Powerhouse Parramatta

Firstly the retention in some form of the above local heritage building should be of dominant consideration.

Reason being that there have been far too many local historical buildings and sites lost in historical Parramatta not forgetting that was the first seat of government in Australia

Therefore would the Dept of Planning please give earnest consideration to the following

1. It would seem that the design submission to hand planning wise, was not able to include the above structures.
Firstly, consideration from the writers perspective requires a complete redesign for such inclusions
2. In the event that consistent planning constraints cannot support item 1. The further consideration should be given as follows:

(i) As known there are a number precedents to hand within the City of Parramatta that allowed the retention of such historical buildings
(ii) There is no reason cost wise [given the overall costs involved] why these building forms cannot be dismantled with extreme due care and diligence for relocation

One example was the relocation of the Kings School Chapel [adjoining the subject site] to a new site at Pennant Hills Road, North Parramatta, at that time a newly acquired site for the Kings School where such chapel was rebuilt [stone by numbered stone] and reopened in 1972

(iii) The NSW Govt can also utilise other sites under their control to relocate and rebuild within the Parramatta area.
(iii) If all else fails then compulsory land acquisition could be a consideration within nearby areas of the subject site.

We object to The Powerhouse Parramatta because:

*This will mean the demolition of the Historically listed Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces buildings in Parramatta, to build the new Powerhouse Museum on this site.

*We believe that historical buildings in Parramatta need to be preserved as much as possible, for the education and enjoyment of the present and future Australian generations and for International visitors to also learn more about the critical importance that Parramatta played in the survival and then the prospering of the Colony.

We are both members of The National Trust and The Parramatta Historical Society.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because of the loss of valuable heritage places such as Willowgrove and St Georges Terrace. As a former resident of Parramatta district I am acutely aware of the effect of the loss of such valuable links to our shared past.
I feel that alternative sites have not been sufficiently explored and the Parramatta light rail will make sites such as the Cumberland Hospital area in North Parramatta quite accessible to the public.

Yours sincerely
John Chapman

I declare that I have not made any reportable political donations.

OBJECTION SSD - 10416
I object to the above mentioned development for the following reasons -
HERITAGE
The proponent proposes to destroy two heritage listed buildings, the 1870's Italianate Mansion Willow Grove and the St George’s Terrace, which comprises seven two-storey terrace houses built from 1881.
Willow Grove's state heritage listing notes that it is “a good example of a Victorian Italianate two-storey villa, readily identifiable as part of historic building stock and strongly contributing to the streetscape in spite of its large setback, partly through its notable fence.” The listing states that Willow Grove is of significance for historical, aesthetic and representative reasons.
St George’s Terrace is recognized as significant for historical and aesthetic reasons. “The group [of houses] 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,” reads the statement of significance.
The proposal to destroy these two buildings makes a mockery of state heritage laws and undermines the public's confidence in the state government and the planning process. What is the point of heritage listing buildings if they can be destroyed regardless?
I strongly object to the destruction of these two heritage listed buildings.
PROPOSAL
Construct a Museum and cultural destination at the historic Cumberland Hospital Precinct in North Parramatta.

Retain the historic Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces, and implement the existing Parramatta Council vision for a public square alongside Parramatta River.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..
1. The area is prone to flooding,
2. Stupid to knock down a heritage building for a museum!
3. Apparently there is no room for half the current exhibits....how are you going to fit a few trains in the new building?

Please save Willowgrove!

Kathy Doherty

We object strongly to the demolition and loss of Willow Grove & St Georges Terrace, what will I tell my 5 year old about the destruction of this heritage building, soon there will be nothing left to show him.

PLEASE reconsider this demolition.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace are one of a kind in the Parramatta CBD and their lose would have a significant impact on the community's connection with heritage"

There is a simple solution. A three point plan .

Keep the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo and build a new lyric theatre there also.
Create a brilliant Museum and cultural destination at historic Cumberland Hospital Precinct in North Parramatta. (Read more here)
Save historic Willow Grove & St Georges Terraces, and realise the existing Parramatta Council vision for a public square alongside the river.

Yours truly
Robert Woodley

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because the destruction of our old historic buildings to make way for it seems unacceptable when there are other sites more suitable.

Re demolishing 2 heritage buildings in order to build a Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta.

Is the NSW Government trying to whitewash Australia’s history?
I, and my family are appalled at this decision.

