North Parramatta Residents Action Group - NPRAG

05/06/2026

A big thank you to the National Trust Australia (NSW) for appearing before the Senate Inquiry into the proposed sale of Defence heritage sites.

One point that particularly stood out was the reminder that the cost of maintaining these places is modest when viewed in the context of the Defence budget. As the Trust stated:

“There is an underlying assumption to this audit that it is only heritage buildings that require maintenance and cost money, and that new buildings are suddenly free of maintenance costs. The honest answer is that old or new, assets need to be maintained, and that regular maintenance is always more cost effective than creating a backlog. The best way to maintain heritage is to use it.

If we do want to talk in financial terms for just a minute, I can tell you that the maintenance budget for the entire NSW National Trust is just 0.003% of Australia’s Defence spending for the 2025/26 financial year.

If these places are sold, it will be a blip in a budget for one year. We will have sold more than just the family silver, and as many submissions note, we will never get them back. We will have sold the inheritance of all Australians, not just any future options for Defence.

That puts the debate into perspective. Once heritage sites such as Lancer Barracks are sold, they can never truly be recovered. Protecting these places is not a financial burden—it is an investment in Australia’s history, identity and future generations.

Well done to the National Trust for giving heritage a strong voice in Canberra.

(Source: National Trust of Australia (NSW) statement to the Senate Inquiry⁠) https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/news/statement-by-the-national-trust-nsw-at-the-senate-inquiry-into-the-divestment-of-defence-estate-assets/

Andrew Charlton MP Donna Davis MP City of Parramatta

01/06/2026

DON’T LET THE NSW AND AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENTS ABANDON THEIR WORLD HERITAGE COMMITMENT.

So many of us have spent more than a decade campaigning for the Parramatta Female Factory and Institutions Precinct to receive the World Heritage recognition it rightfully deserves. Thousands of volunteer hours, community advocacy, research, heritage studies and government commitments have brought us to this point.

The ICOMOS report must not be used as an excuse to quietly walk away from the World Heritage pathway. EARLY ADVICE IS NOT A REFUSAL it is an opportunity to address concerns and strengthen the nomination.

This means establishing a proper buffer zone THERE WAS NOT ONE INCLUDED IN THE PRELIMINARY SUBMISSION, strengthening heritage protections, and fully recognising the world significance of the Parramatta Female Factory and Institutions Precinct.

For more than 200 years, this place has held stories of punishment, separation, institutionalisation, welfare control, labour, resilience and reform. These are stories of international significance that deserve to be recognised and protected for future generations.

The NSW and Australian Governments started this process. They have invested public funds (ONE MILLION DOLLARS) sought expert advice and made commitments to the community. They must now finish the job

In short, tell the NSW and Australian Governments they must now get the job done:

✅ fix the nomination;
✅ protect the Precinct; and
✅ secure World Heritage recognition

Please sign the petition and get ten more to do it too.

Honouring the Women of Australia - Complete the State and Federal World Heritage Journey

25/05/2026

A year ago, the National Trust Australia (NSW) prepared a detailed application seeking National Heritage Listing for three of Parramatta’s most significant colonial heritage places Elizabeth Farm, Experiment Farm and Hambledon Cottage.

These places tell the story of early farming, architecture and settlement in Australia and are deeply connected to the history of Parramatta as one of the nation’s earliest agricultural landscapes.

Now, the Australian Heritage Council is asking the community if they agree these sites deserve recognition on the National Heritage List.

This is an important opportunity for our community to have a voice in protecting and recognising these nationally significant heritage places for future generations.

Please take a few moments to complete the survey and support these important heritage listings:

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/news/hys-parramatta-farms-heritage-values

The Australian Heritage Council is currently assessing the proposed National Heritage values of these Parramatta farm sites and public submissions close on 26 June 2026.

Andrew Charlton MP Donna Davis MP Parramatta Historical Society City of Parramatta

The Australian Heritage Council (AHC) is assessing 3 historic properties in Parramatta, NSW. They are being assessed for inclusion on the National Heritage List.The early colonial farming properties are being assessed together as one 'place'. They are:Elizabeth FarmExperiment FarmHambledon Cottage.T...

13/05/2026

🍂 Volunteer Garden Sundays - Wistaria Gardens 🍂

Join the Friends of Wistaria Gardens in partnership with Greater Sydney Parklands for our next Volunteer Garden Sunday.

🗓 Sunday 17 May 2026
⏰ 9:00am – 12:00pm
📍 Wistaria Gardens (at the bridge)

Enjoy a crisp autumn morning helping care for this much-loved heritage garden. It’s the perfect time to get outdoors, connect with the community, and experience the gardens as the leaves turn and the season changes.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just keen to lend a hand, everyone is welcome — no green thumb required!

🍁 Light gardening, good company, and fresh autumn air
🍁 Learn more about this special place and help keep it thriving
🍁 A rewarding way to give back to your local parklands

👉 Register now: https://tinyurl.com/wistariagardeners

08/05/2026

A GRASSROOTS petition by Andrew Charlton MP 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 Heritage Council is currently assessing Elizabeth Farm, Hambeldon Cottage and Experiment Farm as a group National Heritage Listing, 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.

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

“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.”

If you have not signed you can do so here 👇
https://www.andrewcharlton.com.au/community/stop-gregory-place-save-parramatta-s-heritage-petition/

Full article Here 📰
https://parramattatimes.com.au/news/6000-strong-petition-to-save-parramatta-heritage/

City of Parramatta
Parramatta Historical Society
National Trust Australia (NSW)

06/05/2026

Back to when we use to celebrate Parramatta’s foundation as a city with a week long celebrations starting with a street parade.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Police marching as part of a Foundation Week procession in Parramatta in 1973.

(📸 City of Parramatta)

05/05/2026

Throwback Tuesday! 📜

From the Archives - a remarkable glimpse into 1901 at our former Victoria Road campus in Parramatta.

This historic photograph captures a group of schoolboys gathered proudly in front of the original school building, on the very site now home to St Patrick’s Cathedral.

A compelling window into the rich and enduring legacy of our school community!

08/11/2025

Isn’t it TIME our park stopped SHRINKING and was INCREASED !

Expanding one of the world’s oldest public parks is regarded as one of the few ways to reduce a major deficit in open space in Sydney’s second city, says Parramatta’s lord mayor.