The NSW Government has announced a major construction milestone at Powerhouse Parramatta, with the museum now having reached completion and exhibition fit outs now well and truly underway ahead of opening later this year.

After more than four years of work, Powerhouse Parramatta has emerged as Western Sydney’s first state cultural institution and the largest museum ever built in NSW set to drive jobs, tourism and a huge economic boost in Western Sydney.

Construction has already delivered strong economic benefits, with over 4,000 workers contributing to over 2.7 million hours of work, three-quarters of which were from Western Sydney.

Local businesses also played a major role, with more than $329 million in contracts going directly to Western Sydney businesses.

The impressive internal spaces of the museum are now complete, revealing the scale and ambition of Powerhouse’s visitor experience which is expected to attract millions of visitors to Western Sydney every year.

Powerhouse Parramatta features seven expansive exhibition spaces including one of the largest exhibition spaces in Australia and will host major international and Australian exhibitions alongside a demonstration kitchen, and a rooftop terrace and garden with sweeping views across Parramatta.

With more than 18,000 square metres of public and exhibition space, Powerhouse Parramatta will offer unparalleled access to the museum’s collection alongside important objects and stories from across Australia and around the world.

Powerhouse Parramatta will feature the Lang Walker Family Academy, 60 bed accommodation for NSW regional and Western Sydney school students to undertake immersive STEM programs, with over 10,000 NSW public school students to participate in the program each year.

Work is now focused on installing exhibitions across the museum, as well as completing final public domain areas, with Powerhouse Parramatta expected to open later this year. Task Eternal, one of the most ambitious aerospace exhibitions ever staged in the world, is one of five major exhibitions that will open when Powerhouse Parramatta first opens its doors.

Once open, Powerhouse Parramatta will be a major new cultural destination for NSW and is expected to welcome two million national and international visitors each year.

Powerhouse Parramatta is the first public building in Australia and the first project in Western Sydney to be assessed as a 6 Star Designed project under the Green Building Council of Australia’s new Green Star Buildings assessment tool.

For more information about the project, click here.

Minister for the Arts John Graham said: “Powerhouse Parramatta is the largest cultural project delivered in NSW since the Sydney Opera House and the first major state cultural institution built in Western Sydney.

“With the building now finished, the focus turns to bringing exhibitions to life and preparing to welcome visitors into this extraordinary new cultural home for Western Sydney.”

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said: “Reaching completion at Powerhouse Parramatta is a huge milestone and a proud moment for Western Sydney.

“This project has already delivered thousands of jobs and backed local businesses, and now we’re one step closer to opening the doors to a world-class cultural destination that will inspire future generations and drive tourism and economic growth for years to come.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said: “The people of Parramatta are watching the Powerhouse drawing closer and closer to completion.

“When it opens later this year it will truly change our city. The ambition of this museum matches the ambition of the people of Parramatta, and I can’t wait to see it.”

Lendlease CEO Construction Stephanie Graham said: “The completion of building works at Powerhouse Parramatta marks a significant milestone, an iconic addition to Western Sydney and a world-class cultural destination.

“Through strong partnerships and local capability, not only have we brought this landmark to life, but exceeded our targets for local employment, diversity and community impact to create a place that will inspire future generations.”

Powerhouse Trust President David Borger said: “Powerhouse Parramatta will be transformative for Western Sydney.

“We are proud and excited to be working towards opening this internationally important new museum, that will showcase the innovation of NSW and Australia and become embedded into the identity of Western Sydney.”