Sydney Olympic Park development projects


Sydney Olympic Park is a 640-hectare residential, commercial, education and entertainment precinct, 14 kilometres west of Sydney’s CBD and 9km east of Parramatta. It boasts 430 hectares of green space and parklands and seven sporting venues.

After the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Sydney Olympic Park was transformed into a dynamic place to live, work, study and visit. The NSW Government has committed to a Master Plan to further revitalise the precinct that will bring the jobs total to 34,000 and increase new homes to 10,700 for its 23,500 residents by 2030.

Around 12,000 people currently work in the area in more than 200 businesses. This figure is set to increase to more than 20,000 jobs by 2036.

More than 13 million people visit Sydney Olympic Park each year to enjoy everything it offers, from the parklands to sports stadiums and major event venues.

Master plan approved

The NSW Government approved Sydney Olympic Park Master Plan in 2018. The Plan outlines how the area will be revitalised and bring more jobs to the precinct.

Four residential towers loom over existing green park space in Bicentennial Parklands. The illustration is meant to show the balance that can be attained in development and leisure.

There are plans for:

  • A new town centre and community facilities
  • An extra 100,000 square-metres of retail space
  • A new high school 
  • New buildings around major venues
  • Increased open space
Cars flow more freely through Sydney Olympic Park in the future where currently there is heavy demand on infrastructure during major events.

New streets will improve access to the area

Road infrastructure projects are also planned. Roads will be widened for the future light rail corridor. New buildings to create a lively entertainment hub to support Sydney Olympic Park’s current major venues will complement its existing sports capacity. There will be opportunities in education, hospitality, health and wellbeing as the business community rapidly expands. 

More infomation

More infomation

NSW Government agency Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) manages Sydney Olympic Park. 

Image of students collaborating in one of Western Sydney Universities open spaces

Education and training sector

The NSW Department of Education relocated to Parramatta in 2018, bringing 1800 jobs into the City and leasing 25,000 square metres of office space at 105 Phillip Street.

Parramatta has a strong culture of education, research and development. Australia’s largest concentration of health, education and research facilities will continue to expand with significant investment planned in the education sector. 

Western Sydney University and the University of New England (UNE) have campuses in the Parramatta CBD. Parramatta is seeing a shift towards a modernised and integrated core of educational precincts in the heart of the City.

Leading this is the educational hub at 1 Parramatta Square, which creates opportunities for collaboration and industry-focused research between Western Sydney University students, PwC and Sydney Water. 

The planning of future education and training precincts are set to follow this model of collaboration between industry and academia with hubs being incubated within the CBD, Rydalmere and Westmead.

One such hub in the Parramatta CBD is the $280 million world-class 19-storey engineering innovation hub joint venture between Western Sydney University and the University of NSW, scheduled to open in 2021. 

Image of the exterior of the heritage building on Church Street in Parramatta that is occupied by the University of New England

Tertiary education and research sector in the City of Parramatta

With more than 9 university campuses, colleges and graduate schools, the City has a strong culture of education, research and development.

Campuses and future campuses  include:

  • Western Sydney University
  • University of Sydney
  • University of New England
  • University of New South Wales
  • Charles Sturt University 
  • Sydney Graduate School of Management
Illustrated is an architects rendering of the new University of New South Wales joint venture with Western Sydney University to build an innovation campus in the Parramatta CBD.

Future growth of the education precinct in Westmead

The City has Australia’s largest concentration of health, education and research facilities at Westmead with four hospitals, two universities, two large research institutes and many allied health centres.

More than 3400 students study at the University of Sydney and Western Sydney University campuses in Westmead. Both universities are planning to expand in Westmead. Total investment for these plans is worth almost $1 billion. 

Student numbers in Westmead are forecasted to grow to 8500 over the next 10 years. 

Key investments in Parramatta’s education and training industry are set to continue this trend of significant growth as several leading academic institutions are expanding into Parramatta over the next two decades. 

In the longer term, the University of Sydney Parramatta-Westmead campus proposal’s $500 million investment will create space for an extra 25,000 students, generate 20,000 jobs and add $13 billion to the economy by 2050. 

Illustrated is an architects rendering of the new Arthur Phillip Primary and High School. It is the first vertical school of its type built in NSW

Primary and higher school education in Parramatta

Primary education options are broad. The culturally-rich Parramatta Public School accepts 97% enrolments from non-English language backgrounds. Parramatta’s residents are more qualified at the postgraduate level than the average Sydneysider. The area’s highly-educated parents are keen to give their children quality learning experiences too. 

