, and awnings

Public Safety CCTV Network ‐ Roll out of CCTV to improve coverage throughout the CBD, currently in progress.

Westmead Bridge Road Widening – CoP is working with Sydney Trains who will undertake the design and construction of an upgrade to a 3 Lane bridge, rather than a 2 lane bridge that had been proposed by Sydney trains (at Bridge Rd Westmead). Minor road widening and new footpaths is also part of this project.

Work in progress to prepare Draft Local Strategic Planning Statement, draft Local Housing Strategy and draft Community Infrastructure Strategy with a view to council endorsement over the next month or so and then to be placed on public exhibition. ‐ These three documents are critical strategies that will help shape the future of the

City of Parramatta and I would encourage to put your suggestions during the public exhibition.

Queens Wharf Reserve was endorsed as the site for the Memorial to Indigenous Service Personnel, subject to the satisfaction of heritage & planning requirements. Current d eadline Dec 2019 for completion of installation.

Aquatic Centre – I moved following at the April meeting “That Council write to the Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans and the State Member for Parramatta, Geoff Lee MP, seeking an update on the design process, planning and expected timeline for delivery of the Parramatta pool”. Subsequently there has been another resolution seeking a meeting with the minister. Th e meeting has not been scheduled yet and there have been no further updates from the Minister.

Smart City ‐ City of Parramatta has received a Smart Cities and Suburbs Grant amounting to $571K from the Federal Government. Project will run till June 2020. The aim of this project is to pilot a range of environmental sensors in the new residential development of Melrose Park, tha t will capture and analyse real‐time data. The sensors will monitor temperature, air quality, noise and stormwater run‐off.

To Improve local road safety, Council has commenced installation of 856 “Look Out Before You Step Out” footpath stencils.

Parramatta Light Rail Updates  Phase 1 of remediation work nearing completion at the stabling and maintenance facility in Camellia;  Construction continuing on the enabling works including some out of hours work along O’Connell Street,

Board Street and Barney Street;  Traffic changes are planned on Victoria Road, O’Connell Street and Church Street  Day and nights works is continuing across August on O’Connell, George Street and at the Victoria Road and O’Connell Street intersection.  Office of the NSW Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) commenced engagement with businesses along the light rail alignment, and is liaising with Council staff during this process.

Homelessness – CoP is currently preparing a draft Homelessness Action Plan 2019‐2023.

Parks for Future – CoP’s future population is estimated to grow to almost 400,000 people by 2036. Park Provision ‐ Benchmarking indicates that to a total of 400 hectares is ideal for this population, which is an additional 193 hectares. Sportsground Provision ‐ Benchmarking indicates that to a total of 400 hectares is ideal for this population, which is an additional 250 hectares. Upcoming Events/Activities in APRIL 2019

City of Parramatta Environment Sustainability – Current Targets 50% of all electricity demand to be met by renewable energy by 2038, 60% emissions reduction by 2038, Increase diversion from landfill to 85% by 2038, Reduce the volume of litter by 40% by 2020

Upcoming Events/Activities

Indian Flag Raising Ceremony, Thursday 15th August 2019, 11:30am – 12:30pm, Centenary Square, Town Hall Parramatta

Fleetwood Mac (Concert), Thursday 15th – Monday 29th August 2019, Various (depending on tickets session times), Qudos Bank Arena.

Grape, Grain & Graze Festival, Saturday 17th August 2019, 2:00pm – 6:00pm, Sydney Showground. Sydney Olympic Park

Australian Citizenship Ceremony, Wednesday 21st August 2019, 10:30am – 12:00pm, Riverside Theatre

Arts Activated Conference Networking Event., Thursday 22nd August 2019, 4:30pm – 6:00pm, Waterview at Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park

Arts Activated Conference, Thursday 22nd ‐ Friday 23rd August 2019, 8:30am – 4:30pm each day, Waterview at Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park

GOT7 (Concert), Thursday 22nd August 2019, 7:30pm, Qudos Bank Arena. Sydney Olympic Park

Drip World – Hip Hop Urban Festival, Saturday 31st August 2019, 10:00am – 10:00pm, Parramatta Park

Citizen Scientists Panel, Saturday 10 August, 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm, Parramatta Library [Ages: 8 – adult Cost: $3]

Disability Inclusion Workshop, 20 August 2019, 6.00pm‐8.00pm Level 2, 1‐3 Fitzwilliam St, Parramatta, Registration required, Free.

Spring garden competition 2019 ‐ Entries close at 5pm, Monday 9 September 2019. Details at https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/about‐parramatta/news/council‐news/spring‐garden‐ competition‐2019

Have your Say ‐ draft crime prevention plan 2019‐2023 ‐ Submissions close at 9am, Monday 2 September 2019.

Australia Day Awards – Applications for the 2020 Australia Day Awards are now open. Nominations close at 5pm, Friday, 22 November 2019.

ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO HELP PO Box 32, Parramatta NSW 2124 | +61 435 226 746 | [email protected] WWW.SAMEERPANDEY.COM.AU