Powerhouse Parramatta

Please proceed with this project ASAP, Parramatta is the geographical centre of Sydney, and having the museum there will allow ALL Sydney siders better access to it and its exhibits.

There will need to be proper facilities for buses and coaches to drop off and pick up passengers, and parking for cars, as the existing site at Ultimo is often chock a block full and blocking traffic as buses stop on the side of the road, spewing diesel, to drop off/pick up groups, and individuals need to go to Darling Harbor to find car parking.

Also at this sad time of covid-19 it will provide much needed jobs, now and into the future to support the community.

Personally, I think the government should sell off the old Powerhouse ASAP, as its an old, environmentally un-sustainable and expensive to maintain building and the land can provide much better use by private developers. It really has no historic value, other than to remind us of all the pollution it creates. It is also a nightmare to access being close to the city, and all the congestion around it. There is little else of value in the area to see or do, no "atmosphere"/coffee shops/museums /galleries at all.

I strongly object to the project and believe that the Powerhouse Museum should not be moved from it's surrent site in Ultimo due to the convenience of the location to regional families and school groups because of the proximity to Central Station. I am a teacher from the Illawarra who has transported numerous school groups and my own children via train to the current location and I love the convenience of the Ultimo site. It is perfect for students from the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Western Sydeny, Illawarra and South Coast as it is central to all of them. I also strongly object to the demolition of heritage buildings in Parramatta to construct the new Powerhouse building. Parramatta has a history as rich as Macquarie Street and the Rocks and we should not be destroying this for the sake of uneccessary development. Please reconsider this project.

Sydney once had the largest tram network in the world. This was removed to be replaced by cars with what seemed like a good idea at the time.
We have recently conceded that indeed, an extensive tram network might have served the city well, and have begun the process of reinstating/renewing some lines.
The Powerhouse Museum might seem as though it currently offers a great redevelopment opportunity, however I hope that we don't turn around in 20-30 years and regret the willful destruction of the history of our city. We can not build-back heritage. Don't be responsible for the extinction of heritage in our city.

The existing Powerhouse building has invaluable heritage, to be destroyed to make way for new investment.
I strongly object to the proposal to demolish the existing Powerhouse Museum.
I strongly object to the building of a new 'Powerhouse' museum based in Parramatta.
I support the delivery of a new museum in Parramatta.
Why can't we have both - retention of the existing Powerhouse, and the creation of a new museum?
Our children will thank us for protecting this institute that has inspired awe in children and grown-ups alike.
Please consider saving the demolition money, retaining the collection and building at Ultimo, and building a new awe-inspiring centre for Parramatta.
We all deserve a little more awe in our lives.

I am deeply saddened that such a wonderful facility could even be considered for closure.
Sydney, and Australia, should cherish this marvellous institution which is home to many irreplaceable and interesting collections and items of educational and historic value. Some of the items to be disassembled for relocation should not, in my opinion, even be moved if we are to preserve them in working order for future generations. A Scot by birth I am simply appalled at the lack of reverence given to the Boulton and Watt Steam engine and the Locomotive No. 1, which hauled NSW's first train.
The collections should be kept at their current home which is centrally located for most Sydneysiders and a truly fitting home, with a heritage of its own, having previously been Ultimo Power Station and tram depot.
Hang your heads in shame if this closure goes ahead in the name of money-making and re-development. A sad day for Sydney, Australia and history.

This decision is so disappointing! By all means build a museum at Parramatta but leave Ultimo alone. A smaller sub branch at Parramatta similar to what is at Castle Hill would let more items be displayed. We need more cultural sites not less!! A smaller site that doesn't necessitate the destruction of the beautiful Willow Grove is what we need. A crazy waste of money.

The new Powerhouse Museum will be an iconic addition to Parramatta and in the future years will be seen as an architectural marvel. I however am concerned that this new building will deliver the same amount of exhibition floor space as the old Ultimo museum. With a brand new building the exhibition floor area should be increased to accommodate more of the Powerhouse collection. I also would like the Willow Grove heritage building retained as it seems that there is enough of a gap between the 2 museum buildings to warrant keeping this heritage icon. Retaining the Willow Grove building can be repurposed as an entry 'gateway' to the site or even turned into a small exhibition space pertaining to the local area. It would be a real shame to lose the Willow Grove building. Overall this museum will become the envy of Australia.

