Powerhouse Parramatta

To whom it may concern at Planning NSW,

I'm writing to ask that the government please reconsider demolishing Willow Grove, St George's Terrace, El-Phoenician and the surrounding area to make way for the Powerhouse Museum.

Parramatta is a town of immense cultural heritage and it holds memories from so many who've grown up in the area. I'm already finding it incredibly sad that the riverside has been drastically changed with the Meriton towers — areas which I spent considerable time in are forever changed and lost to the past.

I'm still so sad to see that Barnaby's Restaurant on Phillips St and its heritage building appears lost for what sounds like it'll just be apartments of no significance.

It's obviously not reasonable to expect an area won't ever change, but with light rail plans (Royal Oak Hotel seems to be in line to be demolished too?) and constant redevelopment (the Walker towers are just another example), it feels like the council and NSW Government aren't focused on preserving Parramatta's heritage amongst it all.

Some change is reasonable and acceptable — the Walker towers are redeveloping an area which was a bit slummy, dark and miserable at night. Having it lit up and more alive will be wonderful for the area. It's a loss in that the area is changing, but I believe it'll be safer for those walking through that area at night.

The Willow Grove demolition and the Powerhouse Museum project just doesn't have the same benefits. The beauty and heritage of Willow Grove isn't something threatening safety. It's not dark and slummy. It's a nice area of Parramatta that has provided memories and is a big part of Parramatta's history. Please don't demolish it. The amount of buildings of that style are rare and hard to find. As much as I'm proud to see Parramatta growing and evolving as a city, it shouldn't come with the loss of absolutely every bit of heritage.

With the news that the Powerhouse Museum is no longer being sold off in Ultimo... please. Find another place for the Parramatta Powerhouse Museum. There's no reason these buildings need to be demolished. No reason for the riverside to be impacted even more.

Surely there is another place in Parramatta that would work and impact the area less? Is there potentially an area which is marked to be impacted by the light rail project that could double as a spot for the powerhouse museum?

Finally, when it comes to El-Phoenician... I saw in the news it was marked as potentially becoming a walkway to the Museum. Church St's restaurants have been through so soooo much with all the development around the area. They've stuck by Parramatta despite it all. Please don't take all of their efforts and throw it away by forcing them to demolish their restaurant.

I am writing to say that I am really upset to read that Willow Grove will be demolished for future planning purposes. As a child who grew up in Parramatta and still in the area, I am disgusted that a beautiful old house that is part of history is getting destroyed. I truly do not know what you are thinking..... Our history needs to remain and be shared with future generations..... Parramatta is a utter mess, don’t include this beautiful house as part of the mess....

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project. It's traumatising to watch the history of the area I grew up in be lost or fall into disrepair due to overdevelopment.

I was raised in the western suburbs of Sydney, and one of my fondest memories was visiting Parramatta to see the historical buildings. I loved the living history aspect of Parramatta and the sense of place and belonging it inspired in my youth. These feelings of connection create a sense of social cohesion and respect for civic responsibility. They should be taken into consideration within Environmental Impact Statements.

Buildings such as Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces should be protected and maintained not only for their unique architectural beauty, but because once they are gone, they are irreplaceable.

I visited Parramatta again recently, and it is sad how much character Parramatta has lost due to the destruction of it's ornate historical architecture, and the amount of generic, brutal, unattractive modern architecture overshadowing what's left.

The loss of culture and sense of place is traumatising to a people. If the destruction of places like Willow Grove continues, I hope the NSW government is ready to bear the social cost of that trauma.

I affirm that I have not made any reportable political donations and I would like my submission to be published anonymously.

Dear Sir
I wish to add my support to the campaign to save the historic Willow Grove Building in Parramatta from being demolished to make way for the new Powerhouse Museum.
My family descended from pioneers in old Parramatta, namely William Shelley who under Governor Lachlan Macquarie, established a school for Aboriginal children in Parramatta. The Shelley home was in the vicinity of Macquarie & Church Streets, Parramatta. Thus, I have always had a great interest in the history of the area.

I lived in Castle Hill in the 1970's and frequently visited Parramatta, and was impressed with what I saw of many of the old buildings. Since then I have been very distressed to see the demise of much of old Parramatta.
We have a duty to future generations to preserve our history and not see it destroyed. We should learn from England and Europe particularly, how to preserve and protect our historic buildings for the future.
Please add my name to the petition to save historic Willow Grove from demolition.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because My Ancestors were convicts on the First Fleet. After serving their sentences they married and farmed the land they were given. They are buried in St Johns Cemetary Parramatta and I'm pretty sure as my relatives as time went on would have used this Hospital. My Heritage is down there and too many people are too quick to knock down our History. I love these old buildings they are beautiful and need to be kept to show how our Ancestors lived and grew in our wonderful land. I'm sick of developers and councils knocking our History down for profit. It's so sad to see what is happening to our country and people who want to destroy it need to rethink their greed.

