The Minns Labor Government is moving ahead with plans to transform Bays West into Sydney’s newest waterfront suburb, bringing world-class design expertise together to help deliver thousands of new homes close to jobs, transport and the heart of the city.
With twice as many young people leaving Sydney to find opportunities elsewhere, the Minns Labor Government is focused on delivering more homes in well-connected locations where people want to live, work and raise a family.
Bays West is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver up to 8,500 new homes, including at least 10 per cent affordable and essential worker housing, alongside parks, community facilities and beautiful new public spaces on Sydney Harbour.
With a new Sydney Metro West station planned for the precinct, future residents will have access to fast, reliable public transport, connecting them to jobs and opportunities across Sydney.
The transformation will also open up the harbour foreshore for public enjoyment for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining the deep-water facilities that support Sydney’s working harbour.
Six leading Australian and international design teams have been shortlisted to help shape the future of Bays West, following a highly competitive a highly competitive assessment process by the independent Design Advisory Panel, which compromised leading Australian and international experts in architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, planning, development and infrastructure that attracted 165 submissions from around the world.
The shortlisted teams bring experience delivering some of the world’s most acclaimed urban renewal projects, with the competition set to help create a vibrant, connected and distinctly Sydney waterfront community.
Led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW, the Bays West International Design Competition will develop an Urban Framework for Sydney’s newest waterfront suburb, guiding the future development of the White Bay Power Station and Glebe Island precincts.
The strength of the shortlisted field reflects both the global significance of Bays West and reinforces the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to delivering world-class design outcomes for Sydney and future generations.
The competition committed to a minimum of two small teams (defined as 20 people or less) being shortlisted and international participants partnering with a local team.
The shortlisted teams:
- Allies and Morrison and Bates Smart, who have worked on some of the world’s most acclaimed regeneration projects such as King’s Cross in London, and closer to home, the Parramatta Metro Precinct
- Aileen Sage, MAKO Architecture, Studio Zanardo and Gallagher Studio who transformed Suttons Zetland, a former industrial site being reimagined as a residential precinct with generous public spaces (small team)
- BVN, Cobe and LUDO Studio: Cobe led the transformation of Nordhavn in Copenhagen and BVN and team members of LUDO worked on the new Sydney Fish Market
- Karakusevic Carson Architects, Breathe Architecture, SMM and lahznimmo: Karakusevic Carson Architects delivered the Hackney Housing Program, Breathe led Melbourne’s Nightingale Village and SMM and lahznimmo’s the Charles Street Square waterfront precinct in Parramatta
- Herzog & de Meuron, Silvester Fuller, Michel Desvigne Paysagiste and Buro Hapold: Herzog & de Meuron worked on London’s Tate Modern, and with MDP delivered the Holterberg District in Amsterdam and Grasbrook in Hamburg
- Mandaworks, BKK Architects, Offcuts and Merri Studio: Mandaworks transformed Kolkajen in Stockholm and developed the Hiedenranta Bay masterplan in Finland (small team).
Competition Progresses to Next Stage
Over the coming months, each team will develop an Urban Framework for Bays West that will help shape the future character of the precinct and inform the next stage of planning.
Community feedback has already played an important role in shaping the vision for Bays West through consultation on the Place Strategy and Stage 1 Master Plan and will continue to help guide the future of the precinct as the masterplanning process progresses.
The shortlisted design submissions and winning entry are expected to be publicly exhibited in early 2027, providing further opportunities for the community to engage with and help shape the future of Bays West.
By unlocking Bays West, the Minns Labor Government is delivering new homes in the right places, close to jobs, transport and public open space, while preserving Sydney Harbour as both a working and living harbour connected to Country.
For more information visit: nsw.gov.au/bays-west-design-competition
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“The calibre of teams shortlisted for the Bays West International Design Competition reflects the premier location and significance of this project and the opportunity to help shape Sydney’s newest waterfront suburb.
“Bays West will deliver new homes, public spaces and waterfront access in one of the most strategically important locations in Sydney, and this competition is helping make sure we get that vision right from the start.
“We’re looking forward to seeing bold and innovative ideas that will help deliver thousands of new homes, world-class public spaces and new connections to Sydney Harbour.”
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
“The Minns Labor Government is turning one of Sydney’s most significant urban renewal opportunities into a reality, with world-class design teams now shortlisted to help shape the future of Bays West.
“Bays West is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Sydney’s working harbour into a vibrant new waterfront suburb, delivering thousands of new homes, beautiful public spaces and greater public access to the harbour.
“By bringing together leading Australian and international design talent, we’re laying the foundations for a world-class precinct that will create new opportunities for our growing city and generations to come.”
NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin said:
“Following a highly competitive assessment process, six exceptional teams have been selected to progress to the next stage of the competition.”
“Each team brings a distinctive combination of expertise across architecture, urban design, landscape architecture and placemaking, together with experience delivering some of the world’s most significant urban renewal projects.
“We look forward to seeing how they respond to this remarkable harbourfront site and the opportunities it presents to create a vibrant, sustainable and connected neighbourhood for future generations.”
Chief Executive Bays West Delivery Authority Anita Mitchell said:
“Bays West is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a new waterfront suburb for Sydney.”
“The six shortlisted teams bring together some of the world’s leading expertise in city-making, urban renewal and placemaking, making this an exciting milestone in the transformation of the precinct.
“We look forward to seeing how they respond to the extraordinary opportunity Bays West presents and the ideas they bring forward for the future of this remarkable part of Sydney.”
