Community Atlas
This is an interactive web-based tool that allows you to find out key socio-demographic characteristics for Parramatta. Interactive maps provide the finest level of detail to help identify spatial patterns and trends in the City, based on data from the 2001 Census of Population and Housing (Australian Bureau of Statistics). View the Community Atlas

Population Forecast
The Parramatta City Council population and household forecasts are designed to inform community groups, Council, investors, business, students and the general public. To achieve this, forecast.id® is formatted to present the data in simple, clear tables and charts with concise factual commentary. View Parramatta City Population Forecast

Biz Facts
Produced every six months, the BizFacts publication is an important component of Parramatta City Council’s Economic Development Activities and provides a useful tool for businesses, business agencies and key partners, investors, students, and the media. Inside this particular edition, Mike Thomas, Council’s Manager of Economic Development takes a closer look at our small business community and the opportunities for future growth. Download Biz Facts

State of the City 2009
New Chief Executive Officer of Parramatta City Council, Dr Rob Lang, outlined the challenges facing Sydney’s second CBD if it is to transform into a major metropolis and the key commercial, cultural and tourism hub of Western Sydney

• Parramatta State of the City Address 2009 Media release
• State of the city report (1.5Mb)
• State of the city report – Executive Report Card (517Kb)
• State of the city presentation (4,4Mb)

According to figures released by BIS Shrapnel, the national average yearly rental growth is forecast to be 5.8 per cent, resulting in rental households passing an extra $1.9 billion to landlords each year. The average rental rate for Sydney is expected to grow by 7.1 per cent on average annually between next year and 2012.

In an update to its Residential Property Prospects 2009 – 2012 report, BIS Shrapnel said a reduction in the construction of new medium and high-density housing was responsible for the rising rental rates.

Starts of only about 30,700 medium and high-density housing units are expected in 2009, representing an annual decline of 30 per cent.

And the decline in supply has been exacerbated in recent months by tighter lending restrictions imposed by the majors.

Jason Anderson, an economist at BIS Shrapnel, said he was uncertain as to how long it would be before lending restrictions eased.

“Even if some improvement were to occur in the near future, it would be some time before supply improves as most projects take 12 to 18 months to complete,” he said.

The rush to buy a first home was another factor adding to the pressure on rental markets.

“A first-home buyer moving out of the family home, and purchasing a former investment property, will have actually reduced the available rental stock,” Mr Anderson said.

Many first home buyers were enticed to enter the market because of the increased government grant, with many choosing honeymoon rates that were as low as 4.5 per cent.

When borrowers’ honeymoon period ends their variable rates could jump by up to 1.5 per cent. In the same period the Reserve Bank may have increased rates by 1.0 per cent or more.

“A lot of lenders use the honeymoon rates to attract business but borrowers need to… understand what the repayments look like after the honeymoon is over.

During his address to the 2009 Economic and Social Outlook Conference Dinner yesterday, governor Glenn Stevens hailed the Australian economy’s performance during the economic downturn and predicted that correct planning could see it quickly return to prosperity.

However, he pointed out that the record immigration currently seen in Australia, the highest since the 1960s, would mean major challenges for policy makers.

“It [immigration] may help alleviate capacity constraints, insofar as certain types of labour are concerned. On the other hand, immigrants need to house themselves and need access to various goods and services as well. That is, they add to demand as well as to supply.”

Stevens added, “It follows that the demand for additional dwellings, among other things, is likely to remain strong,”

The RBA governor said that this would have corresponding effects on to urban infrastructure requirements and queried whether enough is being done to make
the supply side of the housing sector more responsive to increasing demand.

And in a ‘perfect storm’ scenario, tenants won’t escape unscathed with rents predicted to skyrocket and available properties to dwindle as existing investors leave the market without being replaced by new investors.

“What is proposed will deliver carnage to Mum and Dad investors and tenants across NSW”, said REINSW President, Steve Martin.

“Put simply, these changes are nothing short of investment vandalism and will leave NSW a wasteland as investors flee to other states.

“REINSW predicts the cumulative cost impact of the proposed amendments could easily exceed $5000 per residential tenancy in the first year of the new Act as a direct result of new conditions imposed on landlords.

“These price increases will have a devastating impact on Mum and Dad investors who will simply drop out of the residential tenancy market and look elsewhere to invest, most likely outside NSW.

“For those that do stay in the market, these costs will be passed directly onto tenants.

“On an average rental of $500 per week, these new costs could be as high as $100 per week which is a 20% increase.

“For struggling families in rental accommodation, this could push them beyond their financial means.

“I don’t understand why the government is targeting tenants like this.

“What we will see as a direct result of these amendments will be fewer rental properties because there are fewer investors; and this will push rental prices even higher.

“If the government wanted to drive investment away then it couldn’t have done a better job.

“Other key problems with this draft legislation include:

· The introduction of “rent control” under new tenancy agreements
· Allowing poor performing tenants to not pay rent until served notice by the Sheriff at the 11th hour
· Ability for tenants to terminate leases ‘at will’
· The unfettered right of tenants to modify premises as they choose
· The disincentive to offer long term leases

“Unfortunately tenants are the ones that will pay the highest price, at least those lucky enough to find a rental property.

“REINSW is lodging a formal submission opposing the changes on behalf of both tenants and landlords.

“I urge all those affected to urgently contact the Minister’s office to voice their objection to these changes before it is too late”, said Mr. Martin.