Collaborative Projects

Implementation through collaboration

Our Environmental Sustainability Strategy seeks to provide a consistent, integrated approach for environmental sustainability at the City of Parramatta, setting a strategic direction, goals and actions for the future. Council is working in close collaboration with leading experts, professionals, peak bodies, businesses and community to implement these actions and goals.

This page includes a few exciting examples to showcase the collaborative work that assists and guides Council decision making processes.

Community groups

Individuals, community groups and schools are all helping to implement actions within the City in Nature, Connected and Resilient Communities and Built for the Future sections of the Strategy.

Bushcare

Become a part of something bigger than yourself. Bushcare is a volunteer-based, environmental conservation program coordinated and supported by the City of Parramatta.

Involvement with Bushcare not only allows you to give back to the environment, but also supports you to:

• Learn about your local, natural environment and receive expert guidance
• Meet new, like-minded people
• Learn new skills, and learn how to use new equipment and tools
• Protect and care for the environment with restoration training
• Help educate the community
• Get outdoors and stay active

Continue environmental education with Bushcare meetings and flora and fauna workshops

Join a local Bushcare group to care for a nearby bushland reserve.

Greater Sydney Landcare Network

Members of the Greater Sydney Landcare Network volunteer their time, expertise and experience to guide the successful implementation of bushland restoration and environmental projects that will benefit the Greater Sydney area for generations to come.

Ryde Hunters Hill Flora and Fauna Preservation Society

The Ryde Hunters Hill Flora and Fauna Preservation Society has been active in local conservation issues since 1966 and is well networked with the broader conservation movement across NSW.

Issue specific collaborations

Council has partnered with neighbouring councils, State government and other organisations to deliver a wide variety of coordinated strategic and on-ground environmental projects, including:

Floodsmart Parramatta

The City of Parramatta is prone to flash floods and FloodSmart Parramatta has been created to help protect homes and businesses that could be affected in a flood. It aims to provide communities, individuals and business owners with vital information to understand flood risk in your area. Knowing if you are at risk, how to prepare and what to do in a flood will help keep the community safe.

Parramatta River Catchment Group

The Parramatta River Catchment Group is an alliance of councils, government agencies and community groups working together to make Parramatta River swimmable again.

Resilient Sydney

Resilient Sydney is a collaboration with all the councils of metropolitan Sydney, the NSW Government, business and the community. In 2015 Sydney won a place in the 100 Resilient Cities initiative pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation to help cities become more resilient to the physical, social and economic challenges of the 21st Century. Sydney receives resources and technical support to develop a resilience strategy for the metropolitan area.

Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils

Council is actively involved in the following Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WRSOC) environmental and sustainability projects.

Researching microclimates and urban heat

Council works with a variety of universities and consultants to undertake microclimate and urban heat research to provide the evidence Council requires to make informed decisions.

University of Western Sydney

Benchmarking Heat in Parramatta Report

This research used data recorded at more than 90 locations across the LGA during two heatwave events, to record the pattern of heat development during these events. Associated heat maps clearly identify a reoccurring pattern of heat.

This study reveals that the communities of the City of Parramatta are exposed to extreme heat more frequently than previously known. This study also documents systematic trends in the relationship between cooling benefits and characteristics related to age and crowns of different tree species.

This new understanding of heat across the City of Parramatta is based on empirical evidence, making results pertinent and applicable. Analyses provided offers real-world information to better plan, prepare and respond to increasing urban heat.

Western Sydney Cool Roads Trial

The Cool Roads Trial is aiming to reduce the amount of heat being absorbed by asphalt roads within Parramatta, Blacktown and Campbelltown City Councils. Western Sydney University is conducting research at these road trial sites to understand the impacts of heat captured and emitted by asphalt road surfaces in relation to urban heat and microclimates in residential areas.

University of New South Wales

Improving the present and future climate and microclimate in the City of Parramatta

This research analysed the problem of urban overheating in the City of Parramatta and evaluated its impact on energy, peak electricity demand and health. The research also proposed quantified mitigation policies to counterbalance the overheating problem.

Based on the results of this research and the global overheating trends in Sydney, mitigation technologies need to be combined with the adaptation techniques (building energy conservation measures) to counterbalance the impacts of the future climate change in the City of Parramatta.

Phillip St Microclimate Study

The study pre-designed and optimised a smart climatic street in Parramatta, named Philip St., exhibiting high climatic, environmental, and energy performance. The specific objective of the study was to propose, investigate, and optimise the combination of advanced thermal mitigation and smart technologies to improve thermal comfort and mitigate the urban overheating in the area.

Research to implement water actions

Council works with a variety of universities and consultants to undertake water efficiency and quality research to provide the evidence Council requires to make informed decisions.

Water efficiency action plan technical report

The technical report provided a snapshot of the current condition and trends affecting six strategic directions for water management before setting out clear pathways and detailed actions to achieve the City’s strategic goals.

Water quality improvement options

A key strategic goal of the City of Parramatta is to make the Parramatta River swimmable again. Improving river water quality is a key factor in achieving this goal. This study has been undertaken to identify the best options for water quality improvement options in public open space to help achieve this goal.

One of the best opportunities to achieve significant water quality improvements is to undertake larger scale water quality improvements in public open space. These systems are typically easier to implement than systems in constrained spaces such as streetscapes and are also able to achieve economies of scale – and are thus considered ‘low hanging fruit’ in stormwater quality management.