Vibrancy already in train for new Bays West precinct

04 March 2026

A once beloved community asset, the White Bay Power Station Entertainment Hall has been locked away from public view for decades but following a restoration it will open its doors once again for Biennale of Sydney 2026.

This restoration builds on the Minns Labor Government’s plans to create a new suburb with up to 8500 homes at Bays West, by delivering another great community asset at White Bay to support renewed vibrancy in the area.

A beauty of a bygone era, the 1950s hall was once at the centre of the areas social scene and this restoration returns it to its former glory so it can again serve as an important community hub.

Upgrades include:

Restoration of the timber floors, light fixtures and murals.
Updated kitchenette facilities.
New toilets behind the hall.
Improved safety and accessibility features including handrails, sprinkler systems and accessible stage access.

These upgrades mean the venue in the Switch House at the Power Station which was originally added between 1952 and 1954 and used to host concerts, picnic days and even table tennis tournaments can again host events of up to 200 people.

This project has brought back a great arts and community space which also pays tribute to the 1950s and the workers of the Power Station thanks to the preservation of original murals, table tennis tables and stage.

A jewel from Sydney’s industrial past the Entertainment Hall adds another great community space at the Power Station which has already firmly positioned itself as a dynamic and vibrant arts, cultural and community space.

The Entertainment Hall will host arts, performance, and indoor recreational activities once the Biennale of Sydney has ended.

The White Bay Power Station will remain a central feature of Sydney’s newest suburb. The new Bays West precinct will see up to 8,500 new homes built with at least 10 per cent affordable and essential worker housing.

Plans will include:

Dedicated spaces for events.
Night-time entertainment and creative industry hub with the White Bay Power Station at its heart.
Outdoor activations for dining and live performances.
Community spaces such as libraries and playgrounds.
And a new public forecourt linking White Bay Power Station to the harbour.

The Government will establish a new delivery agency which will lead development across the precinct, making sure homes, jobs, public spaces, cultural spaces and transport links are delivered together.

This is just the beginning of the Minns Labor Government reinvigorating arts and culture in the Bays West precinct.

For more information, visit www.whitebaypowerstation.com

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“The future of the precinct is bright, and right at the centre of it is the White Bay Power Station which is taking another step forward with the opening of the restored Entertainment Hall.

“As people will see during the Biennale, this is already one of Sydney’s most exciting cultural spaces. Imagine how amazing it will be when thousands of Bays residents are within walking distance and people are pouring in on the Metro.

“In 2032 the Metro will be just metres away and people will come from all over Sydney and the world to attend blockbuster cultural events.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Minns Labor Government is re-inventing the Bays West precinct and restoring community spaces like the Entertainment Hall at White Bay Power Station is crucial to bringing that vision to life.

“Through this restoration we have preserved history while unlocking another great community and arts space for Sydneysiders and visitors to enjoy.

“I look forward to seeing this old space become new and full of life again during its first event in decades later this month for the Biennale of Sydney 2026.”

Chief Executive of Biennale of Sydney Barbara Moore said:

“We’re delighted to be returning to White Bay Power Station this March for the 25th edition of the Biennale of Sydney, Rememory. Under the curatorial vision of Hoor Al Qasimi, this edition considers how memory shapes who we are - how histories are carried, contested and reimagined through contemporary art.

“White Bay Power Station is a site layered with stories, and it feels especially meaningful to expand into the restored Entertainment Hall this year. The building’s industrial past and renewed future resonate strongly with the spirit of Rememory. We’re proud to once again partner with Placemaking NSW to open this remarkable space to audiences, bringing the Entertainment Hall to life in an entirely new way.”