Charles Street Square, at Parramatta Quay, is where people who travel to our city along the Parramatta River first arrive. Situated at a unique place where the fresh water of the Parramatta River and the salt water from Sydney Harbour mix, it is a place of great cultural significance and an important public place that connects the river and our City.

Upgrading Charles Street Square is an important step in the development of Parramatta Quay, which is part of the long term planned transformation of the Parramatta City River foreshore. Located at the head of the harbour, Parramatta Quay will be the river gateway to Parramatta’s CBD, complementing Circular Quay.

Key features of the Charles Street Square upgrade include improved connections between the city and ferry wharf and flexible spaces for events or everyday activities.

The design includes a new shelter for foreshore and ferry users, a wide riverfront walk, public art, a welcoming and attractive street-level plaza and a series of seating terraces connected by ramps. Fully-accessible public amenities including 24/7 toilets are retained in the square.

Work on the River Foreshore Strategy began in 2015. Community consultation for Charles Street Square was held in 2020 including extensive consultation around the proposed concept design and further consultation on the Review of Environmental Factors which considered the refined design.

Details on the consultation, including changes made to the concept design in response to feedback, can be found on this page by scrolling through the tabs.

In September 2022 we consulted neighbouring business on the proposed public art. In late October, Council endorsed the procurement and completion of the public art.

Charles Street Square is scheduled for completion in mid-June 2023 subject to weather conditions not causing further delays in the program.

Completion has been delayed by the unprecedented rainfall we have recently experienced and we are working with the contractor to reduce the program where we can.

• Demolition of existing seating, pavement and other structures, removal/relocation of existing services, site remediation etc
• Creation of large terraces sweeping up from the ferry wharf to Charles Street providing gathering spaces across the site and opportunities for public events. Large trees, garden beds, timber decking, and an amphitheatre will create a park style feel to the area
• New ramps, balustrades, stairs and lighting will make the ferry more accessible throughout the day and night
• An integrated timber shade structure and ferry kiosk will provide better facilities to ferry users and allow for the delivery of an exciting new artwork which will be projected onto the facing escarpment
• The existing public amenities will be reinstated in the upper square, adjacent to Charles Street.

Work will take place from 7.00am to 5.00pm on weekdays, and 8.00am to 2.00pm on Saturdays.

From 14 November to 22 December 2022, our contractor Regal Innovations Pty Ltd will be undertaking some urgent works in partnership with Sydney Water. In order to complete this work as soon as possible, they will be working extended hours: 7am to 7pm Monday to Sunday.

Part of the work program will require upgrades to the existing sewer mains running through the site. To ensure sewerage services in the area are not interrupted during the works, a pump and temporary pipeline will be installed.

The pump diverting the sewerage will need to be in operation 24 hours a day/seven (7) days a week until the main line can be restored.

Regal Innovations will take steps to minimise noise and other disruptions. However, unavoidably, there will be some machinery noise during this time.

It is expected that the work requiring the temporary sewerage pump and pipeline will be completed by Friday 22 December 2022.

While construction is taking place, pedestrian access routes to the ferry terminal will be altered to allow different stages of works to occur.

All changes will be communicated with signage on-site and written notification prior.

Trucks removing debris from site and delivering construction materials will travel along Charles Street and Phillip Street. Pedestrians, cyclists and drivers are asked to take extra care and to follow instructions provided by our Traffic Controllers.

Regal Innovations will take steps to minimize construction noise and other impacts. However, some machinery noise and dust is unavoidable.

To contact the Charles Street Square project team call 1300 617 058 or email CharlesStSquare@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

You can also subscribe to receive project updates, email CharlesStSquare@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

After hours or in case of emergency contact Regal Innovations on 0432 666 743.

More than 960,000 people were given the opportunity to engage with the Charles Street Square project over two consultation periods held during 2020.

Community feedback was highly supportive of the public art and cultural interpretation components of the project (120 formal submissions - 63% local residents and 4% local businesses) with participants wanting the public art and cultural interpretation at Charles Street Square to represent “the stories of the Dharug people and their connection to the land” (63% of participants); followed by local native plants and animals (58%); key events in Parramatta over time (53%); and the dynamic river environment (52%).

For full details of consultation on the concept design and the Review of Environmental Factors please see the REF tab at the top of the page.

The Charles Street Square public artwork will explore the themes of the land and river, flora and fauna, and will feature the stories of Parramatta, including the people and events that have shaped our City over time.