I wish to voice my opposition to the bulldozing of 2 heritage homes at Parramatta in order to make way for a new building which will house items of cultural significance from our past.
What are the State planners and the NSW Sate government thinking?
Worldwide, homes of cultural significance are restored and retained in order to remind and represent a country’s origin-but no, in NSW we bulldoze heritage buildings.

Our NSW Government and state planners must be seen as vandals by other countries who value their buildings and incorporate them within their cities.

What do most people view when they travel to The United kingdom or Europe? Historical building!!!!

If I, as a landowner owned these properties I would not be permitted to remove them.
However, the NSW Government is obviously outside the law!
What next-our beautiful CBD sandstone buildings, maybe the State Library or the Opera house?

Residents of NSW deserve better than this short-sighted, appalling and offensive plan.
Please retract it!

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..
Unlike civilised cities in Europe and UK ...and even USA, we continue to destroy heritage buildings leaving depleted landscapes of soulless buildings for the next generations.
Please find another location for the new museum in Paramatta...there must be other suitable sites there. We need town planning with vision which can blend the old with the new.

Regards, Monica Rourke.

My family are connected to the History of Parramatta. My great Grandfather came for Ireland to fence the railway line from Sydney to Parramatta. My other Grandfather was an engine driver on the line from Parramatta to Castle Hill.
The family have been shop owners, part of the committee that started the Parramatta Eels.
I was born in Willow Grove in 1946. My most recent visit to Parramatta was an eye opener to how much of the Old Parramatta has disappeared.
The history of Parramatta is important for future generations to come. Something you can touch, feel and look at, is much better than looking at story on the internet.
Please help us save our historic buildings.

I would like to express my opposition to the demolition of two heritage listed buildings St. George's Terrace 1881 and Willow Grove circa 1886 that are earmarked to be demolished to make way for the building of a new Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta.

It is ridiculous and wrong to demolish two heritage listed buildings to make way for a museum for historical items. Why pull down history to make way for a museum to show history. To destroy two genuine historical buildings for a museum does not sense. Another site should be found if a new Powerhouse Museum is to be built in Parramatta.

I am not a resident of Parramatta but I am of New South Wales and I am concerned that the State's history can so easily be wiped out so therefore I would like to have a say in this important matter.

Regardless of anything else, the NSW Government should not be exempt from adhering to Heritage Listings just to suit their own whims and fancies. It is Historical vandalism. Heritage Listings are there for a reason. Ordinary citizens are not permitted to override Heritage Listings and neither should the Government be allowed.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because it is part of Australia’s history and heritage. These buildings are a glimpse into a different time and helps us to understand a piece of the puzzle that makes up Australian society.


I don’t understand how Heritage Listed buildings can be destroyed. There is no need for the Powerhouse Museum to be relocated. It’s in a good location where it currently is. Or the government can incorporate these buildings into the new design.


I am the author of a House & Farm Name book and am passionate about our old buildings and want their names to live on.


Thank you for your time.

I wish to strongly object to the destruction of the heritage building WillowGrove at Parramatta to make way for the new Powerhouse museum. We need to preserve the few of these buildings that we have left. I fail to understand how it makes sense to tear down this beautiful old building which tells us about our past to build a new building to house stuff that tells us about our past. Please do not do this.

I object to the Parramatta Powerhouse project because it demonstrates a disregard for heritage and respect for the community’s sense of connection with heritage.

Public opinion is on the side of protecting the heritage at Sydney’s Centre. This is an opportunity to create a cultural destination that everyone can value while at the same time using the existence of these wonderful historic buildings to create a sense of public space that can be appreciated by all Sydney-siders and visitors to the city.

The loss of Willow Grove and the St George Terraces will be significant. No amount of development and promised jobs can replace this.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because Parramatta is the cradle city of our nation and its heritage buildings are precious. As a dynamic city, Parramatta would benefit from having history and the future blended. You can have progress while respecting heritage. There has to be a way of having a museum design that incorporates or circumvents St George’s Terrace and Willow Grove.

I am extremely upset to hear that there are plans to destroy the beautiful historic house of Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace at Parramatta.
I used to live next door to this house and its beautiful gardens , and it was a breath of fresh air amongst the character-less modern apartment blocks that now surround it.

At this time we should be preserving our history and heritage NOT destroying it!

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..

STOP this rubbish. Heritage is at stake once it is gone it is gone
There are ways around this stop looking for the easy option VALUE heritage. The PowerHouse can be anywhere but the heritage cannot be moved
Jean McGregor