The community around Parramatta will soon have access to a healthier, more sustainable commute along the northern foreshore of the Parramatta River.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard today announced that a separate cycling and walking link will be built between the University of Western Sydney, housing developments in the area and key employment precincts of the Parramatta city centre.
This will link areas of the northern Parramatta River foreshore to each other, and will ensure residents have access to a safe, healthy and sustainable way to get to work or university.
This joint project - the Parramatta River City Renewal project - is the first successful project to be announced under the Government's Liveable Cities program.
Projects like the Parramatta River City Renewal Project are vital for the future sustainability of Australia's large cities.
Beyond just building better infrastructure to support communities, the Liveable Cities Program will provide lessons in achieving good outcomes that can be shared across capital and larger regional cities.
By improving the capacity of our cities to undertake strategic planning, we are working to improve the quality of life in our major cities, where the majority of our population lives.
The Gillard Government has committed up to $3.75 million, Parramatta City Council has committed $4.4 million and the NSW Government has committed $7.9 million to the Parramatta River City Renewal project.
The project is expected to be completed by mid 2015.
The other successful applicants under the Liveable Cities Program will be announced in the very near future.