Powerhouse Parramatta

I don't live near Parramatta and only knew about Willow Grace from Facebook ! I like heritage, but certainly NOT ALL heritage ! ( but I do kinda like Willow ! : )

I understand the need for development, and sometimes I am pro-development, however it TOTALLY SUCKS when they build stupid ulgy shit ! ( THAT proposal for that centre, looks like the architect's kid was playing around with some paddle pop sticks !!! Ugly AF !!! : )

So, heritage debate aside, think about $$$ !!! WA$TING a LOT of $$$ on some mega centre, that people will VERY quickly grow bored of, is really rather pointless !!!

I say, INSTEAD, you can keep all the lovely heritage houses, do a small budget reno on them ( if necessary, maybe it even isn't ! : ), and turn the area into a Historical Precinct to rival the Rocks !!! THIS WAY you would MAKE a LOT of $$$$ and it will be a place that people will ACTUALLY LIKE !!! : ) ( Locals and tourists alike ! : )
It would be REAL Win-Win for EVERYONE !!! : ) $AVE $$$, you can always do other, BETTER development projects in the future ! : )

Sounds like a good idea, no ? : ) : ) : ) :

( I never go to Parra anyway !!! : ) : ) : )

I think I make a good point ! Heritage or not, WA$TING a lot of $$$$ on some mega project , probably is not the BEST IDEA given the current political / economic landscape ! : )

SAVE the Priceless Heritage ( don't be like ISIS ! : ) - Use the buildings, turn the area into a TOP historical precinct to rival the Rocks, and it will be ACTUALLY a cool place, for locals and visitors alike ! : ) So simple and cost-effective, with so much MORE benefit in the long-run than some $UPER Expensive ugly Fugly mega-centre that people will VERY quickly tire of ! : )

I object to the proposed demolition of the heritage-listed Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces. The design of the new building should recognise the heritage value of these buildings as a constraint, rather than simply knocking them over. If the design is unable to do so, the site is not suitable and another should be selected (and there must be plenty of disused 'brownfield' sites in Parramatta to choose from). The proposed loss of these heritage buildings needs to be seen in the wider cumulative loss of heritage in Parramatta and other parts of Sydney. The current NSW government has a sorry record on heritage conservation -- for example the destruction of the Royal Oak pub in Parramatta; the ANZAC memorial avenue in Randwick for the light rail; Aboriginal heritage sites (for the same project); numerous trees and open spaces (Westconnex); early convict-built sandstone constructions (Windsor Bridge) . These heritage items were important reminders of our past history and our development as a nation, and their destruction reflects badly on the government. If the government doesn't respect our history, then what message does that send to the people? Save Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces and stop destroying our heritage.

I did make a submission earlier.

The only point I would add to what I have said in my submission already made to the upcoming inquiry is that in respect of the proposals for Parramatta and Ultimo as they are now following the decision to vary the intentions in respect of the Ultimo site there is no developed business case and that there is also no written outline of precisely what is intended. The statements made by the Premier and by the Minister for the Arts do not seem coherent at all and do not in my view reflect the physical and cultural issues, nor address the various difficulties on the Parramatta site or the issues concerning large objects.

The “planning” as it now would appear to stand is completely incoherent and uncosted.

I would appreciate these comments being added to the submission I have already made which would be on the Upper House Committee’s files, if that is possible.

I will be appearing before the Committee on 21 August as part of a three person panel.

To whom it may concern.

I know my writing is a waste of my energy as I know it will be ignored.
If our premier doesn’t even feel she needs to respond to those protesting the removal of the Powerhouse museum and the destruction of heritage buildings in Parramatta it smells like dictatorship.The decision to no longer demolish the stadium was possible,so why not change the decision to move the Powerhouse Museum.
Typically Sydney goes for the dollar,quite happy to negate heritage.
Soul destroying.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project.

