Parramatta Railway Station

Item details


Name of item:	Parramatta Railway Station
Other name/s:	Industrial Archaeological Site
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Platform/ Station
Location:	Lat: -33.8174455935 Long: 151.0053424960
Primary address:	Great Western Railway, Parramatta, NSW 2150
Parish:	St John
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	City of Parramatta
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Deerubbin

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
PART LOT	1	DP	1116940
PART LOT	2	DP	1158833
PART LOT	1	DP	733457

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Great Western Railway	Parramatta	City of Parramatta	St John	Cumberland	Primary Address
Argyle Street	Parramatta	City of Parramatta			Alternate Address
3 Darcy Street	Parramatta	City of Parramatta	St John	Cumberland	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government

Statement of significance:


	As an early surviving passenger railway station in New South Wales, Parramatta Railway Station's long-standing use as a railway station, together with its extant complex of railway buildings and infrastructure, evidence the development and history of the New South Wales railway network from 1859 to the present, making it an outstanding and Exceptional item of State heritage significance. The site is associated with the traditional land of the Burramatta people. The site also has associations with Dr D'Arcy Wentworth, being part of his original estate in Parramatta, which was chosen as the new location for a station on the extension of the Western Line to Blacktown. The design and planning of the site as a whole, reflects the curve of the line and the narrowness of the rail corridor. Individual elements, including island platform buildings, signal box, side platforms, the former goods shed, subway access and associated railway mechanisms, exemplify the technical and architectural achievements of the New South Wales railways, and demonstrate the evolution of the site in response to the growth of the Parramatta township. The site includes individually significant buildings, some of which are rare or unique examples of their type, that together form a group of Exceptional significance. The siting of the station evidences the role of the railway paralleled with the development of the town of Parramatta and the shift in focus from the use of the river for transportation. Parramatta Railway Station in its setting, is an important civic precinct in the townscape of Parramatta, historically related to heritage items in its vicinity and through views from and to its setting, to the wider city. As a major transport interchange and suburban railway station on the busy Western, and Cumberland Lines of the CityRail suburban railway network, the site and its setting are focal points of commuter activity, which is likely to be held with regard by train passengers and the local community, which it has continued to serve since its opening in 1860. The site contains elements that relate to the many phases of its history and demonstrate the evolution of the station. Investigation and analysis of these elements may provide information about the evolution and occupation of the site that is not available from other sources. The site, excluding the Eastern and Western Concourses, has potential to contain archaeological remains relating to the development of the Parramatta Railway Station and the New South Wales railways, including former structures, railway lines, sidings and other infrastructure associated with the former goods yard. The site also has potential to contain evidence associated with original drainage and water storage systems, and the former pedestrian subways. While evidence of the evolution of Parramatta Railway Station is likely to dominate the archaeological resource, the Parramatta Railway Station site also has potential to contain archaeological evidence associated with the development and occupation of the site prior to 1859, including remains of allotments and buildings along the former western extension of Argyle Street (c1840s-1859) and the former southwestern extension of Lancer Barracks (c1804-1859). Reference : Godden Mackay Logan Pty Ltd, Parramatta Railway Station Site Conservation Management Plan, report prepared for Parramatta Rail Link, October, 2003. (Section 6.4). Same statement used in Godden Mackay Logan Pty Ltd, Parramatta Railway Station Combined Services Route Archaeological Research Design and Heritage Impact Statement, report prepared for Rail Infrastructure Corporation, December, 2003. (Section 5.2).
	Date significance updated: 28 Mar 06
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Construction years:	1855-1860
