PARRAMATTA Council looks set to win the tussle for Sydney Olympic Park with the long-awaited State Government decision on amalgamations expected to be released this week.

The announcement could see the number of metropolitan councils reduced from 41 to about 20.

Parramatta is likely to absorb Sydney Olympic Park from Auburn Council and its boundaries redrawn to include suburbs that will receive the light rail — from Westmead to Parramatta and on to the sporting hub.

The new council will be touted as the new economic precinct for western Sydney and matches up with the government’s metropolitan strategy for Sydney’s growth and economic future.

Under this plan, Parramatta Council could lose some territory to the newly amalgamated councils of Auburn and Holroyd, including Lord Mayor Paul Garrard’s electorate of Woodville. Woodville takes in the suburbs of South Granville, Chester Hill, and parts of Guildford, Merrylands and Granville.

Several sources have told The Advertiser it made sense to have one local government authority manage the light rail.

Cr Garrard said he would not be pleased if the government removed his ward and added it to another council area.

“I would be very disappointed if that happened and I would think it would be a very average result for Parramatta. But I don’t want to speculate on that until I have more information,” he said.

Sydney Business Chamber of Commerce Western Sydney director David Borger said the chamber was excited at the opportunities for building strong local government.

“A bigger Parramatta means it will become a more strategic council but it’s important we don’t set council boundaries based on political outcome. We need to make sure boundaries are set for the right reason,” Mr Borger said.

As part of its submission to the Fit for the Future report, Auburn Council requested it merge with Burwood and Canada Bay councils under the banner of Sydney Olympic Park Council, however this plan now seems unlikely.

Redrawn boundaries would have to be looked at by the Boundaries Commission before going back to Local Government Minister Paul Toole for consideration.

Holroyd has been a strong opponent of forced amalgamations, constantly stating it did not want to join with Parramatta.