Section 1.5of the EIS identifies
the Secretary’s Requirements (SEARS) for the project in accordance with Section 4.39 of the EP&A Act. The relevant requirement for considering alternate sites is:

8. Social

The EIS shall include a social impact assessment, which:

• considers all remaining feasible alternatives and comparatively analyses their respective
social impacts and benefits (EIS, p18)

The EIS responds by providing
three options:

·Option 1 – The ‘do nothing’ scenario (P 13),

·Option 2 – Alternative location (p 14), and

·Option 3 – The Powerhouse Parramatta (the project)
(p 14).

Curiously, Option 2, despite
its heading does not discuss a single alternate site for the project but simply goes about providing greater support for Option 3 where it states, in part:

The riverside site has been found to be the best and most appropriate location for
the delivery of the Powerhouse Parramatta both at a regional and local scale and was ultimately selected as the favoured location with the NSW Government announcing its acquisition from City of Parramatta Council in April 2016.

The EIS does not address
the SEARS for the consideration of alternate sites for the project. Section 1.4 of the EIS states:

1.4 Analysis of alternatives

Three (3) primary options have been considered in responding to the identified strategic
need and objectives of the project. The options outlined below are generally aligned with those described in the Business Case Summary published by Infrastructure NSW on their website, as well as other significant research and development that has informed
the proposed development.

An EIS is an independent
document that identifies potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures and is used to inform development consent conditions for a particular project. It is not a document that is used to support a pre-determined outcome.

The non-compliance with the SEAR for considering alternate sites has not been properly addressed and this EIS should be deemed invalid.

I have lived in the Garden shire of The Hills since I was 7 years old. Never have I seen such blatant destruction of my wonderful district. Hezlett Road in North Kellyville are already the slums of tomorrow. This was an an area of market gardens, poultry farms and good size housing blocks. It now has High rise apartments that already are showing wear and tear. Baulkham Hills does not have a train line, when all these apartments (lego land I call them) are filled, if ever, we will not have enough public transport to move people to their employment. No new High Schools, Glenwood High is so overcrowded they have to stagger breaks. The Ponds is full. I cannot see any provisions for new TAFE colleges. When is the promised hospital supposed to start? I suspect when you find something else to sell off to the highest bidder. Why do we have to have the Powerhouse Museum brought to Parramatta, most people do not want it. I have witnessed the flooding of the site proposed many times when I was younger. This Government is and has destroyed any history we will ever have, We do not want more and more people coming into the areas. Where is the food, water, jobs etc. going to come from. Why do you not ask the ratepayers what they want rather than be told what to do by developers? My children who were born in Baulkham Hills cannot afford the prices they are asking for poorly built housing and apartments. The metro has brought some unwanted characters into the area. My daughter will not let our Grandchildren go to Rouse Hill Town centre on a Thursday night. For the first time I witnessed a fight in the centre one Thursday lunch time. This has never been seen before. When are you going to be accountable for the blown out costs on any projects your Government takes on. Don't blame Andrew Constance for the transport cost blow outs as they were commenced when our Premier held the position. I believe it is about time that this Government needs to remember it is our money you are using and I hope that many like myself and family will make it known at the next election.

On the following grounds:
Beautiful irreplaceable heritage buildings would be destroyed The huge cost is not something our state can afford at this time.
A purpose built museum could be built on the site of Cumberland hospital for half the price The proposed museum would be on a flood prone site The existing Powerhouse museum is a wonderful building with precious exhibits which could not be housed at Parramatta

