Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Live streaming is the transmission over the Internet of video of an event as it happens in real time.

Streaming is a form of online video in which the site sends video footage to a user's machine rather than as a complete file.

You need a device running a supported operating system, a supported web browser and speakers.

Windows minimum system requirements:

• 2.33GHz or faster x86-compatible processor, or Intel® Atom™ 1.6GHz processor
• 128MB of RAM (1GB of RAM recommended for netbooks)
• 128MB of graphics memory

Mac OS minimum system requirements:

• Intel Core™ Duo 1.33GHz or faster processor
• Mac OS X v10.6 or v10.7
• 256MB of RAM; 128MB of graphics memory

To ensure the video plays smoothly, you will need a minimum connection speed of 450 KB/s for standard definition.

While streaming a video, you will use approximately 3.3 MB per minute (450 kbps).

Council Meetings are broadcast live in Flash Video format.

Flash Player 9.0.28.0 or higher is recommended for desktop computers and Flash Player 10.1 or higher is recommended for Android devices.

In most cases, once a Council Meeting has concluded, the video will be available to watch online within five business days.

These will be available in the Council Meeting Livestream archive soon.

In most cases, once a Council Meeting has concluded, the video will be available to watch online within 5 business days.

These will be available in the Council Meeting Livestream once ready.

You can make a comment or an objection to a development proposal by making a submission to the City of Parramatta by post or email.

You must include your full name, phone number and address, the relevant Development Application (DA) number and the site address.

You can make a submission on a proposal via email or post.

Email: council@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

Post: PO Box 32, Parramatta NSW 2124

All developments require written notification.

City of Parramatta will write to adjoining landowners and neighbours inviting their comments, but anyone can make a submission on any DA whether they received a letter or not.

Submissions need to be received by Council within the time frame specified in the notification letter or advertisement.

If your submission is an objection to a proposal, your reasons should be clearly provided. Make sure that you keep your letter relevant to the specific proposal.

The matters raised in the submissions are of primary importance.

The number of submissions received in response to a DA have no bearing on the outcome of the application.

When you send us your submission, we'll acknowledge your submission in writing.

For petitions, the head petitioner will be sent an acknowledgement letter to share with the co-signatories.

The City of Parramatta must consider all issues raised within any submission before making a decision regarding DAs.

You can track the progress of an application online via My Development Portal.

You can also call and speak with our Development Unit on 9806 5600.

Following the determination of an application, everyone who made a submission will be notified of the decision.

You can request copies of submissions to a DA by completing the GIPA informal access to information form. 

There are no charges for this information request.

Rates are normally due by 31 August for the current financial year.

Or residents can pay their rates in four instalments within the financial year the rates are due, by:

• 31 August
• 30 November
• 28 February
• 31 May

You can change your rates notice postal address:

Mail: City of Parramatta, PO Box 32, Parramatta NSW 2124

Email: council@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

There are a number of ways you can pay your rates by quoting your Customer Reference Number:

• via post to City of Parramatta PO Box 32 Parramatta NSW 2124 with a cheque
• In Person – PHIVE building, 5 Parramatta Square, Parramatta NSW 2150
• online
• at Australia Post with cash or cheque
• Direct debit: phone 02 9806 5050
• BPAY: Pay with Mastercard, Visa, American Express (Amex), or cheque using Biller Code 5710 and use the Ref No on your rates notice
• POSTbillpay using Biller Code 0577 and use the Ref No on your rates notice
• Centrelink Centrepay
• IVR phone service: phone 02 9770 3415 with Mastercard, Visa, or American Express card.

Yes, you can, as long as you pay the rates within the financial year.

You must put in your request to the City of Parramatta via:

Mail: PO Box 32, Parramatta NSW 2124

Phone: 9806 5050

Online - Arrangement to Pay - Online Form 

Email: council@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

Yes, if you are the owner of the property however getting a copy is a chargeable service. To view the cost for the current financial year, please refer to our Rates & Fees schedule for 2022/2023 and you'll need to complete an application for rating information form.

Send the completed form back to City of Parramatta via:
Mail: PO Box 32, Parramatta NSW 2124

Email: council@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

You can request how you would like your rates notice sent back to you, either by email or post.

It is the new Centrelink Reference Number that is a new payment option, if you would like to have your rates paid directly from your Centrelink payments.

This is not your Centrelink benefit number. It is the service provider number for Centrepay deductions only.

City of Parramatta offers both a mandatory pensioner rebate and an additional funded rebate.

