Parramatta. Sydney Water HO 'topped out'

Sydney Water’s new HO, on the corner of Smith and Darcy streets, in the Parramatta CBD, has reached its maximum height of 17 storeys. As is the custom a “topping out” ceremony to mark the occasion was conducted. The tradition has been traced back to Scandinavia where a tree was placed at the highest point of a building to ward off evil spirits and honour the forest god who was thought to be a good spirit. Some1800 head office and other staff will relocate from the Sydney CBD to its new headquarters in March 2009.