Quality education in high school is also evident. James Ruse Agricultural School has achieved the number one ranking in the NSW Higher School Certificate for more than 20 years. Other schools such as the prestigious The King’s School and Tara Anglican School for Girls are recognised as high achieving, non-selective schools. 

The new high-rise, vertical campus for Arthur Phillip High School in the heart of the Parramatta CBD opened in 2020.

Accommodation and tourism

By late 2021, it is estimated there will be an additional 900 guest rooms across the city, an increase of 41% on the current supply. A 4.5-star hotel to be operated by a major international chain will be built in the new South Quarter development in the Auto Alley precinct. 

Between now and 2036, an extra 518,000 visitors are expected in the City. When completed, an extra 1 million visitors each year are also expected to visit the new Powerhouse Precinct.

Image of the front of the Mantra Hotel ideally situated in the middle of the CBD within easy walking distances to retail shopping and corporate office space

Events and entertainment in Parramatta

An estimated 14 million people attend events, concerts and performances at Sydney Olympic Park each year. Out-of-town and interstate visitors are likely to use accommodation services in Parramatta when they attend these events. 

In 2018, 260,000 people enjoyed major events and festivals in and around the Parramatta CBD, Parramatta Park and river foreshores. Almost 172,000 people attended shows at the Riverside Theatres.

Image of the lighted designer archway that spanned over the entry to the Parramatta's 2019 Winterlight Festival

Cultural heritage sites and tours

Aboriginal elder Uncle Chris Tobin taking visitors on a Warami Mittigar cultural tour

Cultural heritage sites and tours

Just over 72,500 people visited cultural heritage sites and took tours in 2018-19, an increase of almost 24% since 2014-15. Visitation is heavily influenced by special events and anniversaries. Opening times and the range of tours now available has expanded over that time in response to the increased interest.

Parramatta and Bicentennial Parklands

Bicentennial Parklands in Sydney Olympic Park

Parramatta and Bicentennial Parklands

Almost 2 million people enjoyed Parramatta Park in 2018-19 and 3 million people visited the Bicentennial Parklands. Around 80,000 cyclists made the most of the 35km of bike paths. In Parramatta North, just over 7 hectares of new public open space will be developed, including a new river foreshore park, drawing more visitors to the region and providing a new venue for outdoor events.

International, domestic and freight flights by 2026

International, domestic and freight flights by 2026

Sydney’s new airport is set to open to international, domestic and freight flights in 2026, providing much-needed aviation capacity for the entire Sydney region.

Sydney’s new Airport is set to open to international, domestic and freight flights in 2026, providing much-needed aviation capacity for the entire Sydney region.

In its first stages, Western Sydney International will be a long overdue airport for Western Sydney and its population of two million that continues to grow. The Airport has also led to record investments in the infrastructure the region needs, including new and upgraded roads.

Designed to grow in stages and over decades, the Airport will eventually become one of the biggest gateways to Australia and the primary airport for the entire Sydney region. Qantas Group and Virgin Australia Group have signed MOUs with the Airport and have already commenced discussions about the design of the Airport and potential routes and services. 

(Image and video courtesy Western Sydney Airport)

Connecting With Parramatta

Parramatta's multinational business community is poised to gain access to a new state-of-the-art airport that offers significantly more convenient access while the Aerotropolis business hub can revel in Parramatta's extensive night time economy. 

Icon illustration symbolising an Airport.

A business-attracting, jobs-generating $5.3 billion investment in Western Sydney Airport

Icon that represents a rail transport service

Connected to Greater Parramatta by the existing East West Rail Link and proposed North South rail projects.

Icon that represents a thriving business and leisure precinct

Connects businesses and travellers to Parramatta's business and night-time economies benefits

Interior terminal image of Western Sydney Aerotropolis Terminal as illustrated in an architect's rendering.

Much needed activation capacity

Jobs for locals from airlines and hotels, to the technology and corporate sectors.

Building Western Sydney International will create thousands of jobs during construction and after opening including a guarantee that at least half those jobs will go to local residents. 

As the airport helps boost Western Sydney’s economy, it will create opportunities for businesses of all sizes. Western Sydney businesses are already reaping the benefits, with $37 million worth of subcontracts from the initial earthworks stage flowing to 24 local businesses – this will increase exponentially once major earthworks commence in 2020.

Both the passenger terminal and the business park will each have their own metro stations with the proposed Sydney Metro Greater West expected to be open in time for the airport’s first flight in 2026.

(Image courtesy Western Sydney Airport)

Bradfield City

Bradfield City

On Tuesday 15th June 2021, the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced over $1 billion in funding to start building the Bradfield City Centre.

