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Charles Street Square, adjacent to the Ferry Wharf at Parramatta Quay, is the place where people travelling along the Parramatta River arrive at our City. It’s a gathering place for locals and visitors and has been that way for thousands of years.
Currently under construction, City of Parramatta’s design for Charles Street Square draws inspiration from the curved geometry of the river, the surrounding landscape, and the site’s unique history.
The planned upgrade - anticipated for completion in mid June 2023 - features new ramps and stairs, a wide riverfront walk, and flood-resilient and sustainable design elements.
The new Charles Street Square will include more trees and garden beds, while public art and a layer of cultural and heritage interpretation will add to the visitor experience.
View the Charles Street Square project on Participate Parramatta
Funded by the NSW Government and City of Parramatta Council
Council has dedicated significant funding to this critical project, and has sought additional support from the NSW Government in order to be able to deliver a high- quality, resilient public domain for all to enjoy.
The NSW Government has confirmed City of Parramatta will receive two grants which together provide $4.65 million to the Charles Street Square project.
As part of the Transport Access Program and the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program, the partnership with the NSW Government will allow the City of Parramatta to realise its ambitious plans to revitalise Parramatta Quay and transform the Parramatta City River Foreshore. Construction on the $10M+ Charles Street Square project is expected to be completed in mid June 2023.
February 2023 Project Update
(Back to top)With some classic summer weather after extended periods of heavy rain, work at Charles Street Square is progressing well.
Sydney Water works are complete, and work has commenced on offsite fabrication of the visitor kiosk, public shelter and bespoke seating elements.
Construction of the retaining walls is well advanced, and most of the footings for the various elements have been installed across the site.
Installation of the precast seating and stairs, timber stairs and decking that will form the riverside terraces will commence in the next few weeks.
In the coming weeks, the project will start to take shape as the precast seating, precast stairs, timber stairs, timber decking, garden beds and concrete pavement are installed.
Charles Street Square is now scheduled for completion in mid-June 2023 (subject to weather).
Work has been delayed by the unprecedented rainfall we have experienced over recent months.
Contact us
To contact the Charles Street Square project team, call Council on 1300 617 058 or email CharlesStSquare@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
For urgent enquiries related to the site works, please call Regal Innovations on
0432 666 743.
January 2023 Project Update
(Back to top)Nightworks and extended hours 16 to 29 January 2023
Our lead contractor Regal Innovations Pty Ltd in partnership with Sydney Water will be carrying out urgent work between 16 to 29 January 2023. During this time, extended work hours 7am to 7pm will be in place.
The sewer mains running through the site are being upgraded. To ensure sewerage services in the area are not interrupted, a pump and temporary pipeline will be installed. The pump diverting the sewerage will need to be in operation 24 hours a day/7 days a week until the main line can be restored (estimated completion date 29 January).
Please note, there will be unavoidable disturbance on Monday 16 January between the hours of 2.30am and 6.30am when equipment necessary for the work must be installed. Work needs to be scheduled within the low tide period and when sewerage levels are at the lowest.
Regal Innovations will take steps to minimise disturbance. However, unavoidably there will be some machinery noise.
We thank you for your patience as we complete these urgent works.
Contact us
To contact the Charles Street Square project team, call Council on 1300 617 058 or email CharlesStSquare@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
For urgent enquiries related to the site works, please call Regal Innovations on
0432 666 743.
December 2022 Project Update
(Back to top)Work at Charles Street Square continues. Some sunny days, and approval for our contractors to work extended hours, have seen the construction site start to resemble the public domain we’ve envisaged for so long.
Due to some unexpected complications, the Sydney Water work previously planned to end 22 December 2022 will now continue in January.
Holiday closures
Construction will close down for the Christmas holiday period on 23 December with work resuming 28 December 2022. Work on site will take a break again for New Year closing 30 December with activity resuming 3 January 2023.
2023 work program
Sydney Water will begin work mid-January. Upon commencement of these works, the temporary pipelines and sewerage pump will be in operation 24-hours a day/7-days a week until the main line can be restored (expected completion mid-February subject to weather and site conditions).
During this time, to complete this work as quickly as possible, contractors will work extended hours: 7am to 7pm Monday to Sunday.