I am deeply opposed to this project. The Berejiklian government simply cannot be allowed to continue its desecration of the cultural life and heritage of this state. When the vast majority of the Powerhouse's collection remains in storage, it is utterly ludicrous to close an existing space with permanent exhibitions for a new space (on a flood plain!!) for no permanent exhibitions but only revolving, impermanent exhibits. Arguments that this somehow revitalises a museum in the 21st century are sheer nonsense. Would the V&A in London ever embrace such a model? Of course not. The immense value of permanent exhibitions cannot be understated, allowing visitors the opportunity to visit and revisit, whenever they wish, the museum's collection. The fact that most of it is kept in storage is a heinous waste of our national heritage and speaks volumes of the lack of importance this government places on culture, history and legacy, and the educational value of such a rich collection for future generations. As the saying goes, those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. How can new generations learn about where they came from and understand their past if it is only ever available to them in short term, limited and "curated" opportunities? That is the appeal and value of a museum, art gallery, or library - not just the visiting exhibitions but what is permanently on display. You cannot have one without the other, without destroying the very fabric and purpose of a museum. Equally there is no justification for the destruction of other invaluable heritage items, being Willow Grove and St George's Terrace, for a "new" museum. The irony of destroying history to exhibit history (impermanently) appears to have escaped the NSW government. More likely, they just don't care. This government acknowledges the passing of Jack Mundey, whose actions in the 1970s preserved many beloved parts of Sydney we would never dream of demolishing today - whilst at the same time doing precisely what Mundey protested about. There is no valid reason to close the Ultimo site. It is a blatant land grab for revenue raising purposes. Arguments about the Powerhouse not reaching the geographical centre of Sydney are not supported by closing the Ultimo site when most of the museum's collection is in storage. The answer is simple - open another museum. Keep Ultimo and build another in Parramatta, and not on a flood plain where the moist atmosphere will irreparably damage priceless items and require heritage buildings to be destroyed, and most definitely not as a "multi purpose" space. If Western Sydney is so deserving of a museum then give that population a proper one, instead of an event space with the occasional pop up exhibition which teaches people nothing about the permanency and value of these objects. The cultural heritage of NSW belongs to all of us not just the Berejiklian government. It cannot be decimated by this appalling "vision" for the future. The entire concept must be rejected, and only ever considered on the proviso that Ultimo continues to remain open as a museum in perpetuity. To do anything else is a travesty.

I object to the development of the so called ‘Powerhouse’ Museum. Especially the demolition of Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace. These buildings have been part of my heritage and my families heritage. Parramatta is a historic place, I have a connection to these old buildings. NSW needs to protect these buildings. To keep the old buildings among the new. Willow Grove’s garden is an oasis in the city. While the terraces had provided restaurants and commercial historic space. The old mixed with the new is what makes Parramatta unique and special and brings people to the area. Don’t destroy the little of our history that we have left. It is not replaceable. The museum can never be the Powerhouse. The Powerhouse is a the historic building in Ultimo. The museum of technology does not need to be built on the river, and should not destroy history. Adaptive use of the buildings at this site is preferable. Please don’t destroy all of my history. I have lost our family’s pub ‘Royal Oak’ when they had it in 1875. Our memorial pool, with generations of our family using it. Parramatta is where I grew up and now where I work. I love seeing it change and grow. But not at the cost of losing so much. Please retain Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace.

