Civic Link - Block 3

Preparations for the creation of Civic Link Block 3 are continuing.  The project team has finalised detailed design, planning and technical approvals, with final Heritage and Sydney Water approvals pending as at January 2026. 

A contractor for construction of Stage 1 Phillip Street works has been selected and construction is scheduled to begin in Phillip Street late-March 2026.

The project team is liaising with relevant utilities to ensure all approvals are secured and that their requirements are incorporated into the site design and construction.

Regular communications will be provided to the community on the progress of the project and any impacts to the community including neighbouring businesses and residents.
 

The REF has concluded that there will be no significant impacts on matters of national environmental significance. No referral to the Australian Minister for the Environment under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act is required. 

The proposal would be unlikely to cause a significant impact on the environment. Visual and noise impacts during construction will be temporary, with measures to minimise disruption. Air pollution impacts are anticipated to be minimal. 

Based on protection measures identified in the REF to address archaeology, City of Parramatta has:

• Undertaken archaeological testing, conducted in accordance with Heritage NSW requirements ( March 2025). Archaeological teams worked 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.
• Scheduled archaeological salvage excavations for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artefacts in some locations prior to construction commencing and archaeological monitoring during construction. 

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.

A construction environmental management plan will be prepared by the construction contractor and implemented throughout construction to mitigate environmental impacts. 
 

A review of environmental factors (REF) is a document that is prepared to demonstrate due diligence and compliance 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 proposed project, along with mitigation measures to minimise those impacts. 

The REF needs to be appropriate to the nature and scale of the proposal. It draws on specialist studies to reach a conclusion on the nature and extent of impacts and appropriate mitigations.
 An independent planner was commissioned to prepare the REF for Civic Link Block 3. The planner integrated the advice and findings of all specialist designers and engineers who prepared the design for Civic Link Block 3 and associated works. This was supplemented by reports commissioned for the project from heritage specialists, archaeologists and ecologists, stormwater, civil, contamination and geo-technical engineers, arborists, accessibility consultants, traffic and urban design experts.

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

Following community consultation on the Draft Concept Design in early-2024, a Refined Concept Design which considered feedback provided by the community, was approved by Council.  Reflected in the Refined Concept Design was the community’s desire to see wider footpaths extend from the Civic Link further east along the south side of Phillip Street, diverse seating options, and signage to support safe shared use by pedestrians and cyclists.

It’s now time for the community to be updated on the Developed Design for Civic Link Block 3 and once again have a say.   

The Developed Design is based on the approved concepts and provides greater detail including the look and location of landscaping, furniture, fixtures, and traffic management signage. The Developed Design for Civic Link Block 3 is consistent with the Refined Concept Design.

Through detailed technical investigation, the Developed Design incorporates minor changes including:
•    Pavement and signage to support safe shared use by cyclists and reinforce pedestrian priority   
•    Bollards to manage vehicle access
•    Architectural lighting for night-time character
•    Diverse seating options to support a range of users.
 

Civic Link will be a generous pedestrian boulevard approximately 400m long and 21m wide. Over four city blocks it will connect the Parramatta CBD to the Parramatta River.

Block 1 - is Parramatta Square, completed in 2021 by City of Parramatta.

Block 2 - is the MetroWest Parramatta block and will be delivered by the NSW Government in 2032 (subject to change).

Block 3 - is this project. City of Parramatta’s Civic Link Block 3 project is expected to be completed in late 2026.

Block 4 - is the Powerhouse Parramatta. It is expected to be delivered by the NSW Government in 2026.

Early works – January 2025

In early 2025, the City of Parramatta began work along Horwood Place and in front of 32a Phillip Street, Parramatta.

This included the excavation of test pits and trenches to facilitate archaeological investigations to assess the historical and cultural significance of the area. The work will help ensure the rich history of Parramatta is understood and preserved.

Archaeological investigations will continue throughout February 2025, subject to weather and site conditions, and may take longer depending on the findings.