I have not made any reportable political donations
I have no objections for my name being published with my
submission


We feel very strongly about our historical buildings being destroyed. The architecture is unique and this site is HERITAGE LISTED, so how can it be destroyed.

There is so much history attached to Willow Grove that should be preserved for future generations.

Yours sincerely,

Roland & Diane Hastings

Good afternoon,

I would like to advise that I completely and totally object to the current plans for the Powerhouse Parramatta project.

It is of course very important to have museums, galleries etc in Parramatta, but not at the cost of the existing heritage buildings Willowgrove and St. George's Terraces. Willowgrove and St. George's Terraces are rare examples of architecture that no longer exist in the Parramatta CBD. Willowgrove also has a significant part to play in the Women's History of the area due to its being a maternity hospital for approximately three decades. "Willow Grove was built in the 1870s as a Victorian Italianate two-storey villa at 32 Phillip Street. It later became a maternity hospital called Estella. Heritage listed, it is one of the oldest intact residences in Sydney, and its historical and exceptional social and cultural significance is unassailable".

The row of terraces at 44 Phillip Street, Parramatta is also of significance to the Parramatta Municipality for historical and aesthetic reasons and as an excellent example of Victorian period terraces constructed during the early development of the area. This group pof terraces presents as having a relatively high degree of integrity when viewed from the street, and strongly contributes to the Phillip Street streetscape and the character of the Parramatta townscape.

The community has spoken loud and clear in NSW and from other places in Australia. Our support in retaining these historic buildings has nothing to do with financial gain so the 'voice of the people' should be listened to by those in council and government, and not just those at the 'high end of town'. Australians want to have their heritage buildings kept and maintained; especially after successive governments in NSW have all but obliterated the built history and environment of the city. Destroying heritage buildings in order to replace them with a museum does NOT make sense!! It is so important to the thinking, caring people of Parramatta, NSW, and the rest of Australia, that the social history, the character and heritage of Parramatta be maintained and allowed to be protected for the present time and for future generations. If places in the UK and Europe can maintain and appreciate their built history, why can't we? Tourists flock to the great cities of the world to visit historic monuments and places of significance.

The community is absolutely dismayed by Sydney's pro-developer ‘planning’ decisions, & the city is fast becoming a depressing eyesore, a historical and cultural desert, (as noted recently by interstate & overseas tourists as well as locals), and this destruction has been inspired by State Government planning regulations. The preservation of Willowgrove and St Georges’ Terrace, would attract more school visits and more tourists if there was investment in its historical upkeep coupled with some thoughtful, strategic and clever marketing and advertising. In a country where governments are lacking in appreciation of culture and history, and beholden to white, male developers with the biggest wad of cash, we seek to replace what little heritage we have left, with buildings that are soulless cookie cutters. To make a fast buck out of what was once our history. Once these beautiful, historic buildings are gone, they are gone forever!

In summary, Parramatta is of major historical importance in the founding of Sydney and any building or landmark that reflects this must be revered, maintained and retained.

Personal information: I was born and raised in Sydney, have lived overseas for a decade in the UK, and now reside in Melbourne, Victoria. In my heart I still consider myself as a Sydneysider and the majority of my family live in Sydney in the Botany Bay vicinity, in western Sydney, and in the Blue Mountains. I am a regular visitor to Sydney, and had in recent years walked by and admired Willowgrove when on my way to a family function. I would like to imagine and dearly hope that my family, other Sydneysiders, and all Austalians could continue to enjoy and appreciate our architectural inheritance in Parramatta. I would like to state that I have never made any donations to political organisations, nor do I belong to any political party.

I object to the Parramatta Powerhouse Project. The sites proposed to be demolished will destroy the character of the Parramatta area. I truly love Western Sydney! I am thrilled the development Parramatta is undergoing but not at the loss of our cultural heritage. I urge you to please consider rejecting the destruction of Willow Grove and St George's Terrace. Their destruction would be catastrophic to the local community and the entire greater sydney area.

You might also consider a walk around the Rocks or Centennial Park to reflect and properly consider the weight of your decision. I trust that you have visited Willow Grove and St George's Terrace sites and can appreciate their beauty. Parramatta must retain its heritage.

As per submission guidelines, I'm a Labor party member but have made no political contributions other than my membership fee.