The removal of the powerhouse museum and destruction of historical buildings is a travesty and should not occur. The removal of this educational and historic institution is an offensive and atrocious disregard for the cultural significance of this museum. Please, I urge the government to reconsider this motion.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Powerhouse Parramatta project.
I am writing in support of the Powerhouse Parramatta project and commend the NSW Government on the foresight to develop (as stated in the EIS):
“A new institution that will deliver world-class opportunities for education and research, alongside museum exhibition space, and space for social and digital interaction and exchange. This significant investment in education, culture improvements will ensure Parramatta’s role as Sydney’s second CBD and the heart of the Central River City.”
For me, the underpinnings of this project remain critical to its success. Museums are part and product of society and thus cannot remain static whilst society around them changes. Increasingly, fortunately, the dual worlds of culture and sustainable development are converging. Evermore people see culture, the arts, and heritage as a force for good in our societies.
Based on a recent review of literature and discussion; to create a more successful, sustainable, and inclusive future, museums must embrace uncertainty, creativity, and possibility. Well before the COVID lock-down, the public was agitating for a revolution in the way museums operate. The recent past (with the black lives matter movement, the debate over statues, and the ongoing discussion on decolonising museums) has again reinforced the notion of looking out for each other the idea of “collective” and “uniting” and challenging communities to come together/and communicate in new ways.
This has presented museums with yet another opportunity to reevaluate their fundamental ways of working and the need to move away from shallow ideological foundations - ideals that have been historically unsustainable, irrelevant, and exclusionary.
The traditional ideal of the curator as an esteemed academic is dissolving, making space for a more inclusive approach that values lived experience, different perceptions, and innovative new approaches. From one that is a presenter of objects to re-frame their role as carers for belongings people, communities, places, and environments.
The museums of today are unique public spaces for building communities. These are the building blocks of our collective future. Museums cannot remain an independent discipline. Museums must continually evolve away from the formal notion of them just being a space for collections to one of collective social practice and democracy.
Museums must use their collections to empower people to be active participants in our society, giving them the insight and the tools to design solutions to contemporary problems, challenge injustice or simply bring people together. In doing so museums will also have to continually confront some of the criticisms levelled at their historic collections practice – in particular, museums need to get to grips with what decolonising collections actually entails. Even the colonial legacy language about collections – which are better defined as “cultural resources” and “belongings” needs redefinition.
Museums are not and never been neutral and that they and their collections are products of the opinion, prejudice and life experience of the collectors, curators, and funders that put them together. We must continue to think about the collection and the way in which it has been interpreted, used, or displayed and offer new and dynamic opportunities. It means considering how an object or collection can be meaningful to a particular person, group, or community at a given moment in time. We need to allow for new and critical public reinterpretations of collections, and to think imaginatively about how to broaden the range of people to whom collections can be meaningful.
Relevance relies on negotiating research, re-configuring relationships between communities, stories, objects etc. Putting new ways of exploring cultural/social practice into the mix has the power to engage as a force of change and disruption to convention.
The museum of the future is an enabling space, culturally dynamic and future focused, rather than categorising via collections and objects as a relic or artefact of the past. A re-imagined museum becomes a place for genuine exchange one that is dynamic, interactive, and ever-changing collections of stories, knowledge, and culture. Museums are therefore a shared network whereby the “users” contribute to and co-create as well as consume. Many museums continue to build collaborative relationships including those with artist led organisations, with the desire to drive more socially engaged approaches and to re-conceptualise.
Part of the rethink on Museums is treating them as places that are spatially delimited, preformative, and collaborative ecologies – ones that embrace knowledge sharing, co-creation, and alternative forms of placemaking as social and cultural practice. The idea of a building as a singular space for collections is now incongruous. New buildings allow the depth and breadth of culture to be expressed as participative and engaging - a living, continuous panorama. This differs from museums that that just often conceptualise their buildings to house exhibitions as time-based projects or a distinct thematic loci rather than considering them as multiple, interrelated, and enduring initiatives.
Tomorrow’s museums will be more welcoming and embrace the public, the temporary, and the flexible in new ways. The future of museums is also about “attitude” and has sense of strength to influence. I therefore believe in the philosophy and underpinnings of the Powerhouse Parramatta project as it is prepared to be courageous and challenge more traditional notions of the museum of the future. It’s about finding new ways to honour the MAAS collection/s, their histories, and their legacies, creating traditions that will have new meanings for future generations and relevance for an increasingly diverse contemporary audience in Parramatta at the new geographic centre of Sydney.
I look forward to the time when Powerhouse Parramatta is the place and centre of cultural/social utility in catalysing and contextualising conversations – one that remains flexible and agile to lead, support and spark change. One that has a place in local, national, and international creative and social dialogue and exchange.

