Flood management
Powerhouse Parramatta has been designed to withstand large and rare flood events.
It will be a safe building for visitors and the museum's collection and exhibitions.
Flood risk has been a key consideration throughout the design development process. The museum meets Parramatta Council’s Development Control Plan requirements for Parramatta CBD buildings. Learn more.
Flood modelling
Flood modelling has confirmed that even in a ‘1 in 1000’ year river flood (0.1% chance in any 1 year), the museum ground floor would remain half a metre above the flood waters.
International engineering and flooding specialists Arup prepared the adjacent graph, which highlights how recent flood data compares to other flood events.
Construction phase safety
Safety is our number one priority.
During extreme wet weather, work on site will pause and resume when it is safe to do so. Machinery will also more to higher levels on the site.
The riverfront
Powerhouse Parramatta sits on the foreshore of Parramatta River and is located within the upper catchment.
The design includes an undercroft space, an area underneath the museum's ground floor that allows the passage of water.
The undercroft will be partially concealed with a sloped lawn, creating a seamless transition between the outdoor terrace and riverfront.
The undercroft will be secure not open to the public.
During operation
A flood management strategy will be developed and implemented when Powerhouse Parramatta is open and operating.
The majority of exhibition spaces and emergency power supplies will be above any possible flood levels.