Closure of Civic Place opens new phase of Parramatta Square

The transformation of the Parramatta CBD is entering a new phase with the escalation of works on the $2 billion Parramatta Square project.

Civic Place and Leigh Place will be closed to traffic and pedestrians in preparation for the demolition of the former Council offices, library, shops and Connection Arcade – the sites for Aspire Tower (Stage 2), Stages 5 and 6 and a new world-class public domain.

The closure, from Saturday 7 November, will also facilitate further construction on Stage 3 including an archaeological and Aboriginal heritage excavation, and various construction works including the relocation of key infrastructure assets.

A partial closure of the Civic Place car park was implemented earlier this year to allow the development of the Western Sydney University building leaving 29 parking spots.

“The full closure of Civic Place signals another step towards realising the Parramatta Square vision. Work is well underway on the Western Sydney University campus, which is scheduled for completion by the end of next year and will be ready to receive 10,000 students in 2017,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard said.

“Parramatta Square will give Parramatta residents the world-class CBD centre they deserve. New civic facilities, a state-of-the-art library, premium office space, a residential tower, A-Grade commercial space, and a new public domain are all planned for the three hectare site.”   

To ensure pedestrian safety there will also be changes to pedestrian access as the site expands as a construction zone.

Access will be closed between 30 Darcy Street and the Sydney Water building and on the eastern side of the now-vacant library through to Macquarie Street.

The pedestrian access between 12 Darcy Street and the Connection Arcade past the western side of the library through to Macquarie Street will also be closed along with access from Centenary Square past the southern side of the Town Hall and Chambers building through to Macquarie Street.

Pedestrian access to Macquarie Street from Parramatta Station will be via Smith Street and Centenary Square.

Vehicle access to the Council Chambers basement car park and Town Hall courtyard will be by ‘Authorised Vehicles’ only up to and including the last Council Meeting on 14 December.

Nearby parking options include the City Centre car park (Horwood Place) and Parramatta Station car park (Wentworth Street).

A five-minute drop off point will be established adjacent to the entry of the Council Chambers building for people with disabilities and senior citizens who require access to the Council Chambers building. 

A combination of ‘No Parking’ and ‘5 Minute Parking’ restrictions have been installed on the south side of Macquarie Street between Church Street and Horwood Place to provide a set-down/pick-up area during the construction period.

According to the road rules, motorists can stop for a maximum of two minutes within the ‘No Parking’ area to set-down and pick-up passengers. A vehicle displaying a mobility parking permit is allowed to stop/park for a maximum of five minutes in the ‘No Parking’ zone and up to 30 minutes in the ‘5 Minute Parking’ area.

There are currently 3,450 Council-owned off-street car park spaces available within the Parramatta CBD and the total number will rise to 3,800 once the new 700 space car park at 189 Macquarie St is built and opened in 2017.

Council meetings will continue to be held at the Council Chambers building until next year when they will be relocated to a site yet to be determined.