Powerhouse Parramatta

I’m writing in relation to the demolition of Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace, Parramatta.
Please save them, they’re part of our history, in good condition and we cannot afford to spend the money nor loose the history.

As an owner of a heritage building and dealing with the heritage council I find it appalling that I have to spend at least 20% more on upkeep and maintenance to ensure compliance with the scheme and yet these historic properties can simply be demolished.

As an elected representative of the public it is your responsibility to listen and save the buildings as the sentiment is the public wish for that to happen.

I wanted to register my numerous concerns about the proposed demolition of Willow Grove and St. George’s Terrace in Parramatta to make way for a museum.

I am most concerned about the loss of beautiful and significant historical buildings. Architecture and significant properties of these types are increasingly rare in Parramatta and Sydney more broadly due to rampant development. Alongside this rapid growth, Parramatta should retain and showcase its extensive European history. The broader and highly significant Parramatta Historical Precinct could include these buildings as well as Old Government House, Cattle Paddock, Old Orchard and the nearby Female Factory and Fleet Street Heritage Precinct, as well as many other historical sites and buildings around Parramatta.
Does it not strike you as ironic that you would demolish historical properties to make way for a museum?

I am also concerned about potential flooding of the site and proposed building being located so close to and overshadowing the Parramatta River, which would endanger historical collections and indeed other businesses and occupants of the proposed building.

Further, I am concerned about the cost and funding of this project at a time when the NSW budget is under extreme pressure on numerous fronts. I am not convinced of the business case of this development and surely preventing a debt blowout must be a priority at this time.

I hope that you will consider these issues with respect to the proposed museum at Parramatta. Should you decide to proceed with a museum / conference centre, Willow Grove and St. George’s Terrace must be retained.

Dear Marcus,

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because to destroy heritage and buildings of community cultural importance is a travesty. There are other ways to bring culture to the west without the destruction of these sights. Leave the Powerhouse in Darling Harbour where it belongs!

Ruth Sheahan

I am submitting my opposition to the demolishion of St George’s Terrace & Willow Grove.
In Europe and many other countries heritage is treasured. Why would one erect a monstrosity on this site?
My ancestors were early pioneers in the area, and I am sure they would be shocked at this decision if it goes ahead.
I believe in progress, but not like this, its vandalism!

Please listen to the community. Find another place to build a museum in Parramatta!

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project for the following reasons:

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project because I do not want to see the destruction of both Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace. These buildings are rare examples of architecture that no longer exists in the Parramatta CBD.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project with regards to Willow Grove especially because the building is very important to women's history in view of the fact that it was a maternity hospital for over three decades in the early 1950s.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project because, with all the new high rise buildings going up in Parramatta the city is losing its character so further proposed destruction of both Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace will only exacerbate matters. A sense of history and a sense of place are vitally important to the character of such an historic city as Parramatta.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project because the valuable museum pieces - including the Locomotive No 1243 built in Sydney in 1882; the Boulton and Watt engine and the Catalina flying boat - will not be showcased in the Parramatta Powerhouse.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project because it will only have 25 per cent of the exhibits now held in the Ultimo Powerhouse.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project because the facilities will be inadequate so they will not be able to display many of the works of artistic and historical value now held in the Ultimo Powerhouse.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project because, as it will not be due to open until 2024/2025 NSW citizens, students and young people will be unable to view the valuable historical objects the Ultimo Powerhouse now holds for four or five years.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project because it is proposed to be built on a flood plain.

Finally I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project because the costs involved to move the various historical pieces now in the Ultimo Powerhouse are cost prohibitive. On top of which, due to the chances of a major recession which COVID-19 will no doubt bring about, such costs will be a burden I do not wish my children and grandchildren to have.

I strongly object to the destruction of Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace at Parramatta.

It's difficult to find a reason to move the Powerhouse unless it's because of the value of its real estate. And many people believe that the museum would not survive such a move. That would be a criminal waste of a much loved institution that has developed its character slowly but surely over the decades.

Parramatta has a great history of its own. This would be a much more fitting subject for a museum in the west.

I do hope such an ill-advised scheme does not go ahead.

I object to the proposed Powerhouse Parramatta Project for the following reasons:

The poor design of the current plan which does NOT incorporate Willow Grove into its plan.

 The importance of Willow Grove to women’s history as a maternity hospital for over
three decades for people of Parramatta to the early 1950s. The sheer poor design of the current plan does NOT incorporate Willow Grove into the project.
 Overall cumulative impacts of further heritage destruction in Parramatta currently
been undertaken, make Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces vital to retain for
communities’ sense of place.
 Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces are rare examples of architecture that no
longer exist in Parramatta CBD and should be retained.
 The poor design of the current plan which does NOT incorporate Willow Grove.

Please consider the much BETTER, more cost-effective, more practical plan - which is to locate the new Powerhouse at the Fleet St precinct in North Parramatta where new structures could be incorporated to include the heritage-rated Female Factory and its surrounding enormous stone walls, the First ever Hospital and other nearby heritage buildings plus the nearby Wisteria Gardens. The Perth Museum is currently using this concept to complete their project this year.
The Parramatta Community is now indicating its support for the alternative suggestions.

Yours Sincerely

Ms Barbara Bryan