Our lead contractor, Regal Innovations, will continue to take steps to minimise noise and other disruptions. However, unavoidably, there will be some machinery noise. We thank you for your patience as we complete these urgent works.
As we near the end of the project, (tracking for completion mid June 2023), the next phase of work will include:
- installation of the pre-cast seating terraces
- construction of the public shelter and kiosk building
- creation of the garden terrace.
Work also continues to build new stairs and retaining walls and installing new paving.
Contact us
To contact the Charles Street Square project team, call Council on 1300 617 058 or email CharlesStSquare@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
For urgent enquiries related to the site works, and outside business hours, please call Regal Innovations on 0432 666 743.
November 2022 Project Update
(Back to top)Following demolition and clearing, work at Charles Street Square has been progressing well (despite the seemingly endless rain). Behind the hoardings, the earliest signs of an attractive and accessible public space are starting to take shape.
From 14 November to 22 December 2022, our contractor Regal Innovations Pty Ltd will be undertaking some urgent works in partnership with Sydney Water, and will be working extended hours.
Extended work hours 7am to 7pm Monday to Sunday
In order to complete this work as quickly as possible, work hours will be extended from 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/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.
We thank you for your patience as we complete these urgent works.
Contact us
To contact the Charles Street Square project team, call Council on 1300 617 058 or email CharlesStSquare@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
For urgent enquiries related to the site works, please call Regal Innovations on 0432 666 743.
February 2022 Project Update
(Back to top)We’re excited to announce the Charles Street Square project is set to begin in late February with site establishment and further archaeological works.
Regal Innovations Pty Ltd will be carrying out the upgrade works at Charles Street Square, Parramatta Quay. While early works are expected to begin in February, major works including demolition, will begin around 18 March 2022.
What work will take place?
- 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.
Hours of work
Work will take place from 7.00am to 5.00pm on weekdays, and 8.00am to 2.00pm on Saturdays. No work is permitted on Sundays or Public Holidays. We will notify you separately of any works to take place outside of these hours pending Council approvals.
You may also like to visit Council’s community engagement platform Participate Parramatta for further information.
Design update
(Back to top)The design for Charles Street Square was placed on public exhibition in March 2020. Following refinement of the design in response to community input, the proposal was endorsed by Council in May 2020.
Public exhibition of the concept design occurred between 25 February to 16 March 2020 and it is estimated that communications regarding the project reached more than 880,000 people during this period. As a result of our engagement program, eight (8) email submissions and 115 online survey responses were completed. The community also provided feedback via social media and shared their views at our dedicated community drop-in sessions.
To find out more about our engagement activities and what we heard, please read the Charles Street Square Upgrade Draft Concept Design Public Exhibition Consultation report.
You may also like to visit Council’s community engagement platform Participate Parramatta for further information.
Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and Revised REF
(Back to top)A REF is part of the planning process known as Part 5 under the EP&A Act. As part of the REF, the City of Parramatta was required to fully assess the potential environmental impacts of Charles Street Square both during construction and after completion.
The REF was placed on public exhibition in October 2020, it identified a range of environmental safeguards and mitigations to protect archaeology, preserve water quality, ensure flood resilience, maintain local habitat and respond to other potential environmental risks.
The City of Parramatta reviewed feedback on the REF provided by the community and stakeholders including NSW Government agencies and utilities, and made further refinements to the design for Charles Street Square. A Revised REF was released in early 2021.
The project is also directly liaising with relevant utilities to ensure all approvals are secured and that their requirements are incorporated into the site design and construction.
Project information including consultation around the design and REF can be found on Participate Parramatta
Next steps
(Back to top)It is expected that early works will begin in February 2022 with major works, including demolition, starting around 18 March 2022.
Project information including changes to pedestrian access and ferry services will be displayed on site.
While the construction program looks to minimise impacts on Ferry Services it is anticipated 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.
The City of Parramatta will continue to provide project updates on this page.
Contact us
(Back to top)If you have any questions you can get in touch with our Charles Street Square Project Team on 1300 617 058 or at CharlesStSquare@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
You can also subscribe to receive project updates via email by contacting the team.
For after hours or emergencies related to the construction site, please contact Regal Innovations on 0432 666 743.
