The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to strengthen Sydney's reputation as a world-class events and tourism destination, with construction on Western Sydney's first state cultural institution Powerhouse Parramatta well underway.
Work on 5 of the 7 exhibition spaces and the Lang Walker Family Academy is now complete, with the project moving into a stage exhibition fit out ahead of opening in late 2026.
Powerhouse Parramatta will celebrate innovation across the applied arts and sciences. It is expected to attract up to two million visitors annually and serve as a key driver of Western Sydney's visitor and night-time economies.
A new cultural destination for Sydney and Australia, Powerhouse Parramatta will have 7 exhibition spaces, public space and a purpose-built academy for high school students from regional NSW and Western Sydney. The academy will welcome more than 10,000 students each year.
The public space and museum precinct will create a 24-hour access to the riverfront, and complete the civic link between the river, Parramatta Square and upcoming Metro West.
Through a staged handover the Powerhouse has started to install the first two of its five opening exhibitions fit out in Exhibition Spaces 1 and 2, while construction continues across other areas of the site.
The internal areas are being progressively completed to enable fit out in parallel with completing the building facade and public domain.
Almost 3,500 workers have contributed to the delivery of the project to date, collectively working over 2.1 million hours on site.
Powerhouse Parramatta will open with five major international exhibitions that will feature the Powerhouse Collection and include commissions and international loans sharing important Australian stories of innovation and creativity. Connecting the stories of Western Sydney with the best collections in the world.
Task Eternal, one of the five major exhibitions, will be one of the most ambitious aerospace exhibitions ever staged in the world.
Task Eternal brings together over 600 objects, including items from the Powerhouse Collection and loans from leading local and international science and cultural institutions including the British Museum, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, space agencies and start-ups across 12 countries alongside 16 major new artist commissions by Australian and international artists.
Powerhouse Parramatta is also setting a new benchmark for sustainability in public infrastructure. It is the first public building in Australia and the first project in Western Sydney to be assessed as a 6 Star Designed project under the Green Building Council of Australia's new Green Star Buildings assessment tool.
Construction of the internal base build is expected to be completed by the end of this year, with public domain works to follow early next year ahead of the museum's official opening in late 2026.
For more information visit: NSW Government | Powerhouse Parramatta
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
"Powerhouse Parramatta is a game changer for the state and demonstrates the Minns Labor Government's commitment to Western Sydney design excellence, innovation and sustainability.
"Once complete, Powerhouse Parramatta will be the largest museum in NSW, with 18,000 square metres of exhibition and public space. A true cultural and architectural icon for Parramatta and Western Sydney.
"The Minns Labor Government is proud to be delivering a world-class institution that will boost the local economy, create jobs and attract millions of visitors to Western Sydney each year."
Minister for the Arts John Graham said -
"Western Sydney is already home for arts, culture and technology in Western Sydney.
"Powerhouse Parramatta, the largest investment in cultural infrastructure since the Sydney Opera House, will put Western Sydney at the forefront of Australia's cultural, scientific and technological future.
"It will ensure that Western Sydney is not just part of the cultural conversation but leading it.
"With the completion of the Powerhouse Parramatta, new Metro West, and the airport, will connect the world to the extraordinary talent here in Western Sydney."
Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis said:
"Powerhouse Parramatta is a transformative project for Sydney's second CBD -bringing world-class exhibitions, learning experiences and cultural opportunities right to the heart of Western Sydney.
"It's a significant moment for our local community to see this extraordinary institution taking shape and delivering lasting benefits for generations to come."
Managing Director for Lendlease Stephanie Graham said:
"Together with our partners, we've completed 85% of Powerhouse Parramatta's construction.
"The final phase is now underway to delivering a transformative cultural landmark that will shape the future of Sydney."
