Help shape how our community can have a say on Parramatta’s future

The community is invited to have their say on how they want to be engaged by Council on initiatives that matter to them, with the Draft Community Engagement Strategy (2024 – 2028) now on public exhibition.

The Draft Strategy, which aims to ensure community engagement is at the heart of projects big and small, is reviewed every Council term to reflect the changing needs of the City’s diverse community.

The latest updates have been informed by feedback gathered during community ward workshops that ran in 2023 and 2024, an online survey conducted earlier this year, and the most recent Community Satisfaction Survey.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said Council is committed to delivering accessible and meaningful engagement.

“Every year, we engage with our community on more than 80 projects and plans. That feedback is critical in shaping the services and facilities we deliver,” Cr Zaiter said.

“Our Draft Community Engagement Strategy will ensure residents and stakeholders understand how they can have a say in Council decisions and initiatives – I encourage people to get involved and provide a submission.”

Key examples of how community engagement and feedback has shaped projects in the past year include:

• More than 450 submissions were received for the unnamed pedestrian laneway on Phillip Street which led to Council endorsing the most popular name – Yilabara Path, a Dharug word meaning ‘Quick way through’. 
• More than 800 people provided a submission on the refresh of the Parramatta Bike Plan, leading to several changes being made to the locations and types of paths included in the final plan.
• Consultation delivered a great win for the Carter Street Precinct, in one of our newer communities, with plans for the forthcoming community centre updated to create more communal lounge, study and meeting areas.

The community can have their say on the Draft Community Engagement Strategy from now until 5pm on Thursday 7 November 2024 by:

• Making an online submission via Participate Parramatta;
• In-person at the Parramatta Farmers Market on Wednesday 30 October; or
• Completing a hard copy submission form available at all Council libraries and the PHIVE Customer Service Centre.