New Sydney Metro West precinct confirmed for Pyrmont as tunnel boring machines arrive 

The green light for the 31-storey over station development comes as the project reaches a significant milestone, with two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) crushing through solid rock to arrive in the Pyrmont station cavern, 24 metres below ground. 

The TBMs will have a five-week pit stop at Pyrmont as they traverse to the opposite end of the cavern. They will then undergo maintenance ahead of starting their final stretch of tunnelling, under Darling Harbour to Hunter Street in the Sydney CBD. 

The arrival of the TBMs on the same day, five hours apart, was a landmark event for the tunnelling team, marking the second double TBM breakthrough for the project. The first “double breakthrough” was achieved when TBMs Daphne and Beatrice broke through two minutes apart to arrive at the site of the future Five Dock Station in December 2023.    
 
The TBMs are building the 2.3-kilometre section of Metro West tunnels from The Bays and have just over one kilometre of tunnelling remaining to connect the city-shaping project to the heart of the city. 

To arrive at Pyrmont, the 1,100-tonne machines have completed one of the most complex digs on the project, moving within 25 metres of the Anzac Bridge, under Johnstons Bay and through the complex geographical ground of the Luna Park Fault Zone. 

Pyrmont Station and the over station development will contribute to the vibrancy of Sydney’s Pyrmont peninsula, making it easier for passengers to access the area than ever before.  

The precinct will unlock the western harbour foreshore currently undergoing a wider transformation, with metro set to be on the doorstep of emerging landmarks, including the new Harbourside precinct, Sydney Fish Market and Blackwattle Bay. 

The new development has been designed to seamlessly integrate with the station below, while the approved building will feature five levels of commercial and retail opportunities within the building podium, as well as residential spaces above.  

Pyrmont Station and over station development will compliment heritage aspects of the surrounding area and enhance the local character. It will link communities within the Pyrmont Peninsula and Sydney CBD to transport connections, retail and commercial uses, new jobs and housing supply. 

Plans for the over station development have been developed in line with Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure’s (DPHI) and the Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy to enhance the future vision of the area, unlocking additional housing and jobs in the process.  

For further information, including a 3D interactive model of the proposed development at Pyrmont, visit the Sydney Metro West interactive portal.