Powerhouse Parramatta

Dear Madam/Sir,

Please find attached, below, my submission

Thank you for the opportunity to make this submission.

I strongly OBJECT to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project and the, proposed, concealed, joint demolition of historic Willow Grove and nearby historic St Georges Terraces.

How does the irony of destroying historic heritage buildings in order to build a museum, to display historic arts, crafts, sciences, and engineering, that once occupied a place of importance in similar historic heritage buildings, make any sense?

Parramatta is an historic city, being our second oldest city having been founded in 1788, the same year as olde Sydney town! Accordingly, there is an expectation to be able see a wide representative range of, heritage buildings.

We cannot afford to lose any further heritage buildings. Surely, it was inconceivable to learn that it was the NSW government itself that had wantonly destroyed Parramatta’s historic 200 year old Royal Oak Inn, in the early hours of the morning? How could any reasonable and responsible government perform such an act of wanton vandalism of our built history? Surely, instead, it is the expected role of government to be both the protector and custodian of the environment and our heritage.

Moreover, such vandalism has created the need and expectation to preserve what is left of the representative examples of our early built environment, which sadly, are now fewer in number.
Willow Grove, a once private home, from around the 1870’s is a fine example of a Victorian era, Italianate family Villa, that I first observed on a family excursion, that later served as women’s hospital and the nearby companion, St Georges Terrace, plays a significant supporting role anchoring this historic precinct.

These two unique heritage buildings are fine, rare, representative examples of architecture that no longer exists in Parramatta, today, and, accordingly, it is all the more important for our sense of place, in our social history, and in the fabric of the City of Parramatta, that these buildings be preserved.

Both Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces must be preserved for posterity!

The Parramatta Powerhouse must be thoroughly reconsidered now that the large heritage objects will now be retained at Ultimo.
It should be obvious that the Parramatta building need not be as large as originally planned.
It should also be obvious that Wilow Grove and the Georgian terraces can now be considered for retention.

Dear Sir,

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project.
To wipe out gracious old buildings like WillowGrove and the St George's Terraces that hold so much history of Parramatta is an act of destruction that has relevance for us all today as well as for future generations.

So much heritage in Parramatta has been lost already. We need to preserve and respect our heritage not destroy it.

My family from both convict and pioneer heritage have had connections to Parramatta for hundreds of years. My ancestors are buried in st John's cemetery beside Rev Samuel Marsden who married them.
My great grandmother lived in Philip st Parramatta next door to a Chinese market gardener.

Their lives must be respected and their heritage protected.
Once a building is demolished it is gone for good. You cannot bring them back.
In causing their destruction you are robbing future generations of their history.

Please be a leader who preserves our past for our children's future

I object to the Parramatta Powerhouse Project for a number of reasons.

My main objection is in relation to the anticipated destruction of valuable heritage in the Parramatta CBD - Willow Grove and the St Georges Terraces. Both structures tell important stories of the local history of Parramatta and so should be cherished and, in the case of the Terraces, restored rather than bulldozed.

I feel that both structures are particularly valuable to hold onto and protect now, at a time of unprecedented development in the local area, to ensure that Parramatta is in a good place to tell stories of long ago. Particularly Willow Grove, which was a maternity hospital for over three decades. While photographs might do this too, nothing compares to bricks and mortar.

Historical relics and buildings in the Parramatta CBD are becoming increasingly rare, seen recently with the destruction of the Royal Oak Hotel to make way for the new tram line. As such, it's my belief that the State government should be working hard to keep buildings like Willow Grove and the St Georges Terraces.

Everyone I know locally is, quite frankly, outraged at the prospect of tearing these buildings down. It's, quite frankly, illogical in a suburb where history is a key part of its identity. There must be some way of ensuring these building survive a new museum being brought into the community.

I urge the NSW Government to protect these important buildings. Progress and history can coexist if the NSW Government is willing to make this happen.

I object to the demolition of the historic buildings 'Willow Grove'and 'St George's Terrace' to make way for the current MAAS Powerhouse proposal on the Southern bank of the Riverbank site, between Lennox Bridge and Barry Wilde Bridge Parramatta.

'Willow Grove’ was purchased by the City of Parramatta who recognised it's importance to the history of the City. Willow Grove was originally built as a private home between 1870 and 1880, its uses include a private hospital and maternity hospital, the building and its grounds have been preserved by a succession of owners who have recognised its importance as a representative example of a Victorian Italianate two-storey villa. It is a local landmark, strongly contributing to the streetscape of Phillip St Parramatta and as a landmark building at the intersection of Horwood Place and Phillip St Parrmatta.

