Parramatta. Only one of its kind

Parramatta City Council has taken a lead role in the social enterprise sector and in the past five years has invested $439,700 (up 263 per cent) in 24 social enterprises in the local area, according to a council report. Social enterprises are business trading for social, environmental and cultural purposes. Council says its social enterprise program is the only one of its kind in local government in Australia, and, has been recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in its field, the report said.