The largest cultural investment since the Sydney Opera House, the new Powerhouse Museum will be the first State cultural institution located in Western Sydney – in Parramatta, the geographical heart of Sydney.
Powerhouse Parramatta
Powerhouse Parramatta is a world-class museum to be built in the geographical heart of Sydney. It is the first large cultural institution based in Western Sydney and is expected to attract two million visitors every year.
As part of the design, large flexible spaces will provide unprecedented access to the Museum’s collection, new exhibitions, and host cultural and community events.
In addition to the leading science and technology museum itself, new public areas and open spaces will be created for the whole community to enjoy.
Location and transport
Powerhouse Parramatta will be centrally located in Parramatta CBD on the bank of the Parramatta River between Church and Phillip Streets and Wilde Avenue. It will be a short walk from a range of public transport options including the Metro, Light Rail, ferries, buses and the Parramatta Railway Station.
Project status
Following a competitive tender process Lendlease Building has been appointed the main works contract and is set to begin early next year. In line with the Environmental Planning and Assessment (COVID-19 Development—Construction Work Days) Order (No 3) 2021 work order, construction hours include Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays between the hours of 7am and 5pm. We will take all feasible and reasonable measures to minimise noise and disruption.
Safety is the number one priority for Infrastructure NSW and we are following all health advice in relation to construction sites.
Learn more
Visit our Latest Updates and Library sections to learn more about the project.
Subscribe to project updates or ask a question using the details below:
Email powerhouse.parramatta@infrastructure.nsw.gov.au
Phone 1800 679 121
EARLY WORKS
What works are being carried out now?
Early works are complete. We have:
What will happen during main construction of the project?
Main construction work to deliver the new Powerhouse Parramatta will include:
When will main works start?
Main works is set to begin early 2022.
What impacts can I expect during construction?
The project team have taken every step possible to minimise impacts to the community during the early works. Managing noise and dust are a key focus, with daily mitigation measures in place to manage the impacts. Some of these measures include:
Detailed construction and environment management plans are in place and can be viewed in the Library section.
What are the construction hours and will there be night works?
Construction hours will be Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm and Saturdays 8am to 1pm. Out of hours work are not expected, however all necessary approvals to work outside of the approved hours will be sought before works are carried out.
How will I be kept informed about noisy works?
We are committed to keeping the community informed as the project progresses. Notifications and updates will be publicly available on our website. You can join the mailing list to be emailed project updates.
Will any roads or walkways be closed?
Access to the southern shared path on the riverbank between Wilde Avenue and Church Street will be closed for the duration of the project for the safety of pedestrian, cyclists and workers. Pedestrians and cyclists can use the public bridges along the path to cross the river and detour around the construction site.
How long will construction take?
Main works construction will commence in early 2022 and is forecast to be completed by mid 2024.
Who will be carrying out the works?
Following a competitive tender process Lendlease Building has been appointed the main works contract.
Will the existing heritage buildings be impacted?
The NSW Government is committed to relocating Willow Grove to another location within the Parramatta Local Government Area. In line with the project’s conditions of consent, all work on Willow Grove will be in line with Relocation Framework and Methodology Plan. The plan includes the process of site selection, consultation and deconstruction.
The original heritage section of St George's Terrace will be retained in place on site, and the non-heritage components removed.
CONSULTATION
Can I still provide feedback on the project?
With the approval of the State Significant Development Application, you can still provide feedback by phoning 1800 679 121 or emailing Powerhouse.Parramatta@infrastructure.nsw.gov.au. Please note that this feedback will be taken as a comment and will not contribute to the assessment made by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
COST
How much will the new Powerhouse cost?
The NSW Government has confirmed a $840 million contribution towards the new Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta and the expansion of the Museum Discovery Centre in Castle Hill.
GENERAL PROJECT
Why is the project needed?
Parramatta is growing at almost twice the pace of the rest of Australia, and by 2021 the population is expected to grow by 41,000 people. In the next 10 years, Western Sydney will be home to more than half of all Sydneysiders. Powerhouse Parramatta will be the first major NSW cultural institution to be based in Western Sydney, Parramatta, the geographical heart of Sydney.
Once complete, Parramatta Powerhouse will be a world-class museum with a flexible and appealing design including over 18,000 square metres of exhibition and public space to house the museum’s collection of over half a million objects.
Create Infrastructure is establishing the Willow Grove Community Reference Group (WG-CRG) to work in partnership with the community and stakeholder groups to ensure the successful relocation and reuse of Willow Grove house.
READ MOREPowerhouse Parramatta has reached a major milestone with the main works contract awarded to deliver the world-class cultural icon in the geographical heart of Sydney.
READ MOREIn line with the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Guidelines, construction on the Powerhouse Parramatta resumed on Wednesday 11 August 2021.
READ MOREAs a result of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 restrictions announced over the weekend, work on the Powerhouse Parramatta has now temporarily paused.
READ MORESince opening in December 2020, over 2,000 people have visited the Powerhouse Community Space to learn more about the project, the Powerhouse Museum and its iconic collection.
READ MOREFollowing planning approval in 2021, early works are well underway on the Powerhouse Parramatta site.
READ MOREWestern Sydney University students will have the opportunity to play a role in the delivery of NSW’s newest Cultural Institution – the Powerhouse Parramatta.
READ MOREWater from the heavy rain event on Saturday 20 March wouldn’t have come within four metres of the future Museum’s ground floor.
READ MORE
As part of the construction of the new Powerhouse Parramatta, a number of access changes around the site are necessary.
READ MOREOn 11 February 2021, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment approved the State Significant Development Application for Powerhouse Parramatta.
READ MOREThe Powerhouse Community Space is now open in Parramatta Square. Visit maas.museum/parramattasquare for opening hours and more information.
READ MOREInfrastructure NSW has now reviewed all 1,300 submissions received during the exhibition of the State Significant Development Application. A Response to Submissions Report has been prepared to address the matters raised and can be viewed here.
READ MOREThe exhibition period for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has now closed. Infrastructure NSW will now consider all submissions received during the EIS exhibition period and respond to the matters raised in a Response to Submissions Report.
READ MOREAn Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been developed as part of the State Significant Development Application for the new Powerhouse in Parramatta. The EIS for the Powerhouse in Parramatta can be viewed here.
READ MOREThe design for the new Powerhouse Museum has been selected following an international design competition.
Read more.
