The original NSW Government House is located in Parramatta park (Northwest of the CBD). Though the colonists recognised the importance of Parramatta as the centre of the colony, the Parramatta River was difficult to navigate at the time and the roads not well established so the NSW colonial government relocated to Sydney harbour to provide easier access for visiting dignatries of the Bitish empire while NSW was still a colony.

The NSW government has formally recognised Parramatta as the centre of Sydney and all NSW Government Departments are being progressively moved to this CBD to provide equal access to all of the Sydney metropolitan area. This represents a return to the historical importance of Parramatta as the centre for NSW government.

Sydneys ring roads are centred around Parramatta and new rail and public transport infrastructure being planned to ease the congestion that chokes the Sydney CBD. It is viewed that the Parramatta CBD will become Sydney's greater CBD and central commercial centre in around 2030-2050.

Hours of operation
Monday to Friday
9.30am - 8.00pm
Saturday
9.30am - 4pm
Sunday
2pm-5pm

Parramatta City Library holds a rich collection of materials for use by residents and people working in the area. The Parramatta Library service consists of the central library at Parramatta, five branches and the Parramatta Heritage Centre (which includes the Visitors Information centre). The library is the most visited public library in the state, making it one of the busiest in Australia.

Parramatta City Library Services provides a range of facilities and services for public use, many of which are free of charge. Services include the use of Computers and technology, Justice of the Peace, Outreach Library Service and Community Information.

Facilities available include study rooms and meeting room as well as access to faxing and printing facilities.