North Parramatta is a suburb in the City of Parramatta, part of the Parramatta ward. With a land area of 524 hectares, it is bounded by the transmission line and the suburb of North Rocks in the north, Camelot Court, the suburb of Carlingford, Pennant Hills Road and James Ruse Drive in the east, Pennant Street, Victoria Road, Sorrell Street, Albert Street, Villiers Street, Harold Street, Trott Street, Albert Street, O'Connell Street and Fleet Street in the south, and the Parramatta River, Darling Mills Creek and Hunts Creek in the west.[1]
North Parramatta was the site of one of the earliest land grants with Charles Smith receiving a grant of 30 acres on 29 November 1792 on what is now the Cumberland Hospital Precinct. [2] On 20 November 2015, approximately 26 hectares of what is now the Parramatta North Precinct was rezoned via a State Significant Sites process on by the Minister for Planning in amendments to the Parramatta Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2011.[3]
For more on the history of North Parramatta, see our brief history article:
- North Parramatta - A Brief History https://historyandheritage.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/blog/2020/02/24/north-parramatta-a-brief-history
For a virtual tour of Parramatta North, you can explore about the site using the Discover Parramatta https://discoverparramatta.cloudtour.cc/scene_70_en.html
|
Name |
Origin & Meaning |
Source |
|
Abbey Lane |
Origins unknown |
Parramatta City Council (PCC) (2007) Street name register.pdf |
|
Albert Street |
The initial section of this street commenced off Church Street prior to 1844 suggesting that the name was an acknowledgement to either the Prince Consort or the son of Queen Victoria. When extended to its full length in 1868 the same name was carried throughout. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf City of Parramatta (CoP). (1994). Suburban names review: part 1. Parramatta, N.S.W.: Parramatta City Council. |
|
Albert Street East |
Previous name: Albert Street. Parramatta City Council approved alteration of street name of section of Albert Street between McArthur and Web Street circa 1869 |
Parramatta City Council—Alteration of street name. (1946, July 5). Government Gazette of NSW, p. 1534. |
|
Barham Street |
(1947) Developed by the Housing Commission of NSW and named by the Commission as an acknowledgment to Alderman Major Kenneth H. Barham who was killed in action in Greece on 12 April 1941 during World war 2. An enlarged portrait was also hung in the vestibule of Parramatta Town Hall as a tribute. Part of Collett's property subdivision. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf CoP. (1994). Suburban names review: part 1. Suggested names For three new streets (1946, August 28). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, p. 2. Late Major Barham (1942, July 15). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, p. 1. |
|
Barney Street |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Barton Street |
(c1868) Acknowledges the Grantee of the land which adjoined, William Barton. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf CoP. (1994). Suburban names review: part 1 |
|
Bellevue Lane |
The name "Bellevue" is derived from the French words for "beautiful view". |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Bellevue Street |
The name "Bellevue" is derived from the French words for "beautiful view". |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Belmore Street |
(c1868) Acknowledges Somerset Lowry-Corry, Lord Belmore, who had been appointed Governor of NSW in 1868. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf CoP (1994). Suburban names review: part 1. PCC (1998) Minutes - Environmental Services Committee – 16 February 1998 : Item 09 : Street renaming - parts of Belmore and Macarthur Streets North Parramatta
|
|
Board Street |
Named after William Henry and Emily Board who lived in the area. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf Parramatta & District Historical Society, (2003) Parramatta pioneer register: settlement to 1920, p 31. |
|
Bourke Street |
Possibly named for Governor Richard Bourke who succeeded Major General Sir Thomas Brisbane as Governor of NSW from 1831-37. Government House at Parramatta while not his principal residence was a personal retreat from Sydney. Six months after his arrival in the colony his wife Elizabeth died and was buried in St John's Cemetery. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf Kass, T., Liston, C., & McClymont, J. (1996). Parramatta: a past revealed. Parramatta, N.S.W.: Parramatta City Council, p 92. |
|
Bowden Street |
