The transformation of Sydney’s Bays West precinct has moved into its next phase after an international design competition attracted more than 165 submissions from multidisciplinary teams across Australia and overseas.
Led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW, the competition will help shape the future design of two key parts of the precinct, the White Bay Power Station and Glebe Island.
Bays West covers White Bay, Glebe Island, Rozelle Bay, the White Bay Power Station precinct and the Rozelle Rail Yards. The NSW Government plans to transform the area into a new waterfront neighbourhood featuring housing, public spaces, community facilities and entertainment areas.
The project is expected to provide up to 8,500 homes, including at least 10 per cent affordable and essential worker housing. Plans also include parks, a waterfront promenade and new public access to the harbour, while retaining deep-water facilities that support Sydney’s working harbour.
The design competition is being conducted in two stages and has received endorsement from the Australian Institute of Architects, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Planning Institute of Australia and Urban Design Association NSW.
The first stage involved an open global Expression of Interest process, which attracted submissions from teams including architects, urban designers, landscape architects, planners, sustainability specialists and ecologists.
A panel of Australian and international experts in design, infrastructure and development, chaired by NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin, will now assess the submissions and select teams to participate in the second stage.
The shortlisted teams are expected to be announced in late September before moving into the paid design phase.
The competition is seeking an overarching urban framework covering public open spaces, building form and scale, streets, sustainability, public benefits and connections to the harbour and surrounding communities.
The successful design team will continue to contribute to the planning and development of Bays West as the project progresses.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the response had demonstrated strong interest in the project.
“The response to the first stage of the Bays West International Design Competition has exceeded expectations, with more than 165 submissions received from some of the world’s leading design talent,” Scully said.
He said the next stage would focus on ideas capable of delivering new housing alongside public spaces and waterfront access.
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the response reflected the scale of the redevelopment opportunity, while highlighting the area’s maritime, industrial and Aboriginal heritage.
NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin said the submissions represented a strong field of multidisciplinary teams interested in shaping a new part of Sydney.
“The next phase of the competition will focus on creating a design-led urban framework that balances housing, public open space, sustainability and connection to Country,” Galvin said.
Community feedback has already contributed to the vision for Bays West, with further opportunities planned before the masterplan is developed.
A public exhibition is expected to take place in early 2027, allowing the community to provide feedback and ideas as the planning process continues.
The Bays West project is part of the NSW Government’s wider housing and urban renewal program, with the precinct intended to provide homes close to jobs, transport and public open space while maintaining its role within Sydney Harbour’s working waterfront.
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