Plans for a new pedestrian and cycling bridge, boardwalks and upgraded riverside paths in central Parramatta have moved to the next stage after City of Parramatta endorsed a revised concept design for the Western River Precinct Connections Project.
The $28.3 million project covers the Parramatta River corridor between Marsden Street and O’Connell Street and is intended to improve walking and cycling links between the CBD, Parramatta Park and several major cultural, sporting and education destinations.
The revised design will now progress into detailed design and environmental assessment, with construction currently expected to begin in August 2027.
New Bridge and Continuous Foreshore Connections
The project is designed to address missing pedestrian and cycling links along and across the Parramatta River.
Key elements include:
- A new walking and cycling bridge near Marsden Street
- A continuous southern foreshore boardwalk linking the CBD with Parramatta Park
- A wider and more accessible northern foreshore path between Parramatta Park and Riverside Theatres
- A new accessible connection between Jeffrey House and the river
- Revegetated foreshore landscapes and environmental improvements.
The upgraded network would improve access between the river and destinations including CommBank Stadium, Bayanami Public School, Riverside Theatres and Powerhouse Parramatta.
More Than Two Million Annual Walkers and Cyclists
More than two million walking and cycling trips are recorded annually on Parramatta River pathways, according to City of Parramatta.
Council monitoring in 2024 recorded around 55,000 pedestrians and 15,000 cyclists per month along the northern city foreshore, as well as approximately 45,000 pedestrians and 5,000 cyclists per month on the southern side.
The project is intended to increase capacity and improve safety as pedestrian and cycling demand grows alongside development in Parramatta CBD.
Revised Design Includes Stronger Environmental Measures
The concept design was revised following public consultation held between 15 August and 12 September 2025.
Issues raised during consultation included habitat impacts, the amount of concrete proposed, accessibility, conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists, bridge design and the relationship between the project and the river’s cultural and archaeological significance.
The revised design includes additional wetland habitat, foreshore planting and water-quality measures, as well as elevated boardwalks and walkways intended to reduce impacts on riverbanks, existing trees and archaeological areas.
Archaeological test excavations and geotechnical investigations have already been undertaken as part of early project work.
$28.3 Million Project Jointly Funded
The project has a total budget of $28.3 million.
Around $26.1 million is being provided through the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program, with City of Parramatta contributing approximately $2.2 million.
The broader Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program is a $2 billion funding program supporting infrastructure projects across 15 local government areas in Western Sydney.
Detailed Design and Environmental Review Next
Following endorsement of the revised concept, the project is scheduled to move through design development and a Review of Environmental Factors in late 2026.
Construction is currently anticipated to begin in August 2027, with completion targeted for early 2029, subject to weather, site conditions and the outcome of detailed planning.
Some elements, including the western boardwalk connection into Parramatta Park and upgrades to northern foreshore paths towards O’Connell Street, may be delivered later depending on funding and coordination with neighbouring projects.
The Western River Precinct Connections Project forms part of a wider program of works aimed at improving walking and cycling access along the Parramatta River and strengthening connections between the CBD and its riverfront.
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