Charles Street Square Upgrade

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.