OUR city is set to be one of the few wireless cities in the world, if Lord Mayor Paul Garrard has his way.

Cr Garrard is pushing for his eParra Strategy which will bring wireless internet to the CBD for businesses, residents and visitors.

An enthusiastic Cr Garrard put forward his ideas for an e-city at last week’s council meeting with support from all councillors except Cr Andrew Wilson who questioned whether it was council’s responsibility to wi-fi the city.

But Cr Garrard’s plan is as short on detail as it was when he flagged it at his election as lord mayor on September 30.

Cr Garrard said having wireless internet in the city would give internet access to residents who could not afford it.

While, on the surface, this suggests residents can access free internet from their homes, it actually means they would have to come to the CBD with their laptops.

But it means more than that, with visitors to the city able to download information on Parramatta on to their iPods or Blackberries, for example.

It would also enable better efficiency for the council, in being able to better contact work teams on the road, and also to help police communicate.

In his address to councillors, Cr Garrard said the plan was essential if Parramatta, as “capital of the west”, was to be vibrant in business and job creation.

He pointed out that other cities such as Leeds, Birmingham, Barcelona, Oklahoma City and Chicago, were completely wireless.

Councillors voted for the chief executive to investigate the feasibility of the project and how it could be implemented.

Council also will consult the business community on the plan.