In order to qualify for the mandatory rebate, you must:

• be liable for the rates and charges on your property
• reside in the property
• have a current Pensioner Concession Card issued by either the Department of Veteran's Affairs or Centrelink

To receive the additional rebate, you must:

• qualify for the mandatory rebate
• have resided in the property consecutively for at least the last 5 years

Yes, call City of Parramatta on 9806 5050 with the Assessment Number and Certificate Number to update a Section 603.

Yes, you have the following options:

Option 1: eNotices for individuals

eNotices allows you to self-manage all your properties, send notices to multiple email addresses, print additional copies and pay your notice.

Register to receive your rates notice by email in five easy steps:

1. Go to eNotices

2. Click the sign-up tab

3. Enter in your email address and eNotice Reference Number

4. Check your email inbox and click the validation link

5. Select a password or mobile number

You will then be able to receive your notices electronically.

The City of Parramatta currently provides a total of 4 kerbside bulky waste clean-ups per calendar year.

These must be pre-booked by residents.

Clean-up material put out without any booking will be investigated as illegal dumping and you could be fined.

Upgrading your bin size is a chargeable service, please refer to our Rates & Fees Schedule document for 2022/2023 Financial Year

There can be a number of reasons why garbage collection gets delayed.

If garbage is not collected after a reasonable amount of time, lodge a service request to collect form.

If your whole street has not been collected, please wait until 4pm to call or log a service request.

Yes, you can.

You just need to lodge a service request explaining which bin requires replacement and why.

At the moment, there is no cost for bins to be replaced.

City of Parramatta requires new bin requests from the owner of the property.

Send the completed form back to City of Parramatta via:

m: PO Box 32, Parramatta NSW 2124

e: council@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

Council will investigate the dumping and take necessary action if you report the incident or phone 1800 DUMPED (1800 386 733).

Alternatively, you may lodge it via our Services Portal

Yes, check your development application progress online.

Inspection bookings can be made via the Building inspection reservation form or call 9806 5050.

If you have lodged an application that includes a copy of your house plan since 1 July 2005 for approval, you can find your house plan online.

If your application was lodged before 1 July 2005, you will need to lodge a request under the Government Information Public Access Act (GIPAA).

Email: council@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 32, Parramatta NSW 2124
Phone: 9806 5050
 

Visit the development section for zoning of your property or check the NSW Government planning portal.

You can also apply for a Zoning Certificate (Section 10.7) to get zoning information and information about the types of development that could be permitted on your land.

Lodgement of Building Certificates for unauthorised building works can only be lodged via NSW Planning Portal.

Please register for an account and login in order to lodge application with your supporting documents.

All pre-lodgement meetings are being held online or via teleconference.

You can still lodge applications online and we could provide a teleconference meeting for issues that need to be addressed or just forward the pre-lodgement notes.

This is subject to any further changes as the situation progresses.

Development applications are generally required for:

• use of land, building, subdivision,
• erection of a building
• carrying out of work or demolition

Some very minor types of development called Exempt Development do not require development consent.

However, before you start building, make any changes to a building or occupy premises you need to check whether the proposal is permissible and if an application is needed.

For advice, you can arrange a call back with our Development Advisory Team via our online booking portal or call 02 9806 5524.

Standard hours are:

Monday - Friday 7am – 6pm

Saturday 8am – 5pm

Sundays/public holidays: no work permitted

Refer to the Heritage Local Environmental Plan, which is available from Council's Development Unit.

Your property may be listed as a heritage item or be located within a Heritage Conservation Area.

City of Parramatta may also hold information about the history of the property and why it is considered to be significant.

You may also find that your property is listed on the State Heritage Register or protected by a Heritage Order under the Heritage Act.

Heritage listing does not mean that a building cannot be modernised, altered or developed.

However, it does mean that any changes must be designed so that they do not detract from the heritage significance of the site.

Demolition of a heritage listed building is unlikely to be approved.

Call City of Parramatta's Heritage Planner on 9806 5524 for guidance and advice on heritage matters.

Face to face meetings with Duty Planner & Engineer are no longer being held in Council.

If you have any engineering/stormwater/flooding related enquiries,  the Duty Planner may not be able to assist. Instead, please visit Council's Engineering Requirements for Development and Subdivision page.

If you have reviewed the above information and are still seeking engineering (stormwater and flooding) advice you may need to contact your own consultant engineer or apply for a pre-lodgement meeting. Please note - Fees apply. 

The development and building forms page lists all the forms.

If you have owned your cat prior to 1 July 1999, you do not have to register the animal for life, but you must ensure that your cat is identifiable by a collar, ID tag or microchip.

