Powerhouse Parramatta

the proposed development is not fit for purpose, as it is not replacing the Ultimo powerhouse as in the original brief. the heritage structures Willow Grove and St George Terraces should be preserved in any future development proposals.

I do not support the destruction of WILLOW GROVE AND TERRACES because I value our heritage. As there are 2 Power Houses: one in Sydney and one in Parramatta, the one in Parramatta doesn't have to be so big that these exquisite buildings have to be taken from the people of NSW. I grew up in Sydney and often visit. Indeed, my family history includes a marriage in Parramatta in the mid 1800s. I have also visited Parramatta. I treasure the Paddington terraces that are protected.

I object to the location for this new museum, not the in principal idea of having a museum like this in Parramatta. There has been able information given that there is an extensive collection not on public display, so there is material to justify another museum. To locate it in Parramatta or surrounds is not a bad idea, but I object to:
1) Locating it on a flood zone. I have stood in the car park currently on the site and seen flooding - and that was only after a bit of rain not larger storm events that we have seen. This is a flood zone. Spending the money here is madness.
2) Willow Grove and St George's Terrace should be preserved. There is precious little heritage left and Parramatta is lucky to have some unique heritage areas. To wilfully destroy some of this should not even be considered. These sites should be preserved and there are numerous opportunities to use Willow Grove for other public purposes. Willow Grove in particular is a fine architectural example and also represents Sydney's social history. Both mean it is worth of preservation.

There are alternatives. The North Parramatta heritage precinct has locations and opportunities where a museum could be incorporated and further enhance the site.

Luckily the stupid suggestion to close and destroy the current Powerhouse has been stopped. Now please stop further destruction at Willow Grove.

I object to the Parramatta Powerhouse for several reasons. This project would result in the community losing more than it gains. Having lived in Parramatta for 30 years and the local area for more than 70 years I am not opposed to Parramatta securing a museum but do object to this location because it is on a floodplain and would destroy the heritage-listed Willow Grove and St George's Terrace. Anyone who has ever visited the Phillip St site at Parramatta is aware it floods after rain. How the Berejiklian Government cannot accept this fact, even when Parramatta Council has highlighted its poor choice of location, is mind boggling. This would surely cause more problems in the future if a museum is built on the banks of the Parramatta River. The carpark currently on the site is always closed after heavy rain so you only have to look at that as an example to the problems it would bring. Why does the government ignore expert advice on this? HERITAGE: The government's handling of heritage in Parramatta is a disgrace. The place is becoming stripped of its soul and I'm fed up with politicians not listening to SOLUTIONS to having these major projects in Sydney's second settlement. My family is appalled that the Royal Oak Hotel has been destroyed for a light rail that nobody wants. Instead of listening to the community and diverting the route, we have lost a historic landmark that is 200 years old. Bankwest Stadium is a fine asset but why couldn't it be built around Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool? By the time the new pool opens we will have been six summers without a pool. We do not want the same to happen to Willow Grove or St George's Terrace and see this bulldozed for the ugly milk crates of the Powerhouse. Willow Grove is over 130 years old and St George's Terrace is slightly younger. Why not use Willow Grove as a museum in itself given it used to be a maternity hospital? The government should look at building around the buildings, or better yet, why not open a museum at the old Female Factory site? This would be more logical than building it on a floodplain! It would also mean Parramatta has a chance to showcase its heritage and draw people from across the state and even Australia to see our historic attractions. Why would you want to get rid of so many historical buildings when they are what makes a place special? The Berejiklian Government's contempt for Parramatta will make me reconsider voting Liberal but there is a chance to listen to solutions with the Powerhouse project. Just as the government has changed its mind about getting rid of the Ultimo site, it's not too late to change plans for Parramatta. We support a museum for Parramatta and the economic benefits it will bring - just don't do it at Phillip St. I have always been proud to tell people I am from Parramatta for its heritage (Elizabeth Farm House, Parramatta Park, Old Government House, Lancer Barracks, Leigh Memorial Church, St Patrick's Catholic Cathedral, St John's Anglican Cathedral, Willow Grove, St George's Terrace- to name a few). Anyone can visit an ugly new building but let's keep our heritage. Listen to the people, Gladys.