The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) commands a unique place at the intersection of science, technology, design and the arts. Established as part of the
19th century agenda for the advancement of knowledge and social reform, following the Sydney International Exhibition of 1879, MAAS remains as relevant and as
resonant in its role today as it was then. The Museum’s critical focus on creativity, ideas and innovation as well as engagement with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) through its collections.

Now more then ever, we need space where communities can gather and be inspired by innovations of the past. To close the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo, whilst we are in a pandemic is shortsighted; this space is an escape for families, teenages, the vulnerable, to be learn in a safe inclusive environment. The collection is vital for this, as is the trust of the community. Powerhous Parramatta will tear away heritage buildings and implant a building and name that doesn't fit, suit or is wanted by the community.

It is said best by Oliver Vicars-Harris, Director, Connecting Culture:
"Traditional museums have played an important role in making connections between different objects across time and space. Increasingly, they have used the stories around these collections to create a connection with their different audiences. Future museums will continue to build on this, adding multiple layers of meaning and placing greater emphasis on brokering different perspectives. They will capitalize on their position of trust to become authentic mediators between expert and popular opinion. Increasingly aware of their role in the issues of today, they will draw on their unique evidence base to provide context to current events. Valued both as a preserver of memory and instigator for ideas, they will empower people to seek answers and foster action. Valued both as a preserver of memory and instigator for ideas, they will empower people to seek answers and foster action. Museum curatorship will have evolved beyond preoccupation with preserving and presenting collections, to propensity for encouraging connections. A genuine two-way relationship will exist, with the audience given agency to drive the agenda. The distance between past and present will be reduced, with history providing meaning. The division between high and low art will be dissolved, with heritage providing contrast to popular culture."

The project is far from shovel ready, stop the vanity project now, re-open the Powerhouse Heritage core at Ultimo, for all to visit. Leave the Heritage buildings in Parramatta standing. Then and only then create a community driven Museum in Parramatta, by the people for the people and whilst you're at it, share funding and expertise with regional Museums and Galleries too.

The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) commands a unique place at the intersection of science, technology, design and the arts. Established as part of the
19th century agenda for the advancement of knowledge and social reform, following the Sydney International Exhibition of 1879, MAAS remains as relevant and as
resonant in its role today as it was then. The Museum’s critical focus on creativity, ideas and innovation as well as engagement with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) through its collections.

Now more then ever, we need space where communities can gather and be inspired by innovations of the past. To close the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo, whilst we are in a pandemic is shortsighted; this space is an escape for families, teenages, the vulnerable, to be learn in a safe inclusive environment. The collection is vital for this, as is the trust of the community. Powerhouse Parramatta will tear away heritage buildings and implant a building and name that doesn't fit, suit or is wanted by the community.

It is said best by Oliver Vicars-Harris, Director, Connecting Culture:
"Traditional museums have played an important role in making connections between different objects across time and space. Increasingly, they have used the stories around these collections to create a connection with their different audiences. Future museums will continue to build on this, adding multiple layers of meaning and placing greater emphasis on brokering different perspectives. They will capitalize on their position of trust to become authentic mediators between expert and popular opinion. Increasingly aware of their role in the issues of today, they will draw on their unique evidence base to provide context to current events. Valued both as a preserver of memory and instigator for ideas, they will empower people to seek answers and foster action. Valued both as a preserver of memory and instigator for ideas, they will empower people to seek answers and foster action. Museum curatorship will have evolved beyond preoccupation with preserving and presenting collections, to propensity for encouraging connections. A genuine two-way relationship will exist, with the audience given agency to drive the agenda. The distance between past and present will be reduced, with history providing meaning. The division between high and low art will be dissolved, with heritage providing contrast to popular culture."

