Sydney Metro has received planning approval for a multi-tower development above the future Parramatta metro station, unlocking a major precinct transformation in Sydney’s Central City.
Context and Planning Background
The project site spans over a block bounded by George, Church, Macquarie, and Smith streets in the heart of the Parramatta CBD. The location sits above the future Parramatta metro station, part of the 24-kilometre Sydney Metro West line.
Sydney Metro West is set to double rail capacity between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD. The line will connect key growth precincts, including Westmead, Sydney Olympic Park, and The Bays, while enabling the development of high-density hubs above new stations.
What the Proposal Includes
The approved concept includes four towers of varying height above and adjacent to the future Parramatta metro station. These range from 24 to 38 storeys and are designated for mixed commercial, retail, and residential use. The scheme also retains two local heritage items—Kia Ora and the George Street Shops—through adaptive reuse. Additionally, the project will incorporate basement levels previously approved for station infrastructure.
Submissions and Community Feedback
The application received 19 submissions during public exhibition, including feedback from Council, government agencies, community members, and nearby landowners. Council raised issues about design excellence, traffic impacts, stormwater, and public domain integration. Agencies including Transport for NSW and Sydney Water addressed traffic modelling, construction impacts, and servicing needs. Community submissions focused on bulk and scale, amenity, affordable housing, and heritage. In response, Sydney Metro refined the proposal by reducing floor area, increasing setbacks, and updating design guidelines, which contributed to the project’s approval.
Why It Was Approved
The project gained approval after demonstrating consistency with key strategic planning policies and compliance with local planning controls. Following public exhibition and agency consultation, Sydney Metro revised its application to reduce total floor area, improve setbacks, and strengthen alignment with urban design principles.
The Department approved the proposal based on its strategic alignment with local planning controls, its transit-oriented design, and the project’s demonstrated capacity to deliver employment and housing within the Parramatta CBD. The concept ensures minimal overshadowing of key sites, promotes design excellence, and enhances connectivity via the Civic Link corridor.
Artist impression by Bates Smart
Design and Sustainability Commitments
While detailed architectural plans will be lodged in future applications, the approved concept is accompanied by a suite of design guidelines. These address form, massing, façade treatment, and integration with the heritage and public domain context.
Design elements address tower separation, solar and ventilation standards, and sustainability benchmarks, including Green Star targets and water management.
Next Steps
With concept approval secured, Sydney Metro can now proceed to the next stage of design and planning. Future applications will detail the building design, construction methodology, and public domain interface. The development is anticipated to deliver approximately 9,750 ongoing jobs and support the wider precinct transformation of Parramatta into a major economic and civic centre.
Project Team
- Developer: Sydney Metro
- Planning Consultant (Author): Ethos Urban
- Architect and Urban Design: Bates Smart
- Transport Consultant: WSP
- Heritage Consultant: GML Heritage
- Urban Design and Design Excellence Review: Government Architect NSW
- Environmental and Technical Assessments: AECOM, Aurecon, and other specialists supporting the EIS and Submissions Report