(c1856) Initially named George Street by the inheritors of George Palmer’s estate, at the time of the subdivision. The name was later changed to avoid confusion and now appears to be an acknowledgement of Thomas Kendall Bowden, Mayor of Parramatta in 1869. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf CoP (1994). Suburban names review: part 1. |
|
Bristol Street |
(1948) gazettes by Parramatta City Council |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf Parramatta City Council.—Notice is hereby given (1948, December 31). Government Gazette NSW, p. 3545. |
|
Brown Street |
Developed by the Housing Commission as part of the Gilbert Estate North Parramatta subdivision in 1948. It was drawn by Parramatta surveyor Harold Charles de Low. In keeping with the theme of naming streets after Parramatta mayors and aldermen, this street was named after Robert James Brown who was a Parramatta alderman from 1920 to 1937. |
Change of name (1948, June 30) The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, p. 3. CoP (2011) Section 4.2 Special character areas, Parramatta development control plan 2011, p. 13 |
|
Buller St |
(c1844) Initially only a small nib (off Victoria Rd) was created, the full length being extended in 1868. The names appears to acknowledge Barrister and Parliamentarian Charles Buller who, in conjunction with James Macarthur, tirelessly supported the cause of the Australian Patriotic Association to gain representative government in NSW. Bulller died in 1846 and it seems fitting that the names Buller and Macarthur stand side-by-side in this subdivision layout. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf CoP (1994). Suburban names review: part 1. |
|
Burnham Place |
Previous name: Byrnes Street. In accordance with Local Government Act 1919, Ordinance 30, Clause 53, Section 249(a). The cul-de-sac section was renamed after parts of the former Byrnes Street between Hunt Street and Moxham Street and the unclosed part of Moxham Street and Forbes Street, Parramatta was widened. Authorised by resolution of Council on 5 October 1965. |
City of Parramatta. - Local Government Act 1919, Ordinance 30, Clause 53 (1966, March 4). Government Gazette NSW, p. 1084 |
|
Burnside Street |
Named in reference to Burnside Homes |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
By Street |
Origins unknown |
|
|
Byrnes Street |
Named after the Byrnes family, a pioneer family in Parramatta. In the late 1830s, James (1806–1886) and his brother William were land owners and manufacturers in Parramatta. The Byrnes brothers were also pioneers of steam ferry transport on the Parramatta River and in 1840-41 established a steam flour mill near the wharf. They also owned a brewery on Charles street. James Byrnes was also a politician and public servant who represented Parramatta. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf
Walsh, G. P. (n.d.) 'Byrnes, James (1806–1886)', Australian Dictionary of Biography Casey & Lowe (n.d.) Archaeological excavation: corner of George & Charles Streets, Parramatta. |
|
Castle Street |
Origins unknown |
|
|
Corry Court |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Crosswell Place |
Developed by the Housing Commission as part of the Gilbert Estate North Parramatta subdivision in 1948. It was drawn by Parramatta surveyor Harold Charles de Low. In keeping with the theme of naming streets after Parramatta mayors and aldermen, this street was named after Charles Isaac Crosswell who was a Parramatta alderman from 1928 to 1937. |
CoP (2011) Section 4.2 Special character areas, Parramatta development control plan 2011, p. 13 |
|
Davies Street |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Dunlop Street |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Factory Street |
Possibly named due to proximity to the Parramatta Female Factory |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Fennell Street |
(c1822) initially commenced as a small a bit off Church Street and gradually extended throughout. The name acknowledges Captain John Fennell, Aide-de-Campe to Governor Brisbane. Fennell Street was one of the first streets in the area and was a result of Brisbane’s attempt in 1823 to sort out the chaos resulting from previous indiscriminate lease-holds. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf Wickham, J. A. & Yeend, P. J. (1979). Origins of names of suburbs, streets, and localities in and about the Parramatta area. Parramatta, NSW: The King's School Archive Society. Jervis, J. (1961). The cradle city of Australia: a history of Parramatta 1788 - 1961, Parramatta, N.S.W.: The Council of the City of Parramatta, Australia. Jervis, J. (1935). 'The development of settlement in the town of Parramatta', Journal and Proceedings of the Parramatta District Historical Society, vol. 4, p. 68 and p. 73. CoP (1994). Suburban names review: part 1. |