I object to the Parramatta Powerhouse because of the blatant destruction of important and irreplaceable heritage buildings.

I am a qualified builder and know that the skills and materials required to reconstruct these buildings don’t exist anymore.

I have had many conversations with foreign tourists and one of the main aspects of Australia that they find surprising is the stunning and unique style of terrace houses and Victorian / Edwardian / Colonial / Federation style buildings here in Australia. You just don’t get this anywhere else in the world. If the attitude of : There’s plenty of these in Sydney, what does it matter if a couple are knocked down is inexcusable. Can you imagine if everyone shared this sentiment? There would be nothing left of historical significance in Sydney to treasure. We look back at the Development Applications placed in the past such as the destruction of such buildings as The Queen Victoria Building. Imagine knocking that down today!? These buildings should be regarded in no other light. I believe the people making these sort of decisions are very narrow minded and if ever this went to a democratic vote, the development would be overwhelmingly voted down.

I heard about this on 2GB the other day and actually had to double check it was going ahead! If this goes ahead, there will be absolute public outrage. It will be the death knell of Berejiklians government I can assure of that. Just have a look at the feedback on Geoff Lee’s Facebook page about his interview on 2GB. The comments speak numbers!

Please reconsider this madness.

Regards- Sam Worner

The project as is will require the total irreversible loss of the heritage items Willow Grove, a 150-year-old villa surrounded by mature trees, and the St George's Terrace (dated 1881), including their significant fabric and aesthetic visual impact. These sites are the only examples of their type in the Parramatta CBD, and the local community has a particular attachment to them.
Replacing these items with an Interpretation Plan will not compensate for their loss. Too much of Parramatta's heritage has already been destroyed.

I object to any plans that would affect the destruction of Willow Grove and St.Georges Terrace. These buildings are OUR HISTORY. I enjoy walking past and viewing them and wonder what the walls have seen, and wonder what it would have been like to live there in the 1800's. I have taken our overseas relatives to see several of my local Heritage sites, including Willow Grove and St.Georges Terrace, they were just amazed at how lucky we are to still have such beautiful Victorian buildings still standing for the world to see and enjoy, and, for our future children and overseas visitors to still come. These Heritage sites are absolutely irreplaceable, no one has the right to take our History away.

I wish to register my objection to the demolition of both 'Willow Grove' and 'St George's Terrace'.

In both instances, both buildings have been subject to local heritage overlays and also demonstrate heritage values that align with State heritage assessment.

As such, I would also base my decision to object to the destruction of both buildings upon rejection of their demolition from many expert bodies such as the National Trust (NSW), with further support to halt plans for demolition from bodies as diverse as the Royal Australian Historical Society, the CFMEU, various broadcasters and journalists, grass-roots organisations in the Parramatta LGA.

Aside from both buildings being good examples of their type in the area, Willow Grove is a strong example of an Italianate villa, along with it;s gateway and gardens providing an excellent example of the Victorian era in the centre of Parramatta. The commercial terrace (St George's Terrace) makes an excellent contribution to the streetscape. Both buildings have long associations with the area and their heritage worthiness is also bolstered by their associations with the heritage of Parramatta. 19th century alderman and master-builder (George Coates) has ties to 'St George's Terrace'. 'Willow Grove's stint as a maternity hospital (when W.G.was known as 'Estrella') highlights the history of women who were crucial in the provision of midwifery to the people of the area in an age when infant and mother mortality was high.

If these two buildings are perfunctorily swept away for a project that does not require their destruction to develop, then this is a tragedy in terms of heritage preservation and also in the developing of a truly world class facility. Many people I know who live in the area support the concept of a museum, but NOT at the expense of the area's heritage. So far, the demolitions of 'Griffith House (another Victorian era Italianate home, so why then is W.G. now also given short shrift in this situation?), The Royal Oak Hotel (and other items destroyed for the light rail project) fears around 'Kia Ora, and now the proposed destruction of 'Willow Grove' and 'St George's Terrace' demonstrate very clearly that Parramatta is suffering disproportionately in the destruction of heritage. Tokenistic photos or remnants of demolished buildings do not do enough to 'tell the story'.

