Civic Place gets PPP approval

Parramatta's Civic Place development has passed a key milestone with confirmation that the $1.4 billion, three hectare project meets the new rigorous Public Private Partnerships (PPP) guidelines set by the Department of Local Government.

"This is fantastic news for Parramatta's residents. Our Civic Place development meets the new rigorous guidelines, and justifies the years of careful planning and negotiating Council undertook as part of the process," Parramatta City Lord Mayor Cr David Borger said.

"Now we are just one month away from the final sign off with Grocon and closer to all the benefits Civic Place will bring, including the 8,800 extra jobs to Parramatta, magnificent new community facilities, inspirational architectural diversity and environmental sustainability."

Grocon's Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Grollo, also welcomed the PPP approval.

"Grocon is looking forward to creating a new civic heart for Parramatta, a place where community facilities, business, retail, culture and public spaces all converge," he said.

"This is great news for Grocon and for Parramatta."

The Director General of the Department of Local Government advised Council in writing that the Local Government Project Review Committee has assessed the development as complying with the 'Guidelines on the Procedures and Processes to be followed by Local Government in Public-Private Partnerships', subject to standard conditions being met.

Tanya Gadiel, State Member for Parramatta said that Civic Place was an exciting development for the City.

'I want to congratulate Parramatta City Council for satisfying the stringent requirements necessary for such a project. It's a credit to all involved," she said.

The Lord Mayor said the Civic Place development is the biggest CBD urban revitalisation project in NSW in this decade and features a mix of different uses including retail, commercial, residential, community, council, civic and entertainment.

“Great cities need to be creative places. Parramatta needs to be a good place to work but also to live, night and day. Central to our Civic Place development is a revitalised library, gallery and new media space,” Cr Borger said.

"Once Civic Place is completed, young people in Western Sydney will finally be able to find all the services and attractions they need right here and the talent drain of creative young people leaving Western Sydney in droves for the bright lights and urban villages of Sydney will end."

Exciting features of Civic Place include:

Five linked outdoor public spaces - each with their own character, based on European style piazzas

An extensive public art program - local community consultation and involvement

The first independent cinema in Western Sydney

A new media art gallery

A market hall to invigorate the public spaces

Improved community and Council facilities including a new library and child care centre

Respectful treatment of Parramatta's famed heritage

Buildings in Civic Place will set new environmental standards by adopting leading environmentally sustainable principles including grey water recycling, 4.5 star ABGR ratings and zero stormwater run-off throughout the site.

As part of the development of Civic Place, design competitions will be held for most new buildings. A major requirement of the competitions will be to set a new standard of architectural design in Parramatta.

Construction is expected to begin late next year and it is anticipated that the whole project will be completed by 2014.

Contact: Shehana Teixeira

Phone: 98065070