Preventing accessibility to the collection for at least 4 years is farsighted and elitist.

Putting the collection at risk of being in flood zone is surely against government mandate?

Tearing down Heritage building in Ultimo is surely against government mandate?

Tearing down Heritage building in Parramatta is surely against government mandate?

To ensure the collection is properly housed in the new building (ensuring correct humidity, temperature etc), will be at an astronomical cost to the environment.The project is far from shovel ready, stop the vanity project now, re-open the Powerhouse Heritage core at Ultimo, for all to visit. Leave the Heritage buildings in Parramatta standing. Then and only then create a community driven Museum in Parramatta, by the people for the people and whilst you're at it, share funding and expertise with regional Museums and Galleries too.

The destruction of the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo is an outrageous act of cultural vandalism that is overwhelmingly not supported by the community. As an Australian, I am embarrassed that we are destroying our history in the form of the wonderful heritage building of the Powerhouse Museum and the priceless artefacts it protects. I can think of no other country in the world today that is willingly destroying heritage buildings and museums.

The destruction of this historic museum and the sell-off of the land was decided by the NSW Government without the necessary due process. The community was not adequately consulted and the business case is poor and the process was completed post-hoc after the decision making process.

The Powerhouse Museum protects our priceless history including Locomotive no 1 and the Boulton and Watts Steam Engine, the oldest remaining example in the world. There is no guarantee that moving these priceless objects will not damage them.

Central Station in New York City was once ear-marked for destruction and rebuilding in much the same way as the Powerhouse Museum is now. Luckily the American citizens protested this destruction and saved Central Station. Can you imagine NYC without a Central Station? Future Australians will look upon the proposed destruction of the Powerhouse Museum in much the same way.

The NSW governments decision to close the Powerhouse Museum, sell-off the land, destroy this beautiful heritage building and move priceless historical treasures is unprecedented. Australia is making world news for all the wrong reasons - as a country that does not value our history and reflect on the past.

Australia sets a very bad example in the time of protests to support Black Lives Matter. As Australians we have a shameful history of abusing our Indigenous people and covering up our history. Furthermore, our Indigenous community the original owners of the land on which the site stands were not adequately consulted as part of this process.

In theses challenging times with a recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no excuse for this excessive waste and cultural vandalism. Museums and history is what makes us human. To bury our dead and honour our past and our history and build monuments such as museums to protect and reflect on this past is what makes us human.

The destruction of the Powerhouse Museum is not the decision of an evolved civilisation of human beings. The proposed destruction of the Powerhouse Museum is the decision of a greedy, power hungry government that is disrespecting the land and treasures that belong to the people that the government is meant to represent. You as the government are suppose to represent us and be caretakers, not destroyers of our land and treasures.

I ask you, how should I explain to my 7 year old and 4 year old daughters that their 6 month old baby sister has been robbed off the opportunity to visit the Powerhouse Museum and to enjoy the heritage building and priceless treasures? When my children are older, one day I will try to explain to them how a democracy works and the importance of them being active participants in the democratic process. How do I explain to my children that a democratically elected government that is suppose to act “for the people”, has instead robbed the people of so much for the sake of so little.

Please listen to the people and reverse this disgraceful proposal to destroy our history, our land, a heritage building and priceless treasures.

Sincerely
Dr Emma-Gai Gold

Dear Major Projects

Unfortunately we can not and do not support the current "Powerhouse Parramatta" project as presented, and rushed in this EIS.

Greater Parramatta has needed State Cultural Infrastructure and equitable funding for the population, compared with Sydney, for many years.
The Project and 'winning design' are not suitable for the clear and necessary respect needed for Parramatta's complex cultural landscape and needs for all '5 Cultural Pillars' to be represented in the City.

The Building Brief has failed to ensure meaningful or long-term retention and integration of existing heritage values and buildings on Phillip St, that SHOULD infact become part of the MAAS Collection (or Parramatta Museum Collection) and be fully restored, incorporated and celebrated in juxtaposition of new and old, restocked with "Applied Arts" and decorative content in the Parramatta CBD.

