Parramatta has no shortage of exciting new developments on the horizon. Powerhouse Parramatta is preparing to open its doors very soon, Parramatta Leagues Club is set for a major revamp, and the suburb could soon become Western Sydney’s first true 24-hour CBD. Now another part of the city is in line for a major transformation. The NSW Government has finalised plans to redevelop 33 hectares of Parramatta North, backed by a $124.5 million investment. The historic precinct will gradually evolve into a new mixed-use neighbourhood, bringing housing, public spaces, education and employment opportunities to an area between the Parramatta CBD and Westmead. The plans also aim to preserve the area’s significant heritage while opening more of the precinct for community use. Here’s what the transformation of Parramatta North could look like.
Parramatta North set for a major transformation
Around 2,000 homes are planned across the precinct, including at least 100 affordable homes, with buildings ranging from two to 23 storeys. Development will be scaled back around the most historically significant parts of Parramatta North, particularly near the Parramatta Female Factory and Institutions Precinct, while heritage buildings considered especially important will be retained.
Beyond housing, up to 12,000 jobs could eventually be supported across industries including health, research and education. The rezoning also allows for a new university campus connected to the growing Westmead Health and Innovation District. The location is already served by the Ngara and Children’s Hospital light rail stops, with easy connections between Westmead and the Parramatta CBD.
A sizeable portion of Parramatta North will also remain open to the public, with up to 10 hectares earmarked for parks, gardens and other outdoor spaces. Plans include extended walking trails along the river, sports fields, plazas and play areas, along with improvements to existing community facilities. A heritage-listed recreation hall is set to be upgraded, while a new First Nations pavilion and natural riverside play space are also proposed.
The six-hectare Parramatta Female Factory and Institutions Precinct is not included in the rezoning and will remain in government ownership, while development immediately surrounding the heritage precinct has been reduced in scale. NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said the project would deliver “the homes, jobs and open space our growing community needs while retaining Parramatta’s cultural heritage at the heart of this precinct.”
Read more on the official NSW Government website.