Physical description:	Site: The Parramatta Railway Station site in the ownership of the State Rail Authority is Lot 1, DP 733457. This Lot includes all of the area between the Church Street underbridge and the Parkes Street underbridge and the area between Darcy Street and Argyle Street. It includes Station Buildings and Platforms; permanent way, track and embankments, and other infrastructure such as overhead staunchions and cabling. Only part of Lot 1 DP 733457, is included in the State Heritage Register. The Conservation Plan has recommended that the SHR listing should be amended and has made most of its assessments in relation to a 'heritage curtilage' which is a larger area than that included in the SHR boundary. Building complex includes: 1. Main Station Building - pillared masonry Federation Academic Classical entrance portico (the main entrance to the station, facing Argyle Street) with unusual stone and stucco decoration surmounted by a name or date plaque. Street elevation is of eight bays. 2. Parcels office, built of face brick c. 1920s. 3. Platforms and associated buildings, especially those on platform 4 which are believed to be the second oldest on the suburban system. 4. Signal box on platforms 2-3 built September 1886. 5. Subways 6. Signalling equipment at northern and southern ends of the station
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	The archaeological potential of the Parramatta Station site (Lot 1, DP 733457) was assessed by the 'Parramatta Railway Station Conservation Management Plan' prepared for Parramatta Rail Link by Godden Mackay Logan in October, 2003 and also in the 'Parramatta Transport Interchange Archaeological Management Plan', prepared for Parramatta Rail Link by Godden Mackay Logan in February, 2004. These two prior documents have formed the basis for the assessments provided in the report at Annexure A, the 'Parramatta Railway Station PTI Enabling Works, Stage 2, Archaeological Research Design and Heritage Impact Statement', prepared for Rail Infrastructure Corporation, March, 2004.The archaeological potential of the Parramatta Railway Station site is assessed in ‘Section 4.2.2 Archaeological Sensitivity’ (page 31) which concludes that: "The Parramatta Railway Station site has potential to contain intact archaeological remains associated with the evolution of Parramatta Railway Station, as well as evidence of the development and occupation of the site prior to the establishment of the station in 1859. These remains would be of State significance. However, the nature and extent of archaeological remains varies across the site." The archaeological potential of the entire Parramatta Railway Station site is summarised in Figure 4.17 of the Godden Mackay Logan report, overlaid with the areas that would be affected by the current scope of proposed works. Figure 4.17 in Annexure A which summarises archaeological potential has been flagged for ease of reference. The majority of the works occur beyond the listed SHR boundary, therefore requiring this S140 Application. Some of the areas of the site which would be affected by the proposed works (demolition of platform sections, excavation of the combined services route (CSR) trench and the bulk excavation for the Argyle Street underpass) have potential to contain remains associated with the development of Parramatta Railway Station. Works undertaken under S60 and S140 applications earlier in 2004 revealed some intact structural remains from earlier phases of the development of the railway station. It is unlikely that the works to be completed by Rail Infrastructure Corporation would affect any areas of archaeological potential related to the residential or commercial developments which occurred within the area before the arrival of the railway in 1859. The potential archaeological resource within the areas proposed for sub-surface disturbance may include the following: - the area of proposed demolition of the western end of Platform 1 (to 1 metre below existing track level) overlies part of the area of the Wentworth Estate from c1840 to 1859. Archaeological monitoring of an auger in this area in February 2004 indicated that introduced fill deposits 4 to 5 metres deep are present, making disturbance of earlier period deposits unlikely. - demolition and excavation of the western end of Platform 2/3 would also be unlikely to encounter significant deposits. - the extension of the CSR at the western end of the station to the Church Street overbridge would also be unlikely to extend into any archaeologically significant deposits. - the area of proposed excavation for the Argyle Street underpass (new bridge) would potentially disturb the site of a structure associated with the former goods yard in this area shown on a 1926 site plan. Further excavation in this area may reveal evidence of earlier infrastructure such as prior track alignments or sidings, or may reveal more evidence relevant to the 'grain pit' discovered to the east of Platform 4 during excavations for the temporary CSR trench through this area in February 2004. - no specific potential archaeological remains have been identified in the locations of the proposed pile footings to the east of the station platforms, associated with either the evolution of the station or with pre-railway development of the site. - archaeological evidence associated with the operation of the former goods yard in the northern portion of the railway station site (which lies outside the SHR listed boundary) would not be affected by the works proposed in this S140 application. - the site has been assessed as unlikely to contain archaeological evidence associated with late eighteenth and early nineteenth century occupation and development of the site, or with Indigenous occupation or the pre-European environment. Any such evidence is likely to have been disturbed by the subsequent development and intensive use of the Parramatta Railway Station site.
	Date condition updated:28 Mar 06