The new Bradfield City Centre is located within the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. It will be built on Government land near Badgerys Creek Road, Bringelly, on the doorstep of the of the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.

This city will attract globally competitive advanced industries, including defence, aviation, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. This will drive the creation of 200,000 new jobs across the Western Parkland City.

Work will start on the Bradfield City Centre later in 2021, subject to all necessary approvals and community engagement. The work will include the first building to be delivered in 2023, close to the site of the future Metro station.

 

CBD Development Timeline

CBD Development Timeline

Regional Parramatta Development Timeline

Regional Parramatta Development Timeline

An Animation Of The Parramatta Light Rail Project

An Animation Of The Parramatta Light Rail Project

Church Street has transitioned to a pedestrian-only zone between Macquarie Street and Market Street as work on Stage 1 is well underway. 

(Animation courtesy of Transport for NSW)
light rail artist impression

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1

The Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia with a two-way track spanning 12 kilometres, and is expected to open in 2024. It will revolutionise the way workers, residents and visitors move around the Parramatta area. It will link Parramatta’s CBD and train station to:

  • Westmead/Cumberland Precincts, Camellia Town Centre and Telopea 
  • CommBank Stadium & new Powerhouse Parramatta
  • Rosehill Gardens Racecourse 
  • Three Western Sydney University campuses

(Image Courtesy Transport for NSW)

Artist's impression of Yallamundi Light Rail station in Rydalmere

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2

The NSW Government will proceed with Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, committing $602.4 million to commence the detailed planning process to move ahead with the Western Sydney megaproject. This commitment will go towards early works and building the vital bridge connection across the Parramatta River between Wentworth Point to Melrose Park.

Stage 2 will connect Stage 1 and the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point. It will connect the local communities in the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula, and bring the vision of a ‘30-minute city’ closer to reality.

Stage 2 will have 14 stops over a 10-kilometre two-way track, with travel times of around 31 minutes from Camellia to the Carter Street Precinct via Sydney Olympic Park, and a further 7 minutes to the Parramatta CBD.

(Image Courtesy Transport for NSW)

 
A Parramatta Eels player making a play at the ball while an opposing team player goes in for a tackle. In the background, blurred out, are Parramatta Eels fans.

A New State Of The Art Stadium For Parramatta

Seating for 30,000

The stadium opened in April 2019 and hosts concerts, sporting matches and other major events. It also hosts a range of community events and activities, business meetings and shows.  

Parramatta Eels, Western Sydney Wanderers, Wests Tigers and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are all using the new stadium. 

The Parramatta community loves its sport and now has a world-class stadium to enjoy their beloved rugby league, union and football matches, locally. 

Image of Sir Elton John dressed in a flamboyant green pink and black blazer standing in front of his piano with his arms open about to take a bow.

Millions Injected Into Parramatta's Economy

How CommBank Stadium Is Boosting Parramatta’s Economy

Parramatta’s economy gets a $1-million dollar boost every time a major event is held at the new state-of-the-art CommBank Stadium.

The Micromex ‘Bankwest Stadium – Bolstering the local economy’ report, (Note: effective 1 October 2021 the stadium became known as CommBank Stadium) is a snapshot of Parramatta’s future. CommBank Stadium has cemented itself as Sydney’s new home of entertainment and sport. It’s the base of legendary sporting clubs, the Parramatta Eels and Western Sydney Wanderers. It has also hosted some of the world’s biggest entertainers, including Elton John. But it’s also attracted a new, ongoing wave of visitors to Parramatta – all of whom are spending money.

More than 600 people who attended one of three weekend sporting matches at Bankwest in June and July 2019 were interviewed. People were asked a range of questions, including how they got to Parramatta, what they thought of our City, and how they spent their money. Not only was their spend positive, but their experience of the City and the new CommBank Stadium rated highly across all areas. 

Image from inside the 30 thousand seat Bankwest stadium during the NRL Rugby League season looking at the southern goals from a wide angle to showcase stadium seating at the South and East

Innovative Technology 

Turf with its own built-in rainwater vacuum 

The CommBank Stadium Parramatta features an innovative underground drainage system that can suck water out of the field. This is the first of its kind in Australia and ensures the stadium will be playable even after heavy downpours.

The drainage system has been likened to a reverse-cycle air conditioner. It uses a small suction fan about a metre in diameter and is modelled on those used at a number of European golf courses to keep the fairways and greens playable after heavy rain. 

The use of this technology will help cement CommBank Stadium as one of Australia’s premier sporting and major event venues. 

