6000 – strong petition to save Parramatta heritage

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TONY BOSWORTH

A GRASSROOTS petition by Parramatta Federal MP Andrew Charlton to protect key heritage sites in Parramatta has surged past 6000 signatures, signalling strong local opposition to a controversial development proposal and reigniting debate over how the city balances growth with preservation.

The campaign centres on getting Heritage listing for three buildings amid concerns that a planned housing development around historically significant sites could permanently alter Parramatta’s cultural landscape.

While recent revisions to the building proposal have eased some elements of the development, critics argue the core threat to heritage remains unresolved.

The mooted development’s revised plans for 2A Gregory Place in Harris Park see an original 483 dwelling plan cut to just over 320 terraces and apartments, potentially providing homes for between 600 to 800 people.

Building heights have also been reduced, including along the site’s boundaries where it connects with Hambledon Cottage and Experiment Farm Reserve, and with lower buildings planned adjacent to Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral, plus a new unobstructed view corridor from Hambledon Cottage to the Co-Cathedral.

But Mr Charlton said the petition’s rapid growth reflects a deeply held community commitment to preserving Parramatta’s identity and pushing back against the proposed development.

“The petition will stay live for the next few weeks, and it could reach 10,000 signatures – though honestly, the response we’ve already seen has exceeded what we expected,” he said.

“This is our largest campaign to date and thousands of people have already signed because they understand what’s at stake. These sites are irreplaceable, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.”

The MP added that heritage in Parramatta extends beyond individual buildings to encompass the broader landscape and cultural meaning of the area.

“What locals are telling me is that heritage here isn’t confined to four walls – it’s the landscape, the sightlines, the feeling of what Parramatta has always been,” he said.

“For the Maronite community, those skylines surrounding Australia’s largest Maronite cathedral are sacred.”

Mr Charlton acknowledged Parramatta’s role in addressing housing demand, noting it already leads New South Wales in development approvals.

Pulling our weight

“Parramatta is pulling its weight on housing. We have the highest number of housing approvals in NSW, and I’m proud of that,” he said.

“But growth without memory is not progress. Locals want to see Parramatta grow, while staying true to its roots.”

The petition forms part of a broader push to secure National Heritage listing for three early colonial buildings in the area, a move supporters argue would provide stronger protections against future development pressures.

Parramatta heritage advocate Suzette Meade said such recognition would deliver both cultural and economic benefits.

“Protecting the integrity of Parramatta’s heritage through National Heritage listing isn’t just about the past, it’s about the future,” she said.

“Recognition of these three early colonial buildings is smart economics. Cultural and heritage tourists are high-value visitors who spend more, stay longer, and contribute billions to Australia’s economy, and Parramatta is perfectly placed to benefit from this.”

The Heritage Council is currently assessing the sites, with Mr Charlton confirming he is working with Federal Heritage Minister Murray Watt to maintain momentum on the listing process.

Mr Charlton said his confidence in a positive outcome rests firmly with the community.

“I draw my confidence from the community, not from anything I’ve done,” he said.

“The thousands of people who’ve signed this petition – the families, the Maronite community, the heritage advocates, the locals who’ve grown up in the area – they’re the ones making the case. And it’s a powerful one.”

Images: Parramatta MP Andrew Charlton, images of historic sites in Parramatta.

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