White Bay Power Station is set to play an even bigger role in Sydney’s cultural and visitor economy future.
Destination NSW recently joined a workshop with government stakeholders to explore how the site can drive visitor activity as it continues to be renewed.
Built between 1912 and 1917, White Bay Power Station is one of Sydney’s most significant industrial heritage sites. It originally powered the city’s growing tram and rail networks and later expanded to support Sydney’s electricity needs before being decommissioned in 1983.
Today, the power station is being reimagined as a cultural and community landmark. Placemaking NSW is leading ongoing conservation and adaptive reuse works that honour the site’s industrial and Aboriginal cultural heritage, while the NSW Government develops a long-term strategy to ensure it becomes a cultural asset for future generations.
Improved access is a priority. More than $17 million in public domain upgrades – including new footpaths, traffic lights and landscaping – are planned for the surrounding area. The proposed Bays Metro Station, due to open in 2032, will bring rail to the precinct for the first time and link to the future Bays Waterfront Promenade.
Close to the White Bay Cruise Terminal and minutes from Balmain, the power station is ideally placed to attract visitors and complement Sydney’s cultural and tourism offering.
Stephen Mahoney, General Manager Policy, Product & Engagement at Destination NSW and member of the White Bay Power Station Adaptive Reuse Committee, said: “White Bay Power Station is a rare cultural asset - a place where heritage, creativity and access come together. Its transformation will help attract more visitors, create jobs, and strengthen Sydney’s position as a leading global city for cultural experiences.
"Working collaboratively across government, industry and the community is key to unlocking its full potential for the visitor economy."
The site is already hosting major events. The Biennale of Sydney, one of the world’s leading contemporary art events, will return to White Bay Power Station for its milestone 25th edition from 14 March to 14 June 2026, following the success of the 24th Biennale, which welcomed more than 174,000 visitors. The 2026 edition is forecast to attract over 200,000 visitors and generate an estimated $18 million in economic benefit for NSW.
The Biennale’s return aligns with the NSW Government’s Creative Communities policy and the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which targets $91 billion in annual visitor expenditure by 2035.
Through its heritage, location and capacity to host world-class events, White Bay Power Station is poised to become a key driver of Sydney’s cultural vibrancy and visitor economy growth.
Pictured: Destination NSW staff at the White Bay Power Station workshop – Jeff Clarke, Annika Leslie, Mitchell Gunn, Claudia Renner, Mick Duck, Stephen Mahoney and Bonnie O’Garey.
