The City of Parramatta, also referred to as Parramatta Council, is a prominent local government area situated to the west and north-west of Sydney’s CBD in the Greater Western Sydney region. Nestled between the City of Ryde and Cumberland, it lies at the convergence of the Cumberland Plain and the Hornsby Plateau, approximately 25 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district.
Spanning an expansive area of 84 square kilometres, the City of Parramatta encompasses suburbs in Greater Western Sydney, including the Hills District, as well as a small portion of Northern Sydney to its far north-east. According to the 2016 census, the city boasted an estimated population of 226,149 residents.
At its heart lies the bustling Parramatta central business district, serving as a key suburban employment hub for the Greater Western Sydney region. The city’s significance is underscored by its rich history, tracing back to its incorporation on 27 November 1861 as the “Municipality of Parramatta.” John Williams, an emancipated convict who arrived in the colony in 1835, served as its first mayor.
Over the years, the council underwent several transformations, becoming the “Borough of Parramatta” on 23 December 1867 under the Municipalities Act, 1867. Subsequently, it regained municipality status following the 1906 Local Government Act before attaining city status on 27 October 1938 through the Local Government (City of Parramatta) Act.
The City of Parramatta experienced further expansion and consolidation on 1 January 1949, with the amalgamation of the councils of Ermington, Rydalmere, Dundas, and Granville. Its boundaries were further extended in 1972 through the incorporation of Winston Hills from the Municipality of Blacktown.
In recognition of its pivotal role, particularly during the Australian Bicentennial, Parramatta was bestowed the title of ‘Lord Mayor’ on 12 December 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II, upon the recommendation of Premier Nick Greiner. This prestigious honor made Parramatta the third Australian city, not a capital, to receive such distinction, following Newcastle and Wollongong.
Source Url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Parramatta
