It is clear Parramatta has consolidated itself as Sydney’s prime urban centre away from the Sydney CBD.

The latest employment numbers from the 2006 census show how important Parramatta has become. The census records that the Parramatta local government area in 2006 contained 10,300 managers, 22,800 professionals and 21,000 clerical and administrative workers.

There are also 15,000 health and social assistance workers in the Parramatta LGA. Many are located at the key health precinct at Westmead.

Importantly, Parramatta has one of suburban Sydney’s few decent public transport connections. This is a good thing. It means that people who live long distances from their jobs in Parramatta can ditch the car as their daily means of transport.

But the latest journey-to-work figures show that Parramatta is building a loyal workforce from the surrounding suburbs. Local residents are enjoying the opportunity to pick up a decent local job.

It also appears that people with jobs in Parramatta are attracted to relocate to Parramatta’s surrounding suburbs in order to enjoy reduced daily commuting times, take advantage of cheaper housing compared to suburbs further east, and enjoy Parramatta’s increasingly cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Sydney’s other regional centres need look no further than Parramatta to learn the lessons of building a successful business, commercial and administrative hub.

Sydney’s urban planners also need to take a closer look. At present, 84,000 western Sydney residents spend more than 100 minutes per day commuting; while 140,000 chew up more than 70 minutes each working day. And, because they have no alternative, 80% of full time workers from western Sydney are forced to travel to work by car.

Long times spent travelling in motor vehicles is costly, irritating and environmentally unsustainable.

Some say the solution is public transport. There is no doubt this is true, but only partially. Public transport can only operate efficiently where it serves concentrations of workers in major centres.

Parramatta is showing Sydney how to build these concentrations. Other key centres, like Blacktown, Penrith and Liverpool, need to follow suit.

*Phillip O'Neill is Professor and Director of the Urban Research Centre for the University of Western Sydney. He regularly comments on matters affecting Sydney.