|
Fennell Street |
(c1822) initially commenced as a small a bit off Church Street and gradually extended throughout. The name acknowledges Captain John Fennell, Aide-de-Campe to Governor Brisbane. Fennell Street was one of the first streets in the area and was a result of Brisbane’s attempt in 1823 to sort out the chaos resulting from previous indiscriminate lease-holds. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf Wickham, J. A. & Yeend, P. J. (1979). Origins of names of suburbs, streets, and localities in and about the Parramatta area. Jervis, J. (1961). The cradle city of Australia: a history of Parramatta 1788 - 1961, Jervis, J. (1935). 'The development of settlement in the town of Parramatta', Journal and Proceedings of the Parramatta District Historical Society, vol. 4, p. 68 and p. 73. CoP (1994). Suburban names review: part 1. |
|
Forbes Street |
Street no longer exists |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Gaggin Lane |
(c1841) See details on Braybn. Acknowledges Charles Marsdens sister-in-law Mary Gaggin, nee Brabyn whose husband was the Commissariat Storekeeper at Windsor. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Galloway Street |
|
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Gibb Close |
(Resolution 20/08/1979) |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Gilbert Street |
Part of Mount Pleasant Estate North Parramatta originally owned by George Henry Gilbert (19.07.1861-11.04.1908) |
|
|
Gladstone Lane |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Gladstone Street |
(1868) Acknowledges William Wart Gladstone on his rise to Prime Minister of Britain in 1868 at the time the street was being formed. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf CoP. (1994). Suburban names review: part 1. |
|
Gloucester Avenue |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Illawong Drive |
Of Aboriginal origin. Public road leads to Lake Parramatta. The word “Illawong” has been used as a place name in various parts of Australia. One possible meaning is “view of the water”. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Iron Street |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Irwin Street |
Developed by the Housing Commission as part of the Gilbert Estate North Parramatta subdivision in 1948. It was drawn by Parramatta surveyor Harold Charles de Low. In keeping with the theme of naming streets after Parramatta mayors and aldermen, this street was named after William John Irwin who was a Parramatta alderman from 1936 to 1947. |
CoP (2011) Section 4.2 Special character areas, Parramatta development control plan 2011, p. 13 |
|
Isabella Lane |
Origins unknown |
|
|
Isabella Street |
(1869) The name origin is uncertain. In the final subdivision of the Town Reserve by the Surveyors Generals Office the street naming selection acknowledged European and Colonial personages of the day at the time when Queen Isabella of Spain was being forced into exile. Concurrently Governor Brisbane's daughter Isabella Maria born in the Colony in 1821 was on her death bed in Scotland. A very high regard for Brisbane and his family appears to have remained in Parramatta for many years after their return to Scotland. The street name may be a tribute to Isabella Maria MacDougall Brisbane. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf CoP (1994). Suburban names review: part 1. |
|
James MacArthur Court (Previous name: Macarthur Street) |
Formerly known as Macarthur Street, the formed road generally running northerly from the intersection of Belmore Street and Corry Court to Bellevue Street, North Parramatta |
Parramatta City Council: Roads Act (General Regulations) 1994: Renaming of public road - James Macarthur Court (2000, July 28). Government Gazette NSW, p. 7125. |
|
Jeffery Avenue |
Developed by the Housing Commission as part of the Gilbert Estate North Parramatta subdivision in 1948. It was drawn up by Parramatta surveyor Harold Charles de Low and in keeping with the theme of naming streets after Parramatta mayors and aldermen was named after Phillip Henry Jeffery who was a Parramatta alderman from 1925 to 1948. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf "Much Too Modest" (1948, March 3). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, p. 1
|
|
Kanangara Avenue |
