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Stewart Architecture is leading a multidisciplinary design team to deliver an Urban Design Framework and Public Domain Strategy (Framework and Strategy) that will guide the development of 42 hectares of the Parramatta North precinct over the next 30 years.
The design team, led by Stewart Architecture, includes Bangawarra advising on Connecting with Country, ASPECT Studios advising on landscape and public domain, and City People advising on arts and culture, alongside a range of consultants including heritage, planning, engineering and ecology.
The Framework and Strategy are informed by an ongoing Country-led design methodology to ensure best practice Designing with Country outcomes. Traditional Owners together with a range of other First Nations groups maintain a strong spiritual and cultural connection with the place. The project begins from an inclusive approach which recognises all histories, stories, and past and present communities of the site as being part of Country.
Place-based urban planning that prioritises ecological regeneration through landscape, urban and architectural design outcomes will ensure that Parramatta North supports strong and diverse ecological communities of people, plants and animals to live together safely long into the future.
The Parramatta North precinct will comprise a dynamic mix of uses including housing, education, health innovation, retail, local businesses, social enterprise and open space. Revitalisation of the site will draw on the past – adaptive re-use of heritage buildings in the precinct and working with Parramatta North’s existing character. The proposed rezoning of the site will enable transit-oriented development focused around the new light rail network, offering the existing and proposed communities a high level of local amenity, within a river setting.
“We acknowledge and pay our respects to all First Nations people who have a kinship with this special place. We are working collaboratively to ensure that Parramatta North is a place which sensitively nestles new communities into the site, whilst protecting and enhancing existing ecologies and precious historical features including significant heritage buildings. We are honoured to have been tasked with leading the strategy for this site.” - Felicity Stewart, Stewart Architecture Director.
Development of the Parramatta North precinct is being led by Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) which is part of the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure. The site consists of underutilised, mostly government-owned land. This major urban renewal initiative will enable the government’s vision for the Westmead Health and Innovation District.
The Urban Design Framework and Public Domain Strategy sensitively and expertly considers Parramatta North’s rich history, cultural significance and heritage in line with PDNSW’s rezoning application for the area.
With over 30 heritage buildings earmarked to be conserved with new and varied uses to rejuvenate historic buildings, showcase compelling stories and enriching this historic area, Parramatta North’s Cultural Precinct, which includes the Parramatta Female Factory, will be protected and is not part of the rezoning application.
Parramatta’s evolving needs will be met while protecting heritage, allowing for up to 2,500 new homes, a university campus for up to 25,000 students, more recreational green areas with about half the precinct open space, and up to 12,000 high-value jobs transforming the Westmead Health and Innovation District (WHID), incorporating health services, research, education and supporting industry.
The Parramatta North precinct rezoning proposal is now on public exhibition from 13 January to 5pm 10 February 2025.
Image of Parramatta North Precinct Cultural Mapping by Bangawarra.
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