New developments transforming NSW from hospitals to tech hubs |full list
From Silicon Valley to western Sydney’s second city, billions of dollars is being poured into unexpected postcodes set to change the state. Now, 26 of the biggest projects can be revealed.
NSW
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After the past few years of Covid turmoil, bushfires and floods crippling the construction industry, NSW is beginning to rebound in a big way.
The state government has looked to construction to drive economic growth and create employment, announcing billions of dollars in developments across NSW. With many notable new developments being fast-tracked in the cities and regions, the state is set for a transformation in the next few years.
Billions will be spent on revitalising Sydney with exciting new projects, including Sydney’s Silicon Valley and a new skyline for the iconic Darling Harbour.
Not to be overlooked, western Sydney will soon become a second city to rival its eastern counterpart with jewels like the vibrant Parramatta Square and the Powerhouse Museum.
However, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole, emphasised that regional NSW was receiving the same developmental boost as the city.
“My priority continues to be making sure regional NSW comes back bigger and stronger than ever,” he said.
“Our record infrastructure investment in the regions is building the roads, schools and hospitals we need to make our communities stronger.”
The Deputy Premier said more than $9 billion has been allocated to roads and transport in the regions this year, as well as $1.4 billion for rural and regional health, which includes the funds to complete the multimillion dollar overhaul of the Wyong Hospital.
Throughout Greater Sydney and the regions, the NSW Government is making planning reforms which will cut approval times for certain developments, attract exciting infrastructure, and create tens of thousands of jobs.
See the list of the new developments set to transform the face of NSW.
Sydney
Sydney Fish Market
Location: Sydney
Cost: $750 million
One of the city’s most treasured attractions is undergoing a $750 million facelift to turn its tired facade into a strikingly appropriate design.
The newly rejuvenated Sydney Fish Market will feature a wave-shaped roof with a scale pattern over four storeys bustling with cafes, restaurants, food retailers and fishmongers.
The development will also open up previously inaccessible waterfront land and create 4700 sqm of public space which will become the missing link between Rozelle and Woolloomooloo.
Sydney Fish Market is just one of a number of sites in Pyrmont identified for revitalisation over the next 20 years. Construction and major works will begin in the first half of 2022, and are slated for completion in 2024.
Darling Harbour
Location: Sydney
Cost: $2 billion
One of Sydney’s most iconic views will be changed by a number of sizeable new developments making their mark on the skyline.
The biggest effect on Darling Harbour will come from the $2 billion Cockle Bay Park development, which will elevate the area to a whole new level.
As well as an elevated park over the Western Distributor, Cockle Bay Park will include a premium 42-storey office tower that will be elevated on pillars and broken up by green space woven through the building to give it a floating effect.
The new Darling Harbour will showcase a 10,000 sqm of retail premises and an equal amount of public space. The public path connecting the Harbour to the city centre will be littered with shops, bars and restaurants.
The works are expected to be completed in 2026.
Central Station
Location: Sydney
Cost: More than $4 billion
Central Station will see a pivot from transport to technology as bold new developments are realised in the area.
The NSW Government hopes the innovative tech hub at the northern end of the train station will be Sydney’s answer to Silicon Valley and attract 25,000 workers by 2025.
The crown jewel is the $1 billion timber hybrid skyscraper owned by Atlassian, which will be in good company with a $2.5 billion Henry Dean Plaza.
At the same time, $955 million is being used to revitalise the train station as part of the wider Sydney Metro project.
It is expected the works will be completed by 2025 if all goes according to plan.
Circular Quay
Location: Sydney
Cost: More than $1.69 billion
Known as Sydney’s international trademark, Circular Quay is set to change with the exciting new developments underway in the picturesque area.
The hotspot for construction showcases some of the biggest developments currently underway in the city, with Yuhu Group’s Circular Quay tower, Mirvac’s $1.5 billion Pitt St tower and the Poly Centre tower at 210 George St.
AMP Capital’s exciting development at Quay Quarter will feature three residential and retail buildings with 104 apartments and 21 shops, as well as a twisting 216m skyscraper adorned with 4000 sqm sky gardens and terraces.
Lendlease’s Salesforce Tower is set to be Sydney’s tallest office building at 268m, and it will also change the face of the area with a $19 million public plaza and multiple laneways lined with shops, cafes, and bars.
The revamped Circular Quay will be completed by 2025.
