Parramatta North

Initiative NSW

Learn more about the National Trust's objection to the Parramatta North Precinct state-led rezoning proposal and read our submission.

The National Trust has submitted an objection to the Parramatta North Precinct state-led rezoning proposal, outlining a range of concerns regarding how the project will adversely affect the outstanding heritage of the site.

The National Trust is keen to see an active and exciting future for this precinct, which is effectively the northern extension of Parramatta Park. We are greatly concerned however that certain elements of the proposal will sever the connection between the two sides of the river, and completely jeopardise the World Heritage listing proposal for the Parramatta Female Factory and Institutions Precinct.

Just as forward thinking by previous governments many years ago preserved Sydney’s Domain, Botanic Gardens and Centennial and Moore Parks as the green hearts of a thriving future city, the National Trust calls on the current NSW Government to view the former Cumberland District Hospital site (in particular the section on the eastern side of the river) in the same way – as a unique public area that can provide the necessary green space for the future population of a growing Parramatta.

The National Trust has submitted an objection to the proposal and will continue to advocate for a smart and sensitive future for this important heritage landscape.

Read our submission

Have your say

The National Trust encourages everyone to write to their local member or the Minister for Planning to share your views on how the Parramatta North Precinct state-led rezoning proposal will adversely affect the heritage of this important site.

A closer look at the issues

The following key heritage issues have been identified by the National Trust:

The historic landscape significance of the site will be adversely affected
The proposal will result in the loss of key connections, sightlines, buildings of heritage significance, publicly accessible areas, and the heritage parkland setting.

The building envelopes are oversized in the heritage context
This proposal has a greater Ground Floor Area (GFA) than that originally proposed for Barangaroo. Developments of this scale will overwhelm the heritage qualities of the site, and result in the demolition of almost all contributory buildings of “moderate” significance.

Key heritage sites have not been permitted appropriate buffers
The National Trust are concerned by the large building envelopes directly adjacent to the Female Factory site as well as in the central heritage core of the Cumberland Hospital site. These will permanently remove any chance for the Parramatta Female Factory (“Cultural Precinct”) to obtain the World Heritage status that is simultaneously being sought by the NSW Government.

There is inappropriate analysis of visual impact
Key views both inside the site and from adjacent heritage places have not been assessed. The Visual Impact Assessment must be revised to include accurate visual impact assessments of the existing and impacted historic views identified in the Conservation Management Plan.

The core of the site should not be encumbered with new buildings
The proposed new buildings in Lots F3, F4 and F5 should not proceed as planned. The imaginative and adaptive re-use of the current heritage buildings at the core of the site would result in a much better historic and urban outcome at the heart of the site – as has recently happened in numerous redevelopments in Sydney.

Buildings can and should be adapted as part of any true heritage-led renewal
Key buildings identified as having “moderate” significance should be retained and repurposed for new uses. These buildings are key elements of the site. Building C.61 is directly attributed to Colonial Architect James Barnet and should never have been considered for demolition, while building C.64 is the key historic building fronting the central oval and the desired “civic” core of the site.

The riparian zone is critical to the success of this project
The significance of the Parramatta River at this site cannot be underestimated and should be properly preserved and rehabilitated.

The National Trust made a submission in February 2025 expressing concerns over the Parramatta North Precinct state-led rezoning proposal. Read the submission.

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The National Trust (NSW) has been campaigning to protect NSW’s built, cultural and natural heritage for over 80 years. Find out more about our advocacy work.