fbpx
  1. Home
  2. Projects
  3. Parramatta City River Plan

Parramatta City River Plan

Parramatta City Council / Western Sydney, Australia

The City River Strategy is a billion dollar regeneration plan for the 31ha Parramatta River urban waterfront in Sydney’s second largest metro centre. Prepared in consultation with community and adopted in May 2015, the strategy utilises $200 million of public spaces and cultural facilities on government land to catalyse adjacent mixed use urban development. Utilising tactical urbanism and biocity principles the plan unites a diverse range of active public places including an urban beach and water square with massing concepts for supporting hybrid architecture.

Space is set aside for 10,000 people to celebrate on River Square and a new pedestrian link is included to connect Parramatta Square and the city rail station. The sister to Circular Quay, Parramatta Quay, enables a fast ferry link to Sydney city. Dutch and German flood engineering technologies are deployed to enable safe occupation of the flood zone by retail and cafe uses.

Site Area

 31 ha

Services
  • Community Engagement
  • Ecology
  • Heritage
  • Landscape Master Plan
  • Open Space
  • Public Art
  • Public Domain Strategy
  • Recreation
  • Site Massing Studies
  • Urban Design Framework
  • Waterfront
  • Waterway Design and Management
  • Water Sensitive Urban Design [WSUD]

Collaborators
  • Parramatta City Council
  • Haskoning Australia Pty Ltd.
  • City Plan Services
  • Kayandel Archaeological Services
  • Alluvium Consulting Australia
  • The Trustee For Morris Family Trust
  • Steensen Varming
A black and white portrait of Nadia Greatbatch, a woman with wavy, shoulder-length hair. She is wearing a textured black top, a leather jacket, and a pendant necklace. She stands against a plain background, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
Talk to Nadia Greatbatch about Parramatta City River Plan
Get In Touch
A scenic waterfront park with a curved boardwalk along a calm river, where people are gathered, enjoying the view. Tall trees and lush greenery surround the area. A boat is docked near the boardwalk, and buildings are visible in the background under Parramatta's clear sky as part of the City River Plan.
A vibrant riverfront city scene in Parramatta with people sitting on stepped seating along the grassy riverbank, watching performers on a circular floating platform. Tall modern buildings and a bridge are in the background. Small boats with people are visible on the river as part of the River Plan.
A lively Parramatta riverside beach scene with people relaxing on lounge chairs under colorful umbrellas. Children play in the sand and wade in the water, while kayaks float on the river. Modern high-rise buildings and lush trees form the backdrop, illustrating a vibrant city-life integration of River Plan elements.
A bustling urban park in Parramatta with people walking, sitting on steps, and relaxing on benches. Tall trees provide shade along a wide pathway as part of the River Plan. Some people engage in conversation, while others enjoy the serene environment. The sun shines brightly through the trees.
A large crowd gathers in Parramatta near a river to watch a vibrant fireworks display in the night sky. The scene is lively with many people taking photos and enjoying the spectacle. High-rise buildings and illuminated screens can be seen in the background as part of the city's skyline.
An aerial view of Parramatta showcases a vibrant cityscape featuring a mix of tall and mid-rise buildings clustered around the river that winds through the urban area. Bridges cross the river, connecting different parts of the city, while parks with green spaces and trees are visible throughout.
A detailed, top-down architectural rendering of Parramatta reveals an urban area showcasing a river running through several sections of the city. The River Plan illustration includes buildings, green areas, pathways, and bridges connecting different parts of the landscape.
An open urban plaza in the heart of Parramatta features a large rectangular water basin where people are kayaking. The surrounding area is bustling with pedestrians, trees, and modern high-rise buildings with green facades. Some people are sitting or walking on paved pathways, while others gather in groups.
A bustling scene in Parramatta with tall modern skyscrapers and a lively waterfront. People are walking, sitting, and engaging in activities along the waterside promenade. Canoes on the water and green trees add to the vibrant atmosphere, reflecting parts of a River Plan. Birds are flying in the clear sky.
A bird's-eye view of Parramatta reveals a modern urban development with several high-rise buildings lining the waterway. The cityscape features a mix of contemporary architecture with green rooftop terraces, surrounded by a blend of residential and commercial buildings as part of the River Plan.

More Projects

NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA SCULPTURE GARDEN DESIGN COMPETITION

NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA SCULPTURE GARDEN DESIGN COMPETITION

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA

Rick Roberts Way

Rick Roberts Way

London, UK.

Clarence Road

Clarence Road

Bristol, UK

Project Groundwater

Project Groundwater

Chiltern Hills and Berkshire Downs, UK

Australian Pavilion Expo 2025

Australian Pavilion Expo 2025

Osaka, Japan

Rocksberg Landscape Masterplan

Rocksberg Landscape Masterplan

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

National Gallery of Victoria Contemporary Competition

National Gallery of Victoria Contemporary Competition

Melbourne, Australia

Other News

A group of four people stand on stage at an awards ceremony. Three hold a framed certificate, proudly acknowledging the PIA Commendation. Behind them is a banner with the Planning Institute Australia logo, while a presentation slide showcasing the Inner West Blue-Green Grid Strategy award winner is projected above.