Sydney CBD
Location: Sydney
Cost: More than $1.25 billion
After a difficult couple of years, the Sydney CBD will be bursting with life and activity again with 24-hour dining, recreation, shopping and cultural events.
Even the city skyline will see change after the Central Sydney Planning Strategy raised the height limit. Taking full advantage of the change is the 67-storey tall Greenland Centre on Bathurst St which will house a $25 million Creative Hub to incorporate a multitude of creative arts.
However, the building will soon be overshadowed by the towering 274m Mirvac and Coombe skyscraper at 505 George St, which is estimated to cost $1 billion.
The former Events cinema on George St will be superseded by a residential and retail precinct featuring 507 apartments, a rooftop restaurant and bar, retail, and a childcare centre.
Barangaroo
Location: Sydney
Cost: $10 billion
After years of transformation, the $10 billion development of Barangaroo is inching closer to delivering on all its glittering promises.
The 271m-tall Crown Casino and Resort will be open at the end of this year and it will be joined by another luxury hotel in 2023.
Barangaroo South is slated for completion in 2025, when it will provide housing for 3500 residents and commercial space for 24,000 workers. The development will also include public spaces, retail, restaurants, and a new metro station.
The former docklands will feature a boardwalk on the water and a green pathway across Barangaroo South. Planning is still underway for 3 hectares of public space and a waterfront walkway as Barangaroo Central.
The new area is expected to generate $2 billion a year for the state economy.
WEST
Parramatta Square
Location: Parramatta
Cost: $3.2 billion
Parramatta is undergoing a transformation as developers and governments alike realise the importance of the dynamic area.
$3.2 billion has been spent to breathe life into Parramatta Square, one of Australia’s largest business precincts that will eventually cater to more than 30,000 workers and students.
When it’s completed next year, the development will provide 290,000 sqm of office and retail space and a 6000 sqm public square.
Parramatta Square is a bustling hive of activity, filled with shops, eateries, workplaces and a public plaza.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said: “Parramatta Square is a major contributor to our economic engine room and these premium office buildings will host an exceptional workforce in the beating heart of western Sydney.”
Western Sydney Airport
Location: Badgerys Creek
Cost: $5.3 billion
Being the site of a second airport will drastically change western Sydney, making it a major and accessible destination.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the $5.3 billion Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek wouldl support 11,000 jobs during construction and will create tens of thousands of jobs when it’s operational.
It is estimated the airport will handle 10 million travellers each year once open, a figure which is projected to rise to 82 million by 2060.
The Nancy-Bird Walton Airport will be erected in four stages, and around a quarter of the process has been completed. Stage one of the airport will open in the second half of 2026.
Powerhouse Museum
Location: Parramatta
Cost: $915 million
With its controversial design and cultural capital, it is fair to say the Powerhouse Museum is set to change the face of Parramatta.
The unusual design of the $915 museum has attracted strong opinions but the contents of the museum are what will truly set it apart. The Powerhouse Museum will be the first state cultural institution in western Sydney, and it will boast 18,000 sqm of exhibition space for “cutting edge” domestic and international showings.
The museum is expected to attract more than two million visitors in its inaugural year. It will provide an opportunity for 10,000 regional NSW students to stay at the Powerlab residences overnight.
Alfred St Bridge, Parramatta
Location: Parramatta
Cost: More than $2 million
One of the unusual changes to the Parramatta scenery is the development of a unique bridge.
The Alfred St Bridge in Parramatta will be Australia’s first diagonal arch bridge. The 190m bridge, with a 4.5m width, will connect the Parramatta CBD with key areas like the Tramway Ave light rail stop and the Western Sydney University campus.
The bridge will also connect four key cycling paths.
“Whether you are travelling across the bridge or down the river, you will share the same experience of passing under the majestic arch,’’ Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said.
The bridge will be open for use early next year.
Parramatta Aquatic and Leisure Centre
Location: Parramatta
Cost: $88 million
Probably the most eagerly awaited development on the list is one that will change the area for the better.
The Parramatta Aquatic and Leisure Centre will provide endless relief to the western Sydney families who haven’t been able to cool off since the old pool closed in 2017.
The $88 million centre will showcase a 10-lane 50m outdoor pool, a 25m indoor pool, a kiddie pool for those learning to swim, an indoor water playground, and spa and sauna facilities.
The 40,000 sqm site will also feature a fitness centre, community rooms, a cafe and 200 parking spaces for all the eager locals.
