Powerhouse Parramatta

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because under the current proposal heritage buildings are to be destroyed when there is a better alternative and outcome which I would ask you to consider.

Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace are one of a kind in the Parramatta CBD and their loss will have a significant impact on the community's connection with heritage. This is an old country and I respect the indigenous heritage and I would ask that the same be given to these buildings which are my heritage from more recent times. Under the current plan these buildings will simply be destroyed and replaced with modern day concrete, steel and glass.

Once Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace are destroyed so is a link with our past, the people and their history. Too many historical buildings have come under threat and lost in the making of today’s Parramatta and I would ask that on this occasion we take note of how historical architecture is retained in major cities across the world. Given the choice people and community, whilst accepting modern day buildings are often architecturally beautiful and engineering marvels in their own right, seek to retain the historical relevance of our pioneering forefathers and their buildings of significance. Future generations deserve the right to enjoy them and know their history and place in the building of this great country. Once it’s gone it’s gone forever.

There is an alternative and simple solution to the conundrum of losing Parramatta history whilst providing the Power House Museum; which ironically itself offers today’s and future generations a historic look at our technology through recent history. Ironically much of that technology on show extended out from the industrial revolution of 1781 which gave this country the tools and technology to become what it is today.

The birth place for this revolution is Ironbridge in the UK. Fortunately the town has retained its history and much of its buildings and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It could have been knock down and rebuilt many times over the years but fortunately remains as a historic symbol of how the technology and determination spread out across the world and subsequently established modern Parramatta. Please let us embrace and keep our heritage in Parramatta, a town which became an important part of establishing this State. We can like many great cities of the world retain important heritage whilst building for the future. It really should not just be a cycle of knock down and rebuild, the alternative proposal offers far greater value to the community and visitors to Parramatta for generations to come:

· Keep the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo. (Which is itself of historic significance and part of Sydney’s early 20th century development.)

· Create a new Museum and cultural destination at the historic Cumberland Hospital Precinct in North Parramatta.

· Retain the historic Willow Grove & St Georges Terraces, and realise the existing Parramatta Council vision for a public square alongside the river.

Dear Sir, I wish to strenuously object to the potential destruction of historic and beautiful properties to build new and probably ugly modern buildings.

It's not like there is a lack of space anywhere in Australia. Please do not proceed with demolishing a historic property for no good reason except to replace it. Go to a vacant block of land somewhere, or demolish an ugly modern block of units somewhere - something red brick and out of the 60s that no-one will miss.

I look forward to some genuine good sense being shown in this matter.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because I’m sure a better solution can be found without destroying our beautiful heritage buildings.

The whole plan needs to be reconsidered.

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I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..you can’t continue to destroy what little heritage we have in this country. It’s not yours to destroy.
By all means, build a museum but there are other places to build.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..to create something new at the expense of another is just destruction.
I am an Australian who can trace my family tree back to well before the British arrived in Australia.
I value and respect my family’s role in creating the Australia we know today.
Architecture goes hand in hand with the People in early Australia.So of course, the architectural history is so important.
Every piece of beautiful original architecture still standing, is a testament to the fortitude and skill of our forebears and should be treasured.
They all should be heritage listed for protection.
Parramatta played an important role in the establishment of early Sydney growth, and to destroy its early history/architecture is a crime.
The personal opinion of individual counsellors who are short lived in their roles, have no authority to decide to destroy any such property.
An agenda to “develop” at the expense of cultural and historically important existing buildings is I believe immoral.
Your role I believe, is to be the caretaker of such historically important structures, for generations to come.
Also, the high immigration level in the Parramatta area today, should be encouraged to appreciate the historical value of their region.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because I do not want the significant heritage sites to vanish from Parramatta. I grew up in the area and live nearby still, and as a child enjoyed these sites, my children also had school excursion to some of them.
I have 2 books on the history of Parramatta’s historic sites, it’s what makes Parramatta beautiful. There are buildings in the Cumberland Hospital that could be used for a museum without destroying Willow Grove or St George’s Terrace and replacing with ugly building not in keeping with the historic value of the area.
Please save these sites for future generations to also enjoy.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project because:

1. There is a viable and desirable alternative in the Fleet Street Heritage Precinct. The Fleet Street Proposal is more in keeping with the history of Indigenous custodianship of the Parramatta region, with our convict past and with the earliest development of Australia as a British colony.

2. The Powerhouse Parramatta project requires the destruction of Willowgrove and the St Georges Terraces, both important European heritage sites. I commend the Government on their recent decision to retain the much loved historic Powerhouse Museum site at Ultimo, and urge a reversal on the plan to destroy these equally important and much loved historic buildings in Parramatta.

