Powerhouse Parramatta

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..
The proposed building is clearly intended as a function centre with no understanding of the role and function of a museum and because…
Its proposed location on the banks of the flood-prone Parramatta River is seriously irresponsible and because…
The Powerhouse must remain on its Ultimo site with its purpose-built facilities for showcasing our industrial history and because…
Parramatta deserves a separate purpose-built museum that doesn’t entail the demolition of much-loved and architecturally significant existing infrastructure and because…
The New South Wales government has a constitutional responsibility to heed the concerns of citizens.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because the generic ‘milkcrate’ design for a Parramatta powerhouse museum means destruction of Willow Grove & St Georges Terraces.

People out of the area would have three reasons to visit Parramatta for history and contemporary design instead of what is proposed. And a purpose display museum built on a flood zone?
For locals & in the wider area, rather see the realisation of the Parramatta Council vision for a public square alongside the river.

Governments should be value adding to our public assets and civic spaces.

Please do not destroy our Australian Heritage for a new building build a new museum in the grounds of the old mental hospital , a museum show casing the history of the first people the aboriginals in the area and then the early settlers up to the modern city of Parramatta

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..Willow Grove, formerly ‘Estella’ was the birth-place of my Uncle in 1915, my Aunt in 1917 and my Mother in 1922, also a friend from school in 1946.
Our family in Parramatta goes back to the 1800’s when our Ancestors, from both sides, arrived in Australia from England, Ireland and Scotland.
Our great grandfather, Alexander Charles, was a stonemason who was brought here from Scotland to help erect Parramatta Gaol. And our great-grandfather x five, was a friend of the Reverend Samuel Marsden.
In fact, there is too many historical facts regarding the family to write here. Currently,
I work as a Volunteer at Brislington, a major part of Parramatta Hospital, now known as Jeffrey House and I have a sister who also volunteers with the Historical Society, working at Rose Cottage and other venues.
We, along with our many family members, are currently very saddened at the possible demise of Willow-Grove.
My Mother had seven children and, currently, there are twenty-nine grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren living and working in the Parramatta/Sydney/Hills and Blue Mountains areas.
Mum died in 2015, knowing her great great grandchildren. And, she was very proud to have been born at the Estella Hospital and visited quite regularly.
She originally began school at Blessed Oliver Plunkett in Harris Park in 1930; one of its very first students and then moved on to St Patrick’s in Parramatta. My siblings and I also attended B.O.P. (now St Oliver’s).
My cousin began nursing at Parramatta Hospital, not far from where her Father (my Uncle) was also born at Willow-Grove. In fact,
I could write a whole book on my family’s involvement in the Parramatta District however the prime purpose of this email is to please enlist your help in preventing the destruction on what is, to us, an important piece of our heart and soul, our family’s history.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..it is a travesty to destroy the heritage property Willow Grove in the name if preserving heritage. The old Cumberland Hospital site would make a much better site for a Parramatta museum.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because the present site means the loss of an important historical site "willow grove". We need to retain and protect what little historical buildings remain for future generations. There is so little of the past on display in this historical city and those who should be protecting these sites seem to have no value of our heritage.

Why hasn't the oposite side of the river not been an option? The old jail would also make a great alternative which could be leased back from our First Nation people and/or giving them assistance and also helping with the maintenance of the jail.

This is a totally personal request and there is no financial gain or payments been made. I love the heritage of our city and am saddened that there is so little left and people in power have so little regard.

Please take personal responsibility as once they are destroyed we can never get it back.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because.. Willow Grove needs to be retained. It is part of our heritage that cannot be replaced.
I grew up in the area and worked in Parramatta for many years.
I am not linked to any political party and am writing as a former resident.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because the museum should be kept at Ultimo and Willow Grove and St George's Terrace should be saved. The proposed new building is not a proper museum.