To be created by internationally renowned Australian artist Craig Walsh https://www.craigwalsh.net/about/ the artwork, titled Ebb and Flow, is a 30-minute layered video which will be projected directly onto the escarpment opposite the ferry terminal. The artwork is being created for a specific area of the natural shale embankment, a ‘canvas’ approximately 30 meters long x 10 meters high.

Due to the low reflective nature of the escarpment, and the limited brightness of the projection, the artwork will not radiate or spill ambient light outside the mapped ‘canvas’ area.

The artwork will use a collection of bespoke images within a layered video to create multiple experiences for people to explore and will contribute to our understanding of this special place.

The artwork acknowledges the continuing presence of First Nations people in Parramatta and among other stories of the land, flora and fauna, farming and urbanization, features our shared journey towards reconciliation, respect, and reciprocity.

It is intended that the projection will screen nightly at regular intervals between 8pm and 11pm in summer (Daylight Savings Time) and 6pm to 9pm in winter.

Ideal viewing locations for the projection artwork will be in the terraced seating areas being created within Charles Street Square. This location (confined to a 30-degree viewing angle within a horizontal plane) offers viewers the optimal experience of seeing good content detail. Please see the lime-coloured zone marked in the indicative map below.

The map also indicates broader areas where there will be an acceptable viewing experience with a reduced level of visibility of the detail within the artwork. Please see the orange-coloured viewing zone.

The artwork is unlikely to be visible from areas outside these viewing zones. The increased viewing distance and ambient light sources in these areas will mean that the subtlety of the imagery is lost with very minimal, if any, visibility - even if looking directly at the artwork.

Visibility is also reduced at height. Visibility is also restricted on the vertical plane for viewers located 4m or higher than the source of the projection at Parramatta Quay.

The proposed artwork is being developed. The brief for the work is to convey the unique and complex stories of Parramatta including Dharug tradition and culture, the Parramatta River, native plants and animals, significant events and the people who shaped our City over time.

An embellished video, layered with illustrative animated work and images, will be created to form a subtle narrative. The 30-minute work is expected to be shown at regular intervals from 8pm to 11pm each day in summer (Daylight Savings Time) and between 6pm and 9pm during winter (Eastern Standard Time).

Renowned Australian artist Craig Walsh has been commissioned to create the public artwork. To date, Craig has consulted with key stakeholders including historians, heritage specialists and the Dharug community. For information, please see https://www.craigwalsh.net/about/

It is expected that the first screening of the public art piece will occur shortly after the new Charles Street Square is opened (details to be confirmed).

The projector will be housed in a kiosk at Parramatta Quay, with the artwork projected across the river onto the escarpment. The projection ‘canvas’ is approximately 30m long and 10m high, there is no light spill outside the ‘canvas’ area.

The artwork has an optimal viewing zone with visibility affected by distance from the projection source. Visibility is also reduced at height (see map for viewing zones).

The 30-minute work is expected to be shown at regular intervals, from 8pm to 11pm each day in summer (Daylight Savings Time) and between 6pm and 9pm during winter (Eastern Standard Time).

The low reflectivity of the natural rock face and the conditions required for optimal viewing of the artwork, including viewing distance and ambient light, will mean that the artwork will be visible from a limited viewing area.

The optimal viewing for the public artwork is within a 30-degree area, located across from the escarpment. The Charles Street Square upgrade will deliver seating terraced seating in this space (refer to the lime-coloured area within the map).

Acceptable viewing locations are also indicated on the map (refer to the orange-coloured viewing zone on the map).

Outside the optimal and acceptable viewing zones, it is unlikely that the artwork will be visible.

The artwork is also rendered less visible at height. The artwork will not be able to be viewed from locations 4m and above the projector at Parramatta Quay.

The limited brightness of the projection and the timing of the projection (between 8pm and 11pm in summer and 6pm and 9pm in winter) will limit the disturbance to foraging habitat for threatened microbats, nocturnal birds and diurnal species (those active during the day).

The Review of Environmental Factors found the work unlikely to have a significant impact on a threatened species or ecological community.

Lighting in the public domain will comply with the Australian Standards for Lights for Roads and Public Spaces and Control of obtrusive effect of lighting. The light projection has limited brightness and will be displayed for a maximum of three hours to no later than 11pm nightly.

Lighting levels within the artwork are comparable to streetlights, with periods of lower levels of brightness within the overall 30-minute story.

Lighting trials held in May 2022 confirmed no light spill beyond the escarpment and limited viewing areas.