I write to you as a concerned citizen in relation to the proposed demolition of heritage buildings in Parramatta, for the construction of the new PowerHouse Museum.

I myself work at one of Australia’s largest Architectural firms, and have a passion for adaptive reuse, contemporary design and heritage Architecture.

I find the proposed building in Parramatta appalling... it is a contradiction in the most basic sense with the government willing to ignore its own heritage laws in order to build this un original tower. If the government is able to disregard its own heritage laws in order to do in essence what it likes, then where does it leave heritage laws in NSW? It suggests that heritage has a price... In addition, it sets a dangerous precedent that heritage laws can be ignored as the very body that is responsible for the creation and administration of heritage laws is indeed the body that is ignoring said laws.

Additionally, the site’s existing buildings do not inhibit the ability to undertake the expansion of the arts precinct. A design that incorporates the existing buildings would lead to a precinct that is richer and more interesting. In Europe, contemporary Architectural designs are regularly juxtaposed with smaller scale heritage buildings. Great Architectural outcomes are achieved by working with existing conditions and buildings, rather than simply raising what is there and starting with a blank site.

The rampant development of Sydney, post WW2, saw the demolition of historic, City defining buildings that were replaced by uninspired modern, international style office buildings that could be located anywhere in the world. This development was at the expense of unique parts of the city and ultimately the detriment of the city. This proposed development is similar, and continues an approach to City building that has been proven to have long term negative impacts on the city.

In truth this proposal could be anywhere, it’s not site specific, does not take its orientation and topographical location into account. It is straight out of the 20th century city building playbook, demolish all and start again. This approach is simply... wrong.

An alternate design that is contemporary, works with the old, while creating a brilliant new space for showcasing the arts ultimately does much more than this complete new build proposal. It shows a new way of thinking that would help redefine the manner in which Sydney, and the rest of Australia design and create buildings and spaces. It would pave the way forward, respect what has come before and in tern create better cities.

I implore you to reject this proposal and ensure a more appropriate Architectural response.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project and would like to make a brief submission why I believe it would be irresponsible to destroy Willow Grove in order to make way for the Powerhouse Museum.

My very first job was as a Class 1 Engineer with the PMG in 1971 at Willow Grove (34 Philip Street, Parramatta). When I started there my colleagues told me about the history of the building and emphasised that I was privileged to be working in one of the historically significant buildings in Parramatta.

The importance of the building in the history of Parramatta makes it imperative that it be preserved. In addition to its historical value I believe its architectural character provides a further important reason why should be preserved for others to enjoy.

I therefore strongly recommend that an alternative site be found for the relocation of the Powerhouse Museum and that Willow Grove be preserved.

I have not made any political donation.

As a concerned citizen of the Parramatta area I wish to raise my objection to the demolishion of the property known as Willow Grove and the associated area in the City of Parramatta.

My objection is based on the heritage value of this property and the fact that the building is currently heritage listed by the State Government and I believe the Government is breaking it's own laws in demolishing this building.

The heritage issue is vital to be able to preserve our white Australian history and it is important to the ongoing culture of our City.

I
strongly object to the proposed Powerhouse Parramatta project and to the
demolition of the following NSW State Heritage Listed sites at Parramatta, NSW -



1.
Willow Grove and Potential Archaeological Site



2. St George's Terrace and Potential Archaeological Site







Objections are based on the following factors:-



1.
SIGNIFICANT HERITAGE IMPACT.



I do
not agree with the current EIS, Heritage Impact Statement dated 27 April, 2020
in regard to heritage interpretation of site.
1.
Heritage interpretation does not in
any way replace physical look and feel of the building. It may only apply to
the current generation that has
experience seeing the present sites but will not the same not the same by future generations.
2.
These 2 items were listed by the NSW
government under NSW State heritage listed sites. Why is the change of mind? It
does not matter either which local or state government owned the site. It is the history of Australia and that tells its heritage and should not be diminished with
fake interpretation.
3.
The original listing was due to its significant
rarity, heritage, historical, aesthetic and social significant criteria related
to the Parramatta area. Again, why this is any different in time from when it
was originally listed. Would you let any Heritage buildings at the Rocks be demolished?



4. Demolition is permanent and therefore
completely unacceptable. Heritage Interpretation is not an accepted
alternative.







2.
ESTIMATED LOSS OF PATRONAGE AT PROPOSED MAAS, PARRAMATTA.



I will not take my overseas visitors to the MAAS at Parramatta. I would rather spend their visiting times in the city with the only Powerhouse museum, Darling Harbour, Chinatown, the Rocks, the Harbour and the Opera House conveniently covered closely within reach.