I wish to lodge my concern at the N.S.W Government's proposal to demolish two more of Parramatta's heritage buildings namely
WILLOWGROVE and ST. GEORGES TERRACE. Slowly the heritage of Parramatta has been demolished over the years
and considering this is the second city after Sydney to be established I find it difficult to comprehend that we are not proudly
keeping and maintaining our buildings in this heritage city.

I was raised at Wentworthville and spent 30 years in and around Parramatta. To begin with my Great Great Grandparents owned
and operated a shop in Church Street, Parramatta where my Grandmother was raised. She attended Miss Griffiths School
for Ladies. My Great Great Grandfather was a lay preacher at St. John's Church (also St. Matthews at Windsor) and a foundation
member of The Parramatta Bowling Club. My Grandmother's step brother was a pupil at The Kings School. All of
my forebears are buried in St. John's Cemetery.
My Uncle worked at Grace Bros in Parramatta for most of his life. I attended St. John's Girl Guide Company and the Church
services associated with that Company at St. Johns Church. I was also a pupil at The Miss Swann's school teaching
from the stables at Elizabeth Farm as well as being a pupil at Macarthur Girls High School.
I then had the privilege of working at Rumseys Seeds at 331 Church Street for 12 years
(this building has also been demolished to make way for units).

As I have a great interest in the history of Parramatta I find it unbelievable to think that what is left of this City's heritage
is also to be demolished. Our Premier when she took office indicated that she would certainly maintain any heritage
buildings in the city - a promise that has certainly been broken. Proof being the removal the old Royal Oak Hotel only
recently.

My question is: Why demolish heritage buildings to replace them with another museum? They are already standing and
in very good order? There is vacant land at various locations in Parramatta. Why not build a museum there or
perhaps in Parramatta Park where Government House already stands. The gate building into Parramatta Park is
also another heritage building as well as the Bath House all in that same area. There is also the area where the Industrial
School in Fleet Street still stands. What a great building, plus others, to house a museum on an already established
museum site.

If we, the people, don't fight to keep our heritage then what will be left for any future generations to enjoy the history of the
colony.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..

I am opposed to the alienation of valuable riverfront openspace land for a project that is not in the public spirit of creating a museum that truely reflects the indigenous and colonial history of the Parramatta region and enhances existing heritage built infrastructure.
Parramatta to a heritage City with its own essential heritage and this development would be non contributory to Parramatta’s unique heritage status.
The proposal would not only alienate a valuable riverside site it would have a serious impact on the existing heritage buildings nearby and completely destroy those buildings on the site.
Parramatta deserves a museum that reflects its unique heritage and the ecology of the area.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..it will mean demolishing the most beautiful heritage building of Willow Grove and historic Georges Terrace houses. It is inconcievable that the Liberal Government could even think of destroying our historic heritage. Once they are demolished and gone you can never get them back. Just imagine if cities and towns in Europe and the U.K. demolished all their old buildings. I am also against moving the Powerhouse Museum from it's present site in the city. Most tourists would probably not venture as far as Parramatta to see a museum, as there is so much to see in the city and a visit to the Power House Museum is part of visiting the city at present. There is no reason why there can't be another museum at Parramatta with different exhibits. The site near the river is also a worry , due to the potential of flooding.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..
It is yet another beautiful Sydney historic building to be demolished and it is what gives our cities so much character and beauty.
It also allows younger generations learn about the past and lets older generations be proud of where they live.
I think we should be designing future spaces with all aspects in mind, past, present and future built together creating interesting spaces and learning from past mistakes. We have already lost the Royal Oak Hotel in Parramatta, so that should be a wake up call for us to design better.


Keep the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo
Create a brilliant Museum and cultural destination at historic Cumberland Hospital Precinct in North Parramatta.
Save historic Willow Grove & St Georges Terraces, and realise the existing Parramatta Council vision for a public square alongside the river

And also keep the fantastic Castle Hill Discovery Centre going exactly as it is.

As a community member of NSW (and greater Sydney region) I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because of the proposed destruction of Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace. These beautiful historic buildings should be preserved for future generations to see, appreciate and learn from. Such places are our access to our past, our link to our social and cultural history and must be respected and treasured.

