Bank Street Park

A NSW Government Women in Construction pilot project with a stretch target of 50% women working on the project.

Artist impression of Bank Street Park showing people enjoying the green space areas in the park.

 

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The ambition

Bank Street Park is a NSW Government Women in Construction pilot project with an ambitious stretch target to have women make up 50% of the project workforce. This is a bold leap from the industry average of 12% and aims to set a new benchmark for construction sites nationwide.

Why it matters

Women remain significantly underrepresented across the NSW construction sector, limiting workforce capacity, diversity of thinking and the industry’s ability to meet the state’s growing infrastructure demands. The 50% stretch target responds directly to this challenge, recognising that a more inclusive workforce can unlock a broader talent pool and modernise entrenched practices that act as barriers to participation and retention.

How we plan to achieve it

Infrastructure NSW in partnership with BESIX Watpac, and supported by funding from the NSW Government Women in Construction program, are embedding inclusion into every stage of delivery, through:

  • inclusive modern site facilities
  • inclusive culture training and allyship program
  • dedicated workforce coordinator
  • gender diversity targets
  • targeted development opportunities and initiatives
  • pre-employment program
  • branded PPE for students and site tours
  • female apprenticeship and internship opportunities
  • quarterly lean-in circles
  • project specific branding.

By trialling targeted initiatives, Bank Street Park aims not only to meet its 50% target, but to deliver enduring cultural change that can be scaled across the construction sector.

Infrastructure NSW team in front of NSW Women in Construction-branded hoarding at Bank Street Park sod turn event

How we’re measuring impact

We have engaged researchers to measure and map the impact of the Bank Street Park pilot project.

The research aims to deliver a robust evidence base of workforce, community and industry outcomes through early structured engagement with project partners, alongside ongoing engagement with participating stakeholders involved throughout the project lifecycle.

The ultimate goal is to demonstrate the benefits of equal workforce participation in a traditionally male-dominated industry. 

Bank Street Park video series

Throughout the course of the project, we’ll be sharing a video series showcasing real stories from site about career journeys, lessons learned, challenges tackled, and the cultural shifts that are moving our sector forward.

Episode 1: Groundbreaking

Behind the scenes of the Bank Street Park ambition and sod-turn

2:17

Episode 1: Groundbreaking

Behind the scenes of the Bank Street Park ambition and sod-turn

Video transcript

Episode 1: Groundbreaking

I think it's really important for the community to understand where Bank Street Park actually is.

So at the moment, it's in a dead end, it doesn't get used much. 

It's a bit of land that's been locked for over a 100 years. 

It's actually not just about the one park, it's about the broader precinct. 

And as part of that, we're delivering a 15 kilometre walkway along the harbour.

That goes from Rozelle, through Bank Street Park and then all the way to Woolloomooloo.

What excites me about this project is that we are trying to achieve 50% women in the project. And that is an ambitious target.

Currently, there are only 12% of women in the construction industry. And we should really be trying to increase the number of women in that workforce.

What industry has to do is look at each of the projects that they're bringing forward and ask themselves, well what can I do to make the work opportunities on this project as equitable and as available to anyone.

And I think that's what they'll have to do. 

And that's what we want to see as an outcome from Bank Street.

One of the things that has been an issue in construction in recent times, is the fact that we haven't been able to have the representation of females that we wanted.

And so to be able to create an environment backed by Infrastructure NSW, our client. 

To enable the opportunity for females to come into a project and thrive and see how much they can contribute to the built form.

We're really excited to be part of that journey.

For me, it's the opportunity of seeing females come into the industry. But also be retained within the industry.

People in this industry are generally proud because they get to build something for the community.

And this site, we're really hoping that we can set the standard. It is a catalyst for change. So that really excited me.

Being part of something that nobody's ever really done before in New South Wales.

Today is a very special day. We are doing our sod turn. Which officially marks the commencement of construction.

So for a number of people that have been invited today, who have been on the project years.

It's a real opportunity for them to see it actually coming to light.

What we're hoping is that all of our subbies and everybody that's invited today.

Actually feels like, hang on a second, we are changing the industry and this is the start of it.
 

Artist impression of Bank Street Park showing a waterfront walking path, the dragon boat shed and people walking through the park.

Bank Street Park Website

Find out more about the park and register for updates

Team members at the Bank Street Park pilot project sod turn event standing behind the turned sod.

Get involved

Reach out to our workforce coordinator

An artist's impression of the new Bank Street Park in Pyrmont

Latest news

Read the latest updates from Bank Street Park

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