3.
FINANCIAL.



I ask
you a question during the current immediate and future times for those who
most needed help in our community. Would it be better for the wellbeing of the
nation if we show more compassionate to those we need to reach out to? Like
better use the money for Assistant to the homelessness by building Social and
Affordable dwellings.



I
question the cost of the proposed MAAS at Parramatta due to reported estimated
construction cost of $1.6 billion in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic,
whereby approx. 1 million+ Australians are receiving temporary Government
financial assistance and/or are unemployed. According to NSW State
Government reports, it is estimated that the MAAS Parramatta proposed
development will provide an expected 4,000 jobs. However,
those job allocations are not necessarily providing work for those experiencing
homelessness or those that are currently listed as unemployed by ABS.



IN
SUMMARY



I urge
the NSW State Government to retain both NSW Heritage listed sites above-mentioned
i.e. Willow Grove and St George's terrace and associated potential
archaeological sites and instead, better use the allocated fund to create more
jobs (direct and indirect) jobs by building Social and Affordable dwellings.

I am writing to you as head of planning to submit my objections to the destruction of historic
buildings in Parramatta including Willow Grove house and St George's Terrace.

I have been on numerous trips over the last 30 years, with various organisations, to view
buildings left to languish in the Parramatta area including the Female Factory and the earliest
site of The Kings School.
Parramatta was one of the original areas to be developed beyond the city precinct in the
new colony of NSW and it seems that many government planners would prefer to obliterate
that fact. They also seem to imagine that the people who reside in the area have little or no
interest in its early history and will not notice if their built environment shows no traces of such.
This is both incorrect and shortsighted on behalf of the planners.

I do not attack these plans in any political way as I have no political leanings and see it as above
politics. Any area or city needs to have tangible evidence of what has occurred over time in the
area and with Willow Grove having been a maternity hospital it has deep rooted links for the people
who were born there.

I would like to think that these buildings can be preserved and re-purposed to continue to serve
the people in Parramatta and beyond as evidence of the people who lived there before today and
who likely had an impact on many other aspects of life there from businesses to the laying out of
roads and other amenities.

PLEASE NOTE: I have not made any reportable political donations;
ATTENTION; HEAD PLANNER.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta because it is not going to provide a museum in the true sense of the word. The dictionary states that a museum is “a building or place for the keeping, exhibition and study of objects of scientific, artistic and historical interest.”
To build this “Pleasure Palace Rather than a Museum” (to quote the words of Linda Morris in the Sydney Morning Herald recently) on the banks of a flood prone river and in the process destroy 2 very historical and important heritage listed buildings is a “CRIME”
The exterior structure of the building is outrageously modern to represent a “museum” and the footprint of the interior indicates the purpose is to make money out of every inch of the floor space by the hiring of rooms for “what type” of short turn exhibitions? With the likelihood they will be rarely used for the enjoyment of the majority of the population of Western Sydney.
To destroy Willow Grove and St. Georges Terraces, museums themselves, and rare examples of architecture that no longer exist in Parramatta CBD and replace them with such an eyesore of a glass structure in the climate of Western Sydney. “Extremely hot in summer and very cold in winter” is just beyond belief.
Now that a decision has been made to keep the Powerhouse Museum “as is” at Ultimo, a Museum that identifies with the local Western Sydney Area in the Fleet Street Heritage Precinct would be far more appropriate. The buildings there and in the surrounding area are some of early historical aspects of the colony and could be used to further accommodate the significant of the Aboriginal people while acknowledging the contribution of early Parramatta in the growth of the new colony.
The Parramatta community supports the creation of a major museum which will be an integrated element of Parramatta’s cultural infrastructure BUT not at the expense of the loss of another collection of irreplaceable icons from a time that shaped what Parramatta has become today.