Commbank Stadium Located at 11-13 O’Connell Street, Parramatta, NSW Australia

Commbank Stadium Located at 11-13 O’Connell Street, Parramatta, NSW Australia

CommBank Stadium is located at 11-13 O’Connell Street, Parramatta. It’s well-serviced by public transport with regular bus, train and ferry services bringing people into the Parramatta CBD. The stadium is only a short walk through the vibrant City of Parramatta CBD and about a 10-minute walk from Parramatta Station.

The making of Parramatta's new CommBank Stadium

The making of Parramatta's new CommBank Stadium

What's a state-of-the-art stadium look like? See behind the scenes of this major Venues NSW project.

CommBank Stadium Management

CommBank Stadium Management

Venues NSW owns CommBank Stadium on behalf of the NSW Government while VenuesLive operates it.  Venues NSW is a statutory authority and sits within the NSW Government’s Office of Sport. For more information, visit the CommBank Stadium website.

Healthcare is one of Australia's largest and fastest-growing industries

The Westmead precinct is Australia’s largest health and biomedical research precinct. It has:

  • Four hospitals
  • Two universities
  • Two large research institutes
  • NSW’s largest pathology service 
  • Many allied health centres 

Sydney University and Western Sydney University both have campuses at Westmead. Students are studying on campus, or researching or undertaking a clinical placement at one of Westmead’s research institutes or its teaching hospitals.  

The Westmead health precinct services Western Sydney. It also provides specialised services for the rest of New South Wales. The health sector is expected to grow from 18,000 jobs in 2016 to 50,000 full-time jobs by 2036. 

To carefully manage Westmead’s forecasted growth, the City of Parramatta Council is working with the NSW Government, including NSW Health, and other alliances to realise our vision for Westmead to become a world-class innovation precinct in health and education.

Artist render of Westmead Hospital

Westmead Precinct Alliance Partners Include:

  • Western Sydney Local Health District
  • The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
  • Westmead Private, Westmead
  • Institute for Medical Research
  • The Children’s Medical Research Institute
  • The University of Sydney
  • Western Sydney University
  • Cumberland Council
  • Sydney Business Chamber

Westmead innovation district master plan

Westmead innovation district master plan

With NSW Health, the City of Parramatta Council jointly commissioned the Westmead Innovation District Master Plan project. The project includes aspirational targets for jobs and tertiary students, driven by the significant government investment planned for the area. The Westmead Innovation District Master Plan project will feed into the DP&E’s Planned Precinct process.

Planning for Growth In Westmead

With Westmead forecasted to have as many jobs in 2036 as there currently are in the Parramatta CBD today, we are advocating for the necessary infrastructure to support the city’s growth. In November 2017, the NSW Government’s Department of Planning and Environment (DP&E) announced Westmead as a ‘Planned Precinct’ with two distinct areas:

  1. The health and education area — north of the rail line and within the City of Parramatta Council area.
  2. The residential area — south of the rail line and within the Cumberland Council area. Learn more about the DP&E’s Planned Precinct process for Westmead or contact Council’s Land Use Planning team on 9806 5050.

Learn more about the DP&E’s Planned Precinct process for Westmead or contact Council’s Land Use Planning team on 9806 5050.

Artist Render Aerial View

Westmead Alliance

The City of Parramatta is a member of the Westmead Alliance which is committed to developing a future vision for the Westmead precinct.

The City plays a key support role by providing secretariat and planning services for the group. At present, the Westmead Alliance is overseeing the Westmead Innovation District Master Plan project. 

Current & future public transport in Westmead

Current & future public transport in Westmead

Well-connected to existing public transport, it takes less than three minutes to reach Westmead by train from Parramatta. 

The NSW Government has committed to building a new underground metro station at Westmead as part of the Sydney Metro West project. The new station will support the health, research and education precinct. It will connect Sydney to Westmead in as little as 20 minutes. 

The Parramatta Light Rail project is underway. The first stage will run 12km from Westmead, via Parramatta North and the  Parramatta CBD, through to Carlingford. The light rail project will improve access around the Westmead precinct. It is scheduled to start operating in 2023. 

Heritage Building in Parramatta

Parramatta North development

Development includes new apartment units, new commercial floor space and retail space. 

The North Parramatta precinct lies north of the Parramatta CBD and is situated along the eastern foreshore of the Parramatta River opposite Westmead Hospital and Parramatta Park.

The rezoning of land in Parramatta North in 2015 saw changes to land use, building height, and the floor space ratio (FSR), paving the way for redevelopment.

The rezoning allows for the following development in Parramatta North:

  • 20,000 square metres of floor space for adaptive reuse of heritage items
  • a village centre of around 4,000 square metres of floor space
  • 3,000 homes close to Parramatta CBD, transport, parklands and local services.