The centre is expected to open in early 2023.
SOUTH
Mesa Hurstville
Location: Hurstville
Cost: $310 million
A new high-rise has been hailed as a “new village” for Hurstville as the developers aim to make their mark on the area.
The $310 million development will feature four buildings ranging from three to 20 storeys tall with retail floor space, a 76-room hotel, and 260 apartments.
Mesa Hurstville would also include an urban park and a ‘Snack Street’ influenced by Asian cuisines.
The development is slated for completion in 2024.
Beyond Hurstville
Location: Hurstville
Cost: $700 million
An enormous development encompassing a holistic approach to living is set to change Hurstville.
Fridcorp’s Beyond Hurstville development includes four towers with 563 apartments, a tai chi garden, lobby bar, gym and yoga studio.
The development, which is expected to cost $700 million, would also provide an app to facilitate connections between residents to organise activities like sunrise yoga.
The development aims to be a “multi-sensory space” and will surely impact future developments in the area.
REGIONAL
No. 1 Church St
Location: Dubbo
Cost: $35 million
The regional city of Dubbo has seen a boom in investment during the past two years, but one residential development stands out among the rest.
Billionaire businessman Gerry Harvey is one of the men behind a $35 million development at No. 1 Church St in Dubbo. The 13-storey building will provide 72 apartments, 123 car spaces, and retail space while it towers 10 storeys above the rest of Dubbo’s developments.
A three-bedroom apartment sold recently for $1.77 million, which set a record for the highest price paid for a residential property in the city, despite not being built.
The development is expected to be completed by the second half of 2022.
Destination Dubbo
Location: Dubbo
Cost: $13.5 million
An ambitious plan to revitalise the city and attract visitors will transform Dubbo into a vibrant cultural centre.
The $13.5 million plan, known as ‘Destination Dubbo’, will feature a unique and newly constructed Aboriginal tourism centre, a major event precinct along the Macquarie River, and a heritage plaza highlighting the Old Dubbo Gaol.
The development is projected to contribute $20 million per year to the NSW regional economy by 2030.
Construction of the Wiradjuri Tourism Centre, the largest first nations public art project in regional NSW, is expected to start in August 2022. Works will commence on the Macquarie River foreshore event precinct and the Heritage Plaza in March and April 2022 respectively.
The Archibald
Location: Gosford
Cost: $400 million
Hailed as “Gosford’s most significant transformation”, this development will have a visible impact on the streetscape of the Central Coast town.
The $400 million Archibald Development will comprise two towers, one 25 storeys tall and the other 26 storeys tall.
To create a downtown hub, the development will include 300 apartments, a premium hotel, a rooftop bar, shops and restaurants. Prices for apartments start at $573,000.
The development was approved in 2015 and construction is already underway.
Wyong Hospital
Location: Wyong
Cost: $200 million
An important redevelopment project will be altering this Central Coast town for the better after the Wyong Hospital redevelopment was approved.
The $200 million renewal of the hospital aims to improve the quality of patient care through upgraded facilities, new technologies and a more accessible facility.
The six-storey building will house a new emergency department, intensive care unit, psychiatric emergency care centre, paediatric unit and expanded medical assessment unit. The redevelopment will also accommodate more inpatient beds and 114 parking spaces.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the state government was investing record funding in regional health centres to ensure regional patients have the health facilities that match their needs.
“Our focus has always been ensuring rural communities get their share of health upgrades so staff and communities have access to enhanced services on their doorstep,” he said.
The project is slated for completion sometime next year.
Skydiving Adventure Park
Location: Kempsey Airport
Cost: $11 million
This development is more about changing the perspective of an area rather than the landscape itself.
The Skydiving Adventure Park at Kempsey Airport is an $11 million development funded by the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, which provided economic assistance to bushfire-ravaged communities.
The development will include skydiving training facilities, a canopy swoop pond, a canopy piloting hangar, an indoor rock climbing gym, amenities and accommodation facilities. The park will become a major attraction to tourists visiting the area.
The Adventure Park would create 33 jobs during the construction phase and would employ approximately 60 people once the facility is operational.
Port Macquarie Business Park
Location: Port Macquarie
Cost: $58 million
One of the biggest developments to happen in the Mid North Coast is the Port Macquarie Business Park, which has been fast-tracked by the NSW Government due to its significance to the community.
