Set just minutes from the CBD between White Bay Power Station and Glebe Island, the former industrial precinct is one of the last major pieces of inner-harbour land left to be redeveloped. Spanning White Bay, Glebe Island, Rozelle Bay, the White Bay Power Station Precinct and Rozelle Rail Yards. The new precinct is planned as a mixed-use waterfront development incorporating residential, entertainment and public spaces, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.
Minister for Planning and Public Space Paul Scully said, “We’re calling for design teams across the globe to help shape the delivery of thousands of new homes and great new public spaces on the shores of Sydney Harbour.”
DESIGN COMPETITION
The Bays West Design Competition has been established to deliver a “design-led urban framework that establishes the character, structure and long-term vision for the precinct.” Rather than a detailed masterplan, the focus of the competition is on smart, strategic ideas, with proposals expected to prioritise accessible and inclusive public space, integration with surrounding communities, a meaningful relationship with the harbour and Connection to Country.
The competition is intended to generate bold, innovative, place-led and deliverable ideas that respond to the precinct's strategic significance, complex history, infrastructure context and deliver long-term public value. Proposals are to respond to 7 key place principles including: regenerative systems, public life and place, adaptability and resilience, density done well, diverse, inclusive and thriving, post-car mobility and Connecting with Country.
A panel of renowned local and international design, infrastructure and development professionals chaired by the Government Architect NSW, will assess submissions and provide recommendations across all stages of the competition, for final decision by the NSW Government.
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said, “We’re setting the bar for design excellence from the outset, inviting leading homegrown and international designers to bring their best ideas forward. This competition will shape the look and feel of a new residential and recreational precinct at Bays West, a place rich in maritime, industrial and natural heritage, with deep Aboriginal cultural connections all of which will inspire its future design. We’re looking for bold ideas, real innovation and strong sustainability outcomes and we’re committed to unlocking the full potential of this extraordinary Sydney waterfront.”
The design competition is open to all Australian and international design industry professionals including architects, urbanists, landscape architects, planners, sustainability specialists and ecologists. The competition will be run in 2 stages, beginning with a global Expression of Interest and followed by an invitation-only, paid design phase for 4-6 shortlisted teams. A minimum of 2 small teams will be shortlisted from the Expression of Interest stage to progress to the paid design phase.
Stage One expressions of interest close 21 August 2026 at 3pm AEST.