Heritage buildings will be preserved and adapted as part of the redevelopment.

About 7.1 hectares of new public open space will be developed, including a new river foreshore park.

Parramatta North Heritage Building

Parramatta North Heritage

Much of the precinct is included on the State Heritage Register

Parramatta North Historic Sites (PNHS) are places of exceptional heritage significance to Parramatta, the people of New South Wales and Australia. 

The PHNS consists of three separate sites that are next to each other. The sites include:

  • Cumberland Hospital (East Campus) site
  • Parramatta Gaol site
  • Norma Parker Centre and Kamballa site

The Heritage Council of NSW endorsed the Parramatta North Historic Sites Consolidated Conservation Management Plan (the PNHS CMP) in 2017. 

The PNHS CMP will help current and future owners, managers and other site users with the ongoing management of the heritage values of the precinct. 

All future development in Parramatta North must comply with the principles, policies and guidelines contained in the PNHS CMP.

Download the PNHS CMP from the City of Parramatta website.

Heritage Core

Heritage Core

 

    Civic Link Parramatta

    Architects rendering of Civic Link at its mid point at the Roxy Theatre. Pictured are shoppers and workers mingling amongst the shade offered by leafy green trees that line the pedestrian zoned shops and restaurants.

    Civic Link Parramatta

    Civic Link Parramatta will be a green public and cultural space, a pedestrian and cycle-friendly avenue, connecting the Parramatta CBD to the Parramatta River. It’s a bold, important and community-shaping project the City has a long-term aspiration to create. It will extend across four city blocks connecting Parramatta Square to the river foreshore and the Powerhouse Precinct, home of the new Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) providing a network of public spaces for city life that will:

    • accommodate the scale and pace of change in the city
    • respond to the environmental challenges of an urban river city
    • reflect Parramatta’s rich and vibrant history

    A Premier City Address

    artistic impression of light rail

    A Premier City Address

    Civic Link Parramatta will be a major pedestrian boulevard, framed by buildings with high-quality architecture and vibrant street edges.

    Its lively network of public places will connect transport modes and key destinations, including:

    • the New Powerhouse Museum
    • Parramatta Light Rail
    • River Square
    • Parramatta Square
    • the Roxy Theatre 

    Creating a space for people

    Architects rendering of one end of Civic Link known as the Public Domain. Pictured is an activated area with residents and workers utilising the shaded space to go about their errands

    Creating a space for people

    Parramatta is transforming at a pace and scale which is unprecedented in its history. By 2036, there will be four times the amount of pedestrian foot traffic in the CBD. Civic Link will respond to this challenge by providing wide footpaths that allow people to move effortlessly through the city.
     

    A place to celebrate culture

    Architects rendering of one end of Civic Link known as River Square. Pictured is an activated area with people united in celebration and festivity as a cultural event is commences.

    A place to celebrate culture

    With cultural destinations and located in the CBD commercial core, Civic Link will be a place for performance and artistic expression, day and night. It will provide a canvas for visual arts, lights, music, and festivals, welcoming people of all ages and abilities to celebrate city life.

    Sustainability and livability

    Architects rendering of one end of Civic Link known as Parramatta Square. Pictured is an activated area with shoppers and workers making use of the wide tree lined and dedicated pedestrian pathways through the city.

    Sustainability and livability

    Parramatta experiences more than 15 very hot days over 35°C a year. 

    Civic Link’s continuous 20m width will allow space for large shady trees, providing cool, green connections through the city. 

    CIVIC LINK DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PLAN

    CIVIC LINK DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PLAN

    The City is moving forward with plans for the Civic Link through the preparation of the Civic Link Development Control Plan (DCP), which is an important first step in securing the space for the Civic Link. 
    The DCP describes how future buildings will define the shape of the Civic Link and how surrounding movement will work. It:

    • identifies new public open spaces, streets, and laneways
    • guides property access and servicing
    • describes how future buildings will interact with public spaces\outlines the shape of future building form

    The DCP will play an important role in ensuring the new Civic Link is active and vibrant, with opportunities for people to walk, sit, meet, and importantly enjoy the beautiful heart of Parramatta. The DCP will be followed by the further design of the public domain in the four distinct Civic Link Blocks. 

    The Civic Link Framework Plan sets out the vision for the Civic Link. The Plan establishes the long-term aspiration, strategies, design ideas and recommendations that will define the new public space and allow an arts and cultural precinct to flourish within it, with spaces for local businesses, small bars and cafes, makers and collaborators.