Powerhouse Parramatta, a world-class museum to be built in the geographical heart of Sydney, is now one step closer thanks to the NSW Government awarding the main works contract.
Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin, said the award of the contract demonstrates the State Government’s commitment to stimulating the economy while providing cultural infrastructure for Western Sydney.
“Powerhouse Parramatta is the biggest cultural investment since the Opera House and now we have selected a contractor to build the museum, we can get on with the job for the community,” Minister Harwin said.
“Following a competitive tender process, Lendlease has been appointed to start construction with work to begin early next year.”
Powerhouse Parramatta is forecast to generate more than 4,000 jobs during its construction phase (including more than 300 trainees and apprentices), at least 400 ongoing jobs once the Moreau Kusunoki Genton designed museum is operational, inject millions into the local economy and attract two million visitors from all over Australia and the world each year.
Managing Director of Lendlease Building Australia, David Paterson, said Powerhouse Parramatta is one of the largest structural engineering and architecturally complex projects underway in Australia.
“We are excited to have been awarded the tender and to work with the NSW Government and the Powerhouse on this game-changing project,” Mr Paterson said.
“We are committed to partnering with Western Sydney communities and businesses to deliver this project. We already have partnerships with four Western Sydney based steel fabrication companies and look forward to signing up many more local suppliers across Greater Sydney.”
“Sustainability will be at the heart of this building and its construction and we are proud to be delivering Parramatta’s first public 6 Star Green Star building,” he said.
Powerhouse Chief Executive, Lisa Havilah, said Powerhouse Parramatta is the first NSW cultural institution to be located in Western Sydney giving direct access to world-class exhibitions and programs for local communities.
“Our new flagship museum will be the leading science and technology museum in Australia and we look forward to creating extraordinary cultural experiences for our audiences,” Ms Havilah said.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Lendlease to deliver Powerhouse Parramatta, which will give unprecedented levels of access to the extraordinary Powerhouse Collection.”
“We are very excited to be partnering with Western Sydney University and Infrastructure NSW during construction, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the next generation of architects, engineers and designers to learn and participate in the design and delivery of this cultural landmark,” she said.
Once complete, Powerhouse Parramatta will be a world-class museum featuring more than 18,000 square metres of exhibition and public space on the banks of the Parramatta River.
A key feature of the museum will be The Academy which will support thousands of students from across regional New South Wales and Greater Sydney to stay at the museum and engage with immersive science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education programs.
Construction is expected to commence early next year and Powerhouse Parramatta is anticipated to be completed in late 2024.