New waterfront park sets ambitious goal for Women in Construction

The NSW Government has set a stretch target of 50 per cent women contracted to deliver a new OCULUS-designed waterfront park, part of the wider urban renewal of Blackwattle Bay in Sydney.

The 1.1-hectare park on Bank Street in Pyrmont will be the first green space delivered in the revitalisation of Blackwattle Bay and is the first project in NSW to proactively target a goal of 50% women in construction − well above the 12% average.

The Women in Construction pilot project aims to address the underrepresentation of women in the NSW construction industry, challenge perceptions and support a long-term increase in women’s participation across the sector. Infrastructure NSW is working closely with head contractor BESIX Watpac to achieve a minimum target of 40% and a stretch target of 50% women working on the project. At OCULUS, a gender balanced team has been assigned to work on the project.

OCULUS − together with Collins and Turner Architects, Greenaway Architects, Atelier Ten, Büro North, Greenshoot Consulting, City Plan, Enspire Solutions, Steensen Varming, GML Heritage, Mott Macdonald, Windtech, Philip Chun, Eco Logical Australia, JMT Consulting, Stantec, WSP, TreeiQ, JK Geotechnics, Core 42, Haskoning, Ramboll, Cultural Capital, and Architectus – have designed the new waterfront park which will be a key connecting piece along the soon-to-be 15-kilometre continuous harbourfront walk from Woolloomooloo to Rozelle Bay.

The park is positioned close to the new Sydney Fish Market and adjacent redevelopment of the old Sydney Fish Market site which OCULUS is also working to deliver with Mirvac on behalf of the NSW Government.

Construction of the park is due to commence in 2026. The Bank Street Park project is proudly funded by the NSW Government.