Excavation pits are contained predominantly within the parking lanes with five (5) large pits, approximately 2m wide x 5-10m long, and eight (8) small pits approximately 1m x 1m in the area.

Geotechnical investigations to inform the engineering design were also undertaken. 

Following this public exhibition, the design will be finalised, and the works will be tendered for construction. 

Construction is due to begin in early 2026 (subject to final Utility and Heritage approvals).

Stage 1 is expected to be complete in September 2026. Stage 2 is planned to be finished in September 2027.

Powerhouse Parramatta is expected to be open in October 2026.

*subject to site conditions and weather.
 

City of Parramatta’s $21.2 million city-shaping corridor – Civic Link – which will connect the Parramatta CBD to the river has received a welcome funding boost.

The Federal Government has provided $10.1 million in funding from the Housing Support Program Program - Community Enabling Infrastructure Scheme - Stream 2.

Additional funding for the project’s design and construction was provided by the NSW Government through its Accelerated Infrastructure Fund ($10.56 million). 

Civic Link (Block 3) will run north-south along Horwood Place from George Street to Phillip Street. It will connect the already delivered Parramatta Square (Block 1) and the future public spaces around Sydney Metro West (Block 2) to the south, and Powerhouse Parramatta (Block 4) to the north. Block 2 and Block 4 will be provided by the NSW Government. 
 

The Ribbon incorporates a range of seating, play and dining opportunities throughout the 130m Green Spine, weaving through gardens to form social settings. The Ribbon uses colour and warm materials including timber to create a distinct identity for the spine. More than 60 metres of customised seating threads through the Green Spine and along the path to create a range of seating options including: classic long timber benches with backs and armrests, seats with tables for lunching, and bars and stools for a quick coffee. There are also larger concrete platforms for groups to gather or for children to enjoy exploration and informal play.  

A boulevard in the traditional sense is a wide avenue planted with rows of trees. Civic Link Block 3 is approximately 21m wide with verdant gardens and a canopy formed by 38 mature trees. Residents and visitors will be able to travel from the CBD to the Parramatta River along paths up to 7m wide, taking time to sit in a cool space, surrounded by gardens filled with approximately 3,000 native shrubs, grasses and ground cover. There are also defined places to socialise, eat, and shop, with links to connect to Light Rail, buses, rail and the future MetroWest. 

The swale and rain gardens are all about passive watering for our gardens and ensuring stormwater run-off is captured and filtered before being released into the Parramatta River.  Integrated within the larger gardens, swales direct run-off from the pedestrian paths to small rain gardens, harvesting the water to re-charge soil moisture to improve plant growth. The rain gardens also capture and filter pollutants to improve the quality of stormwater entering the river.

The Green Spine is a focal point for Civic Link Block 3 with lush planting and clusters of native trees designed to reduce urban heat and provide a cool space for the community to gather, eat, shop and socialise, surrounded by native gardens set beneath a canopy of mature native trees.

Garden beds and tree planting, along with rain gardens, provide greater permeability than hard surfaces allowing rain to maintain the trees and gardens, and to help improve water quality.  

Stretching 130m along the boulevard, the Green Spine will include 38 new advanced native trees, and 3,000 native shrubs, grasses, and ground covers. 

The Bridges are two level concrete platforms that span the planted area in the centre of Civic Link Block 3. They are strategically placed to provide respite for people with reduced mobility as they walk along the sloped footpath at the north of Horwood Place. Either side of the Bridges offer bespoke timber ‘lounge seating’ with taller backs providing a place to sit, gather, and rest.

The Pebbles are a group of six (6) large concrete triangles that provide informal seating. The Pebbles have wooden slats to support seating, and are backlit to provide warmth and interest. Their smooth finish invites touch. 

Council has worked with a panel of Dharug Cultural Custodian representatives from the beginning of design. The Dharug panel members generously shared their personal experiences and stories of growing up on Country in the Parramatta surrounds. Country is expressed through many of the design elements, including the water story, the swale and raingarden. Resilience of Country is demonstrated through the planting of native trees, shrubs and groundcover, and the creation of gathering spaces that are welcoming to all. An artwork named ‘Resilience of Ngurra’ by Dharug Artist Aunty Leanne Tobin (with industrial design company TILT) will be a feature of Civic Link Block 3.
 

