Parramatta Electorate Economic Development

Ms TANYA GADIEL: My question is to the Minister for Planning.

The SPEAKER: Order! Opposition members will cease interjecting. I call the member for Cronulla to order. I call the Leader of The Nationals to order. The member for Parramatta has the call.

Ms TANYA GADIEL: Will the Minister advise what planning decisions have been made to support economic development in Parramatta?

Ms KRISTINA KENEALLY: I thank the member for Parramatta for her strong and ongoing interest in planning issues in her electorate. Yesterday I approved a proposal for a motorbike motocross event at Parramatta Stadium. The Super X Australasian Supercross Championship, a family event, is a good event for Sydney, and for Parramatta in particular. The supercross championship will be held on 8 November 2008. The event promoters have told us that they expect up to 20,000 spectators.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Upper Hunter to order.

Ms KRISTINA KENEALLY: The Parramatta Chamber of Commerce has told us that it expects the event to bring another $1 million into the Parramatta economy. This positive economic outcome will be the result of a sensible and considered planning decision delivered by the Rees Government. The Parramatta Stadium Trust lodged an application with council seeking approval for the use of Parramatta Stadium and surrounds for additional events, including concerts, music festivals, cultural festivals, children's carnivals and the motocross event. On 8 September Parramatta City Council approved all proposed uses, except the motocross event. I am advised that this was against the advice of council staff. The applicant—that is, the Stadium trust—is a Crown authority. That is why the application was referred to me in accordance with section 116C of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. I based my decision on advice from the Department of Planning following a mediation session that the department held with the proponent and the council.

I approved the proposal, with a number of conditions to limit the impact of the Supercross Championship on the local community. The conditions include noise monitoring and management plans, measures to control motor vehicle traffic and pedestrian flow, effective and quick rubbish collection after the event has concluded, and requiring the motocross to finish at 9.30 p.m. These measures will deliver Parramatta an event that is great for the local economy and for Western Sydney.