“In 1857, a government proclamation was made by the first NSW Parliament to set aside at least 200 acres "for the health and well-being for the people of Parramatta."

Much of the land now operates as Cumberland Mental Health Hospital. Adjoining the World Heritage listed Parramatta Park, the precinct contains an extraordinary cultural legacy that showcase some of Australia's most wonderful buildings designed by government architect Francis Greenway and Walter Liberty Vernon.

A 30-hectare oasis, the precinct cradles Australia’s largest and most intact ‘Female Factory’, the first Roman Catholic Orphanage and the infamous Parra Girls home. In total about 40,000 women and children were institutionalized within these walls. We call this precious precinct the Fleet Street Heritage Precinct. Containing Australia's ‘Female Factory’, 5,000 convict women were sent from the British Isles. These women were the mothers of our colonial colony.

Present State Government is proposing to parcel up and sell-off 20-hectares of this public land to developers. While the government is promising to retain some of the heritage buildings, more than 50% of the buildings will be demolished with the government arguing that many of the significant buildings no longer have sufficient merit. In turn this enables the land to be redeveloped into a high-rise urban precinct which includes plans for 3,000 + high density residential units along with commercial and retail facilities.

The plans may spoil this extraordinary heritage legacy which is currently being considered for a National heritage listing, and would destroy plans to see the precinct World Heritage listed. It would also continue the ongoing erosion of green, public space in Parramatta.

In response, community, academics, experts and organisations alike including the National Trust, ICOMOS, Royal Australian Historical Society, and Parramatta Female Factory Friends are fighting to protect the Heritage Precinct from being sub-divided and sold off.

Suzette Meade (President NPRAG):
Suzette’s background is in the Design and Construction industry as a senior project manager for corporate and government clients in Sydney. She also spent several years in Ireland working to deliver the national roll out and implementation of digital radiology systems within the public hospital system. Suzette is the third generation of her family from Parramatta, and has a close connection to its parklands, people and its rich cultural past. Suzette is also a committee member of the Parramatta City Council Heritage Advisory Committee.

Stephen Brancatisano (Vice President NPRAG):
Steve lives in Westmead with his wife and young family, and has lived in the Parramatta area for most of his life.  He works locally as a doctor, and before this was a public servant in Canberra.  He believes strongly in heritage, the importance of history, and in the retention of public assets and public space.