'St George's Terrace' was purchased by the City Parramatta in regognition of their importance as being representative of a period of the City's growth. The Terraces are of historical and social significance as the last remaining row of terraces in the Parramatta CBD, representative examples of common modest Victorian period terraces constructed during early development in the area. The terraces retain a high degree of integrity when viewed from the street and present a gateway glimpse of the early character of the Parramatta township, when travelling South along Smith St. from Victoria Rd.

'I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project' and I feel strongly that Willowgrove and St Georges Terraces should not be demolished.

I am a school counsellor, employed by the NSW Department of Education. Prior to this role, I was a secondary History and English teacher. As a former History teacher, and a psychologist, I believe it would be highly hypocritical to take students to a modern building, such as the planned Powerhouse Parramatta, and for students to be aware of the fact that our generation allowed the demolition of buildings of local significance to be bulldozed like so many other significant buildings from the period of Colonial New South Wales.

A museum is defined as 'A building in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited.' It is ironic that the accepted design for the Powerhouse Museum Parramatta actually sets out to destroy objects, namely buildings, of historic, artistic and cultural interest.

During a recent trip to Malaysia, we visited George Town, Penang. The oldest portion of the city centre has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2008. George Town was established by the British East India Company in 1786 as the first British settlement in South East Asia. Expected tourist arrivals during 2020 (prior to the Covid pandemic), were 8.3 million.

Parramatta was founded by the British in 1788 and is the oldest inland European settlement in Australia. It makes no sense whatsoever to demolish buildings which attest to the history of the oldest inland European settlement in this country. This buildings are the legacy for future generations.

I recently wrote a piece for a local history competition run by Bayside Council about the history of North Botany / Mascot but have realised, in the process of my research, that an incredibly high number of buildings of historical value, have been demolished, often to make way for unsightly modern buildings.
Fortunately, the house my great great grandfather built in 1895 has been heritage listed by the local government, however, that does not guarantee that it too may be demolished one day.

Teaching students history via images of what once stood in a spot, is very different to taking students to actually see a building or monument first hand. I for one, would boycott an excursion to the Parramatta Powerhouse with students, based on the current design, as a result of my disappointment with a government (for whom I am employed), allowing the destruction of historic buildings in order to build a museum.

It is true that many modern buildings are functional and efficient. They are not always as aesthetically pleasing as the craftsmanship of historic buildings. I acknowledge that progress will occur but truly hope that this will not be at the cost of history, which belongs to the people (the voters and taxpayers).

I am not a resident of Parramatta but am a resident of Sydney and as a psychologist and a former History teacher, I appeal to the Planning Department to consider alternative designs which allow for Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces to be incorporated into the current design for the Parramatta Powerhouse Museum.

Please note: I have not made any reportable political donations. I give consent for my name to be published.

Kind regards,

Kim Pastor

To whom it may concern

I object to the Parramatta Powerhouse Project.

I wish to make a submission to oppose the demolition of Willow Grove and St George's Terrace to construct the new Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta.

I do not support the move of the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta.

However if this the Powerhouse Museum is relocated to Parramatta please find an alternative site.

Willow Grove and St George's Terrace have unique and irreplaceable heritage and cultural value.

Please do not destroy any more of our history.

I have not made any reportable political donations.

Dear Madam/Sir,

Please find attached, below, my submission and thank you for the opportunity to make this submission.

I strongly OBJECT to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project and the, proposed, concealed, joint demolition of historic Willow Grove and nearby historic St Georges Terraces.

How does the irony of destroying historic heritage buildings in order to build a museum, to display historic arts, crafts, sciences, and engineering, that once occupied a place of importance in similar historic heritage buildings, make any sense?

Parramatta is an historic city, being our second oldest city having been founded in 1788, the same year as old Sydney town! Accordingly, there is an expectation to be able to see a wide representative range of, heritage buildings.

We cannot afford to lose any further heritage buildings. Surely, it was inconceivable to learn that it was the NSW government itself that had wantonly destroyed Parramatta’s historic 200 year old Royal Oak Inn, in the early hours of the morning? How could any reasonable and responsible government perform such an act of wanton vandalism of our built history? Surely, instead, it is the expected role of government to be both the protector and custodian of the environment and our heritage.