The Western Sydney Business Chamber writes in support of the Powerhouse Parramatta Environment Impact Statement (EIS).
The Western Sydney Business Chamber, representing approximately 115 of the region’s largest government, business and community organisations, has been a vocal advocate of establishing a new Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta. Having engaged our Membership on this issue, we believe the new Powerhouse Museum is about fairness and equity for the people of Western Sydney in accessing the state’s cultural infrastructure.
The Chamber is strongly of the view that the construction of Powerhouse Parramatta on the banks of the Parramatta River begins to address the historic imbalance in cultural arts infrastructure in Western Sydney. A Deloitte report, commissioned by the Western Sydney Business Chamber, City of Parramatta, Liverpool City Council and Penrith City Council in 2015, confirms the historic neglect of the region’s cultural arts economy. The investigation highlights that 3 in 10 NSW residents live in Western Sydney and yet the region receives only 5.5% of the States Cultural Arts, heritage and events funding. The region also only receives 1% of Commonwealth arts program funding, while having 10% of Australia’s population.
The people of Western Sydney crave cultural arts activities. Western Sydney residents have an average non-work travel time threshold of 19 – 20 minutes. Eastern Sydney residents have a threshold of 17 – 18 minutes. The location of Sydney’s major institutions in the Sydney CBD – Australian Museum, Art Gallery of NSW, Powerhouse Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Opera House and the State Library of NSW – are simply further and further out of reach as Sydney’s residential population has expanded towards the foot of the Blue Mountains. Establishing Powerhouse Parramatta would be a step towards placing a tier 1 cultural institution within the accessibility of millions of Sydneysiders who reside in the Greater West. The location and distance of these institutions means that they cannot be frequently and easily accessed by Western Sydney residents. Importantly Western Sydney stands as one of the most diverse areas in Australia, both serving vibrant existing communities and being a first port for many migrants. These communities now do not have access to a world-class facility, providing a strong point of community connection and exhibition. Furthermore, the population growth over the coming 15 years will see areas such as Blacktown, Parramatta and Camden take the bulk of this growth.
The Powerhouse Parramatta represents a critical investment in the cultural arts infrastructure of Western Sydney and will be an important economic stimulus project for the region during the COVID-19 recession. The Chamber understands and supports that the project is anticipated to support 4,000 direct and indirect jobs at a time of growing unemployment. Powerhouse Parramatta will be an economic juggernaut for Parramatta and Greater Western Sydney. The influx of one to two million visitors a year will be a welcome boost to local businesses and the Parramatta city economy.
We strong endorse that this new facility will be a nationally important cultural institution and reflect Western Sydney’s first Australians and their strong and historic connection to these lands and to Western Sydney’s multicultural communities. The Chamber is excited that the design of the new Powerhouse Parramatta will provide new open space connecting the Parramatta River to the economic heart of the CBD. It will encourage the public to engage with the riverfront with a range of new outdoor entertainment and recreational activities that will be connected to the new facility.
The Chamber commends the strong focus on developing educational learning opportunities and providing pathways to STEM related skill development and careers through the new Powerhouse Parramatta for the children in Western Sydney
Thank you for the opportunity to comment in support of the Powerhouse Parramatta.

I strongly object to the Parramatta Powerhouse or Cultural Centre at the cost of destroying Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace. These two heritage homes should be saved as they are part of the heritage and experience of visiting Parramatta. My family often visits Parramatta to enjoy learning about the past. We usually take the ferry and enjoy walking around Parramatta, because it’s different to Sydney. We’ve enjoyed the beauty of the Italianate villa of Willow Grove and the green spaces around it. My family and I would like to see them preserved for future generations.

Western Sydney Business Connection along with other Western Sydney Business groups congratulates the NSW Government on its commitment to deliver on its promise to relocate the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta.
Not only will the Powerhouse relocation deliver more than 2,300 jobs during construction and over 3,000 full-time jobs after it is completed it will also inject millions of dollars into the economy, and attract up to two million visitors a year.
This is a city shaping project that will have far reaching impacts across the whole region. This project has the potential to transform Parramatta into a vibrant 21st Century city with a thriving night time and visitor economy. It will also position the west as a leader in STEM and innovation, supporting the growth of related sectors within the region.
A vibrant visitor economy and attractive urban amenity is at the heart of every successful city. It’s vital in attracting visitors, students, migrants, residents, jobs, talent and business investment to the west.
According to Deloitte report – ‘Building Western Sydney's Cultural Arts Economy; Western Sydney represents 30% of the population but receives only 5.5 % of the NSW Government’s Cultural Arts, heritage and events funding. A new museum of this calibre would go along way towards redressing the balance and making art and culture more accessible for the growing population of Western Sydney.
The Powerhouse development will also catalyse much needed Parramatta River activation. As the first major piece of infrastructure to face and activate the river in a long time, the project has the potential to change the way the community interacts with one of the cities most precious assets.
On behalf of the business community of Western Sydney, WSBC fully supports this game changing election promise. Western Sydney needs it!
The people and businesses of western Sydney have been funding arts and cultural intuitions in the East for too long and deserve to have access closer to home

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I do not support the demolition of the building currently identified as required for the Powerhouse Museum. This is against Heritage principals and is an echo of the disrepect shown for heriage structures in Thompson Square windsor. History is important and it must be respected by Governments and should not be tainted by people who do not care for our history be it indigenous or colonial.