The projection ‘canvas’ is located so the projected light is not in the direct line of sight of pedestrian and cyclists using the Escarpment Boardwalk.

Stakeholder consultation throughout the Charles Street Square project, including throughout the lighting trial, has involved the ferry operator Transdev and Transport for NSW.

This consultation will continue during the detailed design phase for the artwork projection to ensure ferry operations are not impacted.

Public art (sculpture, murals, installations etc.) plays a positive role in improving a community’s experience of our built environment and creates more meaningful public spaces. It can transform a place, create a sense of belonging in a community, generate cultural tourism and contribute to local economies.

Cultural participation, including the opportunity to engage with public art, contributes to a community’s identity and is a proven social and economic driver in making places liveable. The benefits associated with public art include improving health and wellbeing, increasing community cohesion and social inclusion, and stimulating social resilience.

Public art can transform landscapes and create a sense of uniqueness that appeals to residents and attracts visitors. The opportunity to experience another cultural attraction while in Parramatta has the potential to stimulate tourism and provide residents and visitors with an additional reason to stay longer within the Charles Street Square precinct.

A welcoming and attractive riverside destination, with more to see, do, learn, and enjoy, provides greater opportunities for visitors to spend locally.

Charles Street Square, at Parramatta Quay, is where people who travel to our city along the Parramatta River first arrive. Situated at a unique place where the fresh water of the Parramatta River meets the salt water of Sydney Harbour, it is a place of great cultural significance and an important public place that connects the river and our city.

Upgrading Charles Street Square is an important step in the development of Parramatta Quay, which is part of the long term planned transformation of the Parramatta City River foreshore. Located at the head of the harbour, Parramatta Quay will be the river gateway to Parramatta’s CBD, complementing Circular Quay.

It is anticipated work on Charles Street Square will begin February 2022 and be completed in around 12 months.

Access to local businesses will be retained throughout the construction of Charles Street Square. Pedestrian access to the riverfront will be maintained where possible.

City of Parramatta is continuing to progress various aspects of our exciting Charles Street Square upgrade. The project team is liaising with government agencies and preparing the technical documentation required for public tender to appoint a construction company.

At this stage, we anticipate hoardings being installed in late 2021 and construction works to start soon after.

We will continue to provide updates and work closely with residents and neighbouring businesses to ensure access is maintained and appropriate wayfinding is incorporated into all our signage to direct members of the public safely.

Please read the July project update in the resources section or click here.

Further consultation with Transdev, operator of the ferries for Transport NSW, will be undertaken as part of ongoing construction planning. It is anticipated the majority of the Charles Street upgrade can be completed whilst keeping ferry operations functioning. Closures will be minimised and if there is a period of impact to ferry operations, a replacement bus service will be provided.

At this stage it is expected that ferry services will be suspended between 21 March and 8 April 2022 with replacement bus services to and from Rydalmere Wharf. Further information will be provided closer to the confirmed closure dates.

A review of environmental factors (REF) is a document that is prepared to demonstrate due diligence and comply with the requirements of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act (1979). Typically, it applies to construction activities which do not require consent under the act. Instead, the proponent (in this case, the City of Parramatta) must clearly demonstrate it has identified all environmental impacts of the proposal, along with mitigation measures to minimise those impacts. The REF needs to be appropriate to the nature and scale of the proposal, and often draws on specialist studies to reach a conclusion on the nature and extent of impacts and mitigations.

An independent planner was commissioned to prepare this REF. The planner integrated the advice and findings of all specialist designers and engineers who prepared the design for the upgrade and associated works. This was supplemented by reports commissioned for the project from heritage specialists, archaeologists and ecologists.

The City of Parramatta is committed to implementing the mitigations and safeguards identified in the REF.

Based on responses to the REF, City of Parramatta has:

• amended the design to include more cycle parking hoops. The design now allows for parking for 24 bikes with three parking hoops installed at the upper square and nine in the Garden Terrance
• confirmed where access is permitted via a right of easement on an adjacent property; removable bollards will be installed as part of the design to protect the square from general vehicle traffic while facilitating permissible access for property owners.

The City of Parramatta is committed to creating a safe construction site and will install clearly signposted safe detour routes for pedestrians and cyclists when required.

A construction traffic management plan will be implemented to mitigate the impacts of construction traffic movements to and from the site.

The Revised REF is available in the resources section on this page.

Preparations for the Charles Street Square upgrade are continuing with construction scheduled to begin mid-year.

