By Parramatta Sun, 2 June 2011

A VIRTUAL marketplace might soon leave the pages of sci-fi books and open in Parramatta. Parramatta is part of the consortium that received a grant of $168,000 to develop mobile digital applications for the retail and tourism sectors.

The Smart City consortium is one of 11 applicants that received the state government funding announced on Monday night.

The funding will boost Parramatta's "smarter city" initiative — ParraConnect — which was launched last year to explore the role digital technologies can play in communities.

As part of the program, more than 10,000 smart cards and mobile phones will allow workers, residents and visitors to shop from local retailers remotely.

The cards can also hold information and could be used to access car parks, work buildings and libraries.

The program is expected to start in about nine months. It will cost the Smart City consortium — made up of the council, SGS technologies, Salt It and ST Microelectronics — about $900,000.

Parramatta lord mayor John Chedid said the funding would help Parramatta stay at the forefront of digital technology.

"This is an iconic project that will not only create jobs and provide economic benefits but also has the potential to dramatically change the way we do business."

SGS Technologies director and program manager Frank Dorian said this was the first time smart cards, micro payments and smart-phones would be available in a single system.

He said the mobile ordering and payments system could allow small retailers to challenge their super-mall counterparts.

"The solution we're launching in Parramatta has already attracted interest nationally and internationally which is a strong reflection of the demand for modern solutions that keep pace with business development."