Kanangra is an Aboriginal word meaning 'beautiful view' or 'a ceremonial and meeting corroboree site of significance' for the Awabakal and Darkinjung people |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf Sugden, J.H. "Aboriginal Words and their meanings" & Maynard, John (2004) "Awabakal Word Finder" in Lake Macquarie City Library |
|
Katia Street |
() Part of Dress Circle Estate subdivision plans 1919-1925. Dress circle refers to the old picture theatres (now cinemas) where an upper level was called "dress circle". According to a Dress Circle Estate monument in East Ryde, Hooker Rex Pty Ltd retained the original name of the Dress Circle Estate and named the streets according to a theatrical theme. Here it looks like the theme was World War One related with the close proximity of Katia Street (for the Battle of Katia on 23 April 1916) to Romani Street (for the Battle of Romani on 3-5 August 1916). |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf Dress Circle Estate Parramatta North, Z/SP/P6/133, 134, 135 Wikipedia (2021) Battle of Katia Monument Australia (2021) Dress Circle Estate |
|
Kleins Road |
Believed to be named after the Klein family who owned the orchard on this road. |
|
|
Lake Street |
Possible a reference to Lake Parramatta |
|
|
Macarthur Street |
(c1840s and 1868) Appears to represent two separate acknowledgements. The section southerly of Victoria Road provided in the subdivisions of the Marsden properties probably acknowledges Hannibal Hawkins Macarthur. A custom of street naming in subdivisions of this period was to name at least one of the streets after a magistrate of leading citizen and H.H. Macarthur was both: he became the first elected representative for Parramatta in 1843. The section northerly of Victoria Road was provided in the final subdivision of the Town Reserve effected by the Government and, on the street naming pattern used by the Surveyor General's Office, it would appear that the name acknowledges James Macarthur. James, who played a major role in serving the district (and in achieving representative government in NSW) had died less than twelve months earlier. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf CoP (1994). Suburban names review: part 1. PCC (1998) Minutes - Environmental Services Committee – 16 February 1998 : Item 09 : Street renaming - parts of Belmore and Macarthur Streets North Parramatta
|
|
Mary Street |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Moxham Street |
Named after a member of the pioneering Moxham family, beginning with stonemason Robert Moxham (1823-1880) and his sons William (1855-) and Thomas Moxham (1860-1916) who later became Mayor of Parramatta. |
Dictionary of Sydney (2011) Northmead quarries
|
|
Murray Street |
(1883) Acknowledges William Richard Murray, Storekeeper who purchased a farm lot in the auction of the Town Reserve subdivision in the 1870's and subdivided into urban lots 10 years later. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf CoP (1994). Suburban names review: part 1. |
|
New Street |
|
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
North Rocks Road |
The street is named as it leads to the suburb of North Rocks from the suburb of North Parramatta |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Pennant Hills Road |
First used in 1828. A road leading to the suburb of Pennants Hill. Possible place name origin for the suburb: (1) Name possibly derived from the practice of using flags, or pennants, to signal between Sydney Cove and Parramatta (2) Named after botanist and zoologist Thomas Pennant (1726-1798) a colleague and friend of Sir Joseph Banks (3) Named in reference to the Crimson Rosella (Latin: Psittacus pennanti), a common bird in the Pennant Hills area. Also known as Pennant's Parakeet in English bird magazines. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf Patrick, T. G.. (1994). Street names of Pennant Hills and surrounding suburbs of Beecroft, Cheltenham, Cherrybrook, Thornleigh, Westleigh and West Pennant Hills. Hornsby, N.S.W. : Silicon Quill. |
|
Prince Street |
Probably named in honour of King George and the Royal Dukes. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Romani Street |
Appears to be named after the Battle of Romani which took place in Palestine in 1916 during WW1. Members of the 1st and 2nd Light Horse Brigades were particularly active in this battle. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Rose Crescent |
Acknowledges owner/developer Sydney Brozel Rose, solicitor of Sydney who subdivided his property near Lake Parramatta into 38 allotments and created two new streets - Rose Crescent and Gloucester Avenue |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf “P'matta rate omne of lowest": Mayor's claim: What the council has done, (1937, November 25) The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, p. 6. |