However, if you sell or give away your cat after 1 July 1999, it must be microchipped and registered for life.

Pups must be microchipped by 12 weeks, or before change of ownership, and registered for life by six months of age.

Council provides nine designated leash free areas for dogs in the City of Parramatta:

• Barnett Park, Winston Hills
• Burlington Memorial Park, Northmead
• Cowells Lane Reserve, Ermington
• Dan Mahoney Reserve, North Parramatta
• Deakin Park, Silverwater
• Don Moore Reserve, North Rocks
• George Kendall Riverside Park (fenced area only), Ermington
• McCoy Park (basin area only), Toongabbie
• Pierre de Coubertin Park (South), Newington

Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times in public places when outside these designated off-leash areas.

To find out the current fees for registering your pet, please click on the link below and view “Registration fees” section.

 

Barking is a dog's natural way of communicating and often indicates a possible danger or problem. This can be useful to owners.

However, when dogs bark or howl for no reason, it can be upsetting to others.

Dog owners are responsible for ensuring that dogs do not become a nuisance.

No, City of Parramatta does not pick up stray cats.

If you have lost your dog, call Blacktown Pound on 9839 6160 to check if your dog is currently being held there. This pound includes animals from Blacktown, Auburn, Canada Bay, Holroyd, Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, Parramatta and Ryde council areas.

Please note that Parramatta City is not responsible for the management of any fees/charges associated with the Blacktown Pound facility.

Council Rangers are not trained to handle these animals.

Please report the matter to WIRES Wildlife – 02 8977 3333.

If the deceased animal is located on Council land (footpath, park, road, etc) you can submit a service request for our Cleansing Team to remove the animal.

Please note Council is unable to remove deceased animals from private property.

You can submit a service request for a pothole to be inspected.

City of Parramatta will investigate and determine what action needs to be completed.

You can submit a service request for a street sweeping inspection.

City of Parramatta will investigate and determine what action needs to be completed.

If you would like to remove any tree that is more than 5m in height, you will need approval from City of Parramatta to have it removed.

Before you apply to have a tree removed, check trees that are exempt from approval and do not require an application to be removed.

Yes, you can lodge a service request for City of Parramatta to inspect the tree and take action, if needed.

Yes. Open days, advertised in the local newspapers, take place at City of Parramatta's Nursery in Cowells Lane, Ermington.

Residents can select two free trees/shrubs.

Free trees are also given to residents, visitors and local employees on 'green' days, such as World Environment Day, Wattle Day and National Tree Day.

Information regarding services on offer through Council are best discussed with our Community Capacity Team 9806 5050.

Council has a range of activities available for over 55s.

A number of services are offered.

Use a service request to report the location, vehicle make, colour and registration details.

As the property owner or occupier, you are responsible for property maintenance including the footpath area.

Council is empowered under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993 to preserve public health and safety in the local community, including overgrown vegetation on private property.

A City of Parramatta Environmental Health Officer will inspect the property to determine if the conditions pose a threat to public health and safety (for example, long grass could lead to the presence of vermin, rodents, etc.).

You can find out more about joining on the membership page.

Membership is free and you'll need to provide identification (driver's licence or health card) to join.

If you are under 18, a parent or guardian is required to sign the form.

Simply lodge a service request.

City of Parramatta has a prioritised listing for outstanding unconstructed streets and your request will be assessed for funding in accordance with the program.

Call the Infrastructure Unit on 9806 8250 to find out the listing for your street.

Alternatively, if you want to report damage to an existing kerb and gutter, you can lodge a service request.

The majority of the City of Parramatta area has street lighting maintained by Endeavour Energy, but some areas are maintained by AusGrid. All issues should be reported to them respectively.

If you are unsure which organisation maintains the streetlights in your area, please speak with our Customer Contact Centre on 1300 617 058 to confirm.

It is always best to speak to your neighbours first.

If this does not produce a successful outcome, you can lodge a complaint.

Be aware that City of Parramatta cannot regulate noise from motor vehicles or from people talking or yelling.

Council regulates noise including:

• loud music
• power tools
• lawn mowers
• air conditioners
• swimming pool pumps
• commercial and industrial premises

The Police and the NSW Environment Protection Authority also have the power to investigate noise pollution.

The Community Care team are always looking for motivated individuals who can commit to at least six months of volunteering.

Our team deliver a wide range of services and require volunteer support to:

• deliver meals
• host our Let’s Dine Out luncheons
• offer companionship to someone housebound over lunch in their home

Right through to one on one support with shopping and social activities.

Being in a culturally diverse local government area, if you speak another language, this is always welcomed.

