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 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, ferry’s, busses and the Parramatta Railway Station.
POWERHOUSE COMMUNITY SPACE
Visit us at the Powerhouse Community Space in Parramatta Square. You can learn more about the project, the Powerhouse Museum and its iconic Collection.
Since opening in December 2020, over 2,000 people have visited the Powerhouse Community Space. Read our six month summary report.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
Please visit our library section to learn more about the project, or contact the project team on the details below.
If you have any questions or would like to subscribe to project updates, please contact the Project Team using the details below:
Email powerhouse.parramatta@infrastructure.nsw.gov.au
Phone 1800 679 121
PROJECT STATUS
As a result of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 restrictions, work on the Powerhouse Parramatta has temporarily paused.
Please visit our Latest Updates section for the most up-to-date construction information.
EARLY WORKS
What works are being carried out now?
Early works are progressing on site. A number of major structures have been removed including:
The following works are continuing on site:
How is the project being staged?
The project is being delivered in two stages – early works followed by major construction work.
What does Stage One of the project involve?
Stage One activities include:
What will happen during Stage Two of the project?
Construction work to deliver the new Powerhouse Parramatta will include:
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 of the project webpage.
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 on our website to be emailed project updates.
If you have any questions, would like to speak with the project team or join the project mailing list, please contact us by calling 1800 679 121 or emailing powerhouse.parramatta@infrastructure.nsw.gov.au
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?
It is envisaged that the overall construction process will take around three to four years to complete. A construction timeline will be confirmed when a contractor for Stage 2 is on board.
Who will be carrying out the works?
There will be separate contractors to manage the early works and the major construction works. Details will be available on our website. For any enquiries about the work, please contact us by calling 1800 679 121 or emailing powerhouse.parramatta@infrastructure.nsw.gov.au
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?
We are yet to finalise the cost to build the new Museum as it is subject to selection of a builder. The overall budget will be reviewed when we know the contract price for the new Museum and we have more detailed costings on the relocation of Willow Grove and retention of St Georges Terrace.
The 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.
As 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.
