CQC Partners to Steer Circular Quay Renewal Planning

The revitalisation of Sydney’s Circular Quay precinct has taken another step forward with the appointment of a planning and design contractor.

CQC Partners, a consortium composed of Lendlease Construction, Capella Capital, and BESIX Watpac, has won the right to lead the Circular Quay renewal into the next phase.

The project received $216 million in the 2022-23 state Budget, and will overhaul the precinct to include new ferry wharves, public green space, and retail spaces.

An upgrade to the train station, as well as a potential refurbishment of the Cahill Expressway into a New York High Line-style linear park or boulevard, are also to be considered.

Transport for NSW—Eastern Harbour City director Julie Sundqvist said that the consortium would design a dynamic precinct appropriate for both locals and visitors.

“CQC includes award-winning Australian and international designers, as well as First Nations advisors to ensure the plans have a strong cultural connection with Circular Quay’s rich history and heritage,” Sundqvist said.

Lendlease is leaving its mark on the Circular Quay precinct with a slew of projects under way, including topping out the 55-storey commercial Salesforce Tower in November.

Lendlease managing director of construction David Paterson said, “Alongside Lendlease’s Sydney Place and One Circular Quay developments, this planning and design project consolidates our revitalisation of the Circular Quay precinct”.

▲ The revitalisation will include new ferry wharves (pictured, top), public green space (above) and retail spaces.

Herbert Smith Freehills advised Transport for NSW during the ‘early consortia involvement’ process, as well as on procurement, planning and heritage issues, construction, and finance.

HSF partner Nicholas Carney said: “The complexity of renewing an iconic, culturally rich, transport interchange such as Circular Quay requires a bespoke and collaborative approach to contracting, and we have enjoyed working with Transport to develop a contracting model appropriate for this purpose.”

Design and statutory planning will begin next year, along with a community consultation process.