The Building Design is opposed, as it is not being revised and reviewed adequately prior to this EIS. Whilst it presents a strong architectural logic for Event Management Space, there is inadequate and clearly suitable permanent Exhibition space (reduced in size, and without atmospheric controls). The 'modularity' of the lattice design structure SHOULD enable the Architects to be fully instructed to review and modify the configuration, contents and respect the context. It is argued this arrogance undermines the benefits of the post-industrial / late-modernism to simply represent a destructive and undesirable imposition, refusing to be modified significantly or adequately to respond to broad community objection. This philosophic arrogance leads to the destruction of Willow Grove Villa and the St. Georges Terrace which are rare and otherwise unrepresented in the CBD and both of which must be protected and embraced onsite.

The Design is opposed as noting an undesirable constriction and diminution of the Council's River Foreshore Vision, by literally rebuilding the "undercroft" void space in the "flood-zone" similar to the current DJ Carpark. This space at the river–level utterly fails to provide a socially inspirational foreshore zone, connected by only a staircase and a ramp to the "piazza". The break between these 2 areas is equally questioned (and here opposed) as suitable landscape integration by Parramatta Council's consultation, and betraying of our Indigenous Dharug community's aspirations for a rich meaningful riverine restoration and connection to country.

The Building and Project is opposed as it provides on a 9m wide passage for the Council's Civic Link vista, that had been designated to need to be at least 29m wide to incorporate Willow Grove and its Gardens (upgraded) for the experience connection to the River. A Building envelope "could" be corrected to enable this Planning Goal or at least a modular change made to the whole configuration, (see Diagram "FIXED IT" from internet search) or the Project cancelled.

Broadly the Powerhouse Project is misnamed, it should not be attempting to move the STEAM and DESIGN Collections from Ultimo, as these and the Campus#1 need to be retained in the Ultimo Powerhouse facility and be enhanced, in context.

Any "Parramatta" MAAS presence needs to be Campus#4 and actually demonstrate clear proof and connection with the so-named "integrated precinct" of the National Heritage Listed Fleet St Female Factory and Institutions, that is unsupported in the InfrastructureNSW PDF document (EIS). NO mention is made of the proposal to further divide the Collections with the Lucy Turnbull / Paul Keating proposed "V&A style" decorative arts museum at Queens Square, in the former Lands Titles heritage buildings.

The MAAS presence (or campus#4) needs the Building Brief to be CHANGED to incorporate being serviced by ALL 5 Pillar Sydney Cultural Institutions AND embrace the entire Cumberland Hospital Site on Fleet St with significant Botanic Garden and Indigenous City Forest (north side) on Deerubbin Land and Gaol.

For these reason, we strongly oppose the current project, and its profligate waste of funds destroying the Ultimo Institution, Parramatta Assets and failing to consult adequately for the comprehensive 'new institution and stand-alone' Museum integrating all of Parramatta's cultural needs and qualities.

Yours sincerely
S A Cook, G R Sellman
The Social Canvas. Parramatta

I Object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project as it will result in the loss of a cultural institution in Ultimo and 2 historically significant buildings in Parramatta.
St George's Terraces in Parramatta and Willow Grove are important to the early history of Parramatta and should not be torn down.

The Current ultimo powerhouse is a cultural and historic icon of Sydney and is loved by many generations of Sydney Locals and international visitors and showcases important artifacts of the history of sydney including Locomotive No 1 and the destination board from Central Station. over the years the powerhouse had held many significant exhibitions such as those showcasing 1980s Australian culture and artifacts from the Apollo program efforts in Australia. Many of these items will not be on display at the new powerhouse.

The powerhouse building itself is significant as one of the main power stations of Sydney's former Tram network and also as part of the 1988 renewal of Darling harbour. it is also important in the lives of many generations of those who have visited as children and as adults.

