The past and present of Parramatta Gaol
Parramatta Gaol in the 1980s.Credit: John Nobley/Fairfax Media
Opening in 1842, the medium-security prison was home to some of Australia’s most notorious criminals, including escapee artist Darcy Dugan and underworld figure Arthur Stanley “Neddy” Smith, before it was decommissioned by the state government in 2011.
In 2015, Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council successfully won ownership of the jail. Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, crown land can be claimed if it is “not lawfully used or occupied” or is not needed for an “essential public purpose” or residential housing.
In August 2024, the land council was placed into administration. RSM Australia’s Tim Gumbleton, who has been appointed the administrator, says the land council has faced significant maintenance costs since becoming the owner of Parramatta Gaol, which spans over four hectares.
“That’s perhaps the Achilles heel: it is massive, it’s expensive and who’s got that financial capacity to support [it]?” he said.
A NSW Aboriginal Land Council spokesperson said such councils across the state are receiving land and assets that are “disused” and require a significant amount of funding to deem them as fit-for-repurpose. “This is funding that does not come with the return of the land and must be generated through the [local Aboriginal land council] itself”.
Deerubbin has also experienced a number of roadblocks to develop the former prison: in 2021, the land council lodged a development application with City of Parramatta Council to convert the site into a community facility that would host markets, weddings and music festivals. It was refused in 2023 due to a “lack of sufficient information and [the] potential impacts the proposed use may have on the site”.
Today, the former prison continues to pay homage to its history: shivs found buried in the ground are on display in the common area, and former inmates’ artwork remains on the walls.
Hopes for the future
Even though Deerubbin is in administration, Gumbleton said it will not impede the vision for Parramatta Gaol, which he believes has the potential to become anything – as long as there’s communication between the jail’s stakeholders and the land council.
“If we can collaborate with government and other stakeholders to drive the commercial opportunities but also maintain the cultural heritage opportunities and history, it’ll be a win-win for North Parramatta, but also all Aboriginal people,” he said.
Previously, buildings in the prison were used to film television shows, outdoor space was hired for car shows, and on separate occasions the chapel held two weddings, as well as a breakdancing competition.
“You’ve got film, you’ve got art, you’ve got education, you’ve got health, you’ve got retail, commercial [and] hotel options. There’s just so much,” Gumbleton said.
Inside the Parramatta Gaol chapel.Credit: James Brickwood.
APPI Ghost Hunts and Tours is also determined to return to the prison – a petition calling for the continuation of the events was started by founder Peta Banks in 2024. Earlier this year, the media reported heritage advocates want the site to be converted into a hostel, similar to what was done at Pentridge Prison.
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Questions surrounding the jail’s future come at a critical time: in January, the NSW Government released an indicative masterplan to rezone 42 hectares of land in North Parramatta. It would separate the site into different zones and allow for taller buildings up to 24 storeys around the light-rail stops and health precinct, as well as residential blocks to the north.
A spokesperson for the Minister for the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure said the rezoning is “crucial to unlocking the full potential of the precinct, delivering jobs, housing, and open space”.
A portion of land owned by Deerubbin, which doesn’t include Parramatta Gaol, has been included in the masterplan and is expected to make up almost 10 per cent of the precinct.
The jail’s future may still be unknown, but Gumbleton said Deerubbin remains open to collaboration with stakeholders for a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to optimise the facility.
The Sydney Morning Herald has opened a bureau in the heart of Parramatta. Email parramatta@smh.com.au with news tips.