I would advise those assessing this situation to see the as to how the Museum of Western Australia incorporates heritage buildings into to the new (prime) museum. Aside from incorporating a former library building, and the Old Perth Gaol, the inclusion and thoughtful incorporation Hackett Hall is a far better solution than outright, unnecessary demolition. At a cost of less than half the cost of the proposed MAAS facility, the Western Australian Museum is an object lesson as to how a state should build a museum.

I would ask that both buildings should be retained, restored and incorporated into any former museum if it should eventuate. Both buildings add to the heritage and appeal that this heritage has to visitors to the area. Parramatta appears to be losing the general perception that it is a heritage worthy location due to the spate of recent demolitions

The new museum's proponents have time to amend the plans to incorporate these buildings. An expensive knock-down/re-build is not acceptable.

The notion that somehow the two heritage buildings are somehow of detriment to the fortunes of the area's economy is fatuous (again, I refer the reader to examine the new Museum of WA's renovation and following such an example would entice visitor numbers).

In the wake of COVID-19, interstate and intrastate travel would dictate that interesting and unique visitor experiences are desirable. The current museum plans would be bolstered by the retention of heritage buildings that help tell the story of the site. It is not too late to alter the plans and save these important buildings

Thank you for your time.

# The security of the large industrial artefacts currently at the Powerhouse have to stay in situ.
To date there has been no guarantee that the existing museum collection on display will not be dismantled.
Their removal to another exhibition location would......
1/ pose a threat to the preservation of the items in dismantling / temporary storage /transport.
The items are protected under the Heritage Act NSW
2/ dilute the significance / draw card attraction of the heritage collection of the Powerhouse

# Parramatta Site proposal ....Heritage destruction
The current proposed location for an exhibition centre at Parramatta is opposed as it would entail destruction of .....
1/ Willow Grove
2/ St George’s Terrace
Alternative design or relocation of the planned centre has to be done to conserve these significant Parramatta heritage buildings.

# the design for the Parramatta centre is perhaps appropriate for conventions but not for housing museum / art collections.
There are concerns that the climate control within the building would not be to curatorial standards

# Financial expenditure.... monies allocated for the building at Parramatta are better suited to creating several smaller science/ cultural centres in western Sydney .

I wish for the heritage of Parramatta's area be left alone, and the Power House Museum has to be relocated to another location which does not damage or destroy Australia's / Parramatta's heritage.
The heritage buildings Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace MUST NOT be demolished.

I object to this project for numerous reasons;
- the destruction of heritage buildings in Parramatta to create a place to store heritage items is absurd! These buildings have inherent value in their own right and Willowgrove and St George Terrace must be saved. When viewed within the total envelope of construction and development in Parramatta, there is a huge assault taking place on Parramatta's heritage.
- the site is wrong. The footprint is too tight. The site floods several times per year when we are not in drought. I have lived in Parramatta and surrounding areas for most of my life and i have seen this part of the riverbank underwater more times than i can remember. The building does not celebrate the river bank, it is a beautiful site linking all the way along the river. Parramatta Council had a draft plan for the river bank which was lovely and which i supported. The residential development continues apace, and green open space needs to be maximised.
- there is an alternative which is so much better! Several hundred metres up the river is the site of Cumberland hospital and the Parramatta Female Factory. This site could be a beautiful living museum, celebrating Parramatta's history. It would make a stunning Arts and Cultural Precinct, an easy walk from transport, room for parking, connected to Parramatta Park and the Wistaria Gardens (which could become a botanic garden in it's own right but has been neglected for years). This site does not flood, there is room to create beautiful spaces and the heritage of the site could be incorporated into a museum. The Parramatta Female Factory is akin the the Hyde Park Barracks in age and significance.
-lastly, the proposed building is so ugly and not fit for purpose. We need to stop trying to design for multi purpose/economic production. Some things have inherent value without necessarily producing income.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project. While it is a great idea to build a second Powerhouse museum, the current proposal has some flaws.
Most importantly, it is beyond ironic that a museum used to showcase our heritage is going to destroy our heritage unnecessarily. Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace must be preserved in any redevelopment of the area. It is not like they are in poor repair etc. They can easily and creatively be incorporated into the new precinct. They already are heritage listed and disregard for this is terrible. We are losing our heritage assets at an alarming rate, and these for absolutely no good reason.
I am also concerned about the museum and it's placement in a flood zone. There seems to be no regard for protecting the exhibits in the new building. Although, as so little information has been released it is hard to tell
yours faithfully
Mark Ashdown

