The Urban Developer
AdvertiseEventsWebinars
Urbanity
Awards
Sign In
Membership
Latest
Menu
Location
Sector
Category
Content
Type
Newsletters
Untitled design (8)
FIRST RELEASE TICKETS ON SALE FOR URBANITY-25 CONNECTING PROPERTY LEADERS ACROSS THE ASIA PACIFIC
FIRST TICKETS ON SALE FOR URBANITY-25 WHERE THE PROPERTY INDUSTRY CONNECTS
SEE DETAILSDETAILS
TheUrbanDeveloper
Follow
About
About Us
Membership
Awards
Events
Webinars
Listings
Partner Lab
Resources
Terms & Conditions
Commenting Policy
Privacy Policy
Republishing Guidelines
Editorial Charter
Complaints Handling Policy
Contact
General Enquiries
Advertise
Contribution Enquiry
Project Submission
Membership Enquiry
Newsletter
Stay up to date and with the latest news, projects, deals and features.
Subscribe
ADVERTISEMENT
SHARE
4
print
Print
OtherPartner ContentWed 20 Jan 21

Parramatta Grows as Leading Legal, Business Hub

3c22bd6b-c916-4cfe-bbc8-79e7c0733d32

Parramatta is home to the second-largest legal and justice precinct in Greater Sydney behind the Sydney CBD.

However, there is a large gap—only 6 per cent of NSW barristers are located in Parramatta, while there are just 1,000 legal jobs compared to 16,000 in the CBD.

There are a number of arguments for changing the status quo, though, making the case for bridging the gap a strong one.

“As Sydney’s Central City, Parramatta is ideally located to service more jobs and create greater economic outcomes for the area,” City of Parramatta lord mayor Bob Dwyer said.

Dwyer has proposed a coalition to advocate for the expansion of the legal and justice precinct.

Access to justice and existing infrastructure

One of the strongest arguments for the expansion relates back to something quite fundamental to our society and the rule of law: access to justice.

More than two million people call Western Sydney home. Over the next 20 years, that number is set to rise by another one million—relative to 700,000 in the east.

The equitable access to court and justice services for this growing population is crucial.

The Parramatta Justice Precinct, home to five courts, is ideally located in the midst of this growing population.

It is also just 500 metres from the railway station which offers frequent services to Sydney CBD. The Parramatta Light Rail route runs through the precinct and it is anticipated that stage 1 will be completed by 2023.

Also under construction is the Sydney Metro West, an underground metro line linking Greater Parramatta to Sydney CBD and communities in between.

Government vision, and action

As Sydney’s population continues to move west, government policy and action is recognising this shift by supporting Parramatta Justice Precinct’s expansion.

Parramatta is the heart of the Central River City. It is part of the NSW government’s “three cities vision” with the Greater Sydney Region Plan identifying Parramatta, along with Sydney CBD and the future Badgerys Creek Aerotropolis, as one of the primary locations for services and knowledge jobs in Greater Sydney.

The NSW government also continues to relocate key government offices to Parramatta. Sydney Water, the Greater Sydney Commission, Departments of Education and Planning, Industry and Environment, NSW Industrial Relations Commission, NSW Police Headquarters and most of the Department of Justice are already located in Parramatta.

Another recent addition to Parramatta is the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The new $2.3 million fit out will quadruple tribunal capacity in Parramatta from five to 20 hearing days a week.

By 2022, it is projected that the NSW government will occupy 250,000sq m of office space matching its Sydney CBD presence.

Economic opportunity

While Sydney CBD’s perceived prestige in comparison to Parramatta may have traditionally attracted the bulk of law and legal talent, things are changing. Parramatta’s reputation is growing, and will continue to grow with substantial investment in development and infrastructure.

The legal and business community—both at the big and small end of town—is already beginning to realise the opportunity Parramatta represents.

A number of small to medium-sized legal firms are establishing in Parramatta and three of the big four accounting firms have a Parramatta presence.

The research suggests the opportunities will continue to grow. High-level forecasting analysis, based on per-capita rates of the number of matters by the three main state court jurisdictions, shows an increased demand for court services coupled with a rising number of legal professionals practising in Western Sydney.

Between 700 and 1,400 new legal jobs within the Parramatta CBD is possible with investment by the NSW government to increase the service capacity of the Parramatta Justice Precinct—representing between $110 million and $225 million in value added to the local economy.

Coleman Greig chief executive Warrick McLean, Sydney’s largest commercial law firm outside the Sydney CBD, believes in area’s potential.

“I think our growth has aligned with Parramatta and the region,” McLean said.

We have seen the opportunity, and know from experience that if you give to the region, the region will give back to you.”

Download the brochure or full report to read more about why it makes sense to invest in Parramatta Legal and Justice Precinct—and move justice closer to the people.


The Urban Developer is proud to partner with the City of Parramatta to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our free daily news, information and insights to you, our valued readers.

OtherOfficeInfrastructureIndustrialEducationParramattado not useOther
AUTHOR
Partner Content
More articles by this author
ADVERTISEMENT
TOP STORIES
One New Zealand Stadium BESIX Watpac
Exclusive

Rising to a Challenge: How BESIX Watpac Topped Australia’s Builders

Clare Burnett
7 Min
Exclusive

Rewards Outstrip Risk in SE Queensland Off-The-Plan Buys

Taryn Paris
7 Min
MONARK co-founders Michael Kark (CEO) and Adam Slade-Jacobson (CIO)
Exclusive

Finding the Sweet Spot: How Monark Built its $2bn Property Empire

Leon Della Bosca
6 Min
Exclusive

Sydney’s Fear of Heights Holding Back Housing

Vanessa Croll
6 Min
North Melbourne Craigieburn HB Land EDM
Exclusive

Tribunal Finding Cruels 1000-Home Melbourne Plan

Clare Burnett
5 Min
View All >
Aeon Residence Chatswood EDM
Residential

Shadows Lift as ‘Nightmare’ Chatswood Site Recast

Vanessa Croll
Real Estate

Brisbane Ghost Tower on Block as Descon Fallout Continues

Taryn Paris
Sponsored

Largest Developable Site at Narrabeen Hits Market

Partner Content
An approved envelope with height and density bonuses is offering a ready-to-go opportunity in the heart of Narrabeen…
LATEST
Aeon Residence Chatswood EDM
Residential

Shadows Lift as ‘Nightmare’ Chatswood Site Recast

Vanessa Croll
4 Min
Real Estate

Brisbane Ghost Tower on Block as Descon Fallout Continues

Taryn Paris
3 Min
Development

Largest Developable Site at Narrabeen Hits Market

Partner Content
3 Min
Blackburne Plans $70m Swan River Tower in south perth
Residential

Blackburne Reveals $70m Plan for Blue-Ribbon South Perth

Renee McKeown
2 Min
View All >
ADVERTISEMENT
Article originally posted at: https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/parramatta-grows-as-leading-legal-business-hub