Current use:	Railway Station
Former use:	Railway Station

History

Historical notes:

Parramatta Station was developed from the late 1850s as part of the railway system originally intended to connect with country areas and ease the transport of agriculture to the city and the ports. It has one of the oldest station buildings still in use (on Platform 4), and the signal box on Platform 4 is rare. The impressive frontage to Argyle Street is an important element in the streetscape. Archaeological elements include physical evidence of some of the earliest works on the NSW rail network.

Parramatta Railway Station's long-standing use, its extant complex of railway buildings and infrastructure, evidence the development and history of the New South Wales railway network from 1859 to the present, make it an outstanding and exceptional item of State heritage significance.
(CMP 2003).

The station opened 2 July 1860.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Significant Places: How are significant places marked in the landscape of Parramatta by, or for, different groups?-Monuments and Sites
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Building the railway network-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Railway Station-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Resuming private lands for public purposes-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Suburban Centres-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Subdivision of urban estates-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th century suburban developments-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th Century Infrastructure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Railways to inland settlements-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Railways to inland settlements-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Railway work culture-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	19th century government - a regional centre-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	State government-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - providing rail transport-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - building and operating public infrastructure-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - building and administering rail networks-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Architectural styles and periods - Federation Academic Classical-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Applying architectural design to utlilitarian structures-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	This item historically significant.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	This item is representative.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act	Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): (1) The maintenance of any building or item on the site where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing material; and (2) The engaging in or carrying out of any of the activities referred to in subsection 57(1) of the heritage Act , 1977, by the State Rail Authority of New South Wales or any other public authority in respect of the repair, maintenance and construction of train-operations and service infrastructure. (3) Demolition of the parcels office and equipment Hut.	Aug 11 1989
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	Conservation Plan Endorsed under delegated authority 11/11/2003		Nov 11 2003
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	CMP approved by HC Sub Committee. Endorsed under delegated authority 11/11/2003		Nov 11 2003
CMP-Comment	Conservation Plan submitted for comment	Parramatta Railway Station Site CMP		Nov 11 2003
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register	00696	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former	00696	11 Aug 89	88	5527
Local Environmental Plan	153	27 Feb 97		888
Local Environmental Plan		21 Jul 89	84	4636

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
City of Parramatta Heritage Study	1993	153	Meredith Walker		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Parramatta Railway Station	View detail
Written	Betteridge, Chris	1991	'The Station Master's Pride and joy: some notes on railway station gardens'
Written	Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd.	2007	Parramattta Transport Interchange Report on Non-Indigenous Archaeological Program.
Management Plan	Godden Mackay Logan	2003	Parramatta Railway Station site : Conservation management plan
Written	Godden Mackay Logan	2004	Parramatta Ralway station PTI enabling works, stage 2 : draft archaeological research design and heritage impact statement
Written	Godden Mackay Logan	2003	Proposed Parramatta transport interchange, geotechnical investigation : archaeological assessment and research design
Written	Office of Rail Heritage	2012	Railway garden and landscape conservation guide
Written	Orwell & Peter Phillips		Parramatta Railway Station : heritage consultant's report
Written	Orwell & Peter Phillips Architects.	2007	Parramatta Transport Interchange Section 60 Permit- Heritage Consultant and Excavation Director's Report.
Written	Tropman & Tropman Architects	2004	Parramatta Transport Interchaneg: interpretation plan and interpretation strategy

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5051413
File number:	EF14/5137; S91/2223; HC860947

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