3. The current proposal for the Powerhouse Parramatta project does not allow for the existing Parramatta Council vision for a public square alongside the river. Public outdoor space is at a premium in Parramatta, as we have seen during the Covid19 restrictions. I visit Parramatta often as my daughter, son-in-law and grandson live there. Like many Parramatta residents they have no backyard, and make use of healthy outdoor spaces for exercise and recreation.

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I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because it is a Sydney Museum that should remain at Ultimo in its present
location showing the complete collection in its present format, please listen to the experts.
The people of Parramatta would love a new unique museum telling their story of 60,000 years of settlement of First people
and the early days of transportation of Convicts to this land. The remaining heritage buildings are proof of this essential story
that must be told. The Cumberland Hospital site at North Parramatta would be perfect with that fantastic Female Factory as the jewel in
crown that would rival any other heritage building in Australia,.The overseas visitors would love it let alone the poor natives of Australia.

The City of Parramatta has been the victim of greed by the developers and lost for ever so many heritage buildings Willow Grove MUST
be retained and St George Terrace MUST also be retained at all cost. No further heritage buildings should be demolished as Parramatta will
have no soul.

We have made no reportable political donations.

A final plea, listen to the people of New South Wales, Common Sense must prevail.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because it seems decisions are being made to demolish heritage listed buildings that will never be replaced. I grew up in the Parramatta area. There are plenty of vacant sites where the Powerhouse museum can be built if it is moved from Ultimo. This is another example of people making decisions without taking in consideration the public viewpoint or those of older generations. 'Out with the old and in with the new!'
Please reconsider the relocation of the Powerhouse museum.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project if it involved destruction of historic Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace

History is part who we are as a society. Developments need to acknowledge and respect our heritage.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because of the unnecessary destruction of irreplaceable heritage

We have allowed the bulk of older Parramatta to be destroyed, now your Govt wants to take the rest

You are building a light rail through the most logical site in North Parramatta

Note also that Parramatta by River is not convenient To public transport, esp for disabled and car access to Parramatta is atrocious, ie the River site is not for disabled, not for elderly who can’t walk that far. Can’t get buses there so not for d hook groups - then whom?

I strongly object to the tearing down those beautiful old buildings. They can never be replace.

Jack Mundey would be outraged.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because it is not a viable concept in the area as planned. Utilise buildings already in existance instead of wasting taxpayer's money on more unsightly and unnecessary structures. Leave heritage alone - value it not dispose of it for the sake of handing out more Developer mistakes. Make Parramatta the heritage precinct it should be, not the cold, sunless suburb it is becoming.

I object to the “Powerhouse Parramatta” project as it is currently proposed because

·It is wrong to demolish significant heritage buildings like Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace;
·An arts centre incorporating these buildings would be an outstanding contribution to the cultural fabric of Parramatta; and
·A museum must be built representing the proud history of Western Sydney from its indigenous origins to the female factory to the first government house to the migration that has created today’s rich cultural mix – in consultation with Western Sydney residents and workers. Why not on the Fleet Street Heritage Precinct?
I would like to be kept informed about the progress of this plan. I have not made any reportable political donations.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because it is a piece of history that cannot be replaced - especially with modern architecture. It does seem a little ironic that history is being replaced with a ‘museum’ - I assume to pay homage to history.
Land without heritage architecture on it can be found anywhere and everywhere. This work appears to make no sense: It provides no additional value to Sydney - it’s just moving the same asset from one place to another.

As a resident of Northmead, I would Much rather see something new, innovative, attractive and imaginative bought to Parramatta enhancing our area without destroying our history.

Please do not proceed.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because it will mean the destruction of some of our precious yet dwindling built heritage.
We have never had many, and they have been disastrously and shamefully demolished even in my lifetime.
Think of Subiaco in Parramatta, and St. Malo at Hunters Hill.

Please treat the threatened buildings as you would an Aboriginal site.
You would not dare touch them.
Leave them be.

The Ultimo site is perfect for the Powerhouse Museum.
Expensive apartments can be built elsewhere.
Leave it be.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project, as it entails the demolition of two of Parramatta's significant historical treasures -Willowgrove and St Georges Terraces. Such heritage is irreplaceable.
The site alongside the River is unsuitable, due to risks of flooding, and indeed flooding is likely to be more extreme in the not so distant future, due to more extreme weather events resulting from climate change.Why put valuable items at risk of water damage, or at least the huge cost of having to move them out every time such an event occurs?
A far more suitable site would be in the historic Cumberland Hospital precinct. This museum could have a strong focus on the history and culture of Parramatta, and of western Sydney in general.
the area alongside the river would best be utilised for a public square, which has been Parramatta Council's vision for some time.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because we are losing too much of our historical buildings in Parramatta for unnecessary projects & ugly high rise complexes.