THE NSW Opposition is calling on the Minns Labor Government to urgently step in to keep the Paramatta Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) open.
The former Liberal Government committed $111M ahead of the last election to establish a community facility in Paramatta that would house dance and music studios, a homework hub, indoor gyms and multi-sports courts.
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney Mark Taylor said: “It’s disappointing to see the Minns Labor Government turn its back on the Parramatta PCYC given their unwavering commitment to the local community since 1962. Our commitment would have provided a new home for PCYC Paramatta.”
“Labor has let Parramatta down, the new facility hangs in doubt, the land remains vacant as the Minns Government takes no action.”
Liberal MLC Rachel Merton said the community was suffering because of Labor’s inaction, which comes at a critical time when youth crime in NSW is alarmingly on the rise.
“PCYC’s are instrumental in keeping young people off the streets, providing them with constructive and engaging activities that steer them away from the grip of crime and delinquency. Closing the doors on the Paramatta facility is not just a disservice to Parramatta but a blow to our ongoing fight against youth crime,” Ms Merton said.
“We must explore all options and possible avenues to secure a new home for this vital institution. The investment in a new facility is not merely a financial transaction but a testament to our commitment to the young people of Greater Western Sydney.”
“Unlike the Labor Member for Parramatta, the Liberals won’t stand idly by and watch as a beacon of hope and development for our young people is extinguished. The PCYC Parramatta is more than a building; it is a community, a family, and a lifeline for many. It embodies the spirit of collaboration, resilience, and community support,” Ms Merton concluded.