|
Ross Street |
(1823) Robert Ross was an officer in the marines and arrived in New South Wales with the First Fleet as commander of the marines and lieutenant governor of the colony. Ross later served as officer in charge of Norfolk Island, was relieved of this position, and returned to England in December 1791. Ross Street was names in his honour in 1823. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf Wickham, J. A. & Yeend, P. J. (1979). Origins of names of suburbs, streets, and localities in and about the Parramatta area. MacMillan, D.S. (n.d.) Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 2, pp. 397-98. Jervis, J. (1935). 'The development of settlement in the town of Parramatta', Journal and Proceedings of the Parramatta District Historical Society, vol. 4, p. 73. |
|
Saunders Lane |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Saunders Street |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Seville Street |
Name in acknowledgement of the Seville family. Joseph Seville, son of William Seville, was the first land grant owner around the North Parramatta area. |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Sorrell Lane |
(Gazetted 22/07/1977; Resolution 14/03/1977) Unknown origin. Most likely named after Lieutenant-Governor William Sorell (1775-1848). Although the name is usually spelled with one 'r' it does on occasion appear with tow. Sorell was appointed lieutenant-governor of Van Diemen's Land in 1816 and reached Sydney in March, 1817. During his stay in Sydney, Sorell is said to have 'impressed' Governor Macquarie before resuming his journey south. It is not known if he met Macquarie at Government House in Parramatta or in Sydney. Macquarie liked to name his streets after the 'royalty' of the Colony. Grose, Ross, Palmer and Pennant Streets were named at about the same time as Sorrell and it is not unreasonable to assume that a street would be named after Macquarie's second in command (and a fellow Governor). |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf Bray, S. (2011, February 28), Internal staff email. Casey & Lowe, (2004), 1 Smith Street, Parramatta. |
|
Sutherland Road |
Previous name: Gloucester Avenue. This area was auctioned as the Parramatta Heights Estate on 2 May 1925, by real estate agents, Peach Brothers. Construction of housing commenced in the 1930’s. In May 1939 the area was covered by a residential district proclamation that required the external walls of houses to be of brick construction. In June 1958, parts of the street was altered with the Sutherland Road section between Prince Street and Pennant Hills Road renamed Prince Street and the Gloucester Avenue section between Sutherland Road and Pennant Hills Road renamed Sutherland Road. |
CoP (2011) Section 4.2 Special character areas, Parramatta development control plan 2011, pp. 14-15 PCC Street Name Register.pdf City of Parramatta - Local Government Act, 1919 (1958, June 27), Government Gazette NSW, p. 1977. |
|
Toll Street |
Named in connection with the early toll house that was located around the area |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Walden Road |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
Waugh Avenue |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
William Lane |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
|
William Street |
Origins unknown |
PCC Street Name Register.pdf |
Anne Tsang, Research Assistant & Neera Sahni, Research Services Leader, Parramatta Heritage Centre, City of Parramatta, 2021
Disclaimer: We have tried our best to provide a reason behind how these public roads and streets in North Parramatta listed got their names but should there be any discrepancies or if you can help us fill in the gaps, please contact us using our online enquiries form.
References
- .id consulting & City of Parramatta. North Parramatta : about the profile area. In City of Parramatta : Community profile. https://profile.id.com.au/parramatta/about?WebID=210
- Arfanis, Peter. (2015). North Parramatta, the first land grants. https://historyandheritage.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/blog/2015/08/05/north-parramatta-the-first-land-grants
- City of Parramatta (n.d.) Precinct planning : Parramatta North. Retrieved from https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/vision/precinct-planning/parramatta-north ; Invest Parramatta (2019). Parramatta North. Retrieved from https://www.investparramatta.com.au/content/parramatta-north
- Discover Parramatta (2021). Virtual tour: Parramatta North. Available online at https://discoverparramatta.cloudtour.cc/scene_70_en.html