Moreover, such vandalism has created the need and expectation to preserve what is left of the representative examples of our early built environment, which sadly, are now fewer in number.
Willow Grove, a once private home, from around the 1870’s is a fine example of a Victorian era, Italianate family Villa, that I first observed on a family excursion, that later served as women’s hospital and the nearby companion, St Georges Terrace, plays a significant supporting role anchoring this historic precinct.

These two unique heritage buildings are fine, rare, representative examples of architecture that no longer exists in Parramatta, today, and, accordingly, it is all the more important for our sense of place, in our social history, and in the fabric of the City of Parramatta, that these buildings be preserved.

Both Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces must be preserved for posterity!

Demolishing heritage listed 150 year old Willow Grove and the nearby St George's Terrace buildings and the surrounding mature trees for the new Powerhouse Museum is short sighted and unnecessary. Already far too many of Parramatta's heritage buildings have been lost and these are irreplaceable to our history and heritage. These buildings are the only examples of their type in the district and need to be preserved. I have lived in Parramatta all of my 62 years and this proposal will further erode the historical value of Parramatta as Australia's second city in colonial times.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project. I certainly do not object to the idea of a world class museum in Parramatta, but I object most strongly to the stupid vandalism involved in the suggested method of achieving it.

Don’t be a wrecker. Save Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace.

I was born and grew up in Parramatta, and my children were brought up there too.

I no longer live in the area, but every time I go back I am horrified at the loss of the history that I grew up with.

I am not a Luddite and I applaud progress, when it is sensitively and respectfully integrated into the existing built environment. I have travelled extensively overseas, especially to Europe, and am full of admiration for the way they build magnificent modern buildings without destroying their heritage. Why, in Australia, do we allow our history to be trampled underfoot and lost forever, when we have so little of it?

I applaud the NSW Government decision to retain the original Powerhouse Museum in its original, culturally significant home. Please go the extra mile and leave Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace where they belong, too. Our children and grandchildren will thank you for it.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project. I do not support the destruction of Willow Grove and the St Georges Terraces in Parramatta.

Willow Grove and the St Georges Terraces are rare examples of heritage architecture that no longer exists in Parramatta CBD and should be proudly retained for future generations to enjoy and to continue the link to our past and history of the area.

For over three decades Willow Grove was a maternity hospital that served the women of the area. It operated until the 1950s and is an important part of the history of this area.

It is also a very beautiful building on charming grounds. When my family and I travel to Parramatta we always pass by Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces to gaze at their beauty and charm. I always felt proud and happy that these structures were still standing among the newer buildings. Almost like an oasis in a clinical environment. Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces are so full of charm and character and elegance in contrast to the cold and uninteresting surrounding structures. What assets they are to the Parramatta district. To its social history and to the character of the Parramatta area.

When I travelled overseas in 2018 to Europe and England I was struck with awe at the historic structures that were valued and preserved in those countries. The historic buildings there were often the reason so many people travelled to these places. To see structures that were of historic significance and which are completely unique in our modern world because they are a direct link to the past. Willow Grove and the St Georges Terraces are examples in Parramatta of such significant buildings! They must be preserved for all citizens to enjoy for generations to come as significant buildings are preserved in other parts of the world.

For the reasons I have mentioned above I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project.
I also wish to state that I have not made any political donations and that I request my name to be withheld from being published with this submission.

I Object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project, and this is my reasons for my objections.

First I would like to say a bit about myself , I spent most of my life in Westmead and still live in my family home .
I attended primary school at Westmead public school 1963 to 1969 . High school at Arthur Phillip High school Parramatta 1970 to 1973 ,and got my school certificate.
I Joined the PMG as a apprentice telephone exchange Technician . I spent about 30 years in this role, PMG ,Telecom & Telstra maintaining telephone Exchanges around Parramatta district as well as Parramatta Exchange which is situated back of the old Post office in Church st Parramatta .
I can remember in about 1976 as a apprentice Technician visiting Willow Grove Villa regarding some errand to see a Engineer at the Villa . From 1970 to 1980's some of our Telecom Engineers and other Officers were based in Willow Grove Villa, I remember Willow Grove as a majestic building with high doors and windows and beautiful fire places . There were at least 10 other Villas, like Willow Grove around Parramatta in 1970 , and Willow Grove is the only one left.
At the front of my old school APHS in Smith St Parramatta was in 1973 when I attended high school there , 4 or 5 Terraces like the ones in George st Parramatta ,now no more!! Also most of my old APHS has been completely demolished this week , good that the 1890's buildings have been preserved. Too little to late!
I can remember going on a history bus high school excursion in 1971 around Parramatta 95% of the old Parramatta that I saw then is been demolished since that time !
What I am trying to say is we have lost most of Parramatta's History in recent decades ,Parramatta has a rich History and there is not much left for our children and grand children when they grow up to enjoy and remember us by!!