The project team is progressing detailed design, planning and technical approvals, as well as documentation for the tendering of the construction works. The project team is also liaising with relevant utilities to ensure all approvals are secured and that their requirements are incorporated into the site design and construction.

Archaeological testing, conducted in accordance with Heritage NSW requirements, will begin in March 2021. Archaeological teams will work alongside participating Aboriginal representatives and civil contractors to mitigate the risk of harm to any historic and Aboriginal relics discovered as part of the works.

The City of Parramatta will continue to provide project updates on this page.

For further information, please contact the Charles Street Square project team on 1300 617 058 or via email at CharlesStSquare@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

Charles Street Square, at Parramatta Quay, is where people who travel to our city along the Parramatta River first arrive. Situated at a unique place where the fresh water of the Parramatta River and the salt water from Sydney Harbour mix, it is a place of great cultural significance and an important public place that connects the river and our city.

Upgrading Charles Street Square is an important step in the development of Parramatta Quay, which is part of the long term planned transformation of the Parramatta City River foreshore. Located at the head of the harbour, Parramatta Quay will be the river gateway to Parramatta’s CBD, complementing Circular Quay.

Key features of the Charles Street Square upgrade include improved connections between the city and ferry wharf and flexible spaces for events or everyday activities. The proposed design includes a new shelter for foreshore and ferry users, a wide riverfront walk, public art, a welcoming and attractive street-level plaza and a series of tiered seating terraces. Fully-accessible public amenities including 24/7 toilets are retained in the square.

Yes. A key feature of the design for Charles Street Square is a series of gently graded ramps and stairs that will provide clear, easy-to-navigate, accessible connections between the riverfront and the city for all members of our community.

The existing trees are an important part of Charles Street Square’s character and the majority will be retained. There will also be new native trees, including a Port Jackson Fig, for increased shade and habitat. Charles Street Square will become part of the riverfront parkland.

Regular flooding which occurs along the Parramatta River is a key consideration. The flood-resilient design provides a clear and continuous path for evacuation, minimises flood obstructions, and is easy to maintain. More sensitive infrastructure is located higher up within the site, and structures will be engineered to withstand the strong forces of the flood waters.

As well as maximising tree canopy and ensuring the site is resilient to flooding, the design incorporates new terraced decking of recycled Australian timber to allow more rainwater to drain back into the ground and reduce urban runoff into the river. Stormwater drainage upgrades required during the works will allow us to include some small scale water harvesting to benefit trees and gardens within the square.

Construction of Charles Street Square is currently planned for mid-2021 until mid-2022.

Construction on Parramatta River’s Escarpment Boardwalk is underway on the northern side of Parramatta Quay. Construction is expected to be completed early 2021.

The river-level pedestrian and cyclist connection will deliver a missing link in the Parramatta Valley Cycleway, connecting Parramatta Park to Melrose Park through completely off-road facilities. It will also provide a new set of stairs up to Stewart Street and Macarthur Street to ensure safe and direct access for the public and local school students.

The Parramatta Ferry will be closed for a portion of the construction period. Ferry replacement buses will be running between Parramatta and Rydalmere.

Improvements at Parramatta Quay are occurring in stages:

• May 2019 - October 2019, Parramatta Wharf upgrade
• March 2020 - early 2021, Escarpment Boardwalk construction
• Mid-2021 - mid-2022, Charles Street Square upgrade

Council is also planning to improve the pedestrian bridge at the Charles Street Weir. Further information will be made available later this year.

Access to local businesses will be retained throughout the construction of Charles Street Square. Further consultation with Transdev, operator of the ferries for Transport NSW, will be undertaken as part of detailed construction planning. At this stage, it is anticipated the majority of this work can be completed whilst keeping ferry operations functioning. Closures or impacts will be minimised.

The City of Parramatta is interested in hearing all feedback and is committed to working with the community to ensure that the final design responds to the needs of its users, now and into the future. The project needs to integrate the operational requirements of the Wharf, achieve standards of access, respect the heritage and archaeology of the site and ensure the design is robust and enduring.

As plans develop for Parramatta Quay and the broader Parramatta City River Foreshore transformation, City of Parramatta will be seeking further feedback and ideas from the community to help design these spaces. When you make a submission on Charles Street Square, be sure to provide an email address to ensure you are kept informed of project updates and further opportunities to be involved in Parramatta City River Foreshore projects.

Contact the Charles Street Square project team by calling City of Parramatta on 1300 617 058 or emailing CharlesStSquare@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au