Plans for the Powerhouse Parramatta have received approval from the NSW Government, reaching a major milestone that sees the project progress to the delivery phase, with construction to commence by the end of 2021.
The final design, a collaboration between Moreau Kusunoki and Genton, sensitively engages with community feedback and provides more than 15,000㎡ of public open space, in addition to the new museum and arts and entertainment spaces, including new green space on the banks of the Parramatta River.
“The planning approval for Powerhouse Parramatta marks a key milestone in the evolution of this once in a generation project that has been collaboratively developed from the competition design concept,” says Genton Principal Steven Toia.
The largest cultural investment since the Sydney Opera House, Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah describes the planning approval as a transformative cultural moment for the communities of Greater Sydney and NSW.
“We are excited to be embarking on building an internationally significant museum that will connect young people and communities with our collections and tell stories of ingenuity and innovation.”
News of the approval was also welcomed by New South Wales Minister for the Arts Don Harwin, who expressed his delight “that Western Sydney will now have the biggest and best museum in NSW and first major cultural institution.”
The Powerhouse Parramatta will be the flagship location for the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences’ prized collection, drawing global attention to Parramatta as a cultural destination and providing a boon for the civic fabric of Parramatta and its local economy.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2023. For more information and to see the latest artist impressions, please visit the Powerhouse Parramatta project page.