I wish to object to the demolition of these two historical buildings to be replaced with a new Powerhouse Museum.
Parramatta has a wonderful history and amazing buildings that need to be kept to honour our heritage for now and for the future generations. It is a disgrace to see the destruction in the Cumberland Hospital Precinct as well as the demolition of the Royal Oak Hotel. No further destruction for Parramatta's heritage buildings!
The logistics of moving displays to and from Parramatta with the construction of the new museum makes no sense at all.
Parramatta is not central for tourists and visitors from other suburbs no matter what transport is delivered. No provision for parking which puts severe restrictions on visitors who are not near a bus or train link from their homes.
Parramatta River where the proposed museum will be built is a known flood zone so how can such a building gain permission?
The current Powerhouse building has the appropriate character for its purpose to display historical artefacts etc.
A modern building as has been designed is only appropriate for modern art etc.
To finish, I am unable to contribute ONE reason to move the Powerhouse Museum from its current site.
Please respect our heritage and leave Willow Grove and St George's Terrace alone to remain a living part of our history.
Let them continue to stand and grow old - riches of our past to remain as living reminders of what came before us.

Good morning,
I OBJECT TO THE DEMOLITION OF WILLOW GROVE FOR THE BUILDING OF THE POWERHOUSE MUSEUM IN PARRAMATTA. It is totally unnecessary, ridiculous and very sad that we cannot keep such a beautiful piece of history. Don’t demolish it. Leave it as it stands. Let our children learn about these beautiful places in our Local Government Area.

If there is a way for this historic building to be kept in the design of the new powerhouse development, that would be a way of keeping our heritage intact while still embracing change.

All too often our grand homes and buildings are demolished for no good reason. Surely there is a way of keeping this home, as others have been demolished through no reason other than neglect or perceived progress.

This is the community feeling on this. If the Powerhouse does have to be moved, then surely Willow Grove can be retained.

Better yet, keep it in town...

Thank you!

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project.
It is destroying an unacceptable amount of our heritage sites.While “growth” is essential, so is more careful planning to preserve these sites which are make Parramatta what it is today.
Unlike many international cities our young country does not have an “old city”.
We have old sites and I believe they should be preserved both physically and by legislation to show future generations how things once were socially and architecturally.
Parramatta’s heritage sites themselves are a museum.
The community is not in favour of the Powerhouse project at the expense of our heritage sites and I am writing in support of this.
The light rail will not support or even have stations at locations where it is needed most and in my opinion is simply being built to approve more unit tower constructions along its course.
Save Willow Grove, St Georges Terraces and The Cumberland Historic Precinct in their entirety.

- I Have not made any reportable political donations.
-I request My name to be withheld from being published.

Dear Sir,

OBJECTION TO TEARING DOWN WILLOWGROVE FOR POWERHOUSE MUSEUM

I want to express my objection in writing to the demolition of Willowgrove to pave the way for a Powerhouse Museum.

The Powerhouse Museum should not be built at the expense of a beautiful property which should be heritage listed.

At the very least the building should be preserved & encompassed within the museum.

Please give me your assurance the building will not be lost and that my objection has been noted and recorded.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project.

My objections have many aspects, but of principal concern is the proposed demolition of Willow Grove. This outstanding example of a style of architecture which has become so rare now, should be retained, not only for its intrinsic beauty, but also its historical significance. Generations to come will be robbed of an immensely significant part of their heritage should this building no longer exist. There will no doubt still be a Parramatta Powerhouse Museum in due course, but please not at the expanse of such a treasure.

I am not a Parramatta resident. I live in Mount Colah, a small, quiet suburb in the north of Sydney, with nothing that compares with the elegance and historically rich Willow Grove. However I gain immensely by being able to visit the precinct of Parramatta, as do many other Sydney residents and indeed overseas and interstate visitors, in order to learn more about our history, not from a museum, but from real examples of the homes, hospitals, schools etc of a bygone era. These are irreplaceable. To lose them for the sake of a new building which could be built elsewhere beggars belief.

I am not saying “Do not have the Parramatta Powerhouse”. But I am saying “Do not destroy what should be treasured”.

My further thought regarding the Powerhouse Museum is that the existing museum in Ultimo should remain. What a treasure it is, particularly from the point of view of the building which houses it and also its ideal location for people from all over Sydney, being so close to Central Station. It must be retained.

In the sincere hope that you will consider these views,