I urge the goverment to reconsider this project and keep the powerhouse in Ultimo and build a purpose built unique museum in Parramatta.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project. As a Parramatta girl for 60 years, I have been disappointed to see lack of respect shown to many of Parramatta's once unique and historical buildings. They have been beautifully crafted in another time and as they are unique in australia's history it is so important they are maintained. Both Willow Grove and the 1882 row of shops represent the development of our uniqueness. Demolishing history, I thought, was vandalism in the past. I am ashamed to see that my current NSW government is in favour of such vandalism now. we need to learn from our mistakes in the past and not perpetuate them.
I am proud that Parramatta was an early vibrant place that assisted the development of Australia. These buildings are just two examples of grace and architectural ideas of the time. They help create the atmosphere and social inclusiveness for many of our denizens. Please do not destroy our unique links to the past. These buildings can not be rebuilt.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project. My objection is for the following reasons:
The site chosen for the museum is inappropriate for two reasons:
1: it is subject to flooding; and
2: Heritage buildings, namely Willow Grove and George’s Terrace, exist on the site and would be demolished to make way for the new building. I object to the demolition of these buildings, which are of cultural significance to Parramatta and hold a unique position within the Parramatta precinct.

I furthermore object to the removal of the contents of the Powerhouse Museum , Ultimo, from their current home there, to the proposed new museum in Parramatta. The collection housed in the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo is unique, priceless and too fragile to be moved - it should stay in the building that was designed for it. I am particularly concerned about the Boulton & Watt Steam engine and believe that it will not survive removal from its present site.

I also object to the sale, demolition, development and repurposing of the Powerhouse museum buildings in Ultimo. These are buildings of state heritage significance in NSW and should be protected from any such developments by a State Heritage listing.

I believe that a better solution can be found than the proposed Parramatta Powerhouse project - one that does not involve the destruction of three buildings of heritage significance and the dismantling of a successful museum in the city of Sydney that holds a unique collection that should remain accessible to all Australians.

I am writing to state my strong objection to the Parramatta Powerhouse project, for the following reasons:
1) Financial - the project costs are speculative estimates only, as scope and firm contracts have yet to be agreed. Commitment to proceed will result in another Sydney Football Stadium debacle, with scope reduced to fit the budget, undermining the supposed benefits, while the timeframe is extended.
2) Loss of Heritage - demolition of the heritage properties on the Parramatta site is not necessary or justified.
3) Displays - I understand the Parramatta Powerhouse will not have permanent displays, and therefore it is really just an exhibition and entertainment space - a themed function centre. There is no need to demolish the Ultimo museum if the exhibits are not required for the new display; just open an outstation of the Ultimo museum instead.
4) Flood plain - the Parramatta site is a flood plain and fundamentally unsuited to the purpose. Your planning documents will prove worthless when the first flood event arrives.
5) Business Case - the stated visitor numbers are inflated wishful thinking. The vast majority of international visitors will not go to Parramatta, they will select a nearby CBD attraction instead.
6) Real Estate value - the value of land released at Ultimo will be falling in value as a result of COVID; office space is less needed as desk workers have proven they are productive at home, and residential unit values are dropping as the economy sinks and international students stay at home. Again, the business case for this project makes no sense... another Sydney Football Stadium in the making.

Finally, would you please drop the name ‘Parramatta Poeerhouse’ - the site in Parramatta is not a former power station (and tram shed). On the Parramatta site are heritage homes and a car park, so I suggest you call instead call it the ‘demolished heritage homes museum’ or perhaps the ‘car park museum’.

The project to move the Powerhouse is a waste of public money. The planned site is flood prone, will not have enough room for display and is poorly designed to take on some of the larger machines of the current Powerhouse. Parramatta needs a museum. Sydney city needs a museum. Use the money you will save by not moving to construct a proper museum and share the many wonderful objects available to all three museums. We need more art, more culture not less.

I strongly object to the Powerhouse Museum being moved to Parramatta and I also strongly object to the demolition of Willowdale. We have so few heritage buildings that it is terrible to destroy another one - especially after the Hotel was destroyed to make way for the light rail in Parramatta. No tourists are going to travel to Parramatta to visit a Museum and the location in Parramatta periodically floods. Please, please leave the Powerhouse Museum in Harris Street.