Local businesses among biggest winners in Parramatta Powerhouse build

It has been a long road since former Premier Mike Baird first announced Australia’s own “Smithsonian” for Parramatta. See an exclusive update on where construction is up to.

Work on the Parramatta Powerhouse has passed the halfway mark, with Western Sydney builders enjoying a big slice of the construction pie.

First promised in 2016 as part of The Daily Telegraph’s Go West campaign, the state-of-the-art museum on the banks of the Parramatta River has reached a major milestone.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that of $553 million worth of main works contracts awarded, $300 million has been spent with NSW suppliers.

Businesses in Western Sydney have received $150 million worth of contracts awarded to the project.

More than half of the Powerhouse’s seven exhibition spaces have now been formed, and 70 per cent of the exoskeleton is in place.

The construction of the Parramatta Powerhouse is underway. Picture: Rohan Kelly.

The museum has reached the halfway mark.

Workers are currently installing about 1,000 tonnes of steel every month.

The construction project is expected to create more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs, the majority of which will be filled by Western Sydney locals.

The billion dollar project has been touted as the biggest investment in cultural infrastructure in Sydney since the construction of the Opera House, and the first major cultural institution for Western Sydney. Construction is also creating more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs over the lifespan of the project.

Pictured is a render image of the Powerhouse Museum being built in Parramatta. Picture: Supplied

When former Premier Mike Baird first announced the Parramatta Powerhouse in 2016, he said it would be Australia’s own “Smithsonian”.

However, Parramatta’s new museum has been plagued with problems.

Mr Baird originally said the Parramatta Powerhouse would be open in 2022.

It was then supposed to open late 2024, but was delayed after heavy rain and Covid-related supply chain issues.

There were also concerns about that flooding along the Parramatta River could impact the new building.

Those fears were downplayed by the former Coalition government.

The museum was meant to be complete by 2024, but Covid delays stalled the project. Picture: Rohan Kelly.

Supplied images and renders of the Powerhouse Museum being built in Parramatta.

The construction work is now scheduled to be finished by the end of next year.

Lands Minister Steve Kamper said he was “excited” to see progress on the new museum, which is now taking shape.

“The building exoskeleton is now more than 70% complete, and with more than half of the expansive exhibition spaces formed, you can get a sense of how immense this museum will be for the community and visitors alike,” he said.

“This investment will bring tourism to Western Sydney and is already providing a boost to the local economy,” he said.

Arts Minister John Graham said the Powerhouse will be “transformative” for Western Sydney, “ensuring the people of Parramatta and Western Sydney have a world class museum a new home of applied arts and sciences”.

Of the workers build the new museum, six per cent are women in “non-traditional roles,” including crane operators and engineers.

Pictured is a render image of the Powerhouse Museum being built in Parramatta. Picture: Supplied

It is one of the most significant museum develops being undertaken in the world. Picture: Rohan Kelly.

The construction is also being completed by the world’s largest capacity tower crane, with a lift capacity of 330 tonnes.

“Powerhouse Parramatta is one of the most significant museum developments being undertaken in the world and will transform Western Sydney and NSW through the provision of exceptional new programs that will connect communities and audiences with new ideas and innovation,” Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah said.

Originally published as Local businesses among biggest winners in Parramatta Powerhouse build