• Horwood Place will be permanently closed to through traffic, between Phillip Street and Auctioneer Lane.
• Access to and from Horwood Place will be via George Street for vehicles travelling to Auctioneer Lane and Erby Place (Eat Street Car Park). Traffic control will help manage vehicles leaving the Erby Place Car Park during peak periods.
• There will be no on-street parking spaces on Horwood Place  
• There will be a new double loading zone relocated to opposite No. 32 Phillip Street.

Traffic movements at the intersection of George Street and Horwood Place (no right turn in or out) will remain the same.

When construction begins in April 2026, there will be changes to traffic flow, on-street parking and footpaths. Public access, customer and delivery access, as well and access for vehicles to Auctioneer Lane and the Eat Street Carpark will be maintained throughout construction, with traffic entering and leaving Horwood Place via George Street.

The Civic Link project team will provide additional information on the construction schedule and potential impacts to businesses closer to the start of early works for the construction program.  

To facilitate construction, the proposed closure of Horwood Place at Phillip Street is expected to occur in the first phase of construction. This will ensure Phillip Street, including the new raised pedestrian and cycling crossing leading to Powerhouse Parramatta, will be ready for the opening of the museum in October 2026.

Construction works in Horwood Place are anticipated to continue throughout 2026 and 2027.
 

Eight (8) spaces on Phillip Street (northside outside the Powerhouse Parramatta development) were removed as part of the Powerhouse Parramatta works. These spaces will be used by the museum for taxi/ uber and coach drop-off/ pick-up. 

During Stage 1 

22 on-street parking spaces will be removed:

• 6 spaces (4 parking and 2 timed/shared loading zones) on Horwood Place (west side Auctioneer Lane to Phillip Street). 
• 6 spaces Horwood Place (east side Auctioneer Lane to Phillip Street)
• 2 space Horwood Place (will become a temporary loading zone).
   

Temporary loss during construction:

4 spaces on Phillip Street (south side). 
 

In total, 30 on-street parking places and two loading bays will be permanently removed from Horwood Place to allow for the delivery of Civic Link Block 3 and the closure of Horwood Place at Phillip Street. A double loading bay will be created on Phillip Street (to the west of the new pedestrian crossing).

Civic Link Block 3 is located adjacent to the Erby Place (Eat Street) Carpark which will remain open for visitor parking. The project will maintain access to the carpark entrance on Horwood Place, via George Street. 

High-quality widened footpaths will improve access for the large number of people expected to visit Powerhouse Parramatta as well as accommodating visitors to on-street cafes, city events, and other attractions within the City. 

To address the loss of the loading zone in Horwood Place, a new double loading zone is proposed on Phillip Street.
 

No, the Erby Place (Eat Street) Carpark will remain open during the construction of the Civic Link Block 3 project. Access to the carpark will be maintained.

While it is Council’s ultimate aim to fully close Horwood Place (between George Street and Phillip Street) to traffic, vehicle access needs to be maintained to Auctioneer Lane for the foreseeable future. 

Auctioneer Lane services the properties fronting George Street, and the entry to the Erby Place (Eat Street) Carpark. As a result, a single travel lane in and single travel lane out will be retained in Horwood Place, between Auctioneer Lane and George Street.

As the city centre continues to redevelop, property access requirements may change in the future, allowing for the full pedestrianisation of Civic Link Block 3.
 

Underneath Civic Link, there are essential services for surrounding developments including electrical and telecommunication cables, water mains and sewer mains.   

Civic Link not only needs approvals to connect new water, data and electrical services for the public space, but also permission to undertake construction near these essential services.  Existing utility trenches and services must be accurately located to ensure safe and sound construction activities.  In some cases, the project is required to renew or divert services to ensure their longevity. 