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project

My husband and I are in our 80's and Willowgrove is part of our history, we need our history from the Parramatta Area for our generation and generations to come. I would not like to see this beautiful building that was constructed in the early days of Parratta's colonisation torn down.

After all Parramatta was the main city of the colonies, Government house was located in Parramatta for many years.

Please do not destroy the little history Parramatta has remaining.

My husband and I have never made political donations nor do we intend to, we just want to see a part or our history saved

My family immigrated to Australia 50 years ago. We came to live in Parramatta and never really left. I have a deep love of this area. I have watched as many of the historic buildings were demolished to make way for high-rise after high-rise - to the detriment of conservation of our history.
It is an absolute tragedy to see Willow Grove and St George’s terrace will soon be lost to “development”. These buildings are the few vestiges of life as it was here in the historic heart of the Parramatta CBD during the 1800s. I had hoped that these would be standing for our children’s children to see and enjoy.
I PASSIONATELY OBJECT to the development planned for this wonderful old building, the grounds and the adjoining St Georges Terrace. PLEASE LEAVE THEM ALONE FOR US ALL TO ENJOY!!

I write in support of the EIS for the Powerhouse Parramatta. This project is about addressing the cultural infrastructure inequity in Western Sydney and providing the region with a Tier 1 Cultural Institution that it has long deserved. I understand that the project will support the creation of many jobs during construction and through its operation. It will be a boon for the Parramatta city economy attracting millions of people each year to the city which will support local businesses. It will also better connect Parramatta with its river and provide a platform for a range of new activties along the waterfront for residents and visitors.

I OBJECT to the PowerHouse Parramatta project.

I am still appalled that the Royal Oak hotel was demolished for the light rail (which could have deviated to keep our wonderful heritage) and quite frankly, I simply can't understand how any Australian Could condone the wiping out of our wondrous heritage and history.

Both Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces are also precious pieces of Parramatta (and indeed Australia's) history. We should be proud of the remaining architecture in our backyard and invite people to visit to get a true sense of our heritage, rather than wipe it out. I want my children's grandchildren to have a sense of connection to the architecture and history of our wonderful homeland, and what life was like in the times that Australia was still settling, by visiting these places in years to come. Demolishing this heritage is a shameful act.

Please please reconsider.

I have never made a reportable political donation and request that my name is withheld from my submission.
I OBJECT to the PowerHouse Parramatta project.

I am still appalled that the Royal Oak hotel was demolished for the light rail (which could have deviated to keep our wonderful heritage) and quite frankly, I simply can't understand how any Australian Could condone the wiping out of our wondrous heritage and history.

Both Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces are also precious pieces of Parramatta (and indeed Australia's) history. We should be proud of the remaining architecture in our backyard and invite people to visit to get a true sense of our heritage, rather than wipe it out. I want my children's grandchildren to have a sense of connection to the architecture and history of our wonderful homeland, and what life was like in the times that Australia was still settling, by visiting these places in years to come. Demolishing this heritage is a shameful act.

Please please reconsider.

I have never made a reportable political donation and request that my name is withheld from my submission.

Now that the decision to move the Powerhouse museum from the Power House in Ultimo, the rest of plan to demolish Willow Grove and the nearby early terrace houses should also be abandoned.

Development of Parramatta or any major, centrally located business area is a constant. But the pace of change is likely to slow given the long-overdue realisation that it is no longer as necessary, as was once thought, for clerical workers to congregate in vast anonymous buildings.

Especially at weekends and after business hours, dominated by office blocks as it is, Parramatta has become a soulless place devoid of any interest to tourists or local visitors. Leaving these two buildings would add to the amenity of the city. If the aborted museum is to be replaced by a museum to celebrate our heritage, it makes no sense to destroy the real thing situated next door.

I was going to express my absolute objection to the closure and proposed development plans for the Powerhouse Museum.
So thrilled to hear the news yesterday that the plans have been shelved. Thank you Premier. It’s a wonderful collection, that has given so much pleasure to our family.
Parramatta of course deserves a museum too, it’s just a shame that an Australian design wasn’t preferred.