The $58 million business park will be built at Port Macquarie Airport to support the growth of the airport, which is the fifth most trafficked airport in the state. It is projected that passengers will double from 230,000 travellers in 2020 to around 450,000 by 2030.
The Port Macquarie Business Park was one of the 10 projects in the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program, which has been fast-tracking planning assessments to retain people in jobs and stimulate local economies during Covid.
The Big Banana Expansion
Location: Coffs Harbour
Cost: $50 million
One of Australia’s most iconic landmarks will undergo a massive expansion and revitalisation over 20 years.
The $50 million redevelopment of the Big Banana will occur over two decades so as not to disrupt tourism.
While progress will be incremental, plans have already been approved for a new water raft slide and a water park expansion. The owners are hoping to have both projects completed by 2023.
When it is completed, the revamped Big Banana will feature a multistorey resort, a brewery, eco-cabins and a number of new rides.
CODA Coffs Harbour
Location: Coffs Harbour
Cost: $44 million
A towering development in the middle of the CBD will have an impact on the streetscape of Coffs Harbour.
CODA Coffs Harbour will be a $44 million mixed-use luxury apartment building in the heart of the city.
The 13-storey development will include 95 apartments, 155 car spaces, seven retail spaces, and an open-air laneway with alfresco finding.
Construction is slated to begin in July next year.
Shoreline at Park Beach
Location: Coffs Harbour
Cost: $150 million
The biggest private development in Coffs Harbour’s history is bound to have an impact on the face of the town.
The Shoreline at Park Beach retirement village and aged care centre is predicted to cost $150 million.
The development will include a 120-bed care facility, 74 independent living units, a resort-style community centre and a large pool. Construction of these elements is expected to be completed in March 2022.
Future works will include a gated community, a clubhouse, cafe, putting green and a number of other amenities.
Future stages of the development will include a gated community with a security car registration plate recognition system, a clubhouse, cafe, golf-putting green, a village bus, a bar, library, gym and bowling green.
It includes a nature path and walking circuit, a zen meditation garden, bowling green, gathering and exercise spaces, entertainment and barbecue areas, a meditation and contemplation fountain and a productive communal garden.
Harvest Byron Bay
Location: Byron Bay
Cost: $25 million
The property price explosion in Byron Bay has many locals shaking their heads, but a new development will be a boon for many eager buyers.
The developer of Byron Bay’s first masterplanned community, Harvest Byron Bay, will be offering 149 newly built homes on lots ranging from 450 sqm to 900 sqm.
The site on Ewingsdale Rd is only a kilometre from the beach and two kilometres from the town centre.
With most locals wary of developments, Harvest is a change from the usual Byron Bay landscape.
The Sapphire of Eden
Location: Eden
Cost: $175 million
A small south coast town will be transformed by a massive development investment aiming to encourage tourism.
Sydney developers Core Asset Development plan to build a $65 million Radisson Hotel at the former site of the Eden Fisherman’s Club. The hotel will become the first five-star hotel south of Wollongong.
Only months after that development was underway, the developers announced they would invest $100 million in a four-tower complex to reshape Eden into a major NSW regional centre.
The Sapphire of Eden is projected to attract $100 million and create 1000 jobs in the NSW economy over the next three to five years.
The Robertson Hotel
Location: Robertson
Cost: $50 million
A multimillion-dollar refurbishment of a heritage hotel will change the face of this small Southern Highlands town.
The $50 million redevelopment of The Robertson Hotel will restore the heritage building to its former glory and add a new four-storey wing to the hotel containing 46 new rooms.
To capitalise on the natural beauty of the Robertson area, the owner will also build 13 new eco-tourist cabins and seven eco-tourist villas to be situated on the sprawling grounds.
The revamped Robertson Hotel will also include a 300-person conference centre, an “artist-in-residence” studio, a small amphitheatre, a petting zoo, and a pool.
The owners are aiming to complete the works in 2024.
Merimbula apartment block
Location: Merimbula
Cost: $22 million
The local Merimbula Imlay Bowling Club will develop a new complex in the centre of the south coast town.
The club will build a five-storey complex with 40 apartments in Merimbula’s CBD. The complex, which is expected to cost $22 million, will host 12 three-bedroom units and 28-two bedroom units overlooking the town’s scenic lake.
A spokesman for Bega Valley Shire Council said there was a high demand for homes close to the CBD and the complex “will set the scene for future development within the Merimbula CBD.”
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