The Inner West Blue-Green Grid Strategy picks up PIA Commendation

November 15, 2024 Awards
McGregor Coxall is delighted to announce that the Inner West Council’s Blue-Green Grid Strategy has received a commendation at the Planning Institute of Australia NSW Awards. This forward-thinking project addresses the expected population growth and infrastructure challenges in the Inner West over the next 20 years. The strategy focuses...
The image captures the Parramatta Aquatic Centre, a feat of bold architecture, with colorful smoke effects in the background. Yellow umbrellas dot the pool area, and a clock and sign proudly display its name. Trees and a modern building enhance this venue that's truly the envy of the world.

Leader of the PAC – pool’s bold design the envy of the world

November 11, 2024 Awards Media
Parramatta Aquatic Centre (PAC) is the talk of the architectural world both globally and locally with the City’s iconic pool winning three prestigious awards in just three days last week. PAC claimed the title of Best Completed Building – Sport at the World Architecture Festival, fending off challenges from...
Aerial view of the circular Parramatta Aquatic Centre with a swimming pool, surrounded by trees and urban high-rises. A large yellow banner featuring

Parramatta Aquatic Centre Wins World Architecture Prize

November 7, 2024 Awards
In positive news overnight, The Parramatta Aquatic and Leisure Centre by Andrew Burges Architects & Grimshaw with McGregor Coxall for the City of Parramatta has been awarded at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore. Winning the the Completed Building – Sports category in Day 1 of the annual “Olympics...
A woman with braided hair points at a wall covered in colorful sticky notes and charts during a brainstorming session on community flood resilience in a bright room. Another woman, an expert in groundwater, sits nearby, actively engaged in the activity.

Project Groundwater Summit Unites Experts to Advance Community Flood Resilience

November 7, 2024 General
The McGregor Coxall UK team recently attended the Project Groundwater Annual Summit where they led an insightful participatory design exercise for the delegate workshop. Project Groundwater is a six-year Defra-funded programme aimed at transforming how communities in high-risk flood areas of the Chiltern Hills and Berkshire Downs prepare for...
Michael, a man with short hair and a beard, stands against a plain white background. He is wearing a dark blazer over a teal shirt and has his hands resting on his hips. He appears to be looking slightly off-camera, exuding an air of casual confidence.

Michael Cowdy joins High Streets Panel at London Build 2024

November 6, 2024 Event
What does the future hold for the UK High Street? Michael Cowdy, McGregor Coxall UK Founding Director and New London Architecture High Streets Expert Panellist, takes the stage alongside industry leaders to explore the next chapter for the UK high street at London Build Expo later this month. From...
A landscape featuring a grassy mound with stone walls beneath a cloudy sky. Birds soar in the distance, and a few people, including Clare Mayberry, walk near the site. A tree stands on the right, lending its serene ambiance to this Karl Langer-inspired scene.

Karl Langer winner Clare Mayberry to present “Returning Country”

October 30, 2024 Event
As the 2021 Karl Langer winner and University Medallist, Clare’s Landscape Architecture Honours project ‘Returning Country’ focussed on the repatriation of Australian First Nations Ancestral remains, and considered a design proposition for the National Resting Place in Kamberri, Canberra, Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country. The work culminated in her integral...
Aerial view of a large sports stadium, resembling the Olympic Park, surrounded by green fields and urban development. Nearby, a winding river, modern buildings by McGregor Coxall, and a unique red sculpture enhance the cityscape under a clear blue sky.

McGregor Coxall Joins LLDC Framework to Shape Future Design for Olympic Park Site

October 16, 2024 New Project
We’re proud to announce that Mcgregor Coxall has been appointed to the newly launched London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) Landscape and Public Realm Framework (Lot 2 Design Services). We are joined by a talented, multidisciplinary group of consultants undertaking research, studies, landscape and public realm design in the area,...
A brass band performs beside an outdoor swimming pool at Parramatta Aquatic Centre. A boy makes a big splash as he jumps into the clear blue water, delighting spectators. The brightly lit pool area is lively, resembling a world stage and creating a festive atmosphere.

Parramatta Aquatic Centre makes a splash on the world stage

October 16, 2024 Awards
The already highly awarded and widely recognised Parramatta Aquatic Centre is now receiving global recognition, having been shortlisted in two global award programs. Domestically recognised this year at the NSW AIA Architecture Awards with the prestigious Sulman Award for public architecture and the urban design category award, the project...
A group of people, including several in suits, participate in the official opening ceremony of Henderson Park by NINE by Mirvac. Photographers capture the event as they plant trees and greenery outside a modern building.

Henderson Park official opening marks the completion of NINE by Mirvac

October 9, 2024 Project Opening
The transformation of the former Channel Nine broadcast studios at Willoughby is now complete with the opening of Henderson Park, the centrepiece of 6,500 square meters of open green space. Named after Brian Henderson, Channel Nine newsreader for an outstanding 45 years, Henderson Park honours the legend of television...