Underneath Civic Link, there is evidence of Aboriginal cultural heritage, archaeological artefacts, and Colonial heritage items from the early development of Parramatta Township.

Test excavations were conducted from 7 January 2025 to 7 February 2025. Out of eight locations tested, one showed a soil profile that might contain Aboriginal cultural heritage. 

Archaeological deposits were found near George Street and Auctioneer Lane after carefully removing modern materials. These deposits were then examined by hand. 

In 1797, the first gaol in Parramatta was built on George Street, similar to the one in Sydney Town. This gaol was burned down in an arson attack less than three years later. Although no gaol artefacts have been found yet, it is believed that the early gaol yard might have been on a terrace overlooking George Street. 

To protect potential archaeological relics, specific Heritage approvals are required before any digging. This ensures that items can be carefully uncovered, studied, and preserved. 

Horwood Place’s existing mature Plane Trees offer beautiful cooling shade and screening to the street and buildings. Four trees located at the north section (between Auctioneer Lane and Phillip Street) are proposed to be removed, along with a Liquidamber, and two trees within the raised planter at the entrance to Auctioneer Lane. Tree removals are required to implement the road closure and allow for the planting of around 38 new mature native trees as part of the ‘Green Spine’. Council proposes to keep the four street trees at the south end to maintain a canopy cover where the section of Horwood Place carriageway is to remain. Around 3,000 native shrubs, grasses and ground cover will be planted in raised garden beds.

The Civic Link project is committed to following all NSW Heritage protocols and procedures to preserve the cultural and historical heritage of Parramatta. 

Excavation of archaeological test pits and trenches (taking place in January and February 2025) will assess the potential historic and Aboriginal archaeological significance of the site and guide construction to minimise impacts.  Depending on findings, further salvage excavations may occur prior to construction.  

Council continues to consult with First Nations custodians on the cultural heritage of the location, and findings will be reflected in the final design of on-site interpretation.  In some instances, NSW Heritage may direct found items are incorporated into interpretative displays or that they are catalogued and reburied within the site.

For Aboriginal objects, after analysis, the long-term management of the finds will be discussed with the Registered Aboriginal Parties to the project.
 

Planning for the Civic Link project includes measures to mitigate the potential impacts of the work. Through robust planning processes, including environmental impact studies, and consultation with stakeholders, best efforts will be made to reduce noise, dust and vibration and other common issues associated with major works.   

To allow for the upgrades to the streetscape, outdoor dining licenses will need to be suspended during Stage 2 construction works which are expected to begin in September 2026*. Outdoor dining will be permitted during Stage 1 construction works (April to September 2026*). Council’s contractors will prepare a detailed staging a detailed staging plan for the works will guide the suspension dates. The suspension period may be shorter if work can be staged, and/or early completion of the works allows progressive reinstatement of the licenses. More information will be provided to businesses as soon as possible.

When finished, this project will significantly increase the number of people travelling along the street and should increase exposure for all businesses fronting Horwood Place. With parking and delivery zones available nearby, the new Civic Link will create a high-profile revitalised retail space within the Parramatta CBD.
 

Council doesn’t control who leases and operates in retail spaces in Parramatta, but is committed to maintaining access for all businesses, property owners and their customers and visitors. Council officers will engage with businesses throughout the project and assist with any enquiries.

City of Parramatta’s $21.2 million city-shaping corridor – Civic Link – which will connect the Parramatta CBD to the river has received a welcome funding boost.

The Federal Government has provided $10.1 million in funding from the Housing Support Program Program - Community Enabling Infrastructure Scheme - Stream 2.

Additional funding for the project’s design and construction was provided by the NSW Government through its Accelerated Infrastructure Fund ($10.56 million). 

Civic Link (Block 3) will run north-south along Horwood Place from George Street to Phillip Street. It will connect the already delivered Parramatta Square (Block 1) and the future public spaces around Sydney Metro West (Block 2) to the south, and Powerhouse Parramatta (Block 4) to the north. Block 2 and Block 4 will be provided by the NSW Government.