White Bay Power Station Ready to Power Up Sydney with Cultural and Community Events
Monday, 4 March 2024
This week, Sydneysiders will be given the opportunity to visit one of the city’s most historic landmarks reimagined, the White Bay Power Station, with 2024 Biennale opening this Saturday.
Following extensive remediation works and investment from the NSW Government of $100 million, the restored heritage site has been transformed into a unique art, cultural and creative industries hub.
As one of the few power stations in the world that has retained its machinery and equipment dating back to the 1950s, the site serves as a reminder of Sydney’s electrical industry and the many skilled workers who kept Sydney’s extensive rail network going.
Visitors and history-buffs alike will be able to explore White Bay Power Station’s historic Turbine Hall and Boiler Room, the two main spaces of the building, while exploring the 2024 Biennale of Sydney.
The NSW Government is developing a long-term strategy for the building to ensure that it is a cultural venue for current and future generations.
The international art exhibition is the first free public event at the site and opens this weekend, Saturday 9 March until 10 June 2024.
The restoration of the former power station is the first big move in the urban renewal of Bays West.
Encompassing Rozelle Bay, White Bay and Glebe Island, the Bays West precinct is set to become an area of innovation and sustainability for living, working and recreation.
For more information, visit https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/white-bay-power-station
Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:
“A piece of Sydney’s industrial past and the very building that produced energy to power the tram and train network will soon give energy to cultural and community activities.
“One of our oldest historic sites is now one our newest cultural venues.
“It was first imagined as the power station for our trams and trains, and now, some 40 years after it closed its doors as a power station, it will once again play an important role.
“This is just the beginning of a new lease of life for the Bays West precinct.
Minister for the Arts John Graham said:
“Over its 100-year life White Bay Power Station has played a critical role in connecting Sydneysiders. In its new era, it will connect us to bold creative ideas and to our best cultural and artistic talent.
“This weekend we not only celebrate the 24th Biennale of Sydney, we also celebrate the reimagining of this important new creative and community space.
“This is the first step in the redevelopment of this site to deliver a new world-class cultural hub, connecting more of our community to diverse arts and entertainment offerings and ideas, growing our cultural economy.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“White Bay Power Station has dominated Sydney’s historic harbour skyline long before the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House captured our attention.
“The creative reuse for a cultural event is indicative of the innovative thinking which is setting the bar for bigger and better reuse of our dormant public spaces.
“This is just the beginning of a new lease of life for the Bays West precinct. The White Bay Power Station clearly demonstrates the enormous benefit of investing in our public spaces, and it will power further regeneration across the precinct.”
