A New Civic Spine for a Growing City
For COX, Parramatta Light Rail reflects a wider philosophy: that great cities are shaped by infrastructure that enables movement, invites people in and builds place.
As the geographic and strategic heart of Greater Sydney, Parramatta is growing rapidly. And as it evolves into a major centre of health, education, culture and commerce, it needs infrastructure that supports not just mobility, but identity.
The Parramatta Light Rail does exactly that. It’s not just a way to get from A to B – it’s a civic spine for a growing city.
COX has been involved since the beginning, designing Stage 1 of Parramatta Light Rail to do more than move people. We’ve helped shape a corridor that connects communities, enhances public life, and lays the foundation for a walkable, high-amenity, metropolitan Parramatta.
A framework for a metropolitan future
Our work began in 2015, delivering the Urban Design Framework for Transport for NSW. This wasn’t just about alignment and stops – it was about placemaking. We broke the corridor into character areas, considered how each stop could anchor its neighbourhood, and explored how the light rail could strengthen local identity.
We carried this thinking through to design and delivery. Alongside landscape architects, CONTEXT, we created a public domain strategy that integrates new streetscapes, shared paths, and layered landscapes. Using a modular ‘kit of parts’, we ensured the stops are consistent, efficient, and adaptable – designed to fit seamlessly into a wide range of urban contexts.
Connecting key precincts
The light rail connects Westmead’s Health Precinct, the Parramatta CBD, the University of Western Sydney and future growth areas like Rosehill, Camellia, and Carlingford. It links major institutions and emerging neighbourhoods.
At Church Street, the upgraded public domain has created a vibrant, pedestrian-priority main street. At Westmead, the new stop links heavy rail, the future metro, and world-class medical facilities. In Camellia and Rosehill, the light rail sets the foundation for long-term mixed-use development
Designing the in-between
While the 16 stops serve as anchors, 90 percent of the corridor between them is equally important. These are the everyday spaces where people walk, ride, gather and live. That’s where the light rail becomes something more: a project that enables public life, not just public transport.
We approached these spaces as opportunities to create connection, greenery, and civic presence. The result is a continuous, high-quality public domain that supports active transport and reflects Parramatta’s identity as a growing city.