To destroy these Heritage Listed buildings would be an irrevocable action - the past cannot be rebuilt. If we can’t value and learn from our past, what hope has our future? What is the point of having Heritage Listings if they can be overturned - what would the future think of this violation of their inheritance?

There is a real irony in destroying our past history to build a new museum to house future historical items!

Our history and our heritage must be preserved. Build a new museum in Nth Parramatta, and retain Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace - thus maintaining the connection with our culture and our heritage.

The government even agreed at some stage, with their own reports stating: "Willow Grove and St Georges Terrave are one of a kind in the Parramatta CBD and their lose would have a significant impact on the community's connection with heritage"

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..
It is part of NSW history and very important to the Parramatta community.
Please reconsider and make this decision permanent.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..

I live in the west (Blacktown) and don;t see why local heritage should be destroyed

The heritage of Parramatta is part of the heritage of my husband's and grandchildren's heritage. The Royal Oak where one of my family's ancestors was a licensee has just gone. We had family living in Macquarie St

Surely it is possible to retain the heritage of Parramatta AND have a museum

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project.
It does not make sense to destroy much loved historically significant buildings that grace a significant and greatly appreciated waterway and replace it with a huge building block, especially one that is not pleasing to the eye.
Parramatta has an important past in First Nation history and convict/early settler history. Parramatta was the “bread basket” of early settlement, the oldest inland European settlement in Australia. The buildings and green spaces from this time are disappearing and our history will be forgotten. Please leave what is left alone.
The old grounds of Cumberland Hospital with its gardens, space and convict built buildings will make a wonderful atmospheric and idyllic background for a living museum, with outdoor seating in parkland, eateries and gift shops amongst the old buildings.
Please don’t waste the unique treasure and history of Cumberland Hospital. Build the museum in the hospital grounds.
Visitors don’t come to Parramatta to look at tall buildings that look the same, they want to look at, appreciate and value the contribution that Parramatta made to our growing story, past and present.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because it comes at a cost of Parramatta’s history, causing the destruction of Willow Grove and St George’s Terraces.
I have always felt proud to see both these buildings still standing in Parramatta’s CBD and to destroy them now, in these enlightened times, when we should treasure our historical buildings, is unforgivable. Both play an important part in Parramatta’s women’s history as a maternity hospital and mother and baby care.
Keep the Powerhouse museum at Ultimo.
Create a brilliant museum and cultural destination in the beautiful historic Cumberland hospital precinct.
Save Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace and realise the Parramatta council’s vision for a public square by the river.
Parramatta played such an important role in the establishment of our nation and it’s historical buildings and precincts must be preserved.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..
There is a better solution already put........ The new museum in the grounds of the Cumberland Hospital and complementing the world heritage female factory
I am aware this suggestion is already before you.
Please get back to the drawing board and avoid seeing everyone angry Parramatta needs its history

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..
Willow Grove is beautiful historic building which should be kept for future generations. It is sad to see so many old buildings in Parramatta removed. Our history gets lost this way.
Keep the Powerhouse museum in Ultimo, its more central for the general population in Sydney. It will bring more tourism to the city center. Keep Parramatta the way it is.

I am proud to stand with the people of Parramatta and tell Premier Gladys Brerejiklian to save Willow Grove and St George's Terraces.
The destruction of these beautiful heritage buildings is strongly opposed by the people of Parramatta.

It is important to preserve our cultural heritage because it keeps our integrity as a people. The importance of intangible cultural hetitage is not the cultural manifestation itself but rather the wealth of knowledge and skills that is transmitted through it from one generation to the next.

[Redacted], from a more personal point my Mother grew up in Parramatta my Grandparents owned a beautiful home in Trott Street, North Parramatta which sadly is now a block of home units, I have so very many wonderful memories of my families home and my years growing up in the area, my family their friends and neighbours were all proud Australians and most certainly proud to call Parramatta their home, indeed Willow Grove (Aloha Private Hospital) holds a very special place in my heart as it was my place of birth.