Cockle Bay Park plans to reconnect the city centre to Darling Harbour, bringing people together through nature, commerce, technology and culture.

The proposed redevelopment will deliver more than 6,500 square metres of public space, vastly improve the pedestrian connections between the Sydney CBD and Darling Harbour and provide a world-class community, tourist, retail, entertainment and office precinct. It will be a significant new area of green space on the Darling Harbour waterfront, enjoying sunshine throughout the year.

The Independent Planning Commission approved the concept plan and stage one application in May 2019.

The Stage 2 development application and Environmental Impact Statement will be lodged to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Next steps

This project is a considered a ‘State Significant Development’ to be considered by the State Government.

The Cockle Bay Wharf project has provided a scoping report to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, and received The Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements to be met by the Stage 2 Environmental Impact Statement.

To download a copy of the Scoping Report and the Requirements, visit the Department’s website here.

Public Space

Development plans include a dynamic and inclusive place for workers, locals and visitors to enjoy an exciting program of cultural events.

Retail

The precinct aspires to offer a range of premium and casual dining, along with retail, entertainment and service providing an inviting destination for all, with something for everyone.

Tower

A potential CBD workplace of the future providing unique waterfront amenity for a healthy work-life balance.

Public Space

Development plans include a dynamic and inclusive place for workers, locals and visitors to enjoy an exciting program of cultural events.

Retail

The precinct aspires to offer a range of premium and casual dining, along with retail, entertainment and service providing an inviting destination for all, with something for everyone.

Tower

A potential CBD workplace of the future providing unique waterfront amenity for a healthy work-life balance.

At a glance

6,500

More than 6,500 square metres of open public space, bridging the Western Distributor

24/7

Access to public space

80,000*

The development aims to potentially connect thousands of city workers

10,000*

The development seeks to add capacity for more visitors to major events

2027

Estimated completion date

*Source – PWC, strategic assessment of Brookfield’s vision for Cockle Bay Park report

Public Space

Cockle Bay Park will reconnect the city to the harbour, with the creation of a new green public space for all visitors to Darling Harbour to enjoy. 

The project will revitalize this precinct, creating a community destination that maintains a seamless harbourfront connection spanning from Barangaroo Reserve to the International Convention Centre.

The transformed precinct will include an expansive elevated park over the eight-lane Western Distributor, which has separated workers and visitors to the waterfront from the city since the 1970s. 

The space above the freeway will be bridged. This creates more than 6,500 square metres of public, green space and re-stitches Cockle Bay to the Sydney CBD. 

New entrances on Market and Druitt streets connect to landscaped open spaces. Ramped access and public lifts will provide easy access to Town Hall Station, the new Sydney Light Rail and planned Metro stations.  

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Retail

Cockle Bay Wharf is located at a critical intersection between the city’s CBD and Darling Harbour's tourist and entertainment district.​
​
This makes it the natural location for a family friendly entertainment precinct, with eating and drinking options throughout the year. ​
​
The building podium will deliver 10,000 square metres of retail space, with a wide pedestrian boulevard linking internationally acclaimed shops, restaurants and bars with the park facilities and lobby above.  ​
​
Cockle Bay Park will hold exciting public art and cultural experiences for thousands of people each year.

Tower

Cockle Bay Park will include a premium 6 Green Star office tower with best practice sustainability, smart building design and cutting-edge workplaces, creating more jobs and business opportunities for a growing global city. 

The design provides a unique opportunity to deliver strategic employment and workplace uses in the tower, interlocked with engaging cultural uses arranged within its retail podium. 

The 42 storey office tower will feature floorplates of over 1,800 square metres with sweeping views of the water at all levels, including a spectacular lobby with uninterrupted views of the harbour.

The commercial building has been designed with a slender structure to be in harmony with the existing skyline and the broader harbour precinct.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Community

Our community consultation continues. Community design workshops were held in May and June 2019 as part of the design excellence process. 

As part of this, the community developed a brief for the design competitors on how this important public space could be designed. 

The project will continue to undertake community and stakeholder engagement. We will seek further input during community workshops and meetings in 2020 and 2021. 

Design

To ensure an enduring place is created that will benefit all of Sydney, a customer-centred design process was undertaken. In this process a group of residents from across Sydney developed a design brief for the designers to consider in the competition. 

Following Stage One development approval, the International Design Competition was held and the community's design brief was provided to six globally-renowned architectural teams, comprising lead architects from both international and local firms. 

An urban park centred scheme, designed by a team lead by Henning Larsen, was selected by the competition jury as the winning concept.

