Strategic Priorities

In March 2007, Council invited key industry representatives to comment on future business challenges and opportunities for Parramatta over the next four years. As a result of this consultation, three key areas were highlighted as priorities for economic development.

Marketing the City

To sustain healthy economic growth, positive perceptions and awareness of the City are being created to attract new businesses and investors to Parramatta. Some of the areas to be highlighted through marketing will include:

• Our regional significance - through better understanding of the City’s commercial sectors, residents and their impact on the region
• 24 hour economy. Create awareness of Parramatta’s diverse range of entertainment, recreation, cultural, dining and sporting facilities
• Accessibility. Accentuate the advantages to business and its employees of having multiple avenues of transport
• Potential for growth. Position Parramatta as an attractive long-term investment for business.

Growing Employment

To make the City an attractive destination for employees and employers, areas which will be addressed include:

• Make Parramatta an attractive place to work for young people, professionals and skilled labour
• Enable disadvantaged groups within the community (ethnic background, disabled, unemployed, indigenous) to become more employable through enhancing their literacy, work skills and confidence
• Develop links to education through partnering with education, training and human resources organisations to meet the demand for skilled labour.

Fostering Innovation

Position the City as the leader in supporting and nurturing innovation including the areas of:

• Sustainability. Put Parramatta at the forefront of developing programs that combine beneficial impacts on business practices, the environment and the broader community
• Supporting Innovation. Make Parramatta an attractive destination for creative and innovative industries through initiatives that support, nurture and attract intellectual capital to the area
• Build strong partnerships with industry, government and other business-focused organisations to leverage intellectual knowledge and the joint resourcing of projects.