I object to the proposed location of the Powerhouse Parramatta on the flood prone banks of the Parramatta River.
I object to the demolition of two heritage buildings, namely WillowGrove and St Georges Terraces.
I object to the proposed design as it is more a convention centre than a museum and is not large enough to house the current collection.
I object to the proposed / estimated budget of $1.5B being spent on the project, when funds are needed to support NSW communities post-bushfire / floods / covid.
I support a Museum of Parramatta / New South Wales within the grounds of the Fleet St Heritage Precinct / Cumberland Hospital grounds

I am a Fashion Designer
I am objecting to the Blatant Disrespect to Our Heritage Buildings in Parramatta FOR DECADES
TODAY I am referring to
-THE WILLOW GROVE VILLA
-THE ST GEORGE TERRACES
I have had businesses in Parramatta for Decades
I last Occupied One of The Gorgeous St George Terraces From NOV 2009-DEC 2015 (6years)With My Fashion Label
Anna Bourke
HOW CAN WE HAVE NO LOVE NO VALUE NO APPRECIATION FOR OUR BEAUTIFUL OLD BUILDINGS FROM THE LAST 150 YEARS?
With NO HISTORY there is No Understanding of the Future
I FIND IT A CRIMINAL ACT FOR ANY COUNCIL Such as Parramatta to have Purchased The St George Terrace
Only to apparently threaten if they The Current Owners Sold it to Someone else the council would NEVER Approve any DA’s
Then Once Acquired to on sell it to THE STATE GOVERNMENT
THE Council is meant to be there for the Local People NOT for their OWN financial Developing benefit
As for The Willow Grove Villa
Apparently telling People The Councillors Would Occupy it
It would Not Be Demolished
The Whole Process has not been transparent to the public
STOP AND LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE OF PARRAMATTA
OTHERWISE ITS ON YOUR OWN CONSCIENCE TO LIVE WITH SUCH A GREAT LOSS
How beautiful The St George Terraces
Would be renovated and restored back to the original Terraces With fenced off gardens
THE WILLOW GROVE VILLA SHOULD BE TREASURED ITS A NATIONAL JEWEL
WAKE UP
DEMOLISH THE CARPARK ON THE RIVERBANK AND RESTORE THE AREA THE WAY IT WAS
SO FROM THE WILLOW GROVE VILLA
(THE OLD HOSPITAL SITE) AND THE ST GEORGE TERRACES YOU COULD WALK DOWN TO THE RIVER

Jemena submission to the SSD 10416 Powerhouse Parramatta attached

I object to the Parramatta Powerhouse Project in relation to the demolition and /or significant change to the heritage buildings, Willow Grove and St George's Terrace, to build the Parramatta Powerhouse.


Heritage buildings are a reminder of the important role that Parramatta played in the development of the settlement at Sydney and its reach to the west. This is a theme that is still relevant to the growth of modern Sydney. We learnt about this development and its significance in school and, as years go by, these beautiful buildings are the living reminder of our history.


It remains important to provide cultural amenity in Parramatta, but to do so at the cost of the destruction of unique elements of the area's history seems contradictory and senselessly wanton. Surely the provision of much needed facilities for western Sydney can be undertaken while preserving its history? Residents of Sydney won't to be able to point with pride to the development of the Powerhouse in Parramatta with the stain of this destruction on the project.


Please reconsider this aspect of the plan. I live in a suburb that has been redeveloped extensively and has high density living, but retains elements of its history, primarily through old buildings and streetscapes. I know how rewarding and nourishing it is to be surrounded by the modern and the historic in one place. Why would we not all want that for Parramatta as well?

I have not made any reportable political donations.