Before starting, all volunteers must complete a Criminal History Check and take part in a Volunteer Induction training session, which explains the volunteer's role.

There are also ongoing monthly training and support meetings.

Bushcare program

If you're interested in caring for your local environment, you may wish to volunteer with Council's Bushcare program.

Bushcare is a volunteer-based, environmental conservation program coordinated and supported by the City of Parramatta.

Bushcare volunteers care for their local bushland reserve by removing weeds, restoring habitat for native animals, and planting trees.

For more information call (02) 9806 8280 or (02) 9806 8281, or email bushcare@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

Yes. The Parramatta Heritage Centre houses the City Archives and the Local Studies Collection is where you can discover more about Parramatta's rich history.

While collections are non-lending, which means the resources can only be used in the Reading Room at the Centre, there are copying facilities available.

The Council Archivist and the Local Studies Librarian can provide information on the collections as well as assistance and advice.

Specific buildings and sites of heritage significance in the Parramatta Local Government Area are listed alphabetically by street and house number in the City of Parramatta Heritage Study.

The Teachers' Guide to Parramatta Heritage Sites is also a good start. Various published works about the history of individual buildings and houses in the area are also available.

Other library branches have a number of popular books on Parramatta's history which can be borrowed.

Please find another parking meter to obtain a parking ticket or you will be fined for parking without a valid parking ticket.

You can if you live in the parking permit area.

To apply for a residential or visitor permit, you'll need the following details for eligible drivers and vehicles that will be using the permit:

• current NSW driver's licence. If you have an overseas driver's licence, you will need to bring a photo ID and two utility bills (instead of a single utility bill) 
• current NSW vehicle registration. If you have a company vehicle you'll need written permission on company letterhead to use the vehicle
• one of the following documents:
  • recent utility bill
  • rental lease agreement
  • bank statements
  • phone bills/lease agreements
  • Pensioner or student concession card if applying for a concessional rate

Parramatta CBD is easily accessible by train, bus and Rivercat ferry.

The Parramatta transport interchange provides a gateway to Western Sydney by linking rail services with the Western Sydney Transitway Network, local buses and other transport services.

Commuters and visitors can also travel around the city centre on the free shuttle bus or on foot.

Parramatta has two car share locations to help those who need a car occasionally but do most of their travel by public transport.

Yes, if you intend to trade in the City of Parramatta LGA.

• If the MFV is garaged in City of Parramatta area a registration form is required to be submitted
• If the MFV is garaged in another Council area but you intend to trade in City of Parramatta area a notification form is required to be submitted

Yes, and at the minimum annually, if the vehicle is normally garaged within City of Parramatta LGA or only trades in City of Parramatta LGA.

However, City of Parramatta officers may also inspect the MFV if a complaint is received or if there is any other reason to believe that a food safety breach is occurring.

No, provided that the conditions of Subdivision 27A of SEPP (Exempt & Complying Development Codes) are met, for example:

2.54B Development standards

The standards specified for that development are that the development must:

(a) have the consent of the owner of the land on which the development is carried out or, if a council or public authority has the control and management of the land, the consent, in writing, of the council or public authority, and
(b) not restrict any vehicular or pedestrian access to or from the land or entry to any building on the land, and
(c) not obstruct the operation of, or access to, any utility services on the land or on adjacent land, and
(d) not be located within the canopy of, or result in damage to, any tree growing on the land or on adjacent land, and
(e) not result in any damage to public property on the land or on adjacent land, and
(f) if carried out on land within or immediately adjacent to a residential zone—only be carried out between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm on any day, and
(g) if located on a public place—have any approval required under section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993, and
(h) if located on private land—be limited to 1 development on that land and not contravene any conditions of a development consent for any other use carried out on the land.

Note: A registrable vehicle within the meaning of the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2017, or a cart, bicycle cart or the like must operate in accordance with the Guidelines for mobile food vending vehicles (NSW/FA/F1055/1302) published by the NSW Food Authority in February 2013, and any requirements of the Food Act 2003.

Anywhere that the landowner on which you intend to operate provides consent for this to occur, e.g. private landowners or Council/Public authority if it is public land (e.g. park, reserve, car park, roadway, etc).

Written consent is required from the relevant authority for public lands (Section 68 approval under the Local Government Act, if it is City of Parramatta property).

Whatever conditions the landowner stipulates in their consent to operate and any general road/parking rules that may apply for the particular location.

Also the Food Safety Standards, Food Act and Regulation and the NSW Food Authority Guidelines for Mobile Food Vehicles are all applicable.