Liverpool: How the city has transformed over centuries

Australia’s fourth oldest town has undergone a massive transformation over the years, with Liverpool now shaping itself to be Sydney’s third CBD. Take a look at how the city has changed over time.

Cindy Ngo

less than 2 min read

August 10, 2019 - 10:00AM

Liverpool Leader

Macquarie St, Liverpool, in the 1880s. Picture supplied by the Liverpool and District Historical Society

The streets of Liverpool today bear little resemblance to its early days.

The town was founded on November 7, 1810 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who named it after the Earl of Liverpool, then Secretary of State for the Colonies.

The ensuing decades saw a number of buildings erected, including a school, St Luke’s Church, a hospital and a gaol.

Today, Liverpool Council is pushing ahead with a strategy to become Sydney’s third CBD, with the construction of the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport at Badgerys Creek a key part of that vision.

Here’s a look at how the city of Liverpool has changed over the years:

COLLINGWOOD HOUSE

1875 images of historic Collingwood House in Liverpool, built in 1810.

Collingwood House in 2008.

MACQUARIE ST

Macquarie St, Liverpool, in the 1880s. Picture courtesy of City of Liverpool and District Historical Society.

Macquarie St in 2017.

PAPER MILL

Liverpool Paper Mill, circa 1876. Picture courtesy of City of Liverpool and District Historical Society, colourised by society's president Glen op den Brouw.

The Paper Mill site today, where a residential development has been built along with a dining precinct.

LOST SOPHIENBURG ESTATE IN CASULA

Sophienburg estate — once owned by prominent figures from Liverpool’s history.

City of Liverpool and District Historical Society president Glen op den Brouw with ruins of an 1830s Georgian mansion that stood on the long lost Sophienburg Estate in Casula.

THE REGAL THEATRE