Projects 2007-2008

The following projects will be delivered by Parramatta City Council in partnership with local and regional organisations during 2007-2008.

Marketing the City

Marketing the City collateral

The development of an interactive DVD and accompanying brochure for Marketing Parramatta as a destination for business, investors, and visitors. The DVD will be produced in a modular form as to allow other areas of Council and Partner agencies to showcase the City. Formatting of the DVD will also allow it to be streamed over Council’s website.

Communicating with Business

The development of an electronic database of all businesses in the Parramatta CBD. This information will be used to communicate relevant activities and opportunities in the City. The Parramatta First website will also be integrated with the Council’s new website to deliver information to the business community.

Marketing Professional Services

A targeted marketing campaign designed to encourage future employees, companies and investors into Parramatta’s growing service industries. It is envisaged that this campaign will be primarily focused on external audiences and will be backed up through individual contacts and at least one small forum.

Measuring Economic Performance

To set up a working group with local economic and business experts to review and evaluate the current Parramatta BizFacts. This assessment aims to better understand the data needs of business, investors, development agencies and media and will lead to an improvement in both content, look and feel of future documents.

Tourism and Visitor Promotion

Supporting the Visitor and Heritage Centre with a Marketing Budget and technical support to better understand their market and target their efforts accordingly. In 2007 / 08 we aim to establish an inter-Council-team and with the assistance of industry representatives will begin the process of reviewing Tourism Promotion in Parramatta.

Parramatta Dining Guide

Further development and refinement of the annual Dining Guide for Parramatta. The aim is to drive customers to support this growing sector and to showcase the wealth of culinary experiences in Parramatta.To look at issues for improvement and incorporation of other areas of entertainment for the residents, workers, and visitors to Parramatta.

Supporting employment

2006 Census Report

Analysis of the 2006 Census as data becomes available. This project will highlight areas of growth and disadvantage down to a suburb level. The investigation of economic, social and demographic trends against previous Census returns will provide valuable information to Council and other agencies for future policy and project design and delivery.

Parramatta Employment Expo

Industry research has indicated that attracting skilled workers to Parramatta and Western Sydney is at a critical point. This expo will target several market segments including school leavers, tertiary graduates and mature age workers. Key employers, recruiters and educational institutions will be major stakeholders for this event.

Development of Community Hubs

Financial and technical support to be given to Council’s Community Capacity Building Team to establish a range of initiatives in Parramatta.

These schemes will be targeted at disadvantaged groups with the objective of creating sustainable employment opportunities.

Fostering Innovation

Small Business September

Small businesses are lagging behind their larger counterparts in terms of awareness and action against climate change and impacts on the environment. It is proposed to run a free screening of the film, ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, targeting small businesses across the LGA. An exhibition of all Council’s environmental and sustainability programs along with those of our partners - the Dept. of Environment and Climate Control, Dept. of State & Regional Development and Village Green - will be showcased over a two day period.

City Kiosk Information Booths Study

Investigating the costs associated with situating internet driven information booths across Parramatta leveraging the Government’s commitment to roll out free broadband access.

Business Incubator Feasability Study

To investigate the opportunities, funding and potential for developing an industry specific business incubator in Parramatta. Key elements will be pinpointing specific growth industries, forecasting running costs and business planning, and looking at access to future premises and resources.

Partnerships Fund

To offer potential funds to our partner organisations who wish to run events, awards and programs that support our strategic objectives. Funding from Council will be assessed by a panel of Councillors and business people and funding will be offered to a maximum of 40% of total project costs.