Sydney’s new cultural venue remains a work-in-progress as plans for the creative powerhouse unfold.
White Bay Power Station is a celebrated addition to Sydney’s cultural life, but site-upgrades and transport challenges mean it won’t be in full swing until 2032.
Despite opening in March, limited transport access and $10 million worth of building works that require completion before it is fully activated constrain Rozelle’s new community space.
White Bay Power Station’s $100 million remediation is part of the NSW Government’s renewal of the surrounding Bays West Precinct. Development of The Bays includes a Metro station that will provide direct access to the venue, scheduled to open in 2032.
Craig Donarski, the Power Station’s Manager of Arts, Culture and Creative Industries, said White Bay will have two phases to its Renaissance: “There’s the now where we’re trying to get it together – build its capacity, make it more affordable and usable – heading towards the day when that first metro train arrives.”
The Metro West line will connect White Bay to Parramatta in a 20-minute trip, and the CBD’s Hunter Street Station within 5 minutes.
Currently visitors can get there via bus, cycling, light rail or car and private transport, but there is no onsite parking.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen affirmed the importance of improving access to the space.
“The Inner West is loving this incredible new arts space, but we’ve heard getting in and out is still a big challenge,” Minister Haylen said.
The NSW government announced an additional $17 million will be allocated to improve active transport access to the space. This includes the creation of new footpaths and improved cycling routes. All transport access works are due to be completed by the end of next year.
A Placemaking NSW community survey found parking limitations to be a core deterrent for young families who plan to attend events.
Live music lover Steve Jones, who attended the venue’s Ministry of Sound event in August this year, praised the uniqueness of the space. He said they “just nailed it” and remains confident that despite its suspended activation, a future reopening will reinvigorate the Power Station.
The ongoing $10 million building works include vital infrastructure including upgraded power allocation, additional toilets, and acoustic rendering.
Also necessary is the refurbishment of more spaces within the Power Station, with artist studios and separate small and medium sized venues to be opened.
White Bay’s future remains undefined as Mr Donarski said 2032 was too far away to have a clear vision. He hopes the space will be remediated and occupied when the Metro opens.
Missing vital equipment for production, the Power Station is currently considered a ‘blank venue’, requiring event organisers to bring in their own equipment. Consequently, user costs are high which contributed to the queer DJ collective, House of Mince’s decision to cancel the house music event planned for October.
Mr Donarski is confident user costs will get driven down quickly with the enduring investment in the venue’s infrastructure.
The economic potential of the Power Station is limited as the venue is remains a building site as well as a creative space. Donarski emphasised these organisational difficulties and said the calendar will not be able to be filled as capital works continue.
In alliance with the NSW governments Vibrancy Reforms, focused on reviving Sydney’s night-time economy, White Bay Power Station will be used as a live music and nightlife venue. In support of this vision, the Inner West council has attempted to expedite state government approval for its usage as a concert venue.
Despite passionately calling for more live music events at White Bay, attendant Steve Jones saw potential in the space’s multi-artful nature. “It’s such a gem for the community and the community comes in all shapes and sizes,” he said.
“It would be a shame for it to be only a live music venue.”
While Donarski said live music is an “important thread of the tapestry of programming” he said that will not be its sole focus.
Placemaking NSW ensured diverse programming, responding to calls for flexibility and diversity in activations. Community consultation will continue as White Bay Power Station undergoes a year of trials before a final decision for its long-term use is made in August 2025.
Power Up, a free, three-day festival held at the Power Station in September, was used by Placemaking NSW to test various cultural programs and receive face-to-face feedback.
Mr Donarski said the community’s response was overwhelmingly positive: “There was a sense of happy gratitude for having access to this unique and extraordinary space.”
