The NSW Court of Appeal has overturned a Land and Environment Court decision that halted redevelopment of Parramatta Civic Place, giving the green light for the urban rejuvenation project to proceed.
The unanimous 3:0 decision was handed down last week, after Justices Tobias, Hodgson and Palmer determined that the primary purpose of the compulsory acquisition of two private land holdings, located adjacent to council-owned land in the Civic Place precinct, was imperative to the successful implementation of the Civic Place redevelopment.
The decision gives Parramatta City Council leave to proceed with the compulsory acquisition of the private land holdings and initiate the large scale renewal of the Parramatta CBD with a private sector partner.
“This decision is a win for the people of Parramatta and it’s a win for all those interested in good urban planning anywhere in Sydney,” said Lord Mayor of Parramatta City Council Paul Barber.
“It paves the way for one of the most ambitious urban renewal projects this century in NSW. It will breathe new life into an under-utilised area in the heart of Parramatta City and create an urban centre which is economically, culturally and socially vibrant.”
Civic Place “has never been about depriving a man of his castle”, he added, but was always about “a vision for one of the fastest growing cities in the state”.
“It’s about providing inventive public space and integrated community facilities, and Council being able to deliver, in partnership, the massive number of new jobs earmarked for Parramatta in the state government's own Metropolitan Strategy,” Barber said.
At the heart of the large-scale commercial, retail and residential development will be new civic and community facilities, a library, gallery and heritage centre, public open spaces, and pedestrian links to Parramatta’s neighbouring Transport Interchange.
“Not only will the development create jobs and a vibrant commercial centre, it will also build community facilities and an exciting urban environment which will generate local pride and identity,” Barber added.
