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Insightful long-read about the urban renewal program that's transformed Parramatta into the main central business district for Western Sydney: https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/it-was-once-sydney-s-neglected-outpost-then-came-the-developers-20250411-p5lr3g.html #auspol #planning #urbanism #yimby

From an urban planning perspective, Parra is an interesting case study. It shows how a new downtown area and high-rise business district in what was previously a suburban area.

"Until 2009, Parramatta had one tall office tower, housing the council. Today, there are dozens of office and residential high rises, the tallest of which stretches to 225 metres. The development has cemented its promise as Sydney’s second CBD: it follows only the Sydney CBD for office floor space.

"Sydney’s original CBD was too far east to be reached each day by workers in the west, he argued. Presentations to government claimed that half a million people were passing Parramatta each day on the train as they travelled to Sydney for work. Soon more people are expected to live west of Parramatta than east of it.

"Parramatta’s boom is far from finished. The council has approved developments for 30,000 new dwellings in the financial year to date, according to ABS data, making it by far the top approver of housing in the country.

"The second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail is yet to begin construction, and the Metro West project, connecting Sydney’s CBD to Westmead, is slated to open by 2032.

"Construction on the Powerhouse Parramatta, located on the former site of the historic Willow Grove, is expected to be completed this year, followed by the redeveloped Riverside Theatres in 2028. The Civic Link, a pedestrianised “green spine” connecting Parramatta Square to the Powerhouse, is also on the cards for Parramatta’s future."