Envisioning Tomorrow: Sydney's Iconic Waterfront Reimagined
A Visionary International Design Competition for Bays West
The New South Wales Government has initiated an international design competition focusing on the White Bay Power Station precinct and Glebe Island. These areas are among the last major redevelopment opportunities along Sydney's inner harbor. The competition aims to solicit a design-led Urban Framework that will guide the comprehensive transformation of this precinct into a vibrant, new waterfront neighborhood.
Transforming Former Industrial Zones into Modern Living Spaces
These two sites collectively form a crucial component of the expansive 77-hectare Bays West precinct, an erstwhile industrial harbor district situated mere minutes from Sydney's central business district. The proposed redevelopment envisions the creation of up to 8,500 new homes, with a commitment to allocating at least 10 percent for affordable housing and essential worker accommodation. Furthermore, the plan includes the establishment of new parks, enhanced public access to the waterfront, and an extensive network of pedestrian and cycling paths. A new Metro station, slated for completion in 2032, will significantly improve connectivity to the broader city through new active transport links, including crucial connections across the historic Glebe Island Bridge.
Shaping the Future: Core Principles of the Urban Framework
Under the leadership of the Bays West Delivery Authority, in collaboration with Government Architect NSW, this competition seeks comprehensive proposals for an Urban Framework. This framework will be instrumental in establishing guiding principles across various domains, including spatial planning, urban design, public realm, movement, land use, built form, sustainability, and infrastructure. Participants are encouraged to explore audacious concepts, distinctive ideas, and transformative innovations that will define Bays West's unique identity, amplify its civic and cultural significance, and articulate the long-term public value of the precinct.
A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity for Urban Renewal
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns remarked that this project represents an unparalleled opportunity to construct a new suburban area at the city's edge and to open the harbor foreshore to public access for the first time in a century. This transformative initiative is set to redefine urban living and public engagement with Sydney's iconic waterfront.
Competition Structure and Participation Guidelines
The competition is structured in two distinct stages. The initial phase involves an open call for Expressions of Interest. Following this, a select group of participants will be invited to a paid, invitation-only design phase. Each shortlisted team will be awarded AUD 200,000 for their participation in Stage 2, contingent upon the submission of a compliant scheme. International applicants are required to collaborate with Australian firms. The competition actively encourages the formation of multidisciplinary and specialist teams, comprising architects, urban designers, landscape architects, planners, sustainability experts, and ecologists. The winning team will have the ongoing opportunity to contribute to the precinct's future planning and implementation beyond the conclusion of the competition.
Expert Panel to Evaluate Innovative Designs
An independent Design Advisory Panel will be responsible for evaluating the submissions and will provide recommendations to the NSW Government regarding both the shortlisted teams and the ultimate winning proposal. The panel is chaired by NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin and includes notable figures such as Bays West Delivery Authority Chief Executive Anita Mitchell; internationally acclaimed landscape architect Walter Hood, founder of Hood Design Studio and former Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at UC Berkeley; Adam Haddow, former National President of the Australian Institute of Architects; Alison Page, founder of the National Aboriginal Design Agency; Ken Kanofski, Chair of Placemaking NSW and former Chief Executive of Roads and Maritime Services NSW; and Rory Toomey, City Architect at Inner West Council. The Expression of Interest period commences on Tuesday, July 28, at 4:00 p.m. AEST and concludes on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. AEST.
Embracing Ambition: A Global Call for Exemplary Waterfront Design
NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin emphasized that the world's most distinguished waterfronts are a testament to ambitious concepts and exceptional design. She asserts that Bays West warrants the same level of ambition. This competition serves as an invitation to Australia's and the world's finest designers to conceptualize how a former industrial harbor can evolve into one of Sydney's most remarkable neighborhoods—a place capable of supporting intense urban life while simultaneously remaining expansive, interconnected, regenerative, and imbued with distinctive character and outstanding public spaces.
Further Information for Prospective Participants
For additional details regarding the competition and the specific submission requirements, interested parties are directed to visit the official Bays West International Design Competition website.