Stage Two of the Development Approval Process is now underway with the application due to be lodged in the second quarter 2021.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Connection to Country

Respectful design at Cockle Bay means a commitment to acknowledge the custodianship of Aboriginal people and a responsibility to emphasise Country. Meaningful engagement with Aboriginal people and considering design that reflects Aboriginal history and culture – provides a site specific response that will deepen the project's sense of place and understanding of the Aboriginal cultural, physical and spiritual context of Cockle Bay. This will be a location with a high volume of international and local visitors - an opportunity to share our culture and stories. Different ways Cockle Bay Park will incorporate a Connection to Country are:

  • Using native plants throughout the landscaping, including seasonal planting with native plants common to the area.
  • A welcome to Country feature at important pedestrian points.
  • A signature location to showcase Aboriginal art.
  • Providing a variety of gathering spaces in different locations and orientations suitable for different climate conditions.
  • Introducing a range of water elements across the site reflecting the cultural significance of the waterways around Cockle Bay Park.
A successful outcome for the Aboriginal community would be to create a space where people can reflect and connect with Gadigal and Wangal Country and local Aboriginal culture.

Public Space

Cockle Bay Park will reconnect the city to the harbour, with the creation of a new green public space for all visitors to Darling Harbour to enjoy. 

The project will revitalize this precinct, creating a community destination that maintains a seamless harbourfront connection spanning from Barangaroo Reserve to the International Convention Centre.

The transformed precinct will include an expansive elevated park over the eight-lane Western Distributor, which has separated workers and visitors to the waterfront from the city since the 1970s. 

The space above the freeway will be bridged. This creates more than 6,500 square metres of public, green space and re-stitches Cockle Bay to the Sydney CBD. 

New entrances on Market and Druitt streets connect to landscaped open spaces. Ramped access and public lifts will provide easy access to Town Hall Station, the new Sydney Light Rail and planned Metro stations.  

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Retail

Cockle Bay Wharf is located at a critical intersection between the city’s CBD and Darling Harbour's tourist and entertainment district.​
​
This makes it the natural location for a family friendly entertainment precinct, with eating and drinking options throughout the year. ​
​
The building podium will deliver 10,000 square metres of retail space, with a wide pedestrian boulevard linking internationally acclaimed shops, restaurants and bars with the park facilities and lobby above.  ​
​
Cockle Bay Park will hold exciting public art and cultural experiences for thousands of people each year.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Tower

Cockle Bay Park will include a premium 6 Green Star office tower with best practice sustainability, smart building design and cutting-edge workplaces, creating more jobs and business opportunities for a growing global city. 

The design provides a unique opportunity to deliver strategic employment and workplace uses in the tower, interlocked with engaging cultural uses arranged within its retail podium. 

The 42 storey office tower will feature floorplates of over 1,800 square metres with sweeping views of the water at all levels, including a spectacular lobby with uninterrupted views of the harbour.

The commercial building has been designed with a slender structure to be in harmony with the existing skyline and the broader harbour precinct.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Community

Our community consultation continues. Community design workshops were held in May and June 2019 as part of the design excellence process. 

As part of this, the community developed a brief for the design competitors on how this important public space could be designed. 

The project will continue to undertake community and stakeholder engagement. We will seek further input during community workshops and meetings in 2020 and 2021. 

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Design

To ensure an enduring place is created that will benefit all of Sydney, a customer-centred design process was undertaken. In this process a group of residents from across Sydney developed a design brief for the designers to consider in the competition. 

Following Stage One development approval, the International Design Competition was held and the community's design brief was provided to six globally-renowned architectural teams, comprising lead architects from both international and local firms. 

An urban park centred scheme, designed by a team lead by Henning Larsen, was selected by the competition jury as the winning concept.

Stage Two of the Development Approval Process is now underway with the application due to be lodged in the second quarter 2021.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Connection to Country

Respectful design at Cockle Bay means a commitment to acknowledge the custodianship of Aboriginal people and a responsibility to emphasise Country. Meaningful engagement with Aboriginal people and considering design that reflects Aboriginal history and culture – provides a site specific response that will deepen the project's sense of place and understanding of the Aboriginal cultural, physical and spiritual context of Cockle Bay. This will be a location with a high volume of international and local visitors - an opportunity to share our culture and stories. Different ways Cockle Bay Park will incorporate a Connection to Country are:

  • Using native plants throughout the landscaping, including seasonal planting with native plants common to the area.
  • A welcome to Country feature at important pedestrian points.
  • A signature location to showcase Aboriginal art.
  • Providing a variety of gathering spaces in different locations and orientations suitable for different climate conditions.
  • Introducing a range of water elements across the site reflecting the cultural significance of the waterways around Cockle Bay Park.
A successful outcome for the Aboriginal community would be to create a space where people can reflect and connect with Gadigal and Wangal Country and local Aboriginal culture.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

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Get in Touch

We value your feedback and invite you to submit any questions or comments you may have using the form below.